trembled and clattered at her
tread. Suddenly she turned on Jane and said, "'Ere, you little
baggage, go and tell the master breakfast's ready."

Mrs. Mumpson sprang from her chair, and with a voice choked with
indignation, gasped, "Do you dare address my offspring thus?"

"Yer vat?"

"My child, my daughter, who is not a pauper, but the offspring of a
most respecterble woman and respecterbly connected. I'm amazed, I'm
dumfoundered, I'm--"

"Ye're a bit daft, hi'm a-thinkin'." Then to Jane, "Vy don't ye go an'
hearn yer salt?"

"Jane, I forbid--" But it had not taken Jane half a minute to decide
between the now jarring domestic powers, and henceforth she would be at
Mrs. Wiggins' beck and call. "She can do somethin'," the child
muttered, as she stole upon Holcroft.

Mrs. Mumpson sank back in her chair, but her mode of rocking betokened
a perturbed spirit. "I will restrain myself till tomorrow, and then--"
She shook her head portentously and waited till the farmer appeared,
feeling assured that Mrs. Wiggins would soon be taught to recognize her
station. When breakfast was on the table, she darted to her place
behind the coffeepot, for she felt that there was no telling what this
awful Mrs. Wiggins might not assume during this day of sacred
restraint. But the ex-pauper had no thought of presumption in her
master's presence, and the rocking chair again distracted Mrs.
Mumpson's nerves as it creaked under an unwonted weight.

Holcroft took his seat in silence. The widow again bowed her head
devoutly, and sighed deeply when observing that the farmer ignored her
suggestion.

"I trust that you feel refreshed after your repose," she said benignly.

"I do."

"It is a lovely morning--a morning, I may add, befitting the sacred
day. Nature is at peace and suggests that we and all should be at
peace."

"There's nothing I like more, Mrs. Mumpson, unless it is quiet."

"I feel that way, myself. You don't know what restraint I have put
upon myself that the sacred quiet of this day might not be disturbed.
I have had strong provercation since I entered this apartment. I will
forbear to speak of it till tomorrow in order that there may be
quietness and that our minds may be prepared for worship. I feel that
it would be unseemly for us to enter a house of worship with thoughts
of strife in our souls. At precisely what moment do you wish me to be
ready for church?"

"I am not going to church, Mrs. Mumpson."

"