Good, too, that while her mistresses' narrow means restricted her in many things enjoyed by servants in richer families, their interests, equally narrow, caused to be concentrated upon herself a double measure of thought and care.

She became absolutely "one of the family," sharing in all its concerns.

From its small and few carnal luxuries--such as the cake, fruit, or pot of preserve, votive offerings from pupils' parents--up to the newspaper and the borrowed book, nothing was either literally or metaphorically "locked" up from Elizabeth.
This grand question of locking up had been discussed in full conclave the day after her month of preparation ended, the sisters taking opposite sides, as might have been expected.

Selina was for the immediate introduction of a locksmith and a key basket.
"While she was only on trial, it did not so much signify; besides, if it did, we had only buttons on the press doors; but now she is our regular servant we ought to institute a regular system of authority.
How can she respect a family that never locks up any thing ?" "How can we respect a servant from whom we lock up every thing!" "Respect a servant! What do you mean, Hilary ?" "I mean that if I did not respect a servant I would be very sorry to keep her one day in any house of mine." "Wait till you've a house of your own to keep, Miss," said Selina, crossly.

"I never heard such nonsense.