Mrs. Grundy was obliged to scream to her at least a dozen times to
come down and set the supper table, adding as a finale, that "she
wondered if she thought she was a lady boarder or what."




CHAPTER VI.

SAL FURBUSH.


The next morning between nine and ten, as Mary sat by Alice's cradle
rocking her to sleep, she was sensible of an unusual commotion in and
around the house. First there was the sound as of some one dancing in
the dark passage. Then there was the same noise in the kitchen below,
and a merry voice was heard singing snatches of wild songs, while
occasionally peals of laughter were heard mingled with Mrs. Grundy's
harsher tones. Mary's curiosity was roused, and as soon as Alice was
fairly asleep, she resolved to go down and ascertain the cause of the
disturbance, which had now subsided.

As she opened her door, she saw advancing towards her from the
farthest extremity of the hall, a little, shrivelled up woman, with
wild flashing eyes, and hair hanging loosely over her shoulders. She
was shaking her fist in a very threatening manner, and as she drew
nearer Mary saw that her face was going through a great variety of
changes, being at first perfectly hideous in its expression, and then
instantly changing into something equally ridiculous, though not quite
so frightful. Quickly divining that this must be Sal Furbush, Mary