"Was there ever such a base reward given to virtue; ever such an unwelcome expression of gratitude! Belong to us, indeed! We can't have her; we won't have her.

Were you perfectly frank with her ?" "I tried to be, but she almost insisted; she has set her heart upon being our maid." "Does she know how to be a maid ?" "No, but she is extremely teachable, she says." "I have my doubts," remarked Francesca; "a liking for personal service is not a distinguishing characteristic of New Englanders; they are not the stuff of which maids are made.

If she were French or German or Senegambian, in fact anything but a Saleminian, we might use her; we have always said we needed some one." Salemina brightened.

"I thought myself it might be rather nice--that is, I thought it might be a way out of the difficulty.

Penelope had thought at one time of bringing a maid, and it would save us a great deal of trouble.