His grandmother softly pitied him, saying poor little Gibbie was such
a delicate boy, and required such careful treatment; and when Albinia
hoped that he was outgrowing his ill-health, she was amused to find
that desponding compassion would have been more pleasing.
There had been a transaction about a servant in her behalf: and Miss
Meadows insisted on hunting up a note, searching all about the room,
and making her mother and Sophy move from the front of two table-drawers,
a disturbance which Sophy did not take with such placid looks as did
her grandmother.
The name of the maid was Eweretta Dobson, at which there was a
general exclamation.
'I wonder what is the history of the name,' said Albinia; 'it sounds
like nothing but the diminutive of ewer. I hope she will not be the
little pitcher with long ears.'
Mr. Kendal looked as much amused as he ever did, but no one else gave
the least token of so much as knowing what she meant, and she felt as
if she had been making a foolish attempt at wit.
'You need not call her so,' was all that Mrs. Meadows said.
'I do not like calling servants by anything but their true names,'
answered Albinia; 'it does not seem to me treating them with proper
respect to change their names, as if we thought them too good for
them. It is using them like slaves.
Lucy exclaimed, 'Why! grandmamma's Betty is really named
Philadelphia.'
Albinia laughed, but was disconcerted by finding that she had really
given annoyance.
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