“Then there will be a row to-night.”
“Why?”
“Sally told cook to keep the dinner back; she has gone down the slonk to speak to Meason.”
“Why didn't you tell cook that she must take her orders from you and no one else?”
“So I did, but Sally said I was no more mistress here than she was. I said Grace had given me charge of the house, when she could not attend to it; but Sally will listen to no one, she'll drive father out of his mind. There's no one he hates like the Measons.”
“What is the matter with Grace? Where is she?”
“She's in her room, lying on the bed crying. She says she wants to die; she says that she doesn't care what becomes of her. She'll never care for another man, and father will not give his consent. What's-his-name has nothing—only a small allowance; he'll never have any more, he isn't a working man. I know father, he'll never hear of any one who is not a working man. I wish you'd speak to her.”
“I've quite enough to do with my own affairs; I've had bad luck enough as it is, without running into new difficulties of my own accord.”
“If she refuses Berkins, father'll never get over it. I wish you would speak to her.”
“No, don't ask me. I never meddle in other people's affairs. I've had trouble enough. Now I want to dress.”