"You never did to her?" exclaimed Maria, blazing with fury.
"I never did," said Mrs. Candy; "but Matilda knows I would, at a moment's notice, if necessity came. I may do it yet, but I rather think I shall have no occasion."
"You are a horrid woman!" exclaimed Maria. "Of use to you. Yes, that is just what you care about. You want Matilda for a little drudge, to mend your stockings, I suppose, and darn your lace. You are too mean to live. If mamma had only known——"
When people get so far as this in a burst of helpless rage, the next thing usually is tears; and Maria broke down accordingly. Mrs. Candy and Clarissa finished their dinner and went away.
"One cannot stand much of this sort of thing, mamma," said Clarissa, as they mounted the stairs.
"I am not going to stand much of it," replied Mrs. Candy. "I am rather glad of this outburst. It gives me the opportunity I wanted."
"What will you do, mamma?"
"I have been thinking for some time what I would do. This just gives me the opening. I will get rid of this girl."
"And what will you do with her?"
"Let her go learn her sisters' trade; or some other, if she likes. We do not suit each other, and I am tired of it."