"What a violent woman," thought Maggie, "horrid woman. I am sure she's
Irish. I'll get rid of her as soon as I can. The place is filthy, but
I daren't speak to her now. She's stirring the saucepan with her
finger."

At that moment quick steps were heard coming down the corridor, and
Sally entered.

"Cook, cook, I want you to put back the dinner half an hour. I have to
go down the town."

"O Sally, I beg of you, what will father say?"

"Father isn't everybody. I daresay the train will be a little late; it
often is. He won't know anything about it, that is if you don't tell
him."

"What do you want to go down the town for?"

"Never you mind. I don't ask you what you do."

"You want to go down the slonk," whispered Maggie.

The cook stopped stirring the saucepan, and the kitchenmaid stood
listening greedily.

"Nothing of the kind," Sally answered defiantly. "You're always trying
to get up something against me. Cook, will you keep back the dinner
twenty minutes?"