.

AT THE STAIR-HEAD.
I spent the evening alone.

Mrs.Packard went to the theater with friends and Mayor Packard attended a conference of politicians.

I felt my loneliness, but busied myself trying to sift the impressions made upon me by the different members of the household.
It consisted, as far as my present observation went, of seven persons, the three principals and four servants.

Of the servants I had seen three, the old butler, the nurse, and the housemaid, Ellen.