"Indeed I have. The cook is away already—the chambermaid discontented and going to-morrow. As for that uncouth boatman and factotum, I find him hard to manage—he will neither take offence, nor listen to anything I say."
"Let him pass. It will not do for us to frighten off too many at once. But the new cook—what is she?"
"Fresh from Germany, and speaks no English."
"That will do. Now listen. You must intercede with General Harrington for your poor old mammy, up yonder, as chambermaid, when this one is gone."
Agnes opened her eyes wide, and a low laugh broke from her lips, that were at first parted with astonishment.
"Mammy, what can you mean!"
The woman answered as much by the crafty smile, that crept over her face, as by words.
"The old house is cold and lonely, Agnes, and the poor old slave will be much more comfortable in a service-place for the winter, you understand. She must have the place."
"In real earnest?"
"In real earnest."