which was quite inconsistent with the intelligence and capacity
occasionally displayed in her remarks; and had they in the first three
days been able to hear of another servant, Mrs. Rexford would have
abruptly cancelled her agreement with Eliza. At the end of that time,
however, when there came a day on which Mrs. Rexford and Sophia were
both too exhausted by unpacking and housework to take their ordinary
share of responsibility, Eliza suddenly seemed to awake and shake
herself into thought and action. She cleared the house of the litter of
packing-cases, set their contents in order, and showed her knowledge of
the mysteries of the kitchen in a manner which fed the family and sent
them to bed more comfortably than since their arrival. From that day
Eliza became more cheerful; and she not only did her own work, but often
aided others in theirs, and set the household right in all its various
efforts towards becoming a model Canadian home. If the ladies had not
had quite so much to learn, or if the three little children had not been
quite so helpless, Eliza's work would have appeared more effective. As
it was, the days passed on, and no tragedy occurred.

It was a great relief to Captain and Mrs. Rexford in those days to turn
to Principal Trenholme for society and advice. He was their nearest
neighbour, and had easy opportunity for being as friendly and kind as he
evidently desired to be. Captain Rexford pronounced him a fine fellow
and a perfect gentleman. Captain Rexford had great natural courtesy of
disposition.

"I suppose, Principal Trenholme," said he blandly, as he entertained his
visitor one day in the one family sitting-room, "I suppose that you are
related to the Trenholmes of----?"

Trenholme was playing with one of the little ones who stood between his