I will work for nothing for a month till you see if I suit you." Mrs Trimble liked this.

It looked like a genuine offer.
"Are you good-tempered and kind to children ?" she asked.
"I am very fond of little boys, and I always try to keep my temper." His heart sank at the prospect of other questions of this kind.

But Mrs Trimble was not of a curious disposition.

She knew when she liked a young man and when she didn't, and she valued her own judgment as much as anybody else's testimonials.
"You mustn't expect grand living here," she said.
"I was never used to anything but simple living," said he.
"Very well, Mr -- " "Jeffreys, ma'am." "Mr Jeffreys, we'll try how we get on for a month; and after that I can offer you a pound a month besides your board." "You are very kind," said Jeffreys, to whom the offer seemed a magnificent one.

"I am ready to begin work at once." "That will do.