"I wished, very much, also, to pay my respects to Miss Haverley.

I am only a cook, and I am much obliged to this good lady--Miss Panic, I think is the name--" "Panney," sharply interpolated the old lady.
"Beg pardon, I am sure, Miss Panney--for what she has said about me; but when I come to pay my respects to Mrs.Drane, I wish to do the same to the lady of the house." There was a gravity and sedateness in Miriam's countenance, which was not at all school-girlish, and which pleased La Fleur; in her eyes it gave the girl an air of distinction.
"I am glad to see you," said Miriam, and turned to Miss Panney, as if wondering at that lady's continued stay in the kitchen.

Miss Panney understood the look.
"I am getting points from La Fleur, my dear," she said, "cooking points,--you ought to do that.

She can give you the most wonderful information about things you ought to know.

Now, La Fleur, as you want to see Mrs.Drane, and it is time I had started for home, it will be well for us to go upstairs and leave the kitchen to Molly Tooney." Miss Panney was half way up the stairs when La Fleur detained Miriam by a touch on the arm.
"I will give you all the points you want, my dear young lady," she said.
"You have brains, and that is the great thing needful in overseeing cooking.