am," she said, "it is bedtime, and I know you must be sleepy after
your long ride on the cars. Would you like something to eat before I put
you to bed? I saved you some supper."

"Naw 'm, I ain't hongry; the Major man what I talk to on the train tuck
me in the dinin'-room an' gimme all I could hol'; I jest eat an' eat
tell they wan't a wrinkle in me," was the reply. "He axed me 'bout you,
too. Is he name' Major Minerva?"

She opened a door in considerable confusion, and they entered a small,
neat room adjoining.

"This is your own little room, William," said she, "you see it opens
into mine. Have you a nightshirt?"

"Naw 'm, I don' need no night-shirt. I jest sleeps in my unions and
sometimes in my overalls."

"Well, you may sleep in your union suit to-night," said his scandalized
relative, "and I'll see what I can do for you to-morrow. Can you undress
yourself?"

Her small nephew wrinkled his nose, disdainfully. "Well, I reckon so,"
he scornfully made answer. "Me an' Wilkes Booth Lincoln been undressin'
usself ever sence we's born."

"I'll come in here after a while and turn off the light. Good-night,
William."

"Good-night, Aunt Minerva," responded the little boy.

CHAPTER II

THE RABBIT'S LEFT HIND FOOT

A few minutes later, as Miss Minerva sat rocking and thinking, the door
opened and a lean, graceful, little figure, clad in a skinny, grey union
suit, came into the room.

"Ain't I a-goin' to say no prayers?" demanded a sweet, childish voice.
"Aunt Cindy hear me an' Wilkes Booth Lincoln say us prayers ev'y night
sence we's born."

"Why, of course you must say your prayers," said his aunt, blushing at
having to be reminded of her duty by this young heathen; "kneel down
here by me."

Billy looked at his aunt's bony frame and thought of Aunt Cindy's soft,
fat, ample lap. A wistful look crossed his childish face as he dropped
down in front of her and laid his head against her knee, then the
bright, beautiful little face took on an angelic expression as he closed
his eyes and softly chanted: "'Now I lays me down to sleep, I prays the
Lord my soul to keep, If I should die befo' I wake, I prays the Lord my
soul to take.

"'Keep way f'om me hoodoo an' witch, Lead my paf f'om the po'-house
gate, I pines fey the golden harps an' sich, Oh, Lord, I'll set an'
pray an' wait.' 'Oh, Lord, bless ev'ybody; bless me an' Aunt Cindy, an'
Wilkes Booth Lincoln, an' Aunt Blue-Gum Tempy's Perun