As soon as his head was seen above the garret floor, as he came up stairs, Maggie cried out:
"O papa, come give me a swing, and tell me a story, and let me sit in your lap!"
"Well, well, miss," said Mr. Bondy laughing, "I think you are asking a great deal at once. I can't swing you, and hold you in my lap, and tell you a story all at the same time."
"Well, swing me now," said Maggie, "and then tell me a story."
While Maggie was on the swing they were all startled by a singular noise coming from the chimney. They had heard it when they first came up garret, but it was not so loud. They would have gone down stairs then in fear, but they waited a moment, and, as it did not come again, they went on with their play and soon forgot it.
But now it became quite loud, and if Mr. Bondy had not been there they would have all run down stairs. But they were not afraid while he was by.
It was a strange noise, and I can hardly tell you what it was like, unless it was like something rolling down the chimney.
"What is that?" said Abby as she started toward the stairs.
Mr. Bondy smiled and said: "Don't be afraid, children, there is nothing here to hurt you."