But--_this_ is not what he offered! And it's not what I undertook! He hasn't had to change his business!"She marched up and down the scant space, and then stopped short and laughed drily, continuing her smothered soliloquy.
"'Do you love me?' they ask, and, 'I will make you happy!' they say; and you get married--and after that it's Housework!""They don't say, 'Will you be my Cook?' 'Will you be my Chamber maid?'
'Will you give up a good clean well-paid business that you love--that has big hope and power and beauty in it--and come and keep house for me?'""Love him? I'd be in Paris this minute if I didn't! What has 'love' to do with dust and grease and flies!"Then she did drop on the small sofa and cry tempestuously for a little while; but soon arose, fiercely ashamed of her weakness, and faced the day; thinking of the old lady who had so much to do she couldn't think what to first--so she sat down and made a pincushion.
Then--where to begin!
"Eddie will sleep till half-past ten--if I'm lucky.It's now nearly half-past nine," she meditated aloud."If I do the upstairs work Imight wake him.I mustn't forget the bread, the dishes, the parlor--Othose flies! Well--I'll clear the table first!"Stepping softly, and handling the dishes with slow care, she cleaned the breakfast table and darkened the dining-room, flapping out some of the flies with a towel.Then she essayed the parlor, dusting and arranging with undecided steps."It _ought_ to be swept," she admitted to herself; "I can't do it--there isn't time.I'll make it dark--""I'd rather plan a dozen houses!" she fiercely muttered, as she fussed about."Yes--I'd rather build 'em--than to keep one clean!"Then were her hopes dashed by a rising wail from above.She sat quite still awhile, hoping against hope that he would sleep again; but he wouldn't.So she brought him down in full cry.
In her low chair by the window she held him and produced bright and jingling objects from the tall workbasket that stood near by, sighing again as she glanced at its accumulated mending.
Master Eddy grew calm and happy in her arms, but showed a growing interest in the pleasing materials produced for his amusement, and a desire for closer acquaintance.Then a penetrating odor filled the air, and with a sudden "O dear!" she rose, put the baby on the sofa, and started toward the kitchen.
At this moment the doorbell rang.
Mrs.Porne stopped in her tracks and looked at the door.It remained opaque and immovable.She looked at the baby--who jiggled his spools and crowed.Then she flew to the oven and dragged forth the bread, not much burned after all.Then she opened the door.
A nice looking young woman stood before her, in a plain travelling suit, holding a cheap dress-suit case in one hand and a denim "roll-bag" in the other, who met her with a cheerful inquiring smile.
"Are you Mrs.Edgar Porne?" she asked.
"I am," answered that lady, somewhat shortly, her hand on the doorknob, her ear on the baby, her nose still remorsefully in the kitchen, her eyes fixed sternly on her visitor the while; as she wondered whether it was literature, cosmetics, or medicine.
She was about to add that she didn't want anything, when the young lady produced a card from the Rev.Benjamin A.Miner, Mrs.Porne's particularly revered minister, and stated that she had heard there was a vacancy in her kitchen and she would like the place.
"Introducing Mrs.D.Bell, well known to friends of mine.""I don't know--" said Mrs.Porne, reading the card without in the least grasping what it said."I--"Just then there was a dull falling sound followed by a sharp rising one, and she rushed into the parlor without more words.
When she could hear and be heard again, she found Mrs.Bell seated in the shadowy little hall, serene and cool."I called on Mr.Miner yesterday when I arrived," said she, "with letters of introduction from my former minister, told him what I wanted to do, and asked him if he could suggest anyone in immediate need of help in this line.He said he had called here recently, and believed you were looking for someone.
Here is the letter I showed him," and she handed Mrs.Porne a most friendly and appreciative recommendation of Miss D.Bell by a minister in Jopalez, Inca Co., stating that the bearer was fully qualified to do all kinds of housework, experienced, honest, kind, had worked seven years in one place, and only left it hoping to do better in Southern California.
Backed by her own pastor's approval this seemed to Mrs.Porne fully sufficient.The look of the girl pleased her, though suspiciously above her station in manner; service of any sort was scarce and high in Orchardina, and she had been an agelong week without any."When can you come?" she asked.
"I can stop now if you like," said the stranger."This is my baggage.
But we must arrange terms first.If you like to try me I will come this week from noon to-day to noon next Friday, for seven dollars, and then if you are satisfied with my work we can make further arrangements.Ido not do laundry work, of course, and don't undertake to have any care of the baby.""I take care of my baby myself!" said Mrs.Porne, thinking the new girl was presuming, though her manner was most gently respectful.But a week was not long, she was well recommended, and the immediate pressure in that kitchen where the harvest was so ripe and the laborers so few--"Well--you may try the week," she said."I'll show you your room.
And what is your name?"
"Miss Bell."
