if they thought to spit out one stone they did the balance. But
Doctor Tom was so kind to tell me about the oil and I paid fifteen
cents down at the store for it, that I'm a mind to give it to 'em
anyway."

"I'll be blamed if you do," ejaculated her indignant husband as he
shouldered Teether and strode into the house, unable longer to
restrain his rage.

"Ain't that just like him!" said his wife in a resigned voice. "And
I was just going to try to make him take this spoonful I've poured
out. It won't hurt him none and it's a pity to pour it back, it
wastes so. Do either of you all need it?" she asked hospitably.

Miss Wingate was dissenting with an echo of Eliza's shudder and
Mother Mayberry with a laugh, when the reprieved criminals raced
back around the house, each dirty little fist inclosing a reasonable
number of grubby cherry stones.

"Well," assented their mother reluctantly, "I'll let you off this
time, but don't any of you never take nothing to eat again without
asking, and I'm a-going to punish you by making you every one wash
your feet in cold water and go to bed. Now mind me and all stand to
once in the tub by the pump and tell your Paw I say not to touch
that kettle of hot water. I don't want you to have a drop. Go right
on and do as I say."

The threatened punishment had been too great for the youngsters to
mind this lesser and accustomed penalty, so they retired with
cheerfulness and spirits and in a few seconds a chorus of squeals