court, much perplexed as to the
door to be made for; the difficulty was solved by the appearance of
Cornelia, who in expectation of them had been for the last half-hour
leaning over the sill of her bed-room window, which looked into the
interior, amusing herself by watching the movements to and fro in the
court beneath.

After conversing awhile in undertones as if they had no real right there
at all, Cornelia told them she would call their sister, if an old
gentleman who had been to see her were gone again. Cornelia then ran
away, and Sol and Dan stood aloof, till they had seen the old gentleman
alluded to go to the door and drive off, shortly after which Ethelberta
ran down to meet them.

'Whatever have you got as your luggage?' she said, after hearing a few
words about their journey, and looking at a curious object like a huge
extended accordion with bellows of gorgeous-patterned carpeting.

'Well, I thought to myself,' said Sol, ''tis a terrible bother about
carrying our things. So what did I do but turn to and make a carpet-bag
that would hold all mine and Dan's too. This, you see, Berta, is a deal
top and bottom out of three-quarter stuff, stained and varnished. Well,
then you see I've got carpet sides tacked on with these brass nails,
which make it look very handsome; and so when my bag is empty 'twill shut
up and be only a couple of boards under yer arm, and when 'tis open it
will hold a'most anything you like to put in it. That portmantle didn't
cost more than three half-crowns altogether, and ten pound wouldn't ha'
got anything so strong from a portmantle maker, would it, Dan?'

'Well, no.'

'And then you see, Berta,' Sol continued in the same earnest tone, and
further exhibiting the article, 'I've made this trap-door in the top with
hinges and padlock complete, so that--'

'I am afraid it is tiring you after your journey to explain all this to
me,' said Ethelberta gently, noticing that a few Gallic smilers were
gathering round. 'Aunt has found a nice room for you at the top of the
staircase in that corner--"Escalier D" you'll see painted at the
bottom--and when you have been up come across to me at number thirty-four
on this side, and we'll talk about everything.'

'Look here, Sol,' said Dan, who had left his brother and gone on to the
stairs. 'What a rum staircase--the treads all in little blocks, and
painted chocolate, as I am alive!'

'I am afraid I shall not be able to go on to Paris with