Then I saw that the key was in the writing-desk, and I thought what if by chance any of the disgusting creatures had got in there; for what would Mrs.Stanhope say?
I opened one division and then another and another.

Hu! how it looked! I can't tell you how horrid it was! Snails, caterpillars, beetles, every sort of ugly living creature crawled out of every place,--it was all dirty and nasty and abominable! I cleaned and brushed and washed and scrubbed as well as I could; but it was so dirty and so sticky! Ugh! And it was done on purpose, too; that's the worst of it; and the nasty things have got into my clothes and my hair and all over me! That stupid young gentleman did it just to frighten whoever came and found them there! I know he did!" "No, Lina, you're mistaken," said Clarissa, when she could get in a word.

"Come with me, and I'll see what can be done with the room.

The boy didn't mean to frighten any one.

I'm only afraid he was trying to hide them where they wouldn't be found.