“I don't believe Mr. Barker wants to do it again,” said Statira, looking demurely at him; but Lemuel protested that he did, and the game began again. This time the Bible began to shake at the letter D, and Statira cried out, “Now, 'Manda Grier, you're making it,” and 'Manda Grier laughed so that she could scarcely hold the book. Lemuel laughed too; but he kept on repeating the letters. At S the book fell to the floor, and Statira caught it up, and softly beat 'Manda Grier on the back with it. “Oh you mean thing!” she cried out. “You did it on purpose.” 'Manda Grier was almost choked with laughing. “Do you know anybody of the name of Sarah, Mr. Barker?” she gasped, and then they all laughed together till Statira said, “Well, I shall surely die! Now, 'Manda Grier, it's your turn. And you see if I don't pay you up.” “I guess I ain't afraid any,” retorted 'Manda Grier. “The book 'll do what it pleases, in spite of you.” They began again, Statira holding the book this time, and Lemuel repeating as before, and he went quite through the alphabet without anything happening. “Well, I declare!” said Statira, looking grave. “Let's try it over again.” “You may try, and you may try, and you may try,” said 'Manda Grier. “It won't do you any good. I hain't got any fate in that line.” “Well, that's what we're goin' to find out,” said Statira; but again the verses and alphabet were repeated without effect. “Now you satisfied?” asked 'Manda Grier. “No, not yet. Begin again, Mr. Barker!” He did so, and at the second letter the book dropped. Statira jumped up, and 'Manda Grier began to chase her round the room, to box her ears for her, she said. Lemuel sat looking on. He did not feel at all severe toward them, as he usually did toward girls that cut up; he did not feel that this was cutting up, in fact. “Stop, stop!” implored Statira, “and I'll let you try it over again.” “No, it's your turn now!” “No, I ain't going to have any,” said Statira, folding her arms. “You got to,” said 'Manda Grier. “The rest of us has, and now you've got to. Hain't she got to, Mr. Barker?” “Yes,” said Lemuel delightedly; “you've got to, Miss Dudley.” “Miss Dudley!” repeated 'Manda Grier. “How that _does_ sound.” “I don't know as it sounds any worse than Mr. Barker,” said Lemuel. “Well,” said 'Manda Grier judicially, “I she'd think it was 'bout time they was both of 'em dropped, 'T any rate, I don't want you should call me Miss Grier--Lemuel.” “Oh!” cried Statira. “Well, you _are_ getting along, 'Manda Grier!” “Well, don't you let yourself be outdone then, S'tira.”