"Well, however did you do it, Kitten?" Matilda demanded. "I saw an advertisement in the Morning Post—it was quite a strange one, and seemed to be advertising for a kind of Admirable Crichton—someone who could take down shorthand at lightning speed, and typewrite and speak French—and read aloud, and who had a good knowledge of English literature, and thoroughly knew the duties of a secretary." "Oh! My!" said Matilda again, "but you can't do half of those things, Kitten—we none of us know French, do we!" Katherine smiled; how little her family understood her in any way! "I wrote first and said they seemed to want a great deal, but as I had been with Livingstone and Devereux for three years, and accustomed to composing every sort of letter that a moneylender's business required, I thought I could soon become proficient in the other things." "Well, I never! What cheek!" "Then I got an answer saying Lady Garribardine liked my communication, and if I proved satisfactory in appearance, and had some credentials, she would engage me immediately, because her secretary, who had been with her for years, had gone to be married—the salary would be ninety pounds a year with a rise, so it's a slight move up, anyway, as I am to be kept, and live in the house." "You are cocksure of getting it, Katherine?" "Yes—I mean to—I am going to see her on Saturday." "And what are your references besides Liv and Dev? Some folks don't like moneylenders." [Pg 33] [Pg 33] "I wrote and said I had no others—but they would testify to my capacity. Liv nearly had a fit when I gave my notice—he almost cried to get me to stay on. I like the old boy—he is a good sort, and will tell the truth about me." "And did they answer?" "Yes—just to say I was to come for the interview on Saturday." "They want to see you, anyway—what is the family, I wonder?"
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