Archie didn't want to go to bed, havin' desires to set up and torment Simeon with questions about his whiskers; askin' if they growed or was tied on, and things like that.
Course he didn't know his ma was goin' to the show, or he wouldn't have let her.

But finally he was coaxed upstairs by Margaret and a box of candy, and, word havin' been sent down that he was asleep, Sam got out his plug hat, and Grace and Cousin Harriet got on their fur-lined dolmans and knit clouds, and was ready for the hack.
"'I feel mighty mean to go off and leave you this way,' says Sam to me and Simeon.

'But you make yourself at home, won't you?
This is your house to-night, you know; servants and all.' "'How about that boy's wakin' up ?' says I.
"'Oh, his maid'll attend to him.

If she needs any help you can give it to her,' he says, winkin' on the side.
"But Cousin Harriet was right at his starboard beam, and she heard him.
She flew up like a settin' hen.
"'Indeed they will NOT!' she sings out.

'If anyone but Margaret was to attempt to control Archibald, I don't dare think what might happen.
I shall not stir from this spot until these persons promise not to interfere in ANY way; Archibald, dear, is such a sensitive child.' "So we promised not to interfere, although Sim Phinney looked disappointed when he done it.