Page:An Old Fashioned Girl.djvu/120

104 them with our teeth. Be sure you get the bag by the right end,' said Sally.

"'I know what I'm about,' and to show her that it was all right, I gave the bag a little shake, when out flew the nuts, rattling like a hail-storm all over the uncarpeted floor.

"'Now you've done it,' cried Sally, as Mary scratched like a mad rat, and a door creaked below, for Miss Cotton was not deaf.

"Such a flurry as we were in! Out went the candle, and each one rushed away with as much of the feast as she could seize in her haste. Sally dived into her bed, recklessly demolishing the last pie, and scattering the candy far and wide.

"Poor Mary was nearly caught, for Miss Cotton was quicker than Betsey, and our guard had to run for her life.

"Our room was the first, and was in good order, though the two flushed faces on the pillows were rather suspicious. Miss Cotton stood staring about her, looking so funny, without her cap, that my bed-fellow would have gone off in a fit of laughter, if I had not pinched her warningly.

"'Young ladies, what is this unseemly noise?'

"No answer from us but a faint snore. Miss Cotton marched into the next room, put the same question, and received the same reply.

"In the third chamber lay Sally, and we trembled as the old lady went in. Sitting up, we peeped and listened breathlessly.

"'Sarah, I command you to tell me what this all means?'