'However, it was not quite so bad as this,' said Anne.
'But do tell us what it was,' said Elizabeth, 'or I shall think it
something uncommonly shocking.'
'I never spoke of it since, because I was too much ashamed,' said
Anne; 'and it was very silly of me to do so now.'
'But when was it?' said Elizabeth.
'Two years ago,' said Anne, 'when you were all staying at Merton
Hall, just before that nice nursery-maid of yours, Susan, married our
man Evans.'
'Yes, I remember,' said Elizabeth; 'but what has that to do with your
crime, whatever it may be?'
'A great deal,' said Anne; 'do not you recollect our hunting all over
the garden one day for Winifred and Dora, and at last our asking old
Ambrose whether he had seen them?'
'Oh yes, I think I do,' said Elizabeth; 'and he said that he had seen
Susan and the children go down the blind walk. Then I said Dora had
talked of seeing a blackbird's nest there, and he answered, with a
most comical look, 'Ah! ha! Miss Woodbourne, I fancy they be two-
legged blackbirds as Susan is gone to see.''
'Why, blackbirds have but two legs,' said Helen, looking mystified;
'what did he mean'?'
'That is exactly what Kate said,' said Elizabeth; 'but really I
thought you were sharper, Helen.
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