great care.

"It looks perzactly like a mask," announced Jimmy after a
thorough inspection, "and yet it don't." He tried it on. "It
don't seem to fit your face right," he said.

Sarah Jane was bearing down upon them. "Come back home dis
minute, Jimmy!" she shrieked, "want to ketch some mo' contagwous
'seases, don't yuh? What dat y' all got now?" As she drew
nearer a smile of recognition and appreciation overspread her
big good-natured face. Then she burst into a loud, derisive
laugh. "What y' all gwine to do wid Miss Minerva's old bustle?"
she enquired. "Y' all sho' am de contaritest chillens in dis
here copperation."

"Bustle?" echoed Billy, "What's a bustle?"

"Dat-ar's a bustle--dat's what's a bustle. Ladies useto wear
'em 'cause dey so stylish to make they dresses stick out in the
back. Come on home, Jimmy, 'fore yuh ketch de yaller jandis er
de epizootics; yo' ma tol' yuh to stay right at home."

"Well, I'm coming, ain't I?" scowled the little boy. "Mama
needn't to know nothing 'thout you tell."

"Would you take yo' mama's present now, Jimmy?" asked Billy;
"you ain't earnt it."

"Wouldn't you?" asked Jimmy, doubtfully.