So soon as this negotiation was settled, Rachel retired from the kitchen, leaving the new-comer in full possession.

In half an hour after she received her wages, and left, in no very happy frame of mind, a home that had been for three years, until within a few days, a pleasant one.

As for Mrs.Smith, she was ready to go to bed sick; but this was impracticable.

Nancy, the new cook, had expressly stipulated that she was to have no duties unconnected with the kitchen.

The consequence was, that, notwithstanding the thermometer ranged above ninety, and the atmosphere remained as sultry as air from a heated oven, Mrs.Smith was compelled to arrange her chamber and parlors.