第4章

"\'They\'llHAVEtostay，Is\'pose；theredon\'tseemnohelpforitnow。There\'spertatersinthecellar，an\'theycanroastan\'

eatwhattheywant。I\'llgive\'emsaltan\'whatmilkan\'brownbreadtheywant，an\'that\'swhatthey\'llhavetoliveonforthepresent。Asforhousin\'\'em，theboyscansleeponthehayinthebarn，an\'thegirlscancampdownonrugsan\'comfortersonthekitchenfloor。that\'sthebestIcando，an\'iftheyain\'tsatisfiedtheycangofurder。\'

"Irememberjusthowhelookeddownatthetroubled，childishfacesupturnedtohisown，asifhalfhopingwemightconcludetowanderyetfartherawayfromourimperilledhomes；butAuntPollyhastenedtoanswer:

"\'Oh，we\'llgetalongnicelywithmilkforthelittleones，andpotatoesandsaltforthebigboysandgirls，andwewon\'ttroubleyouanymorenoranylongerthanwecanhelp，Mr。

Gubtil。\'

"Shestooduponthedoor-stonebesidehimasshespoke，alittle，bent，slightlydeformedfigure，withafaceshrivelledandfadedlikeawinter-russetappleinspring-time，andadresspatchedanddarnedtillonescarcelycouldtellwhattheoriginalwaslike，inastrikingcontrasttothetall，broad-shouldered，haleoldman，whoseironframehaddefiedthestormsofmorethanseventywinters；butIrememberhowheseemedtomeamerepigmybythesideofthegenerous，large-heartedwomanwhosetonesandgestureshadaprotectiveness，astrengthbornofloveandpity，thatreassuredustremblinglittlefugitivesinspiteofourungraciousreception。WefeltthatAuntPollywouldtakecareofus，letwhatwouldcome。

"Thehoursdraggedslowlyaway。AuntPollytoldusthatthedistantfiringmeantthatourmenhadnotretreatedwithoutanefforttodefendthevillage。Whenthisfiringceased，webegantowatchandhopethatsomemessagewouldcomefromourfathersandmothers。Butnonecame。WewonderedamongourlittleselvesiftheyallhadbeenputtodeathbytheBritish，andeventheoldestamongusshedsomedrearytears。

"DanParsons，whowasthebiggestboyamongusandofanadventurousturn，wentinthegatheringtwilightgloomdownasnearthevillageashedared。Hecameshiveringbacktouswithsuchtalesofvaguehorrorthatourveryheartsstoppedbeatingwhilewelistened。

"\'Icrep\'alongundertheshadderofthealdersandblack-berrybushes，\'hebegan，\'\'tilIgotcloseterDe\'conMilleseshouse。

\'Twasasstillasdeath\'roundthere，butjestasIturnedthecornerbythebarnIseesomethin\'graya-flappin\'anda-flutterin\'jestinsidethebarndoor。Istopped，kindo\'

wonderin\'whatitcouldbe，whenallatonceIthoughtIshould\'a\'dropped，foritcameovermelikeaflashthatitmightbe\'——

"\'What，what，Dan？\'criedascoreoffrightenedvoices；andDanrepliedsolemnly:

"\'THEOLDDEACON\'SSKULP!\'

"\'Ohdear!ohdear!\'sobbedtheterrifiedchorus。

"AuntPollycoulddonothingwithus；andlittleDollyMiles，thedeacon\'sgranddaughter，burstintoaseriesofwildlamentationsthatcalledFarmerGubtiltothedoortoknowthecauseofthecommotion。

"\'What\'sallthishullabalooabout？\'heaskedcrossly；andwhenhehadheardthestoryheseizedDanandshookhimtillhisteethchattered。

"\'Whatdoyoumeanbytellin\'suchstuffan\'scarin\'theseyoungonesterdeath？\'hedemanded。

"Danwriggledhimselffromhisgraspandlookedsulkilydefiant:

"\'Ididn\'tsay\'TWASthat，\'hemuttered。\'IsaiditMIGHTbe，an\'p\'r\'aps\'twas；oritmight\'a\'beenthedeacon\'soldmareswitchin\'\'ertailterkeepofftheflies。I\'msure_I_don\'tknowwhich\'twas。Butgirlsarealwaysa-squealin\'atnothin\'。\'

"Andwiththispartingflingatustearfulones，Danturnedinthedirectionofthebarn；butIwastooanxioustohearfromfatherandmothertolethimgowithoutawordmore。\'Dan，\'I

whisperedwithmyhandonhisarm，\'didyouseeorhearanythingofOURfolks？\'

"\'No!\'wastherathergrumpreply；\'afterwhatIsawatthedeacon\'sIdidn\'twantterventur\'furder，butfromthereIcouldsee\'emlightin\'firesinthevillage，an\'Idon\'tdoubtbythistimethatmosto\'thehousesisinflames。\'

"WiththiscomfortingassuranceDanwentofftohisbeduponthehaymow，andIcreptbackintothehouseandlaidmytiredheaddownuponAuntPolly\'smotherlylap，where，betweenmysobs，I

managedtotellwhatDanhadtoldme。

AuntPollylaidacaressinghanduponmyhair:\'La，child，\'saidshesoothingly，\'don\'tyouworryyourselfabitoverDanParson\'sstories。ThatboywasBORNtotellstories。TheBritishersarebadenough，buttheyain\'theathensavages，an\'ifthetownhassurrendered，asIcalc\'lateithas，thesettlerswillbetreatedlikeprisonerso\'war。Therewon\'tbenosculpin\'norburnin\'o\'

houses——no，dear。Andnow，\'givingmealittlereassuringpat，\'you\'realltiredout，an\'oughtterbeasleep。I\'llmakeupabedonthisrugwithacushionunderyourhead，an\'mybigplaidshawloveryou，an\'you\'llsleepjestassoundasifyouwasterhomeinyourowntrundle-bed。\'

"LittleSallysharedmyrugandshawl，andAuntPolly，gentlyrefusingtheungraciouscivilityoftheoldcouple，whohadofferedhertheuseoftheirsparebedroom，afterseeingeverylittle，tiredformmadeascomfortableaspossiblewithquiltsandblanketsfromthefarmwife\'sstores，laidherselfdownuponthefloorbesideus，aftercommendingherselfandustotheGodshelovedandtrusted，raisedherheadandspoketousoncemoreinhersweet，hopeful，quaveringoldtones:

"\'Goodnight，dears!Gotosleepanddon\'tbeabitafraid。I

shouldn\'twonderifyourfolkscomeforyouinthemornin\'。\'

"Whatcomforttherewasinherwords!Andeventheverylittleones，whohadneverbeenawayfromtheirmothersanightbeforeintheirlives，stoppedtheirlowsobbingandnestleddowntosleep，surethatGodandAuntPollywouldletnoharmcometothem。

"Thenextdaypassedslowlyandanxiouslyforusall。FromastraytravellerAuntPollylearnedthatthevillagewasstillinthehandsoftheBritishand——whatwasnolittlecomforttous——thatnoviolencehadbeendonetotheplaceoritsinhabitants。

Someoftheolderboyswereforventuringtoreturn，butAuntPollyheldthembackwithherprudentarguments。Iftheirparentshadconsidereditsafeforthemtocomehometheywouldhavesentforthem。TheBritish，shesaid，hadbeenknowntoimpressboys，aswellasmen，intoservice，andthewisestwaywastokeepoutoftheirsight。

"Thegentle，motherlyadviceprevailed，andevenDanParsonscontentedhimselfwithclimbingthetallesttreesinthevicinity，fromwhichhecouldseethechimneysofseveralofthenearesthouses。Fromthesepinnacleshewouldcallouttousatintervals:

"\'Thesmokecomin\'outo\'DeaconMileseschimlyhasaqueerlook，somethin\'likeburnin\'feathersIshouldn\'twonderamiteifthemBritisherswasburnin\'uphisfurnitoor!SamKelly\'sfolkshain\'thadasparko\'fireintheirfireplaceto-day。Poorcritters!Mebbethereain\'tnobodyleftterwantone。\'

"Withthesedismalsurmises，Danmanagedtokeepourforlornlittleflockasuncomfortableasevenhecouldwish；andasthesecondnightdrewon，Isupposethehomesicknessofthesmalleronesmusthavebeenpitifultosee。AuntPollypattedandcuddledtheforlornlittlethingstothebestofherability，butitwaspastmidnightbeforethelastweary，sobbingbabywasfairlyasleep，whileallnightlongoneoranotherwouldstartupterrifiedfromsomefrightfuldream，tobesoothedintoquietbythepatientmotherlytendernessoftheirwakefulprotector。

"Nextmorningthebrowofthefarmerworeanominousfrown，andhiswife，asshedistributedtoeachthescantmeasureofbrownbreadandmilkremarked，grudgingly，thatsheshouldthink\'twas\'bouttimethatherhousewasclearedofacrowdo\'hungry，squallin\'youngones；andthenMr。Gubtiltookouthisaccount-bookandwrotedownthenameofeachchild，withanestimateoftheamountofbread，milkandpotatoesconsumedbyeach。Hedidthiswiththeaudibleremarkthat\'iffolksthoughthewasa-feedin\'an\'a-housin\'theiryoungonesfornothin\'

they\'dfindthemselvesmightilymistaken。\'

"Thethirdmorningdraggedslowlyaway。Dinnerwasoverandstillnomessageforusforlornlittleones。AtlastAuntPollyslowlyarosefromherseatuponthedoorstep，withthelightofastrong，courageousresolveonherlittleface。

"Children!\'shecalledloudly，andafterwehadgatheredathercall，shespoketouswithanencouragingsmile:

"\'I\'vemadeupmymindthat\'twon\'tbebestforustostayhereanothernight。We\'reintheway，andthelittleoneswouldbebetteroffathomewiththeirmothers。Weknowthatthefightin\'

isallover，andIdon\'tbelievetheEnglishsoldiers\'llbebadenoughtohurtaloto\'littlehelplesschildren，\'speciallyifthey\'reunderaflago\'truce。\'

"Hereshedrewahandkerchiffromherpocket。Thisshefastenedcarefullytoastick。ThenputtingitintothehandsofmybrotherBen，awell-grownladoftwelve，shewentonwithherdirections:

"\'We\'llforminprocession，justaswecame，andyou，Benjie，maymarchattheheadwiththiswhiteflaga-wavin\'toletthemknowthatwecomeinpeace。I\'llfollownextwiththebiggestboys，andthegirls，withthelittleones，mustkeepbehindwhereit\'ssafest。\'

"PerhapsitwasthecontagionofAuntPolly\'scheerfulcourage，butmorelikelyitwastheblessedhopeofseeinghomeandfatherandmotheragain，thatmadethelittlefolkssoprompttoobeyherdirections。Weformedourselvesinlineinlesstimethanittakestotellaboutit；weeldergirlstookchargeoftheweeoneswhoweresorejoicedtoleavetheinhospitableroofoftheGubtils\'thattheyforgotalltheirfearsoftheterribleEnglish，andtrottedalongasblithelyoverthedesertedroadasifnotafearhadeverterrifiedtheirchildishhearts，andasifEnglishsoldierswerestillsimplythosefar-offmonstersthathadservedasbugbearstofrightenthemnowandthenintoobediencetomaternalauthority。

"TheGubtilswatchedusoffwithoutawordofencouragementorfriendliness。AuntPollywalkedclosebehindtheflag-bearerwithafirmstep，butIcouldseethatshewasverypale，andwhenwecametodescendthelittlehillthatledintothevillage，andwhenjustatitsfoot，wherethenstoodthegroceryofoldPennParker，wecaughtaglimpseofthescarletuniformsofseveralsoldiersloafingabout——thenevenwechildrencouldseethatherstepsfaltered；andIrememberIthoughtshewasfearfulofsomeviolence。

"Butthenextmomentshewaswalkingsteadilyalongagainasifnothoughtofdangerorretreathadeverenteredhermind；andaswecameoppositethegroceryandatallmaninanofficer\'suniformstrolledouttowarduswithacurious，questioninglookuponhishandsomeface，shegavethewordofcommandtoherlittlebrigadeinavoiceasclearasabell:

"\'Halt，children!\'

"Weallstoodstillasmice，eyingthestrangerwithlooksinwhichfearandadmirationwereprobablycuriouslyblended，whileAuntPolly，takingthewhiteflagfromhercolor-bearer，advancedwithafirmfronttomeetthefoewhonow，reinforcedbyseveralmen，stoodbesidetheway，evidentlywonderingwhatthisqueerparadewasabout。

"\'Sir!\'andAuntPolly\'svoicetrembledperceptiblybutshewavedthewhiteflagmanfullyunderhisverynose，\'sir，Idemandasafepassagefortheseinnocentchildrentotheirdifferenthomes。\'

"Theofficerstared，andhismouthtwitchedmischievouslyasifhehadhardworktokeepfromlaughingoutright。Buthewasagentleman；andwhenhespoke，hespokelikeone。

"\'Mygoodwoman，\'hesaidkindly，\'thesechildrenarenothingtome。Ifyouwishpermissionforthemtogototheirownhomesyouarewelcometoit，thoughinwhatwaythematterconcernsmeI

mustconfessIamatalosstoimagine。"

Then，andnottillthen，AuntPollybrokedownandsobbedaloud:

"\'Run，children，\'shecriedassoonasshecouldspeak；\'gohomejustasfastasyoucanscud；an\'tellyourfolks，\'sheaddedwithagustofgratitude，\'thatthere\'sworsefolksintheworldthananEnglishman。\'

"Youmaybesurethatwewaitedfornofurtherurging；andasweflew，ratherthanran，inthedirectionofourdifferenthomes，I

heardtheirrepressibleburstoflaughterwithwhichtheofficerandhismenreceivedthegratefulspinster\'scomplimentwhich，tothedayofherdeath，shelovedtorepeatwhenevershetoldthethrillingstoryofheradventurewiththeEnglishofficer，\'whenHampdenwastookbytheBritishin1814；\'alwaysconcludingwiththiscandidadmission:

"\'An\'really，now，ifhe\'d\'a\'beenanybodybutanEnglishman，an\'aninimy，Ishould\'a\'saidthatIneversoteyesonabetter-built，moremannerlyman，inallmyborndays。\'"

Heigho!BabyMine!

Nowwhereareyoucreeping，Withsucharapidpaceacrossthenurseryfloor？

OnlyouttoMammawho\'llgiveyouroyalgreeting，Withcoddlingandpettingandkissesgalore。

CORINNE\'SMUSICALE。

InsideofmesaysIamnaughty，Buttruly，IknowIamnot；

ForifBrotherJoecouldseemeRightinthisverysamespot，He\'dletmedojustwhatI\'mdoing，I\'mverysure；thatis，perhaps。Ohdear!howeverdobigfolksHoldthisthingstraightintheirlaps？

Itslips，an\'itslips，an\'

itslips，YounaughtyoldBanjo，ohdear!

Ishecoming？thenwhatwillhedoTofindmesittinguphere!Ho，ho!\'twasamouse——howsillyAn\'frightenedI\'veactuallybeen；

Forhe\'dsay，"Ifyouholditquitestill，Youmaytakeit，I\'mwilling，Corinne!"

Iknow:sonowI\'llbeginit；

Howdoeshego"tum-tytumting，"

An\'makesuchbeautifultunes；

Toolovelyforanything？

Iain\'tabit\'fraidtheymayhear，——Thehouse-people\'wayoffbelow——

MeplayinginBrotherJoe\'sroom，StillIbetterbecareful，youknow。

Iftheydidn\'tsay\'twasamusing，Ish\'dthink\'twasstupidtoplay，TotugatsuchtiresomestringsAn\'makethemcomeoverthisway；

Butitmustbedelightful。I\'llpullAveryfinetuneatfirst；

Now，"tum-tytingtw-a-n-g!"

Itsound\'sasifsomethinghadburst!

Thatstringmust\'a\'trulybeencracked，Don\'tyous\'pose？ormoth-eaten，p\'raps；

\'Tisn\'tpleasanttopractice，I\'msure，Butforlorn，whenanythingflaps。

SoIguessIhavefinished；hark，hark!

HereallyIScoming——Ohmy!

Now，Banjo，Iknowmammawantsme，An\'soImustbidyougood-by!

MARGARETSIDNEY。

Mr。Bunnywasarabbit，Mr。Bunnywasathief!

HehoppedintomygardenAndstoleacabbageleaf。

HeateupallmyparsnipsWithoutaskingifhemay，AndwhenItriedtocatchhimKickeduphisheelsandranaway。

BARBARAFRIETCHIE。

Upfromthemeadowsrichwithcorn，ClearinthecoolSeptembermorn，TheclusteredspiresofFrederickstandGreen-walledbythehillsofMaryland。

Roundaboutthemorchardssweep，Appleandpeach-treefruiteddeep，FairasagardenoftheLordTotheeyesofthefamishedrebelhorde，Onthatpleasantmornoftheearlyfall，WhenLeemarchedoverthemountain-wall——

Overthemountainswindingdown，Horseandfoot，intoFredericktown——

Fortyflagswiththeirsilverstars，Fortyflagswiththeircrimsonbars，Flappedinthemorningwind:thesunOfnoonlookeddown，andsawnotone。

UproseoldBarbaraFrietchiethen，Bowedwithherfourscoreyearsandten；

BravestofallinFredericktown，Shetookuptheflagthemenhauleddown:

Inheratticwindowthestaffsheset，Toshowthatoneheartwasloyalyet。

Upthestreetcametherebeltread，StonewallJacksonridingahead。

Underhisslouchedhat，leftandright，Heglanced:theoldflagmethissight。

"Halt"——thedust-brownranksstoodfast，"Fire!"——outblazedtherifle-blast。

Itshiveredthewindow，paneandsash；

Itrentthebannerwithseamandgash。

Quickasitfellfromthebrokenstaff，DameBarbarasnatchedthesilkenscarf；

Sheleanedfaroutonthewindowsill，Andshookitforthwitharoyalwill。

"Shootifyoumustthisoldgrayhead，——

Butspareyourcountry\'sflag，"shesaid。

Ashadeofsadness，ablushofshame，Overthefaceoftheleadercame；

ThenoblernaturewithinhimstirredTolifeatthatwoman\'sdeedandword。

"WhotouchesahairofyongrayheadDieslikeadog!Marchon!"hesaid。

AlldaylongthroughFrederickstreetSoundedthetreadofmarchingfeet。

AlldaylongthatfreeflagtossedOvertheheadsoftherebelhost；

EveritstornfoldsroseandfellOntheloyalwindsthatloveditwell；

Andthroughthehill-gaps，sunsetlightShoneoveritwithawarmgood-night。

BarbaraFrietchie\'sworkiso\'er，Andtherebelridesonhisraidsnomore。

Honortoher!——andletatearFall，forhersake，onStonewall\'sbier。

OverBarbaraFrietchie\'sgrave，FlagofFreedomandUnionwave!

Peace，andorder，andbeauty，drawRoundthysymboloflightandlaw；

AndeverthestarsabovelookdownOnthystarsbelowatFredericktown!

JOHNGREENLEAFWHITTIER。

Asturdycow-boyIwouldbeAndchasethisbuffalooutintheWest。

AnIndianponyIknowIcouldride，And"roundup"withalltherest。

SHERIDAN\'SRIDE。

(UsedbyspecialarrangementwithJ。B。LippincottCompany，Philadelphia，publisherofMr。Read\'sPoems。)

UpfromtheSouthatbreakofday，BringingtoWinchesterfreshdismay，Theaffrightedairwithashudderbore，Likeaheraldinhaste，tothechieftain\'sdoor，Theterriblegrumbleandrumbleandroar，Tellingthebattlewasononcemore，AndSheridantwentymilesaway。

AndwilderstillthosebillowsofwarThunderedalongthehorizon\'sbar，AndlouderyetintoWinchesterrolledTheroarofthatredseauncontrolled，MakingthebloodofthelistenercoldAshethoughtofthestakeinthatfieryfray，AndSheridantwentymilesaway。

ButthereisaroadfromWinchestertown，Agood，broadhighwayleadingdown；

Andtherethroughtheflashofthemorninglight，Asteedasblackasthesteedsofnight，Wasseentopassaswitheagle\'sflight——

Asifheknewtheterribleneed，Hestretchedawaywiththeutmostspeed；

Hillsroseandfell——buthisheartwasgay，WithSheridanfifteenmilesaway。

Stillsprungfromtheseswifthoofs，thunderingSouth，Thedust，likethesmokefromthecannon\'smouth，Orthetrailofacometsweepingfasterandfaster，Forebodingtotraitorsthedoomofdisaster；

Theheartofthesteedandtheheartofthemaster，Werebeatinglikeprisonersassaultingtheirwalls，Impatienttobewherethebattle-fieldcalls；

Everynerveofthechargerwasstrainedtofullplay，WithSheridanonlytenmilesaway。

UnderhisspurningfeettheroadLikeanarrowyAlpineriverflowed；

AndthelandscapespedawaybehindLikeanoceanflyingbeforethewind。

Andthesteed，likeabarkfedwithfurnaceire，Sweptonwithhiswildeyesfulloffire，Butlo!heisnearinghisheart\'sdesire——

Heissnuffingthesmokeoftheroaringfray，WithSheridanonlyfivemilesaway。

ThefirstthattheGeneralsawwerethegroupsOfstragglers，andthentheretreatingtroops；

Whatwasdone——whattodo——aglancetoldhimboth，Andstrikinghisspurswithaterribleoath，Hedasheddowntheline\'midastormofhuzzahs，AndthewaveofretreatcheckeditscoursetherebecauseThesightofthemastercompelledittopause。

Withfoamandwithdusttheblackchargerwasgray，Bytheflashofhiseye，andhisrednostrils\'play，Heseemedtothewholegreatarmytosay，"IhavebroughtyouSheridanallthewayFromWinchesterdowntosavetheday!"

Hurrah，hurrahforSheridan!

Hurrah，hurrahforhorseandman!

AndwhentheirstatuesareplacedonhighUnderthedomeoftheUnionsky——

TheAmericansoldiers\'TempleofFame——

TherewiththegloriousGeneral\'snameBeitsaidinlettersbothboldandbright:

"HereisthesteedthatsavedthedayBycarryingSheridanintothefight，FromWinchester——twentymilesaway!"

T。B。READ。

See-saw，MargeryDaw，Jennyshallhaveanewmaster，Sheshallhavebutapennyaday，Becauseshecan\'tworkanyfaster。

AnoldHippopotamuslivedontheNile，Ifshehasn\'tgoneaway，she\'sbeentherequiteawhile。

Shegivesallherchildrenarideonherback，Broadenoughtoaccommodatethewholescramblingpack。

THECHILDREN\'SHOUR

Betweenthedarkanddaylight，Whenthenightisbeginningtolower，Comesapauseintheday\'soccupationsThatisknownastheChildren\'sHour。

IhearinthechamberabovemeThepatteroflittlefeet，Thesoundofadoorthatisopened，Andvoicessoftandsweet。

FrommystudyIseeinthelamp-light，Descendingthebroadhall-stair，GraveAliceandlaughingAllegra，AndEdithwithgoldenhair。

Awhisper，andthenasilence；

YetIknowbytheirmerryeyesTheyareplottingandplanningtogetherTotakemebysurprise。

Asuddenrushfromthestairway，Asuddenraidfromthehall!

BythreedoorsleftunguardedTheyentermycastlewall!

Theyclimbupintomyturret，O\'erthearmsandbackofmychair；

IfItrytoescape，theysurroundme，Theyseemtobeeverywhere。

Theyalmostdevourmewithkisses；

Theirarmsaboutmeentwine，TillIthinkoftheBishopofBingenInhisMouse-TowerontheRhine!

Doyouthink，Oblue-eyedbanditti，Becauseyouhavescaledthewall，SuchanoldMustacheasIamIsnotamatchforyouall？

Ihaveyoufastinmyfortress，Andwillnotletyoudepart，Butputyoudowninthedungeon，Intheround-towerofmyheart。

AndthereIwillkeepyouforever，Yes，foreverandaday，Tillthewallsshallcrumbletoruin，Andmoulderindustaway。

HENRYW。LONGFELLOW。

Iwilldigmeagardenandplantitwithseeds，Iwillhoeandwateritandkeepdowntheweeds；

Thenperhapssomeofthesebrightsummerdays，TomammaIcancarrybigboquets。

CARYL\'SPLUM。

"HeputinhisthumbAndpulledoutaplum。"

SosangCaryloverthestairs。

"NowifHEpulledoutaplum，whyshouldn\'tSHE？"shesaidtoherself，haltingabitbythelandingwindow。"Andagoodbigplumtoo——niceandjuicy。OAuntSylvia，AuntSylvia!"

Shefairlyhuggedherselfinglee，thendrewonelongbreathanddashedontoherownpoorlittleroom。

"Oh，youhere，Viny？"sheexclaimedinsurpriseassheflungopenthedoor。

Asmallfigurerosetoaperpendicularpositioninfrontoftheoldbureau，whileashoving-tooftheunderdrawerproclaimedsomeattentionhavingbeenpaidtotheprettylaces，ribbons，andvariousotheradornmentspackedawayforsafekeeping。

CarylrememberedleavingthekeyinthedraweraftertakingoutabitoflavenderribbonthenightbeforeforAuntSylvia\'scap。

"Whathaveyoubeendoing？"sheaskedsharply；andtakingholdofthesmallwiryshoulder，shelookeddownintoalittleblackfacewhoseeyeswerestaringsolemnlyintothefarthestcorneroftheroom。

"Bendoin\'？"repeatedViny，scaredalmosttodeathinwardly，butpreservingacoolexterior。"Nothin\'，onlyshettin\'thedraw\'；

plagueythingwouldn\'tstayput。Toremydress，"sheaddedmumblinglytofilloutthepause。

"Where？"saidCaryl，lookingsharplyather。

"Dar，"saidViny，withaviolenttwist，sothatshecouldcompassthebackbreadthsofherblueginghamfrock，andshepointedabruptlytoacat-a-corneredrent。

"Oh，no，youdidn\'t，"contradictedCaryl，lookingherthroughandthrough，andgivingherasmallshake，"tearthateither；IheardMaumPattyscoldyouyesterdayforlettingJipbiteitandsnipoutapiece。"

"Well，somefintore，"saidViny。"Idonnowhar\'tis，butit\'ssomewhars。Amightysmarttare，too，MissCa。"

"I\'lllock，andlock，andlock，"declaredtheyounggirl，nowdownonherkneesbeforeherpreciousdrawer，"beforeIrunthechanceofyourrummagingfingersgettinghereagain。Nowthen，Viny!"

"Yes\'m，"saidthelittleblackgirlobsequiously，androllinghereyestoallquarters；"Oh，yes\'m!"

"Wearegoingtomove，Viny，"saidheryoungmistress，takingthekeyoutofitslock，andturningherbackondrawersandcontents，tositonthefloorwithhandsfoldedinherlapwhileshewatchedtheeffectofherwords。

"MOVE？"echoedVinywithastart；"Oh，lawks!whatever\'sdat，Miss？"

"Why，gotoanewplace，"saidCaryl，laughinginspiteofherself。"Formercy\'ssake，child，dotakeyoureyesin!It\'llbeveryfine，Viny，oh，sofine!"shecriedenthusiastically。

"An\'libherenebbernomo\'？"criedthelittleblackfigureinashrillscream；"wot，an\'hevnoleakysinkdatkepsmea-swashin\'

anda-swashin\'，an\'nooldrufdatletsinhullbucketsfullo\'

wateronterdebed，an\'——"

"No，"saidCaryl，interruptingthesteadystreamofinvectiveagainsttheoldheuse，"everything\'stobeasnewandniceandneatasapin，Viny——sinksandeverythingelse；youcan\'tbegintothinkhowsplendidit\'stobe!"

"I\'mgoin\'totellgramma，"criedViny，whollyoffherbalance，"disberrysameminnit。Lawks!butwon\'tshebetickledtoleavetheoleshell!DenI\'llgitmybunnetan\'gowidyer，MissCa，intreeshakesofalobster\'swhisker!"

Shescamperedinthegreatestexcitementtothedoor，whenadetainingpullontheendofherlongapron，broughthertoafullstop。

"Youarecrazy，child!"exclaimedCaryl，burstingintoalaughandholdingherfast。"Wecan\'tgothismoment，nomatterhowbadtheoldhouseis。Listen，Viny!"

Butthesmallfigureflungitselfintoaheaponthefloorsosuddenlythatshenearlypulledheryoungmistresswithher，whilethelittleblackhandsclappedthemselvesoverthebeadlikeeyes，wailafterwailofdisappointmentmakingtheroomtoring。

"WillyouSTOP!"criedCarylinperfectdespair。"AuntSylvia\'sheadwillsnapwithyournoise!Ifyoudon\'tstopcrying，Viny，yousha\'n\'tgowhentherestofusarereadytomove，sothere，now。"

Threatshadthepowertodowhatnothingelsecould。Vinywipedoffallthetearswiththebacksofhergrimylittlepaws，gavetwoorthreeconcludingsniffs，satupstraight，andwasimmediatelyallrightforfurtherdevelopments。

"Nowthen"——Carylpointedoffhersentencesbrisklyonthetipsofherrosyfingers——"youmusttrytohelp——well，anawfulgreatdeal，Viny，yourself，orelseitcan\'tbeamovingforanysingleoneofus。"

Viny\'seyeswidenedfearfully，butshedidn\'tstir。

"Ifyouwilltakecare——mind!SPLENDIDcareofAuntSylviaeverymorning，"saidCarylslowlyandwithextremeempressment——"watchandgethereverythingshewants，notwaitforhertoaskforanything，thenIcangooffdownstreetandmakelotsandlotsofmoney，Viny。Thinkofthat，lotsandlots!Thenwecanmove，andAuntSylviawillmaybegetwell。"

Caryl\'sgrayeyeswereonlyathoughtlessbigthanthoseofhersmallblackaudience，whopresentlycaughttheinfectiousenthusiasmandemittedseverallustycrows。

"Jiminy——oh，IDIDN\'Tsayit——Ididn\'t——Ididn\'t!OJiminy，I

didn\'t——Ididn\'t——OJimmy，I——"

"Stopsayingit，then，"exclaimedheryoungmistressdecidedly，andenforcingherwordsbyavigorousshake。

"Oh，Ididn\'t——Iwill——OJiminy!yes，Iwill!"criedthelittleblackdelinquent，thefulltideoforiginalsintakinganunfairadvantageofherexcitementtoengulfher。"Oh——er——

oh——er——r——"

Carylcametoherrescuebygivingheranewidea。

"Seehowsplendidyoucanbe，Vinydear，"shesaidkindly。"Youcanbesuchagoodlittlehelper，sothatpartofthenewhomewillbeofyourgetting；forInevercouldhavethechancetoearnanythingifyoudidn\'ttakemyplaceandbeAuntSylvia\'snurse。"

"Iknowhow，"saidViny，perfectlyovercomewiththegreatnessthrustuponher；"it\'stoslipcricketsunderherfeettoputhertoesonter。I\'llslip\'emallday。An\'it\'stowipeherspecs，an\'tosayyes，no，an\'to——"

"Tobegood，"finishedCarylsolemnly；"thatcomprehendsthewholebusiness。"

"Tobegood，"repeatedthesmallnurseyetmoresolemnly，"an\'tocompren\'thewholebus\'ness；Iwill。"

"Youarearidiculouschild，"criedCarylimpatiently；"Idon\'treallysupposeyouarefittobetrusted，butthen，it\'stheonlythingtotry。"

Viny，havingbeendulyelectedtooffice，consideredherhonorssettled，soshewaslittledisturbedbyanyopinionsthatmightbeheldconcerningher。Thereforeshesquattedandwriggledingreatdelight，grinningateverywordthatfellfromheryoungmistress\'lips。

"Yousee，Viny，"Carylwassaying，beginningonherconfidence，"I\'vegotanordertoteachthelittleGrantgirlshowtopaint，andifIcanrundowntheretwohourseverymorning，I\'mtohavetwenty-fivedollars，andMadamGrantisgoingtogiveittomeinadvance；thatis，afterthefirstquarter。Think，Viny，TWENTY-FIVEdollars!That\'swhatwewanttomovewithintoHeart\'sDelight!"

Thiswastheupstairssouthwestcornerofalittlecottagethatforayearormorehadbeenthedesideratumoftheyounggirl\'shighesthopesthathadtowearthemselvesoutinemptylongings，theinvalid\'sscantyexchequeronlysufficingfordoctor\'sbillsandsimilartwelvemonth，alongwithseveralotherbroken-downlodgerswhoseslendermeanscompelledthemtocallthisplace"home"——thisplacewhereneverabitofsunshineseemedtocome；

whereeventhebirdshatedtostopforasongastheyflewmerrilyoverthetree-tops。Andnowonder。Thetreeswerescraggy，loppyoldthingshangingdownindismalsweepovertheleakyroofanddampwalls。Theyhadtostay——thelodgers，butthebirdsandthesunshinetossedoffthewholeresponsibilityoflifeinsuchagloomyoldhome，andflittedtogayerquarters。

Butnow，whatifHeart\'sDelightcouldreallybetheirs!

"Yergoin\'tertell\'emhowtopaintdemtingsyerdaub？"brokeinViny，andsnappingoffthisdelightfulthought。

"Youshouldn\'tspeakso，child，"saidCarylwiththegreatestdignity；"it\'sveryfinework，andyoucouldn\'tpossiblyunderstandit。It\'sart，Viny。"

"Ho，ho!"laughedthesmallblackfigure，nowiseimpressedandcrammingherstumpyfingersuptohermouthtokeepthelaughinasshesawheryoungmistress\'displeasure。"It\'sanawfulolddirtymuss，an\'IwishIcoulddoit，"sheaddedunderherbreath。

"AndIshallbegintomorrow，"declaredCarylwithstillgreaterdignity，anddrawingherselftoherfullheight。"AuntSylviasaysshe\'lltryyou。Nowyou\'llbegood，won\'tyou？"sheaddedanxiously。"It\'sonlyfortwohoursaday，Viny。"

"I\'llbegood，"declaredViny，"\'strue\'sIlivean\'breeve。"

Meanwhilethedarkestofplansranriotinherlittleblackhead。

"Heart\'sDelight——Heart\'sDelight!"sangCaryl\'shappyvoiceallthatday；andlikeSt。Patrick\'spoorimprisonedsnake，shebegantofeelthatto-morrowwouldnevercome。

Buthourscomeandgo，andCarylawokethenextmorning，thebrightest，cheeriestmorningthatevercalledahappygirloutofbed。

"AuntSylviawon\'thavemanymoredaysinthatdarklittleroomofhers，"shecriedtoherself，throwingonherclothesrapidly。

"Oh，dear，whereAREthepins？Ican\'tbeartowaitaminuteanymorethanViny，whenIthinkofthatdearlovelynest，andthebay-window，andallthatsunshine。I\'llalwayshaveitfullofflowers，andthebirdshallsingallthetime，and——and——and——"

Therestwaslostinadashofcoldwaterovertherosyface，andCarylsoonpresentedherselfatheraunt\'sbedside。

"I\'lldowellenoughwhileyouaregone，"saidheraunt，smilingupfromthepillowsintothebrightfaceabovehers。"Nowyou\'renottoworryaboutmeintheleast，foryoucannotdojusticetoyourselfifyourmindistroubled。Remember，Caryl，andbethoroughinyoureffortstoteachyourlittlepupils。"

"AndMadamGrantisgoingtobuysomeofmypanelsandlittleplaques，Ialmostknow，"criedCaryl，bustlingaroundforheraunt\'slongwoolenwrapperandherdayslippers，"forshetoldmesheshouldwanttoseethemsometime。Then，Auntie——oh，then!"

Theyounggirlinhereagernessclimbedupontheoldbedtolayherfreshyoungcheekagainstthepalethinone。Howshelongedtoputbrightnessintothepoorinvalid\'slife!

"Remember，"saidAuntSylvialightly，tohidethetearsinhervoice，"yourfortune\'stobemade。Onlybepromptandthorough，andputyourwholemindtoyourwork。Thatisthesecretofsuccess。"

"Iwill，Auntie，oh，IWILL!"criedCarylhappily，"andVinywilldowell，Iguess，"sheadded，thegleefultonesdroppingdownwithananxiousnote。

"Vinywillproveacapitallittlenurse，Iexpect，"saidMissSylviacheerfully；"nowthedaywon\'twait，Caryl，sogetyouroldauntieup。"

"MyoldauntieisjustLOVELY，"criedthegirl，hoppingofffromthebed，andflyingaroundmerrily，wellpleasedatlastwhentheinvalidwasinherchair，toseealittlefaint，pinkcolorstealingupthewancheek。

"Thebestcap，AuntSylvia——thebestcap!"shecried，runningfortheonewiththefreshlavenderribbons。

"Whatanextravagantpuss!"exclaimedAuntSylvia，willingtohumorthegaylittleheart，andtappinghercheekastheyounggirlsettledthecaponthelovelygrayhair。

"Everythingmustbebestto-day，"criedCarylrecklessly。"It\'sallfreshandnewandfine!Alltheworldismadejustforus。"

MaumPattysawCarylrundownthedirtylittlebrickpaththatservedforallthelodgersintheoldhouseasawalktothebroken-downgate，withhercolor-boxunderherarm，andherlittlerollofpicturesinherhand，andheavedasighfromheramplebosom。

"Datchilecan\'tmakenofortin\'likeshe\'sa-tinkin\'of，butlaws!lethertry。Here，yerViny，yer，beoffuptodeMissis\'

room。Scatnow!Deporelettlelamb，"shemourned，asherhopefulgrandchildunwillinglydraggedherrecreantfeetofftoherduties，leavinghergrandmothertopursueherreflectionsinpeace，"itmos\'bustsmyhearttoseehera-workin\'an\'deMissiskeepin\'upan\'pretendin\'she\'sasfineasaqueen。\'Twarn\'tsoinolePatty\'sday。Dendarwosplenty-piesandturkeys。Lors，whatstumpers!An\'hullbar\'lso\'flour，an\'sugar，an\'acreationsightofeberytingindebeyeutifulhouse，an\'nowlookatdisoleshell!"

MaumPattytossedherturbaninintensescornateachofthedarksoot-begrimedwallsoftheplacecalledkitchen。

"Missisudfeelmorelikefolks，"shesaidateachdisdainfulscrutiny，"an\'likeasnotgitwell，efwecudcutsticksinteranudderhome。EfdechileonlyCUDdoit!"

Shepeeredanxiouslydownthedirtylittlebrickwalkagain，thenfetchedastilllongersigh。

"Idon\'tdarstto!"shedeclaredinamightyburstatlast。"I

don\'t，coswotudkeepusallfromthepore-\'usden。It\'severyspeckIkindoterkeepalongofdeMissan\'Car\'lan\'takekeerof\'emwi\'doutacento\'pay；Idon\'tdarsttechmystockin\'bagindebank。"

MaumPattyalwaysspokeofherscantysavingsdepositedintheneighboringbank，inthisway，fondlysupposingthemintheoriginalconditioninwhichtenyearsago，shehadtakenthemthereforfutureshieldagainstsicknessandoldage。

Meantimethelittleblacknursehadbegunherwork。

PeeringaroundMissSylvia\'shalf-closeddoor，Vinyexclaimedtoherself，"Umph!shedon\'twantme；guessshe\'sa\'readin\'now。

I\'llgitintoMissCa\'srooman\'tryonallherclo\'esan\'

pertendI\'mmakin\'calls，an\'peekintereberysingleplacewharIkin，an\'I\'llbealady，an\'darsha\'n\'tnoonescoldViny。"

"Viny，"calledMissSylvia\'ssoftvoice，hearingarustleatthedoor。

"Dat\'sJipshe\'sa-talkin\'ter，Ireckon，"saidViny，stealingoffonhertiptoesdownthehall，andstickingherfingersinherearsthatshemighthearnomoretroublesomeconsciencecalls；"I

seenhimonderugwhenIpeekedindecrack。Nowden——Whoop，saysI，WHOOP!"

ShewassafenowinCaryl\'sroom，wherethefirstthingshedidwastoindulgeinaseriesofsomersaultsoverthefloor，andalso，forvariety，overtheneatlittlewhitebed。Theseaffordedherintensecomfort。Whenshecameupbrightandshiningafterthiscelebrationofherindependence，shedrewherselfupwithaseriousfaceandproceededatoncetosternbusiness。

"Twohoursain\'tlong，"sheobservedwisely，"an\'Imus\'bebacksomeofdetime。Jiminy!she\'sforgotdekeyagain!"Intruth，Carylinhergreatexcitementofhuntingforsomepicturespackedawayinherpreciousdrawer，hadforgottentopocketthekeythatprotectedherfewtreasures。

Ruthlessly，then，theywerepulledoutandoverhauled，whileVinyreveledineachnewdiscovery，chatteringsoftlytoherselfinglee。Shetiedonallthebrightbitsofribbonsshecouldlayherhandson，tothelittletinytailsadorningherhead。ShetwistedwithgreatdifficultyintoadelicatewhitespenserthatCaryl\'smotherhadwornwhenagirl，savedforitstenderreminiscence，andforthesoft，fineoldlacethatwouldbeofusetotheyoungdaughterbyandby。Vinywasnowisedisturbedinherenjoymentatcertainominouscrackingsandcreakingsthatproclaimedthegivingwayofthedelicatematerial。Arrayedatlasttohersatisfaction，althoughthelacedidhangdowninsomeshredswhereherimpatientfingershadclutchedit，shewhirledandwhirledinfrontoftheold-fashionedglasswithmanygrimaces，tryingtheeffectofhernewcostume。

"Iwantsumfintoshine，"shesaidatlast，tiredofthis；"jew-

EL-leryan\'stuns。Le\'sseeefshe\'sgotany。"

NowinonecornerofCaryl\'sdrawerwasasmallblackbox；

unfortunately，thelockwasbrokeninchildhood，andtherehadbeennomoneytospareforrepairsofanythingofthatsort，soshehadtieditsecurelywiththestrongestoftwine，andwrittenonthecoverinbigschoolgirlhandthewords，"DON\'TANYONE

DARETOTOUCH!"AlthoughVinywasunabletodecipherthewritingintheleast，itwasfunenoughtoattackthestring，whichpresentlysuccumbedtotheviolentonslaughtoftoothandnail，andtheprecious，preciousbitsofbrightnessweresoonatthemercyofthelittleblackfingers。

MaumPattywasdroningawayinthekitchensomeoldMethodisthymns。Vinywasdimlyconsciousofafaintcallfromtheinvalid\'sroom，asshedrewoutintheutmostdelightanold-fashionedbroochwithagreencentrearoundwhichweresomelittlesparklingthings。

Shecouldn\'tevensay"Jiminy!"butsimplyheldtheprettythingwhichseemedgladofitsfreedomfromsolitaryconfinement，andthusdelightedtosparklemorethaneverinitsresting-placeinthelittleblackhand。Withtremblingfingersshefasteneditintothecentreofthelacespenser，abovehernaughtylittlebosom，hurryingtotheglasstodoso，andhadjusttakenonelook，whenalowcryofdistressstruckuponherear。

Itfilledherwholesoulwithdismay，rootingherlikealittlefrozenthingtothespot。ItwasMissSylvia，sheknew。

Withonemightyeffortshetoreherselffromthespot，andrushedheadlongintothehall。"Oh——oh——OH!"camefromtheinvalid\'sroom。

AtthatVinywrungherhandsandwrithedindiredistress。

"She\'sa-dyin\'!"shegasped，herkneesknockingtogetherinalivelymanner；"Idon\'tdarsttolook——Idon\'t!——I\'vekilledher!"Andthewholefloodofremorsesweepingherverysoul，sheturnedandscuttleddownthecrookedlittlestairsandintothestreet。

"Adoctor!"wasallherthought。SherememberedhearingCarylsayhelivedinabigbrownhousethathadlotsofflowersinthewindows。Butwhereuponthefaceoftheearththehousewassituated，Vinyknewnomorethanabird。However，shemustgethim，soshedashedblindlyon，turningthefirstcornertorunheadlongintothearmsofaportlyoldladywhowasplacidlyenjoyingthefreshairandsunshineatthesametimethatshedisplayedherrichstreetattire。

"Oh，mygoodness!"criedtheoldlady，startledoutofallfinespeechesbythecollision，andjumpinginfrighttotheextremeedgeofthecurbstone。Thenseeingthecause，shecriedinanger，"Youmiserable，dirtylittlethingyou，youvenearlykilledme!"

Attheword"killed，"Vinybegantodanceinterroronthesidewalk。"Iknowit，"shecried，"oh，dear，Iknowit!she\'sdead，an\'grandma\'llbeatme。"

"Andifyoudon\'tknowanybetter，"criedtheoldlady，vainlytryingtosettlehergraypuffsastheywerebefore，"thantorunintopeopleinthisway，I\'llhaveyouarrested，Iwill!"

AtthisVinywascompletelyovercome。Herguiltyconsciencepicturedallsortsofpunishments；worse，farworse，than"grandma\'s"judgments，and，fallingonherknees，shegraspedtheoldlady\'sblacksatingownandimploredformercy。

Theoldlady，nowherattentionwasdrawnofffromherownannoyance，settledhereyesonthebroochhalfconcealedbyafoldofthelittlelacespenser。

"Youwicked，badchild!"sheexclaimed，seizingherarmandpouncingonestifflyglovedhandonthesparklingbrooch；"you\'vestolenthat!It\'sbadenoughtoberunintobyadirtylittlethingfreshfromBedlam，withoutbeingwickedintothebargain。

That\'sTOOmuch!"

Thelittleblackfigurebeingtoowretchedtohearthistirade，couldonlymumbleandwailandwrigglecloserandcloserintothefoldsoftherichgown。

"Getoutofmydress!"criedtheoldladyexcitedly。"Here，I\'llcallthepolice；ifyoudon\'tletgoofmethisinstant!Stop，I

say!Po-o-lice!"

Vinygaveoneviolentjerkthatbroughtheruptoherfeet，andwitheyesdistendedinterror，startedinwilddespairacrossthestreet。ApairofhandsomebayswerecomingintheirbeststepdownfromtheSquare，drawingacarriagefullofpeoplewhoseemedintheverybestofspirits。

"WHOA-A!"Aclick，arapidpull-upwithallThomas\'sbeststrength，andthehorsesfellbackontheirhaunchesjustintimeforthelittlelithefiguretodartundertheirpawinghoofsandbesaved!Everybodyleanedoutofthecarriageforaglimpseofthechild。

"Why——why"——Ayounggirl\'sfacepaled，whilethegrayeyesflashed，andwithonespringshewasoutandrushingafterthesmallflyingfigurewhoinherfrighthadturnedtofleetheotherway。

"Lookout，Caryl!"calledtheothersinthecarriageafterher。

"Oh，she\'llbekilled，"moanedalittlegirlleaningoutasfarasshedaredoverthewheels。

"Andthenshecan\'tevergetintotheprettynewhouse，"wailedanother。"Oh，whatshallwedo!Comeback，Bessie!"shecried，tuggingathersister\'sskirts。"Grandmamma，makehercomeintothecarriage，Ican\'tholdher!"

Butacrowdofpeoplesurginguparoundthematthismoment，tookoffallattentionfromBessieandeverybodyelsebutthelittlefugitiveandherkindpursuer。Carylmadeherwaythroughthecrowdwithflushedface，herlittlebrownhathangingbyitsstringsaroundherneck，pantinglydraggingafterherthelittleblackgirl。

"It\'sourViny，"shesaid，"andsomethingisthematterwithAuntSylvia!Oh，MadamGrant!"

"Mypoorchild，"saidasweet-facedwoman，reachingoutakindarm，whilethechildrenseizedholdofCarylateveryavailablepoint，betweenthemdraggingherandherchargeintoshelter，"don\'tbetroubled。Drivejustasfastasyoucan，Thomas，toNo。27，youknow，"shecommandedhurriedly。

ThenthefirstthingCaryldidwastoturnuponVinyandunhookthepreciousbroochasalowsobcamefromherwhitelips。"Ifithadbeenlost!"

Asofthandstoleunderthelittlebrowncloaktoclaspherown；

butMadamGrantsaidneveraword。Sheknewwhattheyounggirl\'sheartwastoofullforspeech；thatthemother\'sbroochwouldspeakmoretenderlythanevershecould，offorgivenesstothelittleignorantblackgirl。

ThechildrenwerealleyesatVinyandhercostume，buttheysaidneverawordwhileshehowledonsteadily，onlyejaculatinginanoccasionalgust，"OMissSylvy——MissSylvy!"

Caryl，whiteasasheet，rushedoutofthecarriageandintotheoldlodginghousetheinstantthehorsespausedbythebrokengate。MaumPattywassinginginthelittlekitchentherefrainsheneverindulgedinexceptinhermostcomplacentmoods。

Flingingwidethedoor，Carylpantedout，"Oh，whatisit!Tellmeatonce!"

"Lawks!"exclaimedMaumPatty，startledfromherpeacefulenjoyment，andturningsosuddenlyintheoldcalico-coveredchairthatshesentherspectaclesspinningintothemiddleofthefloor。"Massy，howyerlook!Tain\'twurthit——don\'t!Hehain\'tspile\'tit；Istoppedhim，"sheaddedexultingly。

"Stoppedwhat？"echoedCarylinbewildereddistress。"Oh，dotellme!Is\'ntAuntSylviasick？Tellme，MaumPatty，"shepleaded。Andshegraspedtheoldwoman\'sarminanagonyofsuspense。

"Massy，no!"declaredMaumPattyinhermostcheerytones，"she\'sbena-laughin\'fittokillherself，an\'Idon\'twonder，forthelittlerascallookedascunnin\'asanimp。ButIstoppedhimI

stoppedhim!"sheaddedtriumphantly。

Carylhadnostrengthtoaskfurther，nortostir。Thereactionwastoogreat，andsheleanedupagainstthedoorforsupport。

"Heshuckit，an\'shuckit，"saidtheoldwoman，laughingimmoderately。"Laws，howheshuckit——datJipdid——yeraunt\'sbeyeutifulcapwiththenewpuppelribbons!Yeseeittumbledoff；Idunnoweddershesneezed，orwotshedid，butanyway，ittumbledoffondeflo\'，anddatlittlepisonscampjumpedupfromhisrugan\'cotchedit，an\'shea-callin\'an\'a-callin，fitverdie——I\'llsnakedatVinyw\'enIgetsher——Lawks，butIcouldn\'thelpit!IlaughedtillIcriedtoseedatdogcarryon。

LuckilyIrunupjustwhenIdidtopaymy\'specstodeMissis，for——Istoppedhim，Istoppedhim，"shebroughtherselfuptodeclare，wipinghereyes。

"Viny，"saidCaryl，inherlittleroom，anhourafter，wheneverythinghadbeenconfessedandforgiven；whenthedelightfulstoryhadallcomeout，howtheywerereallyandtrulytomovethatveryafternoon；howMadamGranthadpaidtherentinadvanceforthesunnyroomsinthelittlecottage，andtheywerejustdrivingaroundtosurpriseAuntSylviawhentheywitnessedViny\'sescapade；howthecarriagewastocomebeforeverylongtotakedearAuntSylviatoherlonged-forrefuge；howthepriceofthelessonswastogofornewfurniture；howeverythingfortherestoftheirliveswastobecheery，winsome，andbrighttotheverylastdegree——whenitwasallfinished，Caryllookedkindlydownintothesorrylittleblackface——"Yes，Viny，"shesaidwiththehappiestlittlelaugh，"Ishallhavetoforgiveyou，forit\'sthelastnaughtythingthatyouwilleverdointheoldhome。"

MARGARETSIDNEY。

OleKingColeWasamerryoldsoul，Andamerryoldsoulwashe；

Hecalledforhispipe，Andhecalledforhisbowl，Andhecalledforhisfiddlersthree。

"DingDongbell!Pussy\'sinthewell!"

"Whoputherin？\'\'

"LittleTommyGreen。\'\'

"Whopulledherout？\'\'

"BigJackStout。\'\'

"Whatanaughtyactwasthat，TodrownpoorPussyCat!\'\'

OURTWOOPINIONS。

Ustwowuzboyswhenwefellout——

Nightotheageuvmyyoungestnow；

Don\'trec\'lectwhatt\'wuzabout，Somesmalldeef\'rence，I\'llallow；

Livednextneighborstwentyyears，A-hatin\'eachother，me\'ndJim，——

Hehavin\'hisopinyinuvme，\'NdIhavin\'myopinyinuvhim。

Grewuptogether\'ndwouldn\'tspeak，Courtedsisters\'ndmarried\'em，too；

\'Tendedsamemeetin\'houseonctaweek，A-hatin\'eachotherthrough\'ndthrough!

ButwhenAbeLinkernaskedtheWestF\'rsoldiers，weanswered——me\'ndJim——

Hehavin\'hisopinyinuvme，\'NdIhavin\'myopinyinuvhim。

ButdowninTennesseeonenightTherewuzsoundsuvfirin\'faraway，\'NdtheSergeantallowedther\'dbeafightWiththeJohnnieRebssometimenex\'day；

\'NdasIwuzthinkin\'ofLizzie\'ndhome，Jimstoodaforeme，longandslim——

Hehavin\'hisopinyinuvme，\'NdIhavin\'myopinyinuvhim。

Seemedlikeweknewtherwuzgoin\'tobeSerioustroublef\'rmeandhim；

Ustwoshuckhands，didJim\'ndme。

ButnearerawordfrommeorJim!

Hewenthisway，\'ndIwentmine，\'Ndintothebattle\'sroarwentwe——

Ihavin\'myopinyinuvJim，\'Ndhehavin\'hisopinyinuvme。

Jimnevercamebackfromthewaragain，ButIhaintforgotthatlast，lastnight，When，waitin\'furorders，ustwomenMadeup，\'ndshookhandsaforethefight\'Ndafteritall，itssoothin\'toknowThatherebeI，\'ndyonder\'sJim——

Hehavin\'hisopinyinuvme，\'NdIhavin\'myopinionuvhim。