Mrs. Challoner reflected for a moment. It is well-nigh impossible to accept a favour from one who has suddenly cut us down to the bare legal rights of our position.
“No, Pollie, thank you,” she said; “you can go at the time that suits you best.”
“Thank you, m’m,” said Pollie, still rubbing vigorously.
Mrs. Challoner did not feel as if she could drop the matter right off here. It did not seem even fair to this girl, who had been with her and had worked faithfully for her for seven years, not to let her know exactly what feelings her present course had evoked.
“Pollie,” she began very gently, “is not all this rather sudden?”
“Well, ma’am, you’ve got your proper notice, and I’ve said I’d not stand on giving you a week or two extra. What more can I do?” said Pollie.
“That is quite true, Pollie. But look at it in this light—if you had only been with me for two or three months, you would be obliged to do as much as you are doing now. Don’t you think something else comes into the matter when people have been together for years and have grown to rely on each other and to feel as if each other would be always there, unless they knew that something was coming to part them?”
“I was not to know that you mightn’t get rid of me any day, ma’am,” said Pollie. “It seems like as if there might be changes.”
“Pollie, do you really think I would not at once have told you of any possible change which, if it occurred, might interfere with you?” asked Mrs. Challoner. “Legal notices are necessary between everybody, strangers or friends; but full and timely warning beforehand is surely due from those who have been long associated. Don’t you feel you would have had this if change had threatened from my side?”
“I don’t know, m’m,” said Pollie rather sullenly. “Ladies don’t always think of those things. Girls have to look after themselves.”