Oh! how wretched I felt! Life seemed an almost intolerable burden.
Then my mind grew more composed, and I tried to think about what was to be done.

The necessity for having the clothes washed was absolute; and this roused me, at length, as the most pressing domestic duty, into thinking so earnestly, that I presently rang the bell for Netty, who came in her own good time.
"Tell Agnes that I want to see her," said I, not in a very good-natured way.
The effect was that Netty left the chamber without replying, and slammed the door hard after her, which mark of disrespect set my blood to boiling.

In a little while my cook made her appearance.
"Agnes," said I, "do you know of any one that can get to do the washing this week ?" Agnes thought for a few moments, and then replied-- "There's a poor woman who lives near my mother's.

I think she goes out to wash sometimes." "I wish you would step round and see if she can't come here to-morrow." Agnes said that she would do so.
"Tell her she must come," said I.
"Very well, ma'am." And Agnes withdrew.
In an hour she tame back, and said that she had seen the woman, who promised to come.
"What is her name ?" I asked.
"Mrs.Partridge," was answered.
"You think she won't disappoint me ?" "Oh, no, ma'am.

I don't think Mrs.Partridge is the kind of a woman to promise and then disappoint a person." It was some relief to think I was going to get my washing done; but the idea of having the ironing about all the week fretted my mind.