There is first one person wanting me, and then another, and the house and the food and the neighbours to see after.

So, when tea-time comes, there enters my maid with her hump on her back, and her soul to be saved.

'Please, ma'am, did you order the pound of butter ?'--'No, Sally,' I said, shaking my head, 'this morning I did not go round by Hale's farm, and this afternoon I have been employed in spiritual things.' "Now, our Sally likes tea and bread-and-butter above everything, and dry bread was not to her taste.
"'I'm thankful,' said the impudent hussy, 'that you have taken a turn towards godliness.

It will be my prayers, I trust, that's given it you.' "I was determined not to give her an opening towards the carnal subject of butter, so she lingered still, longing to ask leave to run for it.

But I gave her none, and munched my dry bread myself, thinking what a famous cake I could make for little Ben Pole with the bit of butter we were saving; and when Sally had had her butterless tea, and was in none of the best of tempers because Martha had not bethought herself of the butter, I just quietly said-- "'Now, Sally, to-morrow we'll try to hash that beef well, and to remember the butter, and to work out our salvation all at the same time, for I don't see why it can't all be done, as God has set us to do it all.' But I heard her at it again about Mary and Martha, and I have no doubt that Mr.Gray will teach her to consider me a lost sheep." I had heard so many little speeches about Mr.Gray from one person or another, all speaking against him, as a mischief-maker, a setter-up of new doctrines, and of a fanciful standard of life (and you may be sure that, where Lady Ludlow led, Mrs.Medlicott and Adams were certain to follow, each in their different ways showing the influence my lady had over them), that I believe I had grown to consider him as a very instrument of evil, and to expect to perceive in his face marks of his presumption, and arrogance, and impertinent interference.