"Cook, if you don't go back to your kitchen instantly, I'll give you
notice. It is shameful--think what a scandal you are making in the
stable-yard. Go back to your kitchen--I order you. It is half-past
six, go and attend to your master's dinner."

"He has insulted me, he has insulted me. I'll have your blood!" she
cried, battering at the door. The rattling of chains was heard as the
horses turned their heads.

"Put those boots under your apron, cook; go back to your kitchen, do
as I tell you."

The woman retreated, Maggie following. At intervals there were
stoppages, and cook re-stated her desire to have the coachman's blood.
Maggie did not attempt to argue with her, but sternly repeated her
order to go back to her kitchen, and to conceal the old boots under
her apron.

"What business had he to rummage in my box, interfering with my
things; he put them all along the kitchen table; he did it because I
told you, miss, that he was carrying on with the kitchenmaid. He goes
with her every evening into the wood shed, and a married man, too! I
wouldn't be his poor wife."

"Go back to your kitchen, cook; do as I tell you."

With muttered threats cook entered the house, and commanded the
kitchenmaid to interfere no more with the oven, but to attend to her
saucepans.