"I believe so. It's a poor come-along-of-it if I haven't."
Susan looked almost frightened.
"Very well then, act according. You wouldn't cling after the next world so frantic if you was having a better time in this one. That's cause and effect, that is, as my father would tell you. It's your feeling for getting back a bit of your own after you be dead. If your Maker had meant you to be a donkey and a beast of burden, He'd have made you one."
"We're taught to bear other people's burdens, my dear."
"Yes, but we ain't taught to do other people's work—not if they can do it themselves."
"I only do my own work, Melinda."
"Not a chance! You do a cook's work and an all-work's work and you're a sewing machine thrown in, not to mention washing for three men and a boy, and all the thousand odd jobs from sun-up till you drop in your bed."
Mr. Palk could not contain himself.
"Gospel!" he said. "Gospel!"
"To do their work for 'em is to encourage our neighbours in selfishness and laziness; and Lord knows such vices don't want encouraging in the men," continued Melinda.