"It ain't jes' de books; I isn't so much afeard ob dem: but it's all 'long ob de 'Cad'my. I wish you'd jes' take a good look at 'im, fust chance ye git." "Does he look badly?" "No: 'tain't jes' altogedder his looks. He's de bes' lookin' boy 'long shoah. But den de way he's a-goin' on to talk. 'Tain't natural. He used to talk fust-rate." "Can't he talk now?" "Yes, Miss Kinzer, he kin talk; but den de way he gits out his words. Nebber seen sech a t'ing in all my born days. Takes him ebber so long jes' to say good-mornin'. An' he doesn't say it like he use ter. I wish you'd jes' take a good look at 'im." Mrs. Kinzer promised, and she gave her black friend what comfort she could; but Dick Lee's tongue would never again be the free-and-easy member of society it had been. Even when at home, and about his commonest "chores," he was all the while struggling with what he called his "pronounciation." If he should succeed as well with the rest of his "schooling," it was safe to say that it would not be thrown away upon him. Glorianna went her way that morning; and the next to intrude upon Mrs. Kinzer's special domain was her son-in-law himself, accompanied by his blooming bride. "We've got a plan." "You? Apian? What about?" "Dab and his friends." That was the beginning of a tolerably long consultation, and the results of it were duly reported to Dabney when he came home with his fish. "A party?" he exclaimed, when his mother finished her brief but comprehensive statement: "Ham and Miranda to give a party for us boys? Well, now, if they're not right down good! But, mother, we'll have to get it up mighty quick." "I know it, Dab; but that's easy enough, with all the help we have. I'll take care of that." "A party! but, mother, what can we do? There's only a few of 'em know how to dance. I don't, for one." "You must talk it over with Ford. Perhaps Annie and Frank can help you." They were all taken into counsel soon enough; and endless were the plans and propositions made, till even Mrs. Kinzer found her temper getting a little fretted and worried over them. At all events, it was a settled fact that the "party" was to be; and the invitations went out in due and proper form. "Miranda," said her mother, on the morning of the important day, "we must manage to get rid of Dabney and those boys for a few hours." "Send 'em for some greens to rig the parlor with," suggested Ham. "Let 'em take the ponies." "Do you think the ponies are safe for them to drive, just now?" "Oh! Dab can handle 'em. They're a trifle skittish, that's all. They need a little exercise." So they did; but it was to be doubted if the best way to secure it for them was to send them out in a light, two-seated wagon, with a load of five lively boys. "Now, don't you let one of the other boys touch the reins," said Mrs. Kinzer.