ee deep.'"

William gave a startling imitation of the peepers; his voice was a high,
shrill wail.

"'Oh, well,' s' he, ''f it's just knee deep, I'll wade through,' an' he
starts in.

"Just then he hears a big feller singin' out, 'Better go rrround! Better
gorrround! Better gorrround!'

"'Lord,' says he, 'is it s' deep 's that? Well, I'll go round then.'
'N' off he starts to walk around.

"'Knee deep! Knee deep! Knee deep!' says the peepers.

"An' there it was. Soon's he'd start to do one thing they'd tell him
another. Make up his mind he couldn't, so he stands there still, they
do say, askin' 'em every night which he better do."

"Stands where?"

"Oh, I d' know. Out in the swamp, mebbe."

Again he smoked. Time passed by.

Suddenly Mr. Slater coughed and arose. "Well, guess I'll be gettin' to
bed," he said. "Come on, boys. Hello, little girl! Come to visit us,
hey? Mind you don't pick poison vine."

Mrs. Slater led Ardelia upstairs into a little hot room, and told her
to get into bed quick, for the lamp drew the mosquitoes.

Ardelia kicked off her shoes and approached the bed distrustfully. It
sank down with her weight and smelled hot and queer. Rolling off she
stretched herself on the floor, and lay there disconsolately. At home
the hurdy-gurdy was playing, the women were gossiping on every step, the
lights were everywhere--the blessed fearless gas lights--and the little
girls were dancing in the breeze that drew in from East River.

In the morning Miss Forsythe came over to inquire after her charge's
health, accompanied by another young lady.

"Why, Ethel, she isn't barefoot!" she cried. "Come here, Ardelia, and
take off your shoes and stockings directly. Shoes and stockings in the
country! Now, you'll know what comfort is."

To patter about bare-legged on the clear, safe pavement, was one thing;
to venture unprotected into that waving, tripping tangle was another.
Ardelia stepped cautiously upon the short grass near the house, and with
jaw set felt her way into the higher growth. Suddenly she stopped; she
shrieked:

"Oh, gee! Oh, gee!"

"What is it, Ardelia; what is it? A snake?" Mrs. Slater rushed out,
seized Ardelia, half rigid with fear, and carried her to the porch. They
elicited from her as she sat with feet tucked under her that something
had rustled by her "down at the bottom"--that it was slippery, that she
had stepped on it, and wanted to go home.

"Toad," explained Mrs. Slater, briefl