ocked twice Jenny." "Did you?--I was dozing,--the thundery
weather makes me so queer.--Have a cup of tea, and take a table out
into the garden,--it will be fresher there to have tea."

"No I've got my new dress, it will rumple it if it's long in the bundle,
I must open it. Such a pretty one,--you will like it I think.--Tom did
when I showed him the pattern,--I'll take it up to the bed-room, and
hang it up."

Jenny's voice rose almost to a shriek. "Oh! no, no, don't,--come and
have tea first,--I'm so thirsty, so tired,--come downstairs." "Well you
go and make it, I'll only just hang it up in the bed-room, and come down
directly," said her sister.

Jenny objecting, the sister answered angrily, "What are you in such a
hurry for tea for?--it's not time,--well have it by yourself, I can't
drink it,--I had a lot of beer at dinner, and Tom gave me nearly a pint
before I left him,--it was so hot, I was so thirsty,--it's on my chest
now,--I can't put tea on the top of it yet." "Well if you won't, I may
as well go up with you," said Jenny. Footsteps came nearer, and hat,
stick, and self, I threw under the bed. Jenny came in looking like
death. "She won't find me here,--get her down soon," was all I had time
to say in a whisper before the sister following Jenny entered the room.
I had quite hidden myself.

The bed had been a good one, the old gentleman and lady had slept on it
for years; it was large and handsome, but being shabby and worn out, had
that very month only been put to servants' use. Round it were old red
valances hanging to the floor, things not given to servants. No sooner
was I under the bed, than I saw there were little openings at the seams,
and some moth-holes, which permitted me to see through them. At one spot
near to my shoulder as I lay crouching and doubled up, was a long slit
where the valance had been torn down. By raising myself on my elbow,
and squeezing my head against the mattress I could see perfectly, but
no person in the room would have noticed me, even though the room was as
bright as day, for the thick red hangings hid me in darkness under the
bed, and I was on the side away from the window. I gazed earnestly at
Jenny's sister through this opening and others.

She was a well-grown, strong woman, with a handsome round face, and dark
hair and eyes; she had shortish petticoats, and thickish ankles in good
lace-up boots which, made much noise as she walked about. She had a
huge paper parcel in he