These thoughts darted through Dotty's mind like lightning-flashes. At the same time she gave one loud, terrified scream, and fell forward upon the floor. She did not rise, she did not speak, she seemed scarcely to breathe. The shock had partially stunned her. "Why, Dotty--Dotty Dimple!" exclaimed Percy, rushing in at the back door, and seizing his little cousin by the shoulders. "Look up here, darling! 'Twas nobody but me!" No answer. "Nobody but me and Percy," said Johnny, pulling Dotty's ears to attract her attention. "Only a jack-o'-lantern, you dear little ducky," cried Percy. "A pumpkin, you goosie," said Johnny. No reply, but a sudden choking, followed by convulsive sobs. Whether the child heard and understood what was said to her, Percy could not determine. He was old enough to know that a sudden and powerful shock is always more or less dangerous. He redoubled his efforts. "Look, dear, here's the pumpkin. Holes cut out for eyes. A gash for the mouth. A candle stuck in." "Smart girl!" ejaculated Johnny, who was too young and ignorant to see anything but amusement in the whole affair. "Smart girl, scared of a pumpkin!" "Johnny was angry with you," went on Percy, rather nervously; "he said he wanted to tease you. I brought the pumpkin from our house. I'm sorry. Look up, Dimple, see what it is! Don't be afraid. Laugh, or if you can't laugh, cry. Here's my handkerchief." Dotty continued to moan. Percy caught her up in his arms. "Any pump in the house? Johnny, get some water somewhere, quick! and then run for the camphor bottle." Percy was at his wit's end. He ran round and round, with the little girl in his arms. She had life enough to cling to his neck. Johnny saw a pail of water, dipped a tea-strainer into it, and dashed two drops in Dotty's face. "That won't do, boy! Throw on a quartful! Hurry!" Johnny promptly obeyed. Dotty gasped for breath, and uttered a scream. Percy felt encouraged. "More, Johnny; the whole pailful. We'll have her out of this double-quick--" Just as Percy had extended his little cousin on the floor, and Johnny had poured enough water over her to soak every thread of her clothing, there was a sound of foot-steps. Mr. and Mrs. Parlin were coming in at the back door. "What does this mean?" they both exclaimed, very much alarmed, as might have been expected. There lay their little daughter, screaming and gurgling, her mouth full of water, her dress stained with the raspberry jam, which was easily mistaken for blood. "Why, uncle Edward," stammered Percy, "'twas a--" "Why, auntie," cried Johnny, "'twas only a pumpkin. She went and was afraid of a pumpkin!" The cause of this direful affright, the lighted jack-o'-lantern, was lying face upward on the floor, the candle within it smoking and dripping with tallow. One glance explained the whole mystery. But by this time there seemed to be no further cause for anxiety with regard to Dotty. She gathered herself together, sat upright, and began to scold.