'And if you please, sir, I should like to go this very day--indeed, sir, I shall not stay.' 'Go to the devil! if you please,' replied Mr. Witherington angrily; 'but first go out and shut the door after you.' The cook retired, and Mr. Witherington was again alone. 'Confound the old woman--what a huff she is in! won't cook for black people, I suppose--yes, that's it.' Here Mr. Witherington was again interrupted by a second double tap at the door. 'Oh! thought better of it, I suppose. Come in.' It was not the cook, but Mary, the housemaid, that entered. 'If you please, sir,' said she, whimpering, 'I should wish to leave my situation.' 'A conspiracy, by heavens! Well, you may go.' 'To-night, sir, if you please,' answered the woman. 'This moment, for all I care!' exclaimed Mr. Witherington in his wrath. The housemaid retired; and Mr. Witherington took some time to compose himself. 'Servants all going to the devil in this country,' said he at last; 'proud fools--won't clean rooms after black people, I suppose--yes, that's it, confound them all, black and white! here's my whole establishment upset by the arrival of a baby. Well, it is very uncomfortable--what shall I do?--send for sister Moggy?--no, I'll send for Jonathan.' Mr. Witherington rang the bell, and Jonathan made his appearance. 'What is all this, Jonathan?' said he; 'cook angry--Mary crying--both going away--what's it all about?' 'Why, sir, they were told by William that it was your positive order that the two black people were to sleep with them; and I believe he told Mary that the man was to sleep with her.' 'Confound that fellow! he's always at mischief; you know, Jonathan, I never meant that.' 'I thought not, sir, as it is quite contrary to custom,' replied Jonathan. 'Well then, tell them so, and let's hear no more about it.'