Big Game - A Story for Girls

Mrs McNab grunted sourly.

"There's no call for you to do anything of the sort. I never was one to

take work upon myself that I couldna perform. The girl would have

picked them before now, if she didna go about making more work than she

gets through. She can do them when she gets downstairs!"

Poor, struggling, machine-like Elspeth! Margot felt a pang of pity for

her unappreciated efforts, and the determination to spare her one task

at least brought with it renewed courage.

"Let me do them as a pleasure to myself! I should feel so proud when

the pie came to table, if I had helped to prepare it, and it would be an

excuse to sit by this lovely fire. Please?"

"Kitchen work is no for the likes of you. Ye wouldna like it if ye

soiled yer fine new gown!"

"If I asked you very nicely, perhaps you would lend me an apron!"

Mrs McNab threw down her chopper, and turned to wipe her hands on a

roller towel. Perhaps she had come to the conclusion that as a pure

saving of time it would be wise to give in without further demur;

perhaps the twinkling appeal of the brown eyes touched a vulnerable spot

in her heart; perhaps the service itself was of some value at the

moment.

Margot did not concern herself as to causes, but was content to realise

that she had won the victory. She meekly allowed herself to be tied

into a coarse white apron, and set to work on the big basket of berries

with nimble fingers. Picking gooseberries is not a task which requires

much skill or experience; perhaps quickness is the criterion by which it

can best be tested, and Mrs McNab's sharp glances soon discovered that

her new apprentice was no laggard at the work. The little green balls

fell from Margot's fingers into the basin with quite extraordinary

quickness. She kept her eyes on her work, but her tongue wagged.

Margot talked, and Mrs McNab grunted, but the grunts grew ever softer

and less repellent. The first attempt at a joke was met with a sniff of

disdain, but a second effort produced a dry cackle, and that was a

triumph indeed! When the suet had been reduced to shreds, there was

bread to sift, and eggs to beat; and then Mrs McNab washed her hands

and dropped her working apron preparatory to going upstairs to see after

"the girl." She made no demur at leaving Margot alone in the kitchen,

for, having undertaken a task, she was plainly expected to carry it

through.

It was astonishing how much fruit one basket could hold! One wide-

lipped basin had already been filled, and another pressed into the

service, yet even a vigorous tilt to the side failed to show any signs

of the bottom of the basket. Margot had achieved her double purpose of

warming herself and breaking the ice of her hostess's reserve, and now

was in a fidget to be off to join Ron on the hillside; but the fear of

Mrs McNab was strong upon her, and she dare not move until her task was

complete.