The Argosy — page 292: what you’re looking at

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

The House of Halliwell. 271 vant,” said Hester, not agreeing in the least with the nonsense Mrs. Zink had been talking. “We have all been proud to do what we could for our dear pastor. When he is dining at home we send him in some little dainty—a custard pudding, or a plate of macaroni, or some raspberry cream— for Jim’s skill in cooking only extends to chops and potatoes. But it is but rarely he puts Jim’s cooking to the test ; he is constantly invited out, to one parishioner’s or another ; they quarrel who shall have him. 7 secured him for the Sunday,” added Mrs. Zink triumphantly. “I knew how it would be, the instant I set eyes on him—that every soul would be wanting to snap him up. So I made hay while the sun shone, and engaged him for every Sunday in the year, all the fifty- two, for dinner and tea. Now, Fanny! what do you want?” A pleasant-looking girl had entered, humming a tune. She was Mrs. Zink in miniature, very garrulous and positive. “Tea is ready, mamma; and Mr. Halliwell says will you come and make it?” Mrs. Zink turned to Hester. ‘We are having tea early, but it refreshes us. Shall I preside for you this evening, or would you prefer ——” “Oh, if you please, I would much rather you did it,” interrupted Hester. ‘They are all strange to me.” “Then [’ll go on. Fanny, have you finished that-pinafore ?” “No, mamma,” answered Fanny, with a gesture of impatience. “*T have turned it over to Matilda; she will do that and her own work too.” “The most easy job I could find, all straight sewing, and you give it up!” cried Mrs. Zink, angrily. ‘I don’t know what is to become of you, Fanny. It is a blessing that Matilda is domesticated and industrious.” “Ts she, though?” ejaculated Miss Fanny Zink, in a whisper, nodding her head after her mother, as the latter went downstairs. “*Do you like plain sewing, Miss Halliwell ?” ‘*J like it very well,” was Hester’s reply, ‘‘and often have a good deal to do.” Well, I would as soon be put in the pillory. Mamma brings me here, on the Tuesday afternoons, and I enjoy coming, myself, for the fun of it, but I don’t doa stitch more than I can avoid. I call ita most detestable mania that they have got up, since the new Vicar came.” “If you so much dislike work, you should leave it for those who are fond of it,” smiled Hester. “None of them are. It’s all put on. And if it were not for— something—they would not do any. Look at Matilda: she would not touch a needle at home, if she were paid, though she does come here, and sit, nose to knees, for hours, without stirring. I can’t, so it’s of no use pretending.” GomiilGaooks (c©) im