ironing. This had been her special work
on the plantation where she had been born and brought up, and she was
therefore quite proficient in it. She found no difficulty in obtaining
work enough to satisfy the moderate wants of herself and little Pomp.

The latter was a bright little fellow, as black as the ace of spades,
and possessing to the full the mercurial temperament of the Southern
negro. Full of fun and drollery, he attracted plenty of attention when
he came into the village, and earned many a penny from the boys by his
plantation songs and dances.

Now, however, he appeared in a mood entirely different, and it was easy
to see that he was much frightened.

"What's the matter, Pomp?" asked Frank, as he brought his horse to a
standstill.

"Mammy done killed herself," he repeated, wringing his hands in terror.

A moan from the interior of the house seemed to make it clear that
something had happened.

Mrs. Frost pushed the door open and entered.

Chloe had sunk down on the floor and was rocking back and forth, holding
her right foot in both hands, with an expression of acute pain on her
sable face. Beside her was a small pail, bottom upward.

Mrs. Frost was at no loss to conjecture the nature of the accident which
had befallen her. The pail had contained hot water, and its accidental
overturn had scalded poor Chloe.

"Are you much hurt, Chloe?" asked Mrs. Frost sympathizingly.

"Oh, missus, I's most dead," was the reply, accompanied by a groan.
"'Spect I sha'n't live till mornin'. Dunno what'll become of poor Pomp
when I'se gone."

Little Pomp squeezed his knuckles into his eyes and responded with an
unearthly howl.

"Don't be too much frightened, Chloe," said Mrs. Frost soothingly.
"You'll get over it sooner than you think. How did the pail happen to
turn over?"

"Must have been de debbel, missus. I was kerryin' it just as keerful,
when all at once it upsot."

This explanation, though not very luminous to her visitor, appeared to
excite a fierce spirit of resentment against the pail in the mind of
little Pomp.

He suddenly rushed forward impetuously and kicked the pail with all the
force he could muster.

But, alas for poor Pomp! His feet were unprotected by shoes, and the
sudden blow hurt him much more than the pail. The consequence was a howl
of the most distressing nature.

Frank had started forward to rescue Pomp from the consequences of his
precipitancy, but too late. He picked up the l