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Madam Weatherstone raised her head like a warhorse. "What's this! What's this!" she said in a fierce whisper. Viva laid a hand on her arm. "Sh!" said she. "Let us make sure!" and she softly unlatched the door. A brilliant moon flooded the small chamber. They could see little Ilda, huddled in the bedclothes, staring at her door from which the key had fallen.
"'Ilda was in munitions," said her mother in an explanatory voice: "earnin' a matter of four pound a week. Oh! dear, it is a waste an' all!" A queer, rather terrible little smile curled Pierson's lips. "A judgment!" he said. "Good evening, Mrs. Mitchett. Good evening, Hilda. If you want me when the time comes, send for me."
A clear red lit her checks. She rang. Little Ilda, the newest maid, appeared, gazing at her in shy admiration. Mrs. Weatherstone looked at her with new eyes. "Have you been here long?" she asked. "What is your name?" "No, ma'am," said the child she was scarce more. "Only a week and two days. My name is Ilda." "Who engaged you?" "Mrs. Halsey, ma'am." "Ah," said Mrs.
"That is sad," he said; "very, very sad." "Yes," murmured Mrs. Mitchett; "that's what I tell 'Ilda." The girl's glance, lowered for a second, resumed its impersonal scrutiny of Pierson's face. "What is the man's name and regiment? Perhaps we can get leave for him to come home and marry Hilda at once." Mrs. Mitchett sniffed. "She won't give it, sir. Now, 'Ilda, give it to Mr. Pierson."
"Surely you would never have done such a thing without affection? Come, tell me!" "I don't know it," the girl repeated. "It's these Parks," said Mrs. Mitchett, from behind her handkerchief. "And to think that this'll be our first grandchild and all! 'Ilda is difficult; as quiet, as quiet; but that stubborn " Pierson looked at the girl, who seemed, if anything, less interested than ever.
Halsey, little accustomed to take orders from her real mistress, and resting comfortably in her room, had half a mind to send an excuse. "I'm not dressed," she said to the maid. "Well she is!" replied Ilda, "dressed splendid. She said 'at once, please."
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