For instance--both Constance and Annette were now intimately acquainted with each of Mrs.Hooper's three maids, and all their family histories; whereas Mrs.Hooper always found it impossible to remember their surnames.

A few days before this date, Susan the housemaid had received a telegram telling her of the sudden death of a brother in South Africa.
In Mrs.Hooper's view it was providential that the death had occurred in South Africa, as there could be no inconvenient question of going to the funeral.

But Connie had pleaded that the girl might go home for two days to see her mother; Annette had done the housework during her absence; and both maid and mistress had since been eagerly interested in the girl's mourning, which had been largely supplied out of Connie's wardrobe.

Naturally the opinion of the kitchen was that "her ladyship is sweet!" Alice, however, had not found any sweetness in Connie.

Was it because Mr.Herbert Pryce seemed to take a mysterious pleasure in pointing out her, charms to Alice?
Alice supposed he meant it well.