“If you explained the circumstances to the mistress you lived with before this last, perhaps she would allow me to make a few inquiries about you?”
“She might,” the girl said; “but some ladies do not like to be troubled.”
“How long were you in that situation?” asked Lucy.
“Six weeks,” answered the girl. “There was a fire, and after that they made some changes, and that was why I came away.”
“But I do not like the look of this,” observed Lucy. “And what about the situation before that?”
“I don’t know where those people are,” said the girl, a sullenness coming over her. “The master bankrupted, and it was as much as I could do to get my wages.”
“You have been very unfortunate,” remarked Lucy, pondering whether this might not be simple fact, and whether justice might not demand that she should give the girl “another chance.” Still it was her present duty to get a reliable household helper, and other considerations must take second place to that absolute duty. Yet she shrank from coming to any harsh decision.
“What is the longest time you have kept any situation?” she asked.
“I was a whole year in one,” said the girl, with great self-satisfaction.
“How long is that ago?” inquired Lucy.