"Oh, father, what a shame to go off to the post-office and leave your son to face these tried to feel as I felt five minutes before, like facing a female regiment.

_Now_ was the time to prove my courage--to turn over a new leaf, take a new departure, begin life over again, show to these giggling girls that I had some pride--some self-independence--some self-resp----" The door creaked on its hinges, and at the sound a blind confusion seized me.

In vain I attempted, like a brave but despairing general, to rally my forces; but they all deserted me at once; I was hidden behind the calicoes, and with no time to arrange for a nobler plan of escaping a meeting with the enemy--no auger-hole though which to crawl.

I followed the first impulse, stooped, and _hid under the counter_.
In a minute I wished myself out of that; but the minute had been too much--the bevy had entered and approached the counter, at the very place behind which I lay concealed.

I was so afraid to breathe; the cold sweat started on my forehead.
"Why! there's no one in the store!" exclaimed Belle's voice.
"Oh, yes; there must be.