Mrs.Chalk, a woman of imposing appearance, who was sitting by the window at needlework, looked up sharply at his entrance.

Before she spoke he had a dim idea that she was excited about something.
"I've got her," she said, triumphantly.
"Oh!" said Mr.Chalk.
"She didn't want to come at first," said Mrs.Chalk; "she'd half promised to go to Mrs.Morris.

Mrs.Morris had heard of her through Harris, the grocer, and he only knew she was out of a place by accident.

He--" Her words fell on deaf ears.

Mr.Chalk, gazing through the window, heard without comprehending a long account of the capture of a new housemaid, which, slightly altered as to name and place, would have passed muster as an exciting contest between a skilful angler and a particularly sulky salmon.