but what I'd read of a 'Horrid Accident in High Life. Mrs. Thaddeus
Perkins's Endeavor to Maintain Discipline in the Household Results
Fatally. Two Old Family Servants Instantly Killed, and Three of the
Kitchen Table Legs Broken by a Domestic Explosion!'"

"Be serious, Thaddeus," said Bessie.

And Thaddeus became instantly serious. "They--they haven't left us,
have they?" he whispered, in an awe-struck tone.

"No. I--I thought I'd let them fight it out between themselves,"
replied Bessie. "You see, Thaddeus, servants are queer, and do not
like to have their differences settled by others than themselves.
It'll work out all right, if we let them alone."

"I don't know but that you are right," said Thaddeus, after a few
moments of thought. "They're both sensible girls, and capable of
fighting their own battles. Let's have dinner. I'm hungry as a
bear."

It was half-past six o'clock, and the usual hour for dinner. At
8.10 dinner was served. The intervening time was consumed by Jane
and Ellen endeavoring to settle their differences by the silent,
sniffy method--that is, Jane would sniff, and Ellen would be silent;
and then Ellen would sniff, and Jane would be silent. As for
Thaddeus and Bessie, they were amused rather than angry to have the
dear little broiled chicken Bessie had provided served on the large
beef-platter; and when the pease came up in a cut-glass salad-dish,
Thaddeus laughed outright, but Bessie's eyes grew moist. It was too
evident that Jane and Ellen were not on speaking terms, and there