The boys stood around in silent sympathy, and when nobody was
looking Chris wiped his eyes on his coat sleeve. Miss Hazy's
arrival had changed their point of view.

Mrs. Wiggs rose to the occasion.

"Boys," she said, and her voice had an inspiring ring, "I'll tell
you what let's do! Let's give a benefit dance to-night, an' buy
Chris Hazy a new peg-stick. Every feller that's willin' to help,
hol' up his hand."

A dozen grimy hands were waved on high, and offers of assistance
came from all sides. Mrs. Wiggs saw that now was the time to utilize
their enthusiasm.

"I'll go right back to the house, an' git Asia to write out the
tickets, an' all you boys kin sell ten apiece. Miss Hazy, you kin
come over an' help me git the house ready, an' we'll put Chris to
cleanin' lamp-chimbleys."

Under this able generalship, the work was soon under way; the boys
were despatched with the tickets, and the house was being put
straight--at least the parlor was. It would have required many
days to restore order to the chaos that habitually existed in the
house of Wiggs.

"Asia, you help me roll these here barrels out on the porch, an' I
'll mop up the floor," said Mrs. Wiggs. "Miss Hazy, you look 'round
in the kitchen, an' see if you can't find a taller candle. Seems
like I put one in the sugar-bowl--that's it! Now, if you'll jes'