Diana informed herself of the places of things, and set herself and Miss Collins vigorously to work. The handmaid looked on somewhat ungraciously at the quiet, competent energy of her superior, the smile on her broad mouth gradually fading. "Reckon you don't know me," she remarked presently. "Yes, I do," said Diana; "you are Jemima Collins, that used to live at the post office. How came you here?" "Wall, there's nothin' but changes in the world, I expect; that's _my_ life. Mis' Reems, to the post office, had her mother come home to live with her; owin' to her father gettin' his arm took off in some 'chinery, which was the death o' him; so the mother come home to her daughter, and then they made it out as they two was equal to all there was to do; and I don't say they warn't; but that was reason enough why they didn't want me no longer. And then I stayed with Miss Gunn a spell, helpin' her get her house cleaned; and then the minister made out as he wanted a real 'sponsible person for to take care o' _his_ house, and Miss Gunn she told him what she knowed about me; and so I moved in. La, it's a change from the post office! It was sort o' lively there; allays comin' and goin', and lots o' news." Diana made no answer. The very mention of the post office gave her a sort of pang; about that spot her hopes had hovered for so long, and with such bitter disillusionising. She sent Miss Collins to set the table in the other room, and presently, having finished her cookery, followed with it herself. CHAPTER XXIII. SUPPER AT HOME. The windows were open still, and the dusky air without was full of cool freshness. In the wide fireplace the minister had kindled a fire; and in a little blue teapot he was just making the tea; the kettle stood on the hearth. It was as pretty and cheerful a home view as any bride need wish to see for the first evening in her new house. Diana knew it, and took the effect, which possibly was only heightened by the consciousness that she wished herself five hundred miles away. What the picture was to her husband she had no idea, nor that the crowning feature of it was her own beautiful, sweet presence. Miss Collins brought in the prepared dishes, and left the two alone. "I see I have fallen into new hands," the minister remarked presently. "Mrs. Persimmon never cooked these eggs." "You must have been tired of living in that way, I should think." "No,--I never get tired of anything." "Not of bad things?" "No. I get rid of them." "But how can you?" "Different ways." "Can you do everything you want to, Basil?" his wife asked, with an incredulous sort of admiration. "I'll do everything you want me to do." "You have already,--and more," she said with a sigh. "How will your helpmeet in the other room answer the purpose?" "I have never been used to have anybody, you know, Basil; and I do not need any one. I can do all easily myself." "I know you can. I do not wish you should." "Then what will you give me to do?"