"What would you have me do? offer my services as assistant to Silvy the cook, Maria the nurse-maid, or Tig the stable boy?" she asked in a slightly sarcastic tone.
"Silvy is an excellent cook, and it might not be at all amiss for you to take some lessons of her," said Clare. "But there are other employments. The children need instruction, and you ought to be able to give it. Then there are spinning and sewing."
"I don't know anything about spinning."
"I'll teach you, in return for the lessons you give the children in spelling, reading and writing."
"Very well, we'll talk of it when I come back from my walk," Nell answered, tying on her hat.
She was willing enough to make herself useful, but Clare's manner was irritating.
Her annoyance was, however, soon forgotten in the prattle of the children, and the beauty of the woods.
They wandered about till weary, then sat down on a log to rest.
"Now if I only had a book," remarked Nell.