"'What _is_ the matter?' said Aunt Harriet. "I was speechless. "'What have you been doing?' "I couldn't speak; but accumulating misfortune was gradually overpowering me, and I began to cry. "'Get into bed,' said Aunt Harriet. "I willingly obeyed, and Aunt Harriet seated herself at the foot. "'Now, think before you speak, Mary,' she said quietly, 'and then tell me the truth. What have you been doing?' "One large tear rolled over my nose and off the tip as I feebly began-- "'I got into the chair--' "'Well?' said Aunt Harriet. "'--to look in the glass.' "'What for?' said Aunt Harriet. "Tears flowed unrestrainedly over my face as I howled in self-abasement-- "'To look at the shape of my nose.' "At this point Aunt Harriet rose, and, turning her back rather abruptly, crossed the room, and picked up Mr. Joseph. (I have since had reason to believe that she was with difficulty concealing a fit of laughter.) "'What have you had this picture down for?' she inquired, still with her back to me. "'I couldn't see,' I sobbed, 'and I got Mr. Joseph to help me.' "My aunt made no reply, and, still carefully concealing her face, restored Mr. Joseph to his brass nail with great deliberation. "There is nothing like full confession. I broke the silence. "'Aunt Harriet, I was awake when you and Granny were here, and heard what you said.' "'You are a very silly, naughty child,' my aunt severely returned. 'Why don't you go to sleep when you are sent to bed?' "'I can't,' I sobbed, 'with talking and candles.' "'You've got the screen,' said Aunt Harriet; and I cannot tell why, but somehow I lacked courage to say that the red screen was the chief instrument of torture! "'Well, go to sleep now,' she concluded, 'and be thankful you're not hurt. You might have killed yourself.' "Encouraged by the gracious manner in which she tucked me up, I took a short cut to the information which I had failed to attain through Mr. Joseph. "'Aunt Harriet,' I said, 'do you think I shall ever be as beautiful as Mrs. Moss?' "'I'm ashamed of you,' said Aunt Harriet.