I am but surprised at such a request.

Prudence Dyson asks if I can spare one of my nieces and thy daughters to dwell for a while at Cross Way House, to help her with her duties there." Martin Holt did not appear to see anything very unreasonable or extraordinary in that request.
"What has caused her to wish it ?" he asked quietly.

"Is she in any way ill or disabled ?" "It is not that; it is that there be two young ladies of gentle birth dwelling now beneath Lady Humbert's care.

Prudence desires to give them all due tendance and service; but as thou knowest, Martin, the household purse there is not deep, and Prudence strives might and main to do all she can to save her kind mistress from needless cost.

She is striving now to attend herself upon all four ladies; and she says that the young maidens are very kindly and gentle and helpful.