Gratia's Trials — page 177: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

168 GRATIA’S TRIALS. are,” viciously went on Mrs. Pennilon, and I do not think it safe for me and Pennelon any longer to retain such a very attractive young person, as you seem to be, in our service. A month’s warning or a month’s wages is the understood rule, I believe, so you’ll find the money on your table up stairs.” ‘‘Mrs. Pennilon,” broke faintly from Gratia’s quivering lips. ‘‘There’s no use ‘Mrs. Penniloning’ me,’’ said the irate matron. ‘‘I am nota gentleman, to be taken in by your fine airs and graces. I am only a respectable American mother ; and I cannot have my son’s morals corrupted by a designing schemer like you. You are dismissed from my service, Miss - Kem pfield.” CHAPTER XXX. “WHERE IS SHE?” Gratia went slowly up stairs to her room feeling as if some sudden blow had descended upon her. She knew Mrs, Pen- nilon’s vindictive and unreasoning temper too well to venture to hope for any good effects arising from remonstrance or ex- postulation. Homeless, friendless, and in a strange land—did - it not seem as if the cup of her tribulations was filled to the brim ? Mrs. Pennilon’s service had been no sinecure—her exactions had been almost boundless, and her temper trying in the last degree, but not the less for all that she had been a sort of protectress to the motherless, lonely girl, and now that this eegis had been withdrawn, Gratia felt bitterly her solitary con- dition. : _~T must not think any more about it just now,” Gratia mur- mured to herself, ‘‘for I am so tired, and my head aches so Gomicbooks.co =