“Of course. I have no intention of concealing it,” Ella replied haughtily. “But you made her promise not to write home or anything of that kind, Fräulein? You know I shall do so myself as soon as ever I am settled.”
“Yes,” said the German lady calmly, as she opened the door of the room where Mrs Ward was waiting for them.
Ella at once stated her wishes. Mrs Ward listened quietly, though now and then a quiet smile lighted up her face.
“You don’t think it would be difficult to get a situation such as I should be fit for?” said the young lady in conclusion.
Mrs Ward hesitated.
“No,” she said, “I think I might put you in the way of something of the kind. But it would be only a modest beginning, particularly as you want to leave England. You would have no salary at your age, or if any, very little. Your best chance would be a situation au pair, as it is called. I have one or two on my books.”
“What does that mean?” asked Ella, whose countenance had fallen a little.
“You would have to teach English and in return for that you would have board and lodging and certain facilities for acquiring French or German, or both. I have an application at this moment from a school in Germany of this kind.” And she turned to a large ledger on the table.
Ella’s face for the first time expressed perplexity and misgiving. “No salary,” she said to herself. “Well, after all I have clothes enough to last a good while and the great thing is to get something settled.” She turned abruptly to Mrs Ward.
“I will accept that situation,” she said. “I am eager to be settled. Can I go at once?”