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106 Mrs. Mcrvin. Then the quicker you look for such a place, the better. It isn't worth while for me to spend any more time talking with you.

Ellen. Indade, it's a very uncivil tongue ye have, ma'am; and it's meself that ought to grumble for spendin' me precious time talkin' to the likes of you.

Emma. It grows worse and worse, mother! What are we coming to?

Mrs. Mervin. Dear me! I don't know! I am fairly discouraged! (Bell rings.)

Enter.

Joanna. Are ye afther wantin' a girl, ma'am?

Mrs. Mervin. Yes; I want a good one.

Joanna. Faith, thin, it's glad I am that my brother Pathrick read me the scrap in the paper last night, for I'm wantin' a place.

Mrs. Mervin. What can you do?

Joanna. Well, thin, I can do any thing at all that ye likes, I washes beautiful; and me clothes has such a fine blue color on thim, when I takes thim in, it would do yer sowl good to see thim.

Mrs. Mervin. Oh, dear! I don't like so much bluing in my clothes.

Joanna. Faith, thin, I'll jist lave out the blue a few times, and they'll be as fine a yaller as ye wish; any thing to suit ye, ma'am.

Emma. Can you do common cooking?

Joanna. I niver does any thing common, miss; all I cooks is in the fust style. I can make Meringo pies that would melt in your mouth, Charlotte Russians, and Blue Munge, too.

Emma. Indeed! you seem quite like an adept in cooking.

Joanna. I don't know what an adipt is ; but if you mean I'm a good cook, I am that. Ye ought to see the fine roast pig I cooked the other day; sich a handsome baste was niver set before on a gintleman's table, I'll warrant.

Mrs. Mervin. You seem to despise common cooking. I have very little else done in my family. We live quite plainly, and I hardly think you would suit me.

Joanna. Well, now, ma'am, we won't let the cooking come betwixt us. I can cook plain, if I like; so, if ye plaze, I'd like to come and try.