This rather surprised me, because she does not, as a rule,
show such diffidence about speaking (in confidence or otherwise) to any
one.
'Is it anything very important?' I inquired.
She seemed to hesitate and then jerked out, 'Well, miss, it's about
that there Mr. Roarings.'
I at once felt rather troubled on Netta's account. Perhaps Elizabeth
was on the verge of giving notice as a protest against the extra work
involved by having that monstrously untidy man about the place. Why
Netta tolerates him with his slovenly habits is beyond my comprehension.
'What has he been doing now?' I asked. 'Surely he hasn't started
another invention?' I never before realized what a thoroughly untidy,
disordered business inventing could be until I saw him at it.
'Oh, no, miss, nothin' like that, only--only--well, it was what I see
when 'e was standin' in the droring-room the other day, an' I was just
at the door----'
'I quite understand, Elizabeth. He has burnt a hole in that beautiful
pile carpet.'
'No, miss, he----'
'Then he has scorched the rose silk tapestry on the couch!' It is my
opinion that he should not be allowed in the drawing-room at all. He
isn't safe with a pipe in his mouth or a box of matches in his pocket.
Henry ought to take out a special insurance against Mr. Rawlings.
'No, it's nothin' like that, miss. As I was sayin', 'e was standin' in
the droring-room.
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