of search, and reached down a key to unlock the goose-pen, as a likely place for Maggie to lie perdue in.

Tom, after a while, started the idea that Maggie was gone home (without thinking it necessary to state that it was what he should have done himself under the circumstances), and the suggestion was seized as a comfort by his mother.

`Sister, for goodness' sake, let 'em put the horse in the carriage and take me home - we shall perhaps find her on the road. Lucy can't walk in her dirty clothes,' she said, looking at that innocent victim, who was wrapped up in a shawl and sitting with naked feet on the sofa.

Aunt Pullet was quite willing to take the shortest means of restoring her premises to order and quiet, and it was not long before Mrs Tulliver was in the chaise looking anxiously at the most distant point before her. What the father would say if Maggie was lost? was a question that predominated over every other.