"Perhaps both housekeepers ?" "Ye--yes." Matilda had a double impulse to explain, first to clear Mrs.De Peyster of this unmerited indignity, and second to prevent their being once more turned away as servants.

But something kept her still.

And perhaps it was just as well.

Mrs.Gilbert, considering the two, did have a moment's thought about refusing them; she, too, liked to maintain the social tone of her establishment, and certainly servants as guests did not help; but then the arid season for boarding-houses was at hand, and she was not one to sacrifice real money to mere principle.
"How long do you want to stay ?" "We don't know yet.

Per--perhaps several months." This was agreeable news to Mrs.Gilbert.But it was not boarding-house policy to show it.
"When would you want to come in ?" "Now." "To-night!" The penciled eyebrows lifted in surprise.