Page:Adventures of Susan Hopley (Volume 1).pdf/52

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SUSAN HOPLEY.
39

civilly as I could, to make up for my rudeness, I said, that they would be home on the 18th to dinner, adding, that we had expected them sooner but that they were to sleep upon the road.

"'Thank ye,' replied he, turning away. 'I don't know exactly which way I should go, amongst all these buildings,' he added, looking round—'I suppose that's the stables with a light in the window?'

"'No, Sir, that's the dairy,' said I, 'the stables are on the other side. But if you go straight across you'll find your way.' "Good night,' said be, and away he went, whilst I proceeded up stairs to look after my fires. When I returned to the servants' hall, so little did I think of the matter that I only told them when they asked who had rung, it was a person called to inquire when master would be home.

"On the following day, which was the 17th, nothing particular occurred; and on the 18th we were all prepared for the family, with the cloth laid, and the fires blazing, and every body on the watch for the carriage. But the dinner hour came and passed, and tea time came, and supper time came, and still no signs of those we were looking for. The servants sat up till half-past eleven, wondering and guessing all manner