Not at all liking the atmosphere of his mother's room, Tom, being
once in the kitchen, felt no inclination to return. His first work
there, after delivering his message to Jane, was to commence turning
the coffee-mill.

"Tommy," said the cook, mildly, yet firmly, "you know I've told you
that it was wrong to touch the coffee-mill. See here, on the floor,
where you have scattered the coffee about, and now I must get a
broom and sweep it up. If you do so, I can't let you come down
here."

The boy stood and looked at the cook seriously, while she got the
broom and swept up the dirt he had made.

"It's all clean again now," said the cook, pleasantly. "And you
won't do so any more, will you?"

"No, I won't touch the coffee-mill." And, as Tom said this, he
sidled up to the knife-box that stood upon the dresser, and made a
dive into it with his hand.

"Oh, no, no, no, Tommy! that won't do, either," said the cook. "The
knives have all been cleaned, and they are to go on the table to eat
with."

"Then what can I play with, Margaret?" asked the child, as he left
the dresser. "I want something to play with."

The cook thought a moment, and then went to a closet and brought out
a little basket filled with clothes-pins. As she held them in her