see so much."

The child made no reply, but watched him intently as he measured out
and then ground half a cup of coffee.

"The firs thing to do," he began kindly, "is to fill the kettle with
water fresh drawn from the well. Never make coffee or tea with water
that's been boiled two or three times. Now, I'll give the kettle a
good rinsing, so as to make sure you start with it clean."

Having accomplished this, he filled the vessel at the well and placed
it on the fire, remarking as he did so, "Your mother can cook a little,
can't she?"

"I s'pose so," Jane replied. "When father was livin' mother said she
kept a girl. Since then, we've visited round. But she'll learn, and
if she can't, I can."

"What on earth--but there's no use of talking. When the water
boils--bubbles up and down, you know--call me. I suppose you and your
mother can get the rest of the breakfast? Oh, good morning, Mrs.
Mumpson! I was just showing Jane about the coffee. You two can go on
and do all the rest, but don't touch the coffee till the kettle boils,
and then I'll come in and show you my way, and, if you please, I don't
wish it any other way."

"Oh, certainly, certainly!" began Mrs. Mumpson, but Holcroft waited to
hear no more.

"She's a woman," he muttered, "and I'll say nothing rude or ugly to
her, but I shan't listen to her talk half a minute when I can help
myself; and if she won't do any thing but talk--well, we'll see, we'll
see! A few hours in the dairy will show whether she can use anything
besides her tongue."

As soon as they were alone Jane turned sharply on her mother and said,
"Now you've got to do something to help. At Cousin Lemuel's and other
places they wouldn't let us help. Anyhow, they wouldn't let me. He
'spects us both to work, and pays you for it. I tell you agin, he
won't let us stay here unless we do. I won't go visitin' round any
more, feelin' like a stray cat in every house I go to. You've got to
work, and talk less."

"Why, Jane! How YOU talk!"

"I talk sense. Come, help me get breakfast."

"Do you think that's a proper way for a child to address a parent?"

"No matter what I think. Come and help. You'll soon know what he
thinks if we keep breakfast waitin'."

"Well, I'll do such menial work until he gets a girl, and then he shall
learn that he can't expect one with such respecterble connections--"

"Hope I may never see any of 'em agin," interrupted Jane shortly, and
then she relap