,transcriber's notes3 ,unusual and inconsistent spelling is as printed4 ,new original cover art included with this e,book is granted to the public domain4 ,illustration3 ,abbey2 or1 ,taking it ,easy4 ,abbey finds ,elvie weeding in the garden4 ,,abbey2 ,,or1 ,,taking ,,it ,,easy4 ,,by ,,lucy ,,ellen ,,guernsey4 ---------------------------- ,,philadelphia3 ,,american ,,sunday-,,school ,,union1 ,,no4 #aabb ,,chestnut ,,street4 ---------------------------- ,,new ,,york3 #eii ,,broadway4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------- ,entered according to ,act of ,congress1 in the year #ahfg1 by the ,,american ,,sunday-,,school ,,union1 in the ,clerk's ,office of the ,district ,court of the ,united ,states for the ,eastern ,district of ,pennsylvania4 ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------- ,,contents4 ---------- ,,chapter ,i4--,,the ,,green ,,pail ,,ii4--,,trying ,,again ,,iii4--,,consultations ,,iv4--,a ,,change ,v4--,,mrs4 ,,powell ,,vi4--,,kindling ,a ,,fire ,,abbey2 ,,or1 ,,taking ,,it ,,easy4 -------------- ,,chapter ,i4 ,,the ,,green ,,pail4 ,,take the green pail to carry the water up-stairs1 and set the smaller one on the stove1 with water in it1 that ,i may have it hot presently1 said ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,do you understand me8 ,oh1 yes1 ,i know1 answered ,abbey1 confidently4 ,mrs4 ,ward closed the kitchen-door1 and sat down in the shade on the back steps for a few minutes1 to read the paper before going on with her day's work4 ,she had certainly earned a little rest4 ,for she had been up since five o'clock1 had prepared her husband's breakfast and sent him off to his work at seven o'clock1 had swept and dusted her pretty little parlour and dining-room1 and was presently to make bread and cakes1 and a meat-pie to be eaten cold for next day's dinner4 ,for1 while she made it a rule never to do unnecessary cooking on ,sunday1 she calculated1 as she would have said1 to provide something rather better than common for her husband's dinner on that day4 ,she was the wife of a hard-working1 painstaking printer1--a man who never missed a day's work from idleness or a spree1 but who yet had hard work enough to maintain his family at home1 help support his old mother1 keep his house and life insured1 and make both ends of the year meet4 ,mrs4 ,ward had never kept a girl till quite lately4 ,she had always been able to do all her own work1 with the help of her daughter1 who had been trained to usefulness from the time she could run alone4 ,but ,comfort ,ward1 though a strong and healthy girl up to the age of fourteen1 had then begun to pine away and fade like a plant4 ,the spring after her fifteenth birthday1 she was laid to rest under the trees of ,mount ,faith ,cemetery1 in the sure and certain hope of a glorious immortality4 ,her illness was long and trying1 and ,mrs4 ,ward found herself so worn out after it was over1 that her husband insisted on her having some one to help her in her household work4 ,so she hired ,abbey ,jenkins1 a stout girl of fourteen1 who had already lived in two or three different places1 but for some reason 7which no one seemed exactly to understand7 had never stayed long in any one of them4 ,every one told ,mrs4 ,jenkins that her ,abbey could not possibly have a better place3 ,mrs4 ,ward was an excellent ,christian woman1 a capital housekeeper1 understanding all sorts of work1 and one who would do her duty by any girl who lived with her4 ,old ,aunt ,phbe ,ray added to her congratulations the remark that ,mrs4 ,ward had a heap of patience1 and could get on with ,abbey if any one could2 from which we may gather that ,abbey was no particular favourite with the old lady4 ,mrs4 ,ward was tired1 and the shaded back steps made a very pleasant resting-place4 ,she looked through the paper1 and then sat for a few moments surveying her little garden-ground and considering how she could put in a row of ,martinias and some new annual flower-seeds where every inch of room seemed already occupied1-- when she perceived a smell as of burning paint4 ,somebody has got a hot fire1 was her first thought4 ,it comes from the kitchen6 was her second4 ,she jumped up hastily and opened the door4 ,there on the stove was her new1 neatly-painted green water-pail1 all blackened and blistered with the heat1 the paint upon the bottom burned off1 and filling the whole house with a most unsavory odour6 ,she hastened to snatch it off1 but the mischief was done4 ,the pail was utterly spoiled4 ,mrs4 ,ward was a woman who understood pretty well how to rule her own spirit4 ,she did not utter a single hasty exclamation1 but there was some sharpness in the tone with which she called ,abbey6 at the foot of the back stairs4 ,abbey did not answer4 ,and ,mrs4 ,ward1 listening1 heard a sort of rubbing and scrubbing sound1 as of some one violently rubbing a carpet4 ,what has she been about8 thought ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,she stepped into the parlour1 to lay down the paper4 ,the first thing which caught her eye was a large and rapidly-spreading stain upon the newly whitened ceiling1 from which water was falling drop by drop upon the matting below4 ,she hurried up-stairs1 and beheld a scene which explained the whole matter4 ,the pail which ,abbey had been told to set upon the stove lay on the floor1 with the handle out1 and ,abbey was busily swabbing up the water with some large white cloth done up into a wad4 ,what 'have' you been about1 ,abbey8 asked ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,the handle came out of the pail1 and spilt the water1 replied ,abbey1 with rather an air of injured innocence4 ,i didn't know it was loose4 ,didn't ,i tell you to set that pail on the stove and take the green one to carry up the water8 asked ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,i didn't understand1 said ,abbey4 ,if you did not understand1 it was because you did not pay attention1 returned ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,i told you1 in perfectly plain ,english1 to set this pail on the stove and carry the other up-stairs4 ,and you have done exactly the contrary1 and accomplished more mischief in one half-hour than your wages will be worth for a month to come4 ,i think you had better go home to your mother4 ,i cannot afford to keep a girl who cannot turn round without doing mischief1 just because she will not attend to what is said to her4 ,what are you rubbing the floor with8 ,let me see4 ,she took the cloth out of her hands and unfolded it1 but the sight it presented did not tend to comfort her4 ,it was an old but fine damask table-cloth1 bearing the marks of careful preservation and mending1 but now worn into two or three great holes by ,abbey's rubbing4 ,as ,mrs4 ,ward looked at it1 her colour rose1 and the tears came into her eyes4 ,my dear mother's cloth6--,and the very last ,i had6 said she4 ,you had better go to bed1 and stay there the rest of the day4 ,there1 at least1 you will be out of mischief4 ,i'm sure ,i didn't mean any thing-- and ,abbey began her defence4 ,but ,mrs4 ,ward interrupted her4 ,yes3 there is exactly the trouble4 ,you never do mean any thing1 either good or bad4 ,you don't mean any harm1 perhaps1 but you don't mean any good1 either4 ,you don't put your mind upon your work in the least degree1 nor do you attend to any thing that is said to you4 ,half the mischief in the world is done by people who don't mean any thing4 ,another trouble is that you think you know every thing already1--instead of which you are a very ignorant little girl1 deficient in almost every thing that should be known even by a girl of your age4 ,and if you are ever going to be any thing but a real torment to every one about you1 you will have to take a great deal of pains for it4 ,just because you would not attend to perfectly plain directions1 you have done more mischief since you came into this house1 only a month ago1 than your work will be worth in six months if you do your very best4 ,i don't think ,i can afford to keep you any longer4 ,if ,i saw you improving1 or taking pains to improve1 ,i should feel differently2 but you don't4 ,mrs4 ,ward may be excused for feeling irritated4 ,the parlour-ceiling had just been whitened1 at considerable expense2 the pail was a new one1 and the table-cloth an heirloom which had been in her family for two or three generations4 ,it was not ,abbey's first piece of mischief1 either4 ,she had broken more cups1 loosened more knife-handles and spotted more floors than ,mrs4 ,ward had done in all her housekeeping4 ,she had killed two or three valuable plants by throwing her dish-water upon them1--though she was expressly told what to do with it1--and broken down a ,diana grape-vine1 which ,mr4 ,ward was nursing with great care1 by throwing the coal-ashes upon it1 instead of putting them in their proper place4 ,in every one of these cases her excuse was that she didn't mean any thing2 she didn't understand4 ,what shall ,i do next8 asked ,abbey1 after ,mrs4 ,ward had washed and hung up the unlucky table-cloth4 ,you can take those towels and sit down to hem them in the kitchen1 where ,i can see you while ,i am mixing my bread1 replied ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,can't ,i sit up in my room8 asked ,abbey4 ,no6 ,unless you are under my eye1 you will hem half of them one way and half the other4 ,and ,i cannot trust you to finish the work up-stairs by yourself4 ,well1 said ,abbey to herself1 as she hunted up her thimble 7which was never in its place71 ,i'm glad ,i don't worry so about every little thing4 ,i believe in taking things easy1 for my part4 ,it is worthy of notice that for every person who prides himself or herself on taking things easy1 there is always some one else who has to take them hard in proportion4 ,this was the case with ,abbey and her friends4 ,she had always taken things easy1 ever since she was born4 ,as a little child1 her mother had been proud of her daughter's placid disposition and had boasted that nothing ever put ,abbey out4 ,but as the child grew older1 and became of an age to be helpful to her mother1 ,mrs4 ,miles did not find that ,abbey lightened her cares at all4 ,somehow1 she had a remarkable knack of shirking1--of slipping out of and away from every thing that she did not like to do1--of breaking and spoiling every thing she took in hand1--of being so long over her breakfast dishes that it was less trouble to her mother to wash them herself1--of getting the baby into scrapes whenever she was set to tend him1--of buying exactly the wrong thing whenever she was sent to market or to the grocer's1 and never coming back till the last minute4 ,all this time1 ,abbey was as placid as possible4 ,no scolding disturbed her temper or did her any good4 ,she was always singing over her work4 ,and as she had a sweet voice and sung with a good deal of taste1 visitors were apt to remark how pleasant it was to have a child of such a happy disposition6 ,when ,abbey was thirteen years old1 her mother married again4 ,abbey's stepfather was a hard-working1 energetic1 well-principled man1 who fully intended to do the part of a father by his wife's children4 ,but he was what is called short-tempered1 and being1 as ,i said1 very hard-working and painstaking himself1 he had not very much patience with the opposite qualities4 ,abbey found herself driven about and stirred up more than she had ever been before in her life4 ,mrs4 ,jenkins felt sorry for her1 but she had lately become awake to the fact that ,abbey would have to earn her own living4 ,and that1 if she were ever to be good for any thing1 it was quite time she began4 ,abbey1 however1 was more than a match for her stepfather4 ,her placidity of temper gave her a great advantage over his fretful position1--as cotton-bags are said to oppose the best resistance to cannon-balls4 ,but ,mr4 ,jenkins had the advantage in one way1 and at last he used it4 ,he possessed the power of the purse2 and he declared that he would no longer support ,abbey in idleness3 she should go out to work1 and earn her own living in some one else's house1 if not in her own home4 ,abbey had been living out for four months1 and she had been in three different places already4 ,as ,i said1 her mother was very glad when ,mrs4 ,ward took her in hand4 ,and ,aunt ,phbe ,ray1 who had interested herself very much in finding places for ,abbey1 declared that ,mrs4 ,ward could get on with the girl if any one could4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,trying ,,again4 ,,abbey took her work and went down into the kitchen1 where ,mrs4 ,ward was mixing her bread4 ,she was not in the least ruffled by the events of the morning1 and thought it very strange that any one else should be4 ,what was the use8 ,she made various remarks by way of beginning a conversation1 to which she got very short answers1 or none at all4 ,presently she began to sing4 ,don't sing1 ,abbey3 attend to your work1 said ,mrs4 ,ward1 shortly4 ,i do think one reason why you never have your mind upon what you are about is that you are always singing4 ,the sound serves you instead of thought4 ,this was quite true in ,abbey's case1 and ,i have no doubt it is true of many others4 ,the poet says of some one that1-- ,he whistled as he went1 for want of thought4 ,abbey sung for want of thought4 ,being now1 however1 reduced to silence1 she was obliged to think a little1 and her reflections were not remarkably pleasant4 ,she could not but confess to herself that it would not be very convenient to lose her place again and have to go home in disgrace for the fourth time in as many months1 while her next youngest sister1 who was only twelve1 had been living with one lady for nearly a year1 and had lately had her wages raised4 ,she had spoiled her best frock by washing dishes in it at her last place4 ,her second-best was rapidly becoming shabby2 and ,mr4 ,jenkins declared that he would not buy her another1--she should earn it herself1 and then she would know the value of it2 nor would he allow ,elvira to divide her wages with her sister4 ,you think ,i am hard upon the girl1 he said to his wife1 and ,i dare say other people have plenty to say about the matter4 ,but ,i tell you that she will never be good for any thing till she finds out that she is dependent on her own exertions for her living4 ,i believe you are right1 said ,mrs4 ,jenkins1 sighing1 but ,i begin to be afraid she will never learn any thing4 ,the trouble is1 that she does not care4 ,no fault-finding disturbs her in the least4 ,exactly so4 ,but she likes to dress well and to have plenty to eat1 and she 'will' care when she finds that she is to have neither food nor clothes unless she provides them for herself4 ,abbey could not but admit to herself as she sat at work that if she left ,mrs4 ,ward in disgrace1 the chances of her finding another place were very small4 ,aunt ,phbe ,ray1 who got situations for half the girls in ,milby1 declared positively that she would never recommend her again if she failed this time4 ,it was1 no doubt1 unreasonable in ,mrs4 ,ward to be so angry at an accident 7so ,abbey said to herself71 but it was clear that she was very much put out4 ,indeed1 she had as good as told her that she might go home4 ,certainly1 the prospect was not a pleasant one4 ,but there is no use in worrying1 said ,abbey4 ,i dare say something will happen4 ,meantime1 ,mrs4 ,ward had in some degree recovered her composure4 ,she did not regret the scolding she had given ,abbey1--she knew very well that hardly any thing would rouse her from her indifference4 ,but she began to think whether she had not better try her a little longer4 ,she knew how poor the family really were1 and how hard both father and mother worked to keep themselves out of debt and their children comfortable and respectable1 and to provide comforts and luxuries for the oldest boy1--a poor little humpbacked cripple of ten years1 who had never been able to walk1 and probably never would be4 ,she remembered how glad ,mrs4 ,jenkins had been to procure the place for ,abbey4 ,and she finally made up her mind to try the girl a little longer4 ,after all1 ,i suppose ,i may as well have patience with her as any one else1 said she to herself4 ,if ,comfort had been obliged to live out1 ,i should have wanted people to have patience with her4 ,now1 ,abbey1 ,i want you to attend1 what ,i say1 said ,mrs4 ,ward1 as she finally took her sewing and sat down4 ,don't let your mind wander to the ends of the earth1--nor out of the window1 either1 she added1 with some sharpness1 as she saw ,abbey beginning in a dreamy manner to contemplate some cows upon the common4 ,listen to me4 ,abbey had a habit1 whenever any one began to reprove her1--or lecture her1 as she said1--of at once beginning to think of something else4 ,just at this time she had a perception that such a course would not be very wise3 so she brought in her eyes from the common1 and her mind from the day-dream she was just beginning1 and prepared to give some attention to what was said to her4 ,do you want to keep your place1 ,abbey8 asked ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,if ,i can suit you1 said ,abbey4 ,suppose you go away from here3 what do you expect to do8 ,go home1 ,i suppose1 and stay till ,i get another place1 replied ,abbey4 ,it may not be so easy for you to find another place1 said ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,which of the ladies you have lived with during the last few months1 do you think1 would recommend you8 ,abbey was silent4 ,and1 meantime1 you will be at home1 where you are not wanted1 and be a burden upon hands which are already more than full4 ,i don't see how ,i can help it1 said ,abbey4 ,and ,i don't think it is fair to twit me with it4 ,i am sure you could tell any one that ,i was neat and honest1 and-- ,look under that table1 ,abbey1 and see the dust upon the legs1 interrupted ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,look out of the window1 and see those coal-ashes4 ,as for honesty1 there are more ways of being dishonest than merely stealing4 ,i don't know what you mean1 ,mrs4 ,ward1 said ,abbey1 now really colouring and showing some signs of feeling4 ,well1 ,abbey1 ,i will tell you what ,i mean4 ,i give you good wages1--very good for a girl of your age1--which ,i pay you every ,saturday out of my own and my husband's hard earnings4 ,do you take pains to earn those wages8 ,when ,i go to a store and lay out five dollars1 ,i expect to get the worth of my money4 ,and if the tradesman gives me short measure or an inferior article1 ,i call him a dishonest man4 ,if ,i pay a girl good wages for doing my work1 and she neglects it1 or does it badly and in such a manner as to bring loss upon me1 ,i call her a dishonest girl1 whether she steals the value of a penny from me or not4 ,i don't think ,i have done any thing so very bad1 said ,abbey4 ,every one makes mistakes sometimes4 ,listen1 ,abbey1 replied ,mrs4 ,ward1 taking a paper from her work-basket4 ,i have been making a little calculation as to what you have cost me since you came here1 a little more than four weeks ago4 ,i will read it to you3-- ,two cups broken1 at #be;c4 each44444444444444444444444444#j4ej ,tin basin forgotten and left on the stove to burn up4444 4#cj ,diana grape-vine spoiled44444444444444444444444444444444# a4jj ,fine rose-bushes spoiled44444444444444444444444444444444# a4jj ,towel burned up44444444444444444444444444444444444444 444 4#be ,new water-pail spoiled444444444444444444444444444444444 4#a4ej ,parlour-ceiling spoiled444444444444444444444444444444444 #b4jj ---------- #f4ee ,there are six dollars and fifty-five cents1 at the lowest calculation1 a dead loss2 and all from the sheerest carelessness and indifference on your part4 ,not one of these accidents was necessary4 ,i say nothing of the table-cloth1 for no money will pay for that4 ,and ,i have put down the rose-bushes at just what ,i gave for them1--though ,i would not have taken ten dollars apiece for them4 ,the very last thing my daughter did in the garden was to set out those two rose-bushes1 which you destroyed just because you would not pay attention and did not care whether you did right or wrong4 ,for once1 ,abbey did not seem to have any thing to say for herself4 ,she was not used to be treated in this way4 ,she had often been scolded and fretted at1 and she had intrenched herself in indifference and inattention4 ,but it was something new to have somebody sit down and calmly compel her attention to a straightforward1 business-like account of her misdeeds4 ,she did not know how to meet it4 ,and1 for once in her life1 she felt ashamed and irritated4 ,the feelings were not pleasant to her4 ,abbey began to cry1--a very unusual thing with her4 ,i am sure1 ,mrs4 ,ward1 ,i did not mean any harm6 she sobbed4 ,i think it is very hard to lay it all to me4 ,who shall we lay it to8--,to me8 asked ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,i don't suppose you did mean to do wrong2 but neither did you mean to do right4 ,if you had1 you would have done right2 for there was nothing to hinder you1 but1 on the contrary1 every thing to help you4 ,you knew better than to do any one of these things1--some of them because you were expressly told at the time1 and others because any person of common sense would know better4 ,you have caused me all this loss and discomfort in a perfectly needless manner2 you have slipped yourself out of every bit of work that you could get rid of2 and yet you expect me to pay you as much as if you had done your work faithfully4 ,is that honest8 ,for once1 ,abbey's conscience was touched4 ,she could not get out of the corner in which ,mrs4 ,ward had placed her1 and she dared not say yes to the question4 ,but there is another and a still more serious view of the matter1 continued ,mrs4 ,ward1 after a little silence4 ,abbey1 do you ever reflect that you are accountable to ,god for the way in which you spend your time and your strength8 ,abbey did not answer aloud4 ,but she said to herself1 ,oh1 dear6 ,i do wish she would not begin on that4 ,a lecture is bad enough1 without a sermon4 ,do you remember the twenty-fifth chapter of the ,gospel by ,matthew8 asked ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,abbey did not remember it particularly1 though it had been read at family worship only the day before4 ,it contains very interesting and important instructions about the last judgment1 continued ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,we have1 first1 the parable of the ten virgins4 ,how did the five foolish virgins come to be shut out from the marriage supper8 ,was it because they broke their lamps1 or made any bad use of them8 ,it was because they took no oil1 replied ,abbey4 ,and in the case of the unfaithful servant who was cast into outer darkness1 for what was he condemned8 ,did he spend his lord's money1 or waste it8 ,he hid it in the ground1 replied ,abbey4 ,and what ought he to have done8 ,he ought to have traded with it1 as the others did1 ,i suppose1 said ,abbey4 ,now we come to the account of the last judgment1 said ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,does our ,lord say to those on his left hand that they had robbed1 or murdered1 or done any thing of that sort1 for which they were to be condemned8 ,abbey was silent4 ,she began to see the drift of the sermon1 as she called it4 ,in every one of these instances1 continued ,mrs4 ,ward1 we find people condemned for things which they had omitted4 ,i do not suppose the foolish virgins 'meant any harm1'--as you are so fond of saying4 ,they merely forgot to provide themselves with oil4 ,the slothful servant1 as ,i said1 did not make any bad use of the money committed to his charge4 ,he was merely too lazy to use it at all4 ,doubtless he might have doubled his talent1 as well as his fellow-servants2 but that would have required thought and exertion and watchfulness4 ,he would have been obliged to get up early1 and go into the market1 and keep himself informed as to the state of trade1--all of which he thought too much trouble4 ,it was easier to put the talent out of sight and indulge his indolence1 excusing himself to his own conscience with the thought that his master was a hard man and would not be pleased whatever he did1 and that1 after all1 he was not so bad as some other people1 for he did not spend his talent for fine clothes or strong drink4 ,you see1 ,abbey1 what ,i mean4 ,god has given you more than one talent1 and of these talents1 he will one day demand a strict account4 ,he has given you health and strength1 and people who are willing to teach you4 ,and if you misuse all these things1 or if you do not use them at all1 it will not excuse you1 when he calls you to account1 that you did not mean any thing in particular1 any more than the five foolish virgins were excused4 ,i am not a professor of religion1 said ,abbey4 ,so much the worse for you1 my child4 ,if you were ten times a professor of religion1 you would be under no more obligation to serve ,god than you are now4 ,and you cannot get rid of your obligation by not acknowledging it4 ,you are only adding one more sin to all the others4 ,i don't see how that is1 said ,abbey4 ,i think ,christians ought to be a great deal better than other people1 for my part though ,i don't see that they are4 ,i am sure my father isn't4 ,he is always reading the ,bible1 and all that4 ,and ,i don't see that he is any better-tempered for that4 ,and there is ,elvie6 ,she joined the church last fall4 ,and what good has it done her8 ,why do you think your father is not a good man8 asked ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,he is always finding fault with me1 said ,abbey4 ,i have not had one bit of comfort at home since he came there4 ,mother never said one word about my living out1 till he began to talk about it4 ,but1 ,abbey1 you must have known that you would have your own living to earn some time4 ,who did you think was going to support you8 ,abbey did not know3 only1 she didn't see why she should have to work for a living1 more than other people4 ,she didn't see why some one shouldn't leave her a fortune4 ,mrs4 ,frost's uncle had left one to her4 ,do you reflect1 ,abbey1 that if such an event had taken place1 it would only have increased your responsibility8 ,it would be another talent1 for the use of which you would have to answer to ,god4 ,and if you hide away and neglect the talents you have already1 what reason have you to think that you would do better with ten than with one8 ,i don't believe rich people trouble themselves about such things as that1 said ,abbey4 ,they just have the money and spend it and take the comfort of it4 ,many rich people do trouble themselves about such things1 said ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,they consider themselves only as stewards of the wealth ,god has given them1 and use it for his service4 ,you have heard of ,miss ,nancy ,wigglesworth1 who founded the ,old ,ladies' ,home and the ,coloured ,orphan ,asylum8 ,folks say she was an old miser1 said ,abbey1 and that she used to go looking like a fright1 and would not give a beggar a bit of money for any thing4 ,i wouldn't be like that4 ,i would take the comfort of my money as ,i went along4 ,people were very unjust to call ,miss ,wigglesworth a miser1 said ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,she never spent one-quarter of her income upon herself4 ,all the rest went for religious and charitable uses4 ,she used to help poor people by lending them money as they needed it4 ,sometimes they would neglect to pay her1 when they were perfectly well able to do so2 and then1 when they were compelled to pay1 they railed at their benefactor as a hard-hearted miser4 ,another way in which she got the name of being stingy was that she never would give to an object of which she did not approve4 ,people used to go to her for all sorts of things1 and when she refused them1 they abused her4 ,that's just what ,i say1 persisted ,abbey4 ,what was the use1 after all8 ,she might just as well have taken the comfort of her money as she went along1 instead of giving it away and getting no thanks for it4 ,miss ,wigglesworth has been dead eighteen or twenty years1 said ,mrs4 ,ward2 that is to say1 she has been all that time in heaven4 ,do you suppose she regrets now that she gave away her money and did not spend it upon her own pleasures8 ,i remember well going with my mother to see her when she was ill with her last sickness4 ,she suffered a long while1 and very terribly at times2 but ,i shall never forget the peace and joy in her face as she spoke of her own death1 nor the tone in which she repeated the words1-- ',i have fought a good fight1 ,i have finished my course1 ,i have kept the faith3 ,henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness4' ,do you think the rich man in the parable felt like that when ,god said to him1 ',thou fool1 this night thy soul shall be required of thee'8 ,yet all he meant to do was to have a good time as he went along4 ,abbey writhed impatiently in her chair4 ,she never could bear to think of dying4 ,well1 ,i am not rich1 and ,i never shall be1 said she3 so that is nothing to me4 ,you are mistaken1 ,abbey4 ,it is every thing to you4 ,you are not rich in money1--that is true2 but you are rich in what is worth far more1 in what money cannot buy1--in health1 and strength1 and chances of usefulness4 ,you may put aside all these gifts in a napkin2 you may employ them for your own selfish ends1--in merely 'having a good time1' as you say4 ,you may let them rust in idleness1 or wear them out in the service of self and the devil2 but rest assured of this1 that for every one of them ,god will as surely bring you into judgment as you sit there4 ,do you wish to stay here1 ,abbey8 asked ,mrs4 ,ward1 once more4 ,abbey did not answer4 ,she did not wish to stay1 if she could help it2 but she did not see what else she was to do4 ,you can take till to-night to think over the matter1 continued ,mrs4 ,ward1 but ,i tell you plainly that1 if you 'do' stay1 it must be on very different terms than heretofore4 ,you must conduct very differently4 ,i shall charge you for every article that you break or spoil1 and ,i shall make you do over again every thing you leave undone or half done4 ,i am willing1 for your mother's sake1 to try you a while longer on these terms2 that is1 if ,mr4 ,ward will give his consent1--for he will be very much vexed when he sees the condition of the parlour-ceiling4 ,as ,i said1 you can take till night to consider the matter4 ,now put away your sewing1 take the dust-pan and brush1 and brush under every table in the room1 and then rub all the chair-rounds and table-legs with the cloth4 ,abbey obeyed1 feeling very ill used indeed4 ,her conscience1 which she had heretofore managed to keep pretty quiet1 was at last awakened1 and it pricked her severely4 ,abbey did not like the feeling at all4 ,it irritated her1 as any discomfort of body or mind always did4 ,and she felt provoked at ,mrs4 ,ward for having given her this new and very disagreeable sensation4 ,she would have liked very much to throw up her place and go home2 but home was not likely to be any more agreeable to her than her present situation1 and she must earn something1 or go in rags4 ,dear me6 she said to herself1 impatiently1 it does seem as if when all we wanted was to live in peace and have a good time1 one might be let alone and allowed to have it2 but it appears as though every thing was dead set against me4 ,even so1 ,abbey4 ,the whole course of nature is dead set against any one who will not work either with it or against it4 ,i believe ,i will go and talk it over with ,elvie this afternoon1 said ,abbey4 ,she will think ,i am to blame1 of course2 but1 then1 she won't scold and fume1 like father1 or sigh and look as if ,i had half-killed her1 as mother does every time ,i come home4 ,can ,i go over to ,mrs4 ,frost's and see my sister8 asked ,abbey1 after dinner4 ,i have no objection2 but you must be at home by five o'clock4 ,and ,i want you to stop at the butcher's and bring home a veal cutlet for ,mr4 ,ward's supper4 ,now remember6 ,what do you mean to buy8 ,a quarter--,i mean a cutlet of veal1 said ,abbey1 recollecting herself4 ,well1 now1 mind what you are about4 ,don't make a mistake1 and don't forget the time4 ,oh1 dear6 sighed ,abbey1 as she walked away1--for once remembering to latch the gate after her4 ,i do wish folks would not be so cross6 ,i am not 'that1' anyhow1 whatever else ,i am4 ,this was always ,abbey's last refuge when found fault with4 ,she did not reflect that her naturally placid temper was only another talent committed to her charge1 which would prove a curse or a blessing according as she used it4 ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,consultations4 ,,abbey found ,elvie busily engaged1 not in the kitchen or in sewing1 but in the garden1 squatting down on her feet and weeding a flower-bed4 ,well1 ,i declare6 ,i did not know you were hired to work out-of-doors1 said ,abbey4 ,nor ,i1 returned ,elvie1 smiling1 as she laid down her trowel and rose up to greet ,abbey4 ,i am working 'on my own hook1' as father says4 ,mrs4 ,frost has given me all this long border for my own garden1 and ,i am to have all ,i can raise from it4 ,i have bought fifty cents' worth of seeds with my own money1 and ,mrs4 ,frost has given me as many more1 and some plants besides4 ,won't it be nice to have some flowers for poor ,harry1--and some fruit1 too8 ,for those two gooseberry-bushes1 and that double row of strawberry plants1 are all mine4 ,won't it be nice8 ,very nice1 said ,abbey1 rather languidly2 but ,i should think ,mrs4 ,frost might give you all you wanted1--such a large garden as she has4 ,but they wouldn't be the same at all1 said ,elvie4 ,they would be her presents then1 and not mine4 ,and it is so much pleasanter to give away something which you have earned or made yourself4 ,i don't see why1 returned ,abbey4 ,a present is a present4 ,and1 besides1 said ,elvie1--who knew by experience that there was no use in trying to make ,abbey understand her1--,i love to work in the garden4 ,the ground smells so good and fresh1 and it is so curious and interesting to see things grow4 ,look at all these little green rings of plants4 ,they did not show the least bit yesterday afternoon2 but the shower has brought them up nicely4 ,i am going to put some of the sweet alyssum1 and ,tweedia1 and some other things1 in a cocoanut basket ,i have been making for ,harry to hang up in his window4 ,won't it be nice for him8 ,i bought the cocoanut myself1 for the children1 and ,miss ,priscilla ,frost showed me how to make a basket of the shell4 ,well1 never mind that now1 said ,abbey1 upon whose ears all these things rather grated than otherwise1--she never added a single penny's-worth to poor ,harry's comforts and pleasures1--never mind that now4 ,i want you to listen to me1 and tell me whether ,i shall stay at ,mrs4 ,ward's or not4 ,stay at ,mrs4 ,ward's6 exclaimed ,elvie1 dropping her trowel1 and forgetting all about seeds1 cocoanut basket1 and strawberries4 ,oh1 ,abbey1 you are not thinking of leaving her8 ,surely you have not gone and lost your place again8 ,oh1 what will mother say8 ,well1 well1 you need not talk so loud1 or make such a fuss1 as though one had committed murder4 ,i was only thinking about it1--that's all4 ,if any one treated you as ,i was treated this morning1 ,i don't believe you would want to stay2 but because ,i don't make a fuss about every little thing1 as you and mother do1 you think ,i have no feeling4 ,tell me all about it1 said ,elvie1 wisely putting aside the reproach4 ,let us sit down on the steps here1--so ,i can see if any one comes in at the gate--and tell me the whole story1 from first to last4 ,abbey told the story according to own idea of the matter1 ending with1 ,and she says if ,i stay1 she shall charge me with every thing that ,i break or spoil1 and take it out of my wages4 ,i don't see how ,i am ever to earn any thing1 at that rate4 ,you must take care and not break things1 then1 said ,elvie4 ,i don't wonder ladies get out of patience sometimes1 girls are so careless4 ,and you know1 ,abbey1 you were always unlucky about dishes4 ,but what about the water-pail8 ,how can you to make such a mistake8 ,i didn't think1 replied ,abbey4 ,but ,i don't see why she need make such a fuss about that4 ,well1 ,i don't know1 said ,elvie4 ,do you remember what you said when ,totty broke your china cup8 ,that was nobody's fault but your own1--leaving it on the stairs1 of all places in the world2 and the poor child got a sad fall and scratch beside3 yet you scolded her smartly4 ,you didn't think that was nothing1 did you8 ,that was different4 ,i don't see the difference1 except that one was yours and the other was somebody's else4 ,and1 you see1 it really is a great loss1 for ,i don't think the ,wards are at all rich4 ,i hate to live with poor folks6 said ,abbey1 pettishly4 ,if ,i could have such a place as yours1 ,i wouldn't mind living out4 ,i don't think that rich folks like to have their things spoiled1 any more than poor folks1 replied ,elvira4 ,i am sure ,mrs4 ,frost does not4 ,she will not let the least thing be wasted4 ,but1 ,abbey1 ,i do hope you won't think of leaving your place1 if you can possibly keep it4 ,there is a particular reason just now for our all exerting ourselves1 you know1 for ,harry's sake1 because mother is so anxious to take him out in the country this summer4 ,oh1 yes6 ,harry1--always ,harry6 ,well1 and so it ought to be always ,harry1 said ,elvie1 with a little flash of her eyes4 ,who should it be1 if not ,harry1--when you know how good and patient he is1 sitting there in his chair week in and week out1 suffering so much1 yet never complaining1 nor troubling any one more than he can possibly help8 ,i think we might all of us take pattern by him1 for my part1 and be willing to work for him1--dear little fellow6 ,now1 don't get in a passion1 ,elvie2 because1 if you do1 you will be sorry1 said ,abbey4 ,just as if ,i did not think as much of ,harry as you do2 only ,i am not always talking about it4 ,some people like to talk about their feelings and what they do for others1 and some don't3 that's all4 ,and some people like to act out their feelings1 and some don't1 returned ,elvie4 ,if people neither talk about their feelings nor act upon them1 ,i don't see1 for my part1 how any one is to know whether they have them or not4 ,well1 there is no particular use in talking about that1 said ,abbey4 ,i suppose ,i had better stay at ,mrs4 ,ward's and bear it the best way ,i can4 ,she may as well fret at me as at any one else4 ,i don't mind it much3 that is one good thing4 ,perhaps if you minded more1 she would have less cause to fret1 remarked ,elvira4 ,that is one trouble4 ,when any one begins to tell you any thing1 you never begin to listen till they are half done1 and so you don't more than half understand4 ,i don't believe that you cannot please ,mrs4 ,ward well enough1 if you only try4 ,do try1 ,abbey1--please do1 she added1 earnestly4 ,i can't bear to think how bad mother will feel if you lose this place1 and she has so much to trouble her already4 ,do try1 to mind ,mrs4 ,ward1 and attend to what she says to you4 ,you will learn after a while1 and then it will come easier4 ,come1 now2 ,i am sure you ought to be able to do as well as ,i1 when you were always so much smarter to learn1 and you are more than a year older than ,i am4 ,and every one says ,mrs4 ,ward is such a good woman4 ,mrs4 ,campion was here yesterday1 and ,i heard her say she did not know a better woman than ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,it will be such an advantage to you to learn the best way of doing all sorts of work4 ,well1 well1 you needn't say any thing more1 ,elvira1 said ,abbey1 rising4 ,i'm sure ,i am willing to stay2 though ,i don't know1 after all1 whether she will want me4 ,and--there6 ,she told me to stop somewhere1 and where was it8 ,do try to remember1 said ,elvira1 anxiously4 ,was it the baker's8 ,no3 she never sends to the baker's1 except for yeast2 and ,i am pretty sure it wasn't yeast4 ,oh1 ,i know now4 ,it was a veal cutlet3 so she must have meant the butcher's4 ,of course1 said ,elvira1 laughing1 but much relieved4 ,well1 you have no time to lose2 for it is almost five o'clock4 ,i must hurry1 then1 for she told me to be home by five4 ,and if ,i don't1 there will be another fuss4 ,come walk a little way with me4 ,i can't1 said ,elvie2 the other girl has gone out1 and ,i must get tea ready4 ,i will come and see you as soon as ,i can4 ,i am going to run home this evening and carry ,harry's basket to him4 ,won't he be pleased when he sees it8 ,don't say any thing about this fuss at home1 or mother will be coming over to see ,mrs4 ,ward1 and there will be no end of a time1 said ,abbey4 ,promise now1 ,elvie1 that you won't4 ,i will promise1 if you will promise me to take pains and try to keep your place1 said ,elvie4 ,of course ,i mean to do that4 ,i must1 or ,i sha'n't have any thing to wear pretty soon4 ,my brown dress is almost worn out4 ,well1 good-by4 ,don't be long on the road1 now4 ,it is almost five4 ,thus urged1 ,abbey did contrive to accomplish her errand and get home only ten minutes after the time specified4 ,elvira went back to her work with a deep sigh4 ,she had long ago given up trying to make ,abbey understand or sympathize with her1 and since she had taken a decidedly religious stand1 they were farther apart than ever4 ,elvira was sensible of her own faults4 ,she knew that she had a hasty temper1 and that she was apt to fret if things went wrong or did not go on as fast as she desired4 ,she had latterly striven hard against this fault1 and corrected it in a great degree2 but sometimes she was overcome by ,abbey's easy indifference1 and allowed a little of the old fire to appear4 ,she knew very well that such outbreaks did harm instead of good1 by affording food to ,abbey's self-complacency3 yet she found it impossible to repress her indignation1 as she thought of her sister's selfishness and indifference to the necessities of the rest of the family4 ,there is no use in fretting1 however1 said ,elvie to herself4 ,she will never be influenced by me4 ,and the only thing ,i can do is to work all the harder myself1 and try to keep my temper with ,abbey4 ,there is one comfort1 she added1 as she took up her trowel once more4 ,one can always pray4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,a ,,change4 ,,for three or four weeks1 moved by ,elvira's energetic remonstrances1 and stimulated also by the necessity of earning the means of paying for a new frock and hat1 ,abbey did a good deal better4 ,mrs4 ,ward began to have hopes of making something of her1 after all1 and was able with a clear conscience to tell ,aunt ,phbe ,ray 7when she called to inquire about the matter7 that she thought ,abbey was improving4 ,mrs4 ,jenkins began to feel her heart in some degree relieved from one of its many burdens4 ,and her husband was so gratified with the report from ,abbey1 that he made her a present of a very pretty summer hat1--to encourage her1 as he said4 ,unluckily ,abbey was not a person to be benefited by this sort of encouragement4 ,as ,elvira said1 the more you did for her1 the more you might4 ,the same present made to ,elvie herself caused her to work all the harder and take all the more pains to please4 ,in ,abbey's case1 she had lost one spur to exertion4 ,moreover1 she at once began to think that1 as her father had given her a hat1 perhaps he would give her a frock also1 or1 if he did not1 perhaps somebody else would4 ,mrs4 ,frost had two or three times given ,elvie outgrown or worn dresses of ,miss ,priscilla's1 which she--being a little creature1 and as handy as she was little--had made over and remodelled into nice dresses1 as good as new4 ,abbey knew ,mrs4 ,ward had a whole trunkful of ,comfort's old things1 and perhaps she would give her some of them4 ,abbey could not for her life see why such pieces of good luck1 as she called them1 should not happen to her as well as to ,elvira4 ,it was not long before ,mrs4 ,ward began to find things more out of joint about the kitchen than ever4 ,she happened to be ill and confined to her room for a few days4 ,and dreadful were the sights and the smells which met her disgusted senses when she could be about the house once more4 ,kettles and spiders set away unwashed1 and rusted in consequence2 the tea-kettle with the handle blackened and loosened2 the nice thick metal teapot with part of its nose melted off against the hot stove2 and the sink in a very offensive state4 ,poor ,mrs4 ,ward6 ,she had never seen so much dirt in her house since she had one to take care of4 ,she went to work with energy to clear up and clean out1 and she tried to make ,abbey help her2 but this was harder than to do the work herself4 ,abbey was serenely unconscious that any thing was wrong1 and looked on with calm wonder1 not unmixed with amusement1 as ,mrs4 ,ward pulled out pans and basins1 scraped dishes1 and put dish-towels to soak4 ,presently came an inquiry1 ,where is my dish-cloth8 ,i don't know what you mean1 sail ,abbey4 ,here is 'mine1' 7producing a dripping wad1 of most questionable appearance1 from one corner of the sink47 ',that' a dish-cloth6 said ,mrs4 ,ward1 surveying it with unspeakable disgust4 ,you don't mean to say you wash dishes with that thing6 ,where is the cloth ,i gave you just before ,i was sick8 ,this is it4 ,illustration3 ,abbey2 or1 ,taking it ,easy4 ',that' a dish-cloth6 ,mrs4 ,ward folded her hands1 sat down on the nearest chair1 and looked round her in despair4 ,what has happened to that table1 that the leaf is turned round to the wall8 ,oh1 the leaf is broken4 ,it has been loose ever since ,i came here to live4 ,i have never known it1 if it was4 ,how did you break it8 ,but ,abbey declared that she did not break it4 ,it had always been so1 she repeated1 ever since she came into the house4 ,she had never seen any cork to the kerosene-can1 either4 ,she was quite sure there never had been any4 ,and what has become of the kerosene8 ,surely all that kerosene has not been used up in the course of a week4 ,the can was filled only last ,saturday4 ,abbey at first did not know any thing about that1 either4 ,but she presently acknowledged that she had spilt some of it4 ,this was not true4 ,she had used the kerosene1 but she dared not tell how4 ,at this moment the door-bell rang1 and ,mrs4 ,ward went to attend to it4 ,dear me6 ,what a fuss6 said ,abbey to herself1 as she began slowly to wash up the dishes ,mrs4 ,ward had piled upon the table4 ,and now ,i have got all these dishes to wash1 and ,i shall not get through till noon4 ,how ,i do hate to live with such fussy people1 who will never let one have a minute's peace of one's life6 ,that she herself was to blame for any part of the fuss she complained of1 never entered ,abbey's head4 ,for all she cared1 dirty dishes might have gone on accumulating till there was not a clean one left in the house4 ,if she had wanted one to use at the moment1 she would have washed it1 or used it without washing1 just as it happened4 ,the condition of the sink never disturbed her senses1 so long as space remained to pour away any thing else4 ,how people could make themselves uncomfortable about such things was something she could not understand4 ,it appeared to her a very oppressive act in ,mrs4 ,ward to give her so much additional work to do in cleaning the things she had left dirty2 but ,mrs4 ,ward was particular and fussy1 and there was no help for it4 ,mrs4 ,ward's visitor proved to be her sister-in-law1 ,mrs4 ,powell1 who lived a long way off1 quite on the other side of the city1 and had come to spend the day4 ,mrs4 ,powell was a small1 wiry little woman1 with 7as they say7 not an inch to spare about her1 with sharp blue eyes which looked as if they had been made on purpose to spy out dust in corners and under tables1 and there was a general air of business and despatch about her4 ,mrs4 ,powell was a born housekeeper4 ,even ,mrs4 ,ward was hardly neat enough to suit her ideas4 ,not a speck of dirt1 not a particle of grease1 could repose in peace under her vigilant eyes2 no catch-alls or shut-holes could enjoy existence anywhere in her domains4 ,nevertheless1 ,mrs4 ,powell had the name of being a very pleasant person to live with1 among the girls whom she and her neighbours employed4 ,true1 she got a good deal of work out of them1 and she would have every thing done exactly right2 but she did not fret or find fault unjustly1 and she never kept her girls waiting for their wages4 ,well1 ,maggie1 and how do you do8 said ,mrs4 ,powell1 as she settled herself in a very straight-backed1 low chair1 which ,mr4 ,ward always called ,dorcas1 after his favourite sister4 ,seems to me you look rather tired and worn out4 ,you don't get fairly rested yet1 ,i see4 ,you ought to have a good1 responsible girl1--one who can take some charge of things and give you a chance to be mistress of your time a little while1--to look after the garden1 or perhaps take a little journey4 ,that's what you want4 ,some one like my ,rebecca1 now6 ,a girl6 said ,mrs4 ,ward1 with a deep sigh4 ,don't say any thing about it1 ,dorcas4 ,i have had a girl six weeks1 and she has nearly been the death of me4 ,i have never worked so hard in all the time ,i have kept house as during the time ,abbey has been here4 ,i have not been down-stairs before for two days1 and you ought to see the kitchen4 ,who is she8 asked ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,why1 ,abbey ,jenkins4 ,her sister1 a year younger1 has been with ,mrs4 ,frost for a year1 and she likes her very much4 ,and ,mrs4 ,jenkins herself is a very neat1 capable woman2 but ,abbey is a trial4 ,perhaps she will improve1 observed ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,i suppose she is quite young and has never lived out before4 ,i often pity young girls going to a strange place4 ,every thing is new to them1 and they are found fault with1--which confuses them all the more4 ,that's not the case with ,abbey1 ,i can assure you4 ,she cares no more about being found fault with than that stove4 ,nothing ever puts her out in the least degree4 ,if ,i could once see her roused to be vexed or ashamed1 ,i should have some hope of her4 ,she has spoiled more things since she came into the house than her board and wages are worth twice over1 but she thinks it is very strange ,i can make any fuss about it1 or be disturbed because she has killed both my poor ,comfort's rose-bushes by throwing the slops on them4 ,and poor ,mrs4 ,ward--worn out and discouraged1 and more than half sick--put down her head on the arm of the couch1 and fairly cried4 ,poor dear6 ,you are no more fit to be at work than a baby1 said ,mrs4 ,powell1 compassionately4 ,there6 ,don't cry4 ,i don't wonder1 though1 ,i am sure4 ,if there is any thing that does vex me1 it is these indifferent people1 who will burn your house down by accident and then wonder how you can care any thing about it4 ,i wish ,i had her a little while6 ,i'd teach her6 added ,mrs4 ,powell1 energetically4 ,i am sure ,i wish you had1 if you can do any thing with her1 said ,mrs4 ,ward1 sitting up and wiping her eyes4 ,i should have sent her home three weeks ago and more1 if ,i had not felt so sorry for her mother4 ,they are poor1 hard-working people1 with a crippled son who has never walked a step and is a great sufferer1 and two or three younger children4 ,mrs4 ,jenkins begged me to do just what ,i liked with ,abbey1 and to teach her to work2 but ,i don't think ,i am a good hand to teach girls4 ,well1 really1 ,maggie1 ,i must say1 candidly1 that ,i don't think you are1 said ,mrs4 ,powell1 frankly4 ,you have not patience with their mistakes1 and you are apt to take hold and do things yourself1 rather than wait upon them4 ,and1 besides1 you are not enough of a driver4 ,well1 don't trouble yourself any more just now1 my dear4 ,after all1 it is part of the discipline of life1 you know4 ,i think a way may be contrived to give you rather easier times3 in short1 a way 'must' be contrived1 said the little woman1 striking her needles into her ball with great energy1 and winding up her work in a decided way4 ,you must have a rest2 and that is all about it4 ,i am sure ,i should be glad to have one4 ,i don't know how it is1 but ,i believe ,i am losing my energy1 or something4 ,i never felt so before4 ,every thing is a burden to me4 ,why1 child1 you are tired out4 ,such a year as the last is enough to use up anybody4 ,it is not only the actual work of taking care of a sick person1 but the strain upon one's nerves and feelings1 that tells4 ,i'm sure it was a wonder to me and everybody1 the way you kept up all through2 but there is a limit to every one's strength finally1 and now you have reached the limit of yours4 ,let us go out and look at the garden4 ,my early peas are up two inches high4 ,i will go up-stairs and find my hood1 said ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,i want to consult you about making a new verbena-bed4 ,she must have rest1 and that is all about it1 or she will go after poor ,comfort in less than a year1 said ,mrs4 ,powell1 looking after her sister-in-law4 ,well1 well1 she added1 nodding at her reflection in the glass as she tied on her bonnet1 we will see4 ,i have a notion in my head2 but ,i won't say any thing till ,i have talked to ,rebecca4 ,about a week after this visit1 ,mrs4 ,powell made her appearance once more4 ,she found ,mrs4 ,ward scrubbing a tin basin1 and ,abbey looking on with an air of calm observation4 ,so that's the way you show your girl1 is it8 said ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,clean the pan yourself1 and let her stand and look on4 ,but never mind4 ,let her finish it now1 and you come into the parlour4 ,i want to talk to you4 ,how do you do8 ,how hot your hands are6--,a great deal too hot to be scrubbing pans4 ,i know it2 but ,i can't help it1 ,dorcas4 ,well1 ,i am going to help it1 right off1 said ,dorcas1 energetically1--if you are willing to consent to my proposition4 ,you must stop working4 ,and you never will stop unless you have some one who can work for you3 that is clear4 ,well8 said ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,what then8 ,just this4 ,i propose to take your ,abbey for three or four months1 and let you have my ,rebecca for the same time4 ,i believe ,i can teach the girl1 if any one can2 it won't be by letting her stand and look on while ,i scour tins1 ,i promise you4 ,and as for ,rebecca1 if you can find any thing to do while she is in the house1 you will be smart1 that's all ,i can say4 ,but1 ,dorcas1 ,i can't let you make such a sacrifice4 ,rebecca is a perfect treasure4 ,i hardly ever saw her equal4 ,and you don't know what an incapable creature ,abbey is4 ,yes1 ,i do3 ,i can see it all over her1 interrupted ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,as for sacrifices1 we won't talk of them between sisters4 ,i have not forgotten my own long fever1 when my poor baby died1 four years ago4 ,and the tears glistened in the little woman's eyes for a moment4 ,besides1 ,i want more exercise4 ,i am growing too fat4 ,yes3 you look like it4 ,but ,i hardly feel as though it would be fair1--though ,i confess it would be a great relief2 for my strength seems to go every day4 ,what does ,rebecca say8 ,oh1 she is willing4 ,you know you are a great favourite of hers4 ,the question is1 what the other girl will say4 ,call her in1 and let's have a talk with her4 ,abbey came in1 calm as a summer's morning4 ,mrs4 ,powell explained the arrangement to her in few words1 ending with1 ,i shall expect you to do more work than you do here1 so ,i shall give you two shillings a week more4 ,so you can choose between going with me at that rate1 or going home4 ,you can ask your mother about it1 and let me know directly4 ,you had better run home now1 ,abbey1 said ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,your father will have come to his dinner by this time4 ,abbey departed1 and at the end of an hour came back1 accompanied by her mother4 ,mrs4 ,jenkins talked the matter over with the two ladies1 and it was finally concluded that the exchange should be made the next ,monday4 ,i feel as though ,i had a thousand pounds' weight taken off my shoulders1 said ,mrs4 ,ward1 when they were once alone4 ,but ,i am afraid you have not the least idea of what you are undertaking4 ,i believe ,i have--or had--a tolerable temper2 but1 really1 ,abbey tries me beyond endurance4 ,i am stronger than you1--in health1 ,i mean1 said ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,your present irritability is more a matter of nerves than any thing else4 ,and1 besides1 ,i presume ,abbey's misdeeds trouble you more that they will me4 ,you have always had your house to yourself1 to manage just as you pleased1 and with no one to interfere with your plans and calculations4 ,i have always been obliged to keep help1 such as ,i could get1 and ,i have learned that it does not answer to be too set in my own ways4 ,but1 anyhow1 ,i have no choice in the matter1 that ,i see4 ,i should not feel it right to deprive the child of one place without providing her with another1 and it is easier to try her myself than to find any one else willing to undertake her4 ,besides1 ,i have1 perhaps1 rather a conceit of my ability in the way of teaching4 ,don't you find it very hard to get people to obey directions8 asked ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,almost impossible4 ,i set a man to digging in the garden1 tell him exactly where to begin and where to leave off1 and1 having something else to attend to1 go and leave him4 ,ten to one that1 when ,i come back1 ,i shall find he has begun in the wrong place and dug up the very thing ,i told him to leave untouched4 ,it is the same with girls4 ,when ,i once get one so trained that she can do as she is told1 ,i feel as though ,i had won the day4 ,and yet people say that a housekeeper ought to be able to direct a girl in getting dinner1 without looking into the kitchen6 said ,mrs4 ,ward4 ,people are very fond of laying down the law to others1 and talking about what they don't understand1 said ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,it is so much easier than finding out the truth by experiment4 ,but ,i am heartily glad ,i have carried my point this time4 ,i shall not grudge my trouble in the least1 if ,i can only see you getting rested1 and like yourself once more4 ,mrs4 ,powell spoke sincerely2 but she had little notion of what her sacrifice was to cost4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,mrs4 ,,powell4 ,,abbey soon found she had fallen into very different hands from ,mrs4 ,ward's or her mother's4 ,mrs4 ,powell was not only skilful at all sorts of work herself1 but she possessed the rather uncommon talent of making other people work4 ,and ,abbey soon discovered that she could no more stand still in that lady's kitchen than she could upon the steps of a treadmill4 ,breakfast was on the table every morning exactly at seven o'clock4 ,abbey's business was to get up and make the fire1 sweep out and dust the kitchen and sitting-room1 set the table1 and have every thing ready for ,mrs4 ,powell to cook the breakfast4 ,mrs4 ,powell attended to the cooking4 ,miss ,maria dusted the parlours1 and ,miss ,margaret attended to the plants and birds1--of which ,mrs4 ,powell had a great many4 ,one of the young ladies taught in a public-school1 and the other acted as clerk in a large fancy-store down town2 and both must be early at their posts4 ,breakfast on the table1 ,abbey must go up-stairs1 empty the slops and take the clothes off the beds4 ,so it was all day4 ,every hour had its appropriate duty1 as exactly as every pan and plate had its place in the pantry4 ,there was no chance of shirking4 ,if ,abbey left her dishes half washed1 she must wash them over1 even if she had to make up the fire again on purpose4 ,if she did not sweep clean1 she had to sweep over again4 ,mrs4 ,powell never did her work after her1 even when it would have saved herself a great deal of time and inconvenience4 ,it would be a good deal easier for me to do this than to call you away from your dishes1 said she1 one day when ,abbey had left various accumulations of dust in the corners of the stairs4 ,but ,i want you to learn to work well while you are about it4 ,i did just so by my own girls1 and you see now how nicely and easily they do every thing4 ,it will be worth every thing to you to learn the best way of doing house-work while you are young4 ,but ,abbey did not care any thing about learning the best way of doing things4 ,all she cared for was to get on with the least possible trouble at the time4 ,she might have seen that the true way to save herself trouble was to do her work well in the beginning4 ,but this cost her a little present pains1 and the smallest inconvenience at hand was enough to overbalance any profit in the future4 ,she persisted in trying to shirk1 till ,mrs4 ,powell began to lose patience1 and to think more decided measures necessary to overcome ,abbey's laziness4 ,she had called ,abbey every morning at half-past five4 ,and every morning ,abbey had answered1 ,yes1 ma'am1 and turned over for another nap1 so that she must be called a second time4 ,now1 ,i will tell you once for all1 ,abbey1 said ,mrs4 ,powell1 one morning when she had the fire to kindle herself 7,abbey not making her appearance till half-past six71 the next time you serve me in this way1 you will not find the consequences very agreeable to yourself4 ,mrs4 ,powell spoke with considerable decision1 with a snap of her blue eyes1 and a movement of her head which looked a little dangerous4 ,the next morning ,abbey was up in good season1 and also the next1 but the third morning was dark and rainy4 ,abbey had lain awake a long time the night before1 reading an old magazine which she found in the garret1 and she was very sleepy3 so she turned over and went to sleep again4 ,this time she slept a good deal longer than she meant to1 and awoke with something of a start4 ,she sat up in bed1 and listened4 ,there was no rattling at the stove1 as she would have heard had ,mrs4 ,powell been making the fire herself4 ,the house was all quiet4 ,she could hear nothing but the singing of the birds in the parlour4 ,i believe ,i am awake the first of any one1 after all1 thought ,abbey1 as she hurried to dress herself4 ,she found her mistake when she went down-stairs into the kitchen4 ,the fire was out1 the stove brushed up1 every thing was put away1 and ,mrs4 ,powell was out weeding in the garden4 ,she looked at the clock4 ,it wanted a quarter to eight4 ,just like her1--the hateful thing6 said ,abbey to herself4 ,she wouldn't call me1 and of course she wouldn't save any thing for me4 ,abbey explored the safe and the pantry4 ,there was nothing to be had except dry bread4 ,even the butter was put away in the lock-up cupboard1 and the key was not to be found4 ,she gave up the search1 and went out to ,mrs4 ,powell in the garden4 ,i don't see what ,i am to do for my breakfast1 said she1 in an aggrieved tone4 ,i don't know1 ,i am sure1 answered ,mrs4 ,powell1 who was busy with her strawberries4 ,i can't find any thing but bread1 and there is no coffee nor any thing1 continued ,abbey1 just ready to cry4 ,isn't there8 ,then ,i don't see but you will have to go without1 replied ,mrs4 ,powell1 carefully pulling out a long bindweed from her raspberries4 ,there was plenty of every thing at breakfast time1 ,i assure you4 ,and the coffee was remarkably good1 as well as the fish-balls4 ,you might have called me1 said ,abbey1 sullenly4 ,i did call you2 but1 ,abbey1 ,i can tell you one thing1 said ,mrs4 ,powell1 rising up and collecting her tools3 ,i shall never call you again4 ,you can get up in the morning just as well as ,i can1 if you only make up your mind to it4 ,if ,i were to offer you a dollar every morning that you were up in time1 you would be ready to rise with the sun4 ,i have been willing to call you so far1 that you might form the habit2 but you have had plenty of time for that1 and you must not expect me to do so any more4 ,it is just as easy for you to get up as for ,maria or ,margaret4 ,it ought to be easier2 for you have nothing to keep you up after nine o'clock4 ,now remember1 this is the last time4 ,i want my breakfast1 said ,abbey1 beginning to cry4 ,well1 go and get it1 then4 ,there is plenty of nice bread1 and ,i will give you some butter for once2 but as for any thing else1 you must wait till dinner-time4 ,come1 now1 let us have no crying over it4 ,do you hear8 ,poor ,abbey6 ,she thought no one was ever so badly used before4 ,she was by no means so good-natured as she had been at ,mrs4 ,ward's4 ,there is a species of sloth in the ,south ,american forests1 which1 even when first taken1 will travel with the greatest docility in any required direction1 so long as it is allowed to take its own time2 but the moment it is hurried1 it turns fiercely upon its captors and fights with tooth and claw4 ,it was somewhat so with ,abbey4 ,she could not stand being driven4 ,allowed to take her own pace1--to be as lazy as she pleased1 to shirk whatever she did not like to do1 and slight all she pretended to do1--and no one could be more amiable4 ,but this precise regularity and punctuality1 this neatness and order1 was in the last degree irksome4 ,she could not say that she had too much to do4 ,she had several hours to herself every day1 when she could employ herself as she pleased2 and she generally chose to lie on the bed and dream of what she would do if she were only rich and had a carriage and servants1 and a maid to wait upon her1 and several fine young men in love with her1 to take her to the theatre and to balls4 ,but when she worked1 she was obliged to work and1 above all1 fast4 ,the greatest and most ingenious dawdler in the world could not have dawdled under the vigilant eye of ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,abbey began to find her life intolerable1 and to consider in her own mind whether there was any means of escaping from it4 ,come6 ,hurry1 ,abbey1 said ,mrs4 ,powell1 coming into the pantry1 where ,abbey was slowly munching her bread-and-butter4 ,i want you to go over to ,mrs4 ,ward's on an errand for me1 and1 if you are smart1 you will have time to run home and see how your sister is4 ,here3 you may take her this bowl of jelly4 ,it will be good to mix in water for her to drink4 ,get on your hat1 and be ready when the car comes along4 ,there will be one in just twelve minutes4 ,of course ,abbey was not ready at the end of the twelve minutes1 missed her car1 and had to wait for another4 ,what is the matter8 ,why don't you put your hat on8 asked ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,i can't find it anywhere4 ,where did you put it when you wore it last8 ,i put it away1 said ,abbey4 ,if you had put it in its place1 it would no doubt have been in its place1 said ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,you have a closet and shelves1 which no one meddles with but yourself4 ,but ,i cannot have you spend all the morning hunting for it4 ,put on that old black one of ,maria's4 ,now take this note1 and the basket which stands in the press1 over to ,mrs4 ,ward's1 and bring back what she gives you4 ,you will have plenty of time4 ,abbey did her errand at ,mrs4 ,ward's1 and1 with her basket full of strawberry plants1 she turned towards home4 ,she was overtaken at the gate by ,elvira4 ,why1 what brings you home at this time of day8 asked ,elvira1 in some alarm as the thought presented itself that ,abbey1 had left her place again4 ,you have not come home for good1 have you8 ,no such luck1 said ,abbey1 peevishly4 ,i only wish ,i had a home to come to1 so that ,i need not be made a slave of all my days6 ,i was in hopes you would like ,mrs4 ,powell1 said ,elvie4 ,every one gives her such a good name4 ,and ,mrs4 ,rebecca says no one need wish for a better place4 ,no one need wish for a better place6--,to be driven like a slave from morning till night6 said ,abbey4 ,i hate living out4 ,i don't see why ,i should have to work for a living1 any more than ,mrs4 ,campion1 or ,mrs4 ,frost1 or ,miss ,priscilla4 ,because they are well off and we are poor2 that is all1 said ,elvira4 ,besides1 they 'do' work4 ,miss ,priscilla practises hours every day1 and sews and knits a great deal4 ,she has just finished a whole suit of clothes1 all through1 for a little girl at the ,coloured ,asylum1--cutting and fitting and all4 ,moreover1 ,abbey1 ,i don't see why it is any worse for you to work than it is for father and mother and me4 ,oh1 well1 you don't mind it4 ,i believe you really love to dust and sweep and poke over sewing4 ,i like to do what ,i do1 'well1' said ,elvira4 ,i don't deny that4 ,but ,i like to do a great many things much better than to sweep and dust1 though4 ,i like to work in the garden1 and to do the embroidery ,mrs4 ,frost is teaching me1 and ,i should dearly love to go to school again4 ,but1 ,abbey1 you did not like going to school any better than working out4 ,you used to complain of ,miss ,morse all the time4 ,because she was so partial4 ,she liked every one in the school better than she did me4 ,but ,i suppose there is no help for it1 ,i must just go on slaving and slaving to the end of my days4 ,and now ,tot must go and get sick1 to mend the matter2 as if ,harry was not enough for one house6 ,abbey1 for shame6 exclaimed ,elvira1 with flashing eyes4 ,as if the poor child could help being sick6 ,you are the last one who ought to find fault with her2 for the doctor says it is very likely she hurt her head when she fell down-stairs that time4 ,and that was all your carelessness1 too1--leaving a cup on the stairs1 of all places4 ,nonsense6 said ,abbey1--turning pale1 however4 ,that was almost two months ago4 ,she has never been well since1 said ,elvira4 ,she has always complained of her head1 and been dull and heavy1 ever since it happened4 ,i think you ought to be ashamed4 ,i don't care4 ,i don't think you ought to talk so to me1 ,elvie4 ,i am the oldest4 ,but ,i did not come home to quarrel1 or be scolded at1 either4 ,as for the cup1 ,i just put it on the stairs for a minute1 while ,i went for the broom4 ,and then ,i went up the other way1 and forgot it4 ,i don't see that ,i was to blame about that4 ,tot ought to have seen what she was about4 ,there is no use in talking1 said ,elvira1 struggling to regain the command of her temper4 ,you and ,i never do see things alike4 ,where did you get your new hat8 ,it isn't mine4 ,it is ,maria's old one1 replied ,abbey4 ,i couldn't find mine4 ,but ,i mustn't stay any longer now4 ,just take this bowl in1 will you8 ,there is some jelly in it for the young one4 ,oh1 ,abbey1 you won't go away without coming in to see ,totty8 exclaimed ,elvira4 ,what will mother say8 ,if there is time1 said ,abbey1 rather reluctantly4 ,she could not help feeling uncomfortable at the idea that she had any thing to do with ,totty's sickness4 ,and this feeling made her unwilling to meet her mother or see the child4 ,but at that instant1 ,mrs4 ,jenkins appeared at the door and called her1 and ,abbey had no choice but to go in4 ,she was almost startled out of her indifference when she saw how thin and wan her mother looked1 and observed the change in ,totty since she had seen her last4 ,no one could be kinder than ,abbey when it cost her no trouble4 ,she was very willing now to sit down on the bedside and tell ,totty her favourite tales over and over1 till the child fell asleep4 ,you must not stay any longer now1 ,abbey2 but come again as soon as you can1 said her mother4 ,how well you look6 ,i am so glad you have a good place6 ,it is a comfort to me1 in the midst of all my other troubles1 that you and ,elvie are so well provided for4 ,yes1 wonderfully well provided for1 thought ,abbey2 but even she was ashamed to make any complaint of her place1 under present circumstances4 ,she turned to the window1 where ,harry1 bolstered up in his arm-chair1 was busily employed over some fine work4 ,what in the world are you doing1 ,harry8 ,making tatting1 of all things in the world6 ,what funny work for a boy6 ,if you had to sit still and do nothing as much as ,i do1 you would be glad of any thing in the shape of work1 said ,harry4 ,mrs4 ,campion brought me this work1 and showed me how to do it4 ,i have made one already1 and ,mrs4 ,r4 paid me four dollars for it4 ,it is a trimming for a baby's petticoat4 ,mrs4 ,campion said the one ,i made was as handsome as her ,sister's ,irish lace4 ,margaret ,powell is in ,mrs4 ,r4's store1 said ,abbey4 ,she works splendidly4 ,you ought to see the rug she is making4 ,she says it will be worth fifty dollars when it is done4 ,what stitch is she doing it in8 asked ,elvira1 very much interested4 ,i don't know4 ,i never noticed the stitch4 ,if ,i were you1 ,i would watch her1 and learn all her stitches1 said ,elvira4 ,i have learned ever so many of ,mrs4 ,frost4 ,yes3 that would be a very good thing for you1 added ,mrs4 ,jenkins4 ,every such thing comes into use sooner or later4 ,and now so much embroidery is in fashion1 you might make it very profitable4 ,if you knew how much ,i have to do1 you would not say any thing about my learning embroidery stitches1 said ,abbey1 with a weary air4 ,i am driven to death as it is4 ,yes1 you look like it1 said ,harry1 laughing4 ,and even his mother could not help joining1 as she looked at ,abbey's fat cheeks4 ,you are going into a consumption directly3 that is plain to be seen4 ,of course 'you' don't think there is any thing the matter1 ,harry1 said ,abbey4 ,nobody in the family must presume to have any thing to complain of in your presence4 ,i suppose sickness always does make people selfish4 ,abbey6 said her mother1 reprovingly4 ,oh1 never mind her1 said ,harry1 though his pale face flushed a little4 ,it is only ,abbey1 and we know her ways4 ,there6 ,isn't that pretty8 he added1 spreading out his work on his knee4 ,beautiful6 said his mother4 ,but don't work too long1 my dear4 ,oh1 ,i am not tired1 said ,harry4 ,i can work longer at it than at any thing ,i ever tried to do4 ,abbey would fain have lingered a little1 but her mother would not allow it1 and she went on her way1 not much comforted but somewhat aroused1 by her visit at home4 ,could it really be possible that she was accountable for ,totty's illness8 ,her mother had said nothing about it1 and she would fain have dismissed the matter as one of ,elvie's notions2 but she could not resist the conviction which forced itself upon her own mind that ,totty really had been ailing more or less ever since the accident1 and she could not but remember the sound with which the back of the child's head came in contact with the door at the foot of the stairs4 ,it was not a pleasant thought1 certainly1 and1 to get rid of it1 ,abbey began to look in at the shop-windows as she passed along4 ,there was nothing very particular to see1 till she came to a jeweller's window1 in which was a great display of watches and ornaments1 and at which she lingered1 choosing which of all these fine things she would buy if she only had money enough1 till she heard the clock strike twelve4 ,there1 now6 ,i shall be late1 and be scolded again4 ,every thing is against me today2 but1 luckily1 there is the car4 ,abbey congratulated herself on her good luck4 ,she had pulled out two or three more of the old magazines over which she had already lost so much time1 from a heap of such things in ,mrs4 ,ward's garret3 and she directly became so absorbed in her study that she did not notice which way she was going1 till the conductor called out1 ,union ,street6 and she found she had come half a mile and more out of her way4 ,there was no help for it but to sit still4 ,the car would take her home in time1 though by the longest route1 and she would gain nothing by going back4 ,it was nearly one when she arrived at ,mrs4 ,powell's door1 and became1 for the first time1 aware that she had left her basket behind her4 ,there6 ,now there will be another fuss6 said ,abbey1 in an injured tone4 ,oh1 dear6 ,i do wish ,i could ever have any peace or comfort6 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,,kindling ,a ,,fire4 ,,well1 ,abbey1 better late than never1 was ,mrs4 ,powell's greeting4 ,what kept you so long8 ,and where are your strawberries8 ,didn't ,mrs4 ,ward have them ready8 ,now1 ,i do hope you haven't lost them on the road6 she exclaimed1 seeing ,abbey hesitate4 ,i shall hardly know how to forgive you1 if you have4 ,i left them at mother's1 answered ,abbey1 beginning to cry4 ,totty was so sick1 ,i could not think of any thing else4 ,and she could not bear to have me come away1 so ,i stayed till the last minute4 ,the doctor thinks there is something the matter with her head4 ,poor child6 said ,mrs4 ,powell softened at once4 ,i am very sorry to hear such an account of her4 ,mrs4 ,ward told me she was sick2 but ,i did not suppose there was any thing serious the matter4 ,how long has she been ill8 ,she has been out of sorts a good while1 replied ,abbey2 but we did not think there was very much the matter till lately4 ,she had a fall and hurt her head1 and the doctor thinks that may have had something to do with her sickness4 ,indeed6 ,how did she fall8 ,she tripped with her foot and fell down-stairs1 replied ,abbey1 crying still more as she saw ,mrs4 ,powell's sympathies were moved4 ,she would hardly let me come away4 ,and mother wants me to go home as often as ,i can4 ,i will go and see your mother this afternoon1 said ,mrs4 ,powell1 busily dishing up her dinner4 ,i was going out1 at any rate2 and ,i may as well call and get the basket4 ,the strawberry plants ought to be set out this evening4 ,come1 put away your things1 and change your dress so as to be ready to wash up your dishes4 ,and1 by the way1 ,i have found your hat1--not in a very nice place1 either4 ,where do you think you left it8 ,abbey was quite sure she had left it in the closet4 ,you left it upon the shelf in the cellar where ,i put the soap-grease1 and there ,i found it4 ,one of the strings is spoiled1 but it is not hurt otherwise4 ,it is lucky the rats did not carry it off4 ,what could have induced you to leave it there8 ,i don't believe ,i did leave it there1 said ,abbey1 sullenly4 ,who do you suppose put it there8 ,did ,i1 or ,miss ,margaret8 ,i don't know who put it there1 ,i'm sure4 ,i know ,i didn't4 ,and just at that minute1 the whole story flashed upon ,abbey's mind4 ,she had come home from an errand1 late1 as usual1 and1 being sent into the cellar for coal1 and finding her hat in the way1 she had laid it on the shelf just for a minute1 and forgotten all about it4 ,now get ready to wash your dishes when you have had your dinner1 and take the brushes and dust under the press and down the kitchen-stairs4 ,sullenly enough ,abbey obeyed4 ,she had hoped to induce ,mrs4 ,powell to send her back for the basket1 and she was not at all pleased at the thought of that lady's having a talk with her mother4 ,there was no help for it1 however1 and ,mrs4 ,powell went out about two o'clock1 enjoining it upon ,abbey to have the kettle boiling and the table set by half-past five1 at which time ,margaret came home for her tea4 ,now1 don't forget1 said ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,there is nothing particular for you to do2 but you can dust those books up in the end of the hall1 if you choose4 ,i don't choose1--thank you1 said ,abbey1 when ,mrs4 ,powell had shut the door4 ,if ,i have a chance for a little peace and quiet1 ,i mean to enjoy it4 ,the way she took to enjoy her peace and quiet was to throw herself down on the sofa in the cool1 shady parlour1 and read her magazines till she fell asleep over them4 ,two or three visitors rang the bell in vain1 and went away without getting in2 but at last1 the grocer's man succeeded in making her hear4 ,rubbing her eyes1 she went to the door4 ,what6 ,you have been taking a nap have you8 said the man1 as he handed her various parcels1 and1 among others1 a can of kerosene4 ,i guess ,mrs4 ,powell a'n't at home1 or you wouldn't take it quite so easy4 ,i thought every one must be dead4 ,if you knew how ,i was driven round1 you wouldn't wonder that ,i liked to take a nap now and then1 said ,abbey4 ,it is just drive1--drive1 from morning till night--no peace1 so long as she is in the house4 ,i always heard she was a stormer1 said the man4 ,but hurry up your basket1 for ,i must be at the station at half-past five1 and ,i must drive smart to get there4 ,abbey1 startled1 glanced at the clock4 ,it was ten minutes after five4 ,she hurried to make her fire2 but her kindling-wood was rather damp1 and would not catch easily4 ,she took up the can and poured some kerosene on it4 ,it flamed up directly4 ,that's the way to start a fire6 said she1 exultingly4 ,wouldn't ,mother ,powell scold1 though1 if she knew it8 ,she set the can down--just for a minute1 as she was fond of saying--on the hearth1 while she searched for the stove-handle1 which was never in its place4 ,it was nowhere to be seen4 ,oh1 ,i know1 said ,abbey4 ,i took it to drive up that nail in the shed4 ,as she stepped into the shed to look for it1 there was a loud explosion1 and a sudden rush of flames and hot air4 ,in a moment 7she did not know how7 she found herself in the garden1 her dress on fire1 and the kitchen all in a blaze behind her1 with the flames rushing from the windows and doors4 ,there was a large1 shallow tub standing under the pump1 which in this dry season was kept full of water for the purpose of watering the garden4 ,more from instinct than from any exercise of sense1 ,abbey threw herself head foremost into this tub1 and thus extinguished the fire on her clothes1 with no other damage to herself than a slight scorching of her arms and face2 but1 meantime1 the back part of the house was all in a blaze4 ,there was a fire-engine station near by1 and the steamer was soon on the ground1 pouring its great stream of water upon the flames1 which were thus subdued before they could spread to the brick part of the building4 ,but what a sight met the eyes of ,mrs4 ,powell and ,margaret as they arrived at home6 ,the flames were out1 but the ruins were still smoking4 ,every thing was drenched with water1 within and without4 ,the poor birds lay dead in their cages1 smothered by the smoke4 ,all the pretty things--the photographs and engravings1 the books and music and dainty bits of embroidery1 and such things1 which ,mrs4 ,powell and her daughters had got together by their taste and industry--were ruined4 ,and the garden1 which had been years in coming to its late state of perfection1 was trampled and destroyed4 ,such was the result of ,abbey's taking things easy4 ,of course there was an inquiry into the origin of the fire1 and ,abbey was closely questioned4 ,at first she declared she knew nothing about it3 she found herself in the garden1 with her clothes on fire1 and that was all she could tell about the matter4 ,what were you doing when the fire broke out8 asked the engineer of the fire-department4 ,filling the tea-kettle1 answered she4 ,oh6 ,and you had just made the fire a minute before1 ,i presume8 ,yes1 said ,abbey4 ,i had just got it started4 ,oh1 indeed6 ,and perhaps you poured kerosene on your kindlings to make them light8 said the experienced engineer1 eyeing her closely4 ,abbey coloured deeply4 ,yes1 ,i thought as much4 ,i have seen that trick played before4 ,and ,i dare say you set the can right down by the stove4 ,you couldn't have had it in your hands1 or you would not have got off so easily4 ,well1 my girl1 you have done a pretty good stroke of work for one day4 ,the next time you want to light a fire in a hurry1 ,i advise you to take gunpowder4 ,it is about as convenient1 and rather safer4 ,i didn't mean any thing1 sobbed ,abbey4 ,then you had better mean something next time1 and see if you can't do it1 said the engineer4 ,you may be thankful that you were not burned to death4 ,it was a wonderful escape4 ,how could you do so1 ,abbey8 said ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,you have often been told not to bring a candle near the can of kerosene1 or even to fill the lamps after dark4 ,you had abundance of kindlings of all sorts1 and plenty of shavings1 if you had wanted them1 in the shed at the end of the garden4 ,i was in a hurry1 said ,abbey1 and the fire wouldn't burn1 and--and--,i am sure ,i didn't mean any thing4 ,i am sure you told me to have the fire going and the kettle boiling by half-past five1 she added1 in her usual injured tone1 as if that fact were a sufficient excuse for all she had done4 ,you said so the last thing before you went out4 ,i knew you would scold if it wasn't ready when you came home1 and so ,i hurried all ,i could4 ,where was the need of hurry8 ,you had all the afternoon4 ,well1 ,i didn't know what time it was1 till it struck five2 and then-- ,there6 ,that will do1 said ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,i don't want to hear any more1 ,abbey4 ,you may take your things1 if any of them are left1 and go home4 ,i am sorry for your poor mother1 who has enough on her hands without you2 but ,i cannot have any one in my house whom ,i cannot trust for a single minute4 ,if you showed any sense of your faults1 ,i could have more patience with you2 but you seem inclined to lay all the blame upon me4 ,i have done my best to teach you2 but it is labour and time thrown away4 ,if you were only stupid1 ,i could have patience with you2 but you are utterly unfaithful4 ,your laziness and carelessness have caused me losses which can never be repaired4 ,and ,mrs4 ,powell's eyes filled with tears1 as she thought of the precious portraits1 and of the birds the dear deceased daughter had fed and tended with so much care4 ,you have destroyed my garden1 that ,i have taken so much pains with1 and all-but destroyed my house1--and all because you were too idle to set about your work in season1 and too lazy to seek proper materials for making your fire4 ,you can go home at once1 as soon as you have changed your dress4 ,i do not mean to be harsh to you1 but ,i never wish to see your face again4 ,mrs4 ,powell turned away1 and1 wiping the tears from her eyes1 went into the house1 where ,margaret and ,maria were mourning over their treasures and trying to rescue some of them from the general ruin4 ,she was a ,christian woman1 and strove to forgive as she would be forgiven2 but she may be pardoned if she found it hard to put her principles at once in practice on the present occasion4 ,it would have been easy for her to get a capable girl in the place of ,rebecca1 whom she had lent 7as it were7 to her sister-in-law1--for she had a good reputation among working people2 but she felt that it would be unjust to deprive ,abbey of her place at ,mrs4 ,ward's without finding her another2 and after she learned something of ,abbey's family1 she became interested in the girl on her own account4 ,she knew very well that a young woman who thoroughly understands house-work can always command a good home and good wages in every change of times1 and she determined in her own mind that it should not be her fault if ,abbey were not well educated in this respect4 ,her conscience acquitted her of ever having been hard upon ,abbey4 ,she had been exact and particular with her1 but not more so than she was with her own daughter1 and not half so exacting as she was with herself4 ,she had indulged her in all proper ways1 given her a sufficient amount of rest and leisure1 and taken all due care of her health and her moral and mental advancement1 and here was the result6 ,it was no wonder she felt as though she never wished to see ,abbey again4 ,well1 what are you waiting for8 she asked1 with some sharpness1 as ,abbey presented herself in the parlour1 where she was helping ,margaret to select and dry such of the books and pictures as were not utterly destroyed4 ,i want my wages1 said ,abbey1--as calmly as if nothing had happened4 ,you didn't pay me last week1 nor the week before1 and you owe me three dollars4 ',owe' you6 was all ,mrs4 ,powell could say4 ,she looked at ,abbey a moment in silence1 and returned to her work4 ,you had better go1 ,abbey1 said ,margaret4 ,mother will settle with your father about your wages4 ,i wonder if she don't mean to pay me8 thought ,abbey1 as she went out to wait for the car4 ,it will be real mean if she don't4 ,just as if ,i set the house on fire on purpose6 ,well1 ,i must say1 ,abbey's coolness is rather beyond any thing ,i ever saw6 remarked ,margaret4 ,she does not seem to have the least notion that she has been to blame4 ,oh1 no4 ,it was all my fault1 you see1 for telling her to have supper at half-past five1 replied ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,well1 ,i only hope it will be a lesson to her1 and rouse her up a little4 ,it won't1 said ,mrs4 ,powell4 ,her laziness is too far ingrained ever to be driven out of her4 ,she will go on to the end of her days1 shirking and slipping out of work1 depending upon any one and every one to take care of her1 accepting every thing as her right1 and thinking it terribly hard and oppressive if she is obliged to do any thing towards her own living4 ,there is nothing which can make people more meanly and dishonestly selfish1 nothing which can more entirely and hopelessly degrade them1 than that dislike to honest hard work which makes them submit to any inconvenience for themselves or others1 rather than labour with their own hands4 ,i am sorry to say that ,mrs4 ,powell's prophecy about ,abbey has thus far proved true4 ,while ,elvira has gone on earning higher and higher wages1 and more and more respect and confidence from her employers1--while poor ,harry in his arm-chair gains no inconsiderable sum from his wood-carving and other fine work1 and even poor little half-idiot ,totty 7made so by ,abbey's just a minute's neglect7 earns her mite by weeding in the neighbours' gardens1--,abbey is perfectly contented to be a burden upon her hard-working father and mother4 ,she has been in several places since the catastrophe at ,mrs4 ,powell's2 but no lady will keep her any longer than till she can find somebody else4 ,she has tried to learn two or three trades1 but always finds out directly that the sewing-machine makes her head ache1 and standing behind the counter makes her side ache1 and bottoming chairs makes her shoulders ache1--and so on1 to the end of the chapter4 ,she thinks there is no use in her trying to help her mother1 because no one is ever satisfied with any thing she does4 ,when ,mrs4 ,r41 at the fancy-shop 7for whom ,harry does a great deal of work71 will not buy her tatting1 it is not because some of the loops are large and others small1 and all dirty1 but because ,mrs4 ,r4 has been set against her by ,margaret ,powell4 ,when ,elvira remonstrates 7which she seldom does1 knowing its utter uselessness71 ,abbey says ,elvira always had a natural taste for work1 and of course it is easy for her4 ,when ,mr4 ,jenkins frets1 she reminds him that he would not let ,mrs4 ,powell pay her any wages after the fire1 and asks what is the use of working if she is not to be paid for it4 ,she sits by the window or the fire all day1 sometimes pretending to sew1 sometimes reading any trash she can pick up1 sometimes dreaming of somebody who is to fall in love with her and marry her and turn out a rich nobleman in disguise4 ,she is very generous at these times1 and plans how she will take ,harry to the ,springs1 and buy cashmere shawls and silk dresses for her mother1 and heap coals of fire upon the heads of her stepfather and ,margaret ,powell by setting the one up in business and ordering of the other an indefinite amount of embroidery4 ,it does not at all detract from her self-complacency at these times that she lets the fire go out or the dinner spoil3 that is merely a piece of the bad luck which1 by some strange fatality1 always attends her4 ,the probability seems to be that she will go dreaming through life in the same way1 and that when she goes to meet the ,judge who condemned the slothful servant not for what he did1 but for what he left undone1 not one creature in the world will have been the better for her having lived in it4 ,,the ,,end4