She knew, though, that her only chance now was to be patient, and to ignore a good many things.

"And you manage so well, so much better than I can." She felt she must say something to restore peace and amiability, if they were to have any supper at all that night, and not incur greater disgrace than she had already.
"I don't want to boast," said Fanny, "'tisn't my nature to do so, but if I'm gived a free hand, well--I can turn out a passable meal; but when one doesn't like this and the other doesn't like that, and nothing I do is right, and there's nothing but rows and squabblings in the kitchen, and no peace nowhere--well, I gives it all up! P'r'aps somebody else could manage better." Fanny's voice rose more and more shrilly.

Poor Kitty's head by this time was aching badly, and her nerves were all on edge.

"Fanny, what _is_ the matter ?" she asked despairingly.

"What has happened while we've been away?
I thought we were coming home to a nice comfortable meal and a happy evening, and when we drive up the house is all dark, and the rain beating in at the windows.