OF course I could have got the catseye from Miss Adela by force, but I knew my place better than to try anything of that sort. The only way before me was to keep the door locked till somebody should come after her.
It seemed a long while before anybody came. I suppose the servants knew that Miss Adela was in the museum, and thought she would be all right with me; and time passed slowly for I couldn't be busy. Miss Adela had my chair, and my table with the lamp on it; and she wouldn't speak any more. So she sat there, and I stood near the door. I was just thinking that I'd try again to reason with her, and to get back the catseye, when I saw her head give a little nod, and one arm slip down over the other. That made me keep silence; for if she fell asleep, I might get the catseye from her without her knowing.
Well, she straightened herself once or twice, as if she didn't mean to be overcome by sleep; but gradually her head dropped over on one side, and the little hand was opening slowly. So I came softly and stood close by; and when it opened wider still, and the catseye dropped out, I caught it on my palm without a sound, and she slept on.
Then I crept to the door, and unlocked it gently; and next I put back the catseye into its right place, and stood over the unlocked case to keep guard.
It wasn't five minutes, I suppose, before she woke. She looked round, and gave a gape and a little laugh; and all at once she exclaimed, "Oh, it's gone! Oh, where's my dear little catseye?"
"I've got it here, all right, Miss," I said.
"You've got it!" said she, flaming up. "What business have you with my catseye? Give it back to me directly."
She stamped her foot as she spoke, and ran to where I stood. Of course I was prepared; and when she tried with her little hands to lift the glass lid, she couldn't stir it. One hand of mine on the frame was more than enough for all her strength.
"I can't let you, Miss," I said. "Only just wait till Mr. Laurence comes, and then you can ask him anything you like. I must take care of it till then."
Miss Adela went as white as a sheet with passion: for she had a hasty temper, and she hadn't learnt to govern herself, as even a child ought to learn before eight years old. She stood quite still for a moment, looking at me; and then without any warning, she dashed her right hand through the glass, breaking it into bits, and seized the catseye.