But though she dropped the subject she did not let the pans drop till the last one shone like a mirror. With the large number of cows they were milking many receptacles were needed and John had got those pans because they were lighter to handle than the heavy stone crocks used by most farmers’ wives. Elizabeth was more appreciative, of those pans than any purchase which had been made for her benefit in all the months she had served as John’s housekeeper, but by the time she was through scouring she was ready to throw them at any one who was foolish enough to address her upon housekeeping; besides, she plainly discerned the marks of discontent upon Hepsie’s face. Hepsie was a faithful servitor, but she had learned by several years of service to stop before her energies were exhausted. It was the first sign of dissatisfaction she had ever shown, and Elizabeth was concerned.
The next morning Elizabeth’s head was one solid, throbbing globe of roar and pain. Mrs. Hunter brought her a dainty breakfast which it was impossible for her to eat, and said with genuine affection:
“We have let you do too much, my dear, and I mean to take some of this burden off of your shoulders. You’re not yourself yet. John tells me you were sicker than people usually are at such times. I ought to have helped the girl with that tinware yesterday and sent you to bed.”
Elizabeth listened with some alarm to the proposition of Mrs. Hunter taking the house into her own hands, but she was touched by the real sympathy and concern evident.
“It’s good of you, mother. You’ll have to be careful about Hepsie, though. You must not call her ‘the girl’ where she hears you. You see she is one of our old neighbours, and—and—well, they hate to be called that—and they aren’t exactly servants.”
“Well, I’ll get the dinner for her—it’s wash day. Don’t try to get up,” Mrs. Hunter said, taking the breakfast away with her.
“Be careful about Hepsie, mother,” Elizabeth called after her in an undertone. “She’s a good girl, if you understand her and—and they leave you at the drop of a hat.”
Hepsie’s going came sooner than even Elizabeth had feared. She brought a cup of coffee to her at noon, but avoided conversation and went out at once.
Elizabeth called her mother-in-law to her after dinner was over and cautioned her afresh.
“But I haven’t had a word with her that was ill-natured or cross,” Mrs. Hunter protested indignantly.