Their room looked out on a narrow street or alley, seldom used in winter, but Emily felt sure that she more than once heard some one walking under the window. She raised her head to listen. She certainly heard footsteps. They passed on, came back and paused, and then there was a low whistle.
"Delia! Delia!" she whispered. "Wake up and listen. What can that be?"
"I am awake," returned Delia, in the same low tone. "Don't make any noise, Emily, it is all right." She rose from her bed as a second whistle was heard and softly raised the window.
Emily uttered a terrified exclamation, for she was always a coward, and the present state of her mind did not tend to increase her courage.
"Hush, you little goose; you will raise the house!" said Delia in a low but energetic tone. "It is all right, I tell you."
She dropped out something white through the blind as she spoke, and lowered the sash again, but not before some one was heard stirring in the hall.
"There, you have roused Miss Thomas by your noise," said Delia. "Now to put a good face on the matter!"
Candle in hand, Miss Thomas entered as she spoke.
"What are you about, girls?" she said in her sharp way, and looking suspiciously round the room. "I heard some one open the window."
"I opened it, Miss Thomas," replied Delia, with perfect calmness, settling herself in bed once more. "The blinds rattled in the wind, and I got up to try and fix them. Then Emily waked, and seeing me standing there, she was frightened and made a noise."