"'Did Sophy?'
"'Love your 'eart, sir! Sophy wouldn't wake up if cannon-balls was firing all round her!'
"'As a matter of fact, has she told you she heard nothing last night?'
"'I won't say that. I ain't 'ad time to arks her.'
"'I'll ask her myself if you've no objection. Stop here for me; I shall not be gone long.'
"'I can't stop 'ere alone, sir. I'll come down, and keep in the passage while you speak to Sophy.'
"They went down together, and Mrs. Middlemore remained outside while our reporter entered the kitchen.
"His entrance aroused Sophy, who had been sitting in a chair, apparently asleep, in the same state of untidiness as he had left her. She fell on her knees with a guilty air, and began to rake out the stove, making a great rattle with the poker.
"'Fire not lit yet, Sophy?' said our reporter, much amused.
"She looked up with a sly look, and seeing that he was not going to scold her, rubbed her nose with the poker and smiled boldly at him.