Chapter Four.
In the Old Castle Tower.
They were all together that evening in the green parlour as usual, and everybody was happy and merry. Even Rupert was sitting up and laughing as much as Elsie. The clatter of tongues prevented them hearing Mary’s tapping at the door; and the carpet being so thick and soft, she was not seen until right in the centre of the room.
“Why, Mary,” cried Elsie, “I got such a start, I thought you were a ghost!”
Mary looks uneasily around her.
“There be one ghost, Miss Elsie, comes out o’ nights, and walks about the old castle.”
“Was that what you came in to tell us, Mary?”
“Oh, no, sir! If ye please, Bob Cooper is in the yard, and he wants to speak to Master Archie. I wouldn’t let him go if I were you, ma’am.”
Archie’s mother smiled. Mary was a privileged little parlour maiden, and ventured at times to make suggestions.