Page:Live and Let Live.djvu/73

 she will make an effort to raise the character of domestic labourers to the position they occupy in a new order of things, and the new relations they sustain among us.

Lucy was received at home with an outbreak of joy that was not calmed till it was found her service was not ended, but only to be transferred to another place; and, as Mrs. Lee could not afford to lose a day's earnings, it was decided that Lucy should the next morning apply to Mrs. Ardley, who might possibly still want her. Mrs. Lee's objections to the place were overruled by her pressing necessities. Early Monday morning Lucy again set forth, and was most cordially received by Mrs. Ardley. "You have come just in time, my little girl," she said; "I have had two in your place; the one went away because the work was too hard! Only six servants in the house, and nothing but odds and ends to do! But she was a lazy little mortal. The other went— I don't know for what—some bagatelle. She and the cook quarrelled, I believe—cooks are apt to be cross, you know—but you must not mind that—I shut my eyes to their faults if they will only cook my dinner well. Do what she tells you, and don't run to me with complaints. If my servants will get into