The wing hall was a narrow one and dim , connecting the main rooms of the Place with an older wing , built in a curious way . The hall was lighted by small , square-paned windows , and at its end a little flight of steps led up to the Red Room . Whenever I had been at the Place before -- and this was often -- I had passed much of my time in this same Red Room . It was Mrs. Montressor 's sitting-room then , where she wrote her letters and examined household accounts , and sometimes had an old gossip in to tea . The room was low-ceilinged and dim , hung with red damask , and with odd , square windows high up under the eaves and a dark wainscoting all around it . And there I loved to sit quietly on the red sofa and read my fairy tales , or talk dreamily to the swallows fluttering crazily against the tiny panes . When I had gone this Christmas to the Place I soon bethought myself of the Red Room -- for I had a great love for it . But I had got no further than the steps when Mrs. Montressor came sweeping down the hall in haste and , catching me by the arm , pulled me back as roughly as if it had been Bluebeard 's chamber itself into which I was venturing . Then , seeing my face , which I doubt not was startled enough , she seemed to repent of her haste and patted me gently on the head . `` There , there , little Beatrice ! Did I frighten you , child ? Forgive an old woman 's thoughtlessness . But be not too ready to go where you are not bidden , and never venture foot in the Red Room now , for it belongs to your Uncle Hugh 's wife , and let me tell you she is not over fond of intruders . '' I felt sorry overmuch to hear this , nor could I see why my new aunt should care if I went in once in a while , as had been my habit , to talk to the swallows and misplace nothing . But Mrs. Montressor saw to it that I obeyed her , and I went no more to the Red Room , but busied myself with other matters . For there were great doings at the Place and much coming and going . My aunts were never idle ; there was to be much festivity Christmas week and a ball on Christmas Eve . And my aunts had promised me -- though not till I had wearied them of my coaxing -- that I should stay up that night and see as much of the gaiety as was good for me . So I did their errands and went early to bed every night without complaint -- though I did this the more readily for that , when they thought me safely asleep , they would come in and talk around my bedroom fire , saying that of Alicia which I should not have heard . At last came the day when my Uncle Hugh and his wife were expected home -- though not until my scanty patience was well nigh wearied out -- and we were all assembled to meet them in the great hall , where a ruddy firelight was gleaming .
My Aunt Frances had dressed me in my best white frock and my crimson sash , with much lamenting over my skinny neck and arms , and bade me behave prettily , XXXXX became my bringing up .
At So as by in of than that till until