"Narcissus Plunkett. Nought else." Plunkett thought his wife had shown some shrewdness.
"Is that all? You should have given her a good work-a-day name for common use. It does not matter in our house, where she is well known; but if she takes to service later, she will have to be called 'Plunkett.' So you mean to keep Marigold at home for the present?"
"I do, ma'am. Couldn't get along without one on 'em, and that's a fact. She's a good girl, is Marigold."
"A thoroughly good and nice girl. We all grew fond of her."
"She is that, and no mistake, ma'am. But it's Narcissus as is my wife's favourite. She and Marigold don't rub on together comfortable."
"Do they not? I am sorry for that. Marigold must try to bear patiently with little difficulties. She has had her year away, and now it is Narcissus' turn. I shall have a quiet talk with Marigold some day, and see how things are going on."
"Six o'clock, sharp, I'll be home. So mind!" said Plunkett next day, at the close of his early dinner. "Don't you go and say I haven't told you, and dawdle about and get nothing ready."
Plunkett had a big voice, and an authoritative manner of speaking, but his eyes twinkled.
"As like as not you won't be here till seven," Mrs. Plunkett answered.
"Yes, I shall. So don't you count upon that, nor act according. I'm going to take these girls off to the beast show, and it's half-price after six. We'll get the worth of our money."