wall, and Bonnie's jumpin' and prancin' like anything!"

"Go along!" exclaimed Sally, with a slap which, lost its force in the
air, as Jake jumped away. Then they all left the kitchen together, and
escorted the mother to the garden-wall by the road, which served the
purpose of a horseblock. Farmer Fairthorn--a hale, ruddy, honest figure,
in broad-brimmed hat, brown coat and knee-breeches--already sat upon the
old mare, and the pillion behind his saddle awaited the coming burden.
Mother Fairthorn, a cheery little woman, with dark eyes and round
brunette face, like her daughter, wore the scoop bonnet and drab shawl
of a Quakeress, as did many in the neighborhood who did not belong to
the sect. Never were people better suited to each other than these two:
they took the world as they found it, and whether the crops were poor or
abundant, whether money came in or had to be borrowed, whether the roof
leaked, or a broken pale let the sheep into the garden, they were alike
easy of heart, contented and cheerful.

The mare, after various obstinate whirls, was finally brought near the
wall; the old woman took her seat on the pillion, and after a parting
admonition to Sally: "Rake the coals and cover 'em up, before going to
bed, whatever you do!"--they went off, deliberately, up the hill.

"Miss Betsy," said Joe, with a very grave air, as they returned to the
kitchen, "I want you to tell me one thing,--whether it's true or not.
Sally says I'm a monkey."

"I'm a monkey," repeated the unconscious Miss Lavender, whereupon both
boys burst into shrieks of laughter, and made their escape.

"Much dough-nuts they'll get from me," muttered the ruffled spinster, as