Will you ask Mrs.Halsey to come to me--at once, please." Ilda went, more impressed than ever with the desirability of her new place, and mistress.
As she was about to pass the door of Mr.Matthew Weatherstone, that young gentleman stepped out and intercepted her.

"Whither away so fast, my dear ?" he amiably inquired.
"Please let one pass, sir! I'm on an errand.

Please, sir ?" "You must give me a kiss first!" said he--and since there seemed no escape and she was in haste, she submitted.

He took six--and she ran away half crying.
Mrs.Halsey, little accustomed to take orders from her real mistress, and resting comfortably in her room, had half a mind to send an excuse.
"I'm not dressed," she said to the maid.
"Well she is!" replied Ilda, "dressed splendid.

She said 'at once, please.'" "A pretty time o' day!" said the housekeeper with some asperity, hastily buttoning her gown; and she presently appeared, somewhat heated, before Mrs.Weatherstone.
That lady was sitting, cool and gracious, her long ivory paper-cutter between the pages of a new magazine.
"In how short a time could you pack, Mrs.Halsey ?" she inquired.
"Pack, ma'am?
I'm not accustomed to doing packing.