s piece of advice, however, is a
great secret between you and me!

[Illustration]

He is so glad to meet the fat baby when he comes home at night, that I
can see him in the parlor first kissing it almost black and blue, and
then tossing it up in the air until I feel as though its head must come
bump against the ceiling, but it doesn't--and at last, carrying it off
perched on his shoulder, and looking very much perturbed in its spirits.

But the pleasantest neighbors of all live exactly opposite, at No. 9.
They take tea every evening in the back parlor; and as the front window
shades are up, and only the back room lighted, I can always see them at
their cheerful meal. The rooms are furnished in winter with dark red
velvet carpets and furniture; with red damask curtains and red velvet
paper hangings. In summer they put up white curtains, and carpets and
furniture have cool, cream-colored linen coverings, so that the parlors
look cozy and charming at all seasons.

As for the family there is a papa and mamma, of course, and a dear
little girl and boy. The little girl is about ten years old, I should
think, with great, dark-blue eyes, and curling auburn hair. Her cheeks
are as rosy as ripe peaches, and her teeth as white as so many pearls.
Her nose does turn up at the end a little, to be sure; but that is
rather saucy and becoming than otherwise; and she always looks so sweet
tempered, and full of fun, too, when I see her of an evening, that I am
sure she is as good as pie, and as merry as a cricket! Her little
brother, who is a year or two younger, looks very much like her, and
their obedient and pretty behavior at table is something really
beautiful to observe.

It is nearly a year now, since I moved into my lodging at "No. 10," and
began to wonder what No. 9's name was; and now I must make haste and
tell you how, only last June, I became acquainted with these dear little
neighbors of mine.

One pleasant Friday morning, after breakfast, I put on my old-fashioned
beaver hat, and taking my gold-headed cane in one hand and my market
basket in the other, I trotted out to buy something nice for dinner;
for, you see, I am a particular old bachelor, and like to market for
myself.

Just as I was coming down the steps, the door of No. 9 opened, and the
little girl ran down _her_ steps. She looked so bright and pretty in her
cunning round straw hat with the blue ribbons, and white Marseilles
cloak, carrying her satchel of b