"I don't know, ma'am. I left it on the boiler, and some one has taken it." She still kept on using McMullins'. "I want my dish-cloth; I'm in hurry," said McMullins, impatiently. "Give her the dish-cloth, and go find your own!" I said. Annie O'Brien's temper was like a lucifer match. At the command she threw the cloth in McMullins's face. Quick as a cat would spring upon a mouse, McMullins was upon her; and the report of the slaps that fell quick, and followed each other fast on the side of O'Brien's face, sounded through the room. It was in vain that I called upon them to stop. O'Brien was enraged. She caught up an iron rod that lay upon the window seat, and struck McMullins a blow upon her forehead that brought blood. I called the other women to the spot, and they were soon parted. I sent McMullins out of the room, took O'Brien, who was white with anger, by the arm, and led her to a seat. "Sit down!" She looked defiance for a moment; then, did as I commanded her. "What kind of behavior is this, Annie O'Brien?" I asked, sternly. "She slapped me in the face--slapped in the face by that low hussy!" The thought added fuel to her rage, and she started up again as though to pursue her. "Be quiet!" She sat down again. I stood silent by her. "She slapped me in the face; by ----, I will not bear it!" She darted past me, and caught up a carving-knife that lay on the table. "She slapped me in the face; and, by ----, I will have her heart's blood!" My heart sickened at the disgusting scene; but my duty was before me. "Stop her, and take the knife away!" I shouted to the women at the other end of the room. In a moment the knife was taken from her, and both of her hands were confined by four of the women. "Annie O'Brien, come here!" I called. She looked at me, but did not stir. I called again, "Annie O'Brien, come here!" She said to the women that held her, "Let me go! I will go to her," and she started towards me. I laid my hand on her pale, cold cheek. "O'Brien, are you not ashamed to get so angry with that poor, foolish, half-crazed McMullins?" "Wouldn't it make your blood boil to have any one slap you in the face?" "Undoubtedly it would rouse my temper for the moment. It is a very mean and wrong thing to strike; but you have behaved no better." "I was a fool; but I could not help it." "Yes, you could. Will you behave yourself now?" "I will do nothing more," and she heaved a deep sigh. "If you have really come to your senses, go about your work!" She returned to her work; but in a moment she called to me,-- "You must report me!" "Yes, in my own time." "You must report me now; I must be punished. They will blame you if you put it off." "Would you care if they blamed me, Annie?" "Yes, ma'am, I should. It is bad enough for me to behave so without making you any more trouble." "I wish to see you entirely over your frenzy, perfectly quiet, before I call the Deputy."