Part 21 (1/2)
”For shame, Bessie!” cried Sam.
”I only know,” said Elizabeth, half in self-defence, half in fright, ”that one of you must have been at the baby-house, for I found the doors open, and shut them up.”
”And why should it be one of us?” demanded Sam; while David stopped crying, and listened.
”Because none of the younger ones can reach to undo the doors,” said Elizabeth. ”It was as much as I could do to reach the upper bolt, though I stood upon a chair.”
This was evident; for the baby-house was really an old-fas.h.i.+oned bureau, and below the gla.s.s doors there was a projecting slope of polished walnut, upon which only a fly could stand, and which was always locked. No one whose years were less than half a score was tall enough to get a good hold of the b.u.t.ton, even from the highest chair, far less to jerk down the rather stiff upper bolt.
”It cannot have been a little one, certainly,” said Miss Fosbrook; ”but you should not be so ready to accuse your brothers, Bessie.”
David, however, had laid hold of a hope, and getting up from the floor, hastened out of the room, followed by John; and they were presently heard shouting ”Hal!” all over the house.
”What day was it that you found the door open, Bessie?” asked Miss Fosbrook.
”It was just after dinner,” said Elizabeth, recollecting herself.
”It was on Friday. Yes, I remember it was Friday, because I went into the school-room to get my pencil, and I was afraid Hal would jump out upon me, and looked in first to see whether he was going to be tiresome; but he was gone.”
”Yes,” said Susan; ”it was the day we found poor Jack stuck up on the gate, when he and Hal were in disgrace. Oh, he never would have played tricks then.”
”Did you go up before me, Bessie?” asked Miss Fosbrook; ”for I went up directly after dinner to speak to Henry.”
”Yes, I did,” said she. ”I thought if you got in first, you would be scolding him ever so long, and would let n.o.body in, so I would get my pencil first; and I slipped up before you had left the table.”
Just then the two boys were heard stumping up the stairs, and ran in, panting with haste and excitement, David with a fiery red ear.
”No, no; Hal didn't hide it!”
”But he boxed Davie's ear for thinking he did,” added John; ”and said he'd do the same for spiteful Bet!”
”Then he never played tricks,” said Susan.
”I told you not,” said Sam.
”No,” reiterated David; ”and he said I'd no business to ask; and if Bet went prying about everywhere, I'd better ask her. Have you got it, Betty?”
”I!” cried Elizabeth. ”How can you, Davie?”
”You have got a secret,” exclaimed David; ”and you always were cross about Hannah Higgins's pig. You have got it to tease me! Miss Fosbrook, make her give it back.”
”Nonsense, David,” said Miss Fosbrook; ”Bessie is quite to be trusted; and it is wrong to make unfounded accusations.”
”Never mind, Betty,” added Sam kindly; ”if Davie wasn't a little donkey, he wouldn't say such things.”
”Where is Henry?” asked the governess. ”Why did he not come himself?
Call him; I want to know if he observed this door being open.”
”He is gone down to Mr. Carey's,” said John.
”And it is high time you were there too, Sam,” said Miss Fosbrook, starting. ”If you are late, beg Mr. Carey's pardon from me, and tell him that I kept you.”