"It is only for to-day."
He went out, and I started for the wash-house.
VIII.
MRS. HARDHACK.
I had been in the prison but a few days when Ellen, one of my "sweeps," crept softly round to me, and whispered in my ear,—
"You must be careful what you say! Mrs. Hardhack has just been in on the other side to listen. She creeps round like a cat, and you never know when she's coming, and there's no knowing what she'll tell, and she'll surely get you into trouble."
"Don't give yourself any uneasiness, she can't get me into trouble."
"Don't tell what I say; but she do pick a fuss with all the Matrons that come here, and she tells on 'em, and reports 'em, and makes the Master mad with 'em. And I jest see her creeping round in there now."
"You know that I am not obliged to stay here as you are, Ellen. If I am made unhappy, I can leave at any time."
"I know you can; but I don't want you to be unhappy. I want you to stay, and so do the rest of the women."
"Thank you, Ellen. I am glad you want me to stay, because I think you will do your work well and try to please me by obeying all of the rules."