She was perfectly polite and agreeable in manner, but refused all blandishments.
"What are you getting at your present place--if I may ask ?" loftily inquired the great Mrs.Thaddler, ponderous and beaded.
"There is surely no objection to your asking, madam," she replied politely.

"Mrs.Porne will not mind telling you, I am sure." "Hm!" said the patronizing visitor, regarding her through her lorgnette.
"Very good.

Whatever it is I'll double it.

When can you come ?" "My engagement with Mrs.Porne is for six months," Diantha answered, "and I do not wish to close with anyone else until that time is up.
Thank you for your offer just the same." "Peculiarly offensive young person!" said Mrs.Thaddler to her husband.
"Looks to me like one of these literary imposters.

Mrs.Porne will probably appear in the magazines before long." Mr.Thaddler instantly conceived a liking for the young person, "sight unseen." Diantha acquired quite a list of offers; places open to her as soon as she was free; at prices from her present seven dollars up to the proposed doubling.
"Fourteen dollars a week and found!--that's not so bad," she meditated.
"That would mean over $650 clear in a year! It's a wonder to me girls don't try it long enough to get a start at something else.