My husband went to his store soon after.
About three o'clock Margaret presented herself, all dressed to go out, and said that she was going to see her sister, but would be back in time to get tea.
She came back, as she promised, but, alas for my good cook! The fault appeared.

She was so much intoxicated that, in attempting to lift the kettle from the fire, she let it fall, and came near scalding herself dreadfully.

Oh, dear! I shall never forget the sad disappointment of that hour.

How the pleasant images of good dinners and comfortable breakfasts and suppers faded from my vision.

The old trouble was to come back again, for the faultless cook had manifested a fault that vitiated, for us, all her good qualities.
On the next day, I told Margaret that we must part; but she begged so hard to be kept in her place, and promised good behaviour in future so earnestly, that I was prevailed on to try her again.