"And sure ye'r Peter or Paul, or Judas hissilf, if so be she likes
to call ye so while she's this way; an', if ye shtrike her, it's the
weight uv my fist ye'll feel; mind that, young man!--Whisht, thin,
darlint! asy, mavourneen!"

'Toinette, hushed upon the motherly bosom of the good woman, soon
ceased her cries, and presently fell again to sleep; while Teddy,
with rather an injured look upon his uncouth face, and yet pleased
to see the little sister in his mother's arms, crept softly from the
room, with his breakfast in his hand.






CHAPTER X.

THE EMPTY NEST.





WHEN Susan returned from carrying Bessie Rider home, she was quite
surprised to find the front-door ajar, as she thought she had been
sure of latching it in going out; but, without stopping to make any
inquiries of the other servants, she ran up the stairs, took off her
shawl and hood, and then went to the drawing-room for 'Toinette. The
room was empty; and Susan at once concluded that Mrs. Legrange had