each with its individual reflections on the scene
just described.

"And that man," continued Mr. Kimberly after a long pause, "was, not two
months ago, the most malignant malcontent in Hollowmell."

Still no one else seemed to care about giving expression to any thoughts
they might have on the subject, and in silence they separated for the
night.

CHAPTER VII.

MONA'S DEFEAT.

Next day was very wet and stormy, therefore Minnie could not go down to
see Mabel as she had intended, and the whole family were at home after
church.

"I say, Min," said Archie looking in at the parlour door, where Minnie,
Seymour, and Ned were each engaged in staring out at the rain as it
poured, and whirled, and beat upon the glass, as if in glorious
enjoyment of some long-meditated revenge. "I say, they are all out
down-stairs, and there's a jolly fire there. Let's go down into the
kitchen and eat apples."

"Will any of you come?" asked Minnie, turning to Ned and Seymour, who
hailed the prospect of such an advantageous exchange with delight, and
thither they repaired forthwith.

It was a great stone kitchen, with an immense fire-place, in which
blazed what Archie had with justice described as a jolly fire.

[Illustration]

"Why, this is the idea!" exclaimed Ned, as he settled himself
comfortably in his chair, and began on the apples which Archie piled
upon the table. "I never imagined a kitchen was such a jolly place
before--upon my word, I didn't. It fairly beats anything in the way of
drawing-rooms, dining-rooms, or parlours that ever occurred in my
experience, at least. Why did not we think of this before?" he demanded,
as he stretched out his long legs before the fire with an air of intense
satisfaction.

"O, we've often thought of it before, and done it too," answered Minnie
laughing. "Only you see it isn't always possible, as we can only do it
when the servants are out."

"Ah--um--just so," remarked Ned in a ruminating voice, "that's it, is
it? Well, couldn't we have another kitchen for them, and keep this one
for ourselves? I don't see any good reason why the best apartment in the
house should be expressly constructed and designed for the particular
delectation of the servants. I say it's a shame.'"

"You'd better enjoy it while you may," advised Seymour amid the laughter
of the other two. "And not spoil your digestion by grumbling. When _you_
have a house I have no doubt you will sit in the kitchen, and allow