"Thy hair is in a mop," she said. "Curly hair is what we in our Body call a Desecration."
"Oh Dinah, honey, how can I help it when God gave it to me!"
"Don't scold her now, Dinah," said Mrs. Faithful. "Be very gentle with her. I am relieved to tell you that Miss Maureen O'Brien is coming. She is the daughter of that dear Mr. Maurice O'Brien whom we all so loved."
"Ah, indeed, and we truly loved him!" said Dinah. "Thou art wearing thyself out, dear Jane Faithful."
"I am sad and anxious," said Jane Faithful.
"Might I take the liberty of returning to thee, Jane Faithful, when this little perverse one is safe in her bed?"
"Come, Henrietta," said Dinah. She held out her hand.
Henrietta went away with her at once. She did not wait to say good-night to Mrs. Faithful. She forgot Mrs. Faithful in the presence of Dinah.
"Why dost thou call me Henrietta?" she inquired. "Dost thou not know that thou art taking a _great_ liberty? For I--I am a lady with a fortune, although it is but a small one, and thou art only a poor serving maid."
"In our community," replied Dinah, "we never call anyone except by the baptismal name. There is no Mrs., no Miss, no Mr. in _our_ community. Now come; I have something nice for thy supper."
"Feel my tummy-tum," said Henrietta. "It is ever so empty. I hope thy supper will prove to be a true supper, large in quantity, rich in quality, and fit for a Christian maid."
"But, my dear, thou art not a _Christian_ maid. Nevertheless, thy supper is sufficient. Come now to my room and eat."
Henrietta went. The supper was of the very best: Green peas, roast duck, new potatoes, a glass of milk, and some stewed peaches.
"Upon my word," said Henrietta, "I like thy calm ways, Dinah. I, too, will become a Quaker and say 'thee' and 'thou,' not because of spiritual guidance, but because the Quakers nourish their little tum-tums so well."
"Henrietta, thou must not speak like that."
"Dinah, thou art not to scold me. The woman here, called Faithful, said I was to be dealt gently with. Dost thou know, dear Dinah, that a dreadful trouble is coming on me?"
"Oh, I don't mean about Dysy--poor little snippet! I mean something far worse."
"I fail to understand thee," replied Dinah.
"I will whisper it to thee, Dinah. My _direst_, _darkest_, most _fearful_ enemy is coming on the scene--she whom I hate. Couldst thou not hide me from her?"