"Nothing has happened to write about, except a call on Miss Norton, who has a room full of lovely things, and who was very charming, for she showed me all her treasures, and asked me if I would sometimes go with her to lectures and concerts, as her escort,—if I enjoyed them. She put it as a favor; but I'm sure Mrs. Kirke has told her about us, and she does it out of kindness to me. I'm as proud as Lucifer, but such favors from such people don't burden me, and I accepted gratefully.
"When I got back to the nursery there was such an uproar in the parlor that I looked in, and there was Mr. Bhaer down on his hands and knees, with Tina on his back, Kitty leading him with a jump-rope, and Minnie feeding two small boys with seed-cakes, as they roared and ramped in cages built of chairs.
"'We are playing nargerie,' explained Kitty.
"'Dis is mine effalunt!' added Tina, holding on by the Professor's hair.
"'Mamma always allows us to do what we like Saturday afternoon, when Franz and Emil come, don't she, Mr. Bhaer?' said Minnie.
"The 'effalunt' sat up, looking as much in earnest as any of them, and said, soberly, to me,—
"'I gif you my wort it is so. If we make too large a noise you shall say "hush!" to us, and we go more softly.'
"I promised to do so, but left the door open, and enjoyed the fun as much as they did,—for a more glorious frolic I never witnessed. They played tag, and soldiers, danced and sung, and when it began to
