"I think, Dumps, we had better name 'um Cherubim an' Seraphim, for they
continually do cry."

And her papa was so amused at the idea that he said he thought so too;
and thus the puzzling question of the names was decided, and the little
woolly poodles were called Cherubim and Seraphim, and became great pets
in the household.




CHAPTER II.

CHRISTMAS ON THE OLD PLANTATION.


Christmas morning, 1853, dawned cold and rainy, and scarcely had the
first gray streak appeared when the bolt of the nursery was quietly
turned, and Dilsey's little black head peered in through the half-open
door.

"Chris'mus gif', chil'en!" she called out, and in a twinkling Diddie,
Dumps, and Tot were all wide awake, and climbing over the side of the
bed. Then the three little sisters and Dilsey tip-toed all around to
everybody's rooms, catching "Chris'mus gif';" but just as they were
creeping down stairs to papa and mamma two little forms jumped from
behind the hall door, and Riar and Chris called out, "Chris'mus gif'!"
and laughed and danced to think they had "cotch de white chil'en."