o
pieces, and rolled up in the general hoard of things which were to
come of use in seven years' time. Judith, who was putting the finishing
touches to the re-arrangement by shaking up the cushions of the great
chair, and restoring the inkstand to its place in the middle of the
table, gave in answer to her exclamations the information that "Missus
had been up since seven o'clock, helping to put away the things herself,
for she said she could not bear to have Mr. Geoffrey's room not fit for
anybody to sit in." This might certainly be considered as a tolerably
broad hint that they had better discontinue their representations,
but they were arrived at that state of eagerness which may be best
illustrated by the proverb referring to a blind horse. Every one,
inclined to that same impetuosity, and want of soberness, can remember
the dismay with which hosts of such disregarded checks will recur to the
mind when too late, and the poor satisfaction of the self-justification
which truly answers that their object was not even comprehended.
Henrietta, accustomed but little to heed such indications of dissent
from her will, did not once think of her grandmamma's dislike, and
Beatrice with her eyes fully open to it, wilfully despised it as a
fidgety fancy.

Henrietta had devised a series of scenes for the word assassin, and
greatly delighted the imagination of her partners by a proposal to make
a pair of asses' ears of cotton velvet for the adornment of Bottom the
weaver. Fred fell back in his chair in fits of laughing at the device,
and Queen Bee capered and danced about the room, declaring her worthy to
be her own "primest of viziers."

"And," said Beatrice, "what an exquisite interlude it will make to
relieve the various plagues of Monday evening."

"Why you don't mean to act then!" exclaimed Henrietta.

"Why not? You don't know what a relief it will be. It will be an excuse
for getting away from all the stupidity."

"To be sure it will," cried Fred. "A bright thought, Mrs. Bee. We shall
have it all to ourselves in the study in comfort."

"But would grandmamma ever let us do it?" said Henrietta.

"I will manage," said Beatrice. "I will make grandpapa agree to it, and
then she will not mind. Think how he enjoyed it."

"Before so many people!" said Henrietta. "O, Queenie, it will never do!
It would be a regular exhibition."

"My dear, what nonsense!" said Beatrice. "Why, it is all among friends
and neighbours."

"Frien