The Careys had moved often, like all naval families, but even when their other goods and chattels were stored, Cousin Ann generously managed to defray the expense of sending on to them the mantel ornaments and the Dirty Boy.  “I know what your home is to you,” she used to say to them, “and how you must miss your ornaments.  If I have chanced to give you things as unwieldy as they are handsome, I ought to see that you have them around you without trouble or expense, and I will!”

So for sixteen years, save for a brief respite when the family was in the Philippines, their existence was blighted by these hated objects.  Once when they had given an especially beautiful party for the Admiral, Captain Carey had carried the whole lot to the attic, but Cousin Ann arrived unexpectedly in the middle of the afternoon, and Nancy, with the aid of Gilbert and Joanna, had brought them down the back way and put them in the dining room.

“You’ve taken the ornaments out of the parlor, I see,” Cousin Ann said at the dinner table.  “It’s rather nice for a change, and after all, perhaps you spend as much time in this room as in any, and entertain as much company here!”

Cousin Ann always had been, always would be, a frequent visitor, for she was devoted to the family in her own peculiar way; what therefore could Nancy be proposing to do with the Carey Curse?

“Listen, my good girl,” Nancy now said to Kathleen, after she had closed the door.  “Thou dost know that the china-packer comes early to-morrow morn, and that e’en now the barrels and boxes and excelsior are bestrewing the dining room?”

“Yes.”

“Then you and I, who have been brought up under the shadow of those funeral urns, and have seen that tidy mother scrubbing the ears of that unwilling boy ever since we were born,—­you and I, or thou and I, perhaps I should say, will do a little private packing before the true packer arriveth.”

“Still do I not see the point, wench!” said the puzzled Kathleen, trying to model her conversation on Nancy’s, though she was never thoroughly successful.

“Don’t call me ‘wench,’ because I am the mistress and you my tiring woman, but when you Watch, and assist me, at the packing, a great light will break upon you,” Nancy answered “In the removal of cherished articles from Charlestown to Beulah, certain tragedies will occur, certain accidents will happen, although Cousin Ann knows that the Carey family is a well regulated one.  But if there are accidents, and there will be, my good girl, then the authors of them will be forever unknown to all but thou and I. Wouldst prefer to pack this midnight or at cock crow, for packing is our task!”

“I simply hate cock crow, and you know it,” said Kathleen testily.  “Why not now?  Ellen and Gilbert are out and mother is rocking Peter to sleep.”

“Very well; come on; and step softly.  It won’t take long, because I have planned all in secret, well and thoroughly.  Don’t puff and blow like that!  Mother will hear you!”