She stopped at the clatter of feet on the attic stairs:
“O lor!” she said resignedly—“here they comes, bless ’em!”
Caroline put out her hand and touched the girl’s arm:
“Victoria, my dear child, don’t be so noisy, please.”
“Beg pardon, lidy,” the child replied humbly, and with sepulchral hoarseness.
There was a loud knock, and before there was time to answer it, Rippley and Robbins boisterously entered the room.
Noll’s greetings were too boyish for whispered talk as they all found seats.
Victoria May Alice winked at Fluffy Reubens.
“He ain’t dead yet!” said she.
Caroline had scarcely returned to her work, when Victoria May Alice stepped stealthily to her side: