"Do you like it ?" There was a practical directness in the question for which Mrs.Noakes was not prepared.

Until this moment, it had apparently mattered little whether she liked things or not.

The condition of her implements of trade was one of her grievances--the ancient fireplace and ovens the bitterest.
"It's out of order, miss," she answered.

"And they don't use 'em like this in these days." "I thought not," said Miss Vanderpoel.
She made other inquiries as direct and significant of the observing eye, and her passage through the lower part of the establishment left Mrs.
Noakes and her companions in a strange but not unpleasurable state of ferment.
"Think of a young lady that's never had nothing to do with kitchens, going straight to that shameful old fireplace, and seeing what it meant to the woman that's got to use it.

'Do you like it ?' she says.