In Parker it is indisputable that the Sea Lady found--or at least had found for her by Mrs. Bunting--a treasure of the richest sort. Parker was still fallaciously young, but she had been maid to a lady from India who had been in a "case" and had experienced and overcome cross-examination. She had also been deceived by a young man, whom she had fancied greatly, only to find him walking out with another--contrary to her inflexible sense of correctness--in the presence of which all other things are altogether vain. Life she had resolved should have no further surprises for her. She looked out on its (largely improper) pageant with an expression of alert impartiality in her hazel eyes, calm, doing her specific duty, and entirely declining to participate further. She always kept her elbows down by her side and her hands always just in contact, and it was impossible for the most powerful imagination to conceive her under any circumstances as being anything but absolutely straight and clean and neat. And her voice was always under all circumstances low and wonderfully distinct--just to an infinitesimal degree indeed "mincing." Mrs. Bunting had been a little nervous when it came to the point. It was Mrs. Bunting of course who engaged her, because the Sea Lady was so entirely without experience. But certainly Mrs. Bunting's nervousness was thrown away. "You understand," said Mrs. Bunting, taking a plunge at it, "that--that she is an invalid." "I _didn't_, Mem," replied Parker respectfully, and evidently quite willing to understand anything as part of her duty in this world. "In fact," said Mrs. Bunting, rubbing the edge of the tablecloth daintily with her gloved finger and watching the operation with interest, "as a matter of fact, she has a mermaid's tail." "Mermaid's tail! Indeed, Mem! And is it painful at all?" "Oh, dear, no, it involves no inconvenience--nothing. Except--you understand, there is a need of--discretion." "Of course, Mem," said Parker, as who should say, "there always is." "We particularly don't want the servants----" "The lower servants-- No, Mem." "You understand?" and Mrs. Bunting looked up again and regarded Parker calmly. "Precisely, Mem!" said Parker, with a face unmoved, and so they came to the question of terms. "It all passed off _most_ satisfactorily," said Mrs. Bunting, taking a deep breath at the mere memory of that moment. And it is clear that Parker was quite of her opinion.