“I’m so glad they were willed to Emily. She’s never had many pretty things, especially since the death of her mother.”
“I hope she’ll manage to hang on to them after they fall into her hands,” Mr. Drew commented.
“Oh, I’m sure Emily won’t let them slip through her fingers. She’s not in the least extravagant.”
“I wasn’t thinking of that. It merely occurred to me that unscrupulous persons may be interested in those jewels.”
Nancy nodded thoughtfully.
“I believe she intends to place them in a bank vault immediately.”
“A very wise precaution.” Carson Drew lowered his voice as he heard a heavy step on the porch. Nancy sprang up from the davenport where she was sitting and rushed to the door.
“It must be the new housekeeper,” she cried hopefully.
As she opened the door her heart sank within her. It was indeed the colored woman sent by the employment agency, but a more unlikely housekeeper Nancy had never seen. She was dirty and slovenly in appearance and had an unpleasant way of shuffling her feet when she walked.
Inviting her into the house, Nancy asked a few questions which the woman answered in unsatisfactory manner. She was unable to produce references of any description.
“I’m very sorry, but I’m afraid you won’t do,” Nancy told her at last.
It was with a feeling of mingled disappointment and relief that she watched the woman depart. As a housekeeper, the Negress was