A Man of Honor. Eggleston George Cary

you must wash up things at all?"

      "Why, I carry the keys, you know. I'm housekeeper."

      "Well, but you have servants enough, certainly, and to spare."

      "O yes! but every lady washes up the things at least once a day. It would never do to trust it altogether to the servants, you know."

      "None of them are sufficiently careful and trustworthy, do you mean?"

      "Well, not exactly that; but it's our way here, and if a lady were to neglect it people would think her a poor housekeeper."

      "Are there any other duties devolving upon Virginian housekeepers besides 'washing up things?' You see I am trying to learn all I can of a life which is as charmingly strange to me as that of Turkey or China would be if I were to go to either country."

      "Any other duties? Indeed there are, and you shall learn what they are, if you won't find it stupid to go my rounds with me. I'm going now."

      "I should find dullness itself interesting with you as my fellow observer of it."

      "Right gallantly said, kind sir," said Miss Sudie, with an exaggerated curtsy. "But if you're going to make pretty speeches I'll get impudent directly. I'm dreadfully given to it anyhow, and I've a notion to say one impudent thing right now."

      "Pray do. I pardon you in advance."

      "Well, then, what makes you say 'Virginian housekeepers?'"

      "What else should I say?"

      "Why, Virginia housekeepers, of course, like anybody else."

      "But 'Virginia' is not an adjective, cousin. You would not say 'England housekeepers' or 'France housekeepers,' would you?" asked Robert.

      "No, but I would say 'New York housekeepers,' 'Massachusetts housekeepers,' or 'New Jersey housekeepers,' and so I say 'Virginia housekeepers,' too. I reckon you would find it a little troublesome to carry out your rule, wouldn't you, Cousin Robert?"