Mr. Jones was serving a customer. He did not recognize Rachel as she entered the shop, and hastily called out:
"Mary—Mary come and serve the lady."
"It's only me, Mr. Jones," timidly said Rachel.
"Walk in, Miss Gray," he replied, slightly embarrassed, "walk in, you'll find Mary in the back parlour, very glad to see you, Miss Gray."
Much more sulky than glad looked Mary, but of this Rachel took no notice; she sat down by the side of the young girl, and, as if nothing had occurred, spoke of the Teapot and its prospects. To which discourse Mary gave replies pertinaciously sullen.
"Mary!" at length said Rachel, "why did you not come to work to day, were you unwell?"
This simple question obtaining no reply, Rachel repeated it; still Mary remained silent, but when a third time Rachel gently said: "Mary what was it ailed you?"
Mary began to cry.
"Well, well, what's the matter?" exclaimed her father looking in, "you ain't been scolding my little Mary have you. Miss Gray?"
"I!" said Rachel, "no, Mr. Jones, I only asked her why she did not come this morning?"