at his great-great-grandfather's eyeball.

Stuart was sent from the room in disgrace to report to his father, and
the last I saw of Miss Patricia that day, she was looking up at the
portrait, and saying, with a mournful shake of her gray curls: "How
can they do such things? I must confess that I don't understand
boys!"

CHAPTER IV.

THE TALE THE MIRROR-MONKEY HEARD ON THURSDAY.

The day that Phil was able to go back to school was an unlucky one for
me. It was so dolefully quiet everywhere. After he had gone, I slipped
down-stairs on the banister, but the blinds were drawn in the parlour
and dining-room, and it was so still that the only sound to be heard
was the slow ticking of the great clock in the hall. When it gave a
loud br-r-r and began to strike, I was so startled by the sudden noise
that I nearly lost my balance and turned a somersault over the
railing.

Then I saw Miss Patricia pass through the hall with her bonnet on,
going out for a morning walk, and I thought it would be a fine time
for me to explore her room. It is full of interesting things that I
had never been permitted to touch, for when the boys were allowed to
take me into Miss Patricia's room, it was always on condition that I
should be made to play little Jack Horner and sit in some corner under
a chair or table.

So as soon as the door closed behind her I hurried up-stairs to her
room. I had the best time that morning. There were all sorts of little
bottles on her wash-stand with good-smelling stuff in them. I pulled
out the corks and emptied some of the bottles into the bowl to make
that smell good, too. Then I washed my teeth with her little
silver-handled toothbrush, just as Phil does every morning, and put
the sponges to soak in the water-pitcher.

After awhile I found the cut-glass vinaigrette that Miss Patricia
carries around with her. I have seen her use it a hundred times at
least, tipping back the silver lid, taking out the little glass
stopper, and holding it to her nose with the remark that she never
smelled more refreshing salts. I have wanted very much to try it
myself. So now that I had the chance I did just as she does,--tipped
back the lid, pulled out the stopper, and took a long, deep smell.
Whew! It almost upset me. I thought it must be fire and brimstone that
she had bottled up in there. It brought the tears to my eyes, and
took my breath for a minute so I had to sit and gasp. Then I dropped
the vinaigrette in