“No; but I don’t uphold the utterances of the _Federal Republican_. Come home, girls, and don’t poke your noses out of doors, or at least don’t leave our own front doorstep.” “I’ll not,” cried Lettice, clinging to him. “I will go out into the garden and sit there. Where are my father and Uncle Tom?” “They have gone down to see Major Barney, to inquire what can be done about this disturbance. I will keep you informed about what goes on.” “Don’t go back into that mob, Cousin Joe,” Lettice begged. “You might get killed.” “I must see what is going on, but I will take no part in violence.” “But what would Patsey say?” Lettice asked half archly. Joe looked down at her with a little smile. “If she is the brave girl I take her for, she’ll trust to my good sense to look out for myself.” “But they are firing from the house. Listen! you can hear the reports.” Joe listened, and then he said, “I will not go too near, little cousin. I promise you that. Run in now.” “You’ll come back and tell us if anything more serious happens,” said Rhoda. “I wish my father were not in Washington.” “He’s better off there,” Joe assured her. “For my part, I am thankful he is not here.” The girls retired to the garden at the back of the house. Danny with wide-open eyes peeped out of one of the lower windows. “What’s de matter, Miss Letty?” he asked in a loud whisper. “Is dey fightin’?” “Yes; at least there is a riot out there. Some people are attacking the house where Mr. Hanson is--Mr. Wagner’s house on Charles Street. It began by a rabble of boys throwing stones and calling names.” “Golly, but I wisht I’d been there!” “Danny, go back to bed, and don’t get up again,” his mistress ordered. Danny crawled reluctantly down from his place on the window-sill. “Whar Mars Torm?” he asked. “He has gone down town,” Lettice informed him. Danny still hung back. “Miss Letty,” he whispered. She went a few steps toward him, despite her aunt’s reproving voice, “You and your Uncle Tom ruin that boy, Lettice.” “What is it, Danny?” Lettice asked. “Ef anythin’ tur’ble happen, I skeered you all gwine leave me hyar.” Lettice laughed. “There isn’t anything terrible going to happen to this house, and if there should, I’ll let you know, you needn’t be scared, Danny.” The noise in the street increased. As yet no military appeared to quell the mob. Mrs. Flynn, worked up into a great state of excitement, trotted from corner to corner, coming back so often to report that it would seem as if she would wear herself out. “There be a gintleman addhressin’ the crowd, Mrs. Hopkins, mum,” she said.