I get
the ladder."

With Packett in a position to cut off retreat, and the precipice of
wool-bales in front, Rachel sat down and shook with laughter.

Varnhagen naturally argued that his pretty daughter's foot, now that
the tables were so suddenly turned upon her, would with the storeman's
assistance be quickly set upon the top rung of the ladder which was now
in position. But he had not yet learned all Rachel's stratagems.

"No!" she cried. "I think I'll stay here."

"My child, my Rachel, you will fall!"

"Oh, dear, no: it's as firm as a rock. No, Packett, you can go down. I
shall stay here."

"But, my 'tear Rachel, you'll be killed! Come down, I beg."

"Will you promise to do what I want?"

"My 'tear daughter, let us talk afterwards. I can think of nothing while
you are in danger of being killed in a moment!"

"I want that gold watch in Tresco's window. I sha'n't come down till you
say I can have it."

"My peautiful Rachel, it is too expensive. I will import you one for
half the price. Come down before it is too late."

"What's the good of watches in London? I want that watch at Tresco's, to
wear going calling. Consent, father, before it is too late."

"My loafly, how much was the watch?"

"Twenty-five pounds."

"Oh, that is too much. First, you will ruin me, and kill yourself
afterwards to spite my poverty. Rachel, you make your poor old father
quite ill."

"Then I am to have the watch?"

"Nefer mind the watch. Some other time talk to me of the watch. Come
down safe to your old father, before you get killed."

"But I _do_ mind the watch. It's what I came for. I shall stay here till
you consent."

"Oh, Rachel, you haf no heart. You don't loaf your father."

"You don't love your daughter, else you'd give me what I want."

"I not loaf you, Rachel! Didn't I gif you that ring last week, and the
red silk dress the week pefore? Come down, my child, and next birthday
you shall have a better watch than in all Tresco's shop. My 'tear
Rachel, my 'tear child, you'll be killed; and what good will be your
father's money to him then? Oh! that bale moved. Rachel! sit still."

"Then you'll give me the watch?"

"Yes, yes. You shall have the watch. Come down now, while Packett holds
your hand."

"Can I have it to-day?"

"Be careful, Packett. Oh! that bale is almost ofer."

"Will you give it me this morning, father?"

"Yes, yes, this morning."

"Before I go home to dinner?"

"Yes, pefore dinner."