Aunt Jane's Nieces
"
Patsy's heart was beating fast.
"Do you mean I'm discharged?" she asked, with a catch in her voice.
"That's it precisely."
"Have I done anything wrong, Madam?"
"It isn't that," said Madam, pettishly. "I simply do not require your
services. You are paid up to Saturday night, and I owe you nothing.
Now, run along."
Patsy stood looking at her and wondering what to do. To lose this
place was certainly a great calamity.
"You'll give me a testimonial, won't you, Madam?" she asked,
falteringly.
"I don't give testimonials," was the reply.
"Do run away, child; I'm very busy this morning."
Patsy went away, all her happiness turned to bitter grief. What would
the Major say, and what were they to do without her wages? Then she
remembered Willing Square, and was a little comforted. Money was not
as necessary now as it had been before.
Nevertheless, she applied to one or two hair-dressers for employment,
and met with abrupt refusals. They had all the help they needed. So
she decided to go back home and think it over, before taking further
action.
It was nearly ten o'clock when she fitted her pass-key into the carved
door of Apartment D, and when she entered the pretty living-room she
found an elderly lady seated there, who arose to greet her.
"Miss Doyle?" enquired the lady.
"Yes, ma'am," said Patsy.
"I am Mrs. Wilson, and I have been engaged to give you private
instruction from ten to twelve every morning."
Patsy plumped down upon a chair and looked her amazement.
"May I ask who engaged you?" she ventured to enquire.
"A gentleman from the bank of Isham, Marvin & Co. made the
arrangement. May I take off my things?"
"If you please," said the girl, quietly. Evidently this explained why
Madam Borne had discharged her so heartlessly. The gentleman from
Isham, Marvin & Co. had doubtless interviewed the Madam and told her
what to do. And then, knowing she would be at liberty, he had sent her
this private instructor.
The girl felt that the conduct of her life had been taken out of her
own hands entirely, and that she was now being guided and cared for by
her unknown friend and benefactor.
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There was once a king who was very powerful. He had great influence over the wild beasts and animals. Now the tortoise was looked upon as the wisest of all beasts and men. This king had a son named Ekpenyon, to whom he gave fifty young girls as wives, but the prince did not like any of them. The king was very angry at this, and made a law that if any man had a daughter who was finer than the prince's wives, and who found favour in his son's eyes, the girl herself and her father and mother should be killed.
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