Mother has a pride of her own, and doesn't brook insolence from
inferiors; and the housekeeper's conduct seemed to be rather
presuming. Mother, of course, isn't quite our class, though her folk
are quite worthy and enormously rich. She is one of the
Dalmallingtons, the salt people, one of whom got a peerage when the
Conservatives went out. She said to the housekeeper:

"I think, Mrs. Martindale, that I shall not require your services
after this day month! And as I don't keep servants in my employment
when I dismiss them, here is your month's wages due on the 25th of
this month, and another month in lieu of notice. Sign this receipt."
She was writing a receipt as she spoke. The other signed it without
a word, and handed it to her. She seemed quite flabbergasted.
Mother got up and sailed--that is the way that mother moves when she
is in a wax--out of the room.

Lest I should forget it, let me say here that the dismissed
housekeeper was engaged the very next day by the Countess of Salop.
I may say in explanation that the Earl of Salop, K.G., who is Lord-
Lieutenant of the County, is jealous of father's position and his
growing influence. Father is going to contest the next election on
the Conservative side, and is sure to be made a Baronet before long.


Letter from Major-General Sir Colin Alexander MacKelpie, V.C.,
K.C.B., of Croom, Ross, N.B., to Rupert Sent Leger, Esq., 14, Newland
Park, Dulwich, London, S.E.
July 4, 1892.

MY DEAR GODSON,