This was the date fixed for our departure and its selection indicated a certain attempt at reasoning on Charlotte's part.
"Sit down a moment, Charlotte," I said composedly, "let's talk it over."
As she hesitatingly emerged farther into the room, I saw that her eyes were rimmed with red. She carried her head high, however, and her whole aspect betrayed consciousness of injured virtue.
"Why do you wish to leave us, Charlotte?"
"I don't care to stay where I don't give satisfaction," she replied a little over hastily.
"But you do give satisfaction, or have until recently."
"You said as I was slow. I've done me best. I can't do no more, an' I don't care to stay where I don't suit."
"Nonsense," I said quite sharply—for me. "You know well enough that I have been satisfied with you; that you have given us comfort in many ways since you've been with us. You have been willing and thorough and cheerful in your work, and I haven't failed to show how much I appreciated these good qualities, in various ways. But lately it has been different. You have not done your work
