"The same to you, ma'am. I just waited to ask—because it's pleasanter to have things settled—do you think you can put up any longer with this oaf of a girl? Such a piece of impertinence I never heard of. I'm downright ashamed of her, that's what I am."
"Hetty did not mean it for impertinence. She is very thoughtless, but she is very truthful. I am sure she will never do such a thing again. I will see how we get on, if you are quite satisfied to have it so."
"Quite pleased and satisfied, ma'am—and—There you go, Hetty! Boo—hoo—like a baby! First, for fear you are to go, and now for joy that you're to stay. I haven't a bit of patience with you, and that's the solemn truth. Good morning, Mrs. Eyre—when she's done blubbering, she'll put away the rest of those things, I hope."
Mrs. Eyre went upstairs with her.
"You are too hard upon Hetty," said she.
"Ma'am, that's just because you are too soft with her. If you gave her a raking good scolding when she makes a fool of herself; she'd be all the better of it."
Mrs. Hardy was so far right, that it was quite as well for Hetty that she began her new undertaking in a slightly subdued spirit. Between that, and the fact that she hardly ever had a spare minute, she got on very well. Of course she made mistakes, and sometimes forgot to do this or that; but on the whole she did well, and was a great comfort to her busy little mistress. And Flo, who was taken out every fine day, began to improve slowly, but perceptibly.
Mrs. Eyre, who did not expect too much from a girl of fifteen, was satisfied with Hetty, and even Mrs. Hardy began to think that all her "raking fine scoldings" were taking effect, and "making a woman of the girl" at last.
The only person who felt disappointed was Mrs. Goodenough, who had confidently expected to be recalled on account of Hetty's blunders, and who had not found it easy to get a comfortable place. However, no one can be very sorry for her, as she deserved to be disappointed. Her mistress had always been most kind and considerate, and I pronounce Mrs. Goodenough a selfish old woman.
In about six months the Eyres had paid off the few debts incurred during Mr. Eyre's illness, and, moreover, he got a very welcome and unexpected rise in his salary. One of the partners in the great firm died, and his son was a man of larger views and more generous feelings than any of the other persons concerned. He was quite shocked to find how hard and grasping the firm had always been to their clerks and salesmen, and with much trouble he succeeded in bringing about a better state of things.