ersshouldassociatewithher.”

    Here,leanihebanister,Icriedoutsuddenly,andwithoutatalldeliberatingonmywords—

    “Theyarenotfittoassociatewithme.”

    Mrs.Reedwasratherastoutwoman;but,onhearingthisstrangeandaudaciousdeclaration,sherannimblyupthestair,sweptmelikeawhirlwindintothenursery,andcrushingmedownontheedgeofmycrib,daredmeinanemphaticvoicetorisefromthatplace,orutteronesyllableduringtheremaiheday.

    “WhatwouldUncleReedsaytoyou,ifhewerealive?”wasmyscarcelyvoluntarydemand.Isayscarcelyvoluntary,foritseemedasifmytonguepronouncedwordswithoutmywillsentingtotheirutteranethingspokeoutofmeoverwhichIhadnotrol.

    “What?”saidMrs.Reedunderherbreath:herusuallycoldposedgreyeyebecametroubledwithalooklikefear;shetookherhandfrommyarm,andgazedatmeasifshereallydidnotknowwhetherIwerechildorfiend.Iwasnowinforit.

    “MyUncleReedisinheaven,andseeallyoudoandthink;andsopapaandmama:theyknowhowyoushutmeupalldaylong,andhowyouwishmedead.”

    Mrs.Reedsoonralliedherspirits:sheshookmemostsoundly,sheboxedbothmyears,andthemewithoutaword.Bessiesuppliedthehiatusbyahomilyofanhour’slength,inwhichsheprovedbeyondadoubtthatIwasthemostwickedandabandonedchildeverrearedunderaroof.Ihalfbelievedher;forIfeltindeedonlybadfeelingssurginginmybreast.

    November,December,andhalfofJanuarypassedaway.ChristmasandtheNewYearhadbeeedatGatesheadwiththeusualfestivecheer;presentshadbeeninterged,dinnersandeveningpartiesgiven.FromeveryenjoymentIwas,ofcourse,excluded:myshareofthegaietysistedinwitnessingt