Mary returned to her room, and in a little while tea, with thin bread and butter in limited quantity, was brought her.

But it was brought by Jemima, whose face wore a cheerful smile over the tray she carried: she, at least, did not grudge Mary her superior place in the household.
"Do you think, Jemima," asked Mary, "you could manage to answer my bell when I ring ?" "I should only be too glad, miss; it would be nothing but a pleasure to me; and I'd jump to it if I was in the way; but if I was up stairs, which this house ain't a place to hear bells in, sure I am nobody would let me know as you was a-ringin'; and if you was to think as how I was giving of myself airs, like some people not far out of this square, I should be both sorry and ashamed--an' that's more'n I'd say for my place to Mrs.Perkin, miss." "You needn't be afraid of that, Jemima," returned Mary.

"If you don't answer when I ring, I shall know, as well as if you told me, that you either don't hear or can't come at the moment.

I sha'n't be exacting." "Don't you be afeared to ring, miss; I'll answer your bell as often as I hear it." "Could you bring me a loaf?
I have had nothing since Mrs.Perkin's dinner; and this bread and butter is rather too delicately cut," said Mary.
"Laws, miss, you must be nigh clemmed!" said the girl; and, hastening away, she soon returned with a loaf, and butter, and a pot of marmalade sent by the cook, who was only too glad to open a safety-valve to her pleasure at the discomfiture of Mrs.Perkin.
"When would you like your breakfast, miss ?" asked Jemima, as she removed the tea-things.
"Any time convenient," replied Mary.
"It's much the same to me, miss, so it's not before there's bilin' water.

You'll have it in bed, miss ?" "No, thank you.