CHAPTER XXVI.
THE PACKET IN THE SHIRT-DRAWER.
Mrs.Tynn, the housekeeper at Verner's Pride, was holding one of those periodical visitations that she was pleased to call, when in familiar colloquy with her female assistants, a "rout out." It appeared to consist of turning a room and its contents topsy-turvy, and then putting them straight again.

The chamber this time subjected to the ordeal was that of her late master, Mr.Verner.His drawers, closets, and other places consecrated to clothes, had not been meddled with since his death.

Mrs.Verner, in some moment unusually (for her) given to sentiment, had told Tynn she should like to "go over his dear clothes" herself.

Therefore Tynn left them alone for that purpose.

Mrs.Verner, however, who loved her personal ease better than any earthly thing, and was more given to dropping off to sleep in her chair than ever, not only after dinner but all day long, never yet had ventured upon the task.
Tynn suggested that she had better do it herself, after all; and Mrs.
Verner replied, perhaps she had.