I must have been an awful specimen of a child; I don't like to remember what things I did then.

When I was about ten, Father went away for a few weeks to the North Island, and while he was gone, Mrs.Barker went off in the gig to have a day's shopping at the nearest store.

She left me alone in the house.

I wasn't frightened, for I was quite accustomed to it.

No one but a chance neighbour ever came near.