I was chained like a wild beast under the garret stairs, and Miss Grundy's broad, stiff back was hung there for a door.

Nobody asks me to work now, but occasionally, just for pastime, I go into Mrs.
Parker's room and read to her, and tell her about my Willie, who went away." "How long has Mrs.Parker been sick ?" asked Mary.
"I'm no judge of time," answered Sal, "but it seems a great while, for since her illness Miss Grundy has been at the helm in the kitchen, and perhaps it is all right that she should be, for somebody must manage, and, as I had declared I would not work, 'twould hardly have been consistent to change my mind.

And then, too, Miss Grundy seems admirably suited for the place.

Her _forte_ is among pots and kettles, and she will get the most work out of the boarders, keep them on the least fare, and put more money into Mr.Parker's pocket at the end of a year, than any one he could hire, and this is the secret of his bearing so much from her." "But why does she want to fill his pockets with money ?" Sal gave a knowing wink and replied, "You are not old enough to see into every thing, so I dare say you wouldn't understand me if I should hint that Mrs.Parker has the consumption, and can't live always." Mary's looks plainly told that this remark had given her no idea whatever, and Sal continued, "I knew you wouldn't understand, for you haven't my discernment to begin with, and then you were never sent away to school, were you ?" "No, ma'am, was you ?" asked Mary.
"Say '_were you_,' if you please, it is more euphonious Yes, I was at school in Leicester two years, and was called the best grammarian there, but since I've sojourned with this kind of people, I've nearly lost my refinement.

To be sure I aim at exclusiveness, and now you've come I shall cut them all, with the exception of Uncle Peter, who would be rather genteel if he knew more of grammar." Just then Alice awoke, and Sally, who had not observed her before, sprang forward with a scream of joy, and seizing the child in her arms, threw her up towards the ceiling, catching her as she came down as easily as she would a feather.