I did not feel very easy under her scrutinizing gaze, but I bore it as best I could, and immediately began to ask her all the appropriate questions that I could think of.

Some she answered satisfactorily, and some she didn't answer at all; but as soon as I made a pause, she began to put questions herself.
"How many servants do you kape ?" she asked.
I answered that we intended to get along with one, and if she understood her business, I thought she would find her work very easy, and the place a good one.
She turned sharp upon me and said: "Have ye stationary wash-tubs ?" I hesitated.

I knew our wash-tubs were not stationary, for I had helped to carry them about.

But they might be screwed fast and made stationary if that was an important object.

But, before making this answer, I thought of the great conveniences for washing presented by our residence, surrounded as it was, at high tide, by water.
"Why, we live in a stationary wash-tub," I said, smiling.
The woman looked at me steadfastly for a minute, and then she rose to her feet.