Harkness stood at the long table putting it in order. Harkness seemed
always moving things about just so as to put them back in place again.
"Mr. Harkness."
"Yes, Miss Gordon."
"Do I know everybody here?"
"Why--I'm sure--What do you mean, Miss Gordon?"
"I saw a young girl last night. And I met her in the hall today. Who's
she?"
"That's a person from the village, Miss Gordon. I don't know as I've
heard her name. Budge mostly calls her a piece. I don't think Budge is
satisfied with her."
"You mean she works here?"
"Yes, Miss Gordon. At least now. She helps Budge. Budge is getting on,
you see. I don't know as I've heard the miss' name. Is there anything
more, Miss Gordon?"
Harkness had a warm heart under his faded livery and it went out now to
Robin because she looked very small and very much alone in the big room.
He had heard Mrs. Budge's hostile sputter and he knew the lawyer man was
going the next day; little Miss Gordon would be quite without friends at
Gray Manor. So he stepped closer to the divan and in a very human,
friendly way he added: "Excuse me if I'm so bold as to say, you just
count on old Harkness if you want anything, missy.
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