dinner. I shall order a tin of Australian meat, and just have it at
every meal till it is finished, and then get another."

"I am afraid the servants will soon give you notice if you do, Ella,"
said Mrs. Hastings, laughing at her daughter's ideas of housekeeping.
"You will soon get accustomed to the size of joints and puddings, if you
get into the habit of noticing them, remembering how long they last. But
there are two other pieces of advice which I want you to remember and to
act upon. If your father decides that it is necessary for you to stay
and act as mistress, he will tell the servants so; but you must assert
yourself as mistress at once, and take everything into your own hands.
You will find it rather difficult at first, but it will save you a great
deal of trouble in the end. I have seen endless discomfort caused by
young and timid housekeepers not liking to take the reins into their own
hands. But, at the same time, be very careful never to interfere or
complain, unless you are quite sure that it is necessary, and that you
are in the right. If you are in any doubt you can always consult Mrs.
Mobberly; and you must make allowances for the fact that the servants
have always been allowed to do pretty much what they liked, and will
naturally expect to continue doing so; therefore do not complain unless
you have unmistakable grounds for it, and never, under any
circumstances, speak hastily or angrily. If you are put out, wait till
your vexation has cooled down a little; and then, if you are quite sure
you are in the right, speak quietly and kindly, but so decidedly that
there may be no mistake about your intention of being obeyed."

"Oh, dear!" groaned Ella, who was almost reduced to tears at the
prospect of such serious responsibility. "I am sure I shall come home
ignominiously in a week. I know just how it will be. Just think of Aunt
Mary's scorn when she finds I don't even know how to boil a potato!"