Fortunately for them, one of the storekeepers of the village knew Mamie Jackson's married sister and also knew Mamie, and he told them where to go. It was a dilapidated cottage on the outskirts², surrounded by a garden filled mostly with weeds.

 

"Not very thrifty³ people, that is certain," was Mr. Bartlett's comment.

 

"I think I shall know the servant if I see her," said Randy.

 

They paused at the gate and saw the two sisters near the side porch. One was on a bench shelling peas and the other was lolling in a hammock. Each looked very untidy and both wore wrappers that were full of holes.

 

"That is the servant," said Randy, pointing to the person in the hammock. "And see, she has some papers in her hands!"

 

"Step behind the wellhouse," said Mr. Bartlett, and this both of them quickly did.

 

"Well, go ahead and read the papers, Mamie," said the woman on the bench.

 

"Ain't no use, Sarah, I can't make head nor tail of 'em," answered Mamie Jackson.

 

"What do you suppose makes 'em so valuable?"

 

"I don't know. But I do know the Bangses don't want that Mr. Bartlett to get hold of 'em."

 

"I think you made a good bargain with the Bangses—that is, if they pay up."

 

"I'll make 'em pay. Oh, Mrs. Bangs was scart, I could see it." Mamie Jackson laughed shrilly⁴. "And to think she was going to discharge me!"

 

"Well, I guess you gave her a piece of your mind."

 

"So I did. She is too stuck-up to live," went on the former servant girl. "When I get my money I'm going to have a fine dress too—and I'll buy you one, Sarah."

 

"Oh, Mamie, will you? I want a blue silk so!"

 

"I'm going to have a green silk, and a parasol to match, and then—Oh, dear! look at them bees!" And with a

分享到：