IMPROVEMENTS
It was 8 o'clock, the following morning when Helen was awakened by
hearing a loud dispute outside her door between Marshland and Alice
Grimstone (the maid).
Glancing at her watch, Helen jumped out of bed and began her toilet and
half way through she was interrupted by Alice bouncing in announcing it
was gone 8 o'clock and would she (Helen) care about any water for
washing. Helen declared she would, upon which she was presented with a
can of hot water and a clean towel, soap already having been provided.
Having placed the last hair pin in her knob and fastenned her white
blouse, Helen went down to the sitting room, where a smell of hot coffee
and fried bacon greated her nose.
"Ah this is Marshland's cooking" thought Helen as she raised the cover
of the dish. A great improvement was also visible in the room itself. It
had been well dusted and swept and a few london flowers adorned the
mantle shelf, a clean white curtain hung in the window, and Helen's work
box and other little articles lay about the room, making it look far
more home like than on the preceding evening.
Cyril (Helen had heard) rose very late, so she was forced to partake of
her breakfast alone.
As soon as she had finnished, she rang the bell and ordered a fresh meal
to be got ready for Cyril, for she really wished to please him and hoped
in a few days time to have the house really nice.
Then Helen thought she would go out and buy a few things, so calling
Marshland she said "I am going out now Marshland, and lunch will be at
1.30 if you please. Mr. Sheene likes high tea at 7 in the future we will
follow this rule, breakfast at 9. lunch at 1.30, high tea at 7, Wine and
biscuits 9.30."
"Very well miss" replied Marshland "I'll see to it"
"Yes" said Helen and do make that girl work for pity's sake, she is so
lazy."
"That she is miss" replied Marshland "She'll find her work set now I've
come."
Helen laughed "very well" she replied "I'll be in soon. I only want to
buy a chicken and a yard or so of muslin for curtains."
So going out, Helen hailed a hansom and got proudly in, much to the envy
of Netherby and Wilson (the two clerks) to whom she had not yet been
introduced.
And so day followed day and Helen always found plenty to do. She was a
first rate house keeper and Cyril treasured her accordingly. Marshland
too made vast improvements in the lower regons. Alice was made to work
hard and keep herself tidy.
A bright yellow canary was purchased, and hung in the sitting room
window to Helen's great delight, and she had no time to be unhappy.
Cyril seemed to prefer being engaged so the marriage was put off, and
Helen was once more light hearted and merry and her gay laugh might
often be heard as she chatted cheerily to the clerks or played comic
songs on the little harmonium.
And yet no one is there to warn Helen of the approaching danger and
misery.