Still it was not to be denied, that, though an indulgent and considerate mistress, Bridget was, in fact, mistress of the Seymour mansion, and that her mind and will concerning the washing must be made known to the young queen.
It was a sore trial to speak to Lillie; but it would be sorer to be left at once desolate in the kitchen department, and exposed to the marauding inroads of unskilled Hibernians.
In the most delicate way, Grace made Lillie acquainted with the domestic crisis; as, in old times, a prime minister might have carried to one of the Charleses the remonstrance and protest of the House of Commons.
"Oh! I'm sure I don't know how it's to be done," said Lillie, gayly.
"Mamma always got my things done _somehow_.

They always _were_ done, and always must be: you just tell her so.

I think it's always best to be decided with servants.

Face 'em down in the beginning." "But you see, Lillie dear, it's almost impossible to _get_ servants at all in Springdale; and such servants as ours everybody says are an exception.

If we talk to Bridget in that way, she'll just go off and leave us; and then what shall we do ?" "What in the world does John want to live in such a place for ?" said Lillie, peevishly.