Jennette Lee

“ Margaret's eye rested on them a minute, and turned away. Something hostile in it caught Milly's glance.
"Mr. Mason is staying at home this morning," she said casually.
"It's no comfort to any one—if he stays—or he don't stay," muttered the woman.
Milly looked at her keenly. "What do you mean by that, Margaret?"
The woman turned sullenly. "If you'd seen my Miss Annie when we first come here—beautiful—and always laughing and happy!" Her tongue seemed suddenly loosened and her heavy face became alive. "There was never anybody like her, I tell you. . . . ”

“ She turned to Milly:
"I shall be brave! You will see! I am going to tell Margaret to come at once for your tray. I shall not be like this again! You will see!"
She nodded brightly and went out. Through the French window Milly could see Mr. Mason crossing the terrace toward the garage. In the adjoining room the maid had finished her work and gone out. The quiet and peace of the sunshine outside seemed to pervade the house.
When Margaret came for the tray she motioned her to sit down. "I want to ask you about one or two things," she said. "And this is a good time. ”

“ Batson, she was here—and me. And that's all."
Milly checked them rapidly in her mind. "Are there any new ones?"
"The scullery—he's new."
"And there are gardeners?" Milly glanced through the window toward the garden and the lawn that stretched away to the trees. A horse-driven lawn-mower was clicking busily across it.
"There's three of them—besides the head-gardener, Simpson. And there's the chauffeur—he's new. But they all live outside. They're never in the house." ”