All eyes were now turned in silent amazement on Pet. Slowly Mrs. Moodie thrust her hand in her pocket, still sternly transfixing Pet with her eyes, and drew out—a piece of cord!
At the sight, all Pet’s doubts were removed; she was discovered. Then all personal apprehensions vanished, her perverse spirit rose, and bold, dauntless and daring she stood before her stern judge—her straight, lithe form defiantly erect, her malicious black eyes dancing with fun.
“Miss Lawless, do you know anything of this?” demanded Mrs. Moodie, holding it up.
“Slightly acquainted,” said Pet; “saw it last night for the first time.”
“Will you be kind enough to state for what purpose you borrowed it?”
“Yes’m, to have some fun with.”
“Fun! pray be a little more explicit, Miss Lawless. Was it you that tied it to the door, last night?”
“Yes’m.”
“And by that means you knocked at the door, and created all the alarm and confusion that so terrified us all,” said Mrs. Moodie with a rapidly darkening brow.
“Yes’m,” said Pet, loudly, nothing daunted.