The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-08-16 00:00:00

goings on, tor i won't, and that's flat, as I'll soon
let him know."

And she helped him to his cup of tea with an air
of wounded dignity and virtuous disapproval that
would have made Dr. Sampson particularly uncom-
fortable but for the consolatory fact that, owing to
the preoccupation of his mind, he was blissfully
unconscious of there being anything out of the
common in the -worthy lady's demeanour.
By-and-bye, however, the storm burst on his
head.

"I am going over to Chiswick again this evening,
Mrs. Waters," he said, in reply to her freezing en-
quiry as to what hour he would wish his dinner to
be prepared for him. "So that it is very likely I
shall be late. Indeed, if lam not home by ten
o'clock at the latest, don't wait up for me, as I shall
get Mr. Sartoris to give me a bed."
Mrs. Waters drew herself up with the air of a
duchess, and answered in tones of solemnity in-
tended to express her outraged sense of propriety.
"Oh ! very well, sir! Certainly. I wouldn't
presume to dictate to a gentleman, and he is his own
master, of course, and old enough—quite old enough
to do as he pleases. But p'raps, sir, it would be
more pleasing to all parties if you'd find fault openly,
and not go to insinuate as you ain't properly served
in your own house."
" Why ! What ails the woman? What d'ye
mean P stuttered the doctor, getting very red in the
face.
"Oh! it's quite plain enough to me, ['sir,' con-
tinued Mrs. Waters. " Thoutl how it can be ex-
pected as meals are to be served and things cooked at
a time when there's no telling when anybody will
be in for to partake of 'em, it's unreaaonable to
suppose, and—"
"Stuff and nonsense! Is that all P" hurriedly
interrupted the doctor. "My good soul, pray don't
let any consideration of that sort trouble you. When
I've occasion to find fault I'll let you know. lam
not so unjust as to blame you for what I myself
have brought about. Don't fret over the spoiling
of a dinner ar two, there's a good soul; theremay be
a worse trouble than that in store for you," he added,
with a nervous attempt at jocularity in his manner.
"I am thinking of bringing home here a—"
Mrs. Waters interrupted him with a horrified
scream, and, hands uplifted, sank into the nearest
chair, wild visions of a possible mistress dancing
before her eyes.
"I knew it; I was sure of it!" she exclaimed
dolefully; "though I'd never have believed it—no,
never, not if I hadn't heard it from your own lips
And to think, after serving you faithful . for so many
low-, years that I should be served in such a manner,
and without a
_word of warning, too, to break it
to me ! "

" W arning ! How could I warn you of a thing I
wasn't aware of myself F" answered the enraged
doctor. "And why on earth do you take it so
seriously. Surely, one more in the house—a boy,
too—won't give you much extra trouble
" A—a boy! Oh 1"
Mrs. Waters' "oh" spoke volumes, but the doctor
was too much used to her manner to allow himself
to le vexed more than momentarily by it.
" Yes, a boy," he replied good-humouredly. "A
very quiet, well-behaved boy, too—that is, judging
from appearances," he hastened to add, remembering
how little opportunity he had had for judging. "I
suppose you have no objection ?"
"Me ! Oh, dear no, sir! Why should I object I:"
said Mrs. Waters, in tones of the most profound
resignation to the burden thus sought to be Imposed
upon her. "I hope I know my duty too well for
that, and whenever you choose to bring your little
boy home I—"
"My little boy! roared Dr. Sampson. "What
the--Look you here, Mrs. Waters, understand me
once for all. I don't pretend not to understand your
insinuation, but you're quite out; and if you wish
to remain in my service you will never give utterance
to such a thought again. Think what you please!
I shall not trouble to convince you, if you are so
foolish as to disbelieve me, but never let me hear a
syllable from any quarter that I can trace to your
gossip that the boy I speak of is anything more to
me than a stranger in blood. I shall probably
bring him home in the course of a few days, 90 you
may as well set about preparing a room for his use."
With which the little doctor stalked majestically
from the house, leaving Mrs. Waters to digest his
words as best she might, and console herself for the
snubbing she had received at his hands by worrying
the wits of the unfortunate housemaid, who, with
herself and a boy in buttons, formed the staff of Dr.
Sampson's household.