"So we mustn't fret at the ways our Father takes to keep us from hurting ourselves," said aunt Miriam, cheerfully.
"O no!" said Fleda, looking up brightly, in answer to the tender manner in which these words were spoken; "and I didn't mean that this is much of a trouble only I am very glad to think that somebody is coming to-morrow."
Aunt Miriam thought that gentle unfretful face could not stand in need of much discipline.
CHAPTER XXI.
"Wise men alway
Affyrme and say,
That best is for a man
Diligently,
For to apply,
The business that he can." MORE
Fleda waited for Barby's coming the next day with a little anxiety. The introduction and installation, however, were happily got over. Mrs. Rossitur, as Fleda knew, was most easily pleased, and Barby Elster's quick eye was satisfied with the unaffected and universal gentleness and politeness of her new employer. She made herself at home in half an hour; and Mrs. Rossitur and Fleda were comforted to perceive, by unmistakable signs, that their presence was not needed in the kitchen, and they might retire to their own premises and forget there was another part of the house. Fleda had forgotten it utterly, and deliciously enjoying the rest of mind and body, she was stretched upon the sofa, luxuriating over some volume from her remnant of a library, when the inner door was suddenly pushed open far enough to admit of the entrance of Miss Elster's head.
"Where's the soft soap?"
Fleda's book went down, and her heart jumped to her mouth, for her uncle was sitting over by the window. Mrs. Rossitur looked up in amaze, and waited for the question to be repeated.
"I say, where's the soft soap?"
"Soft soap!" said Mrs. Rossitur "I don't know whether there is any Fleda, do you know?"