Aunt Jane's Nieces at Work

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I know all about my country's history, yet

I cannot recollect where I lived, and this part of the country is

unknown to me. When I came to Elmhurst I knew all about it and about Mr.

Forbes, but could not connect them with my former life."

"How did you happen to come here?" asked Louise.

"I forgot to tell you that. While I was arguing with the woman, who was

a Mrs. Hopkins, her husband heard us and came out into the kitchen. He

began to question me about myself and I gave any answer that came into

my head, for I could not tell him the truth. It pleased me to hear my

voice, I seemed to have a keen sense of the humorous, and if I said

anything at all clever, I laughed as heartily as anyone. My heart was

light and free from all care. I had no worries or responsibilities at

all. I was like the birds who see the sunshine and feel the breeze and

are content to sing and be happy.

"Mr. Hopkins saw I was wholly irresponsible and reckless, and he decided

to use me to spy upon the people here at Elmhurst and report to him what

they said and did. I agreed to this readily, prompted by a spirit of

mischief, for I cared nothing for Hopkins and had nothing against Mr.

Forbes. Also Hopkins paid me money, which I had sufficient knowledge to

realize was necessary to me.

"Oh, how happy and gay I was in those first few days! There was not a

thought of the past, not an ambition or desire of any sort to bother me.

Just to live seemed pleasure enough. I enjoyed eating and sleeping; I

loved to talk and laugh; I was glad to have work to occupy me--and

that was all! Then things began to happen that puzzled me. The man

Hopkins declared he could not trust me because I had once been a thief,

and I wondered if he could speak truly. I resented the thought that I

may once have been a thief, although I wouldn't mind stealing, even now,

if I wanted anything and could take it."

"Oh, Eliza!" gasped Louise.

"It sounds wicked, doesn't it? But it is true. Nothing seems to

influence me so strongly as my own whims.

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