"You are to let nobody into the house, Peggy. You cannot be too careful. If any one calls, say we are away from home."
So, with a suspicious glance at the visitor, Peggy replied importantly—
"My missuses be away till this arternoon."
"How vexing, to be sure! But they must have had my letter. I will come in and wait. My bag is at the station, and will follow me."
Peggy's head was so full of the stories that she had heard, that she murmured to herself—
"Tis a burglar, Peggy, a-dressed up and tryin' to get in. Now be brave, and do your dooty."
She slowly began to shut the door.
"No 'm, I ain't goin' to let you in; and if you don't get off with yer pretty sharp, I'll call Albert Edward!"
"You impertinent girl! Do you know who I am?—Miss Alicia Allandale. How dare you try to shut the door in my face! A nice reception when I come to see my nieces! Let me in this minute!"
Miss Allandale had a stronger arm than Peggy. As she found she could not close the door, she called loudly to Albert Edward. Alas! He was already barking frantically in the back kitchen, with two closed doors between him and the intruder.