this. Do you think your father will?"

"I don't think he will, for he cannot do so without talking about having
his pigtail cut off, and I know he cannot bear to think of it."

"Well, then, pray don't you, that's a good boy."

"I never will, I promise you."

"Then, good-night, Jack; you must leave me now, I don't feel quite
well."

I wished the widow good-night, and went back to my mother's house. My
father was there, but he never hinted at the conversation which had
taken place, neither at that time nor afterward.




CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Showing how Old Nanny fell Sick and got Well again.


Before I fell asleep that night I thought a great deal of what had
passed between the widow St. Felix and my father. Why should she have
shown such emotion, and why should she request of me not to mention what
had passed? I had heard reports about her, as I have before mentioned; I
had heard them from old Nanny, but I did not put any confidence in what
she said. Thinking of old Nanny reminded me that I had not called upon