Both were silent for a moment , Paul looking down and Lillian busy with her nosegay . She spoke first , assuming an air of satisfaction as she surveyed her work . `` That will please Mamma , I 'm sure , and make her quite forget my naughty prank of yesterday . Do you know I offended her dreadfully by peeping into the gold case she wears on her neck ? She was asleep and I was sitting by her . In her sleep she pulled it out and said something about a letter and Papa . I wanted to see Papa 's face , for I never did , because the big picture of him is gone from the gallery where the others are , so I peeped into the case when she let it drop and was so disappointed to find nothing but a key . '' `` A key ! What sort of a key ? '' cried Paul in an eager tone . `` Oh , a little silver one like the key of my piano , or the black cabinet . She woke and was very angry to find me meddling . '' `` What did it belong to ? '' asked Paul . `` Her treasure box , she said , but I do n't know where or what that is , and I dare not ask any more , for she forbade my speaking to her about it . Poor Mamma ! I 'm always troubling her in some way or other . '' With a penitent sigh , Lillian tied up her flowers and handed them to Paul to carry . As she did so , the change in his face struck her . `` How grim and old you look , '' she exclaimed .
`` Have I XXXXX anything that troubles you ? ''
ask assuming carry know meddling offended peeping said wears woke