And at some such point as this I would retire to the clearer
atmosphere of German grammar or mixed fractions.

We suffered a good deal from Susan one way and another; for having
regard to the admirable position of her heart, we all felt it our duty
to overlook mere failings of the flesh--all but my aunt, that is, who
never made any pretence of being a sentimentalist.

"She's a lazy hussy," was the opinion expressed of her one morning by
my aunt, who was rinsing; "a gulping, snorting, lazy hussy, that's
what she is." There was some excuse for my aunt's indignation. It
was then eleven o'clock and Susan was still sleeping off an attack of
what she called "new-ralgy."

"She has seen a good deal of trouble," said my mother, who was wiping.

"And if she was my cook and housemaid," replied my aunt, "she would
see more, the slut!"

"She's not a good servant in many respects," admitted my mother, "but
I think she's good-hearted."

"Oh, drat her heart," was my aunt's retort. "The right place for that
heart of hers is on the doorstep. And that's where I'd put it, and
her and her box alongside it, if I had my way."

The departure of Susan did take place not long afterwards. It
occurred one Saturday night. My mother came upstairs looking pale.