K. Sure I was only airin’ the dress, ma’am, as it had hung so long in the closet.
Miss E. Well, I don’t approve of any such airs. Leave the room, every one of you! The idea of my drawing-room being the scene of a servants’ party! You will all receive your discharge to-morrow morning.
(The servants leave the room, R., looking crestfallen enough—all but Katy, who sweeps out of the room with a lofty air, determined to keep up her character to the last.)
P. (aside to Ann, who goes out last). An’ aint we goin’ to have our trate then?
A. (aside). Whist! Yis. Say nothin’. We’re goin’ to have it right away. Miss Evelyn never comes down below at this time o’ night.
(Exeunt.)
Miss E. (seating herself C. in disgust). Was there ever any annoyance equal to that of keeping servants? Mine are a constant source of trouble. I have threatened to discharge them all to-morrow morning. But what shall I gain by it? I shall have another set who will perhaps try my patience even more than these have done. Servants understand their importance, and realize their power over their employers. It is becoming a species of tyranny. If I could only do without them I most assuredly would do so. (A shout of laughter is heard in the distance. Miss E. stands up.) What! haven’t they done yet? Probably they are gormandizing, downstairs, at my expense. (To the audience—a little sarcastically:) I have heard some persons wish for wealth, so that they could afford to keep servants to wait on them. They do not realize the emptiness of their desires. A person who has few wants, and can minister to them himself, is more independent than the wealthiest person living. Those who keep a multitude of servants are dependent on their whims, and should not be surprised at frequent outbursts of High Life Below Stairs.
(Curtain falls.)