d,"
warmly replied Mr. Groombridge.

"I have heard of private individuals not waiting for the interference of
Government; but who, believing it to be for the public good, have
themselves banished all intoxicants from their homes," said Mrs.
Groombridge, in a meaning tone.

Mr. Groombridge looked thoughtfully at his wife across the table, but
said nothing, and the subject dropped.

That evening Jane the housemaid bounced into the kitchen, and flung
herself into the nearest chair.

"What's the matter now?" asked cook, glancing at her disturbed face.

"A very good matter indeed! I'm going to make a change. I've had enough
scolding and faultfinding, as I told mistress a minute ago."

"I suppose she's given you a month's notice, and you deserve it richly
for your saucy tongue."

"You're a fine one to talk, for I couldn't hold a candle to you! Yes,
she told me I had better look out for another place, and I told her it
was just what I had thought of doing."

"Well, I hope you'll be taught a lesson, for I tell you there aren't
many mistresses as kind and considerate as Mrs. Groombridge, and you'll
find it out to your cost, I'm afraid," said Ruth.

"You've got no cause to complain, for every one of them pets you up to
the skies," replied Jane.

"Ruth's earned all she gets, and so have you, Jane, for the matter of
that. She's obliging and respectful, and you're disagreeable and pert
half your time," said cook.

"I ought to be flattered, I'm sure," retorted Jane, tossing her head as
she sat down to continue her work of trimming a hat with some
particularly smart ribbons and flowers. The month passed and Jane left,
a new housemaid coming in the same day.

"A different sort to Jane, I can see," whispered cook to Ruth, as the
new-comer went upstairs to take her bonnet off. It was a pretty, modest
face that presently showed itself in the kitchen; but there were traces
of sadness about the eyes and mouth, and the new housemaid's dress was
trimmed with crape.

"Poor thing! perhaps she's lost her mother," thought Ruth, and cook's
usually sharp voice softened as she asked the girl her name.

"Alice Martin," was the timid reply.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER VI.

THE NEW HOUSEMAID.

"WOULD you believe it, Ruth, that girl's a regular Methodist; read her
Bible, and said her prayers like any parson last night and again this
morning. If she don't work as well as pray, I'll be down on her, shar