Matty stopped with a guilty look.
“Not a touch,” said Mrs Rose.
“Not even the edges, nor the legs?” inquired the pupil.
“Neither edges nor legs,” said the instructor.
“Sure it could do no harm.”
“Matty,” said Mrs Rose solemnly, “the great thing that your countrywomen have to learn is obedience.”
“Thank ’ee, ’m,” said Matty, who, being overawed by the housekeeper’s solemnity, felt confused, and was uncertain whether the reference to her countrywomen was complimentary or the reverse.
“Now,” continued Mrs Rose, “the matches.”
Matty placed the box of matches on the chimney-piece.
“Very well; now you’ve got to look round to see that all’s right.”