"I wonder whether that means that she can cook on an oil-stove or that she can't cook on any other kind? And does the 'no risk' refer to her or the stove? It's not very clear. I don't think we'll take up this one's references. Besides I shouldn't like one that was tired for six days."
"Out of every seven," I added, "and the seventh day would be the Sabbath, and her day off."
"Go on to the next," said Phyllis firmly.
The next one merely said; "General. Kilburn tkg. £40 1 rm. s.a.v."
"It would be nice to have a taking sort of girl," I thought (unfortunately aloud).
"We won't think of her, the hussy!" said Phyllis. "Pass me the paper, please."
"They all seem to want 's.a.v.,'" she said. "What do you suppose it means? I wish they wouldn't use so many abbreviations. 'S.a.' stands for Sunday afternoon, of course, but I can't think what the 'v.' is for. Of course we'll give them Sunday afternoons free, if that's what it means. I only wonder they don't want an evening off in the week as well. I call them most reasonable. And there are so many to choose from. I always understood from mother that they're so hard to get."
Then she turned the paper over.
"Oh, you are stupid!" she said. "You've been looking at the 'Shops and Businesses for Sale' column."
"So've you," I snapped.