“Those children are certainly planning another supper, and, what is far worse, are adding to the discredit of such an act by resorting to dishonest means of procuring the wherewithal for it. Oh, it is shocking, shocking! And yet Marion cannot be convinced that her girls are capable of deceit. Poor child, poor child, it is fortunate for her that there is someone at hand to come to her rescue at such a crisis,” and Mrs. Stone reached the bottom of the stairs just as the evil-intentioned ghost slipped into the housekeeper’s pantry.
“Really, I must be quite sure before I speak, or I may bring about still greater trouble. But what can she want here at this hour of the night if it be not some of Mrs. Store’s provisions?” and she wrung her hands in despair.
A dim light burned in the lower hall, rendering everything there plainly visible from above; and if Mrs. Stone had not been so distressed by that which was before her, she might have been aware of certain happenings just above her. Why did not some good fairy whisper in her ear just at that moment: “An’ had you one eye behind you, you might see more detraction at your heels than fortune before you,” but there were apparently none out of Dream Land.
As her foot touched the lower step, five or six heads peered over the banister railing above, and what mystery of gravitation prevented as many bodies from toppling over after them I am unable to say.
“Do look! Do look! She is after her full tilt, girls,” whispered Cicely. “Didn’t I tell you it would be the funniest thing you ever saw?”
“Sh! She’ll hear us, and the whole thing will be spoilt,” said Ethel.
“No, indeed, she won’t,” answered Ruth, “she is too intent upon catching Toinette.”
“O, why can’t I stretch my neck out a yard or two so that I may see what is going on in that pantry? Come on girls, I’m going downstairs if I die for it,” and down crept Lou, followed by all the others, for there was no lack of bedroom slippers at Sunny Bank.
Meantime Toinette had entered the store-room, and, going straight to the corner where some smoked hams and bacon were hanging, took a monstrous ham from its hook, then, muttering, “Crackers, too, crackers, too,” opened the cracker box and drew forth a handful.
Mrs. Stone was thoroughly scandalized, but, just as she was about to speak, Toinette turned full upon her and said: