shop with large panes of glass, and inside upon stands were
arranged a variety of bonnets and caps, set off with looking-glass and
silk curtains, in the arrangement of which no little taste was
displayed. Behind the show goods was a curtain hanging on a brass rod,
drawn so as to conceal the workpeople who were within. There was a
private door as well as a shop door, and I hardly knew which I was to go
in at; however, as the shop door required no knocking, I went into that,
and found myself in the company of eight young damsels, very busy at
their needles, sitting on each side of a long table covered with
half-made dresses. I inquired of them whether my mother was at home, and
was answered by one, who was apparently the eldest, that she was down
below getting the breakfast ready.

"I suppose," continued she, "you are Mr. Tom Saunders, the pilot?"

"I suppose I am," replied I; "and pray who are you?"

"I am Miss Amelia Gozlin, apprentice to Mrs. Saunders, milliner--at your
service, sir; and, in consequence of my being so very quiet and sedate,
I have charge of all these young ladies you see with me."

Here the others burst into a laugh.

"They are in very good hands, Miss Amelia," replied I, "and under your
care, and with your example, I have no doubt but they will turn out very
useful members of society."

"Thank you, sir; but allow me to say that I cannot permit young men,
especially such enchanting young men as Mr. Tom Saunders, to remain
here; as, if I do, your amiable mother would give me what is genteelly
termed a wigging; so if you will be pleased, sir, just to remove
yourself from our presence," continued she, with a mock courtesy, "and
not make your appearance here again until you are certain your mother is
gone out, you will oblige us very much."

I obeyed the wishes of Miss Amelia Gozlin, who certainly was a very
handsome girl, with fine black eyes, apparently about fifteen years old.
I walked into the passage, and found my way down into the kitchen, where
my mother and Virginia were employed as they had told me above. My
mother received me kindly, but said little, for she appeared to be fully
occupied; and Virginia had no time to dedicate to me until the breakfast
was ready, when she called the apprentices, and we all sat down
together, Miss Amelia and her companions looking so demure, that, if I
had not seen them before, I should have thought that they could not
speak.

After breakfast was over Virgi