never goin' back on my word. You come over to see me."

"I can't," came the answer across the fence; "I'm earning me a
baseball mask. I done already earnt me a mitt. My mama don't
never make me promise her nothing, she just pays me to be good.
That's huccome I'm 'bout to get 'ligion and go to the mourner's
bench. She's gone up town now and if I don't go outside the
yard while she's gone, she's going to gimme a baseball mask. You
got a ball what you bringed from the plantation, and I'll have
a bat and mitt and mask and we can play ball some. Come on over
just a little while; you ain't earning you nothing like what
I'm doing."

"Naw; I promis' her not to an' I ain't ever goin' to break
my promise."

"Well, then, Mr. Promiser," said Jimmy, "go get your ball
and we'll th'ow 'cross the fence. I can't find mine."

Billy kept his few toys and playthings in a closet, which was
full of old plunder. As he reached for his ball something fell
at his feet from a shelf above. He picked it up, and ran
excitedly into the yard.

"Look, Jimmy," he yelled, "here's a baseball mask I found in the
closet."

Jimmy, forgetful of the fact that he was to be paid for staying
at home, immediately rolled over the fence and ran eagerly
toward his friend. They examined the article in question with