“Hows’ever,” said Sam, putting the letter in his pocket with a gentle sigh, “it wos to be⁠—and wos, as the old lady said arter she’d married the footman. Can’t be helped now, can it, Mary?”

Mary shook her head, and sighed too.

“I must apply to the hemperor for leave of absence,” said Sam.

Mary sighed again⁠—the letter was so very affecting.

“Goodbye!” said Sam.

“Goodbye,” rejoined the pretty housemaid, turning her head away.

“Well, shake hands, won’t you?” said Sam.

The pretty housemaid put out a hand which, although it was a housemaid’s, was a very small one, and rose to go.

“I shan’t be wery long avay,” said Sam.