“Ring the bell, Patrick.”
The Squire strode to the mantelpiece, pulled a bell-cord which hung from the ceiling, a distant bell was heard ringing in noisy fashion, and a moment afterward Pegeen put in her head.
“Come right in, Margaret,” said her mistress.
“Aw! then, I'm sorry, ma'am, I forgot,” said the girl. She came in, hiding both her hands under her apron.
Mrs. O'Shanaghgan uttered an impatient sigh.
“It is impossible to train these creatures,” she said under her breath. Aloud, she gave her order in quiet, impassive tones:
“Tea as soon as possible in the west parlor, and sound the gong when it is ready.”
“Why, then, wasn't I getting it?” said Pegeen. She left the room, leaving the door wide open.
“Just like them,” said Mrs. O'Shanaghgan. “When you want the door open they invariably shut it, and when you want it shut they leave it open.”
“They do that in England too, as far as I can tell,” said the Squire, with a slightly nettled tone in his voice.