Herownfamilywasmuchimpressedbythethousanddollars，andfoundtheoccupationofhousekeeperalongwaymoretolerablethanthatofhouse—maid，adistinctionwhichmadeDianthasmileratherbitterly。
Evenherfatherwrotetoheronce，suggestingthatifshechosetoinvesthersalaryaccordingtohisadvicehecoulddoubleitforherinayear，maybetrebleit，inBelgianhares。
_\"They’d_doubleandtreblefastenough！\"sheadmittedtoherself;butshewroteaspleasantaletterasshecould，declininghisproposition。
Hermotherseemedstronger，andbecamemoresympatheticasthemonthspassed。Largeaffairsalwaysappealedtohermorethansmallones，andsheofferedvaluablesuggestionsastotheaccountkeepingofthebighouse。Theyallassumedthatshewaspermanentlysettledinthiswellpaidposition，andshemadenoconfidences。Butallsummerlongsheplannedandreadandstudiedoutherprogressiveschemes，andstrengthenedherholdamongtheworkingwomen。
Laundressafterlaundressshestudiedpersonallyandtestedprofessionally，findingagenerallevelofmediocrity，tillfinallyshehituponamelancholyDane——abigrawbonedred—facedwoman——whosehusbandhadbeenamiller，butwashurtabouttheheadsothathewasnolongerabletoearnhisliving。Thehugefellowwasdocile，quiet，andendlesslystrong，butneededconstantsupervision。