“I don’t think it agrees with me,” she thought. “I’ll make that an excuse and give notice this very day. I’ve had enough of it.”
“I expected it,” Mrs. Groves said, when some time during the morning Sherry announced her wish to leave, saying she was not feeling well and had not for some days.
“Mountain air is usually thought very healthy,” Mrs. Groves said with a snap in her voice, “and your duties certainly are not so very great that you need to complain.”
“I am not complaining of the work,” Sherry replied. “That is easy enough. But something ails me and I want to go home.”
“I expected it,” and Mrs. Groves’ lips shut firmly together. “Will you go to-day?”
“Oh, no,” Sherry answered, a good deal disturbed by Mrs. Groves’ manner, which had never been quite as aggravating as it was now. “I will stay till you fill my place.”
Mrs. Groves had not expected this. She thought Sherry would be glad to go at once before her theft was discovered, and she was anxious to be rid of her.
“No necessity for your waiting a day. We can manage very well. Polly is good for two tables, and some from the Reeves’ table leave to-morrow, but keep your place till after lunch,” was Mrs. Groves’ vinegary response, and Sherry left her with a feeling that she had been dismissed, rather than dismissed herself, and also with a feeling of uncertainty as to whether she really wished to go.
There had not been as much fun in her lark as she had anticipated, but,—and she colored to the roots of her hair as she thought of Alex., whom she might never see again. But what did it matter? She could never be more to him than a girl whom he had employed, and to whom he had been kind, as he was to every one. She would go home, and start that afternoon if her head stopped aching. It was throbbing painfully, and black specks were floating before her eyes, sometimes obscuring her vision and again making her see double. “There is something the matter, and the sooner I get home the better,” she thought, and finding a cool place on the piazza, she sat down to rest until it was time for lunch, the last meal at which she would serve.
Meanwhile Mrs. Groves had been busy. Sherry’s offer to stay until her place was filled did not look like guilt, but Mrs. Groves’ mind was unchanged, and she hastened to report to Amy that No. 1 had given notice and was going that afternoon.