Dolf winked at Victoria, and the artful maiden condescended to mollify her fellow servant. "Now don't be cross, Clo," said she, "it's bad enough ter hab conflictions above stairs widout us a mussin'." "Dem's my sentiments," cried Dolf, "and I knows fair Miss Clorinda 'grees wid dem--she coincidates, if yer'll 'scuse the leetle bit ob dictionery." Victoria made a grimace behind Clo's back, but said, graciously: "I'se gwine ter gib yer dat ar blue handkercher Miss Elsie gub me, Clo," she said, "so now let's make up and be comfoble." "I don't want ter fight," replied Clo, "'taint my way--only I knows my persition and I 'spects ter be treated 'cording." The handkerchief was something Clo had coveted for a long time, and the gift quite restored her good-humor. "Dat's as it orter be," said 'Dolf. "Peace and harmony once more prewails, and we's here like--like--de Happy Family as used ter be at Barnum's Museum," he added, finding a comparison at length, and quite unconscious of its singular appropriateness. "I'se gwine to mend dis tablecloth," said Vic, "and I'll set here to do it--when I go upstairs I'll git yer the hankercher, Clo." "Oh! laws," said Clo, "yer want it yerself--don't be a givin' away yer truck." "I'd ruther yer had it," observed Vic, "blue's allers becoming to yer, ain't it, Mr. Dolf?" She made another grimace, unseen by Clorinda, which nearly sent Dolf into fits, but he restrained his merriment, and answered with the gravity of a judge: "Miss Clorindy overcomes whatever she puts on, but since yer wishes my honest 'pinion, I must say I tink blue's about de proper touch fur her." Clo grew radiant with delight, but she worked away resolutely, only observing: "Victy, dar's a leetle cranberry tart I jis' tuk out ob de oben--it's on de kitchen table--I 'spect we might as well eat it, cause 'taint big enough to go on de table." "I'll fotch it," cried Dolf; "to sarve de fair is my priv'lege." He darted into the kitchen, bore off the tart from before Sally's envious eyes, and closed the door so that she could not be regaled even with a scent of the delicacy. "I've jis' done gone now," said Clo, "so I'll rest a leetle afore I 'gins dinner. I'll jis' taste de tart to see ef it's good--it kinder eases my mind like." "In course it does," said Dolf, and he cut the tart into four pieces, having an idea that the last slice would revert to him in the end. They ate the pie and talked amicably over it, while in the end Dolf received the extra piece by earnestly pressing it on his companions, who in turn insisted upon his eating it himself. "Mebby Sally'd like a taste," he said, virtuously. "Sally, 'deed no!" cried Clo. "It's nuff fur her ter see such tings widout eatin' 'em--a lazy, good-fur-notin' piece." "Den ter 'blige yer I'll dispose of it," said Dolf, and he did so in just three mouthfuls.