Little Golden's Daughter; or, The Dream of a Life Time — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Little Golden's Daughter; or, The Dream of a Life Time
John Stuart Mill · en
"Never mind, I am not angry," answered Mrs. Desmond. "Do you think you
would make a good, patient nurse for my little girl, Mary?"
"I will do the best I can," little Golden replied, in her gentle,
refined voice.
Mrs. Desmond looked at her friend.
"I am not in the habit of engaging help without recommendation. It is
rather a risk to run," she remarked, "but to please you, my friend, and
because I really need a maid for Ruby, I will give Mary Smith a trial.
When can you come Mary?"
"She can stay now, if you like, Edith," said Mrs. Markham.
"That will suit me very well," said Mrs. Desmond. "I will engage you
for one month at least, Mary, and I will pay you ten dollars a month.
Will that suit you?"
"Yes, thank you," Golden answered, timidly.
"Very well, you may stay now, and you may go at once to Ruby, for I
have been compelled to lend her my own maid, for a week past, and she
is so dissatisfied with the position that she threatens to leave me if
she is not relieved. I can assure you that you will find your position
no sinecure. I hope you will try to find means to amuse the child. You
must be very kind and patient with her, Mary. I allow no scolding or
fault-finding, for my little girl is very frail and delicate."
Golden rose and stood waiting while the languid, fine lady talked.
When she had ended her little speech, she pointed her white finger at
the dressing-room door.
"Go through the drawing-room," she said, "into my bed-chamber. You will
find that it has a door connecting with the nursery. You will find
my little daughter in there. You may introduce yourself to her. Mrs.
Markham and I will look in presently and see how Ruby is pleased with
you."
"Try and make a good impression on the little one's mind at first,"
said Mrs. Markham, kindly. "First impressions are everything with
children."
Beautiful Golden thanked her with a grateful look, and silently
withdrew to follow Mrs. Desmond's instructions.
"You do not seem as pleased as I had expected, Edith," Mrs. Markham
said, in a tone of disappointment, when they were alone.
"To tell the truth, I think the girl is too pretty," Mrs. Desmond
replied, with some embarrassment.
"I thought you liked pretty things about you," said her friend.
"So I do, but I do not like pretty servants," was the significant
reply. "As a rule they are vain and trifling, and do not attend to
their business. They are always looking out to attract admiration to
their pretty faces."
"I do not believe that Mary Smith is one of that kind," said Mrs.
Markham. "She seems a good, simple, innocent girl. But if she fails to
suit you, Edith, you may return her to me, and I will find some other
place for her. I imagined that you would be delighted with such a girl
for Ruby's attendant."