who has just now left the house, or you'd have smarted for the false
trick you played upon me. Howsomever, I've kept my oath, and you may
thank your stars that it's not worse."

My mother, who had not uttered a cry during the punishment, but only
looked very indignant, now that my father had finished his speech, and
was rolling up his colt to put it in his pocket, suddenly threw herself
down on the floor, screaming murder with all her might. The noise
summoned the neighbors--all Fisher's Alley was in an uproar, and our
house was besieged with people, who attempted to force their way in--for
my mother continued her screams, and poor little Virginia became so
frightened that she also roared as loud as her mother.

"I've more than two minds," said my father, taking the rope's end out of
his pocket again; "but howsomever, since you wish it, all the world
shall know it."

My father put his colt into his pocket, and went to unlock the door. My
mother, perceiving what he was about, immediately rose and hastened
upstairs to her own room. My father then told the neighbors what had
occurred, and why my mother had been punished, and the verdict of
Fisher's Alley was, "sarved her right." Ben the Whaler, who was outside
with the others, espoused my father's cause, and as soon as the people
dispersed my father invited him to join him in his pipe and pot.

Little Virginia, still terrified, had crept up to her mother. I, on the
contrary, felt the highest respect for one who could dare to punish my
mother, who had so often punished me; and the knowledge that he was my
father inspired me with a feeling of tenderness toward him which I could
not repress. I was old enough to understand why my mother had received