She had been expressly forbidden to touch it, had been shut in the dark closet more than once for touching it; but, nevertheless, the temptation was always there and she had yielded to that temptation at intervals when Mrs.
Hobbs and her stepfather were out.

And the last time she had touched it she had broken the catch.

She had wound up the music box, after hearing it play, but the catch which made it a perfectly safe seat and not a trap for the unwary had refused to push back into place.

And now there it was, loaded and primed, so to speak, and she was responsible.
Suppose--Oh, horrible thought!--suppose anyone should sit in it that afternoon! She gasped and jumped off the sofa.

Then she remembered Mrs.Hobbs' parting command and stopped, hesitating.