CHAPTER IV.

A Good Mistress makes a Good Servant.

"AND ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening; knowing that your Master also is in heaven. Neither is there respect of persons with Him."

WHE

HEN the time had come in which Ann would have to "change places," the poor girl was much depressed. Like many other pious servants, she had made the family interest her own, as far as her youth permitted her. She had in return received very much kindness and consideration from every one of the household. There was regret on both sides, though both were aware of the necessity of a change, in kitchen, even as in the entire management of the house.

Mr. Lancaster wished his daughter to give Ann the opportunity of inviting a few of her own friends to take tea with her before she left, if the young woman herself wished it.

"Yes, papa," Helen said, "I will do so; but I can suggest something that will, I am sure, please her much. better, and leave a very pleasant memory."

"What may that be, Helen?" Mr. Lancaster asked. "Well, papa, you know Ann is a tried, true, and faithful girl, and has always behaved so well and conducted herself so respectably that she scarcely seems to me an ordinary servant. I should like her to feel how much she has endeared herself to us all, and let her see

how much she is respected. I thought if, instead of having a few friends here, she might prepare a nice tea in her best kitchen, and invite us to tea-myself and all the children-not you, papa; you might not see it in the same light as we should, even if at home at the time."

"I think what you suggest is capital, Nelly. I dare say it will give Ann real pleasure. Then with the five train Mary Elliott should be here. If she comes, you will be able to let her see how very comfortable her new place can be made; and she will, I suppose, have to sit down to tea with you-if she comes. I shall not be home till nine, I fear, but will be as early as I can.”

"We will have a tray ready, papa, should you come earlier."

"All right, Nelly; do not forget to send Charles to the train, as he knows the new servant by sight; and he had better put her in the 'bus, with her luggage." "I shall remember, papa. Good-bye."

"Good-bye, Nelly, take care of yourself." So saying, he passed out.

Helen rang the bell. Ann, looking sad, opened the door.

"Did you ring, please?"

"Yes, Ann; papa and I have been thinking that you would like to have the children to take tea with you this afternoon in the kitchen. I and Mr. Charles will come too, and all be your guests."

"Oh, Miss Helen!"

"You can get just what you like for tea, Ann."

"I beg pardon, miss, but do you really mean it?" asked Ann, her face changing into a rosy smile. "You, and the young master ?"

"Yes, I mean it, Ann. I thought you would like it,

and will carry with you a loving remembrance of the children of your poor mistress."

66 Thank you so much-so very much! You are so good!"

"Then Mary Elliott may come with the five train, so a cup and saucer had better be placed for her: it will make her feel at home at once. Don't let tea be later than five, Ann, on account of the boys' lessons." "I will take care, ma'am."

The young servant entered into the party scheme heartily. Helen, like her mother, did not allow the children to run into the kitchen at any time they chose, but when they needed anything they were taught to speak respectfully. Not under any circumstances were they allowed to go during the meal hours; but to-day there was a little difficulty in keeping them to "rule." Mabel would dearly have liked to go and help to get tea; Willie wanted to know what Ann was going to have for tea; May said she "smelled somsin nice;" even Horace could not help wondering "how it would be," sometimes. Helen insisted on their going on with their lessons till tea time.

At five Ann came to the door of the room, with the very whitest of aprons, and smartest of caps, and happiest of rosy faces. She said:

Plates of bread

"The train has passed, Miss Helen; I heard the whistle. If the new servant has come she will be here by the time the seats are taken, and tea is quite ready.” "We will come, Ann, and be ready.” Never was such a tea as that, surely! and-butter; plates of hot toast; plates of beautiful puffs, with the jam peeping through; dishes of stewed fruit; dishes of preserves; jugs of milk; and Ann's best teapot filled with steaming hot tea!

May clapped her hands in delight, saying, "I like to be in the tishin all times,"

Just as they took their seats, Charlie came in, bringing Mary.

"Here she is; I found her, you see."

"How are you, Mary ?" Helen said, giving the woman her hand. Then, in answer to her inquiring look, said, "This is Ann's party: it is her last day here, and we are her guests. Sit down, and take your tea."

"Thank you, ma'am," answered the new comer, quietly seating herself where Ann placed a chair.

"Where am I to sit, Ann? You have not said." "Wherever you please, Master Charles," laughed Ann. "Well, then, I'll sit by you, Ann: and I'll help you. Shall we sing, Helen?"

"Better, dear. It will settle May and Willie a bit." As the voices cease, the clatter of cups and saucers began, and there was rather less noise.

"Don't take any pastry, Master Horace," said the mistress of the ceremonies, "I have something for you here."

She then placed before the sickly boy a beautiful custard, hot from the oven. It made a comfortable little murmur as it ceased simmering, and its golden brown top looked very palatable. Helen smiled her approval. Horace looked with delight, "It was so kind of Ann," he said.

"Ah, me!" said Charlie; "why,-why am not I a favourite little boy? Oh, dear, see what it is to be somebody's pet!"

"Come, love," Mabel said, diving a bright spoon into the custard, "you can eat it every bit."

Willie declared Ann was the nicest girl that ever was seen; her cheeks were so rosy, and her caps so pretty

and her aprons so nice.

"When I am married," he said,

"my wife shall wear everything Ann does."

"Suppose they are not in fashion, Willie," Helen asked; "what then?"

"Oh, they will be; they are so pretty."

If Ann was rosy before, what was she now? Willie, however, was stayed by an exclamation from May. She was allowed only one cup of milk for her tea, but to-day, being a special time, was permitted to have two, and had lifted her hands with the cup to her lips, but gravely put it down, saying, "We did not do a blessing with this usser cup of milk."

"We sang, May dear," said Horace, laughing; "it is right, it's all the same."

"It not all the same, dis udder cup; shut eyes." The little one then clasped the chubby hands, and squeezing her eyes fast, said, "For Jesus Christ's sake, Amen." "Amen," repeated Mary. May cast a swift glance at her, blushed, and hung her head, but Mary and May were fast friends from that time.

"I do think that is papa," said one.

"It is," cried Mabel, jumping up. In another moment she had dragged him into "Ann's drawing-room." "Do have tea here, papa; do, it is so nice."

"Well, but I was not invited, you know," he said, laughing.

"Oh, but do, dear, do!"

"Ah, well," he said, soon persuaded to anything to please his dear ones. "Fetch pa's chair, one of you." "Here it is, miss," said Ann.

The tea-dinner over, he said, "There is a parcel on the hall table; I want it."

Willie brought it to him.

"I have brought you a little present Ann," he said,