The expression on uncle Bryan's face was so singular that I did not know if he was going to laugh or storm. But Jessie got her piece of candied lemon-peel, and chewed it with great contentment, and with many sly looks at uncle Bryan. 'Now, then,' he cried, 'it is time to go to bed.' 'It isn't healthy,' observed Jessie, who seemed determined to upset all the rules of the house, 'to go to bed the moment after one has eaten a heavy supper.' She spoke with perfect gravity, and with the serious authority of a grown-up woman. 'Then we are to sit up after our time because you have over-eaten yourself.' 'I have not over-eaten myself: I have had just enough. I wish you wouldn't say disagreeable things; you would find it much nicer not to. If you think I am not right in what I say about going to bed immediately after supper, of course I will go. You are much older than I, and ought to be much wiser.' 'But I think you _are_ right,' he growled. 'Why do you make yourself disagreeable then?' she asked, sitting down on the stool at his feet. Not a word was spoken for half an hour; at the end of which time our visitor rose, just as if she were the mistress of the house, and remarked that now she _did_ think it time we were all in bed. 'Good-night,' she said, giving him her hand; 'I hope I haven't vexed you.' She held up her face to him to be kissed, but he did not avail himself of the invitation, and retired to his room. 'He is a very strange man,' she said to us, and I don't quite know whether I like him or whether I don't. Good-night, Chris.' 'Good-night, Jessie.' My mind was full of her and her quaint ways as I undressed myself, and I found myself unconsciously repeating, 'Good-night, Jessie! Jessie! Jessie!' Her name was to me the sweetest of morsels. 'I am glad she has come,' I thought; 'I hope she will stop.' I had not been in my room two minutes before I heard her knocking at the door of the room in which uncle Bryan slept. I crept to the wall to listen. 'Do you hear me?' she said. 'You can't be asleep already.' But no response came from uncle Bryan. 'Do answer me!' she continued. 'If you think I have been rude to you, I am very sorry. I shall catch my death of cold if I stand here long. Say, good-night, Jessie!' 'Good-night.' 'Jessie!' she called out archly. 'Good-night, Jessie. Now go to bed, like a good--little girl.' And then the house was quiet, and I fell asleep, and dreamt the strangest and sweetest dreams about our new friend. The following morning when I rose I moved about very quietly, and I debated with myself whether I ought to bid my mother good-morning as usual. I stole softly upstairs, and put my ear to the door. 'Good-morning, mother.' I almost whispered the words, but the reply came instantly, in clear sweet tones, 'Good-morning, dear child.' She must have been listening for my step.