Finding this of no avail, she threatened to "sing" Maudie dead,
also in private, unless she resigned. Maudie proving unexpectedly tough
and defiant, Nellie gave up all hope of creating a vacancy, and changing
front, adopted a stone-walling policy. Every morning, quietly and
doggedly, she put herself on the staff, and every morning was as quietly
and doggedly dismissed from office.
Doggedness being an unusual trait in a black fellow, the homestead became
interested. "Never say die, little 'un," the Maluka laughed each
morning; but Dan was inclined to bet on Nellie.
"She's got nothing else to do, and can concentrate all her thoughts on
it," he said, "and besides, it means more for her."
It meant a good deal to me, too, for I particularly objected to Jimmy's
Nellie partly because she was an inveterate smoker and a profuse spitter
upon floors; partly because--well to be quite honest--because a good
application of carbolic soap would have done no harm; and partly because
she appeared to have a passion for exceedingly scanty garments, her
favourite costume being a skirt made from the upper half of a fifty-pound
calico flour bag.
Pages:
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159