Mrs. Francis entertains quite a bit; I like it, too, and
I do not go and cry into the sink because I have to wait
on the guests. She entertains well and is a delightful
hostess, but some of the people whom she entertains do
not appreciate her flights of fancy.
I do not like to see them wink at each other, although
I know it is funny to hear Mrs. Francis elaborate on the
mother's influence in the home and the proper way to deal
with selfishness in children; but she means well, and
they should remember that, no matter how funny she gets.
April 18th.--She gave me a surprise to-day. She called
me upstairs and read to me a paper she was preparing to
read before some society--she belongs to three or four--
on the domestic help problem. Well, it hadn't very much
to do with the domestic help problem, but of course I
could not tell her that so when she asked me what I
thought of it I said:
"If all employers were as kind as you and Mr. Francis
there would be no domestic help problem."
She looked at me suddenly, and something seemed to strike
her. I believe it came to her that I was a creature of
like passions with herself, capable of gratitude, perhaps
in need of encouragement. Hitherto I think she has regarded
me as a porridge and coffee machine.
She put her arm around me and kissed me.
"Camilla," she said gently--she has the softest, dreamiest
voice I ever heard--"I believe in the aristocracy of
brains and virtue.
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