The man stared at Aunt Martha for a moment; then laughed in a jeering way. "Old lady Black, when you undertake to do a piece of work what d'ye mean by not having it done? Damn it, there's a little too much of the lady about you! Show me that work!" and he seated himself. The woman brought the basket to him, in the bottom of which were several pieces completed and carefully folded. The man turned them over rapidly. "And why, in the devil's name, haven't you done the rest? Give 'em here!" He took the whole, finished and unfinished, and, bundling them up, made for the door. "No time, no pay, old lady; that's the rule. That's the only way to work such infernally jimmy old bodies as you!" The sewing woman remained perfectly passive as Mr. Joseph was passing out; but Amy sprang forward from the window: "Stop, Sir!" said she, firmly. The man involuntarily turned, and such was his overwhelming surprise at seeing a lady suddenly standing before him, and a lady who spoke with perfect authority, that, with the instinct of obsequiousness instinctive in every man who depends upon the favor of customers, he took off his hat. "If you take that work without paying for it you shall be made to pay," said Amy, quietly, her eyes flashing, and her figure firm and erect. The man hesitated for a moment. "Oh yes, ma'am, oh certainly, ma'am! Pay for it, of course, ma'am! 'Twas only to frighten the woman, ma'am; oh certainly, certainly--oh! yes, ma'am, pay for it, of course." "At once," said Amy, without moving. "Certainly, ma'am; here's the money," and Mr. Joseph counted it out upon the pine table. "And you'd better leave the rest to be done at once." "I'll do so, ma'am," said the man, putting down the bundle. "And remember that if you ever harm this woman by a word or look, even," added Amy, bending her head toward her aunt, "you will repent it bitterly." The man stared at her and fumbled with his hat. The cigar had dropped upon the floor. Amy pointed to it, and said, "Now go." Mr. Joseph stooped, picked up the stump, and departed. Amy felt weak. Her aunt stood by her, and said, calmly, "It was only part of my punishment." Amy's eyes flashed. "Yes, aunt; and if any body should break into your room and steal every thing you have and throw you out of the window, or break your bones and leave you here to die of starvation, I suppose you would think it all part of your punishment." "It would be no more than I deserve, Amy." "Aunt Martha," replied Amy, "if you don't take care you will force me to break my promise to you."