Then the door opened and Ellen the cook looked in upon them.
"I only wished to see, Miss, whether I could do anything for you ?" "Nothing, thank you," said Maggie.
"Been with you some time that woman ?" said Mr.Brassy.
"Yes," said Maggie, "about five years, I think." "Hum! Hum--name of Harmer." "Yes.

Harmer." "Not married ?" "No," answered Maggie, wondering at this interest.
"Not so far as you know." "No.

She's always Miss Harmer." "Quite so--quite so.

Dear me, yes." Other people appeared, asked questions and vanished.

It seemed to have been all taken out of her hands and it was strange how desolate this made her.