“Mistresses do not like servants to forget their place, nor wear what does not become their situation.”
“My situation! Why, I can pay my way, go where I will. I don't tremble at the tradesmen's knock, as some do.”
“Leave the room! Leave it this moment.”
“Leave the room, yes—and I'll leave the house too, and tell all the neighbors what I know about it.”
She flounced out and slammed the door; and Rosa sat down, trembling.
Clara rushed to the kitchen, and there told the cook and Andrew Pearman how she had given it to the mistress, and every word she had said to her, with a good many more she had not.
The cook laughed and encouraged her.
But Andrew Pearman was wroth, and said, “You to affront our mistress like that! Why, if I had heard you, I'd have twisted your neck for ye.”
“It would take a better man than you to do that. You mind your own business. Stick to your one-horse chay.”
“Well, I'm not above my place, for that matter. But you gals must always be aping your betters.”