She found the furnished house at
Brighton by stopping at an hotel in London, composing herself on a
sofa, and sending for her son. She discovered the necessary servants
by breakfasting in bed one morning (still at the hotel), and giving her
maid a holiday on condition that the girl "would begin enjoying herself
by fetching Miss Clack." I found her placidly fanning herself in her
dressing-gown at eleven o'clock. "Drusilla, dear, I want some servants.
You are so clever--please get them for me." I looked round the untidy
room. The church-bells were going for a week-day service; they suggested
a word of affectionate remonstrance on my part. "Oh, aunt!" I said
sadly. "Is THIS worthy of a Christian Englishwoman? Is the passage from
time to eternity to be made in THIS manner?" My aunt answered, "I'll put
on my gown, Drusilla, if you will be kind enough to help me." What was
to be said after that? I have done wonders with murderesses--I have
never advanced an inch with Aunt Ablewhite. "Where is the list," I
asked, "of the servants whom you require?" My aunt shook her head; she
hadn't even energy enough to keep the list. "Rachel has got it, dear,"
she said, "in the next room.
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