`` Helen wants me to let her have a birthday party , '' Mrs. Saunders was saying wearily . `` She has been promised it so long and I hate to disappoint the child , but our girl left last week , and I can not possibly make all the cakes and things myself . I have n't the time or strength , so Helen must do without her party . '' `` Talking of girls , '' said Mrs. Reeves impatiently , `` I am almost discouraged . It is so hard to get a good all-round one . The last one I had was so saucy I had to discharge her , and the one I have now can not make decent bread . I never had good luck with bread myself either . '' `` That is Mrs. Porter 's great grievance too . It is no light task to bake bread for all those boarders . Have you made your jelly yet ? '' `` No . Maria can not make it , she says , and I detest messing with jelly . But I really must see to it soon . '' At this point a saleswoman came up to Lilian , who made her small purchases and went out . `` There goes Lilian Mitchell , '' said Mrs. Reeves in an undertone . `` She looks very pale . They say they are dreadfully poor since Henry Mitchell died . His affairs were in a bad condition , I am told . '' `` I am sorry for Mrs. Mitchell , '' responded Mrs. Saunders . `` She is such a sweet woman .
Lilian will have to do something , I suppose , and there is so little chance XXXXX a girl here . ''
At Lilian for in of since to undertone with without