"Yes, love; shall we ask Him to do so now?"
"Oh yes! please do."
Mrs. Eyre knelt by the little crib, and prayed in simple, reverent words, Flo listening with tears in her eyes.
"Amen, and won't you give me a kiss, mamma?"
I need hardly say that the kiss was given. Happy little Flo! To be so taught, and so forgiven.
Mrs. Eyre then went down to the kitchen, and being rather a cowardly little woman, I must confess that she dreaded the impending interview with Mrs. Goodenough, who had been informed by Mr. Eyre that after this week her services would be no longer required, as he would not allow a servant to be kept who refused to give Mrs. Eyre such help as she needed with the children.
Mrs. Goodenough's feelings had been so much hurt that she had then and there demanded her week's wages, and another week, instead of a week's warning, and Mr. Eyre, knowing how his wife would rejoice to find her gone, paid her, and let her depart.
"I suppose," said she, standing in the hall, "the mistress means to keep Hetty Hardy, which I wish her joy of it. But as to slaving on to the end of the week, when you've dismissed me as if I hadn't been a month in the house, that I will not do; my things are all in their places, and the mistress knows that I'm honest—no need for counting the half-dozen pots and pans, I suppose, so I'll just go at once."
"You certainly shall," replied Mr. Eyre, opening the hall door, "and without another word if you please."
So Mrs. Goodenough departed, and Hetty reigned in her stead. She was busy in the kitchen, when her mother arrived.