“Don’t, dear Simmons,” said Katherine. “Poor Stella has been nearly seven long years away, and she has been among black people, where--where people are not particular what they say; don’t plunge her into trouble with her house the moment she gets back.” “She ought to have thought of that,” cried Simmons, “afore she called a white woman and a good Christian, I hope, a savage--a savage! I am not one of them black people; and I doubt if the black people themselves would put up with it. Miss Katherine, I won’t ask you for a character.” “Oh, Simmons, don’t speak of that.” “No,” said Simmons, dabbing her eyes, then turning to Katherine with an insinuating smile, “because--because I’ll not want one if what I expect comes to pass. Miss Katherine, you haven’t got no objections to me.” “You know I have not, Simmons! You know I have always looked to you to stand by me and back me up.” “Your poor old Simmons, Miss Katherine, as made cakes for you, and them apples as you were so fond of when you were small! And as was always ready, no matter for what, if it was a lunch or if it was a supper, or a picnic, or whatever you wanted, and never a grumble; if it was ever so unreasonable, Miss Katherine, dear! If this house is Miss Stella’s house, take me with you! I shouldn’t mind a smaller ’ouse. Fifteen is a many to manage, and so long as I’ve my kitchenmaid I don’t hold with no crowds in the kitchen. Take me with you, Miss Katherine--you might be modest about it--seeing as you are not a married lady and no gentleman, and a different style of establishment. But you will want a cook and a housekeeper wherever you go--take me with you, Miss Katherine, dear.” “Dear Simmons,” said Katherine, “I have not money enough for that. I shall not be rich now. I shall have to go into lodgings with Hannah--if I can keep Hannah.” “You are joking,” said Simmons, withdrawing with wonder her handkerchief from her eyes. “You, Mr. Tredgold’s daughter, you the eldest! Oh, Miss Katherine, say it plain if you won’t have me, but don’t tell me that.” “But indeed it is true,” cried Katherine. “Simmons, you know what things cost better than I do, and Mrs. Shanks says and Miss Mildmay----” “Oh, Mrs. Shanks and Miss Mildmay! Them as you used to call the old cats! Don’t you mind, Miss Katherine, what they say.” “Simmons, tell me,” asked Katherine, “what can I do, how many servants can I keep, with five hundred a year?” Simmons’ countenance fell, her mouth opened in her consternation, her jaw dropped. She knew very well the value of money. She gasped as she repeated; “Five hundred a year!” CHAPTER XLI.