Also they spoke of the company she gathered around her , thinking her to have strange and unbecoming companions for a Montressor . All this I heard and pondered much over , although my good aunts supposed that such a chit as I would take no heed to their whisperings . When I was not with them , helping to whip eggs and stone raisins , and being watched to see that I ate not more than one out of five , I was surely to be found in the wing hall , poring over my book and grieving that I was no more allowed to go into the Red Room . 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 XXXXX the gaiety as was good for me .
although around as by for if of over than with