“We were well known once, but we went abroad and lost all our money.  My husband died abroad.  When I returned, I found that there was very little which my friends could do for me.  I am not accomplished, and there are crowds of young women who are more capable than I am.  Moreover, I saw that I was becoming a burden, and people called on me rather as a matter of duty than for any other reason.  You don’t know how soon all but the very best insensibly neglect very poor relatives if they are not gifted or attractive.  I do not wonder at being made to feel this, nor do I blame anybody.  My little girl is a cripple, my rooms are dull, and I have nothing in me with which to amuse or entertain visitors.  Pardon my going into this detail.  It was necessary to say something in order to explain my position.”

“May I ask what salary you will require if you live in the house?”

“Five-and-thirty pounds a year, but I might take less if I were asked to do so.”

“Are you a member of the Church of England?”

“No.”

“To what religious body do you belong?”

“I am an Independent, but I would go to Church if my employers wished it.”

“I thought the Independents objected to go to Church.”

“They do; but I should not object, if I could hear anything at the Church which would help me.”

“I am rather surprised at your indifference.”

“I was once more particular, but I have seen much suffering, and some things which were important to me are not so now, and others which were not important have become so.”

I then made up a little story.  My sister and I lived together.  We were about to take up our abode at Cowston, but were as yet strangers to it.  I was left a widower with two little children whom my sister could not educate, as she could not spare the time.  She would naturally have selected the governess herself, but she was at some distance.  She would like to see Mrs. Butts before engaging her finally, but she thought that as this advertisement presented itself, I might make some preliminary inquiries.  Perhaps, however, now that Mrs. Butts knew the facts, she would object to living in the house.  I put it in this way, feeling sure that she would catch my meaning.

“I am afraid that this situation will not suit me.  I could not go backwards and forwards so far every day.”

“I understand you perfectly, and feared that this would be your decision.  But if you hesitate, I can give you the best of references.  I had not thought of that before.  References of course will be required by you as well as by me.”