a was distressed and could not tell.

"There is ministers as takes airs," continued the housekeeper sitting
up and giving her mop a final wring, "but they can't kind o' help it;
it's born with 'em, you may say; it's their natur. It's a pity, but so
it is. That's one thing. I'm sorry for 'em, for I think they must have
a great load to carry. But when a man goes to bowin' and curchying,
outside o' society, and having a tailor of his own to make his coat
unlike all other folks, I think I don't want to have him learn _me_
manners. Folks always takes after their minister--more or less."

"Do you think so?" said Matilda, dubiously.

"Why yes, child. I said _more_ or _less;_ with some of 'em it's a good
deal less. Don't you do what Mr. Richmond tells you?"

"I try," said Matilda.

"So I try," said Miss Redwood, getting upon her feet. "La! we all do--a
little. It's natur. Don't your aunt, now, take after _her_ minister?"

"I suppose so," said Matilda, with a sigh.

"Don't you go gettin' into that Frenchman's ways. Mr. Richmond's thumb
is worth all there is o' _him_."

"Miss Redwood," said Matilda, "I want to ask you something."

"Well, why don't you?"

"I want to know if you won't do something for me."

"Talk away," said the housekeeper. "I hear." She went meanwhile getting
out the flour and things wanted for the short-cake.

"There's a poor old woman that lives in Lilac Lane; Mrs. Eldridge, her
name is."

"Sally Eldridge," said Miss Redwood. "La! I know her. She's poor, as
you say."

"You know where she lives?"

"Course I do, child. I know where everybody lives."

"You know she is very poor, and her house wants cleaning, and she
hasn't a great many things to be comfortable."

"How come you to know it?" asked the housekeeper.

"I have been there. I have seen her. I know her very well."

"Who took you there?"

"Nobody took me there. I heard about her, and I went to see her."

"You didn't learn that of the French minister."

"But he is not French, Miss Redwood."

"I wisht he was," said the housekeeper. "I say nothin' agin other
country people, only to be sorry for 'em; but I get put out o' my
patience when I see one of the right stock makin' a fool of himself.
Well, honey, what about Mis' Eldridge?"

"I've got some money, Miss Redwood,--somebody gave me some money, to
get things for her and do what I like; and Norton Laval and I were
going to have her made nice and comfortable. But now Aunt Candy wil