"I have whist parties here frequently," she said drily;
"nearly every evening four friends of mine call to play. Have
you any objection to enter my service on that account?"
"Oh, no, ma'am. I don't mind a game of cards. I play
'Patience' myself when alone. I mean gambling--there was a
lot of money lost and won at Senora Gredos' house!"
"Yet she is an invalid I think you said?"
"Yes, ma'am. She was a dancer, I believe, and fell in some
way, so as to break her leg or hurt her back. She has been
lying on a couch for two years unable to move. Yet she has
herself wheeled into the drawing-room and watches the
gentlemen play cards. She plays herself sometimes!"
Miss Loach again directed one of her piercing looks at the
pale face of the girl. "You are too inquisitive and too
talkative," she said suddenly, "therefore you won't suit me.
Good-day."
Susan was quite taken aback. "Oh, ma'am, I hope I've said
nothing wrong. I only answered your questions."
"You evidently take note of everything you see, and talk about
it."
"No, ma'am," said the girl earnestly. "I really hold my
tongue."
"When it suits you," retorted Miss Loach. "Hold it now and
let me think!"
While Miss Loach, staring frowningly into the fire, debated
inwardly as to the advisability of engaging the girl, Susan
looked timidly round the room. Curiously enough, it was
placed in the basement of the cottage, and was therefore below
the level of the garden.
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