scarcely any active trade down in Northbury, almost all the inhabitants
having retired to live there on their fortunes. The Bells were small,
rather thickly-made girls, with round faces and round eyes. They always
dressed alike, and one was never seen without the other two. They
generally walked through the streets with their arms linked, and each
one echoed the sentiments of the other, so that the effect produced was
a sense of medley and multiplicity.

To such an extent was this felt that the three girls were spoken of by
the wits of the town as the "four-and-twenty Miss Bells." They adored
Beatrice, and bore down upon her now in a neat phalanx.

"Delighted to see you, Bee!" exclaimed Matty.

"Delighted!" echoed Alice.

"Lighted!" exclaimed Sophy.

"Where have you been?" began Matty, again.

Beatrice told. While she spoke, three pairs of lips were raised for a
salute.

People kissed in the streets or anywhere at Northbury.

"You were with those Bertrams! Those _rude_ Bertrams! Oh, fascinating--"

"Fascinating--"

"Nating," burst from the three.