And Barbara went on knitting, putting the yarn over the needle with her left hand, after the German fashion.
"But the carpet-bag, Barby: there's a black one 'some place,' in the trunk-closet or up-attic. Now, Barby, you know I helped pick those quails yesterday."
"Yes, yes, dear, when I gets my eyes open."
"I would sleep out doors, but ma says I'd get cold; so I'll lie on the floor in the bathing-room. O, Barby, I'll sleep like a trooper!"
But Horace was a little mistaken. A hard, unyielding floor makes a poor bed; and when, at the same time, one's neck is almost put out of joint by a carpet-bag stuffed with newspaper, it is not easy to go to sleep.
In a short time the little boy began to feel tired of "camping out;" and I am sorry to say that he employed some of the moon-light hours in studying the workmanship of his mother's watch, which had been left, by accident, hanging on a nail in the bathing-room.
He felt very guilty all the while; and when, at last, a chirr-chirr from the watch told that mischief had been done, his heart gave a quick throb of fright, and he stole off to his chamber, undressed, and went to bed in the dark.
Next morning he did not awake as early as usual, and, to his great dismay, came very near being late to breakfast.
"Good morning, little buzzard-lark," said his sister, coming into his room just as he was thrusting his arms into his jacket.
"Ho, Gracie! why didn't you wake me up?"