"
(Benella is hopelessly provincial in the matter of language:
butler, chef, boots, footman, scullery-maid, all come under the
generic term of 'help.')
"I knew our week at this hotel was out to-morrow," she continued,
"and we've about used up this place, anyway, and the new village
that I've b'en to is the prettiest place we've seen yet; it's got an
up-and-down hill to it, just like home, and the house I've partly
rented is opposite a fair green, where there's a market every week,
and Wednesday's the day; and we'll save money, for I shan't cost you
so much when we can housekeep."
"Would you mind explaining a little more in detail," asked Salemina
quietly, "and telling me whether you have hired the house for
yourself or for us?"
"For us all," she replied genially--"you don't suppose I'd leave
you? I liked the looks of this cottage the first time I passed it,
and I got acquainted with the hired girl by going in the side yard
and asking for a drink. The next time I went I got acquainted with
the lady, who's got the most outlandish name that ever was wrote
down, and here it is on a paper; and to-day I asked her if she
didn't want to rent her house for a week to three quiet ladies
without children and only one of them married and him away. She
said it wa'n't her own, and I asked her if she couldn't sublet to
desirable parties--I knew she was as poor as Job's turkey by her
looks; and she said it would suit her well enough, if she had any
place to go.
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