and other belongings were soon rummaged over, but one large closet and several
bureau drawers were locked. "These are the receptercles of the deceased Mrs.
Holcroft's affects," she said with compressed lips. "They are moldering
useless away. Moth and rust will enter, while I, the caretaker, am debarred.
I should not be debarred. All the things in that closet should be shaken out,
aired, and carefully put back. Who knows how useful they may be in the
future! Waste is wicked. Indeed, there are few things more wicked than
waste. Now I think of it, I have some keys in my trunk."

"He won't like it," interposed Jane.

"In the responserble persition I have assumed," replied Mrs. Mumpson with
dignity, "I must consider not what he wants, but what is best for him and what
may be best for others."

Jane had too much curiosity herself to make further objection, and the keys
were brought. It was astonishing what a number of keys Mrs. Mumpson
possessed, and she was not long in finding those which would open the ordinary
locks thought by Holcroft to be ample protection.

"I was right," said Mrs. Mumpson complacently. "A musty odor exudes from these
closed receptercles,. Men have no comprehension of the need of such
caretakers as I am."

Everything that had ever belonged to poor Mrs. Holcroft was pulled out, taken
to the window, and examined, Jane following, as usual, in the wake of her
mother and putting everything to the same tests which her parent applied.
Mrs. Holcroft had been a careful woman, and the extent and substantial
character of her wardrobe proved that her husband had not been close in his
allowances to her. Mrs. Mumpson's watery blue eyes grew positively animated