"The last word you used," she answered.

"Don't 'member what word you mean, missus," said Pomp. "Hi, you
debble!"

"That's the word?"

"Not say 'debble'?" said Pomp wonderingly. "Why not, missus?"

"It isn't a good word."

"Mammy says 'debble.' She calls me little debble when I run away,
and don't tote in de wood."

"I shall tell her not to use it. It isn't a good word for anybody
to use."

"Hope you'll tell her so, missus," said Pomp, grinning and
showing his teeth. "Wheneber she calls me little debble she pulls
off her shoe and hits me. Hurts like de debble. Mebbe she won't
hit me if you tell her not to say 'debble.' "

Mrs. Frost could hardly forbear laughing. She managed, however,
to preserve a serious countenance while she said, "You must take
care to behave well, and then she won't have to punish you."

It is somewhat doubtful whether Pomp heard this last remark. He
espied a pig walking by the side of the road, and was seized with
a desire to run over it. Giving the reins a sudden twitch, he