CHAPTER 1
Penny was seventeen; a pretty little thing, whose slim, young body attracted male attention. She looked like some Florentine Madonna with her pale face and sensual lips, set in a frame of magnificent chestnut hair, that glinted red in the sun. The impression was confirmed by the innocent expression in her clear, blue, doll’s eyes.
It was a month since she had left school and started looking for work.
The aunt, who had previously kept her and paid for her studies, had just died in a car accident, and Penny was making contact with the hardships of life.
On that particular morning, she was on her way to an address given her by a Students’ Employment Bureau. When she arrived in front of the rather luxurious building to which she had been sent, she took out the visiting card and, for the last time, checked the name of the man she had cone to see. Victor Jennings, Esq., Barrister-at-Law, third floor.
As she walked up the stairs, the child began to pray that this time it would work and that she would find a job. Until now her efforts had been a resounding failure because of her youth and lack of training, and the little store of money was dwindling. Trembling with fright, she rang the bell, and the door opened to reveal a young woman, elegantly dressed, who smiled curiously at Penny. Penny explained that she had come about the post of secretary, that is, if it was still vacant.
The young woman, who appeared to be about thirty years of age, looked at Penny with dissimulated interest, and invited her into the lounge. “Do sit down, Miss Harvey. I am Mrs. Jennings and I am expecting my husband to arrive at any moment now. But, if you don’t mind, I’ll ask you some questions first? That will save us from wasting time.” How old did you say you were?”
“Seventeen, madam.”
“Oh! how young you are. But anyone can see that by your baby face.”
“Am I too young?” asked Penny, almost in tears.
“Not at all, not at all. On the contrary. Victor is looking for a young secretary. What training have you had?”
“None.”
“Well, that doesn’t really matter. We can soon teach you, unless you’re stupid, and you don’t look it.”
“You think I’ll suit, madam?” asked Penny timidly.
“I’m sure of it,” laughed the young woman. “But it’s my husband who has to decide.”
“Perhaps he’ll think I’m too childish.” sighed Penny.
“Not at all. I am sure he will find you greatly to his liking.” said Mrs. Jennings, smiling mysteriously.
At that moment, they heard the noise of a key turning in the lock, and a distinguished, handsome man of about forty, wearing a well-cut suit, came into the lounge.
“Ah, here comes my husband,” the women cried gaily. “Darling, this is a young lady, who has come about the post of secretary.”
“How do you do, young lady. Well, Carola, send her into my office, and we’ll see what we can do.”
“You know, dear, I’ve already had a long talk with her, and I think
she’ll do very well.”
“Well, we’ll soon see if that is so.”
All three moved into a very comfortable office. Penny sat in a deep armchair, and Mr. Jennings, standing close to his wife began to ask her some questions. After a few minutes, he smiled at the child, and said, “Well, I think we’ll get along very well together, but I have one last question to ask.
Have you any family in Paris?”
“Alas, no sir. My aunt died a month ago and all I have left is a godmother living in the country.”
“No fiance’, no boyfriend?”
“No sir,” whispered Penny, blushing like a rose.
Victor asked you that, because if you’re going to work for him, you can come and live here,” said Carola, smiling at the young girl’s embarrassment.
“Well, Miss Penny, this is the way it would work,” the lawyer went on.
“You would help Carola with my secretarial duties; my wife will teach you how to type. You will have your own room here, take your meals with us and receive thirty thousand francs a month. Are you interested?”
“But...but...but...” Penny was overwhelmed. “This is marvelous.
You’re too kind. I don’t know how to thank you...”
“Don’t try, my dear little Penny. You’ll allow me to use your Christian name, won’t you? Besides, I count on your being friends with my wife, who is alone a great deal. Now, if you start tomorrow, that gives you all today to prepare your affairs, and tomorrow morning. I shall come and collect you at your hotel in the car. Then you will settle in here. Does that suit you?”
“Oh yes,” cried Penny, radiant.
“But, Victor, darling,” the interruption came from the lawyer’s wife.
“You forgot to warn Penny about the condition.”
As these words, Penny’s heart sank; so there was a condition; she should have realized as much. It was much too good to be true, and she probably wouldn’t be able to fulfil the condition. She hung her head despairingly, and missed the significant look exchanged by the other two “True, very true,” said Mr. Jennings. “I don’t quite know how to explain it. Let’s see...Miss Penny, I am sure you will be a perfect secretary, but even so, I expect you will make mistakes from time to time.”
“My husband is very fussy about that,” added Carola with a smile. “I have good reasons for knowing it.”
“As I was saying,” the lawyer went on, “you will probably make some mistakes. Now in some firms I know each mistake earns a black mark and a warning, until finally the person gets the sack. But my methods are different, I think it is very unkind to sack a young girl, who, after all, is doing her best. I find it more natural, to inflict some punishment for each error. Don’t you agree with me?”
“Ye-yes sir,” murmured Penny, who really didn’t see what he was driving at.
“And as secretaries are generally women, what does a man do, when he wants to punish a woman?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
“He smacks her bottom, as if she were just as little girl...right, Carola?”
“Oh yes,” replied the young woman, laughing. “I’ve been through it often enough to know your famous system.”
“Well, young lady. Do you think you’ll be able to stand your employer’s hidings?”
“I...I...I do...don’t know,” poor Penny stammered out. “I’ll try,” she said with a shy smile.
I’ll not turn down a goo job for that, she thought. She’d had enough when she was a kid, and it couldn’t be that bad with a good-looker like her new boss.
“I’m so pleased you’ve accepted,” said Carola, putting her arm around the child’s shoulder, and kissing her on the forehead. “Now you’ll share the hidings, that I had to take by myself before. You’ll soon see, my dear. We’re going to be real friends. I like you very much, you know. You’re very pretty, isn’t she, Victor?”
“It’s true. The young lady is very pretty, and I also like her very much. We should, all three, get on very well together.
