"What do you think now?" she demanded, triumphantly.
"I do not know," I answered, so troubled and despondent that I had no courage to rebuke the girl.
"We'll fix her yet," said Lottie; "don't you fret, Miss Hyde. I'll pay Babylon off before she's many weeks older, or you may call my head a puff-ball."
"You silly child," I returned, smiling in spite of myself, "what can you do?"
"Come, I like that!" snapped Lottie. "Why, what sort of a state would you all be in if it wasn't for me—tell me that? I've got my dear mistress, and Miss Jessie, and you, and everybody on my hands; but I'll bring you out square, I will, Miss Hyde."
"I wish you would leave things as they are, Lottie, and attend to your own affairs."
"These are my affairs, Miss Hyde, now don't say they ain't! I'm not a bad girl; I love them that have been kind to me, and I'd sooner have my hand burned off than not try to help them when I see they need it."
"Be careful that you get into no mischief."
"I'll take care of myself! Only wait, Miss Hyde. Keep tranquil and cool, Lottie's around!"
She gave another jump, a louder crow, and lighted on her feet, in no way discomposed by her impromptu leap.