"I just wish that Bob Mansell would quit coming here so much when he's not expected. There's only enough pudding for ourselves."
"Mary," said I sternly, "Mr. Mansell's been coming to this house before you were here, and he'll keep on coming after you're gone, if you're not careful."
It was the first time I had ever spoken sharply to her, and I flattered myself that I had done some good, though she held her head high and left the room.
Belle came to the conclusion that the housekeeping scheme did not work smoothly, and she resumed the reins of government. Mary was still supposed to do the work of a second maid, but it was evident that her heart was not in it.
"What does Mary want now?" I asked my wife when she took her usual seat beside me, as I lay on the sofa with my pipe.
"She thinks she'd like to go to the Boston School of Oratory to prepare herself to be a public reader."
"Is it necessary that she should be before the public in one way or another?"
"She doesn't seem to be much of a success in private life."
"In that respect she's no worse than half the girls in town. None of them dote on housework."
"But, considering that this girl has no earthly claim on us, you'd think she might be different."