up to change her morning apparel and don the high-crowned cap with the
sky-blue ribbons. Greatly was she surprised at the sound of voices in
the room adjoining, and while Mary was still in Billy's lap the door
opened, and Mrs. Grundy appeared, with her hands thrown up and the
wide border of her morning cap, which also did night service for its
fair owner, flying straight back.

"Mary Howard!" said she; "a _man_ up in this hall where no male is
ever permitted to come! What does it mean? I shall be ruined!"

"No danger, madam, I assure you," said Billy. "I came to bring Alice's
cradle, and did not suppose there was any thing improper in coming up
here."

"It's nobody but Billy Bender," said Mary, frightened at Mrs. Grundy's
wrathful looks.

"And who is Billy Bender? A beau? 'Pears to me you are beginning
young, and getting on fast, too, a settin' in his lap. S'posin' I
should do so--wouldn't it be a town's talk?"

Mary tried to get down, but Billy, greatly amused at the highly
scandalized lady's distress, held her tightly, and Mrs. Grundy,
slamming the door together, declared "she'd tell Mr. Parker, and
that's the end on't."

But no Mr. Parker made his appearance, and as the sun was getting
towards the west, Billy ere long started up, saying, he must go now,
but would come again next week. Mary followed him down stairs, and
then returning to her room cried herself into so sound a sleep that