While he was making his way into Mrs. Crane’s kitchen, Julia and Fanny were in their room, the windows of which were open and looked out upon a balcony, which extended entirely around the house.  There was no school that day, and Fanny was just wishing she could hear from home when a servant entered the room and said there was a boy in the kitchen, who wished to see Miss Fanny.

“A boy want to see me,” said Fanny; “who can it be?”

“Reckon he’s from yer home ’case he says how he belongs to Marster Middleton,” said the negro girl.

“Oh, joy!” exclaimed Fanny, “somebody from home; how glad I am.  Come, Julia, won’t you go down, too?”

“No, indeed,” said Julia, scornfully, “I am not so anxious to see a greasy nigger.  I hope you will not take it into your head to ask him up here.”

But Fanny did not answer, for she was already half-way down the stairs.  Going to the kitchen she found Ike and seemed as delighted to see him as though his skin had been snowy white.  Ike delivered all his messages and then presented Aunt Judy’s pie.

“Dear Aunt Judy,” said Fanny, “how kind she is.”  Then seizing a knife she cut a liberal piece for Ike, who received it with many thanks.

“Now, Ike,” said she, “you must remain here until I go out and get a ribbon for Aunt Judy’s cap, and some tobacco for old Aunt Katy.”  So saying she ran upstairs to her room.

When she entered it, Julia exclaimed, “In the name of the people, what have you got now?”

“Oh, a pie, which Aunt Judy sent me,” said Fanny.

“How ridiculous,” answered Julia; “I don’t think Mrs. Crane would thank Aunt Judy for sending pies to her house.”

“Mrs. Crane need know nothing about it, and would not care if she did,” said Fanny, and then she added, “Ike is downstairs, and he says father is coming after us in two or three weeks.”

“Good heavens,” said Julia; “what is he coming for?  Why does he not send a servant?”

“And why cannot father come?” asked Fanny.

“Because,” answered Julia, “who wants that old codger here?  A pretty figure he’d cut, I think.  I should be ashamed of him; and so would you, if you knew anything.”

“I know he is odd,” said Fanny; “but he is my father, and as such I would not be ashamed of him.”

“Well, I am ashamed to own that he is my father, anyway,” answered Julia; “but where are you going now?” she continued, as she saw her sister putting on her bonnet.

“I am going to buy some ribbon for Aunt Judy, some tobacco for Aunt Katy, and some candy for the children,” answered Fanny.

“Well, I do believe you haven’t common sense,” said Julia, “but where is your money to buy all these things?”

“Oh,” said Fanny, “I’ve concluded not to go and hear Fanny Kemble tonight.  I’d rather spend the money for the servants; it will do them so much good.”