Page:The Semi-detached House.djvu/128



" a funny note this morning from your friend the Baroness, Willis," said Mrs. Hopkinson. "It appears she has got into some dispute with Randall, and she, rather coolly, asks me to come and look over the inventory with him, as she cannot trust her servants, and is not accustomed to that sort of drudgery herself. Now I am sure I like to be neighbourly, but I do not see why I am to drudge for Baroness Sampson, and I don't want to get into a quarrel with Randall."

"Of course not, ma'am. You are quite right. It is an object with me to keep well with the Sampsons, and I suppose she thought naturally enough, that my family would be civil to her. She is disappointed. That