"We was sorry to lose sight of her, but glad, I'm sure, that she went away to do better for herself.

She hasn't been home since then, and we don't hear of her coming, and I'm sure nobody can be surprised.

But our Martha heard from her not so long ago--why, it was about Christmas-time." "Is she"-- he was about to add, "in service ?" but could not voice the words.

"She has an engagement in London ?" "Yes; she's a bookkeeper, and earns her pound a week.

She was always clever at figures.