somebody to wash up, I'll cook. And just look here: it would be
very nice if we could have some music after dinner. You've got a
piano, haven't you? That's right. Well, now, don't you ask that
pretty Miss A---, who has just come out from England, to come and
stop with you, and then we could have some music?"

"Where did you learn to cook?" I inquired, suspiciously; for F---
had also assured me _he_ could cook, and this had upset my
confidence.

"On the west coast; to be sure! Ask Vere, and Williams and Taylor,
and everybody, if they _ever_ tasted such pies as I used to make
them." My countenance must have still looked rather doubtful,
because I well remember sundry verbal testimonials of capability
being produced; and as I was still very ignorant of the rudiments of
the science of cookery, I shrank from assuming the whole
responsibility of the family meals. So the household was arranged
in this way:--Captain George, head cook; Mr. U---, scullery-maid;
Miss A---, housemaid; myself, lady-superintendent; Mr. Forsyth (a
young naval officer), butler. On the principle of giving honour to
whom honour is due, this gallant lieutenant deserves special mention
for the way he cleaned glass. He did not pay much attention to his
silver, but his glass would have passed muster at a club. The only
drawback was the immense time he took over each glass, and the way
he followed either Miss A--- or me all about the house, holding a
tumbler in one hand, and a long, clean glass-cloth in the other,
calling upon us to admire the polish of the crystal. To clean two
tumblers would be a good day's work for him. From Monday to
Saturday (when the dray returned), this state of things went on. Of
course I had taken the precaution of having a good supply of bread