together in the most genial fashion. He was such a comfortable-looking
man that it was quite a pleasure to look at him.
You are looking for a situation, miss? he asked.
Yes, sir.
As governess?
Yes, sir.
And what salary do you ask?
I had 4 a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Munro.
Oh, tut, tut! sweating rank sweating! he cried, throwing his fat
hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling passion. How
could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with such attractions and
accomplishments?
My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine, said I. A
little French, a little German, music, and drawing
Tut, tut! he cried. This is all quite beside the question. The
point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment of a
lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are not fitted
for the rearing of a child who may some day play a considerable part in
the history of the country. But if you have, why, then, how could any
gentleman ask you to condescend to accept anything under the three
figures? Your salary with me, madam, would commence at 100 a year.
You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, such an
offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, however, seeing
perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, opened a pocket-book and
took out a note.
It is also my custom, said he, smiling in the most pleasant fashion
until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the white
creases of his face, to advance to my young ladies half their salary
beforehand, so that they may meet any little expenses of their journey
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