But no! I was only bashful John Flutter, the butt and ridicule of a little meddling village.
I knew that this last adventure would revive the memory of all my previous exploits.

I knew the girls would all go to see each other the next day so as to have a good giggle together.

Worse than that, I knew there would be an unprecedented run of custom at the store.

There wouldn't be a girl in the whole place who wouldn't require something in the dry-goods line the coming day; they would come and ask for pins and needles just for the heartless fun of seeing _me_ enduring the pangs of mental pins and needles.
So I resolved that I would not get up that morning.

The breakfast-bell rang three times; mother came up to knock at my door.
"Oh, I am so sleepy, mother!" I answered, with a big yawn; "you knew I was up last night.