"That's too much sugar for a dime!"
Presenting his card, his smile, "Here is my calling card so that you can inform Mrs. Ashby about our meeting and that as soon as my stereoscope has arrived, I would like to call upon both her and you."
"You got your own visitin' card?!" Herschelina gasped "That sure is fancy, Mr Jennings... oooh, embossed, too!" she cooed, running her fingertip over its slightly bumpy surface.
He bowed slightly, "I do hope that your employer will approve of our acquaintance."
"Oh!" she said and moved in closer "I won't let on that we're big pals..." she said in a hoarse whisper "... and don't go gettin' all upset if I pretend to hardly know yuh when you call round with your stethoscope. I'll just introduce you all like 'A Mister Jennings to see you, Ma'am' and you just say 'take my hat, girl' like that, all haughty. She'll appreciate that. That's what she's like, see?" the girl confided.
Hmmm, her and Mr Jennings, plotting together, this was just gravy to the hick-like maid. She'd heard stories of fine, rich gentlemen like him who kept their housemaids.... and kept them well, too. Her loyalty was moving house with lamentable rapidity.
William smiled and quickly turned his attention back to Anna, "I will drop by tomorrow to see if it has arrived but now I must leave as I have other business to attend." He made his farewell to the two young ladies before making his way out of the mercantile.
Anna shrugged her shoulders and addressed Herschelina, "Well, now that the niceties are over, I think we should take care of your purchases before Mrs. Martin comes back and reprimands me for not doing my job."
Just as she was finishing tallying up the goods Herschelina had bought on behalf of Mrs Ashby, Elizabeth and Anaethesia returned from their afternoon tea. A few more pleasantries were exchanged before Elizabeth guided Anaethesia outside.
Anna was about to say something when another customer walked into the store. She smiled apologetically to Herschelina before going about her work.
@ [Javia
"That's too much sugar for a dime!"
William smiled and quickly turned his attention back to Anna, "I will drop by tomorrow to see if it has arrived but now I must leave as I have other business to attend." He made his farewell to the two young ladies before making his way out of the mercantile.
Herschelina followed the man's exit with a glazed gaze an an inane bovine smile. "Quite the charmer" she said approvingly "He should liven things up a little at our place, when he calls."
Anna shrugged her shoulders and addressed Herschelina, "Well, now that the niceties are over, I think we should take care of your purchases before Mrs. Martin comes back and reprimands me for not doing my job."
"Yeah, you're right, I need to get back to 'Her Majesty' 'fore she misses me." Hersh agreed.
Just as she was finishing tallying up the goods Herschelina had bought on behalf of Mrs Ashby, Elizabeth and Anaethesia returned from their afternoon tea.
"Ugh, here comes little Miss Fancy-drawers!" growled Hersh, jealous of the blonde and beautiful Miss Orr in her white and pink finery.
A few more pleasantries were exchanged before Elizabeth guided Anaethesia outside.
Herschelina gathered up her parcels.
"Boy, would I like to take these hoity-toity women down a peg or two, Anna. Miss Orr, Mrs Morgan, Mrs Ashby - they think they're so much better than us! I'd like to see the lot of 'em... crawlin' in the dirt and lickin' our boots." she said bitterly.
Then, suddenly, her face changed and she gave Anna a cheery "See ya!" and was gone.