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Disappointed in the expectation of a customer, she coolly acceded to my request.

She pointed to a seat; I sank into it.

I felt sorely urged to weep; but conscious how unseasonable such a manifestation would be, I restrained it.

Soon I asked her "if there were any dressmaker or plain-workwoman in the village?"

"Yes; two or three. Quite as many as there was employment for."

I reflected. I was driven to the point now. I was brought face to face with Necessity. I stood in the position of one without a resource, without a friend, without a coin. I must do something. What? I must apply somewhere. Where?

"Did she know of any place in the neighbourhood where a servant was wanted?"

"Nay; she couldn't say."

"What was the chief trade in this place? What did most of the people do?"

"Some were farm labourers; a good deal worked at Mr. Oliver's needle-factory, and at the foundry."

"Did Mr. Oliver employ women?"

"Nay; it was men's work."

"And what do the women do?"

"I knawn't," was the answer. "Some does one thing, and some another. Poor folk mun get on as they can."

She seemed to be tired of my questions: and, indeed, what claim had I to importune her? A neighbour or two came in; my chair was evidently wanted. I took leave.

I passed up the street, looking as I went at all the houses to the right hand and to the left; but I could discover no pretext, nor see an inducement to enter any.

I rambled round the hamlet, going sometimes to a little distance and returning again, for an hour or more.

Much exhausted, and suffering greatly now for want of food, I turned aside into a lane and sat down under the hedge.

Ere many minutes had elapsed, I was again on my feet, however, and again searching something-a resource, or at least an informant.

A pretty little house stood at the top of the lane, with a garden before it, exquisitely neat and brilliantly blooming.

I stopped at it.

What business had I to approach the white door or touch the glittering knocker? In what way could it possibly be the interest of the inhabitants of that dwelling to serve me? Yet I drew near and knocked.

A mild-looking, cleanly-attired young woman opened the door.

In such a voice as might be expected from a hopeless heart and fainting frame-a voice wretchedly low and faltering-I asked if a servant was wanted here?

"No," said she; "we do not keep a servant."

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