“Tell us now!”
They all became much interested in this subject, and even Erb put some elucidating questions. Louisa looked admiringly at her tall sister as Alice went from this to the subject of visitors to Eaton Square: young Lady Frances, it seemed, occasionally gave mixed dinners, where no one knew anybody else, and even Lady Frances herself did not insist on previous acquaintance: the passport to these was notoriety. From this subject to the servants’ coming party of the following Thursday week was an easy stage. Thursday had been selected to fit the convenience of certain visitors whose establishments on that day closed early.
“Another foot or so,” said Louisa gazing up at her sister, “and I might ’ave been in your shoes.”
“Height isn’t the only thing required. We shall be rather short of gentlemen, by the bye.”
“I can quite understand that.”
“I suppose, Erb,” said Alice to her brother doubtfully, “you wouldn’t care to come if I got you an invite? If you did, you’d have to remember that I told them you were an inspector: you mustn’t make me look like a story-teller.”
“Not much in my line,” growled Erb. “Besides, I’ve got a big job coming on that I mustn’t tell you anything further about jest now.”
“I’d get you asked, Louisa,” she said candidly to her short sister, “if you looked better than you do. I don’t think your work does you any good.”
“I’m not in it for me health,” retorted the other, her head giving its involuntary shake.
“I’ve advised her to try something else,” agreed Erb, walking up and down the room. “She’s only a bit of a girl, and the circumstances under which our female workers are compelled to carry on their duties amount to a species of white slavery which would not be tolerated in Russia.”