It was not a fairy godmother; it was Jane, as was made clear by her turning the handle and disclosing herself in the doorway.
“If you please, miss, can I be of any use to you?”
“Any use to me? What do you mean?”
“Well, Miss Norah, I heard that you was going out with them gentlemen; so I thought that perhaps you might like me to help you to dress.”
I stared. I was unused to the ministrations of a maid, and had certainly not expected an offer of the kind from Jane, who was not in good odour with the heads of the family. Indeed, mamma was only keeping her on, because, under present circumstances, if she did go, we should be servantless.
“How did you know that I was going out?”
“Well, miss, you was all of you talking so loud, and the drawing-room door wide open, so that I couldn’t hardly help but hear. If you wouldn’t mind, I should like helping you, Miss Norah. If you’ll excuse my saying so, you never do seem to make the best of yourself somehow. In my last place there was two young ladies, and I used to help them often.”
Jane had a free and easy way of speaking which suggested that in some of the places she had been in the servants had been permitted liberties. But I had a feeling that she was not a bad sort in her way. And then so few people ever do offer to do anything for me, that when anyone does I find it nearly impossible to refuse to let them.
“Really, Jane, I don’t see how you can be of use to me. I’ve only a lot of old things to wear, which I’ve worn dozens and dozens of times before, and anyone could put them on blindfold.”
“Pardon me, Miss Norah, but that’s just where you’re mistaken, as, if you’ll allow me, I very soon will show you. There’s a way of putting on even old things which will almost make people think that you’ve never had them on before. Your sisters, now, work wonders. They can make the same thing look as if it was twenty. I’m sure that I’ve often thought to myself that if they ever was to turn lady’s maids to a lady as wanted to make a large show on a little money, they’d be worth any amount, they would. I’ve never know anyone who made one dress to behave as if it was half-a-dozen, like they can.”