Lizzie nodded her head. "Yes'm. They're leaving. Both of 'em.
Today."

"But good heav-- Lizzie, why on earth didn't you tell me before?"

Lizzie spoke soothingly, all the blarney of Kerry in her voice.
"Now, Miss Neily, as if I'd wake you first thing in the morning
with bad news like that! And thinks I, well, maybe 'tis all for
the best after all--for when Miss Neily hears they're leavin'--
and her so particular--maybe she'll go back to the city for just
a little and leave this house to its haunts and its bats and--"

"Go back to the city? I shall do nothing of the sort. I rented
this house to live in and live in it I will, with servants or
without them. You should have told me at once, Lizzie. I'm really
very much annoyed with you because you didn't. I shall get up
immediately--I want to give those two a piece of my mind. Is
Billy leaving too?"

"Not that I know of--the heathern Japanese!" said Lizzie
sorrowfully. "And yet he'd be better riddance than cook or
housemaid."

"Now, Lizzie, how many times have I told you that you must conquer
your prejudices? Billy is an excellent butler--he'd been with
Mr. Fleming ten years and has the very highest recommendations. I
am very glad that he is staying, if he is. With you to help him,
we shall do very well until I can get other servants." Miss
Cornelia had risen now and Lizzie was helping her with the