"No, dear. But we'll have a more cosy time, I think, if you get off your travel things and have a refreshing bath." "Oh, well, I'll take off this rig,--I want to be choice of it, anyway. You have dinner at night?" "Yes, we always do." "Well, don't make any change for me, as I said. I ain't accustomed to it, but I can stand it, I guess. Nothing fazes _me_!" Azalea took off her dress and looked at the skirt with concern. "Some dusty," she remarked, "but it'll brush off." "Oh, yes; lay it on that chair. Janet will look after it." "Brush it, you mean?" "Yes; clean it and press it properly." "My land! does your servant do that?" "Certainly. And leave your street shoes out for her to attend to." "Oh,--I see! She's a regular outfit! Well, I never had a maid,--but I guess I can stand one." Janet re-entered the room at this moment, and with an attempted air of grandeur, Azalea flung herself into a low chair, and stuck out her foot to have her shoe removed. Patty gasped. The girl changed so quickly from independence to apparent helplessness, and yet her manner was so crude and overbearing, that it was doubtful how the maid would take it. However, Janet was not only a well-trained servant, but she adored her mistress and not for worlds would she have failed in her duty. Quietly and respectfully she knelt before Azalea and took off her shoes and waited on her as she would have waited on any of Patty's more cultured friends. "Yes, put on a kimono, Azalea," Patty said, this time in a decided tone, and Azalea obeyed. Then the tea tray was brought and the two sat together for a time. Patty was up against a crisis. She had been thinking deeply ever since Azalea's arrival, and she was still perplexed. Should she try _now_ to reform the girl,--improve her manners, or at least her general attitude,--or, should she leave her to her own ways for a time, and trust to her observation of other people to show her her own faults? It was almost impossible not to correct some of Azalea's ignorant mistakes, but still more difficult to ignore her over readiness to adapt herself to what she thought was the proper behaviour toward servants. On the latter point Patty permitted herself a word when they were alone. "Be a little careful with Janet," she said, pleasantly. "She's a bit peculiar as to disposition. A splendid maid, and a most capable girl,--but she doesn't like to be ordered about too definitely. You see, she knows her duties so well, and is so efficient, that it's really unnecessary to give her directions." "Oh, pooh, she's only a servant. You oughtn't to stand for her airs. Why, our girl at home,--she was a Tartar! But I tamed her. I've a way with them--" "Please, Azalea," and Patty smiled ingratiatingly, "remember, won't you, that this is my house and these are my servants. I have my own ways of treating them, and I'm going to ask you to work with me,--not against me."