"It would be no use for Mr. Richmond or anybody to go and see them," said Maria. "They are too wicked."
"But you cannot tell beforehand," said Matilda.
"And so I say, Tilly, the only way is to keep out of such places. I hope you'll be content now."
Matilda was hardly content; for the sighs kept coming every now and then. So they went down the hill again, and over the bridge, past the glen and the burnt mill, and began to go up on the other side. Now across the way, at the top of the bank that overhung the dell, there stood a house of more than common size and elegance, in the midst of grounds that seemed to be carefully planted. A fine brick wall enclosed these grounds on the roadside, and at the top of the hill an iron gate gave entrance to them.
"O Tilly," exclaimed Maria, "the Lardners' gate is open. Look! Suppose we go in."
"I should not like to go in," said the little one.
"Why not? There's nobody at home; they haven't come yet; and it's such a good chance. You know, Clarissa says that people have leave to go into people's great places and see them, in England, where she has been."
"But this is not a great place, and we have not leave," urged Matilda.
"Oh well, I'm going in. Come! we'll just go in for a minute. It's no harm. Come just for a minute."
Matilda, however, stopped at the gate, and stood there waiting for her sister; while Maria stepped in cautiously and made her way as far as the front of the house. Here she turned and beckoned to Matilda to join her; but the little one stood fast.