Miriam was not in the habit of giving away to outbursts of this sort, and as she released Cicely she said with a little apologetic blush,—­

“It is so nice to have you here.  I feel as if you ought not ever to go away.”

“I am sure I do not want to go, dear,” said Cicely, with the smile of good-fellowship that always went to the heart of Miriam.

CHAPTER XXXII

MISS PANNEY FEELS SHE MUST CHANGE HER PLANS

Molly Tooney waited with some impatience the result of Miriam’s interview with Mike.  If the “nager” should be discharged for taking cold victuals like a beggar, Molly would be glad of it; it would suit her much better to have a nice Irish boy in his place.

But when Miriam told her cook that evening that Mike had satisfactorily explained the matter of the pie, and also remarked that in future she would like to have bread or cakes made of corn-meal, and that she couldn’t see any reason why Mike, who was accustomed to this sort of food, should not have it always, Molly’s soul blazed within her; it would have burst out into fiery speech; but the girl before her, although young, was so quiet and sedate, so suggestive of respect, that Molly, scarcely knowing why she did it, curbed herself; but she instantly gave notice that she wished to quit the place on the next day.

When Ralph heard this, he was very angry, and wanted to go and talk to the woman.

“Don’t you do anything of the kind,” said Miriam.  “It is not your business to talk to cooks.  I do that.  And I want to go to-morrow to Thorbury and get some one to come to us by the day until the new cook arrives.  If I can get her, I am going to engage Seraphina, Mike’s sister.”

Ralph looked at her and laughed.

“Well, well, Miss Teaberry,” he said, “you are getting on bravely.  Putting up your hair and letting down your skirts has done wonders.  You are the true lady of the house now.”

“And what have you to say against that?” asked Miriam.

“Not a word!” he cried.  “I like it, I am charmed with it, and I will drive you into Thorbury to-morrow.  And as to Mike’s sister, you can have all his relations if you like, provided they do not charge too much.  If we had a lot of darkies here, that would make us more truly ramshackle and jolly than we are now.”

“Ralph,” said Miriam, with dignity, “stop pulling my ears.  Don’t you see Mrs. Drane coming?”

The next day Miriam and Ralph jogged into Thorbury.  Miriam, not wearing the teaberry gown, but having its spirit upon her, had planned to inquire of the grocer with whom she dealt, where she might find a woman such as she needed, but Ralph did not favor this.

“Let us first go and see Mrs. Tolbridge,” he said.  “She is one of our first and best friends, and probably knows every woman in town, and if she doesn’t, the doctor does.”