"I don't know if she is afraid of me, but I am certainly terrified of her!" said poor Hilary, smoothing her hair before the glass, and trying to make herself look as staid and grown-up as possible. "I don't know what on earth to say. Lettice, come and sit in the room, there's a dear, and see what you think of her. I shouldn't like to engage anyone on my own responsibility." So the two girls went downstairs together, and Lettice looked on from a quiet corner, while Hilary sat bolt upright, cross-questioning the new servant. She was a tall, awkward girl, untidily dressed, with a fly-away hat perched on the top of her head, a spotted veil drawn over her face, and the shabbiest of boas wound round her neck. "What a contrast to our nice, trim Mary!" groaned Lettice to herself, while Hilary cudgelled her brain to think of appropriate questions. "And--er--have you been accustomed to housemaid's work?" "Oh, yes, miss. I'm very handy about a house, miss. I'm sure I could give you satisfaction, miss." ("I don't like her voice. She has not nearly such nice manners as Mary," sighed Hilary to herself. "Oh dear me!") "And--er--can you--er--get up in the morning without being called?" "Oh yes, miss; I'm fond of early rising. It's never any trouble to me to get up." "And--er--we are rather a large family, and I am very particular. Are you quite strong and able to work?" "Oh yes, miss; quite strong, miss. Never had a day's illness in my life." "And--er--(there must be other questions to ask, but it's terribly difficult to think of them. I can't ask her to her face if she is honest and sober--it's absurd," thought Hilary in despair). "And--er-- er--I suppose you are good-tempered, and would not quarrel with the other servants?" "Oh yes, miss. Oh no, miss. All my mistresses would say for me, I'm sure, miss, that there never was a girl with a sweeter temper. I couldn't hurt a fly, miss, I'm sure I couldn't, I've such a tender heart." ("I'm sure she has nothing of the kind. I don't like her a bit; but, oh dear! what can I do? If she goes on agreeing with all I say, I have no excuse for telling her that she won't suit.") "And--er--you would have to attend to all the bedrooms, and the schoolroom, and help the parlour-maid with the waiting. If you have not been accustomed to a large family, I am afraid you would find it a heavy place." "Oh no, miss; not too heavy, miss. I'm never so happy as when I'm working. I've been brought up to work." "Yes--but--but--but I'm afraid you would not suit me," cried Hilary, summoning the courage in despair, and determined, at all costs, to put an end to the interview. "I won't trouble you to send your character, for perhaps your mistress might object to give it twice, and I--er--you see--I don't quite know when my present maid is leaving, and I think--I am afraid--"