er heart had delighted, arrayed in a clean gown, with
well-starched apron, standing reverently before Miss Ophelia, with an
expression of solemnity well befitting a funeral.

"Now, Topsy, I'm going to show you just how my bed is to be made. I am
very particular about my bed. You must learn exactly how to do it."

"Yes, ma'am," says Topsy, with a deep sigh, and a face of woful
earnestness.

"Now, Topsy, look here;--this is the hem of the sheet,--this is the
right side of the sheet, and this is the wrong;--will you remember?"

"Yes, ma'am," says Topsy, with another sigh.

"Well, now, the under sheet you must bring over the bolster,--so--and
tuck it clear down under the mattress nice and smooth,--so,--do you
see?"

"Yes, ma'am," said Topsy, with profound attention.

"But the upper sheet," said Miss Ophelia, "must be brought down in this
way, and tucked under firm and smooth at the foot,--so,--the narrow hem
at the foot."

"Yes, ma'am," said Topsy, as before;--but we will add, what Miss Ophelia
did not see, that, during the time when the good lady's back was turned
in the zeal of her manipulations, the young disciple had contrived to
snatch a pair of gloves and a ribbon, which she had adroitly slipped
into her sleeves, and stood with her hands dutifully folded, as before.

"Now, Topsy, let's see _you_ do this," said Miss Ophelia, pulling off
the clothes, and seating herself.

Topsy, with great gravity and adroitness, went through the exercise
completely to Miss Ophelia's satisfaction; smoothing the sheets, patting
out every wrinkle, and exhibiting, through the whole process, a gravity
and seriousness with which her instructress was greatly edified. By an
unlucky slip, however, a fluttering fragment of the ribbon hung out of
one of her sleeves, just as she was finishing, and caught Miss Ophelia's
attention. Instantly, she pounced upon it. "What's this? You naughty,
wicked child,--you've been stealing this!"

The ribbon was pulled out of Topsy's own sleeve, yet was she not in
the least disconcerted; she only looked at it with an air of the most
surprised and unconscious innocence.

"Laws! why, that ar's Miss Feely's ribbon, an't it? How could it a got
caught in my sleeve?

"Topsy, you naughty girl, don't you tell me a lie,--you stole that
ribbon!"

"Missis, I declar for 't, I didn't;--never seed it till dis yer blessed
minnit."

"Topsy," said Miss Ophelia, "don't you now it's wicked to tell lies?"

"I nev