leasant."

"I ain't gwine ter talk, jis' ter be snapped up like a beetle by a
Shanghai," said Clo; "shan't do it, nohow."

Dolf winked at Victoria, and the artful maiden condescended to mollify
her fellow servant.

"Now don't be cross, Clo," said she, "it's bad enough ter hab
conflictions above stairs widout us a mussin'."

"Dem's my sentiments," cried Dolf, "and I knows fair Miss Clorinda
'grees wid dem--she coincidates, if yer'll 'scuse the leetle bit ob
dictionery."

Victoria made a grimace behind Clo's back, but said, graciously:

"I'se gwine ter gib yer dat ar blue handkercher Miss Elsie gub me, Clo,"
she said, "so now let's make up and be comfoble."

"I don't want ter fight," replied Clo, "'taint my way--only I knows my
persition and I 'spects ter be treated 'cording."

The handkerchief was something Clo had coveted for a long time, and the
gift quite restored her good-humor.

"Dat's as it orter be," said 'Dolf. "Peace and harmony once more
prewails, and we's here like--like--de Happy Family as used ter be at
Barnum's Museum," he added, finding a comparison at length, and quite
unconscious of its singular appropriateness.

"I'se gwine to mend dis tablecloth," said Vic, "and I'll set here to do
it--when I go upstairs I'll git yer the hankercher, Clo."

"Oh! laws," said Clo, "yer want it yerself--don't be a givin' away yer
truck."

"I'd ruther yer had it," observed Vic, "blue's allers becoming to yer,
ain't it, Mr. Dolf?"

She made another grimace, unseen by Clorinda, which nearly sent Dolf
into fits, but he restrained his merriment, and answered with the
gravity of a judge:

"Miss Clorindy overcomes whatever she puts on, but since yer wishes my
honest 'pinion, I must say I tink blue's about de proper touch fur her."

Clo grew radiant with delight, but she worked away resolutely, only
observing:

"Victy, dar's a leetle cranberry tart I jis' tuk out ob de oben--it's on
de kitchen table--I 'spect we might as well eat it, cause 'taint big
enough to go on de table."

"I'll fotch it," cried Dolf; "to sarve de fair is my priv'lege."

He darted into the kitchen, bore off the tart from before Sally's
envious eyes, and closed the door so that she could not be regaled even
with a scent of the delicacy.

"I've jis' done gone now," said Clo, "so I'll rest a leetle afore I
'gins dinner. I'll jis' taste de tart to see ef it's good--it kinder
eases my mind like."

"In course it does," said Dolf, and he c