His humiliation was received with shouts of derisive laughter, and even the carpenters at work laid down their hammers and joined in the chorus; but his revenge was swift and capped the climax.

Cold and wet as we all were, and completely tired out, we commenced to disrobe and get ready for the tea party.

Unfortunately I had forgotten to lock my door, and in walked Cousin Charley with a quart bottle of liquid blacking, which he prepared to empty on my devoted head.

I begged so eloquently and trembled so at the idea of being dyed black, that he said he would let me off on one condition, and that was to get him, by some means, into Miss Fitzhugh's room.

So I ran screaming up the stairs, as if hotly pursued by the enemy, and begged her to let me in.