Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/149

Rh is getting," added Mrs. Finley; "but this is the way of all the servants in this country."

The housemaid now entered; and announced that Miss Rosa (a three-year old girl) had been throwing up the custard, and pie, and raisins, and so on, that she ate at dinner.

"Dear me! poor thing!" exclaimed the mother, "what a weak stomach she has! Does Nancy want me to come up and see her?"

"Nancy is out, ma'am."

"Out yet? don't know how she could think of going out at all, when she told me at tea-time that Rosa was feverish. I thought there was one faithful servant in the world, but now I give up." Mrs. Finley went to look after her child, while Aikin was making his own mental comments on the reasonableness of a parent, who expected more fidelity from a hireling for paltry wages, than she practised herself, with all the stimulants of the responsibilities and happiness of a mother. Fortunately, for he had become very impatient, he was not left long to ponder on this inconsistency. Finley came in, dressed and perfumed for the party. "Ah, Harry Aikin," he said, after a momentary surprise, "is it you—how are you?"

"Well, thank you, Morris."

"What impudence," thought Miss Sabina Jane, "for that man to call my papa Morris!"

"I have some private business with you," added Aikin, glancing at the young lady.

"Sabina Jane," said Finley, "tell your mamma the carriage is waiting—these fellows charge so abominably for waiting." This last remark was evidently a hint to Aikin to be brief.