Carolyn Wells

“ When she returned, Lady Pendered was still recounting Millicent's virtues as a lady's-maid.
"Why, really," said the English lady, "she crimped my fringe quite as well as Dawkins does at home. And my clothes were never brushed more neatly."
Millicent brushing clothes! This was almost too much for Betty; but, not daring to glance at Jessie, she went on about her work, endeavoring not to listen to any further disclosures.
"Yes, she's not bad," drawled Lady Lucy. "She darned a bit of a rent in my lace bodice, and smiled amiably when I asked her to do up my fine handkerchiefs." ”

“ Lennox," said the languid Lucy, "they do seem superior—all except that frivolous parlor-maid of yours. We would n't like to have such a pretty one at home. I like more serious maids."
A heavy portière at the end of the dining-room wavered convulsively at this, and the too pretty parlor-maid scurried away to a distant room where she could enjoy the joke with some of her fellow-servants. ”

“ All the world knows nothing can excel England's well-spread boards. This America of yours," she continued, turning to Mrs. Lennox, "is a most extraordinary place. I 've been here but a fortnight, and that I spent in New York. Very awful town, is n't it?"
"Do you think so?" said Mrs. Lennox, politely non-committal.
"Indeed, yes. It's so sudden and unexpected. One never knows what will happen next."
"I'm rather fond of New York," said Mrs. Lennox, "but of course its homes are different from English country houses." ”