AUNT Edy was the principal laundress, and a great favorite she was
with the little girls. She was never too busy to do up a doll's frock
or apron, and was always glad when she could amuse and entertain them.
One evening Dumps and Tot stole off from Mammy, and ran as fast as
they could clip it to the laundry, with a whole armful of their
dollies' clothes, to get Aunt Edy to let them "iun des er 'ittle," as
Tot said.

"Lemme see wat yer got," said Aunt Edy; and they spread out on the
table garments of worsted and silk and muslin and lace and tarlatan
and calico and homespun, just whatever their little hands had been
able to gather up.

"Lor', chil'en, ef yer washes deze fine close yer'll ruint 'em," said
Aunt Edy, examining the bundles laid out; "de suds'll tuck all de
color out'n 'em; s'posin' yer jes press 'em out on de little stool
ober dar wid er nice cole iun,"

"Yes, that's the very thing," said Dumps; and Aunt Edy folded some
towels, and laid them on the little stools, and gave each of the
children a cold iron. And, kneeling down, so as to get at their work
conveniently, the little girls were soon busy smoothing and pressing
the things they had brought.

"Aunt Edy," said Dumps, presently, "could'n yer tell us 'bout Po'
Nancy Jane O?"

"Dar now!" exclaimed Aunt Edy; "dem chil'en nuber is tierd er hyearn'
dat tale; pyears like dey like hit mo' an' mo' eb'y time dey hyears
hit;" and she laughed slyly, for she was the only one on the