Annie started up from her meal apparently quite excited and anxious to begin those lists in which Mrs Shelf took so deep an interest. The woman and the girl, therefore, began systematically to count over piles of linen, stacks of china, quantities of glass, and then, when these were done and they were both somewhat tired, to plunge into the mysteries of the famous store cupboard. Annie jotted down items on little scraps of paper. All of a sudden, as the dusk was beginning to fall, she turned to her companion. "Now I tell you what it is, Mrs Shelf. We will make a clear list of all these things before I go to bed to-night." "Oh, nonsense, my dearie!" said Mrs Shelf. "You will be killed over it." "No, I won't. I should like to do it. I sleep very badly, and should enjoy the work. Please take me when I am in the humour, Shelfy; you know I am hard to control when I turn contrary." "That you are, my love; but you have been very sweet since you returned from Switzerland." "Well, if you want me to go on being sweet you must do what I want." "And what is that, dear?" "You must just put the horse to the gig and get Dan to drive you in to Rashleigh in order to buy a proper manuscript book for me to write my list in." "Oh, but must I do that to-night and leave you all alone?" "You can go and come back within an hour and a half," said Annie; "and I want some other things, too--lots of cottons and needles, and some black lining for that new dress which I am going to make for you." "Oh, my darling, you are kind!" "And some oil for the sewing-machine; in fact, a whole list of things. You may as well get them all while you are about it, Shelfy, do you hear?" "But I hate leaving you." "And why should not I be left for an hour or an hour and a half, or even two hours? Do go--do, dear--and get me the book. I want it dreadfully badly." Annie, after a great deal more coaxing, after a vast amount of arguments and pretty smiles and pathetic gestures, had--as she knew she would have--her own way. Mrs Shelf owned that her dear young lady's whim was a just one; that there was no possible harm in leaving her for even a couple of hours at the Rectory while she drove in to Rashleigh to get the necessary things. It was scarcely four o'clock yet, and she could be back certainly not later than seven o'clock. She could unfasten Rover, the watch-dog and leave him loose in the yard; therefore Annie would be quite safe even if any marauders did appear round the premises. But as burglaries were things unknown in the peaceful parish of Rashleigh, Mrs Shelf was not at all afraid of anything happening to Annie in her solitude. "If I must, I must," she said. "You are a very masterful young lady; but I will own I shall rather enjoy a breath of the air this fine evening. Only why should not you come with me, lovy? Why not? You could drive, and Dan could look after the house. Now why not, Miss Annie, dear? It would do you a sight of good."