stay till
missus goes under."

"And she won't do that for a long time," said Thomas. "Missus is
strong. A good, kind, healthy lady."

Geraldine followed with an account of herself, which related chiefly to
her good looks and many lovers, and the tyranny of mistresses. "I will
say, however, that after being here a year, I have nothing to complain
of."

"I should think not," grunted Thomas. "I've been twenty years with
Miss Loach, and a good 'un she is. I entered her service when I was
fifteen, and she could have married an earl--Lord Caranby wanted to
marry her--but she wouldn't."

"Lor," said Mrs. Pill, "and ain't that his lordship's nephew who comes
here at times?"

"Mr. Mallow? Yes! That's him. He's fond of the old lady."

"And fond of her niece, too," giggled Geraldine; "not but what Miss
Saxon is rather sweet."

"Rather sweet," growled the cook, "why, she's a lovely gal, sich as
you'll never be, in spite of your fine name. An' her brother, Mr.
Basil, is near as 'andsome as she."

"He ain't got the go about him Miss Juliet have," said Thomas.

"A lot you know," was the cook's retort. "Why Mr. Basil quarrelled
with missus a week ago and gave her proper, and missus ain't no easy
person to fight with, as I knows. Mr. Basil left the house and ain't
been near since."

"He's a fool, then," said Thomas. "Missus won't leave him a penny."

"She'll leave it to Miss Juliet Saxon, which is just the same. I never
did see brother and sister so fond of one another as those two. I
believe she'd put the 'air of 'er head--and lovely 'air it is,
too--under his blessed feet to show him she loves him."

"She'd do the same by Mr. Mallow," said Geraldine, tittering.

Here Susan interrupted. "Who is the old lady who comes here?"

"Oh, she's Mrs. Herne," said the cook. "A cross, 'aughty old thing,
who fights always. She's been coming here with Mr. Jarvey Hale and Mr.
Clancy for the last three years. They play whist every evening and go
away regular about ten. Missus let's 'em out themselves or else rings
for me. Why, there's the bell now," and Mrs. Pill rose.

"No! I go," said Susan, rising also. "Miss Loach told me to come when
she rang."

Mrs. Pill nodded and resumed her seat and her darning. "Lor bless you,
my love, I ain't jealous," she said. "My legs ain't as young as they
was. 'Urry, my dear, missus is a bad 'un to be kept waitin'."

Thus urged, Susan hastened to the front part of the house