How old are you now, Miss Erema?
I can keep the weeks better than the years, miss." "I was eighteen on my last birthday.

But never mind about the time--go on." "But the time makes all the difference, miss, although at the time we may never think so.

Well, then, it must have been better than six-and-twenty year agone; for though you came pretty fast, in the Lord's will, there was eight years between you and the first-born babe, who was only just a-thinking of when I begin to tell.

But to come back to myself, as was--mother had got too many of us still, and she was glad enough to let me go, however much she might cry over it, as soon as Lady Williams got me the place.

My place was to wait upon the lady first, and make myself generally useful, as they say.