"You appear to be rather forgetful of such matters, Nancy," I could not help saying.
"I know I am a little forgetful," the girl said, good humoredly, "but I have so much to do, that I hardly have time to think."
"Where is the large earthen dish that you use sometimes in making bread?" I asked, after Mrs. Jordon's cook had withdrawn, missing it from its usual place on the shelf.
"Nancy borrowed it last week."
"Why don't she bring it home?"
"I've told her about it three or four times."
Nancy opened the door again.
"Please, ma'am to let Mrs. Jordon have another half pound of butter. We haven't enough to do for breakfast, and the butter man don't come until the middle of the day."
Of course, I couldn't refuse, though I believe I granted the request with no very smiling grace. I heard no more of Nancy until toward dinner-time. I had given my cook orders not to lend her anything more without first coming to me.
"Mrs. Jordon has sent in to know if you won't lend her two or three scuttles full of coal," said Bridget. "Mr. Jordon was to have sent home the fires are going down."