Her pride ran in a different groove from that of her once over-complimented, over-fostered sister.

She was going to add a protest in words to that expressed by her gesture, but I hastily prevented this by coming at once to the point of my errand.
"My excuse for this early call," I said, this time addressing Miss Thankful, "lies in an adventure which occurred to me yesterday in the adjoining house." It was painful to see how they both started, and how they instinctively caught each at the other's hand as they sat side by side on the sofa, as if only thus they could bear the shock of what might be coming next.

I had to nerve myself to proceed.

"You know, or rather I gather from your kind greetings that you know that I am at present staying with Mrs.Packard.She is very kind and we spend many pleasant hours together; but of course some of the time I have to be alone, and then I try to amuse myself by looking about at the various interesting things which are scattered through the house." A gasp from Miss Charity, a look still more expressive from Miss Thankful.

I hastened to cut their suspense short.
"You know the little cabinet they have placed in the old entrance pointing this way?
Well, I was looking at that when the whim seized me--I hardly know how--to press one of the knobs in the molding which runs about the doorway, when instantly everything gave way under me and I fell into a deep hole which had been scooped out of the alley-way--nobody knows for what." A cry and they were on their feet, still holding hands and endeavoring to show nothing but concern for my disaster.
"Oh, I wasn't hurt," I smiled.