As for my feet, though not remarkably large, they were constantly in the way.  I have often seen the time when I would have given all the world, had it been mine to give, if I could have taken them off, and consigned them to the obscurity of my pocket.

One eventful day, my mother took it into her head to have a quilting.  Early in the afternoon I retired to the garret, as the most isolated spot I could think of, and ensconced myself in bed.  All the girls in the neighborhood were invited, and I would sooner have faced a flaming line of armed batteries.

Such a gay, joyous time as they had of it, judging from the sounds of merriment that occasionally floated up to my retreat!  I longed to be a witness of the frolic I knew they were enjoying, but I could not summon resolution enough to venture from my concealment; and so I wound the sheets round my head to shut out the gay peals of laughter, and tried to think myself highly satisfied with my achievement.  I was comfortable and safe, so far as I knew; but the hours were long ones, and I prayed Time to jog on his team a little faster, if convenient.

By-and-by, the merriment grew louder; there was a pattering of eager feet on the garret stairs, considerable loud whispering in the passage, and an infinite amount of giggling.  Good heavens!  What were they going to do?  I clutched the bed clothes with frantic hands and drew them around my head, to the utter neglect of the rest of my body, probably believing, like the ostrich, that so long as I saw nobody, nobody would see me.

Directly the door was thrown open, and, evidently, there was a consultation on the threshold.

“Go in, Flory!” said the gay voice of Kate Merrick, the pride and tease of the village.  “Go in, I say!  What on earth are you afraid of?  Boy Sunderland won’t eat you, if he is a bear!”

“But what will he think?” asked Florence Hay, softly.  “He is so bashful!  Goodness!  Kate, how can I?”

“Nonsense!  You must pay the forfeit, or your thimble remains in my possession!  I won’t be coaxed over, this time!” returned Kate, decisively.

There was a slight scuffle, and then the eager hands of the coterie began to pull away my fortifications.  I resisted with the strength of desperation, but I was no match for a dozen frolicsome girls.  They unswathed me, and while four of them held my two arms, Florence Hay kissed me.  Mahomet!  Such a thrill as went through my heart!  I devoutly wished that she would repeat the experiment; but, instead of doing so, she scampered from the room, followed by her boisterous companions.  Completely overcome, I crept under the bed, where I remained until nightfall sent our merry visitors to their several homes.

Well, the years passed on, and brought my eighteenth birthday.  I had lost nothing of my besetting difficulty.  My mother was thoroughly mortified by my conduct, and did not hesitate to lecture me soundly on my folly; and my aunt Alice emphatically declared I was the most consummate fool that she had ever seen!  I knew it was true; but—­so perverse is man—­I did not feel at all obliged to her for uttering it.