Fergus Hume 
The Secret Passage 

‘What IS your name?’ ‘Susan Grant, Miss Loach.’ ‘Call me ma’am. I am Miss Loach only to my equals. Your age?’ ‘Twenty-five, ma’am.’ ‘Do you know your work as parlor-maid thoroughly?’ ‘Yes, ma’am. I was two years in one place and six months in another, ma’am. Here are my characters from both places, ma’am.’ 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.’