“Why, you yourself gave warning; and you have never said a word since of being sorry for it, and wishing to stay.” “You’ve never given me time!” “To settle the matter at once—_do_ you wish to say so now?” “Why, dear me, how can one settle a question like that in a minute?” “Send the person in.” “Then you _do_ want me to go?” “Phillis, have _you_ ever said you wanted to stay?” “Why, you knows as well as I do, that I can’t abear change.” “There are other things, though, you must bear, Phillis, if you can’t bear that. Let a family be large or little, it can never be a happy one where the great law of obedience is broken, and where the mistress is obliged to follow the lead of the servant. I do not mean to follow that course; and, therefore, if you wish to remain here, you must obey _me_.” “Why, don’t I?” “Certainly you don’t.” “Then you want to see this gal?” “Of course, it is the least I can do, since Mrs. Prout, no doubt, has been kind enough to send her down.” Phillis put the corner of her apron to her eye. “Then ’tis you wants to change, not I,” said she, in a stifled voice; “for I’m very well content to rub on as I am.” I took no notice. The next minute, she showed a tall young person into the room, who stood close to the door. “You may go, Phillis.” Phillis shut the door, and went. “Good evening; will you come a little nearer?” said I. The stranger obeyed, and I suddenly became frightened; for the stride and awkward gait convinced me it was a man in woman’s clothes. Thoughts of robbery and murder rushed through my head as the figure advanced towards me; but just then, the fire, which had been burning dimly, sent up a bright tongue of flame, which lighted up the room, and shone on a face that I thought was not altogether unknown to me. “Where do you come from?” said I. “Little Coram Street, London, ma’am,” in a voice of studied softness. “Hum! then I fear a country place won’t suit you.” “O yes, it will, ma’am! I likes the country best.” “I am afraid you are not used to hard work. Did you ever scour a room?” “I can work harder than people think, ma’am.” “Well, but, _did_ you ever?” “O ma’am, there’s _nothing_ I mind setting my hand to.” “Or clean a saucepan?” “Surely, ma’am, every servant can do that!” “Who will recommend you?” “Mrs. Prout knows me very well, ma’am.” “And so does Mrs. Cheerlove!” said I, laughing. “Oh, Harry! you impostor! I found you out directly!” “Did you though?” said he, bursting into a fit of laughter, and throwing his disguises right and left, till he stood before me in his original dress. “Phillis didn’t; and a good fright I’ve given her. Served her right, too! Listeners never hear any good of themselves, Mrs. Phillis,” added he, as she put her head a little way into the room. “Why, I thought I heard a man’s voice, and it gave me quite a turn,” said she, advancing in a hesitating way towards us; “and so I did,—for, whoever would have thought of its being _you_, Master Prout!”