"Then you don't think they be Papistees?" one man ventured to say. "No, I don't, and if they were it would be no way to convert them. Pray, how did this disgraceful row begin?" "'Twas the gentry as put us up to it," the man begun, but I heard no more. Amabel and I had been peeping through the blinds of the room over the shop, when Mrs. Thorpe, who had sent us away from her room down stairs, came and called us. "The poor woman has come to herself, but she must be got to bed without delay, and all the girls are out save Betty Humble, who has hid in the coal-hole and won't come out. My dear young ladies, will you do this distressed creature a good turn by getting a bed ready for her?" "Yes, indeed," answered Amabel and I both together. "Then just make up the bed in the front bedroom as quickly as you can. The blankets are all there, and you will find linen on the second shelf of the press in my room. There is the key. I will come up and do the rest." We set to work with all zeal, admiring the thick softness of the feather beds and the beautiful smoothly-laundered linen. We ran hither and thither, bringing what was wanted, and making ourselves useful in all sorts of ways. "See what it is to have the use of one's hands," said Mrs. Thorpe, as she came down stairs and found the table set and every thing ready for supper. "My dears, I never thought of your doing so much. Betty Humble, if you do not stop that noise this instant, I will empty this bucket of water over you." This to Betty, who, having come out of her coaly refuge, was trying to attract a little interest to herself by going into hysterics in the corner. "Don't let me hear another sound from you, if you want any supper to-night. Come, young ladies. Kesiah Lee is sitting with the poor woman above." Mary ran and fetched her the moment she came home, like a good brave girl as she is, instead of bawling and screeching in the coal-house. "Well, I can't help myself," began Betsy. "I always did have nerves when any thing was the matter." "Then let me hear thee say nerves again and thow'lt get thy ears cuffed," returned Mrs. Thorpe. "Nerves, indeed! A pretty thing for every 'prentice lass to be setting up with nerves like a fine lady. Nerves are for the quality, not for those who have their living to earn." "How is the poor woman?" I asked, when we had taken our seats at the table. "Very bad!" answered Mrs. Thorpe, shaking her head. "I doubt she will hardly get through it. My nephew has gone for the doctor, and Kesiah Lee, who knows all about such matters, has promised to stay all night. We will do our best for the poor thing." "And her husband?" asked Amabel.