In a day or two Mrs. Poulter informed Miss Toller that the ladies
and Mr. Goacher had been pleased to express a wish that she should
dine with them on Christmas Day. She consented with becoming
humility, as even Mrs. Poulter confessed, but with many secret
misgivings. She desired to strengthen herself with her lodgers on
whom her living depended, but Helen was more than a servant. She
was her friend, and she could not bear the thought of leaving her in
the kitchen. Helen, too, was passionate and jealous. Miss Toller
therefore ventured to ask Mrs. Poulter whether, as it was Christmas,
Helen also might be invited. Mrs. Poulter signified to Miss Toller
her extreme surprise at the suggestion.
'The line, Miss Toller, must be drawn somewhere. Helen will have
the gratuity usual at this season--she is a well-regulated person
and will see the impropriety of intrusion into a sphere for which
she is unfit.'
Miss Toller withdrew. She dared not venture to explain or apologise
to Helen, although delay would make matters worse. She went into
North Street and spent ten shillings which she could ill afford in
buying a locket for her.
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