Should she make herself known, or should she wait?
As she was milking, John asked her many questions. “Whether the cows yielded much milk, if it was sold, or if they made butter? If any one in the house kept the accounts, etc.?”
Barefoot trembled. It was now in her power, merely by only telling the truth, to rid herself of her rival. But how strangely interwoven are the threads of our actions! She was ashamed to speak ill of those with whom she lived, although it was only of Rose she could say any thing. The others were good. She knew also, that a servant should not speak of the interior of the house. She merely said, “It does not become a servant, to judge his master’s family; good-hearted they all are,” she added, with an inward sense of justice, for, in fact, Rose was so, in spite of her violent and overbearing temper. Now it occurred to her, that if she were to tell him exactly what Rose was, he would immediately depart. He would be saved from Rose, but he would be gone forever. She went on to say, “You appear to be prudent, as your parents also are, and you know you cannot form a judgment even of an animal in one day. I think you should remain a little longer, and we can learn to know each other better; and if I can serve you in any way, I will not fail to do so. I know not, indeed, why you ask me so many questions.”
“Ah, you are a little rogue, but I like you,” said John.
Barefoot started, so that the cow drew back from her, and nearly overturned the milk-pail.
John put his hand in his pocket, but suffered the money he was going to draw out to fall back again.
“I will say something more to you,” said Amrie, as she turned to another cow—“the Sacristan is an enemy to this family, which you ought to know, if he should say any thing about them.”
“Ah, yes, I see. But one may talk safely with you. You have a swollen face, I see, and your head bound up; that will do you no good so long as you go barefoot.”
“I am used to it,” said Barefoot. “But I will follow your advice. I thank you.”
They heard steps approaching. “We will speak to each other again,” said the young man as he went from the stable.