HOUSEHOLD HELP. 355 



clenly appearing in the parlor. She did not even utter the 

 usual greeting, "Howdy?" but stood sileutly beside the 

 pianist, who was practicing a hymn. 



"Pooh! I don't like that! Play something else right 

 smart ! " exclaimed this cool specimen, a self-satisfied grad- 

 uate of the Atlanta Colored College, as we learned after- 

 ward. 



The player turned round ; it had taken her some time to 

 recover from the bewilderment of the unexpected appari- 

 tion. 



"Your work is waiting for you out in the kitchen," she 

 remarked, mildly. " Go out through the hall; the kitch- 

 en is across the piazza." 



" Oh, yes, I know the way ; but I aint in no hurry. I 

 want you to play something real lively. I can play the 

 pianny, a woman in Atlanta learned me." 



The quiet, decisive closing of the piano was her reply, 

 and she stalked away in dignified silence. 



She had been at her ironing scarcely an hour, when a 

 " lady" called to see her, and she left a half-ironed garment 

 on the board while she strolled with her visitor to the srate : 

 she w^as absent fully an hour, and then returned with the 

 announcement that she " reckoned she wouldn't iron any 

 more that day; for she wanted to take a walk." 



It is needless to say she was given free permission to go, 

 and to remain indefinitely. 



Now, this girl w\as impudent of malice pi-epense; she 

 considered herself a little better than white people, and in- 

 tended to assert her opinions. 



But, aside from the intentional transgressors, it is very 

 curious to note the entire absence of all idea of the fitness 

 of things, even in the most faithful and respectful of their 

 class. 



We have been frequently asked, " What do you ask for 



