As the girl spoke she laid two papers before the sharp old
lady who questioned her. But Miss Loach did not look at them
immediately. She examined the applicant with such close
attention that a faint color tinted the girl's cheeks and she
dropped her eyes. But, in her turn, by stealthy glances,
Susan Grant tactfully managed to acquaint herself with the
looks of her possible mistress. The thoughts of each woman
ran as follows,--

Miss Loach to herself. "Humph! Plain-looking, sallow skin,
rather fine eyes and a slack mouth. Not badly dressed for a
servant, and displays some taste. She might turn my old
dresses at a pinch. Sad expression, as though she had
something on her mind. Honest-looking, but I think a trifle
inquisitive, seeing how she examined the room and is stealing
glances at me. Talks sufficiently, but in a low voice.
Fairly intelligent, but not too much so. Might be secretive.
Humph!"

The thoughts of Susan Grant. "Handsome old lady, probably
nearly sixty. Funny dress for ten o'clock in the morning.
She must be rich, to wear purple silk and old lace and lovely
rings at this hour. A hard mouth, thin nose, very white hair
and very black eyebrows. Got a temper I should say, and is
likely to prove an exacting mistress. But I want a quiet
home, and the salary is good. I'll try it, if she'll take
me."

Had either mistress or maid known of each other's thoughts, a
conclusion to do business might not have been arrived at. As