Salisbury would say to herself, when Lizzie had gone, and very
thoughtfully she would write out a check payable to "cash." "I used
to use up little odds and ends so deliciously, years ago!" she
sometimes reflected disconsolately. "And Kane always says we never
live as well now as we did then! He always praised my dinners."

Nowadays Mr. Salisbury was not so well satisfied. Lizzie rang the
changes upon roasted and fried meats, boiled and creamed vegetables,
baked puddings and canned fruits contentedly enough. She made cup
cake and sponge cake, sponge cake and cup cake all the year round.
Nothing was ever changed, no unexpected flavor ever surprised the
palates of the Salisbury family. May brought strawberry shortcake,
December cottage puddings, cold beef always made a stew; creamed
codfish was never served without baked potatoes. The Salisbury table
was a duplicate of some millions of other tables, scattered the
length and breadth of the land.

"And still the bills go up!" fretted Mrs. Salisbury.

"Well, why don't you fire her, Sally?" her husband asked, as he had
asked of almost every maid they had ever had--of lazy Annies, and
untidy Selmas, and ignorant Katies. And, as always, Mrs. Salisbury
answered patiently:

"Oh, Kane, what's the use? It simply means my going to Miss Crosby's
again, and facing that awful row of them, and beginning that I have
three grown children, and no other help--"

"Mother, have you ever had a perfect maid?" Sandy had asked
earnestly years before. Her mother spent a moment in reflection,