and initiated the new maid.

Justine bowed reassuringly.

"I'll find everything, Madam. And do you wish me to manage and to
market for awhile until you are about again?"

The invalid sent a pleading glance to Sandy.

"Oh, I think my daughter will do that," she said.

"Oh, now, why, Mother?" Sandy asked, in affectionate impatience. "I
don't begin to know as much about it as Justine probably does. Why
not let her?"

"If Madam will simply tell me what sum she usually spends on the
table," said Justine, "I will take the matter in hand."

Mrs. Salisbury hesitated. This was the very stronghold of her
authority. It seemed terrible to her, indelicate, to admit a
stranger.

"Well, it varies a little," she said restlessly. "I am not
accustomed to spending a set sum." She addressed her daughter. "You
see, I've been paying Nancy every week, dear," said she, "and the
other laundry. And little things come up--"

"What sum would be customary, in a family this size?" Alexandra
asked briskly of the graduate servant.