"Let's
hope 'tisn't true. But they say her clothes do be good enough for the
highest lady in the land. Mrs. Thorowgood--her that's been helping up to
the Priory all day--called in on her way home just to pass the time of day
with me. It seems Mrs. Hilyard has arranged she shall wash for her, and she
was taking a few of her things home with her for to wash to-morrow. And she
told me her own self, did Mrs. Thorowgood, that the lace on them be so fine
as spider's web."
Ann endeavoured to conceal her mirth and reply with becoming gravity.
"Maria, dear, if a disreputable character is considered inseparable from
pretty undies in Silverquay, I'm afraid I shall get as bad a reputation as
Mrs. Hilyard," she suggested meekly.
"You, miss?" Maria's loyalty rose in wrathful protest. "And who _should_
have good things if 'tisn't you, I'd like to know? 'Twouldn't be fitting
for any Miss Lovell of Lovell Court to have things that wasn't of the very
best. And as to telling up little old tales--there'll be no tales told
about you, nor Mr. Robin neither, so long as I'm in Silverquay. I'll see to
that!"
Thoroughly devoted, illogical, and belligerent, Maria picked up the coffee
tray and stalked out of the room, leaving Ann and Robin convulsed with
laughter.
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