Page:Mistress Madcap (1937).pdf/106

 muttering angrily, the old woman soon had a cup of warm broth for the victim. Afterward she set to work slicing with reckless knife juicy bits from a turkey's breast, so that the two sisters, at the end of the kitchen table, fared quite as well as the most honored guest in the dining room.

It was at the end of her meal, which soon restored her customary vigor, that Mehitable looked up.

"Dost know what time it is. Aunt Tivvy?" she asked. "I lost all count as I sat 'prisoned."

Bout one o'clock—I know 'twas midnight quite awhile ago," answered the old cook respectfully.

"One o'clock! I was indeed in there a long time! It was but dusk when I entered that little room, Aunt Tivvy. By the way, dost know aught of any little secret door into that little room."

"Dat little room undah de staiahs?"

Eagerly both girls nodded.

"Laws, yes'm, honey!" answered Aunt Tivvy promptly. She lowered her voice. "I spects no one knows 'bout it 'cept jes' me—I was dustin' dat wainscotin' one day and my hand struck a spring an' bing! a li'l' door flew open. I shut it quick and didn't say nuffin'!"

"Well, where does the door lead to, Aunt Tivvy?" asked Mehitable breathlessly.

"Outside," said the old negress. "It's a li'l' door jes' outside by the chimney whar no one'd never notice it!"

"Outside?" repeated Mehitable. The mystery was still a mystery!