`` Go and wash this moment , sir . Thank Heaven , I 've got no boys , '' cried Aunt Kipp . as if boys were some virulent disease which she had narrowly escaped . With a hasty peck at the lips of her two elder relatives , the old lady seated herself , and slowly removed the awful bonnet , which in shape and hue much resembled a hearse hung with black crape . `` I 'm glad you are better , '' said Mary , reverently receiving the funereal head-gear . `` I 'm not better , '' cut in Aunt Kipp . `` I 'm worse , much worse ; my days are numbered ; I stand on the brink of the tomb , and may drop at any moment . '' Toady 's face was a study , as he glanced up at the old lady 's florid countenance , down at the floor , as if in search of the above-mentioned `` brink , '' and looked unaffectedly anxious to see her drop . `` Why do n't you , then ? '' was on his lips ; but a frown from Polly restrained him , and he sat himself down on the rug to contemplate the corpulent victim . `` Have a cup of tea , aunt ? '' said Mrs. Snow . `` I will . '' `` Lie down and rest a little , '' suggested Polly . `` I wo n't . '' `` Can we do anything for you ? '' said both . `` Take my things away , and have dinner early . '' Both departed to perform these behests , and , leaning back in her chair , Aunt Kipp reposed . `` I say , what 's a bore ? ''
asked XXXXX from the rug , where he sat rocking meditatively to and fro , holding on by his shoe-strings .
Kipp Mary Polly Snow Toady behests crape days disease head-gear