very early in the morning—I always do; and when you sit down in the evening, come to me for some sewing— it's bad to be idle—I never am. Now, while Mr. Broadson and I am at breakfast, put the parlour in perfect order; you must be very smart, for as there are only two of us, we soon despatch our breakfast; another thing, child, you should yourself eat quick—I always do. As soon as you have swallowed your breakfast, come to me for further directions."
"Can I warm my hands before I go in that cold room, ma'am?"
"Are you used to having your rooms warmed at home to work in?"
"We have but one, and that always feels warm."
"Your work will warm them—it's a bad habit to keep running to the fire—I never do." Jaboski was then summoned, and made to understand that the cleaning materials were to be delivered over to Lucy. Jaboski promptly obeyed the order, secretly rejoicing that his labours were to be abridged, and little dreaming that Broadson and his wife, a thrifty pair, had resolved upon the economical expedient of employing a young girl in order to let him off in the morning to perform a porter's task at the warehouse of "Broadson & Co." In this mode that safe speculation of the penny saved was achieved, and the show, without the expense of a man-servant, kept up, while the porter had but the house-servant's wages. So far from perceiving this was dishonest, Mrs. Broadson valued herself particularly on her clever expedient. "Why," she would say to her acquaintance, "don't you get German servants—I do—get them before they
