"And you are sure it is Jane?" again I asked; and again she replied: "If not Jane, who else can it be? There is no one else in the house."
So this unpleasant matter ended, for the time. The next intimation of something of the sort proceeded from another quarter in fact, from Jane herself. She came to me some days later and said, with some embarrassment in her tone
"If you please, ma'am, if I do not give satisfaction, I would rather leave the situation."
"Leave!" I exclaimed. "Why, I have not given you the slightest cause. I have not found fault with you for anything as yet, have I, Jane? On the contrary, I have been much pleased with the thoroughness of your work. And you are always tidy and obliging."
"It isn't that, ma'am; but I don't like being watched whatever I do."
"Watched!" I repeated. "What do you mean? You surely do not suppose that I am running after you when you are engaged on your occupations. I assure you I have other and more important things to do."
"No, ma'am, I don't suppose you do."
"Then who watches you?"
"I think it must be Miss Bessie."
"Miss Bessie!" I could say no more, I was so astounded.
"Yes, ma'am. When I am sweeping out a room, and my back is turned, I hear her at the door; and when I turn myself about, I just catch a glimpse of her running away. I see her skirts "
"Miss Bessie is above doing anything of the sort."
"If it is not Miss Bessie, who is it, ma'am?"
There was a tone of indecision in her voice.
"My good Jane," said I, "set your mind at rest. Miss Bessie could not act as you suppose. Have you seen her on these occasions and assured yourself that it is she?"