The first time William got an answer from the new housemaid was when he expressed his anxiety about the care of this room. He said that servants generally were very careless, and he hoped she would attend to things, and see that his papers were kept nicely in order. This, without glancing up at him, the girl promised to do, and William thereafter found his apartment kept with a scrupulous neatness which would have delighted the most particular of men.
One morning when he was sitting by his table, enjoying an after-breakfast cigarette, the door opened softly, and the new housemaid entered. Seeing him there, she seemed confused, and was about to retire, when William, throwing his cigarette away, sprang to his feet.
'No, don't go,' he said; 'I was just about to ring.'
The girl paused with her hand on the door.
'Yes,' he continued, 'I was just going to ring, but you have saved me the trouble; but, by the way, what is your name?'
'Susy, if you please, sir,' replied the girl modestly.
'Ah well, Susy, just shut the door for a moment.'
The girl did so, but evidently with some reluctance.
'Well, Susy,' said William jauntily, 'I suppose that I'm not the first one who has told you that you are very pretty.'
'Oh, sir!' said Susy, blushing and looking down on the carpet.