Middletown transcript., 1903-05-30

4
: her mistress, was quite unduant
. ed-the misthress tould me to.
Then you are to learn that l an
the master, and thatmy command
must be obeyed. I dismiss yol
| from my service.
. Yes, sir, said Bridget, courtesy
ing.
This instant. Do you hear?
Yes, sir. My clothes are al
packed, returned Bridget, with
second courtesy.
He was a little bewildered by
: the composed demeanor of Bird
get He had anticipated that she
would burst into tears, and,
promising amendment, beg to be
taken back. This he was fully
resolved not to grant, but, with
Roman firmness, to carry out his
sentence to the letter. Of this
satisfaction, Bridget's GOODNESS
and evident preparation to meet
the consequences of her disobed-
fence, deprived. However, he
had the consolation of knowing
that, on this point at least, he had
asserted his authority.
He glanced at his wife. She
was working steadily, without
any trace of emotion, seemingly
quite unconscious of what was
going on.
Good-by, ma'am, said Bridget.
Oh, good-by, Bridget, she re-
piled, looking up, with an air of
unconcern. So you are going,
are you?
Yes, ma'am.
Perhaps you would like rec
ommendation?
I shall give none, said he, hast
lily.
Because, if you would, said her
mistress, paying no regard to
what her husband had just said,
I will give you one very cheer
fully.
No, ma am, said Bridget, drop
ping a courtesy, I don't thin k |
shall live out again just yet. I
shall take a little vacation.
Very we'll; you must call again,
soon.
This was said with an intona-
ton which Bridget understood. |
A moment afterward and she
left the room, much to the relief /
of Mr.. Mellen, who had been fun
ing, inwardly, during the few
words which had passed between
his wife and Bridget.
He now sat down, triumphant
ly, and leaned back, exulting in
the consciousness that he had |
maintained his dignity and as
serted his authority as head of |
the household.
There was no trace of anger or
mortifca ton on his wife's face.
At length she broke the silence
by asking, with an air as if moth
ing had happened, if there was
any news from abroad?
No! said he, crustily.
What courseis the emperor ex-
pected to take? she inquired, fur
ther.
I don't know. said he, in q for
bidding tone.
Meanwhile, he was getting
angry, having had no dinner.
However, he consoled himself |
with the idea that he could com
pensate by eating a hearty sup
per; and he thought, with a thrill
of qualification, that his wife, in
the absence of Bridget, would be
obliged to prepare it. He had
no doubt on this score, as he knew
that, neither on her own nor her
mothers account, would she be
willing to forego that meal.
At length she rolled up her
work and arose.
She is going to get supper,
thought he. I am very glad of
it, for I am quite faint. Still,
authority must be maintained,
at however great personal sac
rifice.
By this time she had advanced
TO the door. Arrived there, she
turned, as if she had forgotten
something.
BY the way, she said, mother
and I are going out to tea. We
Ire invited to Mrs. Smiths
But what am to do? inquired
ler husband, paralyzed by this
Unexpected stroke.
don't know, really, said his
wife, carelessly, unless you come
Up with US. I presume Mrs.
Smith will be very much graft +
led to see you. Will you come?
No! said he, sharply.