Page:Blanchard on L. E. L.pdf/173

Rh, affection, are never thought of—it is a temporary bargain—I must add that it seems to me quite monstrous *  *  *  *

"Now he gave me not one real idea of what I was coming to—half the time bestowed in fancying unreal horrors, would have made me mistress of all I needed to know. I do not know what Scotch girls may do, but I am quite sure any English girl would be puzzled. * *  You would be surprised at the pains I have taken; I give out everything—I have made lists of everything, and I stand over the cleaning of everything—but I will give you the history of one day:—I rise at seven, breakfast at eight—give my orders—give out everything—flour, sugar, &c., from the store—see to which room I will have cleaned, and then sit down to write—lunch at one on roasted yam, then write—much interrupted by having to see to different things—till six—dress—walk in the veranda till dinner at seven. *  *  *  *  Mrs. Bailey, the person you saw at Portsmouth, is a most obliging, respectable person, but nothing as a servant; no worker, and little of a cook, but I know not what I should have done without her and her husband; he is invaluable, and I wish to heaven he had been going to stay, or that I had brought Martha—a good English servant would be a blessing. So much for the worst side; but there is also a better one to the picture—I may get on better than I expect. Let me know if you are in London, and can make a bargain for books, but not at more than half-price. My darling Whittington, while the messenger waits for Mr. Maclean, I will take the chance of a few more lines—how I hope you are all right—I had no idea I should have been so anxious. I was so worried before I left England, that I did not