occasion requires."

Here Mrs. Butler souded a loud rat-tat on the Bells' hall door. The
little maid opened it rather in a fright. She poked her head out. This
was a style usually adopted by the Northbury servants.

"Is your mistress in, Hannah?"

"I don't know, Mrs. Butler, ma'am. I'll inquire, ma'am. Will you walk
in, please, ma'am."

"I will, Hannah, and so will Miss Peters. Show us into the drawing-room,
and tell your mistress we are here. If she should happen to be out we
will wait her return. You will be particular to remember that, Hannah.
We'll wait her return."

"Oh, if you please, Mrs. Butler, will you--excuse me, ma'am, but
_will_ you come into the parlor, please, ma'am?"

"Into the parlor? Why into the parlor, pray?"

"It's Miss Matty, ma'am."

"Oh! has Miss Matty become mistress of this house? And does she forbid
her mother's visitors admission to the drawing-room! Hoots, toots--I'll
soon put a stop to that sort of thing. Come on, Maria."

"But really, Martha--do stop a moment, Martha--I'm sure Hannah ought to
know best."

"Oh, indeed, yes, Miss Peters--thank you, Miss Peters--missis did give
orders most positive. These were her exact words: 'Hannah,' she said,
'the parlor is for callers. You remember that, Hannah, and the
drawing-room is for--'"

"Yes," said Mrs. Butler, sweeping round, and confronting poor little
frightened Hannah. "Who is the drawing-room for?"

"For Miss Matty, please, Mrs. Butler, ma'am. For Miss Matty and Mr.
Gusty Jenkins. They're a--they're a-lovering in the drawing-room,
ma'am."

"Then they are engaged! That rumor also reached me. Come on, Maria.
We'll go and congratulate them."

No poor little ignorant maid-of-all-work could keep Mrs. Butler back
now. She swept down the passage, followed by the shrinking, but curious
Miss Peters. She threw open the drawing-room door herself, and intruded
upon the abashed young people with a stately flourish.

"How are you, Matty?" she said. "Oh, pray don't let us disturb you. Is
that you, Augustus? I'm pleased to see you, young man. I used to dandle
you when you were an infant--good gracious, what red hair you had,
and--it hasn't changed, not at all! Now, Matty, my dear, what are you
blushing about? You have caught your young man at last, and much luck
may you both have. If--' if at first you don't succeed, try, try, try
again.' You _have_ tried again, Matty, and I congratulate you. You
may kiss me, Matty, if you like. Maria,