as milker.

"That was the best of it," said Aurelia. "Soon came Miss Herries in
a straw hat, and the prettiest green petticoat under a white gown and
apron, as a dairy-maid, but the cow would not stand still, for all the
man who led her kept scolding her and saying 'Coop! coop!' No sooner
had Miss Herries seated herself on the stool than Moolly swerved away,
and it was a mercy that the fine china bowl escaped. Every one was
laughing, and poor Miss Herries was ready to cry, when forth steps my
sister, coaxes the cow, bids the man lend his apron, sits down on the
stool, and has the bowl frothing in a moment."

"I would not have done so for worlds," said Harriet; "I dreaded every
moment to be asked where Miss Delavie learnt to be a milk-maid."

"You were welcome to reply, in her own yard," said Betty. "You may
thank me for your syllabub."

"Which, after all, you forbade poor Aura to taste!"

"Assuredly. I was not going to have her turn sick on my hands. She
may think herself beholden to me for her dance with that fine young
beau. Who was he, Aura?"

"How now!" said the Major, in a tone of banter, while Harriet indulged
in a suppressed giggle. "You let Aura dance with a stranger! Where
was your circumspection, Mrs. Betty?" Aurelia coloured to the roots
of her hair and faltered, "It was Lady Herries who presented him."

"Yes, the child is not to blame," said Betty; "I left her in charge