"INASMUCH."
ARCH was nearly over, when one night Jem woke to see Meg standing at the window. It was moonlight, and he could see her outline distinctly against the bright sky.
"Is anything the matter, Meg?" he asked anxiously.
"Hush!" exclaimed Meg earnestly. "Jem, night after night I hear the same. I thought it must be my fancy, but I'm certain it's not. There! can't you hear those screams?"
Jem got up and came to the window, more with the intention of soothing Meg than of listening to his neighbours. He had too long been used to London sights and sounds to be alarmed at a little crying in the night.
Meg held her breath, and on the night air were certainly borne unmistakable cries of some child, either in great fear or pain.
"Jem!" said Meg again in a frightened whisper, "which house did you say Dickie used to live in?"
"D'ye mean Dickie's attic?"
"Yes; where we went," said Meg, with her teeth chattering.