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.