hairs thickened on his head; how careworn and bowed down he grew, I pitied him, for I knew that his heart was breaking.  Willie I truly, unselfishly loved; and I am charitable enough to think that even you loved him, but it was through your neglect that he died, and for his death you will answer.  Carrie was gentle and trusting, but weak, like her father.  I do not think you killed her, for she was dying when we came here, but you put the crowning act of wickedness to your life when you compelled a man, shattered in body and intellect, to write a will which disinherited his only son; but on that point you are baffled.  To be sure, you’ve got the homestead, and for decency’s sake I think I’d wait a while longer ere I commenced tearing down and building up.”

Lenora’s words had no effect whatever upon her mother, who still kept on with her plans, treating with silent contempt the remarks of the neighbors, or wishing, perhaps, that they would attend to their own business, just as she was attending to hers!  Day after day the work went on.  Scaffoldings were raised—­paper and plastering torn off—­boards were seasoning in the sun—­shingles lying upon the ground—­ladders raised against the wall; and all this while the two new graves showed not a blade of grass, and the earth looked black and fresh as it did when first it was placed there.

When at last the blinds were hung, the house cleaned, and the carpets nailed down, Mrs. Hamilton, who had designed it all the time, called together the servants, whom she had disliked on account of their preference for Margaret, and told them to look for new places, as their services were no longer needed there.

“You can make out your bills,” said she, at the same time intimating they hadn’t one of them more than earned their board, if they had that!  Polly Pepper wasn’t of material to stand by and hear such language from one whom she considered beneath her.

“Hadn’t she as good a right there as anybody?  Yes, indeed, she had!  Wasn’t she there a full thirty year before any of your low-lived trash came round a nussin’?”

“Polly,” interposed Mrs. Hamilton, “leave the room instantly, you ungrateful thing!”

“Ungrateful for what?” said Polly.  “Haven’t I worked and slaved like an old nigger, as I am? and now you call me ungrateful, and say I hain’t arnt my bread.  I’ll sue you for slander;” and the enraged Polly left the room, muttering, “half arnt my board, indeed!  I’ll bet I’ve made a hundred thousan’ pies, to say nothin’ of the puddings, I not arn my board!”

When again safe in what for so many years had been her own peculiar province, she sat down to meditate.  “I’d as good go without any fuss,” thought she, “but my curse on the madam who sends me away!”

In the midst of her reverie, Lenora entered the kitchen, and to her the old lady detailed her grievances, ending with, “Pears like she don’t know nothin’ at all about etiquette, nor nothin’ else.”