Trials and Confessions of a Housekeeper

with the washing, and, as washing was the important thing for the day, every thing else was doomed to suffer. The wash kettle was to her o

ining room, I saw that nearly every thing was in disorder, and that the table wa

ugar on the t

the girl entered, in o

culated, and hurriedly

nt my bell, ere she ha

rk for the steak," said

furnished, but not wit

asked Mr. Smith, after sipping a spo

e I don'

g day; and I began to feel a little worried. My rep

spoon, and to taste the liquid doubtingly.

would just taste it. I do believe Kitty has

ad a queer taste; but, as to the substance to which it was indebted for its peculiar flavor, I was in total i

husband had to make his meal of bread and butter and cold water. As for myself, this spoili

. Smith," said I, as he arose from the table. "It's

table for you than for me," wa

ave a picked-up

out of the ordinary routine of ribs, loins, and sirloins-something so comfort

" said I. "No, don't come home to-day, if you please; for every thing promises to be most uncomfortabl

in earnest?" said my

ntirely in earnest. So, just oblig

ould not let him come home without seeing that he had a good

ory is not always to be depended on. Deeply absorbed in business, as he was at that

down town. Punctually at half-past one he left his place of business, as usual, and took his way homeward. A

glad I am to see you!

sped the hand of h

d Mr. Jones. "How well you loo

ell. When do

afternoon

ou make no

ust go back again with as

. I won't take no for an answer. Want to

as I don't happen to know your good lady, I

ee you. Always glad to meet any of my old friends.

your wife," said Mr. Jones, still

are hers. She will be delighted to see you.

Mr. Jone

Smith, as they walked along. "Nothing more than

or desire," ret

I heard the street door open, and the sound of my husband's voice in the passage. There was a man in company with him,

nimated strain; and I heard him pull up the blinds and throw open the shut

and as confidently as if it were not washing day; and as if he ha

oo much for my pati

e instantly becoming flushed, and my eyes glancing out

easure in his voice. "It is rather hard if a man can't ask an old friend home to d

u not aware that t

y husband's countenance. He seem

e that I was to have a picked-up dinner at home

together, and turned around once upon

crying with vexation. "I've nothin

ones a hearty welcome, and that will compensate for any defects in the di

at once," said I, in answer to this;

e had invited his old friend to dine with him; and d

est you can," he returned. "

made in no very pleasant tones; for I felt very much ir

matter," said he soothingly. But his words were

can I help being so? It is too much! Y

come to take a family dinner with us. So, nothing was left but

e that we can have to-day. So just invite your fr

ers will very naturally suppose, in not the most amiable humor in the world. I had just got the child, who was pr

r was by no means gracious. I tried to smile; but a smile was such a mockery of my real feelings, that every fac

we took our places at the meagre board. "We are plain

o seem very much at his ease. But,

ld at my side, stretching out his hands towards the poorly sup

e room. I did not return to grace the dinner table with my unattractive presence. Of what passed, particularly, between my husband and his friend Mr. Jones, who had left his luxurious dinner at the hot

ried partner of a real termigant. I don't much wonder at his indifferent opinion; for, I

a "family dinner" with him on the spur of the moment, has never committed