"And then you are so good at managing children, that I thought they would be better off near you." This speech, while it mollified Polly, made Mary shudder, as she thought of Alice's being "managed" by such a woman.

But she had no time for thought, for Polly, who was very rapid in her movements, and always in a hurry, said, "Come, child, I will show you where you are going to sleep;" at the same time she caught up Alice, who, not liking her handling, kicked so vigorously that she was soon dropped; Polly remarking, that "she was mighty strong in her legs for a sick baby." After passing up a dark stairway they came to a door, which opened under the garret stairs, and Mary was startled by a voice which seemed to be almost over her head, and which, between a sneer and a hiss, called out, "See where the immaculate Miss Grundy comes!" This was followed by a wild, insane chuckle, which made Mary spring in terror to Polly's side.
"Oh, who is it ?" said she.

"Is it Patsy ?" "Patsy!" was the tart reply.

"She never is saucy like that.

It's Sal Furbush." Mary longed to ask who Sal Furbush was; but as her guide did not seem, at all inclined to be communicative, she followed on in silence until they came to a longer and lighter hall, or "spaceway," as it is frequently called in New England.