that, though there are some new arrivals either in the course of nature
or new help. You see the business is growing, Daddy, and I've had to
take on new hands."

Neil Stewart started. "Was this little person who talked in such a
matter-of-fact way about "taking on new hands" his little Peggy?

"Yes, yes--I dare say," he answered in a sort of daze.

Peggy seemed unaware of anything the least unusual and continued:

"I want you to see THIS family. It is Joshua Jozadak Jubal Jones'. They
might all be of an age, but they are not--quite. Come here, boys, and
see Master Captain," called Peggy to the three piccaninnies who were
peeping around the corner of the cottage. Three black, grinning little
faces, topped by the kinkiest of woolly heads, came slowly at her
bidding, each one glancing half-proudly, yet more or less panic-
stricken, at the big man in white flannels.

"Hello, boys. Whose sons are you? Miss Peggy tells me you are brothers."

"Yas, sir. We is. We's Joshua Jozadak Jubal Jones's boys. I'se Gus--de
ol'es. Der's nine haid o' us, but we's de oniest boys. De yethers ain'
nothin' but gurls."

"And how old are you!"

"I'se nine I reckons."

"And what is your name?"