'Why, that we never has a bit of any kind of vegetable, much less of fruit, fit to lay a fork to!' Charles was a-pricking up his ears at this, because of his own grumbles, and the master saw it, and he says, 'Hush, Dolly!' But she up and answers spiritly: 'No, I won't hush, papa, because it is too bad.

Only you leave it to me,' she says, 'and if I don't keep the key from that old thief--excoose me, Mr.Swipes, for her shocking language--'and find out what he locks up in there, my name's not Horatia Dorothy Darling.' Oh, don't let it dwell so on your mind, Mr.Swipes! You know what young ladies be.

They says things random, and then goes away and never thinks no more about it.

Oh, don't be upset so--or I shall have to call Charles!" Mr.Swipes took his hat off to ease his poor mind, which had lost its way altogether in other people's wickedness.

"May I never set eyes on that young man no more!" he exclaimed, with more pathetic force than reasoning power.