She knew well enough that a mere consultation with Mrs. Richards would not secure much for her, and that she would be very angry with her for having appealed to her husband, and she made up her mind on the spot to make a bold stroke for her freedom.
So meeting his eyes in a frank, fearless way, yet speaking with the utmost respect, she said:
“I feel confident from the conversation which I had with Mrs. Richards this morning, that she will be very unwilling to make any change in her arrangements, so I will be perfectly frank and say to you, that much as I should dislike to take any radical steps in opposition to her, or my father’s desire that I should remain with her, yet I cannot consent to remain here as a common servant, with no privileges or time to myself. I presume Mrs. Richards will say that, as she has been appointed my guardian, I shall have to do just as she desires. But I have read somewhere that when an orphan in this country reaches a certain age, he has the privilege of choosing a guardian for himself. Rather than be subjected to the fate of becoming a second Maggie Flynn,” Star continued, her voice gathering firmness, “I shall exercise that privilege. Thank you for listening so kindly to my troubles, and I trust I have not wearied you. Good-night.”
Without waiting for him to reply, she inclined her head in a graceful bow, and quietly glided from the room.
“By George!” exploded Mr. Richards, staring blankly after her retreating form, “that is what I call spirit. Make a common servant of such a girl as that, indeed! My lady and I will talk this matter over, and see—what we shall see.”
Half an hour later he sought an interview with his wife, and there followed “a consultation” in earnest.
Mrs. Richards was dumfounded upon being informed of the decided stand which her spirited little ward had taken, and her indignation in consequence knew no bounds.
“The impudent little beggar!” she ejaculated, crimson with rage. “Does she expect to rule me, or balk me like this? She will find herself greatly mistaken. I will give her a dose in the morning—‘such a dose,’ as Mr. Flintwinch was wont to remark to his beloved Affery.”
“Ellen, you will do no such thing,” her husband returned, firmly. “Have you forgotten Mr. Gladstone’s letter to you and your reply to him? When you wrote accepting the guardianship of his daughter, you did so in a way to lead him to believe that you would do your best for her.”
“And so I am doing my best for her,” interrupted his wife. “You have talked of nothing but retrenchment for the last six months, and I have tried to retrench. I knew the coming of this girl would make an extra mouth to feed, so I made up my mind to make her useful, and save something if I could.”