VINNIE'S STRATAGEM.
"Why not?" said Vinnie, with round eyes.
"A gentleman like him! and a Betterson!" replied Caroline, in a whisper of astonishment and awe.
"Who should have done it?" said Vinnie, trying hard to see the enormity of her offence. "I couldn't very well do it alone; I am sure you couldn't have helped me; and my friend who brought me over, he has done so much for me already that I should have been ashamed to ask him. Besides, he is not here, and I wanted the trunk. Mr. Betterson seems very strong. Has he the rheumatism?"
"O Lavinia! Lavinia!"—and Caroline wrapped her red shawl despairingly about her. "But you will understand Mr. Betterson better by and by. You are quite excusable now. Arthur, dear! what do you want?"
"In her trunt, what she's doin' to dive me, I want it," said the boy, invading the house for that purpose.
"Yes, you shall have it," cried Vinnie, skilfully giving his nose a wipe behind the mother's back (it needed it sadly). "But is your name Arthur? I thought they called you Chokie."
"Chokie is the nickname for Arthur," Lill explained.