I am generally all for amusement, and the last person in the world to distrust another person because he happens to be a few shades darker than myself.

But the best of us have our weaknesses--and my weakness, when I know a family plate-basket to be out on a pantry-table, is to be instantly reminded of that basket by the sight of a strolling stranger whose manners are superior to my own.

I accordingly informed the Indian that the lady of the house was out; and I warned him and his party off the premises.

He made me a beautiful bow in return; and he and his party went off the premises.

On my side, I returned to my beehive chair, and set myself down on the sunny side of the court, and fell (if the truth must be owned), not exactly into a sleep, but into the next best thing to it.
I was roused up by my daughter Penelope running out at me as if the house was on fire.