Brooke and Mrs Brooke established themselves in the house in the Close
on their return from their wedding tour, and Brooke at once put himself
into intimate relations with the Messrs Croppers, taking his fair
share of the bank work. Dorothy was absolutely installed as mistress in
her aunt's house with many wonderful ceremonies, with the unlocking of
cupboards, the outpouring of stores, the giving up of keys, and with
many speeches made to Martha. This was all very painful to Dorothy, who
could not bring herself to suppose it possible that she should be the
mistress of that house, during her aunt's life. Miss Stanbury, however,
of course persevered, speaking of herself as a worn-out old woman,
with one foot in the grave, who would soon be carried away and put out
of sight. But in a very few days things got back into their places, and
Aunt Stanbury had the keys again. 'I knew how it would be, miss,' said
Martha to her young mistress, 'and I didn't say nothing, 'cause you
understand her so well.'
Mrs Stanbury and Priscilla still live at the cottage, which, however,
to Priscilla's great disgust, has been considerably improved and
prettily furnished.
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