"The goat isn't strong enough, Budge, to draw mamma and you."

"Well, then, let me drive down to the depot just to SHOW papa an'
mamma I've got a goat-carriage--I'm sure mamma would be very
unhappy when she found out I had one, and she hadn't seen it first
thing."

"Well, I guess you may follow me down, Budge, but you must drive
very carefully."

"Oh, yes--I wouldn't get us hurt when mamma was coming, for
ANYthing." "Now, boys," said I, "I want you to stay in the house
and play this morning. If you go out of doors you'll get
yourselves dirty."

"I guess the sun'll be disappointed if it don't have us to look
at," suggested Budge.

"Never mind," said I, "the sun's old enough to have learned to be
patient."

Breakfast over, the boys moved reluctantly away to the play-room,
while I inspected the house and grounds pretty closely, to see
that everything should at least fail to do my management
discredit. A dollar given to Mike and another to Maggie were of
material assistance in this work, so I felt free to adorn the
parlors and Helen's chamber with flowers. As I went into the
latter room I heard some one at the wash-stand, which was in the
alcove, and on looking I saw Toddie drinking the last of the