It was a decided snub to her.
But mother had a word to say before Mrs.Martindale was done with.
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.