"Oh, you are for the farmyard," Plunkett replied, reassuringly to Lady Harriet, "to keep the house and stable clean, you know. And you," to Nancy, "are to do the cooking."
"You don't mean that this tender creature is to clean stables, brother?" Lionel demanded impulsively.
"Well, she might work in the garden instead if she prefers it. Fifty crowns shall be your wages; and, to be brief, everything found! Beer and cheese for supper on week days; and on Sundays, good roast beef."
Lady Harriet tried to control her laughter.
"Who could resist so splendid an offer," she asked of Nancy. Nancy for her part was nearly dying of laughter.
"Not we, not we, Martha."
"'Tis done, then; we will go."
"Then by the powers, here's the shilling to bind the bargain," Lionel cried, fearful lest after all he and Plunkett should lose them; so he handed over the shilling to Lady Harriet, who, not knowing that this bound her to their service for a year, took it as a part of the fun.
|
Was there ever so droll a situation? I began to feel not quite at ease, |
the girls then said to each other, and they began to look about for Tristram. He had got away, trying to rid himself of the maids, but now he came back again, still followed by the whole of them. He was the image of despair.