"I should like to come, Norton, but I can't."
"What's the mischief? Why do you whisper?"
"I am not about any mischief; but I am busy, Norton. I cannot come, indeed."
Norton pushed himself a little way into the room.
"Busy about what?" said he. "That's all bosh. What are you busy about? What is that? Hullo!"
For Norton's eye, roving round the room, caught the rich lace drapery which lay upon one of Matilda's chairs. He went closer to look at it, and then turned an amazed eye upon her.
"I know what this is, Pink. Whatever have you got it here for?"
"Hush, Norton; I am mending it."
"Mending it! have you broken it?"
"No, not I; but Judy would wear it one night when we were practising; and it got in the flame of the candle and was burnt; and Judy was frightened, and I thought maybe I could mend it; and see, Norton,—you can hardly tell the place, or you won't, when I have finished."