CHAPTER XXIV.
EVENTS MOVE APACE.
Mrs.Bell was very successful in her purchase of plums.

In her way she was a notable housewife, and she returned home about eight o'clock that evening with a large basket of greengages, which were all to be boiled down for preserving the following day.
As soon as she entered the house the maid came to meet her.
"You take these carefully down and put them in the larder, Hannah," said her mistress.

"Be careful you don't knock any of them, or the bloom will go off.

Why what's the matter, girl?
Is Miss Matty worse ?" "Lor, no, ma'am.

Miss Matty is up, and out a-pleasuring, ma'am.