“Oh no, thank you, ma’am,” said Frederick.
“Oh yes; indeed you must not leave me without taking something; and Miss Marianne must have another macaroon. I insist upon it,” said Mrs. Theresa, ringing the bell. “It is not late, and my man Christopher will bring up the cowslip-wine in a minute.”
“But, Sophy! and papa and mamma, you know, will come home presently,” said Marianne.
“Oh! Miss Sophy has her books and drawings. You know she’s never afraid of being alone. Besides, to-night it was her own choice. And as to your papa and mamma, they won’t be home to-night, I’m pretty sure; for a gentleman, who had it from their own authority, told me where they were going, which is further off than they think; but they did not consult me; and I fancy they’ll be obliged to sleep out; so you need not be in a hurry about them. We’ll have candles.”
The door opened just as Mrs. Tattle was going to ring the bell again for candles and the cowslip-wine. “Christopher! Christopher!” said Mrs. Theresa, who was standing at the fire, with her back to the door, when it opened, “Christopher! pray bring—Do you hear?” but no Christopher answered; and, upon turning round, Mrs. Tattle, instead of Christopher, beheld two little black figures, which stood perfectly still and silent. It was so dark, that their forms could scarcely be discerned.
“In the name of heaven, who and what may you be? Speak, I conjure you! what are ye?”
“The chimney-sweepers, ma’am, an’ please your ladyship.”
“Chimney-sweepers!” repeated Frederick and Marianne, bursting out a-laughing.
“Chimney-sweepers!” repeated Mrs. Theresa, provoked at the recollection of her late solemn address to them. “Chimney-sweepers! and could not you say so a little sooner? Pray, what brings you here, gentlemen, at this time of night?”
“The bell rang, ma’am,”, answered a squeaking voice.