But this servant said what all other servants had said to Mrs. Marsden. Susan had no fault to find with her mistress.
"I should be comfortable, if it wasn't for him. But I've never been comfortable with him."
And then she went back to her starting point.
"I'd rather go 'ome. I must ask mother's advice—and tell father too. I don't believe father would wish it 'ushed up."
However, Mrs. Marsden finally succeeded. By bedtime Susan was pacified.
"Yes, I'll stay, ma'am. I'd like to stay with you—but may I sleep in Em'ly's room?"
"Of course you may."
Next morning no one came to call Mrs. Marsden; no fires were lighted; no breakfast was being prepared. Both the servants had gone. In the night cook had persuaded the girl to change her mind.
A letter from cook, conspicuously displayed on the dining-room mantelpiece, explained matters.
"Dear Madame,—
"We are sorry to leave you but feel we cannot stay in this house. I have advised Susan to go to her Home and she has gone there.
"Yours respectfully,
"Miss Emily Howard."