Evidently she had a taste
for low things!--was naturally menial!--would do as much for her
own father as for a lady like her! But the light in Mary's eyes
checked her.
"Any service done without love, whatever it be," resumed Mary,
"is slavery--neither more nor less. It can not be anything else.
So, you see, most slaves are made slaves by themselves; and that
is what makes me doubtful whether I ought to go on serving in the
shop; for, as far as the Turnbulls are concerned, I have no
pleasure in it; I am only helping them to make money, not doing
them any good."
"Why do you not give it up at once then?" asked Hesper.
"Because I like serving the customers. They were my father's
customers; and I have learned so much from having to wait on
them!"
"Well, now," said Hesper, with a rush for the goal, "if you will
come to me, I will make you comfortable; and you shall do just as
much or as little as you please."
"What will your maid think?" suggested Mary. "If I am to do what
I please, she will soon find me trespassing on her domain."
"I never trouble myself about what my servants think," said
Hesper.
"But it might hurt her, you know--to be paid to do a thing and
then not allowed to do it,"
"She may take herself away, then. I had not thought of parting
with her, but I should not be at all sorry if she went. She would
be no loss to me.
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