sy among the packing-cases that
encumbered the narrow little vestibule whence the stairs ascended.

Under the verandah were the five sash windows of the three front rooms,
the door, of course, in the middle. Each had a little shabby furniture,
to which the Carbonels were adding, and meant to add more; the
dining-room had already been papered with red flock in stripes, the
drawing-room with a very delicate white, on which were traced in tender
colouring-baskets of vine leaves and laburnums.

Dora gave a little scream. "Look! Between the windows, Mary; see, the
laburnums and grapes are hanging upward."

"Stupid people!" exclaimed Mary, "I see. Happily, it is only on that
one piece, but how Edmund will be vexed."

"Perhaps there is another piece unused."

"I am sure I hope there is! Don't you know, Edmund fell in love with it
at Paris. It was his first provision for future housekeeping, and it
was lying laid up in lavender all these years till we were ready for
it."

"It is only that one division, which is a comfort."

"What's the matter?" and the master of the house came in.

"Senseless beings! It must be covered directly. It is a desight to the
whole room. Here!" and he went out to the carpenter, who was universal
builder to the village, and was laying down the stair carpet. "Here,
Hewlett, do you see what you have done?"

Hewlett, a large man with a smooth, plump, but honest face, came in, in
his shirt sleeves, apron, and paper cap, touched his forehead to the
ladies, stood, and stared.

"Can't you see?" sharply demanded the captain.

Hewlett scratched his head, and gazed round.

"See here! How do grapes grow? Or laburnums?"

An idea broke in on him.

"What! they be topsy-turvy?" he slowly observed, after looking from the
faulty breadth to the next.

"Of course they are. Find the rest of the paper! We must have a piece
put on at once, or the whole appearance of the room is spoilt," said
Captain Carbonel. "It will make a delay, but it must be done at once.
Where is the piece left over?"

Hewlett retreated to find it, while the captain said something about
"stupid ass."

Presently his gruff voice was heard demanding, "Dan, I say, where's the
remnant of that there fancy paper?"

Dan's answer did not rise into audible words, but presently Hewlett
tramped back, saying, "There ain't none, sir."

"I tell you there must be," returned the captain, in the same angry
tones. And he proceeded