't do me no good, nor you, nuther," she sullenly
declared to her mother.

Mrs. Mumpson now resolved upon a different line of tactics. Assuming a
lofty, spiritual air, she commanded Jane to light a fire in the parlor,
and retired thither with the rocking chair. The elder widow looked
after her and ejaculated, "Vell, hif she haint the craziest loon hi
hever 'eard talk. Hif she vas blind she might 'a' seen that the master
didn't vant hany sich lecturin' clack."

Having kindled the fire, the child was about to leave the room when her
mother interposed and said solemnly, "Jane, sit down and keep Sunday."

"I'm going to help Mrs. Wiggins if she'll let me."

"You will not so demean yourself. I wish you to have no relations
whatever with that female in the kitchen. If you had proper
self-respect, you would never speak to her again."

"We aint visitin' here. If I can't work indoors, I'll tell him I'll
work outdoors."

"It's not proper for you to work today. I want you to sit there in the
corner and learn the Fifth Commandment."

"Aint you goin' to Cousin Lemuel's?"

"On mature reflection, I have decided to remain at home."

"I thought you would if you had any sense left. You know well enough
we aint wanted down there. I'll go tell him not to hitch up."

"Well, I will permit you to do so. Then return to your Sunday task."

"I'm goin' to mind him," responded the child. She passed rapidly and
apprehensively through the kitchen, but paused on the doorstep to make
some overtures to Mrs. Wiggins. If that austere dame was not to be
propitiated, a line of retreat was open to the barn. "Say," she began,
to attract attention.

"Vell, young-un," replied Mrs. Wiggins, rendered more pacific by her
breakfast.

"Don't you want me to wash up the dishes and put 'em away? I know how."

"Hi'll try ye. Hif ye breaks hanythink--" and the old woman nodded
volumes at the child.

"I'll be back in a minute," said Jane. A moment later she met Holcroft
carrying two pails of milk from the barnyard. He was about to pass
without noticing her, but she again secured attention by her usual
preface, "Say," when she had a somewhat extended communication to make.

"Come to the dairy room, Jane, and say your say there," said Holcroft
not unkindly.

"She aint goin' to Cousin Lemuel's," said the girl, from the door.

"What is she going to do."

"Rock in the parlor. Say, can't I help Mrs. Wiggins wash up the dishes
and do the w