and no servant."

"She's used to it. She's been brought up so. But now that she's got
here, I should think she'd be sick of it."

"I suppose `servant' there, means pretty much what `help' does here.
There don't seem to be difference enough to talk about," said Rebecca.

"I see considerable difference," said Mrs Merle's young lady.

"It beats all," said another.

Yes, it did beat all. It was incomprehensible to these dignified
people, how Janet could openly acknowledge herself a servant, and yet
retain her self-respect. And that "Mrs Nasmyth thought considerable of
herself," many of the curious ladies of Merleville had occasion to know.
The relations existing between her and "the bairns," could not easily
be understood. She acknowledged herself their servant, yet she reproved
them when they deserved it, and that sharply. She enforced obedience to
all rules, and governed in all household matters, none seeking to
dispute her right. They went to her at all times with their troubles
and their pleasures, and she sympathised with them, advised them, or
consoled them, as the case might need. That they were as the very apple
of her eye, was evident to all, and that they loved her dearly, and
respected her entirely, none could fail to see.

There were stories going about in the village to prove that she had a
sharp tongue in her head, and this her warmest friends did not seek to
deny. Of course, it was the duty of all the female part of the
congregation to visit at the minister's house, and to give such advice
and assistance, with regard to the arrangements, as might seem to be
required of them. It is possible they took more interest in the matter
than if there had been a mistress in the house. "More liberties," Janet
indignantly declared, and after the first visitation or two she
resolutely set her face against what she called the answering of
impertinent questions. According to her own confession, she gave to
several of them, whose interest in their affairs was expressed without
due discretion, a "downsetting," and Graeme and the boys, and even Mr
Elliott, had an idea that a downsetting from Janet must be something
serious. It is true her victims' ignorance of the Scottish tongue must
have taken the edge a little off her sharp words, but there was no
mistaking her indignant testimony, as regarding "upsettin' bodies," and
"meddlesome bodies," that bestowed too much time on their neighbours'
affairs, and there