When Arthur heard this, he looked up at the girl standing in front of the door.

The pale gold ponytail is coiled at the back of the head, and it is wrapped in a white turban, and although the new floral white dress is not gorgeous, it looks fresh and neat.

Coupled with that somewhat uneasy look and the hand that could only gently tug at the skirt of the skirt without knowing where to put it, it was clear at a glance that this girl must have just come from the countryside to the city of London, which was full of cold fog and industrial exhaust fumes.

If Arthur had seen the girl somewhere else, he would have taken off his hat and asked if there was anything he needed help with.

As a police officer, Arthur knows very well how important it is for such a young girl to take the right steps in London.

Every year, countless truckloads of country girls with illusory dreams come to icy London, hoping to find a job with the right pay, and better yet, a suitable fate.

But while dreams are always good, it won't be long before this vice city of pickpockets, snitches, robbers, pimps, and abductors teaches them a lesson.

As far as Arthur knew, there were people in London who had specialized in the business of these little girls since the beginning of the last century, and these people had a clear division of labor and skillful tactics to lure these girls who had just entered the city into the custom industry.

If she was outside, Arthur would probably not take this kind of girl as a threat, but politely reminded her: "Beware of the ubiquitous abyss of London."

But now, Arthur didn't have the slightest idea. Because he clearly remembered that the place of work he had registered in the newspaper job posting was 36 Lancaster Gate, and that he had never revealed this hut as a secret liaison office of the Police Intelligence Service.

How the hell did this girl find here? And how did she know for sure it was Arthur Hastings sitting here?

Arthur glanced at Louie, and then smiled at the girl and said, "Come in, it's cold outside, there's a fire in the room, you can also warm up with a cup of hot tea." ”

The girl thanked Arthur briefly, put the umbrella in the tube by the door, and sat down in front of Arthur with her skirt.

Louis closed the door naturally, took a book from the bookshelf beside him, and leaned against the wall by the door.

Arthur asked as kindly as possible, "You saw a job posting in the newspaper and found it?" ”

Seeing Arthur so amiable, the girl became a little bolder, and she carefully took out a folded newspaper clipping from the knitted purse she was carrying, and spread it out in front of Arthur, which was the job posting he had published.

She mustered up the courage to reply as confidently as she could in her lark-like voice, "Yes, sir." I can do laundry, cooking, cleaning, and babysitting. On top of that, I did a great job of needlework. ”

Although the girl felt that she had answered very well, it was obviously not satisfactory to Arthur, and what he wanted to know was not his ability to work, but to determine the origin of the other party.

In the spirit of not startling the snake, Arthur nodded at Louie, until he heard the click of the lock of the door, and then he smiled and continued to ask: "Although it is rude to ask such a question, but in order to facilitate the next communication, can I take the liberty of asking your name?" ”

The girl waved her hand again and again, and she didn't seem to know what was going on: "It's okay, sir, I'm not a noble lady, and I don't value this very much." My full name is Becky Sharp. ”

Seeing that she had no escape, and no longer hidden, Arthur took up the teapot and filled it for the other party, and asked with a smile, "So, Miss Sharp, how did you know I was here?" I remember that the address I wrote in the newspaper was not here. I'm sure you, all of London, and the rest of the world, know that I've rented a house in this place with more than two hands, but now you're lucky enough to be one of them. ”

Arthur thought that after saying this, Becky Sharp's fox tail should be exposed.

Unexpectedly, the girl with a Cambridge accent did not feel uncomfortable at all, but confessed to Fiona quite naturally: "Mr. Hastings, I almost forgot to tell you that it was Miss Ivan who told me that you should be here." ”

"You're Fiona?"

Arthur's brow furrowed when he heard this.

The small house he rented was used by the unofficial employees of the Police Intelligence Service, and it was usually visited by undercover agents of the Textile Workers' Association, insiders of the London Political League, or informants of various criminal organizations. And Fiona, as one of the contacts of the Police Intelligence Bureau, of course knows about this place.

Becky Sharp's cheeks were hot, and she didn't seem to be willing to mention Fiona's thing: "Hmm...... You can say that if you insist on it, but I don't do that. Like Miss Ivan, I was born in Erie, Cambridgeshire. I was a little related to Miss Ivan, and when she returned to her hometown, she boasted that she worked as a maid in the Russian embassy, that she had the best food and shelter, and that she even received a salary of 12 shillings a week.

My parents believed her, so they begged her to get me to work there. But as soon as I arrived in London, I found that she was not only a maid's business, and Miss Ivan did not want to drag me into the water, so for half a year she arranged for me to do some laundry and cooking chores, and she paid for my salary.

But the gang members saw that I didn't go out to look for work, and I could get similar to them by doing some of these things every day, so they were not very happy. I couldn't stand their eyes, so I told Miss Ivan that I was going to come out and find work to do on my own. Miss Ivan saw that I was so persistent, and introduced me to you.

She told me that you are a decent gentleman, a superintendent of Scotland Yard, and that you don't have many people in your family, and that you are kind and gentle, and that you have always been generous in your expenses, so I didn't want to try it with you. ”

When Arthur heard this, he finally understood what was going on.

He clasped his hands around and said in surprise, "Did Fiona introduce you here?" ”

Becky Sharp raised her head and pursed her lips and smiled, "If it weren't for Miss Ivan's introduction, how could I have known that you were recruiting a domestic maid?" You know, Mr. Hastings, that a lady who can read a newspaper will not be willing to work as a maid. Even if they fall into the middle of the family, they will only work as governesses, and most of the maids cannot read a few words, and even if they are literate, they will not be willing to spend money to buy a copy of the Times. ”

Arthur suddenly realized this, and he smiled and replied, "Miss Sharp, you are not as unintelligent as you claim to be. At least in this matter, you are much wiser than I am. I'll tell you why so few people have applied for maids after so long. ”

Becky Sharp was complimented, and a bright smile suddenly appeared on her white face, which was still a little cramped just now: "I just have some experience in being a maid." Although I have not done it myself, almost half of Miss Ivan's people used to be maids, and I always like to talk to them, asking them what they need to learn in this profession, and if there are any places to pay attention to. ”

Arthur was also interested when he heard this: "What did they say?" ”

When Becky Sharp heard this, she replied backwards: "It's nothing, most of it makes me more diligent and quick-witted." Every day I have to get up before you get up, you can only fall asleep after you have fallen asleep, it is best to sleep with a hard pillow when you sleep, so that you don't sleep too hard, and I can get up at any time in the middle of the night when you want to eat. In the morning, before you get up, clean the house and polish the glass and floor. At night, when you go to bed, you need to get your change of clothes ready for the next day.

Miss Megan told me that to work honestly, we country girls should be down-to-earth, not cranky, and never repeat her mistakes. But Miss Catherine disagreed, and she told me not to listen to Miss Meghan, who didn't do it herself, and that's why I'm in this situation. If she had done it, she would have been lying on a comfortable and soft pine bed, with four or five maids waiting at home, and a coachman and a manservant hugging her when she went out. ”

Louie, who was guarding the door, couldn't help but look a little strange when he heard this.

Agareth also sat on the table and patted her legs and laughed while looking at the little girl who was talking endlessly: "Hahaha, do you think this little girl really doesn't understand anything or is she pretending?" If she really doesn't understand anything, then she is really a white lotus who comes out of the mud and is not stained. If she's pretending, oh, is she hinting at you? Fiona was carefully selected, and as a result, she got a cargo that might climb out of bed tonight? ”

Arthur glanced at the Red Devil, he was also thinking about the same question, what is the origin of this Becky Sharp?

In this day and age, the relationship between a domestic servant and an employer cannot be seen as a simple business relationship.

In this era, which has only recently entered the industrial world, there are still many feudal remnants of the Middle Ages, such as apprenticeships in factories.

Prior to the repeal of the Apprenticeship Act in 1814, employers had the power to employ underage apprentices not only but also guardians, so that apprentices who lived and ate in the employer's home were not only required to complete their labor tasks, but also to help with chores such as cleaning, serving tea and water.

If the work is not done well, and you are scolded or whipped for it, although it will be unpleasant for the public to spread the word. But as long as the degree of corporal punishment is not severe, it is actually within the scope of acquiescence in the eyes of society as a whole.

However, after the abolition of the Apprenticeship Act, although the apprenticeship system had begun to undergo subtle changes, the enactment of the Master and Servant Act in 1823 was a constant reminder that the hierarchical relations of the feudal era still lingered over Britain.

Especially in the domestic servant industry, there is still a strong medieval relationship of control and subordination. In this respect, the servants of Britain were far inferior to the workers, at least the workers were still equal to the employers at the legal level.

Servants, on the other hand, are not equal to their employers, both at the legal and practical levels.

Compared with the male servant, the female servant is in an absolute disadvantage in this employment relationship.

Traditionally, women, especially young unmarried women, are of similar mental importance to children and are therefore absolutely incapacitated.

Employers are not only their employers, but also their guardians, and therefore have control over their lives.

With such power comes many problems, such as the various financial and physical punishments imposed by employers on maids, or the frequent occurrence of the one-volume episodes in Elder's bookcase.

Former maids like Miss Meghan and Miss Catherine, as Becky Sharpe said turned to the custom industry, were basically fired after they were found out because of an improper relationship with their employers.

And in the maid industry, once you have such a reputation, then it is unlikely that you will continue to find a job.

Therefore, after losing the means of subsistence, many of these maids are forced to survive, so they can only devote themselves to the custom industry.

And according to general statistics, it is true that the house maid is also one of the main sources of the warbler. Their proportion has led some social commentators to say bluntly: "London is already awash with prostitutes, all because of the constant influx of maids from all corners of the country." ”

However, despite the unbearable corporal punishment and risks associated with the maid trade, domestic maids with free room and board and freedom from the risk of off-season dismissal are still sought after by women weavers who earn only sixpence a day, or washerwomen who are even less paid.

Not to mention the stories that are widely circulated in the maid circle, they still can't give up this profession that is most likely to make women jump in class.

Generally speaking, maids who have served large aristocratic families are a natural sought-after item in the marriage market, and they are as highly sought after by the emerging middle class as fashion.

Maids who served wealthy families usually received a dowry from their employers when they married and retired, and the share of the dowry usually ranged from ten pounds to several tens of pounds, and in rare cases even reached a hundred pounds.

There are also maids who receive a portion of the owner's inheritance.

As for the last remaining maids, their ultimate dream is to raise the mistress who rides on top of their heads and fight a complete turnaround.

Even if none of the above is considered, most British girls will still choose to make a maid their preferred career when they are able to work. For no other reason, the need to be a maid has become almost an important part of Britain's traditional values, and Southampton even legislated in the 17th century that unmarried women aged 12 to 40 must work as servants, otherwise it would be considered illegal.

Women's maids became almost as necessary as men's military service, and those who violated this path were almost certainly poked in the backbone and secretly called 'unruly women'.

On an island where everyone is labeled and conservative prevails, ordinary people can't afford to take the enormous risk of deviating from the norm.

So, whether you need to make money by doing this business or not, it's best for most people to do it for a year while they're young.

If this is the case, there is nothing to doubt about Becky Sharp, and she is sent by Fiona, and with her shrewdness, she will not single out a stupid girl.

But can a smart girl say such a large paragraph indiscriminately?

Arthur thought of this, and suddenly heard Becky Sharp, who was sitting across from him, speak.

"I've heard Miss Ivan say that the maid you need should be skilled in sewing and laundry, for you don't seem to be very good at it."

Arthur raised an eyebrow and asked, "I'm really not very good at this, but compared to the fat guy I live with, I think I'm doing pretty well, at least I won't make a few holes in my pants." ”

Becky Sharp's face was flushed, and her eyes seemed to be shining when she heard this: "Then if you hire me, you have found the right person!" Brick ash and clay remove grease, alcohol washes away grass stains, kerosene and blood, and milk washes away urine and juice. But if you come across lemon juice or onion juice, you'll need to use a little secret weapon, but this is my secret recipe, so please forgive me for not telling you the truth. But if you're willing to leave the laundry to me, you'll never have to worry about soiled laundry at a drinking party again. ”

The Red Devil whistled, "Oh...... It's really professional! Arthur, this girl is prepared, it seems that she has to win this job today. ”

Arthur looked at Becky Sharp's expectant eyes, and although he felt that he was good-looking, he was definitely not handsome enough to make the girls' eyes shine. The gleam in Becky Sharp's eyes was probably due to the twelve shillings he had offered, a price that would normally have been enough to hire a qualified housekeeper.

Arthur thought about it, but finally smiled and nodded: "Okay, Miss Sharp, it seems that I really can't find a more suitable person than you for the time being, and your excellence has impressed me." ”

Becky couldn't help but smile when she heard the words, and she stood up happily and said, "So...... You said yes? ”

Arthur smiled and pointed to the address written on the newspaper clipping in front of him: "36 Lancaster Gate, you can move here at any time after packing your bags." I'll have the contract ready tomorrow, but it's okay if you want to rest for a few days, but personally, I'd like you to move in early. Because of the show, my expensive shirt and coat were stained with too many chemical paints that were hard to clean. ”

(End of chapter)