t is very simple."

CHAPTER III

A SAMPLING OF FREEDOM

When two persons, living under the same roof, have the misfortune to fall
out a hundred and one small ways are ready to hand for the infliction of
moral torment. The weak, it may be added, are not only far more addicted
to such inflictings than the strong, but far more resourceful in their
execution. Theresa Bilson's conduct may furnish a pertinent example.

From the moment of emerging from her bed-chamber, next morning, she
adopted an attitude which she maintained until she regained the chaste
seclusion of that apartment at night. During no instant of the
intervening hours did she lapse from studied speechlessness unless
directly addressed, nor depart from an air of virtuous resignation to
injustice and injury--quite exquisitely provoking to the onlooker. Twice
during the morning Damaris, upon entering the schoolroom, discovered her
in tears, which she proceeded to wipe away, furtively, with the greatest
ostentation.--Dramatic effect, on the second occasion was, however,
marred by the fact that she was engaged in retrimming a white chip hat,
encircled by a garland of artificial dog-roses, blue glass grapes and
assorted foliage--an occupation somewhat ill-adapted to tragedy. In
addition to making her ex-pupil--against whom they were mainly
directed--first miserable and then naughtily defiant by these manoeuvres,
she alienated any sympathy which her red-rimmed eyelids and dolorous
aspect might otherwise have engendered in the younger and less critical
members of the establishment, by sending Alfred, the hall-boy, up to the
vicarage with a note and instructions to wait for an answer, at the very
moment when every domestic ordinance demanded his absorption in the
cleaning of knives and of boots. Being but human, Alfred naturally
embraced the heaven-sent chance of dawdling, passing the time of day with
various cronies, and rapturously assisting to hound a couple of wild,
sweating and snorting steers along the dusty lane, behind the churchyard,
to Butcher Cleave's slaughter-house: with the consequence that his menial
duties devolved upon Laura and Lizzie, who, supported by the heads of
their respective departments, combined to "give him the what for," in no
measured terms upon his eventual and very tardy return.

It is not too much to say that, by luncheon time Theresa--whether
wilfully or not--had succeeded in setting the entire household by the
ears; whil