Knowing the affection and confidence with which Hannah had always been treated by the members of the family, and the great length of time she had so faithfully served in the parsonage household, Regina was shocked at the discovery of her complicity in a scheme which she admitted had made her dishonest.  Only two days before she had heard Mrs. Lindsay lamenting that misfortunes never came single, for as if Douglass’s departure were not disaster enough for one year, Hannah must even imagine that she felt symptoms of dropsy and desired to go away somewhere in Iowa or Minnesota, where she could rest, and be nursed by her relatives.

This announcement heightened the gloom that already impended, and various attempts had been made by Mr. Hargrove and his sister to induce Hannah to reconsider her resolution.  But she obstinately maintained that she was “a worn-out old horse, who ought to be turned out to pasture in peace the rest of her days;” yet, notwithstanding her persistency, she evinced much distress at her approaching separation from the family, and never alluded to it without a flood of tears.

What would the members of the household think when they discovered how mistaken all had been in her real character?  But had she a right to betray Hannah to her employer?  Perhaps the paper had no connection with the parsonage, and no matter whom else she might have wronged, Hannah had faithfully served the pastor, and repaid his kindness by devotion to his domestic interests.  Regina’s nature was generous as well as just, and she felt grateful to Hannah for many small favours bestowed on herself, for a uniform willingness to oblige or assist her, as only servants have it in their power to do.

Sweetening reminiscences of caramels and crullers, of parenthetic patty-pancakes not ordered or expected on the parsonage bill of fare, pleaded pathetically for Hannah, and were ably supported by recollections of torn dresses deftly darned, of unseasonably and unreasonably soiled white aprons, which the same skilful hands had surreptitiously washed and fluted before the regular day for commencing the laundry work, all of which now made clamorous and desperate demands on the girl’s gratitude and leniency.  So complete had been her trust in Hannah that her reticence concerning her mother sprang solely from Mr. Hargrove’s earnest injunction that she would permit no one to question her upon the subject; consequently she had very tenderly intimated to the old woman that she was not at liberty to discuss that matter with any one.

“She is going away very soon, bearing a good character.  Would it be right for me to disgrace her in her old age, by telling Mr. Hargrove what I accidentally overheard?  If I only knew ‘Minnie’ meant mother, I could be sure this paper did not refer to Mr. Hargrove, and then I should see my way clearly; for they both said ‘old General,’ and no one calls Mr. or Dr. Hargrove ‘General.’  I only want to do what is right.”