She had spent a delightful day with the Bertrams, and hurried home now in the highest spirits.
In the High Street she met three girls, whose names were Matty, Alice, and Sophy Bell.

Their father was a retired coal merchant.

There was scarcely any active trade down in Northbury, almost all the inhabitants having retired to live there on their fortunes.

The Bells were small, rather thickly-made girls, with round faces and round eyes.

They always dressed alike, and one was never seen without the other two.