Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/51

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friend, the old housekeeper, who, on the day after I went home, called me into her little parlour, and said, that as she had been the means of bringing me to the house, she would always be my friend as long as I was good, and obedient; but that, as she wished me well, she would not have me speak of her kindness: for that, said she, would not please Mrs Jackson, for she likes to think that people owe every thing to her, and you must make it your first business to please Mrs Jackson—aye, even before my lady herself. For though my lady may be angry, she will forget and forgive; but if you once shew Jackson that you wish to please any body before her, she will neither forget nor forgive it to you as long as you live: and while you look to her as all in all, she will be very kind to you, and make my lady kind to you too; for she does with my lady what she pleases."

I dropped my little curtsey, and, "thank you, ma'am," at the end of her