'She is sure to have friends in the town. We'll let her visit them
often.'

'If she dares to come into your room, mother!'

'Mind this, every one of you, servant or no servant, I fold all the
linen mysel.'

'She shall not get cleaning out the east room.'

'Nor putting my chest of drawers in order.'

'Nor tidying up my manuscripts.'

'I hope she's a reader, though. You could set her down with a
book, and then close the door canny on her.'

And so on. Was ever servant awaited so apprehensively? And then
she came - at an anxious time, too, when her worth could be put to
the proof at once - and from first to last she was a treasure. I
know not what we should have done without her.




CHAPTER IX - MY HEROINE.


When it was known that I had begun another story my mother might
ask what it was to be about this time.