This tea-set which my grandfather brought to me
the year before Margaret came to live with us was my greatest
treasure, and I thought it a great treat to be allowed to play with
it. When I was ten years old Margaret and I had measles, and one day
when we were nearly well grandmother left us to go to a funeral. Our
house servant happened to be sick, so there was no one in the house,
besides ourselves, but the cook. Telling us on no account to leave the
warm room, grandmother drove off. Then Margaret began to wish that we
had asked to have the tea-set. I knew where it was kept and
volunteered to get it, for it was mine and I thought I had a right to
it.
"Next we began to wish for something to eat. The spirit of naughtiness
possessed me, I think, for I determined to go downstairs and find
something. I stole down to the dining-room, where I found nothing but
bread--which we did not want--and doughnuts. I carried back half a
dozen of these, and we had our feast.
"Before we finished grandmother came home. When we heard the carriage
we had a great time getting the crumbs out of the way, and the dishes
put in their place. In my hurry I dropped a cup and cracked it.
"When grandmother came in she found everything as usual, but that
night Margaret was very ill; she had a relapse and came near dying.
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