Holt United States government : principles in practice

The effect on the reader and her listener both of whom were sitting on the floor was instantaneous. Each started and sat rigidly intent for a moment; then as the sound of approaching footsteps became audible one girl hastily slipped a little volume under the counterpane of the bed while the other sprang to her feet and in a hurried flustered way pretended to be getting something out of a tall wardrobe.