She recoiled half a step when she saw Mr.Wingfold, then went frankly forward to welcome him, her hands in her white pinafore.
"It's only flour," she said, smiling.
"It is a rare pleasure now-a-days to catch a lady at work" said Wingfold.

"My wife always dusts my study for me.

I told her I would not have it done except she did it--just to have the pleasure of seeing her at it.

My conviction is, that only a lady can become a thorough servant." "Why don't you have lady-helps then ?" said Dorothy.
"Because I don't know where to find them.

Ladies are scarce; and any thing almost would be better than a houseful of half-ladies." "I think I understand," said Dorothy thoughtfully.
Her father now stated Mr.Wingfold's proposal--in the tone of one sorry to be unable to entertain it.
"I see perfectly why you think we could not manage it, papa," said Dorothy.