At first all went smoothly enough; the servants were frightened at Mrs.
Wilson's illness, and were ready to help and obey. Contrary to her
expectations, too, Ella found her time pass very quickly; instead of
days seeming dull, there was only too much to do and think of.
Directly after breakfast each morning, she had an interview with nurse
to get her report, and consult as to the invalid cookery for the day.
Then Bertha, the cook, had to be talked to, and arrangements made for
the day's meals; then there were the fowls and ducks to feed, the
one-eyed pony to visit, and talk to while he nibbled his daily apple,
and the peace to keep between the seagull and jackdaw, whose habitual
friendship could hardly stand the test of breakfast-time. And if she
lingered too long with these and the dogs, Sir Paul, the parrot, was
screaming loudly, threatening to "tell the missus," while the whole
cageful of little birds were twittering and scolding that they had not
been attended to first of all.
"The mistress always did them herself," the cook said; and Ella supposed
it was her duty to do the same. These various duties occupied most of
the morning, and the afternoon was spent in her aunt's room, while the
nurse rested, and prepared for the night's watch.
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