“You mustn’t hang back, sir, to gain time,” cried Bella, putting out her right foot; “do you see that, sir? That’s the mark; come up to the mark, sir. Once! Twice! Three times and away, Pa!” Off she skimmed, bearing the cherub along, nor ever stopped, nor suffered him to stop, until she had pulled at the bell. “Now, dear Pa,” said Bella, taking him by both ears as if he were a pitcher, and conveying his face to her rosy lips, “we are in for it!”

Miss Lavvy came out to open the gate, waited on by that attentive cavalier and friend of the family, Mr. George Sampson. “Why, it’s never Bella!” exclaimed Miss Lavvy starting back at the sight. And then bawled, “Ma! Here’s Bella!”

This produced, before they could get into the house, Mrs. Wilfer. Who, standing in the portal, received them with ghostly gloom, and all her other appliances of ceremony.