She possessed super-abundant health and good-humour, and was quite a supportable companion in the hay-field or the barnyard.
On the death of my mother, she was exalted to a somewhat higher station.
The same tasks fell to her lot; but the time and manner of performing them were, in some degree, submitted to her own choice.

The cows and the dairy were still her province; but in this no one interfered with her or pretended to prescribe her measures.

For this province she seemed not unqualified, and, as long as my father was pleased with her management, I had nothing to object.
This state of things continued, without material variation, for several months.

There were appearances in my father's deportment to Betty, which excited my reflections, but not my fears.

The deference which was occasionally paid to the advice or the claims of this girl was accounted for by that feebleness of mind which degraded my father, in whatever scene he should be placed, to be the tool of others.