“Yes, yes, this morning.”
“Before I go home to dinner?”
“Then, Packett, give me your hand. I will come down.”
The dainty victress placed her little foot firmly on the uppermost rung; and while Packett held the top, and the merchant the bottom, of the ladder, the dream of muslin and ribbons descended to the floor.
Old Varnhagen gave a sigh of relief.
“You’ll nefer do that again, Rachel?”
“I hope I shall never need to.”
“You shouldn’t upset your poor old father like that, Rachel.”
“You shouldn’t drive me to use such means to make you do your duty.”