E. R. Punshon

“ Gathering up her skirts and slipping off her shoes, Veronica crept silently down the passage to the head of the short flight of stairs that led to the kitchen. Andrews had left the lamp burning, and by its dim light Veronica with horror and choking fear saw a man crawling in through the window. She held her breath in deadly terror while the intruder wriggled his way on to a table, and thence to the ground. ”

“ Veronica sat trembling but upright, while Andrews slid to the floor and endeavoured to crawl beneath the sofa. Then Veronica hastily extinguished the lamp as they heard the footsteps pause for a moment and then go on. again.
"Oh, Miss, Miss," said Andrews, weeping, "what did you do that for? If we are to be killed and murdered, let it be in the light, Miss."
"Father told me once," explained Veronica, surprised to find that now her teeth no longer chattered, "that was the best thing to do, because then the burglar can't see you, and you can see him if he has a lantern." ”

“ But Veronica was firm. She picked up a broom and pushed the end of the handle against the door.
"If you just say a word," she announced, "I'll fire this big gun through the keyhole."
"You are a formidable young person," said the voice, with a sigh. "I surrender; my hands are up."
"Very likely, now you're caught," said Veronica, wisely. "But you stay where you are till the police come."
"You're jolly rough on a fellow," said the voice, and Veronica almost thought she heard a sound remotely like a chuckle "May I have something to eat?" ”