“Are you desirous of obtaining a situation?” “I am.” “Can you produce the ‘best of references?’” This question was also accompanied by a sneer. “I cannot, madam. I have only my qualifications and my own word to recommend me,” Brownie answered, with a good deal of spirit. Again the old woman chuckled, and distorted her neck to look at her, in a way which made Brownie fear she would dislocate it. “Where were you last?” she demanded. Evidently the old lady possessed authority in the house, or she would not have assumed this manner toward her. She was very richly dressed, too, and despite her deformity, had the appearance of nobility about her. Brownie tried to hide her indignation at being so persistently questioned, for she had been kindly treated, having received every care and kindness, although as yet she was unconscious how much of it was due her present tormentor. “I taught in an American family,” she at last replied. “Ah! Came over with them, didn’t you? And you are an American, too, aren’t you?” she asked, with a searching look. Brownie nodded her head wearily; she was becoming very nervous. “What was the name of the family, and what did they dismiss you for?” This was going a little too far, and assuming too much. “Pardon me, madam,” Brownie answered, with proud dignity. “I do not understand your motive in interrogating me thus, and prefer not to reply to any more questions. I will simply say, however, that I was not dismissed from my position, but being unkindly treated, I came away of my own accord.” “Good! good! I like that! Nobody can set their heel upon your neck! You are not fond of the inquisition either, nor afraid to say no. You’ve got pluck, and I like it; but I’m an old woman, and always have my own way wherever I am. I’ll go now, though, for you look tired; but I shall come to see you again.” And the strange character, after twisting her neck to get another view of Brownie’s fair face, hobbled from the room, striking her cane upon the floor with a vigorous thump at every step, and nodding her head and muttering to herself all the way out. The next day Brownie was awakened from her nap the same as on the previous day, and was greeted by that same low grunt as she opened her eyes. She had no idea how long the woman had been gazing at her, nor how she had entered the room, for she had heard neither the opening nor the shutting of a door, nor the thumping of the cane across the floor. She held in her left hand to-day a delicate vase of fretted silver, in which there was a single stalk of hyacinths, with a few sprays of feathery heath. “Better to-day?” she questioned, briefly. Brownie smiled a little, as she answered in the affirmative. She saw that the keen gray eyes had a softer, kinder gleam in them than they had yesterday. “Do you like flowers?” asked the strange old lady, holding out a rose to her. Brownie sat up, her lovely face flushing all over with delight, and put her hand out to receive it.