"Let alone fat tame ones," ejaculated Gerald.

"What did she say?" asked Anna.

"Oh, she opened her eyes, and said she never should ask any one to
act against principles, but principles in her time were for Church
and State. Is Aunt Cherry in the vortex?"

"No, she is reading to Uncle Clem, or about the house somewhere. I
don't think she would go now at least."

"Uncle Grin's memory would forbid," muttered Gerald. "He saw a good
many things, though he was a regular old-fashioned Whig, an Edinburgh
Review man."

"You've got the 'Censor' there! Oh, let me see it. My respected
cousins don't think it good for little girls. What are you going to
do?"

"I believe the doctors want Uncle Clem to get a long leave of
absence, and that we shall go to the seaside," replied Anna.

"Oh! then you will come to us for the season! We reckon on it."

"No, indeed, Emmie, I don't see how I can. Those two are not in the
least fit to go without some one."

"But then mother is reckoning on our having a season together. You
lost the last."