Blessed Event - Part 2

by sloanranger

Verna addressed the proprietor: "Please Mr. Arnold, do bring an extra cup and saucer for Miss Brown."

"Not likely," said Aggie. "Bring me my pint, Willy."

"You'd not like something to eat, Miss Brown?" Viola said.

"Had me tea at home," she said, and took a scone from the basket. "Always find room for a scone, though."

Verna lifted the basket to offer more. "No, thank you, have to watch me figure," she said, patting her rounded stomach lightly. "And call me Agnes, why don't you? Or Aggie'll, do."

Looking up, then, she saw both sisters noting her midriff. There was silence for a moment before large tears formed in the younger woman's brown eyes and began a steady descent down her cheeks. Soft sniffles and cries followed and soon became more vocal. Viola reached over the table to put her hand atop that of Agnes's. "There, there."

Agnes made no attempt to stifle her sobs and was now bawling openly. Verna offered her the handkerchief from her bag. "Come, no need for that. As a matter of fact, Miss Brown, Vi and I have come especially to offer you a position."

The sniffling slowed and she blew her nose rather loudly, "'Wot position?"

"As a matter of fact, Ernest told Viola of your, ah ...situation,'" Verna said. Viola smiled and nodded gently at the younger woman.

The mention of Ernest's name brought another sob which turned into rather a loud wail, as well as bringing Willy scurrying in, carrying the pint Agnes had requested. "Dear, me, Aggie –girl, you've got the men thinking I don't know 'wot. How 'bout I brings ye' a little nip, eh?"

"Certainly not!" Verna exclaimed, and came right to the point: "Miss Brown, we've an extra room at home and we wondered if it might not be to your liking. And if you could see your way clear to a little light housekeeping and a bit of cooking, we may be able to pay you a small amount as well."

Aggie's wails stopped abruptly and she turned and stared at the two spinsters. "Ere' you offering me a job?"

Verna turned to look at her sister Viola and said: "Why yes, that's exactly what we are doing." Viola smiled warmly and nodded both of her soft chins. Verna gave her own formidable chin a sharp, affirmative nod as well. The sisters had meant to mention the job first so the young woman would not think their offer charity.

Aggie did a lengthy and prodigious job cleaning up her nose and handed the handkerchief back to Verna.

"Oh, do keep it, dear," Verna said.

The young woman straightened up in her chair and fairly boomed: "Well, when do I start?"

(To be continued).

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