suggested: "It's time to put hot water in it; Aunt Cindy always
puts hot water in it. Lemme git some fer you."

"I never put hot water in my milk," said she, "it makes the
butter puffy. Work more and talk less, William."

Again there was a brief silence, broken only by the sound of the
dasher thumping against the bottom of the churn, and the rattle
of the dishes.

"I sho' is tired," he presently remarked, heaving a deep sigh.
"My arms is 'bout give out, Aunt Minerva. Ole Aunt Blue-Gum
Tempy's Peruny Pearline see a man churn with his toes; lemme git
a chair an' see if I can't churn with my toes."

"Indeed you shall not," responded his annoyed relative
positively.

"Sanctified Sophy knowed a colored 'oman what had a little dog
went roun' an' roun' an' churn fer her," remarked Billy after a
short pause. "If you had a billy goat or a little nanny I could
hitch him to the churn fer you ev'ry day."

"William," commanded his aunt, "don't say another word until you
have finished your work."

"Can't I sing?" he asked.

She nodded permission as she went through the open door into the
dining-room.