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He bought sets of china because they were artistic; changed his silver plate for a more picturesque pattern; employed Stultz for his clothes, and, above all, Bell and Rannie for his wines. His cook was superb; and, thanks to the above-named Bell and Rannie, there were fewer headachs in the morning after a Mæcenatian dinner at Pitskiver's, than could have been expected by Father Matthew himself.
He was delighted with Rannie, the old ventriloquist, and the first in America; and Potter, the late sable and celebrated professor of legerdemain, in slight-of-hand, he thought actually excelled Doctor Mott himself. At the close of the term he returned to the country, and resumed Cheselden.
During these paroxysms he kicked furiously at every one and everything at poor "Rannie," at his mother, at Messrs. Andrews and Stoddard, at the illustrious men of Rome, at the universe in general, to which, as he lay on his back on the carpet, he presented a pair of singularly active little heels. Mrs.
"It is too, Rannie," the little girl insisted. "My whole name's Mary Randolph Kirsted, but my short name's Rannie." Jane laughed. "What a funny name!" she said. "I didn't mean your real name; I meant your callers' name. One of us was Mrs. Jones, and one was " "I want to be Mrs. Jones," said Rannie. "Oh, my DEAR Mrs. Jones," Jane began at once, "I want to tell you about my lovely chuldren.
"Pshaw!" Rannie cried, lightly. "My mother didn't do anything to me for that." "Well, nobody told her on you," said Jane, reasonably. "Can't you come out at all?" Rannie urged. "Go ask your mother. Tell her " "How can I," Jane inquired, with a little heat, "when she isn't here to ask? She's gone out to play cards she and papa." Rannie swung her foot.
She stood there, on the lowest step, slowly gliding away from them, and in her eyes there was a sparkle of tears, left, it may be, from her laughter at poor William's pageant with Jane and Rannie Kirsted or, it may be, not.
Oh, Jane-NEE-ee!" brought her to an open window down-stairs. In the early dusk she looked out upon the washed face of Rannie Kirsted, who stood on the lawn below. "Come on out, Janie. Mamma says I can stay outdoors an' play till half past eight." Jane shook her head. "I can't. I can't go outside the house till to-morrow. It's because we walked after Willie with our stummicks out o' joint."
Then we can go talk to Genesis." "Who?" "Genesis. He's puttin' a load of coal in the cellar window with a shovel. He's nice." "What's he put the coal in the window for?" "He's a colored man," said Jane. "Shall we go talk to him now?" "No," Jane said, thoughtfully. "Let's be playin' callers when mamma comes to tell us to go 'way. What was your name?" "Rannie." "No, it wasn't."
"Rannie an' I were there. Willie was goin' to chase us, I guess, but we went in the baggage-room behind trunks, an' we saw her go. She got on the cars, an' it went with her in it. Honest, she's gone away, Mr. Parcher." Before speaking, Mr. Parcher took a long look at this telepathic child. In his fond eyes she was a marvel and a darling. "Well THANK you, Jane!" he said.
"Run, Rannie, run!" panted Jane. "I got to get home an' tell mamma about it before Willie. I bet I ketch Hail Columbia, anyway, when he does get there!" And in this she was not mistaken: she caught Hail Columbia. It lasted all afternoon. It was still continuing after dinner. Thatt evening, when an oft-repeated yodel, followed by a shrill-wailed, "Jane-ee!
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