2i6 GARKYOWEN 



" Nothing," said Effie, with a laugh. 



" Don't say that. I saw you putting something 

 in. Was it a stone? " 



" No," said Effie, " it wasn't a stone." 



" You know what they do to children who put 

 rubbish in letter-boxes? " 



" No." 



" They put them in prison." 



" Well, they won't put me in prison." 



" Yes they will; and if you don't tell me what 

 it was I will go in and ask Mr Chopping to open 

 the box and then send for a policeman." 



Effie, who had heard her elders ridiculing and 

 viHfjdng Mr Giveen for the past three months, 

 had thought it a fine thing to play a joke of her 

 very own upon him. She knew nothing of the 

 disastrous nature of her act, but suddenly inter- 

 rupted like this and put off her balance she did 

 not want to confess it. Besides, she had stolen 

 a postage stamp. 



" Don't," said Effie, turning very pale. 



" I will, if you don't tell." 



" Well, it was only a letter." 



" A letter? " 



" Yes." 



" Who gave it you to post? " 



The suggestion created the He. 



" Papa." 



" Well, if he gave you it, why did you hide it 

 and post it secretly Hke that? " 



" Pa told me not to let you see it," said Effie. 



