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LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY 505
tunity of knowing what was there, for he would chain them up there for a week. This hint was enough to repress talking, though, of course, it did not disturb the credit of the story in the least.
Gradually, the staircase that led to the garret, and even the passage-way to the staircase, was avoided by every one in the house, from every one fearing to speak of it, and the legend was gradually falling into desuetude. It had suddenly occurred to Cassy to make use of the superstitious excitability, which was so great in Legree, for the purpose of her liberation, and that of her fellow-sufferer.
The sleeping-room of Cassy was directly under the garret. One day, without consulting Legree, she suddenly took it upon her, with some considerable ostentation, to change all the furniture and appurtenances of the room to one at some considerable distance. The under-servants, who were called on to effect this movement, were running and bustling about with great zeal and confusion, when Legree returned from a ride.
" Hallo ! you Cass ! " said Legree, " what's in the wind now:
" Nothing; only I choose to have another room," said Cassy, doggedly.
" And what for, pray ? " said Legree.
" I choose to," said Cassy.
" The devil you do! and what for ? "
" I 'd like to get some sleep, now and then."
" Sleep ! well, what hinders your sleeping ? "
" I could tell, I suppose, if you want to hear," said Cassy, dryly.
" Speak out, you minx! " said Legree.
" Oh! nothing. I suppose it would n't disturb you! Only groans, and people scuffling, and rolling round on the garret floor, half the night, from twelve to morning!"
" People up garret! " said Legree, uneasily, but forcing a laugh; " who are they, Cassy ? "
Cassy raised her sharp, black eyes, and- looked in the |
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