"I hope my two cents will encourage them to be good knights."

"O it will. You will be on hand this afternoon, after school?"

"Certainly."

After school, Aunt Stanshy was on hand promptly, and she judged by the
noises issuing from the barn that all the others were on hand also. She
climbed the, stairs and was about stepping into the chamber, when Pip, the
assistant sentinel, came forward. He looked very formidable. A scarlet cap
was on his head, a white belt tied round his body, and red flannel
epaulets decorated his shoulders. He bore a terrible broom, and Aunt
Stanshy recalled the fact that it had served as mast for the _Neponset_.

"Who goeth there?" cried the valorous Pip.

"Aunt Stanshy," said a feeble voice.

"Advanth and give the counterthign?"

"I can't."

Pip leveled his broom at once. Poor Stanshy, how she wished she had made
her will.

"Bang!" he shouted.

Could she survive this?

"Thay pertatoeth!" he whispered.