What hours of work have you been accustomed to ?' 'I have never yet been accustomed to work at all, ma'am,' replied Kate, in a low voice.
'For which reason she'll work all the better now,' said Ralph, putting in a word, lest this confession should injure the negotiation.
'I hope so,' returned Madame Mantalini; 'our hours are from nine to nine, with extra work when we're very full of business, for which I allow payment as overtime.' Kate bowed her head, to intimate that she heard, and was satisfied.
'Your meals,' continued Madame Mantalini, 'that is, dinner and tea, you will take here.

I should think your wages would average from five to seven shillings a week; but I can't give you any certain information on that point, until I see what you can do.' Kate bowed her head again.
'If you're ready to come,' said Madame Mantalini, 'you had better begin on Monday morning at nine exactly, and Miss Knag the forewoman shall then have directions to try you with some easy work at first.

Is there anything more, Mr Nickleby ?' 'Nothing more, ma'am,' replied Ralph, rising.
'Then I believe that's all,' said the lady.

Having arrived at this natural conclusion, she looked at the door, as if she wished to be gone, but hesitated notwithstanding, as though unwilling to leave to Mr Mantalini the sole honour of showing them downstairs.

Ralph relieved her from her perplexity by taking his departure without delay: Madame Mantalini making many gracious inquiries why he never came to see them; and Mr Mantalini anathematising the stairs with great volubility as he followed them down, in the hope of inducing Kate to look round,--a hope, however, which was destined to remain ungratified.
'There!' said Ralph when they got into the street; 'now you're provided for.' Kate was about to thank him again, but he stopped her.
'I had some idea,' he said, 'of providing for your mother in a pleasant part of the country--( he had a presentation to some almshouses on the borders of Cornwall, which had occurred to him more than once)--but as you want to be together, I must do something else for her.