 of carriages rattling through the streets, and of loud double knocks at
doors, gave token that the day's work of the more fortunate members of society
was proceeding in its turn.
    One of these double knocks at Madame Mantalini's door, announced the
equipage of some great lady - or rather rich one, for there is occasionally a
distinction between riches and greatness - who had come with her daughter to
approve of some court-dresses which had been a long time preparing, and upon
whom Kate was deputed to wait, accompanied by Miss Knag, and officered of course
by Madame Mantalini.
    Kate's part in the pageant was humble enough, her duties being limited to
holding articles of costume until Miss Knag was ready to try them on, and now
and then tying a string, or fastening a hook-and-eye. She might, not
unreasonably, have supposed herself beneath the reach of any arrogance, or bad
humour; but it happened that the lady and daughter were both out of temper that
day, and the poor girl came in for her share of their revilings. She was awkward
- her hands were cold - dirty - coarse - she could do nothing right; they
wondered how Madame Mantalini could have such people about her; requested that
they might see some other young woman the next time they came; and so forth.
    So common an occurrence would be hardly deserving of mention, but for its
effect. Kate shed many bitter tears when these people were gone, and felt, for
the first time, humbled by her occupation. She had, it is true, quailed at the
prospect of drudgery and hard service; but she had felt no degradation in
working for her bread, until she found herself exposed to insolence and pride.
Philosophy would have taught her that the degradation was on the side of those
who had sunk so low as to display such passions habitually, and without cause:
but she was too young for such consolation, and her honest feeling was hurt. May
not the complaint, that common people are above their station, often take its
rise in the fact of uncommon people being below theirs?
    In such scenes and occupations the time wore on, until nine o'clock, when
Kate, jaded and dispirited with the occurrences of the day, hastened from the
confinement of the work-room, to join her mother at the street corner and walk
home: - the more sadly, from having to disguise her real feelings, and feign to
participate in all the sanguine visions of her companion.
    »Bless my soul, Kate,« said Mrs
