ht to do that sort of thing. It is intolerably mean
of you. You had no right to go into my bedroom."

"I often does what I has no right to do," said Penelope, by no means
abashed. "I went in a-purpose 'cos you didn't tell me what you wished to
tell me once, and I was burning to know. Do you understand what it is to
be all curiosity so that your heart beats too quick and you gets fidgety?
Well, I was in that sort of state, and I said to myself, 'I will know.'
So I went into your room and poked about. I looked under the bed, and
there was an old bandbox where you kept your summer hat afore Aunt Sophy
came; and I pulled it out and opened it, and, oh! I see'd---- Paulie, I'd
like to have 'em. You doesn't want 'em, 'cos you have hidden 'em, and I
should like to have 'em."

"What?"

"Why, that pin-cushion for one thing--oh! it's a beauty--and that tidy.
May I have the pin-cushion and the tidy, Paulie--the purple pin-cushion
and the red tidy? May I?"

"No."

"May Aunt Sophy have them?"

"Don't be silly."

"May anybody have them?"

"They're mine."

"How did you get them?"

"That's my affair."

"You didn't get them from me, nor from any of the other girls--I can go
round and ask them if you like, but I know you didn't--nor from father,
nor from Aunt Sophy, nor from Betty, nor from John, nor from any of the
new servants. Who gave them to you?"

"That's my affair."

"You won't tell?"

"No."

"May I tell Aunt Sophy about the bandbox chock-full of funny things
pushed under the bed?"

"If you do----"

Penelope danced a few feet away. She then stood in front of her sister
and began to sway her body backwards and forwards.

"I see'd," she began, "such a funny thing!"

"Penelope, you are too tormenting!"

"I see'd such a very funny thing!"

Miss Tredgold was seen approaching. Penelope looked round at her and then
deliberately raised her voice.

"I see'd such a very, very funny thing!"

"What is it, Pen? Why are you teasing your sister?" said Miss Tredgold.

"I aren't!" cried Penelope. "I are telling her something what she ought
to know. It is about something I---- Shall I go on, Paulie?"

"No; you make my head ache. Aunt Sophy, may I go in and lie down?"

"Certainly, my dear. You look very pale. My poor child, you were
over-excited yesterday. This won't do. Penelope, stop teasing your
sister, and come for a walk with me. Pauline, go and lie down until
dinner-time."

Pauline went slowly in the direc