MRS CHING-LING'S MAID.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 17, 23 April 1892, Page 437

MRS CHING-LING'S MAID.

(A SEQUEL TO AN AFTERNOON CALL.) We had arranged that Mrs Ching Ling’s maid should bring the children to see me some day. The maid had hesitated at first, saying as she was the cook it was not her place to take the children out. At last, however, she consented to bring three of them. The hour for the visit came. 1 had lemonade and cake on my tea table, and was all ready when the knock sounded at the door. There stood the maid and the three children —the oldest Miss Ching Ling, a little hoy called Jimmy and the baby. I was rather sorry the baby had been brought because, being very young and small, it kept getting lost. However, I welcomed them all heartily and asked them

The maid looked very nice in her cap ami apron, but the children—well—the less said about the children the better. I gave Jimmy a little cotton shawl to cover his bare shoulders. 1 tried not to see Miss Ching-Ling’s knees sticking through the holes in her poor old skirt. ‘ How is your mamma, my dear’’ I asked this young lady after she was seated.

•She’s no better,’ answered the maid, in her usual way, laying the baby on the tea-table. ‘ That is hardly the place for a child,’ I said, as I took it up and held the poor thing while I passed the cake and lemonade.

Miss Ching-Ling and Jimmy refused to taste anything. I never saw such bashful children. All my urging had no effect.

‘ They always act like that,’ said the maid, with her mouth full of cake. She had two large slices in her lap and was drinking her third glass of lemonade. • Poor little souls, I said. * Perhaps if you would induce their mother to make some clothes for them they would not be so shy and silent. I don’t wonder they look ashamed.’ • Oh, what’s the use ?’ said the maid, indifferently. Now that the cake was all eaten the maid seemed rather restless and tired, I thought. Just then I lost the baby. I was much alarmed because I was afraid I should tread on it, so I began to hunt anxiously under the tables and chairs, calling on the children to help : but they never stirred from their seats, and the maid was looking at something she had taken from her pocket and did not seem to hear. I found the baby at last (it was under the sofa), and had turned back to my guests when I saw a strange sight. The maid icas spinning a top. So delighted was she with this toy she did not appear to care for anything else, ami was dancing up and down, her cap awry and her apron flying in the air. • Don’t stop it ; don’t stop it!’ she cried out, wildly, as I approached. ‘ It’s going to hum I’ ‘ It seems to me,’ 1 said, as soon as I had caught my breath, ‘ that this is very strange conduct tor a nursemaid. The maid did really blush a little. • I only bought it this morning, mamma,’she explained. * I couldn't help spinning it. Oh, it's humming ! Do hear it I’ I drew myself up stiffly. * I think you had better go now,’ I said. The maid looked very confused. • Perhaps I had,' she said, meekly, picking up the top and putting it in her pocket. ‘ And the children ’ Do you mean to leave them behind ?’ I asked, as she went slowly out of the room. ‘ Oh, I forgot,’ faltered she, coming back. ‘ Yes,' I said, looking down into that maid’s blue eyes and quoting his own words. •“ I did my part all right, but you forgot, you know you—” ’ But the maid was bolding me tight round the neck and kissing all my words away.