The pretty housemaid had stood the candle on the floor; and, as it gave a very dim light, Sam was obliged to go down on his knees before he could see whether it really was his own hat or not. It was a remarkably small corner, and so⁠—it was nobody’s fault but the man’s who built the house⁠—Sam and the pretty housemaid were necessarily very close together.

“Yes, this is it,” said Sam. “Goodbye!”

“Goodbye!” said the pretty housemaid.

“Goodbye!” said Sam; and as he said it, he dropped the hat that had cost so much trouble in looking for.

“How awkward you are,” said the pretty housemaid. “You’ll lose it again, if you don’t take care.”

So just to prevent his losing it again, she put it on for him.