longer, wifey--let's sit by. I don't see a sign of
the youngsters; though it did seem to me I heard some of 'em screaming
and laughing in the distance a bit ago. 'Twon't do, though," he
continued, shaking his head; "we must make the crazy little cubs mind
the horn closer. Play's play, and all well enough in its way, but you
must teach children regularity from the very outset, or they'll never be
good for much."

"That's true enough, John," answered his wife, as she "dished" some of
the steaming potatoes--leaving a goodly number in the pot for the little
folk--"that's true enough; but you know this is a day of extra frolic
for the children. They're having such fun, likely, they've no notion
how the time is passing. As for the horn, who could expect mortal ears
to hear _that_--with Bessie and Big Tom laughing and singing, and
Rudolph screaming with fun--as I know he is; and little Kit, bless her!
just frantic with delight; I think I can see them now, the merry
madcaps!"

Ah! happy, unconscious mother, if you _could_ have seen them--if their
cries of terror could but have reached your ears!

Finally, neighbor Hedden arose, shoving back his stool on the sanded
floor.

"Well, well, wifey, you're right enough, no doubt; but I tell you it
isn't best to be too easy with youngsters, though ours are the best
going, if I _do_ say it. A good trouncing all around, when they come in,
wouldn't be a bit too much for them for being so late;" and, half in
fun, half in earnest, he shook his head rather fiercely at his wife, and
stalked out of the cottage.

Presently she laughed outright to hear the loud, impatient tones issuing
from the great tin horn. "That'll fetch them, I reckon," said neighbor
Hedden, showing a smiling face at the window.

As another hour passed away, the songs grew fewer and fainter upon the
mother's lips--at first from vexation, and, finally, from weariness and
a vague feeling of anxiety.

"Bessie should know better," she thought to herself, "than to stay so
long. I wish I had not let Kitty go with them."

The next moment she smiled to think how hungry the children would be
when they returned, and half wished that it would not be "spoiling" them
to make them a good sugar-cake for their supper.

Not until the shadows grew longer upon the edge of the forest, and
threatening clouds grew thicker overhead, did her heart quail or her
cheek grow white with sudden fear.

"Oh! what _can_ keep them, I wonder! Why