Mary Wells found herself a child compared with her mistress, now that
that lady was driven to put out all her powers.
The conversation lasted about two hours: in that time the whole
campaign was settled.
CHAPTER XXVII.
MARY WELLS by order went down, in a loose morning wrapper her mistress
had given her, and dined in the servants' hall. She was welcomed with a
sort of shout, half ironical; and the chief butler said,
"Glad to see you come back to us, Miss Wells."
"The same to you, sir," said Mary, with more pertness than logic;
"which I'm only come to take leave, for to-morrow I go to London, on
business."
"La! what's the business, I wonder?" inquired a house-maid,
irreverentially.
"Well, my business is not your business, Jane. However, if you want to
know, I'm going to be married."
"And none too soon," whispered the kitchen-maid to a footman.
"Speak up, my dear," said Mary. "There's nothing more vulgarer than
whispering in company."
"I said, 'What will Bill Drake say to that?'"
"Bill Drake will say he was a goose not to make up his mind quicker.
This will learn him beauty won't wait for no man. If he cries when I am
gone, you lend him your apron to wipe his eyes, and tell him women
can't abide shilly-shallying men."
"That's a hexcellent sentiment," said John the footman, "and a solemn
warning it is--"
"To all such as footmen be," said Mary.
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