I hope I may take as long as I
like, to find some place I prefer to this."
"Oh certainly!" said she, with a covert amusement. "You are more than
welcome to remain here, as long as you are contented."
There was a time, when I would have doubted the possibility of my
being satisfied under circumstances such as these, but to look upon
respectable seclusion from a distance, is not really to see, and
understand what it is; there is a latent charm about it, which is
known only to those who embrace it with cheerful hearts.
Cousin Bessie had no servants, not even one, fashionable humanity,
think of _that_! This surprised and even disappointed me at first, but
soon it also became absorbed by that all prevailing spirit of quiet
contentment that presided over their domestic circle, and kept the sun
shining when it was shadow outside.
I did not question cousin Bessie about the necessity for dispensing
with menial assistance. It was a delicate subject, but when Zita and
Louis and Mr. Nyle went away, one morning after breakfast, I began to
clear away the dishes and make myself generally useful.
Cousin Bessie watched me from her corner by the kitchen table, where
she was engaged in preparing some sundries for the next meal and when
I had made my last trip with an armful of the breakfast equipage, she
looked up with a meaning smile, and said,
"This is the see-saw of life, Amey, yesterday you were away up, and
to-day you are away down.
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