But Tiza ran past her as quick as lightning down the garden path towards the cherry tree, and in another minute, in spite of the shower of wet she shook down on herself as she climbed up, she was sitting high and safe among the branches, where there was no catching her nor even seeing her.
"Ay, that's the best place for ye," said Mrs.Backhouse, appearing at the door with an angry face, "you'll not get into so much mischief there perhaps as you will indoors.

Oh, is that you, Miss Elliot (that was Aunt Emma's surname)?
Walk in please, ma'am, though you'll find me sadly untidy this afternoon.

Tiza's been at her tricks again; she keeps me sweeping up after her all day.

Just look here, if you please, ma'am." Aunt Emma went in, and the children pressed in after her, full of curiosity to see what crime Tiza had been committing.

Poor Mrs.
Backhouse! all over her clean kitchen floor there were streams of water running about, with little pieces of cabbage and carrot sticking up in them here and there, while on the kitchen table lay a heap of meat and vegetables, which Mrs.Backhouse had evidently just picked up out of the grate before Aunt Emma and the children arrived.
"Yes," said Mrs.Backhouse, pointing to the floor, "there's the supper just spoilt.