Hannah made no reply. She was busy setting the table for the supper, which the aunt and nephew presently enjoyed with the appreciation only to be felt by those who seldom sit down to a satisfactory meal. When it was over, and the table was cleared, Hannah, who never lost time, took the bundle of linen, unrolled it, sat down, and commenced sewing. Ishmael with his book of heroes sat opposite to her. The plain deal table, scrubbed white as cream, stood between them, lighted by one tallow candle. "Aunt Hannah," said the boy, as he watched her arranging her work, "is that easier than weaving?" "Very much easier, Ishmael." "And is it as profitable to you?" "About twice as profitable, my dear; so, if the lady really can keep me in work all the year round, there will be no need of your poor little wages, earned by your hard labor," answered Hannah. "Oh, I didn't think it hard at all, you see, because Israel Put--I beg your pardon, Aunt Hannah--I won't forget again," said the boy, correcting himself in time, and returning to the silent reading of his book. Some time after he closed his book, and looked up. "Aunt Hannah!" "Well, Ishmael?" "You often talk to me of my dear mother in heaven, but never of my father. Who was my father, Aunt Hannah?" For all answer Hannah arose and boxed his ears. CHAPTER XXVIII. ISHMAEL AND CLAUDIA. I saw two children intertwine Their arms about each other, Like the lithe tendrils of the vine Around its nearest brother; And ever and anon, As gayly they ran on, Each looked into the other's face, Anticipating an embrace. --_Richard Monckton Milnes_. Punctually at nine o'clock on Monday morning Ishmael Worth rendered himself at Brudenell Hall. Mr. Middleton's school was just such a one as can seldom, if ever, be met with out of the Southern States. Mr. Middleton had been a professor of languages in one of the Southern universities; and by his salary had supported and educated a large family of sons and daughters until the death of a distant relative enriched him with the inheritance of a large funded property. He immediately resigned his position in the university, and--as he did not wish to commit himself hastily to a fixed abode in any particular neighborhood by the purchase of an estate--he leased the whole ready-made establishment at Brudenell Hall, all furnished and officered as it was. There he conveyed his wife and ten children--that is, five girls and five boys, ranging from the age of one year up to fifteen years of age. Added to these was the motherless daughter of his deceased sister, Beatrice Merlin, who had been the wife of the chief-justice of the Supreme Court of the State. Claudia Merlin had been confided to the care of her uncle and aunt in preference to being sent to a boarding school during her father's absence on official duty at the capital.