“Yes. But it is not mine.”
“It is yours; and your days in it are spent usefully. What more can you want? Now, Anne, hold your tongue, and don’t talk nonsense. If you have finished your breakfast you can begin to take the things away.”
“Mamma, why don’t you let her go?” whispered Fanny, as Anne went out with some plates.
“Because she is useful to me,” said Mrs. Lewis. “Who else is there to see to our comforts? We should be badly off with that incapable Sally. And who would do all the needlework? recollect how much she gets through. No, as long as we are here, Anne must stay with us. Besides, the neighbourhood would have its say finely if we let her turn out. People talk, as it is, about the will, and are not so friendly as they might be. As if they would like me to fly in the face of my dear departed husband’s wishes, and tacitly reproach his judgment!”
But Anne did not give up. When she had taken all the things away and folded up the table-cloth, she came in again and spoke.
“I hope you will not oppose me in this, Mrs. Lewis. I should like to take a situation.”
“And, pray, what situation do you suppose you could take?” ironically asked Mrs. Lewis. “You are not fitted to fill one in a gentleman’s family.”
“Unless it be as cook,” put in Julia.
“Or seamstress,” said Fanny. “By the way, I want some more cuffs made, Anne.”