'It has something to do with that letter that was directed to me, but
that you took out of my hands before I could even see the writing of
the direction.' She fixed her grey eyes on her father's face, as if she
meant to pluck out his secret.

He only smiled and said,--'You're a witch, goosey!'

'Then it had! But if it was a note from Mrs. Hamley, why might I not
see it? I have been wondering if you had some plan in your head ever
since that day--Thursday, was it not? You've gone about in a kind of
thoughtful perplexed way, just like a conspirator. Tell me, papa'--
coming up to him, and putting on a beseeching manner--'why might not I
see that note? and why am I to go to Hamley all on a sudden?'

'Don't you like to go? Would you rather not?' If she had said that she
did not want to go he would have been rather pleased than otherwise,
although it would have put him into a great perplexity; but he was
beginning to dread the parting from her even for so short a time.
However, she replied directly,--

'I don't know--I dare say I shall like it when I have thought a little
more about it. Just now I am so startled by the suddenness of the
affair, I have not considered whether I shall like it or not. I shan't
like going away from you, I know. Why am I to go, papa?'

'There are three old ladies sitting somewhere, and thinking about you
just at this very minute; one has a distaff in her hands, and is
spinning a thread; she has come to a knot in it, and is puzzled what to
do with it. Her sister has a great pair of scissors in her hands, and
wants--as she always does, when any difficulty arises in the smoothness