The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1877-02-23
The Talk Of the Neighborhood.

Who went to the door just now:
demanded a young lady, entering the
parlor with a quick step, and showing
considerable excitement of manner.
81 did," was answered by a girl OF
fifteen. with the air of one half con-
scious of a wrong.
"You did? SO imagined What
on earth possesses you to run to the
door every time the bell rings, Emily?
Servants answer bells, not young ladies.
Pray let us have an end to this. Well
be the talk of the whole neighbor-
hood"
q can't see any particular harm In
opening the door for visitor, was
answered,
Harm Its vulgar. People will
think we don't keep servants p
81 can't see what business other peo-
pie have with the arrangements of our
family" said the younger sister, speak
ing more resolutely. Suppose We
didn't keep any servants? That would
be our own affair"
Emily p The elder sister spoke
imperatively, "You must not go to
the door when the bell rings. That's
Ellen's place. She's hired for that pur-
pose. You'll be taken for a servant girl.
Can't you understand ?"
Now. that argument had its influence.
To be taken for a servant girl Emily
was silenced.
I'm out of all patience with her, y
said the elder sister, entering the room
where her father and mother were sit
ting, few moments afterwards. She
seemed particularly annoyed.
with. whom, Kate ?"
"Why with Emily. She will persist
in going to the door when the bell rings,
Just as though we hadn't three servants
in the house"
The father, a care worn looking man,
who sat reading the morning paper, let
the sheet fall upon his knees, and
turned his eyes upon Emily. His brows
contracted little, and with a painful
expression, his thin lips showed, plain
that his sympathies were not with his
daughter Kate.
Il wish you'd speak to her about it, )"
added the young lady, still addressing
her mother. We shall he the talk eff
the whole neighborhood.
If the ear and heart of Kate Hamil-
ton had been open in the right direc-
ton, she would have heard the sigh
that came family breathing through
her fathers lips. If her eyes had been
observant, she would have seen the
deeper shade that fell over his counter
ance. His thought had gone back over
many years-to the time when his wife
kept not a single servant, and when she
har 10 H.,
CHANGED to call-to a time when his
heart, free from oppressive cares and
humiliating embarrassment, beat
rhythmically in his bosom, and his lips
answered to his heart in song. There
was no fine rhythm in his pulses now
and long ago music had died from his
lips.
ct can't see any harm in it, replied
Mr.. Hamilton. Z" If Emily chooses to
open the door, and thus save Ellen q
few steps, why should it trouble you SC
seriously?"
II don't want my sister to put herself
on level with servants; at least not in
the face of the whole neighborhood.
retorted Kate, with an air of consciou:
self-importance.
Mr.. Hamilton threw his newspaper on
the table, and, rising, left the room
without . remark. While putting OF
his great coat in the hall preparatory te
go forth on the days dreaded business
Emily came out of the parlor, and
placing her hand upon him in fond
familiar way, said: What harm u
there in going to the door when tine bel
rings?"