“‘Come,’ said I. ‘“The tears streamed through her fingers and her whole frame shook with convulsive sobs.” What next?’
“Harriet paused and looked musingly out of the window as she turned her mind to her story. ‘You may write now,’ she said, and she dictated as follows:
“‘“Her lover wept with her, nor dared he again to touch the point so sacredly guarded.” Mina, roll that crust a little thinner! “He spoke in soothing tones.” Mina, poke the coals in the oven.’
“‘Here,’ said I; ‘let me direct Mina about these matters, and write a while yourself.’
“Harriet took the pen and patiently set herself to the work. For a while my culinary knowledge and skill were proof to all Mina’s investigating inquiries, and they did not fail till I saw two pages completed.
“‘You have done bravely,’ said I as I read over the manuscript; ‘now you must direct Mina a while. Meantime dictate and I will write.’
“Never was there a more docile literary lady than Harriet. Without a word of objection she followed my request.
“‘I am ready to write,’ said I. ‘The last sentence was: “What is this life to one who has suffered as I have?” What next?’
“‘Shall I put in the brown or white bread first?’ said Mina.
“‘The brown first,’ said Harriet.