"Dee Lord, not make me sho bad, an' besh mamma, an' papa, an' Budgie, and doppity, [Footnote: Grandmother.] an' both boggies, [Footnote: Grandfathers.] an' all good people in dish house, and everybody else, an' my dolly. A--a--amen!" "Now give us the candy," said Budge, with the usual echo from Toddie. I hastily extracted the candy from my trunk, gave some to each boy, the recipients fairly shrieking with delight, and once more said good-night. "Oh, you didn't give us any pennies," said Budge. "Papa gives us some to put in our banks, every nights." "Well, I haven't got any now--wait until to-morrow." "Then we want drinks." "I'll let Maggie bring you drink." "Want my dolly," murmured Toddie. I found the knotted towels, took the dirty things up gingerly and threw them upon the bed. "Now want to shee wheels go wound," said Toddie. I hurried out of the room and slammed the door. I looked at my watch--it was half-past eight; I had spent an hour and a half with those dreadful children. They WERE funny to be sure--I found myself laughing in spite of my indignation. Still, if they were to monopolize my time as they had already done, when was I to do my reading? Taking Fiske's "Cosmic Philosophy" from my trunk I descended to the back parlor, lit a cigar and a student-lamp, and began to read. I had not fairly commenced when I heard a patter of small feet, and saw my elder nephew before me. There was sorrowful protestation in every line of his countenance, as he exclaimed:-- "You didn't say 'Good-by' nor 'God bless you' nor anything." "Oh--good-by." "Good-by." "God bless you." "God bless you." Budge seemed waiting for something else. At last he said:-- "Papa says, 'God bless everybody.'" "Well, God bless everybody." "God bless everybody," responded Budge, and turned silently and went up-stairs. "Bless your tormenting honest little heart," I said to myself; "if men trusted God as you do your papa, how little business there'd be for preachers to do."