.

"Those children are certainly planning another supper, and, what is far
worse, are adding to the discredit of such an act by resorting to
dishonest means of procuring the wherewithal for it. Oh, it is shocking,
shocking! And yet Marion cannot be convinced that her girls are capable of
deceit. Poor child, poor child, it is fortunate for her that there is
someone at hand to come to her rescue at such a crisis," and Mrs. Stone
reached the bottom of the stairs just as the evil-intentioned ghost
slipped into the housekeeper's pantry.

"Really, I must be quite sure before I speak, or I may bring about still
greater trouble. But what _can_ she want here at this hour of the night if
it be not some of Mrs. Store's provisions?" and she wrung her hands in
despair.

A dim light burned in the lower hall, rendering everything there plainly
visible from above; and if Mrs. Stone had not been so distressed by that
which was before her, she might have been aware of certain happenings just
above her. Why did not some good fairy whisper in her ear just at that
moment: "An' had you one eye behind you, you might see more detraction at
your heels than fortune before you," but there were apparently none out of
Dream Land.

As her foot touched the lower step, five or six heads peered over the
banister railing above, and what mystery of gravitation prevented as many
bodies from toppling over after them I am unable to say.

"Do look! Do look! She is after her full tilt, girls," whispered Cicely.
"Didn't I tell you it would be the funniest thing you ever saw?"

"Sh! She'll hear us, and the whole thing will be spoilt," said Ethel.

"No, indeed, she won't," answered Ruth, "she is too intent upon catching
Toinette."

"O, why _can't_ I stretch my neck out a yard or two so that I may see what
is going on in that pantry? Come on girls, I'm going downstairs if I die
for it," and down crept Lou, followed by all the others, for there was no
lack of bedroom slippers at Sunny Bank.

Meantime Toinette had entered the store-room, and, going straight to the
corner where some smoked hams and bacon were hanging, took a monstrous ham
from its hook, then, muttering, "Crackers, too, crackers, too," opened the
cracker box and drew forth a handful.

Mrs. Stone was thoroughly scandalized, but, just as she was about to
speak, Toinette turned full upon her and said:

"Yes, I will have some mustard, and a beefsteak, and baked beans, please.
Mrs. Stores had