G. A. Birmingham

“ But wouldn't it be as well for you to try her?"
"You tell me," said Lord Kenure, "that her mind is made up, and if it is we can't alter it. She's very like her aunt in some respects, and you know as well as I do——"
"Yes," said the Archdeacon sadly. ”

“ Not yet. The most rapid cases last a few weeks."
"Perhaps he's only come to return the pie-dish. Eleanor would very likely insist on some act of reparation of that kind."
The footman, having satisfied himself that he had got the right man, ushered Tom Geraghty into the dining-room.
"Is she dead?" asked the Archdeacon, "or is it only the pie-dish?"
"She is not dead," said Geraghty, "but she's gone from us after using language the like of which I never listened to, and what's more, won't stand." ”

“ You know the way the country people like it. She said it was poison, and made some fresh. Tom said it was the poorest stuff he ever tasted, but he put up with it. After breakfast Miss Brooks turned to and tidied the house. Mrs. Geraghty was perfectly right in moving the pie and the pressed beef when she did. The cupboard was one of the first places Miss Brooks went for. She threw out a lot of things. Tom says his wife said they were valuable clothes, and that he expected you'd pay for them. ”

“ I don't know much about London, but I've been led to believe that the lapsed masses there are educated up to philanthropy, and like it. Our people are quite different. They won't have the remotest idea what she's at, and they won't know how to treat her. ”

“ Tom likes her greatly, and his wife is getting reconciled to the situation."
"I suppose she's scarcely got into her stride yet. I mean to say she hasn't started trying to elevate them."
"Oh, yes, she has. She began at once. The very minute she arrived she swept out the kitchen and then offered to cook the dinner. Mrs. Geraghty said there was no necessity for her to trouble about that, because the dinner was all cooked except the potatoes. It was, you know. She had the cold chicken pie, the ham, and the pressed beef which had been sent down the night before." ”

“ We can do no more."
III A week later the Archdeacon dined at Kenure Castle. He had the honour of giving his arm to Lady Kenure and the pleasure of sitting opposite a pleasant-looking girl, another niece, this time quite unlike her aunt in appearance and character, who had been summoned by telegram to take Eleanor's place in the household. She chatted cheerfully about motoring in France and appeared to be uninterested in any branch of philanthropic work. Eleanor's enterprise was not even mentioned during dinner. ”

“ II "His lordship," said the footman, "would be obliged if you'd speak to him for a few minutes in the library."
Lord Kenure rose from a deep chair and welcomed the Archdeacon. He told the footman to shut the door, and then took a box of cigars from the chimney-piece.
"You need one," he said. "You must. Have a nip of whisky?" ”

“ Tom Geraghty, of Cloonacarragh, is a respectable man, and his wife is a very decent woman. They have seven children, but I think they could manage to pack in so that Miss Brooks could have the room at the back of the kitchen. ”