“Grizzel Clay. I be strong and healthy, please, ma’am; and I was twenty-two in the summer.”
“Can you have a character from Mrs. Thorpe?”
“Yes, please, ma’am, and a good one. She can’t say nothing against me.”
And so the queries went on; one would have thought the Mater was hiring a whole regiment of soldiers. Grizzel was ready and willing to enter on her place at once, if hired. Mrs. Thorpe was in Worcester that day, and might be seen at the Hare and Hounds inn.
“What do you think, Johnny?” whispered the Mater.
“I should hire her. She’s just the girl I wouldn’t mind taking without any character.”
“With those blue bows! Don’t be simple, Johnny. Still I like the girl, and may as well see Mrs. Thorpe.”
“By the way, though,” she added, turning to Grizzel, “what wages do you ask?”
“Eight pounds, please, ma’am,” replied Grizzel, after some hesitation, and with reddening cheeks.
“Eight pounds!” exclaimed Mrs. Todhetley. “That’s very high.”