“We have it to use sometimes, when we want it, my dear;” said Mrs. Mason: “but I like the kitchen best in common.”
“O, I suppose you only use it when you have company; that’s it, I dare say,” said Phebe; “and that is why we were there last night, when Papa and Mamma were here. Well, I shall tell them that, when I go home.”
“I dare say your ’Ma don’t want to hear about that, dear,” said Mrs. Mason; “for my part I don’t think it worth remembering; not I.”
“O yes, I shall certainly tell her,” replied Phebe: “I am sure she will think it very funny that you should live in the kitchen.”
Phebe could not help thinking just now, that she would “do a great many tiresome jobs,” as well as submit to some of William’s teasing, rather than always live in a kitchen; especially in a kitchen without a carpet.
She employed herself during breakfast in looking at every thing in the kitchen; and made many observations, some of which were very impertinent; and though Mr. and Mrs. Mason laughed at the droll things she said, they would have felt rather uncomfortable if any body else had been there to hear them.
“O dear, there is a gun,” said she, having at last discovered the square hole in the ceiling, in which Mr. Mason kept his fire-arms.
“Aye, shall I take it down, and show it you, dear,” said Mr. Mason.
“O, no, pray don’t—pray don’t,” said Phebe; “I am so frightened at it.” Phebe had often heard her Mamma tell William that guns were dangerous things for children, because they sometimes went off when people did not expect it; so, notwithstanding all that Mr. Mason could say, she kept casting anxious glances at the ceiling, all breakfast time, as if she were every instant expecting to be shot.
When breakfast was over, Phebe felt very glad that she was not wished to go to her lessons, though she longed for somebody to play with. She wandered for sometime about the garden; and at last ventured into the field which joined it. “Dear,” thought she, “how courageous Mamma would think me, if she could see me now,—walking all alone in the fields; and I am not at all afraid.”