Stepmothers don't often do well, particularly them as is sot up by marryin'." Here Mr.Hamilton, who did not like to hear so much truth, left the kitchen, while Aunt Polly said to herself, "I've gin it to him good, this time." Lenora, who always happened to be near when she was talked about, had overheard the whole, and repeated it to her mother.

Accordingly, that very afternoon word came to the kitchen that Mrs.Hamilton wished to see Polly.
"Reckon she'll find this child ain't afeared on her," said Polly, as she wiped the flour from her face and repaired to Mrs.Hamilton's room.
"Polly," began that lady, with a very grave face, "Lenora tells me that you have been talking very disrespectfully to Mr.Hamilton." "In the name of the Lord, can't he fight his own battles ?" interrupted Polly.

"I only tried to show him that he was henpecked--and he is." "It isn't of him alone I would speak," resumed Mrs.Hamilton, with stately gravity; "you spoke insultingly of me, and as I make it a practise never to keep a servant after they get insolent, I have----" "For the dear Lord's sake," again interrupted Polly, "I 'spect we's the fust servants you ever had." "Good!" said a voice from some quarter, and Mrs.Hamilton continued: "I have sent for you to give you twenty-four hours' warning to leave this house." "I shan't budge an inch until marster says so," said Polly.

"Wonder who's the best title deed here?
Warn't I here long afore you come a nussin' t'other one ?" And Polly went back to the kitchen, secretly fearing that Mr.
Hamilton, who she knew was wholly ruled by his wife, would say that she must go.

And he did say so, though much against his will.