She had never made much headway with her landlord and her landlady: a worthy couple, who had proved most excellent servants, but who prided themselves, to use their own expression, on knowing their place and keeping themselves to themselves.

Joan had given them notice that morning, and had been surprised at the woman's bursting into tears.
"I felt it just the same when young Mr.McKean left us," she explained with apologies.

"He had been with us five years.

He was like you, miss, so unpracticable.

I'd got used to looking after him." Mary Greyson called on her in the morning, while she was still at breakfast.