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What Diantha Did

Chapter 5 No.5

Word Count: 4006    |    Released on: 29/11/2017

g growns on

lk purse o

allow bring

oons on he

ook for stren

good healt

ience well

oul and

uilt upon

ait on e

from you

n a street c

rson's gay

et a month

for them a

Not

r, it was opened by a quick, soft-footed maid with a pleasant face, who showed her into a par

t her, with such a look of rest an

ou look so bright in ever so

Bell' too-'Miss Be

"Is she a-a friend?" she ven

Sit here by the window, Viva-and I'll t

nce of this ministering angel. "She arrived at about quarter of ten. I engaged he

And I suppose ther

's see-it's about five now-seven hours. We have nine rooms, besides the halls and sta

the library and dining-room, upstairs where th

give it a superficial general cleani

id interest. "I'm very glad for you, Belle, dear-but-w

"But I don't see why you should mind. I thought Madam Weatherstone

she didn't. That's her life. It was my mother's too. Always

th ten (or is it f

ine that when you have twenty servants you have neit

e baby's ransom!" ans

appy-but this business"-she swept a white han

you-I mean having nice

home, just as a man does, without running the shop? I enjoy ocean

e lucky, you have other interests," she said. "H

o someone else. I haven't gone into that workroom for eight solid

great rush. You can get at it now, can'

s you-she's 'Miss Bell

faint smile. "Well-why not? L

as that of seamstress or governess why not the same courtesy-Oh s

look over those plans again; there's something I wanted to s

as eager and yet calm; full of ideas and ideals, yet with a practical

n and pantry; the simple but thorough ventilation, the deep closets, t

tic servant.-I'll remember what you say about those windows-it's a goo

ny cushioned lounge in the wide west window, where she sat s

im so much?" sh

the surpris

herstone," sa

much. But he

"and that gay year in Paris. You were always a dear, submissiv

and entertain. Travel till you're tired, and rest till you're crazy! Then-when a real thing happens-there's all this!" and she li

dear-you'll get over this-you are young eno

er cared for me at all. I cared for nothing else-nothing in life. That's why I married Martin Weatherstone-not for his old mi

stroked it softly, lai

ently in time, perhap

he house-if you ran things y

er from Philadelphia to rule over Orchardina in general and his household in particular, she managed that poor little first wife of his into her grave, and that wre

ou, isn't she?"

certainly saves me a great deal of trouble. Speaking

hadow along the rose-bordered path. In the tonneau sat a massive old lady in sober silks, with a set impassive countenance, severely correc

She could not tell them of all she meant to do; and she must tell the

id not seem a step up, that was certain. But she set her red lips tighter and w

ers came b

ctionate, patient, and trust

as unpleasant as

le to earn money respectably! to go out and work like a common Irish girl! Why Gerald is so mortified h

had not quite visualized the mortification of her relatives. She found tears in her eyes over her mother's letter. Her sister's made her bo

ng way to the soft richness of the outer air. The "hoo! hoo!" of the little mourning owl came to her ears through the whispering night, and

surprising-news. It is a comfort to know where

thing else, as you say so repeatedly; and I can understand also

fectly frank w

hatever you do. But I will not disguise from you that this

hould not love you any better if you made a million-and I would not take money from you-you know that, I hope. If in the yea

ght; and I have no right, nor power, to prevent you. But if my wish were right and

ike coming back you

rs,

e felt like

e on the letter-her arms spread wide. The letter grew wet

a dogged repetition, monotonous as a Tibetan prayer mill: "It is right. It is right. I

l! She's just as neat and quick; you've no idea the work she's done today-it looks like another place already. But if things look queer at dinner don't notice it-for I've just given her her head. I was so tired,

with an assured touch. A few of Orchardina's ever ready roses in a gl

e attendance showed an intelligent appreciation

broom was visibly uppermost, and that such palpable perfections were probably accompanied by som

d a short one. Mrs. Porne, making hay while the sun shone, caught u

she was simply running over with

ed this thing all out, and she knows about it-statistics and things. I was astonished till I found she used to teach school. Just think of it! And

ery modest and unpresum

to tell her one thing, nor to oversee, nor criticize. I spoke of it and she sa

er husband. "Don't they usually make you teach

ut then she does have her

e? What

. She's written out a definite proposition as to her staying with u

quality and amount of the different kinds of work; the terms on which she was willing to undertake it

nary sort, is $2.00 a day. This is in return for the simplest exertion of brute force,

rformer is not only in a position of confidence, as necessarily entrusted with the care of the employer's goods and with knowledge of the most

ng to undertake these intricate and responsible duties for a seven day

e paper, "This young woman does appreciate her business!

ife. "But you read ahead. It is most instructive. We

ccept part payment in board and lodging instead of cash. Such accommodation

we board her any

really a better room, better furnished, that is, and service with it. You know I've always meant to get the girl's room fixed more prettily, but usually they don't seem to mind. And as to food-you

ne had

ve cents per loaf, two slices, one-half cent. Butter at forty cents per pound, one piece, one and a-half cents. Oranges at thirty cents per

no idea food, just the material, cost so little. It's the labor

ish the materials and she furnishes the labor. She cooks her own food and

e per day....

er w'k, ave.

-

5

er month

ay, per mon

But my dear Ellie, that's only what an ordinary first

always telling about their getting their board and lodging cl

were giving her wampum instead of money-mere primitive barter of ancient days in retur

thought it was easy till she brought me this paper. Just read about

orne

r three hours, supper or lunch one hour-six hours per day for food service. Daily chamber work and dusting, etc., one and one-half hours per day. Weekly cleaning for house of nine rooms, with halls, stairs, closets,

Does it take that m

had Baby, but then I didn't do the things. I guess when it doesn't take so long they just don't do what ought to be done. For s

and bright-looking after

e kitchen as regularly as a cuckoo clock, to eight-thirty p.m. when she is all through

s-that's

es out four. She claims

oster

to rest-and two in the afternoon. Anyway she is out, t

ay laborer doesn't get two hours off every a

nor stop so late. She does her square ten hours

ious about th

ll the time, excepting their day out. You see I can't leave baby,

u arrange with

s in. And if she is to give up her chance of sunlight and fresh air she wants me to pay her extra-by the hour. Or she says, if I prefer, she would take four hours e

d get a less ex

keting and things, and plans the meals so as to have things lap, and it's a comfort

e. But I assure you I appreciate the table, and the cleannes

ke a difference," she said. "I could get a girl for $20.0

the money to have this thing done so well. I thi

e to stay six month

and be thankful. I thought

offered contract ag

se of disagreement two weeks' notice is to be given on either side, or two weeks

play of penmanship they added "Mrs. Isa

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