“There are other things, though, you must bear, Phillis, if you can’t bear that. Let a family be large or little, it can never be a happy one where the great law of obedience is broken, and where the mistress is obliged to follow the lead of the servant. I do not mean to follow that course; and, therefore, if you wish to remain here, you must obey me.”
“Why, don’t I?”
“Certainly you don’t.”
“Then you want to see this gal?”
“Of course, it is the least I can do, since Mrs. Prout, no doubt, has been kind enough to send her down.”
Phillis put the corner of her apron to her eye.
“Then ’tis you wants to change, not I,” said she, in a stifled voice; “for I’m very well content to rub on as I am.”
I took no notice. The next minute, she showed a tall young person into the room, who stood close to the door.
“You may go, Phillis.”
Phillis shut the door, and went.