\"\'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。
