Mysterious Doings. 93

finished their tasks employed themselves as
they chose till half-past eight, when plates of
bread and butter and some cold water were
brought in, prayers followed, and soon after
nine all the young people retired.
 "Are you not going to eat your supper,
Annie ?" inquired Edith of Annie Hore, who
was scribling on a scrap of paper something
which seemed of great importance, while Mary
Hetton, her particular friend, looked over
her with much amusement; and the piece of
bread and butter lay unheeded on the desk at
her side.
 Never mind, Edith, what I am going to
do," rudely replied Annie; "attend to your
own business, and leave mine alone."
 "Come away from the cross old thing,"
whispered Clara; "let her go without her
supper if she likes ; she can take care of her-
self well enough, there is no fear of that. I
can't imagine what is going on in that north
room, where Annie sleeps; for do you know,"
and Clara lowered her voice still more, Miss
Thompson has made two or three complaints
about the door being bolted when she goes
to take away the candle, and they won't let
her in directly, but keep her waiting outside
because 'the bolt turns so stiff;' stuff and