find out you'se in dis yer house, not if you'd
gib me----"

Rap, rap, at the chamber door; two light, hurried knocks.

"Miss Jinny herself!" said old Toby, forgetting Mrs. Sprowl in an
instant. And setting down the salver, he ran to the door.

Penn heard quick whispers of consultation; then Toby came back, his eyes
rolling and his ivory shining with a ludicrous expression of wrath and
amazement.

"It's de bery ol' hag herself! Speak de debil's name and he's allus at
de door!"

"Who? Mrs. Sprowl?"

"Yes, sar! and I wish she was furder, sar! She's a 'quirin' fur
you,--says she knows you'se in de house, and it's bery 'portant she must
see ye. But, tank de Lord, massa!" chuckled the old negro, "Carl's
forgot his English, and don't know nuffin what she wants! he, he, he! Or
if she makes him und'stan' one ting, den he talks Dutch, and _she_ don't
und'stan.' And so dey'se habin' it, fust one, den tudder, while Miss
Jinny she hears 'em and comes fur to let us know. But how de ol' critter
eber found you out, dat am one ob de mysteries!"

"She merely guesses I am here," said Penn. "I'm only afraid Carl will
overdo his part, and confirm her suspicions."

"'Sh!" hissed Toby in sudden alarm. "She's a comin! She's a comin' right
up to dis yer door!" And he flew to fasten it.

He had scarcely done so when a hand tried the latch, and a voice
called,--

"Come! ye needn't, none of ye, try to impose on me! I know you're in
this very room, Penn Hapgood, and you'll let me in, old friends so, I'm
shore! I've bothered long enough with that stupid Dutch boy, and now
Virginny wants to keep me, and talk with me; but I've nothing to do with
nobody in this house but _you_!"

Mrs. Sprowl had not been on amicable terms with her daughter-in-law's
family since Salina and her husband separated; and this last declaration
she made loud enough for all in the house to hear.

Penn motioned for Toby to open the door, believing it the better way to
admit the lady and conciliate her. But Toby shook his head--and his fist
with grim defiance.

"Wal!" said Mrs. Sprowl, "you can do as you please about lettin' a body
in; but I'll give ye to understand one thing--I don't stir a foot from
this door till it's opened. And if you want it kept secret that you're
here, it'll be a great deal better for you, Penn Hapgood, to let me in,
than to keep me standin' or settin' all day on the stairs."

The idea of a long siege struck Toby with dismay. He hesitate