She was astonished that he should desire to close the bargain, without making any inquiries regarding her character or antecedents, and yet she did not know how to broach the subject. “Ah, I beg your pardon, Miss Douglas,” and the man of business looked utterly confused for a moment, “it was an oversight entirely that I did not mention what salary you would receive. Would four hundred a year and expenses meet your acceptance?” “Make it five, William,” interrupted Mr. Alcott, adding: “With those harum-scarum girls it will be none too much; there will be plenty of little knickknacks that she will want to bring away from the old country, and an extra hundred will be none too much.” “Well, call it five hundred and expenses, then,” said Mr. Coolidge. “Excuse me, gentlemen, but I had not thought of the salary which I should receive. I was upon the point of saying that—you know nothing about me personally—whether I am, morally, one whom you would wish to receive into your family. I expected you would require references,” Brownie said, with dignity. “Really, Miss Douglas,” said the former, “you have shown yourself wiser than I in this matter. That is a question which ought, according to the etiquette of the nineteenth century, to have been settled in the first place.” “The very fact of her speaking of the matter herself is reference enough for me,” said Mr. Alcott, _sotto voce_. “However,” continued her employer, “I suppose Mrs. Coolidge would be better pleased to have that matter satisfactorily settled. What reference can you give us, Miss Douglas?” “That is where I feared there might arise an objection,” replied Brownie, with a sad smile, then added: “I have only one friend in the world to whom I feel at liberty just now to refer you; he is in Philadelphia—Mr. Arthur Conrad.” “What! Arthur Conrad, Esq., the noted lawyer of that city?” exclaimed Mr. Alcott, with great interest. “Yes, sir. He has known me all my life, and I think I may trust him to speak a good word for me to you.” “That will be sufficient, Miss Douglas,” said the old man, with a smile. “Arthur Conrad was a classmate of mine years and years ago; he was a splendid fellow, too. I know all about him, and if he knows all about you, we shall not quarrel over further references.” “I will write to him this afternoon,” said Mr. Coolidge, “and we shall probably hear in a day or two from him. Then, as this is a mere matter of form, shall we consider that you are engaged to us, and for the salary I named?” “Yes, sir; and I thank you for your courtesy, and for the confidence which you have shown to me, an utter stranger. I assure you, I will do my utmost to prove myself worthy of the trust you have placed in my hands.” Brownie arose as she spoke, and he saw that tears stood in her grave, beautiful eyes. Then, bowing to both gentlemen, she returned to her work. Two, three, four, five days slipped rapidly by, and Brownie heard nothing more from Mr. Coolidge.