"The remains of the feast went to the pig, and we were kept on bread and water for three days."
"Did that cure you?"
"Oh, dear, no! we had half a dozen other frolics that very summer; and although I cannot help laughing at the remembrance of this, you must not think, child, that I approve of such conduct, or excuse it. No, no, my dear, far from it."
"I call that a tip-top story! Drive on, grandma, and tell one about boy" broke in a new voice, and there was Tom astride of a chair, listening and laughing with all his might, for his book had come to an end, and he had joined the party unobserved.
"Wait for your turn, Tommy. Now, Polly, dear, what will you have?" said grandma, looking so lively and happy, that it was very evident "reminiscing" did her good.
"Let mine come last, and tell one for Tom next," said Polly, looking round, and beckoning him nearer. He came and sat himself cross-legged on the floor, before the lower drawer of the cabinet, which grandma opened for him, saying, with a benign stroke of the curly head,—
"There, dear, that's where I keep the little memorials of my brother Jack. Poor lad, he was lost at sea, you know. Well, choose anything you like, and I'll try to remember a story about it."
Tom made a rapid rummage, and fished up a little broken pistol.
"There, that's the chap for me! Wish it wasn't spoilt, then we'd have fun popping away at the cats in the yard. Now, then, grandma."
