"I am not forced to do anything you tell me, ma'am, and I don't know as I ever will again." "You are a lazy, impudent baggage." "Now then, that will do, ma'am. You are the last that ought to speak of my laziness, for I've been working for you three months, and never got a sixpence, or a penny piece, for all I did. Thanks, I never expected; for it's only black words you keep by you; and as for black looks, if you could sell them by the yard, you might start an undertaking business." "Do you know who you are talking to?" "Yes, but I don't know as ever I talked with a worse woman." "I will make you suffer for your impertinence." "That's likely, for you hurt people out of pure wickedness." "Your month is up to-day at five o'clock. You will help McNab until two. Then you will pack your trunk, and come to me for your wage. There is a train for Kendal at four o'clock. You will take it. You will leave this house at half-past three." "It caps all to listen to you. But the outside of this house is the _right_ side for anybody who expects decent treatment. I am going with my mistress at half-past eleven, and I shall come back here with her, when she returns. And thanks be, ma'am, I am not going to Kendal. I am going to be married, and teach one Glasgow man how to treat a wife." "You will come to me at three o'clock for your month's wage." "You did not hire me, ma'am, and I don't take my pay from you. My mistress is now waiting for me," and with these words she turned to leave the room. "Ducie! Ducie! Come here instantly!" But Ducie had closed the door, and did not hear, at least she did not answer. Then Mrs. Campbell followed her, and in something of a passion assailed Theodora. "That impudent wench of yours has been behaving most rudely to me, Dora. I want her until two o'clock, can you not make her obey me?" "I am going out to dinner, and need her very much. She has to take charge of David." "Leave the boy at home." "I cannot." "Where are you going?" "To Mrs. Oliphant's. They are dining early to-day, and I shall be home before dark." "That will be too late. I must have her now." "I cannot make her work for you, if she does not wish." Then turning to Ducie she asked, "if she would not obey Mrs. Campbell's desire?" "No, ma'am," was the straight answer. "I would not lift a finger for Mrs. Campbell." "You hear what she says." "She has talked in the most shameful way to me. I think Jepson must have left the whiskey bottle around." "Oh, no! Ducie hates whiskey. She would not touch it." "Pay her what you owe her, and send her off." "I have no money to pay anything." "I will lend you the money." "I do not wish to discharge her. She satisfies me thoroughly. I see no reason to send her away." "You have the best of all reasons--my order to do so." "I will ask Robert to-night." "You will ask Robert, will you? So shall I."