Ruby went hither and thither for a day or two, calling upon the mothers of children who wanted nursemaids. The answers which she had received had not come from the highest members of the aristocracy, and the houses which she visited did not appal her by their splendour. Many objections were made to her. A character from an aunt was objectionable. Her ringlets were objectionable. She was a deal too flighty-looking. She spoke up much too free. At last one happy mother of five children offered to take her on approval for a month, at 12 a year, Ruby to find her own tea and wash for herself. This was slavery;--abject slavery. And she too, who had been the beloved of a baronet, and who might even now be the mistress of a better house than that into which she was to go as a servant,--if she would only hold up her finger! 
Ruby went hither and thither for a day or two, calling upon the mothers of children who wanted nursemaids. The houses which she visited were not great and splendid. Many objections were made to her: her ringlets were objectionable. She was too flighty-looking. She spoke up much too free.
At last one mother of five children offered to take her on approval for a month, at 12 a year, Ruby to find her own tea and wash for herself. This was abject slavery. And she who had been the beloved of a baronet, and who might even now be the mistress of a house - if she would only hold up her finger! 