I won't have you behind no one, my love." It was at this critical moment, when Matty's giggles prevented her speaking, and Alice was casting some truly sarcastic and sisterly shafts at her, that Sophy burst open the door, and announced, in an excited voice, that Mrs.Middlemass, the pedler, had just stepped into the hall.
"She has got some lovely things to-day," exclaimed Sophy.

"Shall we have her up, mamma?
Have we anything to exchange ?" "It's only a week since she was here," replied Mrs.Bell.

"And she pretty nearly cleared us out then.

Still it would be a comfort if we could squeeze a frock for Matty out of her.

I could buy the trimmings easy enough for you, Matty, at Perry's, if I hadn't to pay for the stuff.