"Wait dar! Whar'd I put my s'wode?" And Sally Ann snatched up her
dangerous weapon and thrust it into a rope around her waist. "Now I'se
ready fo' killin' folks."

"But we have to begin where Blue Beard goes away on a journey," Virgie
cried. "Susan Jemima, you sit there on the bench and clap your hands.
Get up, Mamma. Go ahead, Sally Ann!"

"'Ooman," said Sally Ann, strutting up to her mistress and frowning
terribly. "I'se gwine away fer a night an' a day. Dese yere is de keys
to de castle."

"Yes, sir," was the meek response.

Sally Ann Blue Beard pointed to an imaginary door halfway between them
and where Virgie sat on the steps, wriggling with delight. "You kin look
in ev'ry room in de house--castle, I means--'cept in des dat one.
Orn'estan me? _Des dat one!_ But ef yo' looks in _dar_,--Gawd he'p you.
I gwine cut yo' haid off," and the fearful sword whizzed threateningly
through the air. "Fyarwell--fyarwell."

"Farewell, my lord," said Mrs. Cary, and then in a whisper, as Blue
Beard stalked away to hide behind a tree. "What _do_ we do now?
_Quick_!"

"Now I come in," cried Virgie. "I'm 'Sister Anne' that looks for the
horseman in the cloud of dust." And jumping up, the child managed to
change the tones of her voice in a surprising manner.

"Good morning, fair sister. Blue Beard has gone away, and now we can