shadows.

The Scotch servant saw from a pantry window the shadow of a cap
projected on the grass, with a face, and part of a body. She stepped
out, and got upon the grass.

Finding it was only a boy, she was brave as well as cunning; and, owing
to the wind and his absorption, stole on him unheard, and pinned him
with her strong hands by both his shoulders.

Young Hopeful uttered a screech of dismay, and administered a back kick
that made Jessie limp for two days, and scream very lustily for the
present.

Mr. Bassett, at this dialogue of yells, dropped a coffee-pot with a
crash and a tinkle, and ran out directly, and secured young Hopeful,
who thereupon began to quake and remonstrate.

"I was only taking a look," said he. "Where's the harm of that?"

"You were trespassing, sir," said Richard Bassett.

"What is the harm of that, governor? You can come over all our place,
for what I care."

"Thank you. I prefer to keep to my own place."

"Well, I don't. I say, old chap, don't hit me. 'Twas I put 'em all on
the scent of your kid, you know."

"So I have heard. Well, then, this makes us quits."

"Don't it? You ain't such a bad sort, after all."

"Only mind, Mr. Bassett, if I catch you prying here again, that will be
a fresh account, and I shall open it with a horsewhip."

He then gave him a little push, and the boy fled like the wind. When he
was gone, Richard Bassett became rather uneasy. He had hitherto
concealed, even from his own family, the great wealth his humble home
contained. His secret was now public. Reginald had no end of low
companions. If burglars got scent of this, it might be very awkward. At
last he hit upon a defense. He got one of those hooks ending in a screw
which are used for pictures, and screwed it into the inside of the
cupboard door near the top. To this he fastened a long piece of catgut,
and carried it through the floor. His bed was just above the cupboard
door, and he attached the gut to a bell by his bedside. By this means
nobody could open that cupboard without ringing in his ears.

Jessie told Tom, Tom told Maria and Harriet; Harriet and Maria told
everybody; somebody told Sir Charles. He was deeply mortified.

"You young idiot!" said he, "would nothing less than this serve your
turn? must you go and lower me and yourself by giving just offense to
my one enemy?--the man I hate and despise, and who is always on the
watch to injure or affront me. Oh, who would be a father! There