The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-11-11

Ons yes, she QlQ, Dut-a-you needn't
say said so. She makes distinction
in her own mind, very likely, between
waiting on men-who are supposed to
be helpless creatures, anyway-and
waiting when lady sits at table and
gives orders. You haven't struck her
right. that's ALL"
"Why, father, cannot speak to herl
I positively cringe to her, now. She has
the most extraordinary manners! If I
meet her she never steps aside; she
pushes ahead. and 1 simply retire to
avoid collision. She goes out and in
at the front door, and sits on the front
porch; she doesn't think of rising if
happen to come out-she doesn't see
me. She answers the bell or not, as she
pleases. I have opened the door. my
self, to men who have asked if Miss
Steers was in, evidently expecting that
I should call her; which 1 did! 1
thought it joke at first-on the coun-
try and the way we live. But it's get
ting past a joke. Tonight, with four
men to dinner, I took it for granted
that she proposed to make herself use
full. I didn't ask her to wait on table;
[ thought it safer to assume that she
would condescend that much. But
gave her few hints which she certain
ly needed was as pleasant and as
careful as I could be-and she flew up
in a perfect rage. Twas obliged to leave
the room.
Nov, what are we to do? You know
what scramble it is when Wan has to
come in; he has all he can possibly do
with his dinner. would wait on table
myself, but, father, for your sake, can
not do such things with Abby in the
house. Send her away. and will do
her work. almost do it now-but
cannot do it. for your own sake, father,
SO conspicuously."
I'm Heavens name, who has asked
you to do Abby's work! Do you sup
pose L want my daughter to do the
work of the house?"
"Your daughter does a good deal of
it. I don't know whose work it is, or
who is mistress here; that is what
troubles me, father. I spoke to Abby
one day about something that wasn't
quite right in my bedroom; since then
she has never entered the room. do
it myself, or did, until Wan saw NE,
and took the work out of my hands.
What did Abby do, before came?"
We'll, she pretty much ran the
house, that is fact, and was too lazy
to keep her in order. I'm too lazy to
discharge her now.
"They are all pretty much of a much
ness" Mr.. Bingham expatiated, un-
comfortably. ''They all make point.
the American ones, of sitting at meals
with you, or being asked to. If you had
thought to ask Abby to sit down with
you to luncheon, sometimes, when you
were alone, that would have made it
all right. Now she thinks you set your
self above her, which the more you are
the less she'll acknowledge it, of course.
She's on her ear, now, about some
trif1e. suspect you are a bit too par
ticular about trifes. Young house
keepers are apt to be. I know she
slams around the house as if she'd been
brought up in boiler-shop, but she
has her good points. You'll get used
to her"
"There seems to be no question CT
her getting used to me-" said Faith.
with rising temper. IF she makes any
distinction at all between us, it's en-
tirely in favor of herself. And, father
I'm ashamed to have such looking
woman about the house, so frightful-
~ dressed, and SO made up. Why, she
doesn't look respectable!"
Mr.. Bingham smiled sickly smile.
"Oh, we'll, that's her little privilege, to
fix herself up to suit herself. I don't
admire all that powder and paint, but
she does. andit's her own face"
But. there are such nice-looking
girls at Wallace" Faith pleaded
you've never tried anybody but Abby
have you? She has been here too long.
and it's hard for me to begin with
woman who has never had a mistress
so she gives me to understand. OF
course we can't discuss it tonight, but
do think about it, father"
Mr.. Bingham promised to think about
it. AS Faith closed the door, he took
up his newspaper with a sigh. but
threw it down again emphatically on
hearing the brassy tones of Abby.
talking loudly as she entered the din
ing-room by way of the back hall. Mr..
Bingham got upon his feet. and fed
from the wrath to come.
'He was in here. l heard them talk
ing. l bet they were talking me over
Perhaps he's stepped into her room
Set down, and I'll see," Miss Steers said
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