There are some natures for whom curiosity is one of the master passions, and the desire for knowledge of the affairs of others can become a lust, and Mrs.Lee and Mrs.Van Dorn were of the number.

Mrs.Van Dorn gave her head in her best calling-bonnet a toss, and the violets, which were none too securely fastened, nodded loosely; then she thrust her chin forward, she sniffed like a hunting-hound on the scent, pushed open the front-door, and entered, with Mrs.Lee following.

As Mrs.Van Dorn entered, the violets on her bonnet became quite detached and fell softly to the floor of the porch, but neither of the ladies noticed.
Mrs.Lee, in particular, had led a monotonous life, and she had a small but intense spirit which could have weathered extremes.

Now her faculties seemed to give a leap; she was afraid, but there was distinct rapture in her fear.

She had not been so actively happy since she was a child and had been left at home with the measles one Sunday when the rest of the family had gone to church, and she had run away and gone wading in the brook, at the imminent risk not only of condign punishment, but of the measles striking in.