Then he went to the nursery, and told Nurse how horrid it
was in her; but Cook said it only made her worse, because she is
jealous of our taking part with you."
"My dear, I DO like to hear of your kindness to Bessie; but I wish
you would not mind what any of the maids say, nor talk to them about
it. It only distresses you for nothing."
"But I can't help it," said Susan.
"You could not help this attack in the nursery, but you need not talk
to Cook or Mary about it. It is of no use to vex ourselves with what
people say who don't know half a story."
"Can't you tell them not?" said simple Susan.
"No, I cannot interfere. They would only do it the more. We can
only keep Bessie as much out of the way of the maids as we can, and
show our confidence in her."
Certainly Elizabeth had been known to look infinitely more glum when
nothing was the matter than under all this vexation, even though the
servants were really very unkind to her; and her two little brothers
both behaved as ill as possible to her whenever they had the
opportunity--David really believing that she had made away with the
money, and ought to be tortured for it; and Johnnie taking it on his
word, and being one of those little boys who have a positive taste
for ill-nature, and think it fun.
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