New-York tribune., 1903-08-17
*.

wished he would come home. for until then L
might not enter upon my duties housekeeper.
The servants neglected their work. The bread
was uneatable; often the shining floor of
Madams room strewn with the bits
thrown from her in disgust, yet she would not
allow me to teach the cook or to make it my
self
Wait till Philip returns to back you.
chere," she insisted, though he may not wish
to. Who dare say? He likes Norah's cooking
does Philip, but of her he has fear-no
Hone at all; but. then. he fears not the devil
himself saw him shoot the devil oncei HUSH
that must not speak of; my head then grows
hot! Norah is devil. Irish DEVIL fear
her. If Philip says, You may make bread. you
may keep house! he'll see you have your way
Philip never gives UP, never. never neverT'
Madam herself headstrong, imperious
had to obey. I did not earn my salary. Free
until 10 o'clock in the morning. for hour
after luncheon. dismissed at 8 o'clock in the
evening, was too idle, and wished for the re-
turn of Mr.. Erranti. who. more courageous than
most men, stood in no awe of his cook
In the mean time tried to find something to
do. Books possess no attraction for me. but Mr..
Erranti had fine library, and knew should
take advantage Of It. My mother had wished me
to excel linguist, and 1 was forgetting every
language save my own. 1 began to rub up my
Italian by selecting a volume of short stories
and reading one every morning. 1t be-
cause of de AInici5 that my friend, the butler.
ceased to regard me as his equal One morn
ing he followed me to the library to complain
of the dulness OF Highgrove Hall.
You see, before 1 came here. Miss Dean"
he began in his plaintive drawl. II lived in the
winter in town with Mr.. Erranti. He only
bought this place this last March because Of the
Madam's poor health. and he kept the ball
a-rollin' lively. can tell you. Stag parties he
called 'em. meaning only gentlemen present,
and If wished to pun might say it did come
very dear to some OF 'em. Cards?' ironically.
with eyebrows raised "Oh, no! not at allP'
Then very solemhly THE way them brokers
play for money. Miss Dean. is enough to turn
your hair gray!'
I asked If Mr. Erranti was a stock broker.
You may rest assured he is. Miss Dean" was
the languid response-Claude's usual manner
was languid-"and I'm thankful amt. that's
all. A life OF excitement wears me out" for
getting his complaint Of its lack. II was glad
enough to come into a quiet neighborhood to
rest. was in a refreshment room to rsilway
station once. A place. where you changed cars
for everywhere mOst-a junction My nerves
couldn't stand the wear and tear of it. I
just lit out. Trains comm in at all hours OF the
day and over hundred people all yellin' for
different things at once. Only fifteen minutes for
you to serve an them to gobble the vittles
down-all toldl 1t was sickenin' to see the way
folks forgot their manners Behavin' like so
many hogs. Hustlin. calm names, an swal-
lerin pieces of pie whole-I simply had to get
outT He broke off to inquire what I was going
to read. Italian did you say. Miss Dean?
For the lands sake. you read that queer
gibberish? Ny! You'll be readin' Latin and
Greek next-p'raps you do now?'
I smiled as I said I should be able to, seeing
I had studied them until I was fourteen.
Land o. Goshenr Claude calculated, his air
OF lansuid indifference gone. Did you attend
night school sides goin' daytimes? Seems TO
me you must have burned the candle to both
ends the saying goes. to have learned so
much by the time you was fourteenr'
I smiled. but remained silent. and Claude
burst OUT
"If you won't think me mpertinent or-or-
snoopng. Miss Dean. should like to know why
you studied Greek. Was you thinkin' of being
a teacher?'
NO" I said. Il never expected to teach:
then. thinking it could do no harm to crafty
his burning curiosity: You see, was born in
Greece. Claude. in Athens so my mother wished
me to understand the language of that country.
1 have never been to school I studied at home.
When l was fourteen my father not able
to give teachers for we had become very
poor. l don't know much as I should-only
a few languages.
WELL l neverr' murmured the butler.
please don't repeat this. Claude 1t hurts me
to talk of the past"
Not for worlds. Miss Dean"
He had become very solemn and pale being
the kindest most sympathetic of creatures.
After long silence he sighed and said. in low,
mournful tones:
II feel proud to have been thus far honored
of your confidence. Miss Dean. If it amt cheeky
I'd like to ask one question"
1 smiled assent.
did you know that Julie Cray before you
came here?"
Yes"
''And-and. as how. Miss Dean?'
she was my mothers maid," said thought
lessly. aud sorry the moment after.
Hunt That accountsv the mysterious
comment, as Claude gently withdrew.
This conversation changed his attitude toward
me. He was still my friend. but. because of my
education. my very humble friend. For good
birth Claude cared nothing, being. indeed. in
of seeing any difference between well
bred people and the vulgar rich The finely clad
were all gentle people TO poor Claude. 1 have
since noticed that the children born in this
country of Irish parents are totally lacking in
tne SuDJie penetration Wnlcn cnafaclerizeS Inelr
parents. The newly arrived immigrant recog-
nizes at the "raal quality" Their children
born American soil. never.
But Claude. though he had no respect for old |
fairly reverenced knowledge and he |
choose to think me very learned. When. by 1
dint of questioning he discovered that. besides /
French. Greek and Latin 1 understood German i
and Spanish his admiration knew no bounds.
And yet" he would occasionally say. in
burst of confidence. you can't play the pie
T.. 10, ,aot oItf blfeve Won could