But further surprise was in
store for the lady of the house. The housemaid closed the door, and then,
selecting a comfortable chair, threw herself down into it, exclaiming:
'Oh dear me! I'm so tired.'
'Susy,' said Miss Longworth, 'what is the meaning of this?'
'It means, mum,' said Susy, 'that I'm going to chuck it.'
'Going to _what_?' asked Miss Longworth, amazed.
'Going to chuck it. Didn't you understand? Going to give up my situation.
I'm tired of it.'
'Very well,' said the young woman, rising, 'you may give notice in the
proper way. You have no right to come into this room in this impudent
manner. Be so good as to go to your own room.'
'My!' said Susy, 'you can do the dignified! I must practise and see if I
can accomplish an attitude like that. If you were a little prettier, Miss
Longworth, I should call that striking;' and the girl threw back her head
and laughed.
Something in the laugh aroused Miss Longworth's recollection, and a chill
of fear came over her; but, looking at the girl again, she saw she was
mistaken. Susy jumped up, still laughing, and drew a pin from the little
cap she wore, flinging it on the chair; then she pulled off her wig, and
stood before Edith Longworth her natural self.
'Miss Brewster!' gasped the astonished Edith. 'What are you doing in my
house in that disguise?'
'Oh,' said Jennie, 'I'm an amateur housemaid. How do you think I have
acted the part? Now sit down, Miss Dignity, and I will tell you something
about your own family.
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