“Well, yes, ma’am,” she admitted.
“And does the young man live in London?”
“If you please, yes, ma’am.”
“Do your people know him?” Lucy persisted.
Jane Smith looked at her timidly.
“They’ve never seen him yet, ma’am. He hopes to go down there with a cheap trip next Easter. It’s a long way for poor folks.”
“If this is a real serious love affair, Jane—no mere silly flirting, I shall give you leave to let him come to see you once a week,” said Lucy.
“Thank you, ma’am,” answered Jane.
Then for the first time in the whole interview she volunteered a remark.
“The last mistress—the one you saw—she didn’t allow followers. That was why I gave her notice.”