ngaged might find some foolish reason, which seemed enormous to
her, to turn the cold shoulder to him, but it was inconceivable that
Emma should. He had always treated her politely, even with a certain
deference, knowing, as he did, that she was an old and faithful servant,
and as the daughter of a farmer being, in her own estimation at least,
of a highly superior station to that of servants in general. He could
not imagine why Emma was subjecting him to these ridiculous
persecutions, before which he was almost helpless. She had heretofore
treated him loftily, as was her wont with everybody, except Gordon and
Clemency, but certainly she had neglected none of her duties with
regard to him. Miserable as James was concerning Clemency, he could not
but feel that if he were to be subjected to these incomprehensible
annoyances from Emma, life in the house would be almost impossible. He
could bear sorrow like a man, but to bear pinpricks beside was almost
too much to ask. That noon, when he returned from his rounds, he
realized that there was to be no cessation. Clemency was not at the
lunch-table. Gordon said she had a headache and was lying down. Emma in
passing James his cup of tea, contrived to spill it over him. He was not
scalded, but his shirt-front and collar were stained, thereby
necessitating a change, and he was in a hurry to be gone directly after
lunch.

Gordon roused himself, however. "Be more careful another time, Emma," he
said sharply.

Emma tossed her head. "Doctor Elliot moved jest as I was coming with the
cup," she said in a thin, waspish voice.

"He did no such thing," Gordon said harshly, "and if he had, it was your
business to be careful. Get Doctor Elliot another cup of tea."

Emma obeyed with a jerk. She set the cup and saucer down beside James's
plate as hard as she dared, and James at the first sip found that the
tea was salted. However, he said nothing. Gordon after his outburst had
resumed his former state of apathy, and was eating and drinking like a
machine, whose works were rusty and almost run down. He could not
trouble him with such an absurdity. Then, too, he was too vexed to
please the girl so much. He forced himself to drink the tea without a
grimace, knowing that Emma's eyes were upon him. But the climax was
almost reached. That night when on his return he wished to change his
collar before dinner, he found every one with the buttonholes torn. It
was skilfully done, so skilfully that n