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Her eyes, always large and liquid, became great crystal globes of astonishment, as, forgetful of herself, and almost of baby, she sat with parted lips and heaving breast, gazing in rapt ecstasy from the carriage window. Miss Stivergill and Miss Lillycrop, being sympathetic souls, gazed with almost equal interest on the child's animated face.
"Escaped!" repeated the policeman, who entered at the moment with two comrades; "impossible! I tied 'im so that no efforts of his own could avail 'im. Somebody must 'ave 'elped 'im." "The carving-knife helped him," said Miss Stivergill, with a look of dignity. "Perhaps, instead of speculating how he escaped, policeman, it would be better to pursue him.
She was also in what is styled comfortable circumstances, and dwelt in a pretty suburban cottage. Her name was Maria Stivergill. "Come with me, child," said Miss Stivergill to Miss Lillycrop one day, "and spend a week at The Rosebud." It must not be supposed that the good lady had given this romantic name to her cottage.
Miss Stivergill put the dressing-table a little to one side, and placed a ewer of water on it. At that moment the dining-room window was heard to open slowly but distinctly. Miss Stivergill threw up the bedroom window. The marrow in Miss Lillycrop's spine froze. Mr Bones started and looked up in surprise.
At first Miss Stivergill thought of burning the children's garments, and fitting them out afresh, but on the suggestion of her friend that their appearing at home with new clothes might create suspicion, and cause unpleasant inquiries, she refrained. When thoroughly cleaned, Tottie and baby were wrapped up in shawls and set down to a hearty tea in the parlour.
Little did good Miss Stivergill imagine that she had dug a mine that night under Rosebud Cottage, and that the match which was destined to light it was none other than her innocent protegee, little Bones. Throwing herself into the receptive arms of her mother, two days after the events just described, Tottie poured the delight and amazement of her surcharged spirit into sympathetic ears.
Miss Lillycrop would have been available once, but ever since the fire she has been appropriated along with Tottie Bones by that female Trojan Miss Stivergill, and dare not hint at leaving her. It's a good thing for her, no doubt, but it's unfortunate for Mr Fred. Now, do you see anything in the mists of that statement?"
"Ha! the gipsy! unbolted, and the shutters open!" exclaimed Miss Stivergill, fastening the bolt. "H'm! The old fool," thought the burglar, observing her tall square figure while thus engaged, "might as well bolt the door of Newgate with a steel pen. Cottage window-gear is meant for show, not for service, old girl."
Now, just listen: Peter Pax of the firm of Blurt, Pax, Jiggs, and Company, Antiquarians, Bird-Stuffers, Mechanists, Stamp-Collectors, and I don't know what else besides, to the Queen is going to be married to whom do you think?" "The Queen of Sheba," replied Miss Stivergill, folding her hands on her lap with a placid smile.
"Yes, Tottie Bones; she is obliged to stay at nights with me just now, owing to her mother, poor thing, being under the necessity of shutting up her house while she goes to look after a drunken husband, who has forsaken her." "Hah!" exclaimed Miss Stivergill, giving a nervous pull at her left glove, which produced a wide rent between the wrist and the thumb. "I wonder why women marry!"
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