Ripley took
it upon himself, just as Mrs. Ripley took the scrubbing of the kitchen
floor. Mrs. Ripley had other little matters to look after, general
oversight of the girls, teaching Greek, entertaining distinguished
guests, writing clever musical plays for the Festal Series, etc., but
she kept the floor clean all the same.
In my honorable office I succeeded Nathaniel Hawthorne. The president
and Cedar arose at 5 A. M., fed and milked 18 or 20 cows, and cleared up
the stable. We bathed, dressed and breakfasted at 8 A. M. At 9 A. M. Dr.
Ripley was in his office and I in the school room. In the evening two
hours more were given to the cows. I liked the work, liked the cows, and
especially liked to be with Dr. Ripley. His flattering report that Cedar
could milk like a streak secured for me the maximum wage, ten cents an
hour, so that, at twelve years of age or thereabouts I was earning
nearly enough to pay the cost of board and lodging.
The milkers were necessarily late at breakfast and supper and these
meals we took with the waiters, the pleasantest company in the dining
room.
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