's wig through the skylight, and
every crinkum-crankum that ever was. Master Bayley used to go to sleep
every recess, and the skylight was just over his head. Dear me, Sirs,
how that wig did look, sailing up into the air!"

"I wish't ours wore a wig!" said Tommy, thoughtfully; then his eyes
brightened. "Isaac Weight's skeered of frogs!" he said. "The
apron-pockets made it better, though, of course. More, please!"

"Isaac Weight? That's the deacon's eldest brat, isn't it?"

"Yes'm!"

"His grandfather was named Isaac, too," said Mrs. Tree. "This one is
named for him, I suppose. Isaac Weight--the first one--was called
Squash-nose at school, I remember. He wasn't popular, and I understand
Ephraim, his son, wasn't either. They called _him_ Meal-bag, and he
looked it. Te-hee!" she laughed, a little dry keckle, like the click of
castanets. "Did ever I tell you the trick your grandfather and my
brother played on old Elder Weight and Squire Tree? That was
great-grandfather to this present Weight boy, and uncle to my husband.
The old squire was high in his notions, very high; he thought but little
of Weights, though he sat under Elder Weight at that time. The Weights
were a good stock in the beginning, I've been told, but even then they
had begun to go down-hill. It was one summer, and Conference was held
here in Elmerton. The meetings were very long, and every soul went that
could. Elmerton was a pious place in those days. The afternoon sessions
began at two o'clock and lasted till seven. Their brains must have been
made of iron--or wood." Mrs. Tree clicked her castanets again.

"Well, sir, the last day there was a sight of business, and folks knew
the afternoon meeting would be extra long. Elder Weight and his wife
(she was a Bonny; he'd never have been chosen elder if it hadn't been
for her) were off in good season, and locked the door behind them; they
kept no help at that time. The squire was off too, who but he, stepping
up the street--dear me, Sirs, I can see him now, in his plum-colored
coat and knee-breeches, silk stockings and silver buckles to his shoes.
He had a Malacca cane, I remember, with a big ivory knob on it, and he
washed it night and morning as if it were a baby. He was a very
particular man, had his shirt-frills done up with a silver friller.
Well, those boys, Solomon Candy and Tom Darracott (that was my brother),
watched till they saw them safe in at the meeting-house door, and then
they set to work. T