“Tell about it, Father,” said Mary. “Well; I was about your age, John,—about ten; and I was terribly bashful. One day when I was visiting Aunt Nan the minister came to[6] call. And though I tried to escape out of the back door, Aunt Nan spied me and made me come in to shake hands. As soon as I could I sidled away into a corner, hoping he would forget about me. [6] “This innocent little stool stood there by the stuffed bird cabinet, just as it does now, and I sat down on it very quietly. Then bump! I went on to the floor, just as John did. Only I was not so lucky. I lost my balance and kicked my heels up almost in the minister’s face. I can tell you I was mortified! And Aunt Nan laughed. But the minister was very nice about it, I will say. I remember he only smiled kindly and said, ‘A little weak in the legs,—eh, John? I’m glad my stool in church isn’t like that, Miss Corliss. I’d never trust you to provide me with furniture,—eh, what?’” “I don’t think that was a bit funny joke,” spluttered John, who had got to his feet looking very red. “Neither do I,” said his mother. “I hate practical jokes. I hope we shan’t meet any more of this sort.” “You never can tell!” Dr. Corliss chuckled reminiscently. “What a horrid mirror!” exclaimed Mary,[7] peering into the glass of a fine gilt frame. “See! It makes me look as broad as I am long, and ugly as a hippopotamus. The idea of putting this in the parlor!” [7] “Probably she meant that to keep her guests from growing conceited,” suggested Dr. Corliss with a grin. “But we shall not need to have it here if we don’t like it. There’s plenty of room in the attic, if I remember rightly.” “Yes, we shall have to change a great many things,” said Mrs. Corliss, who had been moving about the room all by herself. “What do you suppose is in that pretty carved box on the mantel?” “It’s yours, Mother. Why don’t you open it?” said John eagerly. Mrs. Corliss lifted the cover and started back with a scream. For out sprang what looked like a real snake, straight into her face. “Oh! Is it alive?” cried Mary, shuddering. But John had picked up the Japanese paper snake and was dangling it merrily to reassure his