Dimbie and I—and Amelia

by Mabel Barnes-Grundy

"Of course you do, mum."

"I thought so," I agreed.

Amelia looked at me—one of the halibut looks—and continued, "And I won't have her messing about the kitchen." Had she overheard Dimbie's remark?

"Miss Fairbrother would not dream of messing about the kitchen. Miss Fairbrother is not used to kitchens and flue-brushes and 'sweetening' ovens with lime."

"Oh, of course, if she's a grand lady!" Amelia's nose tilted in the air.

"She's not a grand lady; but her work in life has lain in channels otherwise than kitchens. She teaches, she used to teach me."

"Oh——!"

I took up the paper.

"She can't know much, then!"

Now I am sure Amelia had no intention of being in the least rude.