Miss Van Gorder,' says she--the falseness of her!--'But she'll
have to do the best she can for twins and appendycitis is acts of
God and not to be put aside for even the best of wages.' 'Is that
so?' says I and with that I left her, for I knew if I listened to
her a minute longer I'd be giving her bonnet a shake and that
wouldn't be respectable. So there you are, Miss Neily, and that's
the gist of the matter."

Miss Cornelia laughed. "Lizzie--you're unique," she said. "But
I'm glad you didn't give her bonnet a shake--though I've no doubt
you could."

"Humph!" said Lizzie snorting, the fire of battle in her eye. "And
is it any Black Irish from Ulster would play impudence to a
Kerrywoman without getting the flat of a hand in--but that's
neither here nor there. The truth of it is, Miss Neily," her voice
grew solemn, "it's my belief they're scared--both of them--by the
haunts and the banshees here--and that's all."

"If they are they're very silly," said Miss Cornelia practically.
"No, they may have heard of a better place, though it would seem
as if when one pays the present extortionate wages and asks as
little as we do here--but it doesn't matter. If they want to go,
they may. Am I ready, Lizzie?"

"You look like an angel, ma'am," said Lizzie, clasping her hands.

"Well, I feel very little like one," said Miss Cornelia, rising.
"As cook and housemaid may discover before I'm through with them.
Send them into the livingroom, Lizzie, when I've gone down. I'll