A 'passel' of children waited in the hall.
a 'passel' of problems
(..) Well, why don't you say it, you coward? You're afraid to marry me. You'd rather live with that fool who can't speak except... ...to say "yes" and "no" and raise a passel of mealy-mouthed brats just like her. You mustn't say such things about Melanie. Who are you to tell me I mustn't? (..)1939 Gone with the Wind