Whatten's come over Miss Faith, as used to be as mim a lady as ever was, to be taken by such as you, I dunnot know.

Here! sit down with ye, and let me crop you." She laid no light hand on Ruth's shoulder; and the latter, partly intimidated by the old servant, who had hitherto only turned her vixen lining to observation, and partly because she was broken-spirited enough to be indifferent to the measure proposed, quietly sat down.

Sally produced the formidable pair of scissors that always hung at her side, and began to cut in a merciless manner.

She expected some remonstrance or some opposition, and had a torrent of words ready to flow forth at the least sign of rebellion; but Ruth was still and silent, with meekly-bowed head, under the strange hands that were shearing her beautiful hair into the clipped shortness of a boy's.

Long before she had finished, Sally had some slight misgivings as to the fancied necessity of her task; but it was too late, for half the curls were gone, and the rest must now come off.