"I am sorry to say, my lady, Hester Dethridge has broken out again."
"What do you mean?"
"She was all right, my lady, when she went into the kitchen-garden, some
time since. She's taken strange again, now she has come back. Wants the
rest of the day to herself, your ladyship. Says she's overworked, with
all the company in the house--and, I must say, does look like a person
troubled and worn out in body and mind."
"Don't talk nonsense, Roberts! The woman is obstinate and idle and
insolent. She is now in the house, as you know, under a month's notice
to leave. If she doesn't choose to do her duty for that month I shall
refuse to give her a character. Who is to cook the dinner to-day if I
give Hester Dethridge leave to go out?"
"Any way, my lady, I am afraid the kitchen-maid will have to do her
best to-day. Hester is very obstinate, when the fit takes her--as your
ladyship says."
"If Hester Dethridge leaves the kitchen-maid to cook the dinner,
Roberts, Hester Dethridge leaves my service to-day. I want no more words
about it. If she persists in setting my orders at defiance, let her
bring her account-book into the library, while we are at lunch, and lay
it out my desk.
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