Part 10 (2/2)

”Now, I shouldn't say anything. But I can't help seein' things, even if they do think I'm an old woman with my eyes half shut.”

”I'll speak to Father about it.”

”No, you won't, Miss Thornton. Leave her alone. It ain't much company for a young girl like her just to wait on an old woman like me; and William seems a nice young man. I like him, Miss Thornton, but I jest can't bear the sight of James.”

Daphne turned quickly.

”Has James been impertinent to you?”

Drusilla shook her head.

”No, not at all. I wish he would be impudent or _anything_ except jest stand around and look grand. He don't approve of me, Miss Thornton--even his back when he leaves the dining-room says he don't approve of me. I never seen a back that can say so much as his'n.”

”Well, if you don't like him I will speak to Father and he will get another butler.”

”No, don't do that. He don't do nothin' to lose his place for; and I'd hate to have to git used to another back. He never says a word, but he jest _looks_; but perhaps he'll git over it, or I'll git used to it, or maybe when I git more used to things I'll talk to him and ask him if he can't be a little more human, instead of lookin'

like the chief mourner at a funeral. It sometimes makes me feel that I'm dead and he's takin' the last look.”

Daphne laughed.

”Oh, that's his way. He's English, you know, and English servants are trained to look like mummies.”

”Well, he certainly had good trainin'. What time do we go callin'

to-morrow? I want to git it over.”

”I'll come for you at four, and I'll tell them to have the small car ready. Good-by. I'm going to a great big tea where I am to pour. I love to give tea, although I always give the wrong person lemon.”

The next day Jeanne, being told that Drusilla was going to call upon the ladies of the neighborhood, took extra care in dressing her; and when Daphne came, Drusilla was a very richly, exquisitely dressed old lady waiting for her car. The bag delighted Drusilla and she examined the fittings, and looked at the little vanity case with its tiny powder puff and mirror. Daphne laughed as she saw her peep into the mirror.

”Oh, Miss Doane, you're just like us all. We can't pa.s.s a mirror without a peep.”

Drusilla said: ”I wonder if we ever git too old not to want to see ourselves. As long as I can have hats like this one, I won't. Ain't it funny what clothes can do for you. Now with my velvet dress I ain't a bit afraid to go in that big house, in the front door and set down in the parlor, while if I had on my old black dress, I'd feel that I belonged in the kitchen. Yet it's the same Drusilla Doane inside.”

Drusilla made many calls that afternoon. At some of the places, being told that the lady was not at home, a card was left.

”Pshaw now,” she said to Daphne, ”will I have to come again, now she ain't at home?”

”No,” said Daphne; ”she'll find your cards and know you have called.

That's all you have to do.”

”Well, that's one good thing”--and Drusilla was relieved to find that the disagreeable duty was so quickly done. ”If I'd a knowed that, I'd a sent William to tell me when they was out and then I'd a come.”

”Oh, but you'll like your neighbors when you know them. Here--Mrs.

Crane is at home, I know”--and Drusilla spent a most miserable half hour sitting on the edge of a hard chair, wis.h.i.+ng Daphne would rise as a signal to leave. Tea was served by a maid, and Drusilla held the cup awkwardly, while she ate the little wafer and infinitesimal sandwich which was pa.s.sed with it.

”Why didn't they have a table?” she asked when they were outside. ”I was in mortal fear that I'd spill the tea on my new dress--and I don't eat well with my gloves on.”

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