Sankey vehemently combated the idea, saying
that neither she nor Lucy could spare her; but she did not afterward
return to the subject, and seemed to consider it a settled thing
that Abijah intended to leave. Mrs. Sankey had, in fact, spoken
to Mr. Mulready on the subject, but instead of taking the view she
had expected, he had said cheerfully:
"I am glad that she has given notice. I know that she is a valuable
woman and much attached to you. At the same time these old servants
always turn out a mistake under changed circumstances. She would
never have been comfortable or contented. She has, my dear if I may
say so, been mistress too long, and as I intend you to be mistress
of my house, it is much better that she should go."
As Mrs. Sankey had certain doubts herself as to whether Abijah
would be a success in the new home, the subject was dropped, and it
became an understood thing that Abijah would leave after the wedding.
The newly married couple were absent for three weeks. Until two
days before their return Abijah remained in the old house with the
young Sankeys; then they moved into their new home, and she went
off to her native village ten miles distant away on the moors. The
next day there was a sale at the old house. A few, a very few, of
the things had been moved. Everything else was sold, to the deep
indignation of Ned, who was at once grieved and angry that all the
articles of furniture which he associated with his father should
be parted with.
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