The idea of being governed, or of being compelled to pay the deference of servitude, was absolutely intolerable; and she had already determined within herself, some half-dozen times, to make an effort, that should at once bring to an issue the delicate point of her domestic condition. But as often as she met the dark, proud eye of Elizabeth, who was walking up and down the apartment, musing on the scenes of her youth, and the change in her condition, and perhaps the events of the day, the housekeeper experienced an awe, that she would not own to herself could be excited by any thing mortal. It, however, checked her advances, and for some time held her tongue-tied. At length she determined to commence the discourse, by entering on a subject that was apt to level all human distinctions, and in which she might display her own abilities.
"It was quite a wordy sarmont that Parson Grant give us to-night," said Remarkable.—"Them church ministers be commonly smart sarmonizers; but they write down their idees, which is a great privilege. I don't think that by nater they are sitch tonguey speakers for an offhand discourse, as the standing-order ministers be."
"And what denomination do you distinguish as the standing-order?" inquired Miss Temple, with some surprise.
"Why, the Presbyter'ans, and Congregationals, and Baptists too, for-ti-now; and all sitch as don't go on their knees to prayer."
"By that rule, then, you would call those who belong to the persuasion of my father, the sitting-order," observed Elizabeth.
"I'm sure I've never heer'n 'em spoken of by any other name than Quakers, so called," returned Remarkable, betraying a slight uneasiness: "I
