crates they dragged things that had been waiting through generations of Aunt Nan’s ancestors for some one to make them useful; things that had been discarded or pushed back still farther in order to make room for her whims and “jokes.”

[80]

THINGS THAT HAD BEEN WAITING THROUGH GENERATIONS OF AUNT NAN’S ANCESTORS FOR SOME ONE TO MAKE THEM USEFUL

Besides the old spinning-wheel, andirons, and warming-pan, they found parts of a four-post bedstead, a tall clock, and many quaint chairs. They unearthed a hair trunk, foot-warmers, mirrors, crockery, and lamps with prisms dangling; shawls and bonnets and carpet-bags. All of these things were old and most of them were ugly. But Mrs. Corliss knew that they would look beautiful to many persons, just because they were old; which seemed to John a strange reason.

When they had brought all this old stuff together in the middle of the attic floor, Mrs. Corliss looked about and smiled through a face-veil of dusty cobwebs.

“Well, John!” she said, “I believe my part of the legacy is not to be laughed at, either. We don’t want to keep these old things, for they have no history for us and they are not beautiful in themselves—the only two excuses I see for cherishing useless old things. Luckily[81] there are plenty of people who think differently. I’ll go up to town to-morrow with a list of what you and I have found, and see what I can get for them at some reliable antique shop. Let’s keep it a secret, and surprise your father and Mary, if we have good luck with the venture. Shall we?”

[81]

“Let’s!” cried John, clapping his hands.

Just then out of the darkness crept Caliban, licking his chops, and looking very sly.

“Now, don’t you go and tell Mary, Caliban!” charged John. “For this is our secret. You let me into it yourself, and you’ve got to be our partner now. Don’t you dare even to purr about it!”

Caliban did not promise; but he trotted downstairs before them very discreetly. And all that evening no one would have guessed by the manner of those three conspirators what a tremendous secret they were concealing in their hearts. John did not dare to look at his mother’s face, however, he was so bursting with importance.

The next day Mrs. Corliss went to town on an errand which she explained rather vaguely to 

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