Elders and Betters Read Free Page A

would interpose with the quiet statement that Cook preferred to be called Cook. She addressed her in this way even in their personal relation, a circumstance which to Jenney was ground for the belief that their cousinship was of recent origin.
    â€œNow you must want your tea at once. It is all ready for you in the new kitchen,” said Jenney, using the suggestion as a cover for leading the way to the basement, and putting a festive note into the last words.
    â€œIt would help Cook to keep up,” said Ethel, stretching a warning hand towards Cook, as they approached the dim staircase.
    â€œWe shall get used to the extra stairs,” said Cook, in a tone the more courageous for being faint.
    â€œOh, yes, you will,” said Jenney, with a confidence that was perhaps justified by her knowledge of how often they would traverse them. “You will run up and down without noticing them in a day or two.” She ran down herself, to show that she had reached this stage.
    â€œWe can’t get out of the basement without them,” said Ethel, putting the same thought in another form.
    Cook came in silence to the kitchen table, and gave a smile to Jenney, who was enabled by experience to recogniseit as smile. Ethel walked without comment to the kettle, and made and poured the tea, and after carefully supplying Cook, casually supplied herself and sat down at the board.
    â€œDid you enjoy your drive?” said Jenney.
    â€œThe fly?” said Ethel, raising her eyes as she stirred her cup. “Well, the air was good, but Cook felt the jolting. She won’t be able to go right upstairs just yet.”
    Cook gave Jenney another smile, which this time no one could have recognised.
    â€œDid you not bring any of your luggage?” said Jenney.
    â€œWe thought that, as we could not bring it all, we might as well leave it,” said Ethel, with the dependence on others in matters outside her own sphere, that came from her life. Cook looked up at Jenney, as if there might conceivably be a criticism implied in her words.
    â€œIt can easily come with the other luggage,” said Jenney, hastening to correct such an impression.
    â€œThose that bring it, might as well bring it all,” said Ethel.
    â€œIt is all one trouble,” said Cook.
    â€œThere is Miss Anna,” said Ethel, without changing her tone, but lifting her cup to her lips to make the most of a fleeting opportunity.
    â€œIt is strange how you know a footstep on different stairs,” said Cook.
    â€œYou would always recognise some,” said Ethel.
    â€œTheir steps are themselves,” said Cook.
    Ethel rose and stood with her back to her companions, as if this secured both her and them some privacy, produced a cap and apron from her bag, and without any sign of haste turned to face her employer in conventional garb.
    â€œWell, Cook and Ethel, so you have arrived in time for tea,” said Anna, in a brisk tone that seemed to suggest that other objects had been lost sight of.
    â€œGood afternoon, Miss Anna,” said Ethel.
    Cook framed the words with her lips, as she rose from her seat.
    â€œYou look tired, Cook,” said Anna, speaking as if fatigue were a light matter.
    Cook smiled and almost glanced at her chair.
    â€œOh, pray sit down, Cook,” said Anna, with a touch of impatience. “You won’t have much to do to-day. Miss Jennings brought some cold food with her. There will not be any real cooking to-night.”
    Cook rested her eyes on the stove, as if such process would have to be postponed for investigation and adjustment. Her sparing use of words made less difference than might be thought.
    â€œWell, do you think you will like this house?” said Anna, who did not subdue impulse to diplomacy.
    â€œWell, we did not really want a change,” said Ethel.
    â€œYou often complained of the other one.”
    â€œThere are disadvantages everywhere, Miss Anna.”
    â€œAnd they