The secret garden

32 THE SECRET GARDENIt was not the custom to say " please " and " thankyou 'and Mary had always slapped her Ayah inthe face when she was angry. She wondered alittle what this girl would do if one slapped herin the face. She was a round, rosy, good-naturedlooking creature, but she had a sturdy way whichmade Mistress Mary wonder if she might noteven slap back if the person who slapped herwas only a little girl.You are a strange servant," she said from herpillows, rather haughtily.Martha sat up on her heels, with her blackingbrushin her hand, and laughed, without seemingthe least out of temper."'Eh! I know that," she said. If there wasa grand Missus at Misselthwaite I should neverhave been even one of th' under housemaids. Imight have been let to be scullery-maidbut I'dnever have been let up-stairs. I'm too commonan' I talk too much Yorkshire. But this is afunny house for all it's so grand. Seems likethere's neither Master nor Mistress except Mr.Pitcher an' Mrs. Medlock. Mr. Craven, hewon't be troubled about anythin' when he's here,an' he's nearly always away. Mrs. Medlock gaveme th' place out o' kindness. She told me shecould never have done it if Misselthwaite had beenlike other big houses."