ferocious as his words.

But the six little Cavendishes were impressed by neither. They
instantly fastened on him like so many leeches. What was the
pore gentleman saying?--why couldn't they hear, too? Then they'd
keep still, sure they would! Did he say he knowed who throwed
him in the river?

"I wonder, Connie, you ain't able to do more with these here
children. Seems like you ought to--a great big girl like you,"
said Mr. Cavendish, reduced to despair.

"It was Henry pickin' on Kep," cried Constance.

"I found a crack and he took it away from me! drug me off by the
legs, he did, and filled my stomach full of slivers!" wailed
Keppel, suddenly remembering he had a grievance. "You had ought
to let me see the pore gentleman!" he added ingratiatingly.

"Well, ain't you been seein' him every day fo' risin' two weeks
and upwards?--ain't you sat by him hours at a stretch?" demanded
Mr. Cavendish fiercely.

Sho--that didn't count, he only kept a mutterin'--sho!--arollin'
his head sideways, sho! And their six tow heads were rolled to
illustrate their meaning. And a-pluckin' at a body's hands!--and
they plucked at Mr. Cavendish's hands. Sho--did he say why he
done that?

"If you-all will quit yo' noise and dress, you-all kin presently