“Pretty well. I was sick for the first two days of our passage across, and somehow my digestion seems to have got out of order in consequence. Of late I have been a little unwell in the mornings.”
“Oh! Thats so, is it? Humph! I see I shall have to come and look after you occasionally.”
“Why?”
“Never you mind, my dear. But dont go moping, nor going without food to save money. Take care of yourself.”
“It is nothing serious,” said Marian, with a smile. “Only a passing indisposition. You need not be uneasy about me. This is the house, is it not? I shall lose myself whenever I go out for a walk here.”
“This is it. Now good-bye. I’ll see you soon. Meanwhile, you take care of yourself, as youre told.”
It was dark when Marian entered her new residence. Mrs. Myers was standing at the open door, remonstrating with a milkman. Marian hastily assured her that she knew the way, and went upstairs alone. She was chilled and weary; her spirits had fallen again during her journey from the telegraph office. As she approached her room, hoping to find a good fire, she heard a flapping noise, which was suddenly interrupted by the rattle of a falling poker, followed by the exclamation, in a woman’s voice, “Och, musha, I wouldnt doubt you.” Marian, entering, saw a robust young woman kneeling before the grate, trying to improve a dull fire that burnt there. She had taken up the poker and placed it standing against the bars so that it pointed up the chimney; and she was now using her apron fanwise as a bellows. The fire glowed in the draught; and Marian, by its light, noted with displeasure that the young woman’s calico dress was soiled, and her hair untidy.
“I think——”
“God bless us!” ejaculated the servant, starting and turning a comely dirty face toward Marian.
“Did I frighten you?” said Marian, herself startled by the exclamation.