Page:Dorothy's spy; a story of the first "fovrth of Jvly" celebration, New York, 1776.djvu/50

Rh better if Scip stayed down here with us? Your mother might not like to have him rummaging around the chambers."

"I don't believe she would care very much, for he is careful, and father says he wouldn't steal the value of a pin; but perhaps it might be better if we had him under our eyes."

Then Dorothy went to the stairway and called in a thin, piping voice:

"Scip! Oh Scipio!"

"Here I is, honey!"

"Will you—Don't you suppose—Can you see the fire?"

"No, Missy, I reckon dey ain't touched her off yet, or else it carn't be a berry big one, kase I don't see hide nor hair ob it, an' I'se been lookin' eberywhar."

"Wouldn't it be more pleasant to sit down here with Sarah and me?"

"I'se comin', chile, but I 'low dat dis ole nigger ain't de kin' ob company you'se 'customed to keepin'."

The tramp of footsteps above, as the old darkey obeyed the summons, was most reassuring to the children, and by the time Scipio came into the living room again the girls were looking almost cheerful.

It would have been better, however, if the servant had remained searching with his eyes for