68 Turnastde Cottage.

 

after my violent tugs. I believe I should have
turned round and run home again, only that my
legs refused to stir.

“Good gracious, child !” exclaimed Mrs. Ilowells,
“svhatever is the matter with you to go and ring us
up o’ that ways? Is the whole town afire ?”

“T beg your pardon,” said I, ready to sink into
the earth; “indeed, I did not know that I was
ringing.”

“Not know! Wherever’s the child come from ?”
cried Mrs. Howells, beginning to fan herself with
her apron. “Pff! there’s flurried Tam. Be youa
tramp?” she added, turning again to me—*’cause
I don’t oe

“Please, I brought a note for Mr. Hurst,” I

 

interrupted, hastily.

“Oh, you did! Well, give’n here.”

“ Please, I was to give it to him my own self,” I
persisted, holding my note fast in my hand.

“What, what, what! a message for me?” said a
voice at the top of the stairs ; and looking up, I saw
a tall old gentleman, in hat and greatcoat, leaning
over. “Eh, what? she ts a little girl with a note
for me, is she not ?”

“No, sir,’ stammered I, more and more con-
fused at this mistake, though it was not to be
wondered at; for in order to protect myself from