"But, Mrs. Goodenough," began Mrs. Eyre, "she is old, and would not easily get a place to suit her, and she has been with me a long time, and—"
"Look here, Celia. I'll settle this in two sentences. Whether Goodenough meant what she said or not, it is all the same. She has never been an obliging servant; and it is for you, and not for her, that I am going to care. Would you not rather have Hetty?"
"Oh, dear, yes, I should. I think Hetty and I could get on very well, just for a time. It is only that Hetty will easily get a place, and—"
"Well, that's her own look-out. I'll see Mrs. Goodenough to-morrow morning and tell her that she may go. In my opinion you'll be twice as well off with Hetty. And I trust that this pinch is only for a time; we'll get another Goodenough by-and-by."
"Well, Hetty, your master, you see, has made up his mind; and if I find that your mother is content, you do not know how glad I shall be. I really think it was making my poor little Flo ill, she was so sorry."
Hetty coloured and smiled, and looked so happy that one might have thought she had just got great promotion.
Mr. Eyre said when she was gone, "That's a good girl, Celia. I never liked Goodenough, selfish old cat! I hope she may end in the poorhouse!"
"Now you don't, John. Poor old woman!"
Down came Hetty again, full speed. "Oh, ma'am, Miss Flo does look so bad!"
They all ran upstairs. Flo was twisting and moaning as if in pain, her cheeks flushed and her lips white. She woke up in a moment and looked frightened.