otton visiting dress and the huge bonnet with the pink bows and
ribbons. Tottie accompanied her, for the two were seldom apart for any
lengthened period since the time when Stephen and Billy went away.
Mother and daughter seemed from that date to have been united by a new
and stronger bond than heretofore; they walked, worked, ate, slept, and
almost thought together. On the present occasion they meant to pay a
business visit at the house of Mr Stuart.

While they were on their way thither, Miss Penelope Stuart was engaged
in the difficult and harassing work of preparing for a journey. She was
assisted by Mrs Niven, who was particularly anxious to know the cause
of the intended journey, to the great annoyance of Miss Peppy, who did
not wish to reveal the cause, but who was so incapable of concealing
anything that she found it absolutely necessary to take the housekeeper
into her confidence.

"Niven," she said, sitting down on a portmanteau, which was packed,
beside one which was packing.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I may as well tell you why it is that I am going to visit my
brother-in-law--"

"Oh, it's to your brother-in-law you're goin', is it?"

"Yes, I forgot that you did not know, but to be sure I might have known
that you could not know unless you were told, although it's difficult to
understand why people shouldn't know what others are thinking of, as
well as what they are looking at. We can see them looking, but we can't
hear them thinking--really it is very perplexing--dear me, where can
they be?"

"What, ma'am?"

"My thick walking-shoes. I'm quite sure that I had them in my hand a
minute ago."

"Ho! ma'am," exclaimed Mrs Niven suddenly, "if you aren't bin an' put
'em into your bonnet-box among the caps."

"Well now, that _is_ odd. Put them into the bag, Niven. Well, as I was
saying--where was I?"

"You was goin' to tell me why you are goin' to your brother, ma'am,"
observed the housekeeper.

"Ah! to be sure; well then--. But you must never mention it, Niven."

Miss Peppy said this with much solemnity, as if she were administering
an oath.

"On my honour, ma'am; trust me. I never mentions hanythink."

Mrs Niven said this as though she wondered that the supposition could
have entered into Miss Peppy's head for a moment, that she, (Mrs
Niven), could, would, or should tell anything to anybody.

"Well then, you must know," resumed Miss Peppy, with a cautious glance
round the room, "my brother-in-