"I kep' looking at the picture-book, as before, listenin' every noo
and then, but there was no sound, not a breath, that I could hear; an'
I began whisperin' to the pictures and talkin' to myself to keep my
heart up, for I was growin' feared in that big room.

"And at last up I got, and began walkin' about the room, lookin' at
this and peepin' at that, to amuse my mind, ye'll understand. And at
last what sud I do but peeps into Madam Crowl's bedchamber.

"A grand chamber it was, wi' a great four-poster, wi' flowered silk
curtains as tall as the ceilin', and foldin' down on the floor, and
drawn close all round. There was a lookin'-glass, the biggest I ever
sid before, and the room was a blaze o' light. I counted twenty-two
wax candles, all alight. Such was her fancy, and no one dared say her
nay.

"I listened at the door, and gaped and wondered all round. When I
heard there was not a breath, and did not see so much as a stir in the
curtains, I took heart, and walked into the room on tiptoe, and looked
round again. Then I takes a keek at myself in the big glass; and at
last it came in my head, 'Why couldn't I ha' a keek at the ald lady
herself in the bed?

"Ye'd think me a fule if ye knew half how I longed to see Dame Crowl,
and I thought to myself if I didn't peep now I might wait many a day
before I got so gude a chance again.

"Well, my dear, I came to the side o' the bed, the curtains bein'
close, and my heart a'most failed me. But I took courage, and I slips
my finger in between the thick curtains, and then my hand. So I waits