"
"The law has fortunately made provision against such behavior,"
said Hesper. "You can not leave without giving me a month's
notice."
"The understanding on which I came to you was very different,"
said Mary, sadly.
"It was; but, since then, you consented to become my maid."
"It is ungenerous to take advantage of that," returned Mary,
growing angry again.
"I have to protect myself and the world in general from the
consequences that must follow were such lawless behavior allowed
to pass."
Hesper spoke with calm severity, and Mary, making up her mind,
answered now with almost equal calmness.
"The law was made for both sides, ma'am; and, as you bring the
law to me, I will take refuge in the law. It is, I believe, a
month's warning or a month's wages; and, as I have never had any
wages, I imagine I am at liberty to go. Good-by, ma'am."
Hesper made her no answer, and Mary left the room. She went to
her own, stuffed her immediate necessities into a bag, let
herself out of the house, called a cab, and, with a great lump in
her throat, drove to the help of Letty.
First she had a talk with the landlady, and learned all she could
tell. Then she went up, and began to make things as comfortable
as she could: all was in sad disorder and neglect.
With the mere inauguration of cleanliness, and the first dawn of
coming order, the courage of Letty began to revive a little.
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