"'Yes; she's gone.'

"'What for?' says I again.

"'She didn't answer Mrs. Shutters, I do suppose,' says she. 'I don't
know. Don't be talkin'; your aunt can't abide a talkin' child.'

"'And please, ma'am, is the old lady well in health?' says I.

"'It ain't no harm to ask that,' says she. 'She's torflin a bit
lately, but better this week past, and I dare say she'll last out her
hundred years yet. Hish! Here's your aunt coming down the passage.'

"In comes my aunt, and begins talkin' to Mrs. Wyvern, and I, beginnin'
to feel more comfortable and at home like, was walkin' about the room
lookin' at this thing and at that. There was pretty old china things
on the cupboard, and pictures again the wall; and there was a door
open in the wainscot, and I sees a queer old leathern jacket, wi'
straps and buckles to it, and sleeves as long as the bed-post hangin'
up inside.

"'What's that you're at, child?' says my aunt, sharp enough, turning
about when I thought she least minded. 'What's that in your hand?'

"'This, ma'am?' says I, turning about with the leathern jacket. 'I
don't know what it is, ma'am.'

"Pale as she was, the red came up in her cheeks, and her eyes flashed
wi' anger, and I think only she had half a dozen steps to take,
between her and me, she'd a gev me a sizzup. But she did gie me a