doors, and the rattling of the boards with which Rose had stopped up
the broken panes of her lattice; she rolled from side to side,
fancied odd shapes in the dark, and grew so restless and anxious for
Rose's coming that she was just ready to jump out of bed and go in
the passage to call her when Rose came into the room.

"O Rose, what a time you have been!"

It was no satisfaction to Rose to find the curious little chatter-box
so wide awake at this very inconvenient time, but she did not lose
her patience, and answered that she had been first with Charlie, and
then with their mother.

"And now I hope you are coming to bed. I can't go to sleep without
you."

"Oh, but indeed you must, Lucy dear, for I shall not be ready this
long time. Look, here is a great rent in Walter's coat, which I must
mend, or he won't be fit to be seen to-morrow."

"What shall we have for dinner to-morrow, Rose? What made you eat so
much supper to-night?"

"I'll tell you what, Lucy, I am not going to talk to you, or you will
lie awake all night, and that will be very bad for you. I shall put
my candle out of your sight, and say some Psalms, but I cannot talk."

So Rose began, and, wakeful as Lucy was, she found the low sweet
tones lulled her a little. But she did not like this; she had a
perverse intention of staying awake till Rose got into bed, so