e top drawer an' git a
hankcher and blow dat chile's nose. Go on wid yo book, honey; Mammy
ain't goin' 'sturb you no mo."

"Mr. Lynn left the sleigh, and turning from the island"--piped little
Caroline. Then there came another prolonged snuffle from Sedley.

"You Ch-Ch-Chany, why'n't you git dat hankcher?" caused that languid
maiden to bestir herself. Having fumbled in the drawer for the
handkerchief, she approached the window, but no sooner did the little
boy become aware of her intention than, with a rebellious shake of his
curly head, he buried his nose in his little chapped fists, and,
regardless of Sibyl's advice, that he had better be good, he firmly
stood his ground, determined to resist Chany to the death.

"He ain't gwine let me tetch him," said Chany, feebly dabbing at him
with the handkerchief.

"Do, pray, gal, don't be so no-'count," Mammy answered. Then Chany,
stung by the imputation, made another helpless dive; a scuffle ensued,
in which she was utterly routed, and the victorious Sedley threw
himself upon Mammy's lap.

"Gi' me de hankcher," said Mammy, with an air of withering contempt.
"There, now, you done woke up your little brother," she said, when,
the nose being blown, she again returned to trying to jolt baby Joe to
sleep. "He jest had drapped off into a doze."

"Oh, chilluns, le's pop some corn!" Chany now exclaimed. "Here's a
whole sight of it," she went on, as she searched a basket, which she
had unearthed from the closet.

"Oh! pop corn!" shouted Sedley and Sibyl, running, and each seizing an
ear.

"Oh! pop torn!" echoed the cherub, throwing down her rag baby. So the
shovel was run into the ashes, and Chany and the three little ones set
to work to shell the corn.

Quiet was again restored, and Caroline, who, all through the hubbub,
had kept her finger faithfully upon "island," continued her reading.

Mammy now substituted a sideways movement of the knees for the more
vigorous bumping of the chair, and baby Joe--lying luxuriously upon
her wide lap--gazed dreamily into the glowing coals upon the hearth,
until gradually the white lids drooped over the blue eyes, and he
slept. The nursery was very quiet now. The corn-poppers were intent
upon their work, and Mammy, soothed by the unwonted stillness,
listened drowsily to the little reader until fresh interest was
excited by the following words.

"The men were now still more alarmed," read Caroline. "Farmer Lynn
said that he would go wit