'No, never,' she faltered. 'That's to say, I would, if I got a billet.'
'Mm,' said the girl, eyeing her over. 'Mm.'
Victoria's heart beat unreasonably. 'Do you know where I can get a job?' she asked.
'Well,' said the girl very deliberately, 'the fact of the matter is, that we're short here. We had a letter this morning. One of our girls left home yesterday. Says she can't come. They don't know where she is.'
'Yes,' said Victoria, too excited to speculate as to the implied tragedy.
'If you like, you can see the manager,' said the girl. 'He's down there.' She pointed to the cellar.
'Thank you so much,' said Victoria, 'it's awfully kind of you.' The fair girl walked to the banisters. 'Mr Stein,' she cried shrilly into the darkness.
There was a rumble, a sound like the upsetting of a chair, footsteps on the stairs. A head appeared on a level with the floor.
'Vat is it?' growled a voice.
'New girl; wants to be taken on.'