s, so as to make five dear little cubby-houses inside the
chest. I'd put Tommy in one, Isaphine in another, Arabella Jane in
another, Belinda in another, and Gabella Sarah in another. Then I'd
shut the lid down and fasten it, and wouldn't I have a good time! When
dinner was ready I'd fetch a plate and spoon, feed 'em all round, and
shut 'em up again. It would be just the same when I washed their faces;
I'd just take a wet cloth and do 'em all with a couple of scrubs. They
couldn't get into mischief I suppose in there. Yet I don't know. Tommy
is so bad that he would if he could. Let me see,--what could he do? If
he had a gimlet he'd bore holes in the boards, and stick pins through to
make the others cry. I must be sure to see if he has any gimlets in his
pocket before I put him in. Oh, dear, I hope I shan't forget!"

Mell was so absorbed in these visions that she did not hear the gate
open, and when a hand was suddenly laid on her shoulder she gave a
little cry and a great jump. A tall man had come in, and was standing
close to her.

"Does Mrs. Captain Davis live here?" asked the tall man.

"Yes," said Mell, staring at him with her big eyes.

"Is she to home?"

"Yes," said Mell again. "She's in there," pointing to the kitchen.

The tall man stepped over Mell, and went in. Mell heard the sound of
voices, and grew curious. She peeped in at the door. Her step-mother was
folding a letter. She looked vexed about something.

"What time shall you start?" she said.

"Half-past five," replied the man. "I've my hands to pay at ten, and the
weather's so hot it's best to get off early."

"I suppose I must go," went on Mrs. Davis, "though I'd rather be whipped
than do it. You can stop if you've a mind to: I'll be ready."

"Very well," said the man. "You haven't got a drink of cider in the
house, have you? This dust has made me as dry as a chip."

"Mell, run down cellar and fetch some," said Mrs. Davis. "It was good
cider once, but I'm afraid it's pretty hard now." She bustled about;
brought doughnuts and a pitcher of water. The man drank a glass of the
sour cider and went away. Mrs. Davis sat awhile thinking. Then she
turned sharply on Mell.

"I've got to go from home to-morrow on business," she said. "Perhaps I
shall be back by tea-time, and perhaps I sha'n't. If there was anybody I
could get to leave the house with I would, but there isn't anybody. Now,
listen to me, Mell Davis. Don't you open a book to-morrow, not onc