Zula

Popular novel, first published in 1905. The story begins: "Oh, you little wretch! What are you about? You dreadfully sinful little creature. Police, police!" The speaker, a richly dressed woman, was just entering the spacious dining-room, as she caught sight of a dusky little form in the act of taking a set of silver spoons from the heavy gold-lined holder. The child raised a pair of coal-black eyes to the lady's face as she turned to pass out of the dining-room door, which had been left open to let in the cool June breeze; but as she was about to cross the threshold she was seized by the strong hands of a policeman, who had answered Mrs. Wilmer's call, and the silver was scattered in a dozen different directions.”