Note 1 — Front matter

Ordinary readers, while admiring the heavy humor of this unexpected open-air episode, may wonder what on earth it has to do with the the Story; but the cultivated few, understanding the ingenious mechanics of novel-writing, will appreciate it as a most skilful and happy device to cover the interval between the hiring of Mrs. SKAMMERHORN's room, and the occupation thereof by FLORA and her late teacher—another instance of what our profoundly critical American journals call "artistic—elaboration." (See corresponding Chapter of the original English Story.)