"Everything must go on as usual," was Elizabeth's answer. "How can you stand there and talk so calmly to them!" cried Elsie. "It's enough to drive one frantic." "It is too late now to be anything but quiet--entirely too late." Elsie began some shuddering complaints, but Elizabeth did not wait to hear them; she had resumed her promenade, walking with the same restless, eager haste, her eyes seeming to look afar off and unable to fix themselves upon any object in the rooms. "There is another knock," cried Elsie. "Oh, they'll drive me frantic!" "Come in," Elizabeth said, sharply. It was Victoria with the luncheon tray, and it seemed as if she never would have done arranging it to her satisfaction. "I brung yer some apricot jelly, Miss Elsie," she said; "I knowed you had one of yer headaches." But Elsie only moaned and turned upon her cushions. "Dar's only cold chicken and dat patter," said Vic; "I took de ducks in fur marster." "There is quite enough," said Elizabeth; "you needn't wait." "Yes, miss," returned Vic. "I hain't had no time yet to sweep de room Miss Harrington had--Clo, she's ugly as Cain, ter day." "It makes no difference," said Elizabeth, while Elsie threw down her book in feverish impatience. "Yes, miss, but tain't pleasant," returned Vic, with her most elegant curtsey. "I likes to do my work reg'lar and in time, missus knows dat; but when Clo gets into one o' her tantrums she sets ebryting topsy-turvey, 'specially when dat yaller nig', Dolf, come down feering wid de work." "Then keep out of the kitchen," cried Elsie; "don't quarrel." "Laws, Miss Elsie," said Victoria, with all the injured resignation of suffering innocence; "I neber quarr'ls wid nobody, but I defy an angel to git along wid Clo! She's jest de most aggravatin' piece dat eber wore shoe leather! She's so mad 'cause she's gettin' ole dat she hates a young girl wuss nor pison, she does." Vic was now fairly started on the subject of her wrongs, and hurried on before Elsie could stop her, with all the energy of a belated steam engine. Elizabeth had walked into the other room, and Victoria took that opportunity to pour out her sorrows with the utmost freedom to Elsie. "Miss Elsie, sometimes I tinks I can't stand it. I wouldn't nohow, if twarn't fur my affection fur you--you and miss," Victoria hastened to add diplomatically, fearful that her mistress might be within hearing and that the omission would be turned to her disadvantage. "Clo, she gits agravatiner ebery day, and sence Dolf come back she's wurs'n a bear wid a sore head." "Oh, you make mine ache," cried Elsie. "Laws, miss, I wouldn't for the worl'." "Then go along, and let me sleep, if I can." "Sartin, miss; but let me do somethin' for yer head," said Victoria, out of the goodness of her heart. "No, no; I only want to be let alone." "If yer'd only let me bathe it wid cologny," persisted Vic. "I don't want it bathed," fretted Elsie.