Mrs. Harding mentioned the name of the town and the distance, adding that she should have a large family through the season, and wished some one to cook and do general work.
"I don't know what they'd say to it. They can do as they've a mind to. But they ain't good for much, nohow," said the mother, who continued to spat and pull her muslin vigorously.
"How old are they?"
"The oldest is seventeen this month, and t'other is two years younger."
At this moment the door opened, and in walked a coarse overgrown girl, munching a piece of pie, and staring boldly at the stranger.
"Do you want to go out to work, Emmeline? Here's a woman that wants you," said the mother, the moment she made her appearance.
"Yes," said the girl, in coarse tones, without relaxing her stare.
Mrs. Harding's heart sank within her. She saw, at a glance, that the great, coarse, unmannered girl would be more care than help. She hardly knew how to make an honorable retreat in the case; but after a slight cross-examination of the capabilities of the girl, she expressed her belief that she was too young for her hard work, and bowed herself out, leaving both mother and daughter looking quite disconcerted.
"Is she going?" whispered Walter, as his mother approached the carriage.
A shake of the head answered him.