Page:Far from the Maddening Girls.djvu/79



“If I make bold to disturb you, sir,” she said, in a tone wherein was not perceptible the most remote trace of cheerfulness, or even hope, “it is because I cannot — no one could — you might ask an angel and they wouldn’t —not in houses where there are four and five in help— much less only — and there are many and many and many houses — and of course when things are not properly done— not that any one has ever said of me — I’ve a very sensitive character, Mr. Sands — even my own sister used to say — not that I want to boast — but to feel that, hard as I may try — and when I saw that you didn’t eat — and the disappointment—my life has not been an easy one— I often feel as if — as if — I feel as if — “

At this point Galvin abruptly dissolved in tears.

This whole matter, so unspeakably tragic in seeming, consisted in the fact that I had eaten so lightly of the meals which she provided that she felt I must disapprove of her