But with time there came a relaxation of that early zeal which she manifested in Mrs.Saddletree's service.

To borrow once again from the poet, who so correctly and beautifully describes living manners:-- Something there was,--what, none presumed to say,-- Clouds lightly passing on a summer's day; Whispers and hints, which went from ear to ear, And mixed reports no judge on earth could clear.
During this interval, Mrs.Saddletree was sometimes displeased by Effie's lingering when she was sent upon errands about the shop business, and sometimes by a little degree of impatience which she manifested at being rebuked on such occasions.

But she good-naturedly allowed, that the first was very natural to a girl to whom everything in Edinburgh was new and the other was only the petulance of a spoiled child, when subjected to the yoke of domestic discipline for the first time.

Attention and submission could not be learned at once--Holyrood was not built in a day--use would make perfect.
It seemed as if the considerate old lady had presaged truly.

Ere many months had passed, Effie became almost wedded to her duties, though she no longer discharged them with the laughing cheek and light step, which had at first attracted every customer.