“We’re—we’re looking for a situation.”—Page [259].
Her voice was so kind and cordial, and her smile so pleasant, that Dulcie and Daisy were both conscious of a sensation of decided relief. Still, the situation remained an embarrassing one, for it was quite evident that Mrs. Thorne supposed them to be some little neighbors come to make a morning call. However, there was nothing to be done but to follow Barbara and her mother into the house, and then they found themselves in a cool, flower-scented room, and Mrs. Thorne was saying in her bright, friendly voice:
“I am sorry you had such a hot morning for your walk. I hope you did not have far to come.”
“We—we don’t live here,” stammered Dulcie, her cheeks growing suddenly very hot. “We came in the train, and walked up from the station.”
“You came on the train?” Mrs. Thorne repeated, incredulously. “You don’t mean by yourselves?”
“Oh, yes,” said Dulcie. “You see, we had to. We’re—we’re looking for a situation.”
Mrs. Thorne gazed in growing bewilderment from one serious little face to the other.
“A situation,” she gasped. “Why, you are only children.”
“I’m twelve,” said Dulcie, rather tremulously, “and Dais—I mean Margaret, is eleven. Of course we wouldn’t expect to be paid very much at first.”