Tom was nearly asleep upon that bearskin rug in front of the blazing fire, staring at the two great brazen Andirons that stood in the fireplace. They had big, round, good-natured faces, shining like gold. Their necks were slight and graceful, but as they rounded downward toward handsome feet. They looked very much like a pair of amiable sea serpents.

The logs were burning fiercely and at first Tom thought that the words he heard spoken were nothing but their crackling and hissing -- but then the "Lefthandiron" -- as Tom's uncle once called it -- winked his eye at Tom

"Hullo, Sleepyhead," said the Andiron.

Tom returned the wink -- too much surprised to say anything to this inanimate object suddenly coming to life