I am, unfortunately, in his debt, or I should have dealt with him before now." I glanced at the clock and jumped up.

It was very much later than I had thought.

She gave me her hands a little wistfully.
"I do not like to think of you here alone," I said.

"I wish that I could persuade you to engage a maid." She shook her head.
"My uncle would not allow it," she said simply.

"He says that servants are always prying into one's concerns.