I won’t give you the keys
She was finally left almost to utter idleness, for Jane and Mrs. Wiggins gradually took from the incompetent hands even the light tasks which she had attempted.?She made no protest, regarding all as another proof that Holcroft was beginning to recognize her superiority and unfitness for menial tasks.?She would maintain, however, her character as the caretaker and ostentatiously inspected everything; she also tried to make as much noise in fastening up the dwelling at night as if she were barricading a castle.?Holcroft would listen grimly, well aware that no house had been entered in Oakville during his memory.?He had taken an early occasion to say at the table that he wished no one to enter his room except Jane, and that he would not permit any infringement of this rule.?Mrs. Mumpson’s feelings had been hurt at first by this order, but she soon satisfied herself that it had been meant for Mrs. Wiggins’ benefit and not her own.?She found, however, that Jane interpreted it literally. “If either of you set foot in that room, I’ll tell him,” she said flatly. “I’ve had my orders and I’m a-goin’ to obey.?There’s to be no more rummagin’.?If you’ll give me the keys I’ll put things back in order ag’in.”
“Well, I won’t give you the keys.?I’m the proper person to put things in order if you did not replace them properly.?You are just making an excuse to rummage yourself.?My motive for inspecting is very different from yours.”
“Shouldn’t wonder if you was sorry some day,” the girl had remarked, and so the matter had dropped and been forgotten.
Holcroft solaced himself with the fact that Jane and Mrs. Wiggins served his meals regularly and looked after the dairy with better care than it had received since his wife died. “If I had only those two in the house, I could get along first-rate,” he thought. “After the three months are up, I’ll try to make such an arrangement.?I’d pay the mother and send her off now, but if I did, Lemuel Weeks would put her up to a lawsuit.”
Processing your request, Please wait....
