The New Mistress

Mamma, Hazel, said the lady, drawing herself up with great dignity. If we are by a cruel stroke of fate compelled to live in a state of indigence when pride has made my eldest child refuse the assistance of my relatives, I still maintain that I have a right to keep up my old and ladylike title mamma. But, dear, I am only a schoolmistress now a national schoolmistress, and it would sound full of foolish assumption if I called you mamma. And are you not my dear, dear mother! There, there, good bye, dear, cried the speaker, kissing her affectionately; and mind the dinner is done, for I shall be, oh, so hungry.