'Well, I can hardly say. You see, James is very generous. He gives me a good three pounds a week, and often more.'
'Three pounds a week! What would you say to three pounds a day?'
'Three pounds a day!' I stared. 'Of course, I know that there are people who have that amount of money, but I don't know what use it would be to me--unless it was for James.'
'I see. Always James?'
'Yes, miss, always James.'
She eyed me sharply, as if she wasn't sure what it was I meant. Though I don't know what I'd said that wasn't plain. All this time she'd had the children on her knee. Now she put them down and began to walk about the room. I thought how tall she was; almost a head above me. I've always wished I wasn't so little. I wished it more than ever when I saw how beautiful she was. The idea of her comparing herself with me was too ridiculous.
After a time she began to talk again; still moving about.
'Mary, I want to ask you something else, and think before you answer.--Did I understand you to say yesterday that your husband enjoys good health?'
'Always, miss. He's never had an hour's illness since I've known him.'
'You're sure of it?'