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green-painted door and pulling on the iron-handled bell.
    The brake had disappeared half-way down the street before the door was opened and a small dishevelled maid of no more than twelve years old pulled the door open, let her enter, closed it, then, adjusting a none-too-clean print cap, said, "When you come, I 'ad to show you to the dinin'-room. It's down 'ere." She crossed the narrow hall and opened a door from which stone steps led down to the basement.
    Anna followed her, but at the bottom step she paused for a moment and gazed in amazement at what she saw was the kitchen. But all she could take in was the rough stone floor, a black stove, a wooden table, and to the side of it a stone sink, and, at the far end was the grating through which she had seen the steam emerge. It was that grating that afforded the only light in the room.
    Then the little maid was knocking on a door, and when she received the command to enter, she pushed it open and stood aside, and Anna walked into what was used as the dining-room, but which she recognised instantly was just a part of the
    kitchen that had been partitioned off. On the far wall was the sash window that should have given light to the whole room.
    Miss Benfield was sitting at a table on which there was the remains of a cooked breakfast: there was a greasy plate in front of her which showed the traces of egg yolk. Another person was also in the room; she was standing behind a chair.
    Miss Benfield looked steadily at Anna for a full minute before she drew in a sharp breath; then, as if diverted by the slight throaty noise the other woman had made, she turned to her, saying, "This is Miss Kate Benfield, a relative, and my first assistant."
    Anna looked at the woman across the table and inclined her head and smiled, but she received no answering smile, merely a slight movement of the head.
    Anna thought she had never seen anyone with such a miserable countenance, and on this admittedly slight acquaintance, she appeared to be the antithesis of her relative. The only resemblance was in their height, both women being tall, but this one was thin, so thin she looked emaciated.
    "You are not suitably dressed."
    "What! Why?"
    "When you speak to me, you will address me as Miss Benfield."
    "Why do you consider me not suitably dressed, Miss Benfield?" She turned her glance quickly from the big woman to the slight one because she thought she had heard her gasp. Then again she was looking at her employer, for she was saying, "You wish to be a pupil teacher, then you should have some idea of how such a one should appear before a class of children. The uniform is as Miss Kate's here: a white blouse and a black skirt, that to reach the top of your boots or shoes." She leant her head sideways, observing Anna's grey skirt, which was showing an inch of stocking between the hem of her dress and the black laces of her shoes.
    "I'm afraid. Miss Benfield, that I do not possess a black skirt and white blouse, at least, that is, at present, but I have a dark blue dress and I will come attired in it tomorrow and until such time as I can acquire a suitable uniform."
    Miss Benfield was on her feet, her huge chest heaving as if being assisted by a pump.
    "You are getting off to a bad start, young woman.
    Now, let me inform you there is a way to address me and there is a way not to address me. And if you wish to continue here, and rise in this establishment, you will learn that, and quickly. Your tone is anything but deferential, which manner you would be wise to adopt in future.
    Have I made myself plain? "
    "Very plain. Miss Benfield."
    The breasts rose and threatened the buttons on the black satin blouse;
    then the indignant lady turned to her first assistant and said, "You will take Miss Dagshaw and introduce her to the duties required of her today."
    The first assistant turned sharply away and made for the door and, after staring at the woman's back for a moment, Anna turned as abruptly and followed her