Mrs. Meyrick had played the fine lady at first starting, and for six
months would not put her hand to anything. But those twin cajolers of
the female heart, Dignity and Laziness, made her so utterly wretched,
that she returned to her old habits of work, only she combined with it
the sweets of domination.
Sally came in and said, "It's an old gypsy, which he have brought you
this."
Mrs. Meyrick instantly wiped the soapsuds from her brown but shapely
arms, and, whipping a wet hand under her apron, took the note just as
Sally had. It contained these words only:
"NURSE--The old Romance will tell you all about me.
"REGINALD."
She had no sooner read it than she took her sleeves down, and whipped
her shawl off a peg and put it on, and took off her apron--and all for
an old gypsy. No stranger must take her for anything but a lady.
Thus embellished in a turn of the hand, she went hastily to the door.
She and the gypsy both started at sight of each other, and Mrs. Meyrick
screamed.
"Why, what brings you here, old man?" said she, panting. The gypsy
answered with oily sweetness, "The little gentleman sent me, my dear.
Why, you look like a queen."
"Hush!" said Mrs. Meyrick.--"Come in here."
She made the old gypsy sit down, and she sat close to him.
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