I thought mother had sent her to see that all was right, before marshalling the company out to the feast.
"Now, or never," I thought, turning pale as death; and with one resolute effort I slipped into the hall and so into the dining-room.
Susie was there, doing something; but when she saw me enter she gave a little shriek and darted into the pantry.

No! I was not to be baffled thus.

A cold sweat broke out on my forehead, but I thought of that snob in the parlor, and pressed on to the pantry-door.
"Susie," said I, very softly, trying to open it--"Susie, I _must_ speak to you.

Let me in." The more I tried to open the door the more firmly she held it.
"Do go along with you, cousin John," she answered.
"I can't, Susie.

I want to see you a minute." "See me?
Oh, what a wicked fellow! Go along, or I'll tell your mother." "Tell, or not; for once I'm going to have my own way," I said, and pressing my knee against the door, I forced it open, and there stood my pretty cousin, angry and blushing, trying to hide from my view the crinoline which had come off in the parlor.
I retreated, closing the door and waiting for her to re-appear.
In a few minutes she came out, evidently offended.
"Susie," I stammered, "I did--did--didn't dream your bus--bus--bustle had come off.