"What for? Except for receiving and bringing to me privately a letter
which should have been left with Barker at the door, it being Barker's
business, and not yours. Remember that another time. Now take the
letter to the study, and go."
Phillis hesitated. She looked again and again at that calm, proud,
innocent lady, whom she had so wickedly misjudged and maligned,
how far and how fatally her own conscience alone could tell. And
Phillis knew what innocence was, for, poor woman, she had known
what it was not. Malice also she knew; and judging her mistress by
herself, she trembled.
"If you're going to bear spite against me for this, I'd best give warning
at once, Mrs. Grey--only it would nigh break my heart to leave the
children."
"I have no wish for you to leave the children, and I never bear spite
against anybody. Life is not long enough for it," added Mrs. Grey,
sighing. Then, with a sudden impulse, if by any means she could
smooth matters and win a little household peace, "I desire to be a good
mistress to you, Phillis; why should you not be a good servant to me?
You love the children; you are to them a most faithful nurse; why can
not you believe that I shall be a faithful mother? Let us turn over a new
leaf, and begin again.
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