"I wonder if you do?" said the flattered Mrs. Diggans. "Who'd a thought it?--and you so young! One of my children's named after you--Ide-e-e!" with a car-whistle termination. "Come here this minute! I liked it, 'cause 'twas a pretty name--sort o' high-soundin' you know--Ide-e-e-e!" Ida had occular evidence of this new beauty of her cognomen. "And your mother was allers mighty kind to me--ah! she was a lady--every inch of her!--Ide-e-e-e! if you don't come 'long, I'll spank you well!" And "Idee" sneaked in, fist in her mouth, and scraped her bare toes in a frightfully flesh-crawling, provoking manner, while her namesake informed her of their relation to each other. "How old are you, Ida?" "Going on seven;" answered the mother. "Can you read?" "Bless your life, Miss Idy! I don't have time to teach them, nor their father neither. Mercy knows how they are to git any learnin'. Poor folks don't need much, but its more _re_-spectable to know how to read and write." "But you can read, Mrs. Diggans." "I used to could." "You do not object to their being taught if you are not troubled about it?" "No-o. I reckon not--but who's a goin' to do it? thar's the rub!" "I will have it done." "_You_! Miss Ida! oh-oh! teachin' poor folk's chillen ain't for the likes of you. We've scuffled along without edication, and so must they." "Say you will send them, Mrs. Diggans, and I pledge you my word they shall be as carefully attended to, as if they were the richest in the land." She explained her plan. Mrs. Diggans demurred. "She couldn't spar Maria Julia, and Anne Marthy was too little to walk so far;--then their clothes warn't fitten. She was mighty obliged, jest as much as if she had a-sent' em." "I am _very_ sorry," said Ida. "I came here first, knowing your attachment to our family. I am really desirous you should oblige me. I am _so_ disappointed." Mrs. Diggans relented. "If they had decent clothes, Miss Idy.--See them dirty rags!" "Their clothing must be whole and clean, certainly. Promise they shall attend all the session, and I will give them a suit apiece." "You're too good, Miss Idy--jest like your ma! We'll talk about it." "I must have an answer now. My number is limited, as there will be but one teacher. How many shall I put down?" producing paper and pencil. "Only two! but that is better than none. 'For the entire session,' Mrs. Diggans; I trust to your word." "I keeps a promise when I makes it. Set 'em down." "Hard customers, Mistis!" said Will, as they remounted. "Rather, Uncle Will; yet I dread our next visit as much. Does Mr. Pinely drink now?"