The children took their dinners to the yellow top of a brand-new stump which, looked as if somebody had smoothed every sweet-smelling ring clean on purpose for a picnic table. Some branches of the felled tree were near enough to make teeter seats for Corinne and Thrusty Ellen. Jonathan and Robert stood up or kneeled against the arching roots. Dinner taken from the top of a stump has the sap of out-door enjoyment in it; and if you have to scare away an ant, or a pop-eyed grasshopper thuds into the middle of a plate, you still feel kindly towards these wild things for dropping in so sociably. Jonathan and Thrusty Ellen were rather silent, but such remarks as they made were solid information. “You don't know wher' my fawther's got his money,” said Jonathan. This was stated so much like a dare that Robert yearned to retort that he did know, too. As he did not know, the next best thing was to pretend it was no consequence anyhow, and find out as quickly as possible; therefore Robert Day said: “Ho! Maybe he hasn't any.” “He has more gold pieces 'n ever you seen,” proceeded Jonathan weightily. “Then why don't he give you some?” exclaimed aunt Corinne with a wriggle. “I had a gold dollar, but I b'lieve that little old man with a bag on his back stole it.” Jonathan and Thrusty Ellen made round eyes at a young damsel who had been trusted with gold. [Illustration] “My fawther calls 'em yeller boys,” said Jonathan. “He carries 'em and his paper money in a belt fastened round his waist under all his clothes.” “You don't ought to tell,” said Thrusty Ellen. “Father said we shouldn't talk about it.” “_He_ won't steal it,” said Jonathan, indicating Robert with his thumb. “_She_ won't neither,” indicating aunt Corinne. Aunt Corinne with some sharpness assured the Virginia children that her nephew and herself were indeed above such suspicion; that Ma Padgett and brother Tip had the most money, and even Zene was well provided with dollars; while they had silver spoons among their goods that Ma-Padgett said had been in the family more than fifty years! Jonathan and Thrusty Ellen accepted this information with much stolidity. The grandeur of having old silver made no impression on them. They saw that Grandma Padgett had one pair of horses hitched to her moving-wagon instead of three pairs, and they secretly rated her resources by this fact. It was very cheerful moving in this long caravan. When there was a bend in the 'pike, and the line of vehicles curved around it, the sight was exhilarating.