 Chapter 1 of Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Sarah. Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney. A home view. The little old kitchen had quieted down from the bustling confusion of midday and now, with its afternoon manners on, presented a holiday aspect. That, as the principal room in the brown house, it was intimately proper it should have. It was just on the edge of twilight and the little peppers, all except thin, the oldest of the flock, were enjoying a breathing spell, as their mother called it, which meant some quiet work suitable for the hour. All the breathing spell they could remember, however, poor things. For times were always hard with them nowadays. And since their father died, when Fronzie was a baby, Mrs. Pepper had had hard work to scrape together enough money to put bread into her children's mouths and to pay the rent of the little brown house. But she had met like too bravely to be beaten down now. So, with a stout heart and cheery face, she had worked away day after day and making coats and tailoring and mending all of her descriptions. And she had seen with pride that couldn't be concealed her noisy, happy brood going up around her and filling her heart with comfort and making the little brown house fairly ring with jollity and fun. Poor things, she would say to herself, they haven't had any bringing up, they've just scrambled up. And then she would set her lips together tightly and fly at her work faster than ever. I must get schooling for them some way, but I don't see how. Once or twice she had thought, now the time is coming, but it never did. For winter shut in very cold and took so much more to feed and warm them that the money went faster than ever. And then, when the way seemed clear again, the store changed hands so that for a long time she failed to get her usual supply of sacks and coats to make. And that made sad havoc in the quarters and half dollars laid up in her nest egg. But, well, it'll come sometime, she would say to herself, because it must. And so, at it again she would fly brisker than ever, too, to help mother was the great ambition of all the children, older and younger. But in Polly's and Binsel's, the desire grew so overwhelmingly great as to absorb all lesser thoughts, many in vass for their secret plans, by which they were to astonish her at some future day, which they would only confide as they did everything else to one another. For this brother and sister were everything to each other and stood loyally together through thick and thin. Polly was ten, and Bin, one year older, and the younger three of the five little peppers, as they were always called, looked up to them with the intentous admiration and love. What they failed to do couldn't very well be done by anyone. Oh dear, exclaimed Polly as she sat over in the corner by the window, helping her mother pull out basting threads from a coat she had just finished, giving an impatient twitch to the sleeve. I do wish we could ever have any light, just as much as we want. You don't need any light to see these threads, said Mrs. Pepper, winding up hers carefully as she spoke on an old spool. Take care, Polly. You broke that. Thread's dear now. I couldn't help it, said Polly, accidentally. It snapped. Everything's dear now, seems to me. I wish we could have oh ever and ever so many candles, as many as we wanted. I'd light them all, so there, and have it light here one night anyways. Yes, and go dark all the rest of the year, like as anyway, observed Mrs. Pepper stopping to untie a knot. Folks who do so never have any candles, shattered, sententiously. How many you have, Polly, asked Joel curiously, laying down his hammering, guarding her with utmost anxiety. Oh, two hundred, said Polly, decitantly. I'd have two hundred, all in a row. Two hundred candles echoed Joel in amazement. My walkity, what a lot. Don't say such dreadful words, Joel, put in Polly nervously stopping to pick up her spool of basting thread that was racing away all by itself. Tisent nice. Tisent worse than to wish you've got things you haven't, retorted Joel. I don't believe you'd light them all at once, he added incredulously. Yes, I would too, replied Polly recklessly. Two hundred of them, if I had a chance. All at once, so there, Joey Pepper. Oh, said little Davey, drawing alongside. Why, twidby, like heaven, Polly. But wouldn't it cost money, though? I don't care, said Polly, giving a flounce in her chair. Which snapped another thread. Oh, dear me, I didn't mean to, Mammy. Well, I wouldn't care how much money it cost. We'd have as much life as we wanted for once, so mercy, said Mrs. Pepper. You'd have the house of fire, two hundred candles, whoever heard of such a thing. Would they burn, asked Fronzie anxiously, getting up from the floor where she was crouching with David, overseeing Joel nail on the cover of an old box? Going to Polly's side, she waited her answer patiently. Burn, said Polly. There, that's done now, Mammy dear, and she put the coat with the last little pat into her mother's lap. I guess they would, Fronzie pet. And Polly caught up the little girl and spun around and around the old kitchen, till they were both glad to stop. Then, said Fronzie, as Polly put her down, and stood breathless after her last glorious spend. I do so wish we might, Polly. Oh, just this very one minute. And Fronzie clasped her fat little hands and wrapped her at the thought. Well, said Polly, giving a look up at the old clock in the corner. Dearing me, it's half past five and most time for Ben to come home. A way she flew to get supper. So for the next few moments, nothing was heard but the pulling out of the old table into the middle of the door, the laying the cloth, and all the other bustle attendant upon the being ready for Ben. Polly went skipping around, cutting the bread and bringing dishes. Only stopping long enough to fling some scraps of reassuring nonsense to the two boys, who were thoroughly dismayed at being obliged to remove their traps into a corner. Fronzie still stood just where Polly left her. Two hundred candles. Oh, what could it mean? She gazed up at the old beams overhead and around the dingy walls, into the old black stove with the fire nearly out, and then over everything the kitchen contained, trying to think out what it would seem, to have it bright and winsome and warm, to suit Polly. Oh, she screamed. Goodness, said Polly, taking her head out of the old cupboard in the corner. How you scared me, Fronzie? Would they ever go out? Asked the child gravely, still standing where Polly left her. What? Asked Polly, stopping with a dish of cold potatoes in her hand. What, Fronzie? Why, the candle, said the child, the ever and ever so many pretty lights. Oh, my senses cried, Polly, with a little laugh. Haven't you forgotten about that? Yes, no, that is, Fronzie. If we could have them at all, we wouldn't ever let them go out. Not once, asked Fronzie, coming up to Polly with a little skip and nearly upsetting her potatoes and all. Not once, Polly, truly? No, not forever and ever, said Polly. Take care, Fronzie. There goes a potato. No, we'd keep them always. No, you don't want to, said Mrs. Pepper. Coming out of the bedroom in time to catch the last words. They won't be good tomorrow. Better have them tonight, Polly. Ma'am, said Polly, setting down her potato dish on the table and staring at her mother with all her might. Have what, mother? Why, the potatoes, to be sure, replied Mrs. Pepper. Didn't you say you'd better keep them, child? Twas and potatoes at all, said Polly, with a little gas. Twas, dear me, here's Ben. For the door opened and Fronzie, with a scream of delight, bounded into Ben's arms. It's just Jolly, said Ben, coming in, his chubby face all aglow, and his big blue eyes shining so honest and true. Just Jolly to get home. Supper ready, Polly? Yes, said Polly, that is, all but. And she dashed off to get Fronzie's eating apron. Sometimes, said Fronzie, with her mouth half full, when the meal was nearly over. We're going to be awful rich, we are, Ben, truly. No, said Ben, affecting the most hearty astonishment. You don't say so, Chick. Yes, said Fronzie, shaking her yellow head very wisely at him, and diving down into her cup of very weak milk and water, to see if Polly had put any sugar in it by mistake. A proceeding always expectantly deserved. Yes, we are really, Benzie, very dreadful rich. I wish we could be rich now, then, said Ben, taking another generous slice of brown bread. And time for M.C.'s birthday. Any cast a sorrowful glance at Polly? I know, said Polly. Oh dear, if only we could celebrate it. I don't want any other celebration, said Miss Pepper, beaming on them, so that a little flash of sunshine seemed to hot bright down on the table. Then to look around at you all, I'm rich now, and that's a fact. M.C. don't mind her five fathers, said Polly, jumping up and running to hug her mother, thereby producing a light desire in all the others, who immediately left their seeds and followed her example. Mothers rich enough ejaculated Mrs. Pepper, her bright black eyes glistening with the light, as the noisy troop filed back to their bread and potatoes. We can only keep together, dears, and grow up good, so that the little brown house won't be ashamed of us. That's all I asked. Well, said Polly, in a burst of confidence to Ben, after the table had been pushed back against the wall and the dishes nicely washed, wiped, and set up neatly in the cupboard, and all chased the meal cleared away. I don't care. Let's try to get a celebration somehow for M.C. How are you going to do it, asked Ben, who was a decidedly practical turn of mind, and thus couldn't always follow Polly and her frights of imagination. I don't know, said Polly. But we must someway. Poo, that's no good, said Ben disdainfully. Then, seeing Polly's face, he added kindly, let's think, though, and perhaps there will be someway. Oh, I know, cried Polly in delight. I know the very thing. Then, let's make her kick, a big one, you know, and she'll see it when you bake it, said Ben, or else she'll smell it. And I'd be just as bad. No, she won't either, replied Polly. Don't you know she's going to help Mrs. Handerson tomorrow? So there. So she is, said Ben. Good for you, Polly. You always think of everything. And then, said Polly, with a comfortable little filling in her heart, that Ben's praise. Why, we can have it all out of the way, suspendedly, you know, when she comes home. And besides, Grandma Baskin will tell me how. You know, we've only got brown flour, Ben. I mean to go right over and ask her now. Oh no, you mustn't, cried Ben. Kept in hold of her arm as she was preparing to fly off. Man, you'll find out. Better wait till tomorrow. And besides, Polly, and Ben stopped, unwilling to dampen this propitious beginning. The stove will act like everything tomorrow. I know it will. Then what will you do? It shan't, said Polly, running up to look it in the face. If it does, I'll shake the mean old thing. The idea of Polly shaking the lumbering old black affair sent Ben into such a pill of laughter that it brought all the other children running to the spot, and nothing would do that. They must, one and all, be told the reason. So Polly and Ben took them into confidence, which so elated them that half an hour after, when long past her bedtime, Francie declared, I'm not going to bed. I want to sit up like Polly. Don't tease her, whispered Polly to Ben, who thought she ought to go. So she sat straight up in her little stool, winking like everything to keep awake. At last, as Polly was in the midst of one of her liveliest sallies, over-tumbled Francie, a sleepy little heap upon the floor. I want to go to bed, she said. Take me, Polly. I thought so, laughed Polly, and bundled her off into the bedroom. End of A Home View Chapter 2 Of Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. This recording by Amy Benton. Five Little Peppers and How They Grew by Margaret Sidney Chapter 2 Making Happiness for Momsie And so, the minute her mother had departed for the minister's house next morning, and Ben had gone on to his day's work, chopping wood for Deacon Blodget, Polly assembled her force around the old stove and proceeded to business. She and the children had been up be-times that morning to get through the work, and now, as they glanced around the look of pride at the neatly swept floor, the dishes all done, and everything in order, the moment their mother's back was turned, they began to implore Polly to hurry and begin. "'It's almost eleven o'clock,' said Joel, who, having no work to do outside that day, was prancing around, wild to help along the festivities. "'It's almost eleven o'clock, Polly Pepper. You won't have it done.' "'Oh, no, tisn't either, Joe,' said Polly, with a very flushed face and her arms full of kindlings, glancing up at the old clock as she spoke. "'Tisn't but quarter of nine. There, take care, Francie. You can't lift off the cover. Do help her, Davy.' "'No, let me!' cried Joel, springing forward. "'It's my turn. Dave got the shingles. It's my turn, Polly.' "'So it is,' said Polly. "'I forgot. There. She flung the wood and poked it all up in a nice little heap coaxingly. It can't help but burn. What a cake we'll have for Momsie!' "'It'll be so big,' cried Francie, hopping around on one set of toes, that Momsie won't know what to do, will she, Polly?' "'No, I don't believe she will,' said Polly gaily, stuffing in more wood. "'Oh, dear. There goes Ben's putty. It's all come out.' "'So it has,' said Joel, going around back of the stove to explore. And then, he added cheerfully, "'It's bigger than ever. Oh, it's an awful big hole, Polly.' "'Now whatever shall we do?' said Polly, in great distress. That hateful old crack! And Ben's clear off to deacon Blodgetts. "'I'll run and get him,' cried Joel briskly. "'I'll bring him home in ten minutes.' "'Oh, no. You must not, Joel,' cried Polly, in alarm. "'It wouldn't ever be right to take him off his work. Momsie wouldn't like it.' "'What will you do, then?' asked Joel, pausing on his way to the door. "'I'm sure I don't know,' said Polly, getting down on her knees to examine the crack. "'I shall have to stuff it with paper, I suppose.' "'Don't sway in,' said Joel scornfully. "'Don't you know you stuffed it before, last week?' "'I know,' said Polly. The small sigh, and sitting down on the floor, she remained quite still for a minute, with her two black hands thrust out straight before her. "'Can't you fix it?' asked Davy soberly, coming up. "'Then we can't have the cake.' "'Dear me,' exclaimed Polly, springing up quickly. "'Don't be afraid. We're going to have that cake. "'There, you ugly old thing you!' "'This to the stove. "'See what you've done!' "'And as two big tears flew out of Fronty's brown eyes "'of the direful prospect, and the sorrowful faces of the two boys "'looked up at Polly's own for comfort. "'I can fix it. I most know. "'Do get some paper, Joe, and quick as you can.' "'Don't know where there is any,' said Joel, rummaging around. "'It's all tore up except for the almanac. "'Can't I take that?' "'Oh, dear no,' cried Polly. "'Put it right back, Joe. "'I guess there's some in the woodshed.' "'There isn't either,' said little Davy quickly. Joel and I took it to make kites with. "'Oh, dear,' groaned Polly. "'I don't know what I shall do. "'Unless,' as a bright thought struck her, "'you let me have the kites, boys.' "'Can't,' said Joel. "'They're all flew away and torn up.' "'Well, now children,' said Polly, "'turning around impressively upon them, "'the effect of which was heightened "'by the extremely crocky appearance "'she had gained in her explorations. "'We must have some paper, "'or something to stop up that old hole with. "'Someway, there.' "'I know,' said little Davy. "'Where we'll get it. "'It's upstairs.' "'And without another word, "'he flew out of the room, "'and in another minute, "'he put into Polly's hand "'an old leather boot-top, "'one of his most treasured possessions. "'You can chip it,' he said, "'real fine, and then we'll go in.' "'So we can,' said Polly, "'and you're a real good boy, Davy, "'to give it. "'Well, that's a splendid present "'to help celebrate for Mamzy.' "'I'd have given a boot-top,' said Joel, looking grimly at the precious bit of leather, which Polly was rapidly stripping into little bits. "'If I had had it, I don't have anything.' "'I know you would, Joey,' said Polly kindly. "'There now. "'You'll stay, I guess.' "'As with the united efforts of the two boys, "'cheered on by Franzi's enthusiastic little crow of delight, "'the leather was crowded into place, "'and the fire began to burn.' "'Now, boys,' said Polly, "'getting up and drawing a long breath, "'I'm going over to Grandma Baskham's, "'to tell her, to tell me, "'how to make a cake. "'And then you must stay and keep house.' "'I'm going to nail,' said Joel. "'I've got lots to do.' "'All right,' said Polly, tying on her hood. "'Franzi'll love to watch you. "'I won't be gone long.' And she was off.' Grandma Baskham wasn't really the children's grandmother. Only everybody in the village called her so by courtesy. Her cottage was over across the lane, and just a bit around the corner. And Polly flew along and up to the door, fully knowing that now she would be helped out of her difficulty. She didn't stop to knock, as the old lady was so deaf she knew she wouldn't hear her, but opened the door and walked in. Grandma was sweeping up the floor, already as neat as a pin. When she saw Polly coming, she stopped and leaned on her broom. "'How's your ma?' she asked, when Polly had said, "'Good morning,' and then hesitated. "'Oh, Mammy's pretty well,' shouted Polly into the old lady's ear, "'and, to-morrow's, her birthday.' "'Tomorrow will be a bad day,' said Grandma. "'Oh, don't never say that. You mustn't borrow trouble, child.' "'I didn't,' said Polly. "'I mean, it's her birthday, Grandma.' This last was so loud, that Grandma's cat-border vibrated perceptibly. "'The land-sakes-tiz,' cried Mrs. Baskham delightedly. "'You don't say so.' "'Yes,' said Polly, and skipping around the old lady and giving her a small hug. "'And we're going to give her a surprise.' "'What's the matter with her eyes?' asked Grandma sharply, turning around and facing her. "'She's been a-sewing too steady, ain't she?' "'A surprise,' shouted Polly, standing on tiptoe to bring her mouth on the level with the old lady's ear. "'A cake, Grandma, a big one.' "'A cake,' exclaimed Grandma, dropping the broom to settle her cap, which Polly and her extreme endeavours to carry on the conversation had knocked slightly awry. "'Well, that'll be fine.' "'Yes,' said Polly, picking up the broom and flinging off her hood at the same time. "'And, oh, won't you please tell me how to make it, Grandma?' "'To be sure, to be sure,' cried the old lady, now delighted beyond major to give advice. "'I got splendid receipts. I'll get them right off,' and she ambled to the door of the pantry. "'I'll finish sweeping up,' said Polly, which Grandma didn't hear. So she took her the broom and sent it energetically and merrily, flying away to the tune of her own happy thoughts. "'Yes, they're right in here,' said Grandma, waddling back with an old tin teapot in her hand. "'Goodness, child, what a dust you kicked up! That ain't the way to sweep!' And she took the broom at a Polly's hand, who stood quite still in mortification. "'There,' she said, drawing it mildly over the few bits she could scrape together and gently coaxing them into a little heat. "'That's the way. And then they don't go all over the room.' "'I'm sorry,' began poor Polly. "'Taint any matter,' said Mrs. Baskham kindly, catching sight of Polly's discomfited face. "'Taint a mite of matter. You'll sweep better next time. Now let's go through the cake.' And putting the broom into the corner, she waddled back again to the table, followed by Polly, and proceeded to turn out the contents of the teapot in search of just the right receipt. But the right one didn't seem to appear. Not even after the teapot was turned upside down and shaken by both Grandma's and Polly's anxious hands. Every other receipt seemed to tumble out gladly and stare them in the face. Little dingy rolls of yellow paper, with an ancient odor of spice still clinging to them. But all efforts to find this particular one failed utterly. "'Won't some other one do?' asked Polly, in the interval of fruitless searching, when the Grandma bewailed and lamented and wondered where I could have put it. "'No, no, child,' answered the old lady. "'Now where do you suppose tis?' And she clapped both hands to her head to see if she could possibly remember. "'No, no, child,' she repeated. Why, they had it down to my niece Miranda's wedding. It was just elegant, light as a feather, and wasn't rich either.' She added, no eggs nor— "'Oh, I couldn't have eggs,' cried Polly, in amazement at the thought of such a luxury. "'We've only brown flour, Grandma, you know.' "'Well, you can make it of brown,' said Mrs. Baskham kindly. When the raisins in it tool look quite nice. "'Oh, we haven't any raisins,' answered Polly. "'Haven't any raisins?' echoed Grandma, looking at her over her spectacles. "'What are you going to put in?' "'Oh, cinnamon,' said Polly, briskly. "'We've got plenty of that, and it'll be good. I guess, Grandma.' She finished a bit anxiously. "'Anyway, we must have a cake. There isn't any other way to celebrate Mamsie's birthday.' "'Well, now,' said Grandma, bustling around, "'I shouldn't be surprised if you had real good luck, Polly, and your ma set ever so much by it now, if we could only confine that receipt.' And returning to the charge, she commenced to fumble among her bits of paper again. I shall never forget how they ate it, why there wasn't a crumb left, Polly.' "'Oh, dear,' said Polly, to whom Miranda's wedding-cake now became the height of her desires. "'If only you can find it. Can't I climb up and look on the pantry shelves?' "'Maybe it is there,' said Mrs. Baskham, slowly. "'You might try. Sometimes I do put things away, so as to have them safe.' So Polly got an old wooden chair, according to direction, and then mounted up on it, with Grandma below to direct. She handed down bowl after bowl, interspersed at the right intervals, with cracked tea-cups, and hand-less pitchers. But at the end of these exploration, Miranda's wedding-cake was further off than ever. "'Taint a might, a use,' at last said the old lady, sinking down in despair, while Polly perched at the top of a chair and looked at her. "'I must have given it away.' "'Can't I have the next best one, then?' said Polly despairingly, feeling sure that Miranda's wedding-cake would have celebrated the day just right. "'And I must hurry right home, please,' she added, getting down from the chair and tying on her hood, or Franzi won't know what to do.' So another receipt was looked over and selected, and with many changes and bits of advice, not to let the oven get too hot, etc., etc., Polly took the precious bit in her hand, and flew over home. "'Now we've got to,' she began bounding in merrily, with dancing eyes, but her delight had a sudden stop, as she brought up so suddenly at the sight within that she couldn't utter another word. Franzi was crouching, a miserable little heap of woe in one corner of mother's big calico-covered rocking chair, and crying bitterly, while Joel hung over her in the utmost concern. "'What's the matter?' gasped Polly, flinging the receipt on the table. She rushed up to the old chair and was down on her knees before it, her arms around the little figure. Franzi turned and threw herself into Polly's protecting arms, who gathered her up, and sitting down in the depths of the chair, comforted her as only she could. "'What is it?' she asked of Joel, who was nervously begging Franzi not to cry. "'Now tell me all that's happened.' "'I was a-nailing,' began Joel. "'Oh dear, don't cry, Franzi, do stop her, Polly.' "'Go on,' said Polly hoarsely. "'I was a-nailing,' began Joel slowly. "'And, and Davy's gone to get the peppermint,' he added, brightening up. "'Tell me, Joe,' said Polly, "'all that's been going on.' And she looks sternly into his face. "'Or I'll get Davy, too.' As little Davy came running back with a bottle of castor oil, which in his flurry he had mistaken for peppermint, this he presented with a flourished Polly, who was too excited to see it. "'Oh, no,' cried Joel in intense alarm. "'Davy isn't going to. "'I'll tell Polly, I will, truly.' "'Go on, then,' said Polly, "'tell it once, feeling as if somebody didn't tell pretty quick she should tumble over.' "'Well,' said Joel, gathering himself up with a fresh effort. The old hammer was shaking, and Franzi stuck her foot in the way, and I couldn't help it, Polly. "'No, I just couldn't, Polly.' "'Quick as a flash.' Polly tore off the old little shoe, and well-worn stalking, and brought it to light, Franzi's fat little foot. Tenderly taking hold of the white toes, the boys clustering around in greatest anxiety, she worked them back and forth and up and down. "'Nothing's broken,' she said at last, and drew a long breath. "'It's there,' said Franzi, through a rain of tears. "'It hurts, Polly.' And she began to wiggle the big toe, where around the nail was settling a small black spot. "'Poor little toe,' began Polly, cuddling up the suffering foot. Just then a small and peculiar noise struck her ear, and looking up she saw Joel, with a very distorted face making violent efforts to keep from bursting out into a loud cry. All his attempts, however, failed. He flung himself into Polly's lap in a perfect torrent of tears. "'I didn't mean to, Polly,' he cried, twas the ugly old hammer, oh dear!' "'There, there, Joey dear,' said Polly, gathering him up in the other corner of the old chair, close by her side. "'Don't feel bad? I know you didn't mean to.' She dropped a kiss onto his stubby black hair. When Franzi saw that anybody else could cry, she stopped immediately, and leaning over Polly, put one little fat hand on Joel's neck. "'Don't cry,' she said, "'does your toe ache?' At this Joel screamed louder than ever, and Polly was at her wit's end to know what to do, for the boy's heart was almost broken. That he could have heard Franzi, the baby, the pet of the whole house, upon whom all their hearts centered. It was too much. So for the next few moments, Polly had all she could do by way of comforting and consoling him. And just as she had succeeded, the door opened, and Grandma Baskham walked in. "'Setting down,' said she, "'I hope your cake ain't in, Polly,' looking anxiously at the stove. "'For I've found it!' She waved a small piece of paper triumphantly towards the rocking chair as she spoke. "'Do tell her,' said Polly, to little David, "'what's happened, for I can't get up?' So little Davy went up to the old lady, and standing on Tiptoe, screamed into her ear all the particulars he could think of, concerning the accident that had just happened. "'Hey!' said Grandma, and perfect bewilderment, "'what's he saying, Polly? I can't make it out!' "'You'll have to go over it again,' David said Polly, despairingly. She didn't hear one word, I don't believe. So David tried again, this time with better success. And then he got down from his Tiptoes and escorted Grandma to Franzi in flushed triumph. "'Land, alive!' said the old lady, sitting down on the chair which he'd brought her. "'You got pounded, did you?' Looking at Franzi, she took the little foot in her ample hand. "'Yes, sir,' said Polly quickly. "'It wasn't any one's fault. What do we do for it, Grandma?' "'Wormwood,' said the old lady, adjusting her spectacles in extreme deliberation, and then examining the little black and blue spot which was spreading rapidly. "'It's a very best thing, and I've got some to home.' "'You run right over,' she said, turning round on David quickly, and get it. It's a hangin' by the chimney.' "'Let me, let me,' cried Joel, springing out of the old chair. So suddenly the Grandma's spectacles nearly dropped off in fright. "'Oh, I want to do it for Franzi!' "'Yes, let Joel, please,' put in Polly. "'He'll find it, Grandma.' So Joel departed with great speed, and presently returned with a bunch of dry herbs, which dangled comfortingly by his side as he came in. "'Now I'll fix it,' said Mrs. Baskham, getting up and taking off her shawl. "'There's a few raisins for you, Polly. I don't want them, and they'll make your cake go better.' She placed a little parcel on the table as she spoke. "'Yes, I'll put it to steep, and after it's put on real strong and tied up in her old cloth, Franzi won't know she's got any toes.' And Grandma broke up a generous supply of the herb, and put it into an old tin cup, which she covered up with a saucer, and placed on the stove. "'Oh,' said Polly, "'I can't thank you. For the raisins and all, you're so good.' "'They're awful hard,' said Joel, investigating into the bundle with Davy, which, however, luckily, the old lady didn't hear. "'There, don't try,' she said cheerily. And I found Cousin Miranda's wedding-cake receipt, for did you?' cried Polly. "'Oh, I'm so glad.' Feeling as if that were comfort enough for a good deal. "'Yes, it was in my Bible,' said Mrs. Baskham. I remember now I put it there to be ready to give John's folks when they come in. They wanted it. So you go o' straight now, and I must get home, for I left some meat to boil in.' So Grandma put on her shawl and waddled off, leaving a great deal of comfort behind her. "'Now,' says I,' said Polly to Fronze, when the little foot was snugly tied up in wet wormwood. "'You've got to have one of Mamzy's old slippers.' "'Ho, ho, ho!' laughed Fronze. "'Won't that be funny, Polly?' "'I should think it would,' laughed Polly back again, pulling on the big cloth slipper, which Joel produced from the bedroom. The two boys joining up roriously as the old black thing flapped dismally up and down, showing strong symptoms of flying off. "'We shall have to tie it on.' "'It looks like a puddin' bag,' said Joel, as Polly tied it securely through the middle with a bit of twine. "'An old black puddin' bag,' he finished. "'Old black puddin' bag,' echoed Fronze with the married little crow. Then all of a sudden she grew very sober, and looked intently at the foot, thrust out before her as she sat still in the chair. "'What is it, Fronze?' asked Polly, who was bustling around, making preparations for the cake-making. "'Can I ever wear my new shoes again?' asked the child gravely, looking dismally at the black bundle before her. "'Oh, yes! My goodness, yes!' cried Polly. "'As quick again as ever you'll be round again, as smart as a cricket in a week. See if you aren't!' "'Will it go on?' asked Fronze, still looking incredulously at the bundle. "'And button up?' "'Yes, indeed,' cried Polly again, button into every one of those little holes, Fronze Pepper, just as elegant as ever. "'Oh!' said Fronze. Then she gave a sigh of relief and thought no more of it, because Polly had said that all would be right. END OF CHAPTER II So cold because, as Polly said, it was a good place to keep provisions in, even if we haven't any, and besides, she always finished. It sounds nice. "'Come on, Dave, then we'll get something to eat.' So the cinnamon was handed up and then Joel flew back to Davy. And now Polly's cake was done and ready for the oven, with many admiring glances from herself and Fronze, who was the Raffina, an extremely old but greatly revered doll, tightly hugged in her arms, was watching everything with the biggest of eyes from the depths of the old chair. It was placed in the oven. The door shut with a happy little bang, then Polly gathered Fronze up in her arms and sat down in the chair to have a good time with her and to watch the process of cooking. There was a bumping noise that came from the Provisional Room, that sounded ominous and then a smarter sound of words, followed by a scuffling or the old floor. "'Boys, call Polly.' No answer. Everything was just as still as a mouse. Joel and David called Polly again in her loudest tones. "'Yes?' came up the crooked stairs in Davy's voice. "'Come up here right away,' went back again from Polly. So up the stairs touched two boys and presented themselves rather sheepishly before the big chair. "'What was the noise?' she asked. "'What have you been doing?' "'It wasn't anything but the pail,' answered Joel, not looking at her. "'We had something to eat,' said Davy, by way of explanation. "'You always let us.' "'I know,' said Polly. "'That's right. You can have as much bread as you want to. But what have you been doing with the pail?' "'Nothing,' said Joel. "'It wouldn't hang up. That's all.' "'And you have been bumping it,' said Polly. "'Oh, Joel, how could you? You might have broken it. Then what would Memsy say?' "'I didn't.' Said Joel stoutly, with his hands in his pockets, "'Bump it, wasn't Davy. So dare!' "'Why, Davy,' said Polly, turning to him sorrowfully. "'I shouldn't have thought you would.' "'Well, I'm tired of hanging it up,' said little Davy vehemently. "'And I said it wasn't a going to. Joel always makes me. "'I've done it for a million times, I guess.' "'Oh, dear,' said Polly, thinking back into the chair. "'I don't know what I shall ever do.' "'Here's Francy heard, and we want to celebrate tomorrow. "'And you boys are bumping and banging "'out the bright pail end.' "'Oh, we won't. "'Crite both the children perfectly overwhelmed with remorse. "'We'll hang it right up.' "'I'll hang it up,' said Davy, clattering off down the stairs with the bell. "'No, I will,' shouted Joel, going after him at double pace, "'and presently both came up with shining faces "'and reported it nicely done.' "'And now,' said Polly, after that all sat around the stove "'another half hour, watching and sniffing expectantly. "'The cake is done. "'Dear me, it's turning black.' "'And quickly as possible, Polly twitched it out with energy "'and set it on the table. "'Oh, dear, of all the things in the world, "'the beautiful cake, all which so many hopes have been formed, "'that was to have given so much happiness on the more to their dear mother, "'present the following appearance as it stood there "'in anything but holiday attire. "'It was quite black on the top and the center of which "'was a depressing little dump, as if to say, "'my feelings won't allow me to rise to the occasion. "'Now,' said Polly, turning away with a little fling "'and looking at the stove. "'I hope you are satisfied, you old thing. "'You have spoiled our mums' birthday, "'and beside a bit of warning, she sat right down in the middle of the floor "'and began to cry as hard as she could. "'Well, I never,' said a cheery voice, "'that made the children skip. "'It's Mrs. Beep. "'Oh, it's Mrs. Beep,' cried Davy. "'See, Polly.' Polly scummeled up to her feet, "'ashamed to be caught thus, and whisked away the tears. "'The others explained to the new visitor "'the sad disappointment that had befallen them. "'She was soon owing and eyeing enough "'to suit even their distressed little souls. "'You poor creatures, you,' she exclaimed at last, "'for about the fiftieth year's time. "'Here, Polly, here's some poses for your end.' "'Oh, thank you,' cried Polly, with a radiant face. "'Why, Mrs. Beep, can we put them in here? "'Can we?' "'The very thing.' "'And she said a little note of flowers "'in the hollow of the cake, "'and there they stood and nodded away "'to the delighted children, "'like brief little comforts as they were. "'The very thing,' echoed Mrs. Beep, "'tickled to death to see the delight. "'It looks beautiful, I declare. "'And now I must run right along, a pile bewaring. "'And so the good woman trotted out to a waiting husband, "'and was impatient to be off. "'Mr. Beep kept a little shoe shop in town, "'and all his being of the impression, "'if he left it for ten minutes, "'that crowds of customers would visit it. "'He was the most restless of companions "'on any flesh-axed coercion. "'And Francis got hurt,' said Mrs. Beep, "'telling him the news as he finished tucking up "'and started the old whores. "'Who? You don't say so,' he cried. "'Dear me,' said Mrs. Beep, "'how you scared me, pal, what's the matter?' "'What, the little girl that bought the shoes?' asked her husband. "'Yes,' replied his wife. "'She's hurt her foot.' "'Shoe now,' said the old gentleman. "'That's too bad.' "'And they began to fill in all his pockets industriously. "'There, you can get out again and take her dead. "'And they laid a small piece of peppermint candy. "'Sick and white in his wife's lap.' "'Oh, yes,' cried Mrs. Beep, "'goodnaturedly, beginning to clamber over the wheel. "'So the candy was handed into Francie, "'who insisted that the poly should hold her up "'to the window to thank Mr. Beep. "'So amid nuts and shakings of hands, "'the Beep strove off, "'inquired, settled down over the little brown house again. "'Now, children,' said Polly, "'after Francie had made them take a bite "'of their candy all round. "'Let's get the cake put away safe, "'for M.C. may come home early. "'Where will you put it?' asked Joel, "'wishing the world was all peppermint candy. "'Oh, in the cupboard,' said Polly, "'taking it up. "'There, Joe, you can climb up "'and put the clear back in the corner. "'Oh, wait, I must take the poses off "'and keep them fresh in water.' "'So the cake was finally deposited "'in a place of safety, "'followed by the eyes of all the children.' "'Now,' said Polly, "'as they shut the door tight. "'Don't you go looking at that cupboard, Joel, "'or M.C. will guess something. "'Can't they just open the little crack "'and take one smell when she isn't looking?' "'Ask Joel. "'I should sink your might, Polly, just one.' "'No,' said Polly, firmly, "'not one, Joe. "'She'll guess if you do.' "'But Mrs. Pepper was so utterly "'engrossed with her baby, "'and she came home and heard the account "'of the accident that she wouldn't have guessed "'if there had been a dozen cakes in the cupboard. "'Joel was consoled, "'as his mother assured him in a satisfactory way "'that she should never think of blaming him. "'And Francie was comforted and coddled "'to her heart's content. "'So the evening passed rapidly and happily away. "'Ben smuggled Francie off into a corner "'where she told him all the doings of the day, "'the disappointment of the cake, "'and how it was finally crowned with flowers, "'all of which Francie, with no small pride "'in being the narrator, "'related gravely to an absorbed listener. "'And don't you think, Benzie?' "'She said, clasping her little hand "'in a convincing way of his two bigger, stronger ones. "'The Polly stoves were naughty to make Polly cry. "'Yes, I do,' said Ben, "'and he shut his lips tightly together, "'to have Polly cry hurt him more "'than he cared to have Francie see. "'What are you staring at, Jo?' asked Polly "'a few minutes later, as her eyes fell upon Joel, "'who said we suspect the cupboard, "'persistently gazing at the opposite wall. "'Why, you told me yourself not to look at the cupboard, "'the Joel, in the loudest of stage whispers. "'Dear me, that'll make Mammy suspect "'first in anything else if you look like that,' said Polly. "'What did you say about the cupboard?' asked Mrs. Pepper, "'who called Jo's last word. "'We can't tell,' said Francie, "'shaking her head at her mother, "'cause there's a key.' "'Polly clapped her hand over the child's mouse. "'Don't you want Ben to tell us a story?' "'Oh, yes,' cried little Francie, "'in which all the others joined with the whoop of delight. "'So a most wonderful story drawn up in Ben's best style "'followed till bedtime. "'The first thing Polly did in the morning "'was to run to the old cupboard, "'followed by all the others to see if the cake was safe. "'And then it had to be drawn out "'and dressed anew with the flowers, "'for they had decided to have it on the breakfast table. "'It looks better, whispered Polly to Ben, "'than it did yesterday, and the flowers pretty. "'It looks good enough to eat anyway, "'the Ben was making its lips. "'Well, we tried,' said Polly, "'stealing a sigh. "'Now, boys, call Mammy, everything's ready.' "'Oh, how surprised the mother appeared "'when she was ushered out to the feast, "'and the full glory of the table burst upon her. "'Her delight in the cake was fully enough "'to satisfy the most exacting mind. "'She admired and admired it on every side, "'protesting that she shouldn't have supposed "'Polly could possibly have baked it as good in the old stove. "'And then she cut it and gave a piece to every child "'with a little posy on top. "'Wasn't it good, though? "'For like many other things, "'the cake proved better and trial than it looked, "'and so it turned out to be "'really quite a good surprise all round. "'Why can't I ever have a birthday?' asked Joel, "'finishing the last crumb of his piece. "'I should think I might,' he added reflectively. "'Why, you have, Joel,' said Ben, eight of them. "'What the story, it circulated Joel. "'When did I have them and never had a cake? "'Did I, Polly?' "'Not a cake burst, said his mother. "'You haven't got that yet. "'When the coming, asked Joel, "'was decidedly of a matter of fact turn of mind. "'I don't know,' said Mrs. Pepper-loving, "'but there's plenty of time ahead.' "'End of Chapter 3, Recording by Ellie, October 2009. "'Chapter 4 of Five Little Peppers and How They Grow.' "'This is a LibriVox recording. "'All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. "'For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. "'Recording by Ellie, Five Little Peppers and How They Grow, "'by Margaret Sidney. "'Chapter 4, Trouble for the Little Brown House.' "'Oh, I do wish,' said Joel a few mornings after. "'Pushing back his chair and looking this content lettuce ball "'of mash and molasses. "'That we could have something new "'besides this everlasting old breakfast. "'Why can't we, Mammy? "'But to be glad you've got that, Joel,' said Mrs. Pepper, "'taking another cold potato "'and sprinkling on a little salt. "'Forg shouldn't complain so long as they have anything to eat. "'But I'm so tired of it. "'Same old thing. "'Coward Joel. "'Seems as if I should turn into a meal bag "'or a molasses chuck.' "'Well, handed over then, proposed Ben, "'who was unusually hungry "'and had a hard day's work before him. "'No,' said Joel, alarmed at the prospect "'and putting in an enormous mouthful, "'it's better than nothing. "'Oh, dear,' said little Francie, catching Joel's tone, "'it isn't nice. "'No, it isn't.' "'And she put down her spoon so suddenly "'that the molasses spun off in a big drop "'that trailed off the corner of the table "'and made Paulie jump up and run for the floor gloss. "'Oh, Francie,' she said reprovingly, "'you oughtn't, too. "'Never mind, Pat, as she caught sight "'of two big tears trying to make it pass "'in the little molasses-stricked face. "'Paulie will wipe it up.' "'Shant we ever have anything else to eat, Paulie?' "'asked the child gravely, "'getting down from her high chair "'to watch the operation of cleaning the floor. "'Oh, yes,' said Paulie cheerfully, "'lots and lots, when our ship comes in. "'What will there be?' asked Francie "'in the greatest delight prepared for anything. "'Oh, I don't know,' said Paulie. "'Ice cream for one thing, Francie, "'and maybe little cakes. "'This pink on top interrupted Francie "'getting down by Paulie's side. "'Oh, yes,' said Paulie, "'warming with the subject. "'Ever and ever so much pink, Francie Pepper, "'more than you could eat. "'Francie just clasped her hands inside. "'More than she could eat was beyond her. "'Oh, such shawl, "'who caught the imaginary bill of fare, "'that's nothing, Paulie, at speak of plum pudding. "'Like the one mother made us for Thanksgiving,' "'asked Paulie, getting up and waiting a minute, "'clasped in hand for the answer. "'Yes, sir,' said Joel, "'shutting one eye and looking up at the ceiling musingly, "'while he smacked his lip in remembrance. "'Wasn't that prime, though?' "'Yes, that Paulie thoughtfully. "'Wouldn't you have him all like that, Joe?' "'Everyone,' replied Joe Bruntley. "'I'd have seventy-five of them.' "'Seventy-five of what?' asked Mrs. Pepper, "'who had gone into the bedroom and now came out, "'a coat in hand to sit down in the west window, "'where she began to see you rapidly. "'Better clean up the dishes, Paulie, "'and set the table back. "'Seventy-five of what, Joel?' "'Plum puddings,' said Joel, kissing Francie. "'Dear me, ejaculated Mrs. Pepper, "'you don't know what you are saying, Joel Pepper. "'The house couldn't hold them.' "'We'd eat them,' responded Joel. "'That would be foolish,' interposed Ben. "'I'd have roast beef and fixings, "'and oyster, and huckleberry by.' "'Oh, dear,' cried Paulie, "'how nice, Ben! "'You always do think of the very best things.' "'While Joel food and declared that he wouldn't waste his time "'over old beef, he'd have something like.' "'And then he cried, "'Come on, Dave, what do you choose?' "'Middle-day we had been quietly eating his breakfast "'and with all this chatter, "'and some were thinking it might make the matter feel badly. "'He had reframed from saying how tiresome "'he had rarely found his everlasting breakfast,' "'as Joel called it. "'But now he looked up eagerly, his answer all ready.' "'Oh, I know,' he cried. "'What would be most beautiful? "'Toasted bread, white bread, "'and candy. "'What's candy?' asked Franzi. "'Oh, don't you know Franzi?' cried Paulie. "'But Mrs. Beep gave you the day you got your shoes, "'the pink stick's end. "'And the peppermint stick Mr. Beep gave you, Franzi, "'finished Joel, with mouse watering and their membranes. "'That day, when you got your toe pounded, "'added Davey looking at Joel. "'Oh,' cried Franzi, "'I want some now, I do. "'Well, Davey,' said Paulie, "'you shall have that for breakfast "'when our ship comes in then. "'Your ships aren't ever coming,' "'broke Mrs. Pepper wisely. "'If you sit there talking, "'Forks don't ever make any fortunes by wishing. "'Through enough, love-bin, "'jumping up and setting back his chair. "'Come on, Joel, you've got to pile today.' "'Oh, dear,' said Joel, dismally. "'I wish Mr. Blodgett's wood was all a fire.' "'Never say that, Joel,' said Mrs. Pepper, "'looking up sternly. "'It's biting your own nose off to wish that wood was a fire, "'and besides, it's dreadfully wicked.' Joel hung his head, for his mother never spoke in that way unless she was strongly moved, but he soon recovered and hastened off for his checkered. "'I'm sorry I can't help you to do the dishes, Paulie,' said David, running after Joel. "'I'm going to help her,' said Franzi. "'I am.' So Paulie got the little wooden tub that she always used, gave Franzi a well-worn cup napkin, and allowed to wipe the handless cups and cracked sources, which afforded the little one intense delight. "'Don't you wish, Paulie,' said little Franzi, bustling around with the very important air, nearly smothered in the depths of the big brown apron that Paulie had carefully tied under her chin, that you didn't ever and ever have so many dishes to do. "'Mmm, maybe,' said Paulie thoughtlessly. She was thinking of something else besides cups and sources just then. "'Of how nice it would be to go off for just one day, "'and do exactly as she had in mind to in everything. "'She even ended with Ben and the boys, "'who were going to work hard at Dick and Blodgett's wood pile.' "'Well, I tell you,' said Franzi confidentially, setting down a cup that she abolished with great care. "'I am going to do them all tomorrow. "'For you, Paulie, I can truly let me know, Paulie, do.' "'Nonsense,' said Paulie, giving a great splash with her mop in the tub, ashamed of her inward repinings. "'Franzi, you are no bigger than a mouse.' "'Yes, I am,' retorted Franzi very indignantly. Her face began to get very red, and she straightened up so suddenly to show Paulie just how big she was, that her little head came against the edge of the tub. "'Oh, wait, Vend, a pile of saucers followed. "'There now,' cried Paulie, "'see what you have done. "'Oh,' whimpered Franzi, breaking into a subdued roar. "'Oh, Paulie, it's all running down my back. "'Is it?' said Paulie, bursting out into a laugh. "'Never mind, Franzi, I'll try you.' "'Tie me, Paulie,' said Mrs. Pepper, who had looked up in time to see the tub raising along by itself towards the provision-room door, a stream of dishwater following in its wake. "'She'll be wet clear through to get her fessings quick.' "'Yes, I'm,' cried Paulie, picking up the tub and giving two or three quick sops on the floor. "'Here you are, Pussy,' grasping Franzi, crying as she was and carrying her into the bedroom. "'Oh, dear,' wailed the child, still holding the wet dish tall. "'I won't ever do it again, if you'll only let me do it all tomorrow.' "'When you are big and strong,' said Paulie, giving her a hug, "'you shall do it every day.' "'May I really?' said little Franzi, blinking through the tears and looking radiant. "'Guess truly, every day.' "'Then I'll grow up right away.' "'I will,' said Franzi bursting out merrily, and she sat down and pulled off the velvety shoes into which a big pool of dishwater had run while Paulie went for dry stockings. "'So you shall,' said Paulie, coming back, with a big piece of gingerbread in her hand, "'and this will make you grow, Franzi.' "'Oh!' "'And Franzi's little white teeth shut down quickly in the comforting morsel. Gingerbread did not come often enough into the pepper household to be lightly esteemed. "'Now,' said Mrs. Pepper, when order was restored, the flour washed up brightly and every cup and platter in place, hobnobbing away to themselves on the shelves of the old corner cupboard, and Paulie had come as usual with needle and thread to help mother. Paulie was getting so, that she could do the plainer parts of the coats and jackets, which failed her with pride at the very thought. "'Now,' said Mrs. Pepper, "'you needn't help me this morning, Paulie. "'I'm getting on pretty smart, "'but you may just run down to the parson's and see how he is.' "'Is he sick?' asked Paulie in awe. "'To have the parson sick "'was something quite different "'from an ordinary person's illness. "'He is taken with a gel, "'said Mrs. Pepper, biting off his thread. "'So Mrs. Haliforsum told me last night, "'and I'm afraid he's going to have a fever. "'Oh dear!' said Paulie in dire distress. "'Whatever'd we do, Mammy?' "'And no, I'm sure,' replied Mrs. Pepper, "'setting her stitches firmly. "'The Lord will provide. "'So you run along, child, and see how he is.' "'Can't front you go?' asked Paulie, "'pausing halfway to the bedroom door. "'Well, yes, as opposed she might,' "'said Mrs. Pepper assentingly. "'Now she can't either,' said Paulie, "'coming back with a thumb-bonnet in her hand, "'and chatting the door carefully after her, "'cause she's fast asleep on the floor. "'Is she?' said Mrs. Pepper. "'Well, she's been running so this morning. "'She's tired, as opposed. "'And her face is dreadfully red, "'continue Paulie, tying on her bonnet. "'Now what will I say, Mammy?' "'Well, I should think it would be,' "'said Mrs. Pepper, "'replying to the first half of Paulie's speech. "'She cried so. "'Well, you just tell Mrs. Henderson. "'Your ma wants to know how Mr. Henderson is this morning, "'and if it was a chill here at yesterday, "'and how he slept last night and...' "'Oh, ma,' said Paulie, "'I can't ever remember all that.' "'Oh, yes, you can,' said Mrs. Pepper, "'encouragingly. "'Just put your mind to it, Paulie. "'Isn't anything to what I used to have to remember "'when I was a little girl or bigger than you are? "'Pollie sighed, and feeling sure that something "'must be the matter with her mind, "'give your whole attention to the errand, "'till at last of the multiplicity of messages and charges, "'not to forget any one of them,' "'Mrs. Pepper let it part.' "'Up to the old-fashioned green door with its brass knocker, "'Pollie went, running over in her mind, "'just which of the messages she ought to give first. "'She couldn't for her life think, "'whether if it was the chill he had yesterday, "'Ought to come before how he slept. "'She knocked timidly. "'Hoping Mrs. Henderson would help her out of her difficulty "'by telling her without the asking. "'All the other dozen batches were ornaments, "'only opened on grand occasions, "'like a wedding or funeral. "'But the ministers was excessively alike to all, "'so Paulie let fall the knocker, and awaited the answer. "'Iscuffling noise sounded along the passage, "'and then Paulie's soul sank down in dire dismay. "'It was the minister's sister, "'and not gentle little Mrs. Henderson. "'She never cookered on with Mr. Rosha in the least. "'She made her feel as she told her mother once, "'as if you don't know what my name is. "'And now here she was, and all those messages. "'Mr. Rosha bolted the door, slid back the great bar, "'open the upper half and stood there. "'She was a big woman, with sharp black eyes and spectacles, "'or which she looked, which to Paulie was much worse, "'for that gave her four eyes. "'Well, and what do you want?' she asked. "'I came to see, I mean, my ma sent me, "'is them a poor Paulie. "'And who's your ma?' demanded Mr. Rosha, "'as much like a policeman is anything. "'And where do you live?' "'I live in Primrose Lane,' replied Paulie, "'wishing very much that you was back there. "'I don't want to know where you live before I know who you are,' said Mr. Rosha. "'You should answer the question I asked first. "'Always remember that.' "'My ma is Mrs. Pepper,' said Paulie. "'Mrs. Who?' repeated Mr. Rosha. "'By this time Paulie was so one, "'that she came very near turning and fleeing, "'but she thought of her mother's disappointment in her, "'and the loss of the news, and stood quite still. "'What is it, Jerusha? "'A gentle voice here broke upon Paulie's ear. "'I don't know,' responded Mr. Rosha, tightly, "'still holding the door, much as if Paulie were a robber. "'It's a little girl, and I can't make out what she wants. "'Why, it's Paulie Pepper,' exclaimed Mrs. Henderson pleasantly. "'Come in, child.' "'She opened the other half of the big door, "'and let the way throw the white hall into a big old-fashioned room, "'with painted floor and high, old sideboard, "'and some stiff, back-talking chairs. "'Mr. Rosha stuck in also and seated herself "'by the window and began to knit. "'Paulie had just opened her mouth to tell her errand, "'and the door also opened suddenly, "'and Mr. Henderson walked in. "'Oh,' said Paulie, and then she stopped, "'and the color flashed up into her face. "'What is it, my dear?' "'And the minister took her hand kindly, "'and looked down into her flashed face. "'You're not going to have a fever and be sick and die?' "'She cried. "'I hope not, my little girl.' "'He smiled back encouragingly. "'And then Paulie gave her messages, "'which now she managed easily enough. "'There, broken Mr. Rosha, a cat can't sneeze in this town, "'but everybody'll know it in a quarter of an hour. "'And then Mrs. Henderson took Paulie out "'to see a brood of new little chicks, "'that had just popped their heads out into the world. "'And to Paulie down on her knees admiring, "'the time passed very swiftly indeed. "'Now I must go, ma'am,' she said at last, "'looking up into the lady's face regretfully, "'for ma'am didn't say I was to stay. "'Very well, dear. "'Do you think you could carry a little pet of butter? "'I have some very nice messisters sent me, "'and I want your mother to share it.' "'Oh, thank you, ma'am, cried Paulie, "'thinking how glad they will be, "'for it does so love butter only.' "'Wait a bit, then,' said Mrs. Henderson, "'who didn't seem to notice the objection. "'So she went into the house, "'and Paulie went down again in admiration "'before the fascinating little puffballs. "'But she was soon on the way "'with a little pet of butter and a blue ball, "'tried over with a clean gloss, "'happy in her gift for Mammy, "'and in the knowledge of the minister being all well. "'I wonder if Francie's awake.' "'She saw to herself turning into the little brown gate. "'If she is, she shall have a piece of bread "'with lots of butter. "'Hush,' said Mrs. Pepper, "'from the rocking chair in the middle of the floor. "'She had something in her arms. "'Paulie stopped suddenly, almost letting the ball fall. "'It's Francie, said the mother, "'and I don't know what the matter is with her. "'You'll have to go for the Dr. Paulie, "'and just as fast as you can.' "'Paulie still stood, holding the ball, "'and staring with all her might. "'Francie's sick. "'Don't wake her,' said Mrs. Pepper. "'Poor Paulie couldn't have stood "'to save her life for a minute. "'Then she said, "'Where shall I go?' "'Oh, run to Dr. Fishes, and don't belong.' "'Paulie sat down the ball of butter, "'and spat on the wings of the wind for the doctor. "'Something dreadful was the matter,' she felt. "'Francie never had a physician "'when summoned to the hearty pepper family, "'since she could remember, "'only when her father died. "'Fearl and spit to her feet, "'and soon the doctor came, "'and bent over poor little Francie, "'who still lay in her mother's arms in a burning fever. "'It's measles,' he pronounced. "'That's all, no cause for alarm.' "'You ever had it?' he asked, "'turning suddenly around on Paulie, "'who was watching with wide open eyes for the verdict. "'No, sir,' answered Paulie, "'not knowing in the least what measles was. "'What shall we do?' said Mrs. Pepper. "'They haven't any of them had it.' "'The doctor was over by the little table under the window, "'mixing up some black-looking stuff in the tumbler, "'and he didn't hear her. "'There,' he said, "'putting a spoonful into Francie's mouth. "'She'll get along well enough, "'only keep her out of the cold.' "'Then he pulled out the big silver watch. "'He was a little thin man, and the watch was immense. "'Paulie for her life couldn't keep her eyes off from it. "'If Ben could only have one so fine.' "'Paulie,' whispered Mrs. Pepper, "'run and get my purse. "'It's in the top euro drawer.' "'Yes,' said Paulie, "'taking her eyes off by a violent wrench "'from the fascinating watch. "'And she rang quickly and got the old stocking leg, "'where the hard earnings that stayed long enough "'to be put anywhere always fund refuge. "'She put it into her mother's lap, "'and watched her Mrs. Pepper count it out slowly, "'one dollar in small pieces. "'Here, sir,' said Mrs. Pepper, "'holding them out towards the doctor, "'and thank you for coming. "'A,' said the little man, spinning round, "'that doll is the Lord's. "'Mrs. Pepper looked bewildered "'and still said holding it out. "'And the Lord has given it to you "'to take care of these children with. "'See that you do it. "'And without another word he was gone. "'Wasn't he good, Mammy?' asked Paulie, "'after the first surprise was over. "'I am sure he was,' said Mrs. Pepper. "'Well, tie it up again, Paulie. "'Tie it up tight. "'You shall want it, I am sure, "'sighing at the little sick girl.' "'May I take, Fransima?' asked Paulie. "'No, no,' said Fransi. "'She got Mammy, "'and she meant to improve the privilege. "'But these measles anyway, Mammy?' "'asked Paulie, sitting down on the floor at her feet. "'Oh, this something children always have,' "'replayed Mrs. Pepper. "'But I'm sure hoped it wouldn't come just yet. "'I shan't have it,' said Paulie decisively. "'I know I shan't. "'Nor Ben, nor Joe, nor Davey, I guess.' "'She added hesitantly, "'for Davey was the delicate one in the family, "'at least not nearly so strong as the others.' "'Mrs. Pepper looked at her anxiously, "'but Paulie seemed as bright and healthy as ever "'as she jumped up and ran to put the kettle on the stove. "'What will the boys say I wonder?' "'She saw to herself, feeling quite important, "'that they really had a sickness in the house. "'As long as Francie wasn't dangerous, "'it seemed quite like rich folks, "'and she forgot the toil and the kind of poverty. "'She looked out from time to time as she passed the window, "'but no boys came. "'I'll put her in bed, Paulie, said Mrs. Pepper in a whisper, "'as Francie closed her eyes and breathed regularly. "'And then will you have your dinner, Mam? "'Yes, said Mrs. Pepper. "'I don't care if the boys come. "'The boys will never come, said Paulie impatiently. "'I don't believe. "'Why, here they are now.' "'Oh, dear,' said Joel, coming in grossly. "'I'm so hungry. "'Oh, butter, where'd you get it? "'I thought we should never get here.' "'I thought so too, said Paulie. "'Hush, why, where's Ben?' "'He's just back, began Joel commanding to eat. "'And, David, something is the matter with Ben. "'He says he feels funny.' "'Something the matter with Ben?' "'Repeated Paulie. "'She dropped a cup she held, "'which broke in a dozen pieces. "'Oh, walkie, grab Joel. "'See what you have done, Paulie Pepper. "'But Paulie didn't hear. "'Or the big flat door stone she sped "'and met Ben his little David coming in the gate. "'His face was just like Francis. "'And with the cold heavy feeling at your heart, "'Paulie realized that this was no play. "'Oh, Ben,' she cried, flinging her arms around his neck "'and bursting into tears. "'Don't. "'Please, I wish you wouldn't. "'Francis got them, and that's enough.' "'Got what?' asked Ben, "'while David's eyes grew to the widest proportions. "'Oh, measles,' cried Paulie bursting out the fresh. "'The hatefulest, horridest measles. "'And now you are taken. "'Oh, no, I'm not,' responded Ben cheerfully, "'who knew what measles were. "'Right up, Paulie. "'I'm all right. "'Only my head aches and my eyes feel funny.' "'But Paulie only half reassured, controlled her sobs, "'and the sorrowful trio repaired to mother. "'Oh, dear,' ejaculated Mrs. Pepper, "'sinking in a chair in dismay at the sight "'of Ben's red face. "'What the hell we do now? "'The province day of her life "'would be taken if Ben should be laid aside. "'Nomastry half a quarter dollars "'who come to help her out "'and she didn't know where to turn. "'Paulie cleared off the deserted table. "'For once, Joel had all the bread and butter he wanted. "'Ben took some of Fonze's medicine "'and crawled up into the loft to bed, "'and quiet settled down on the little household. "'Paulie whispered Ben as she tucked him in. "'It'll be hard buckling to know for you, "'but I guess you'll do it.'" End of chapter 4, recording by Ellie, November 2009 Chapter 5 Of Five Little Peppers and How Do You Crew This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Ellie Five Little Peppers and How Do You Crew by Margaret Sidney Chapter 5 More Trouble Oh dear, the polly to herself the next morning, trying to get the breakfast for the sick ones out of the inevitable mash. Everything's just as bad as it can be. They can't ever eat this. I wish I had an ocean of toast. Toast some of the bread in the pale polly, said Mrs. Pepper. She looked worn and worried. She had been up nearly all night, back and forth from Ben's bed in the loft to restless frightful little Fonze in the big four posts in the bedroom. For Fonze, you wouldn't get into the crib. Polly had tried her best to help her, and had rubbed her eyes diligently to keep awake. But she was whole and had cast him to it, and her healthy tired little bodies had come. And then, when she awoke, shame and remorse filled her very hard. That isn't nice, ma. She's a cleansing at the pooled pale, which she had brought out of the provision room. Old brown bread. I want to fix them something nice. Well, you can't, you know, said Mrs. Pepper with a sigh. But you have got better now. They'll be splendid. I know it, said Polly, unknown to the corner cupboard, that the precious morsel in the blue bowl remained. Whatever should we do without it, mami? Do without it, said Mrs. Pepper. Seems we've done. Well, it was splendid it, Mrs. Henderson, to give it to us anyway. The Polly, longing for just one taste, seems as if it was a year since I was there. Oh ma, and there Polly took up the thread that had been so rudely snapped. Don't you think? She's got ten of the prettiest. Yes, the sweetest little chickens you ever saw. Why can't we have some, mami? Costs money, replied Mrs. Pepper. We've got too many in the house to have any outside. Oh dear, the Polly with the red face. That was toasting about as much as the bread she was holding on the point of an old fork. We never have had anything. There, she added it last. That's best I can do. Now I'll put the butter on its little blue plate. Ain't that cunning, ma? Yes, said Mrs. Pepper approvingly. It takes you, Polly. So Polly dropped it first to Ben up the crooked low stairs to the loft. And while she regaled him with the brown toast and butter, she kept her tongue flying on the subject of the little chicks and older she saw on the famous Henderson visit. Poor Ben pretended hard to eat, but ate nothing really, and Polly saw it all and it cut her to the heart. So she talked faster than ever. Now, she said, starting to go back to Francie. Pen, Pepper, just as soon as you get well, we'll have some chickens. So there. Guess we shall get them very soon, said Ben despondently. If I've got to lie here, and besides Polly, you know every bit we can save has to go for a new stove. Oh dear, said Polly, I forgot that. So it has. Seems to me everything's giving out. You can't bake any longer in that old thing. Said Ben turning over and looking at her. Poor girl, I don't see how you've stood it so long. And we've been stuffing it, great Polly merrily, till thrown stuff anymore. No, said Ben turning back again. That's all run out. Well, you must go to sleep, said Polly. Our memory will be up here, and Francie hasn't had a breakfast either. Francie was wailing away dismally, sitting in the middle of the old bed. Her face bricked, she said, and she was rubbing it vigorously, with both little fat hands, and then crying worse than ever. Oh me, oh my, great Polly, how you look Francie. I want my Mammy, great poor Francie. Mammy can't come now Francie dear, she's suing. See what Polly's got for you. Butter, isn't that splendid. Francie stopped for just a moment and took her mouth full, but the toast was hard and dry, and she cried harder than before. Now, said Polly, curling up on the bed beside her. If you'll stop crying Francie Pepper, I'll tell you about the cunningst. Yes, the very cunningst, little chickens you ever saw. One was white, and you looked just like this. Said Polly, tumbling over on the bed in a heap. He couldn't stand up straight, he was so fat. Did he bite? Asked Francie full of interest. No, he didn't bite me, said Polly, but his mother put a bug in his mouth. Just as I am doing you now, and she broke off a small piece of the toast, put on a generous bit of butter, and held it over Francie's mouth. Did he swallow it? Asked the child, obediently opening her right little lips. Oh, he snapped it, and said Polly, quick as ever he could, I tell you, but wasn't good like this Francie. Did he have two bugs? Asked Francie, eyeing suspiciously the second morsel of dry toast, that Polly was conveying to her mouth. Well, he would have had, replied Polly, if there had been bugs enough, but there were nine other chicks, Francie. Poor chickies, said Francie, and looked lovingly at the rest of the toast and butter on the plate, and while Polly fed her, listened with absorbed interest to all the particulars concerning each and every chick in the hands of the hen coop. Mother, said Polly towards evening, I am going to sit up with Ben tonight. Say a may, do mother. No, you can't, replied Mrs. Pepper. You'll get one out, and then what shall I do? Joel can handle Miss Madsen. Oh, Joel would tumble to sleep, Mammy. Said Polly, the first thing, let me. Perhaps Francie, let me go tonight, said Mrs. Pepper, reflectively. Oh, no, she won't. I know, replied Polly decisively. She wants you all the time. I will, Polly, said Davy, coming in with an armful of foot in time to hear the conversation. I'll give him his medicine, main time, Mammy. And David let down his load and came over where his mother and Polly said to him to urge his rights. I don't know, said his mother, smiling on him. Can you, do you think? Yes, Mam, said Davy, straightening himself up. When they told Ben, he said in you a better way than for Davy to watch. He'd have a string tied to Davy's arm, and at the end it hold him bad. And when it was time for medicine, he'd pull the string, and that would wake Davy up. Polly didn't sleep much more on her shake down on the floor than if she had watched with Ben. For Francie cried and moaned and wanted a drink of water every two minutes seemed to her. As she went back into her nest after one of these travels Polly sought, well, I don't care if nobody else gets sick, if Ben will only get well. Tomorrow I'm going to do Mammy's sake, she's begun from Mr. Jackson. It's all plain suing, just like a bag, and I can do it, I know. And so she fell into a troubled sleep, only to be awakened by Francie's frightful little voice. I want a drink of water, Polly, I do. Don't you drink awfully, Mammy? Ask Polly after one of these excursions out to the kitchen after the necessary draft. Yes, said Mrs. Pepper, and she mustn't have any more, to hurt her, but Francie fell into a delicious sleep of the dead and didn't want any more, luckily. Here, Joe, said Mrs. Pepper the next morning, take this coat up to Mr. Peters' and be sure to get the money for it. How will I get it? Ask Joe, who didn't relish the long hot walk. Why, tell him we are sick, Ben sick, added Mrs. Pepper as the most decisive thing, and we must have it, and then wait for it. Tisn't pleasant up at the Peters', crumbled troll taking the parcel and moving slowly off. No, no, Polly, said Mrs. Pepper, you needn't do that. Seeing Polly take up some sewing after doing up to home and finishing the semi-weekly bake, you are all bit out with the tassel over the stove. That sack will have to go till next week. It can't, Mammy, said Polly, snapping off the fasting thread. We've got to have money. How much will it give you for it? 30 cents, replied Mrs. Pepper. Well, said Polly, we've got to get all the 30 cents we can, Mammy dear. I know I can do it, truly. Try me once, shimplord. Well, Mrs. Pepper relented slowly. Don't feel bad, Mammy dear. Comfort it, Polly, sewing away briskly. Ben will get well pretty soon, and then we'll be all right. Maybe, said Mrs. Pepper, and went back to Francie, who could scarcely let her out of her sight. Polly stitched away briefly. Now, if we do this good, Mammy will let me do it other times. She said to herself, David, too, work patiently out of doors, trying to do bench chores. The little fellow blundered over things the Ben would have accomplished in half the time, and he had to sit down often on the steps of the little old shed, where the tools were kept, to wipe his hot face and rest. Polly, said Mrs. Pepper, hadn't you better stop a little. Dear me, how fast use you, child! Polly gave a delighted little hum at her mother's evident approval. I'm going to do him all next week, Mammy, she said. Then Mr. Edkins won't take him away from us, I guess. Mr. Edkins kept the store and gave her the coats and sex of coarselyne and homespun to Mrs. Pepper to make, and it was the fear of losing the work that had made her mother's heart sink. I don't believe anybody's got such children as I have, she said. And she gave Polly a motherly little pet, that the little daughter felt clear to the tips of her toes with the thrill of the light. About half past two, long after dinner, chock him walking in, hung his beaver, but flushed and triumphant. Why, where have you been all this time, asked his mother. Oh, Joe, you didn't stop to play, asked Polly, from her perch, where she sets you in, giving him a reproachful glance. Stop to play, retarded Joe, indignantly. No, I guess it didn't. I've been to all Peterses. Not all this time, exclaimed Mrs. Pepper. Yes, a half-two, replied Joel, steadily marching up to her. And there's your money, mother, and he counted out the quarter of a dollar in silver pieces and pennies, which he took from a dingy wet of paper, stored away in the depths of his pocket. Oh, Joe, said Mrs. Pepper, sinking back in her chair and looking at him. What do you mean? Polly put her work in her lap and waited to hear. Where's my dinner, Polly? Ask Joel, I hope it's a big one. Yes, Tiff, said Polly, you've got lots today. It's in the corner of the cupboard, covered with the plate. So tell on Joe. That's elegant. Said Joel, coming back with the well-filled plate, Benz and his own chair. To tell us, Joel, in blood, Polly, mother's waiting. Well, said Joel with his mouth half full. I waited, and he said the coat was all right. End, end. And Mrs. Peters said it was all right. And Miranda Peters said it was all right. But they didn't any of them say anything about paying. So I didn't think it was all right. End, end. Can't they have some more butterpolly? No, the Polly sorry to refuse him. He'd been so good about the money. The butter's got to be saved for Ben and Francie. Oh, said Joe, I wish Ms. Henderson would send us some more. I do, I think she might. For a shame, Joe, said Mrs. Pepper. She was very good to send this, I think. Now, what else did you say? She asked. Well, said Joel, taking another mouth full of bread. So I waited. You told me to murder, you know. And they all went to work, and they didn't mind me at all. End. There wasn't anything to look at, so I said. Then said, Polly, can't they have some gingerbread? No, said Polly, it's all gone. I gave the last piece to Francie the day she was taken sick. Oh dear, said Joel, everything's gone. Well, to go on Joe, too. And then they had dinner, and Mr. Peters said, hasn't the boy gone home yet? And Mrs. Peters said, no. And he called me in and asked me why I didn't run along home. And I said Francie was sick, and Ben had the squeezles. The what? Said Polly. The squeezles, repeated Joel irritably. That's what you said. It's measles, Joe, corrected Mrs. Pepper. Never mind, I wouldn't feel bad. Well, they all laughed and laughed, and then I said you told me to wait till I didn't get the money. Oh, Joe, began Mrs. Pepper. You shouldn't have told him so. What did he say? Well, he laughed, and said it was a smart boy. And he'd see, and me really said, to pay him back, he must be tired to death. And don't you think, he went to the big desk and the corner and took out the box, and was almost full of money. Lots. Oh, and he gave me mine, and that's all. And I'm tired to death. And Joel flung himself down on the floor, expanded his legs, his only jaw cut, and took a comfortable hole. So you must be, the polypedingly, waiting at those pithuses. Don't ever want to see any more pithuses, said Joel, never, never, never. Oh dear, so poly, as she soothed on into the afternoon, I wonder what does all my eyes fished just like sand in him, and she rubbed and rubbed to stride her needle, but she was afraid her mother would see, so she kept it to his room. Once in a while, the bad feeling would go away, and then she would forget all about it. There now, who says, I can't do it. It's almost done, she cried jumping up and springing across the room to stretch herself a bit, and tomorrow I'll finish it. Well, said Mrs. Pepper, if you can do that, Polly, you'll be the greatest hellbath head yet. So Polly tucked herself into the old shakedown is a thankful heart that night, hoping for mourning. Alas, when mourning did come, Polly could hardly move. The measles, what should she do? A faint hope of driving them off made her tumble out of bed, and staggered across the room to look in the old cracked-looking glass. All hope was gone as the red reflection met her gaze. Polly was on the sick list now. I won't be sick, she said, at any rate I'll keep around. An awful feeling made her clutch the back of a chair, but she managed somehow to get into her clothes and go groping blindly into the kitchen. Somehow Polly couldn't see very well. She tried to set the table, but it was no use. Oh dear, she's out, what the hell baby do? Hello, the troll coming in. What's the matter, Polly? Polly started to start an entrance, and wavering a minute fell over in a heap. Oh ma, ma! Screamed troll, running to the foot of the stairs, leading to the loft, where Mrs. Pepper was suspend. Something's taken Polly, and she fell, and I guess she's in the woodbox. End of chapter 5, Recording by Ellie, December 2009 Yes, replied his mother absently. Come on, Dave, cried Joel. We'll have a breakfast. We mustn't, said little Davey doubtfully. Eat the whole, Joey. But that individual already had his head in the cupboard, which soon engrossed them both. Dr. Fisher was called in the middle of the morning to see what was the matter with Polly's eyes. The little man looked at her keenly over his spectacles, then he said, When were you taken? This morning answered Polly, her eyes smarting. Didn't you feel badly before, questioned the doctor? Polly thought back, and then she remembered that she had felt very badly, that when she was baking over the old stove the day before, her back had ached dreadfully, and that, somehow, when she sat down to sew, it didn't stop. Only her eyes had bothered her so. She didn't mind her back so much. I thought so, said the doctor, when Polly answered, and those eyes of yours have been used too much. What has she been doing, ma'am? He turned around sharply on Mrs. Pepper as he asked this. Sewing, said Mrs. Pepper, and everything. Polly does everything, sir. Said the doctor, Well, she won't again in one spell. Her eyes are very bad. At this, a whoop, small but terrible to hear, came from the middle of the bed, and Franzi sat bolt upright. Everybody started. While Franzi broke out, Don't make my Polly sick! Oh, please don't! Hey, said the doctor, and he looked kindly at the small object with a very red face in the middle of the bed. Then he added gently, We're going to make Polly well, little girl, so that she can see splendidly. Will you really ask the child doubtfully? Yes, said the doctor. We'll try hard, and you mustn't cry, because then Polly will cry, and that will make her eyes very bad. Very bad indeed, he repeated impressively. I won't cry, said Franzi. No, not one bit. And she wiped off the last tear with her fat little hand, and watched to see what next was to be done. And Polly was left very rebellious indeed in the big bed, with a cooling lotion on her poor eyes, that somehow didn't cool them one bit. If it was anything but my eyes, Mammy, I could stand it, she bewailed, flouncing over and over in her impatience. And who'll do all the work now? Don't think of the work, Polly, said Mrs. Pepper. I can't do anything but think, said poor Polly. Just at that moment a queer noise out in the kitchen was heard. Do go out, mother, and see what it is, said Polly. I've come, said a cracked voice, close up by the bedroom door, followed by a big black cap, which could belong to no other than Grandma Baskham. To sit by you a spell. What's the matter, she asked, and stopped, amazed to see Polly in bed. Oh, Polly's taken, screamed Mrs. Pepper in her ear. Taken, repeated the old lady. What is it, a fit? No, said Mrs. Pepper. The same as Ben's God and Franzy, the measles. The measles has, she said, Grandma. Well, that's bad. And Ben's away, you say. No, no, he isn't either, screamed Mrs. Pepper. He's got them too. Got to what, asked Grandma. Measles, he's got the measles too, repeated Mrs. Pepper. Loud as she could. So loud that the old lady's cap trembled at the noise. Oh, the dreadful, said Grandma. And this girl too, laying her hand on Franzy's head. Yes, said Mrs. Pepper, feeling a little bit of relief to tell over her miseries, all three of them. I haven't, said Joel, coming in in the hopes that Grandma had a straight peppermint or two in her pocket, as she sometimes did. And I'm not going to either. Oh, dear, groaned his mother. That's what Polly said, and she's got them bad. It's her eyes, she screamed to Grandma, who looked inquiringly. Her eyes is it, said Mrs. Bascombe. Well, I've got a receipt that Cousins Samothie's folks had when John's children had them, and I'll run right along home and get it. She started to go. No, you needn't, screamed Mrs. Pepper. Thank you, Mrs. Bascombe. But Dr. Fisher's been here, and he put something on Polly's eyes, and he said it mustn't be touched. Hey, said the old lady. So Mrs. Pepper had to go over it all again, till at last she made her understand that Polly's eyes were taken care of, and they must wait for time to do the rest. You come along of me, whispered Grandma, when at last her call was done, to Joel, who stood by the door. I've got some peppermints to home. I forgot to bring them. Yes, I'm, said Joel, brightening up. Where are you going, Joel? asked Mrs. Pepper. Seeing him move off with Mrs. Bascombe, I may want you. Oh, I've got to go over to Grandma, said Joel briskly. She wants me. Well, don't be gone long, then, replied his mother. There, said Grandma, going into her keeping room to an old fashioned chest of drawers, opening one she took there from a paper, from which she shook out before Joel's delighted eyes some red and white peppermint drops. There now you take these home. You may have some, but be sure to give the most to the sick ones, and Polly let Polly have the biggest. She won't take them, said Joel, wishing he had the measles. Well, you tryers, said Grandma, run along now. But it was useless to tell Joel that, for he was halfway home already. He carried out Grandma's wishes and distributed conscientiously the precious drops. But when he came to Polly she didn't answer, and looking at her in surprise he saw two big tears rolling out under the bandage and wetting the pillow. I don't want them, Joe, said Polly, when he made her understand that twas peppermints, real peppermints. You may have them. Try one, Polly. They're real good, said Joel, who had an undefined wish to comfort. There, open your mouth. So Polly opened her mouth and Joel put one in with satisfaction. Isn't it good, he asked, watching her crunch it? Yes, said Polly, real good. Where'd you get them? Over at Grandma Baskham, said Joel, she gave me lots for all of us. Have another, Polly? No, said Polly, not yet. You put two on my pillow where I can reach them, and then you keep the rest, Joel. Well, I'll put three, said Joel, counting out one red and two white ones and then laying them on the pillow. There. And I want another, Joey. I do, said Franzie, from the other side of the bed. Well, you may have one, said Joel, a red one. Franzie, yes, you may have two. Now come on, Dave. We'll have the rest out by the woodpile. How they ever got through that day, I don't know. But late in the afternoon, carriage rules were heard, and then they stopped right at the pepper's little brown gate. Polly, said Mrs. Pepper, running to the bedroom door. It's Mrs. Henderson. Is it, said Polly, from the darkened room? Oh, I'm so glad. Is Miss Jerushi with her? She asked fearfully. No, said Mrs. Pepper, going back to a certain. Why, it's the parson himself. Drury, how we look! Never mind, Mammy called back Polly, longing to spring out of bed and fix up a bit. I'm sorry to hear the children are sick, said Mrs. Henderson, coming in with her sweet, gentle way. We didn't know it, said the minister, until this morning. Can we see them? Oh, yes, sir, said Mrs. Pepper. Ben's upstairs, and Polly and Franzie are in here. Poor little things, said Mrs. Henderson, compassionately. Hadn't you better, turning to the minister, go up and see Ben first while I visit the little girls? So the minister mounted the crooked stairs, and Mrs. Henderson went straight up to Polly's side, and the first thing Polly knew, a cool, gentle hand was laid on her hot head, and a voice said, I've come to see my little chicken now. Oh, Mam, said Polly, bursting into a sob. I don't care about my eyes, only Mammy. And she broke right down. I know, said the minister's wife, soothingly, but it's for you to bear patiently, Polly. What do you suppose the chicks were doing when I came away? And Mrs. Henderson, while she held Polly's hand, smiled and nodded encouragingly to Franzie, who was staring at her from the other side of the bed. I don't know, Mam, said Polly. Please tell us. Well, they were all fighting over a grasshopper. Yes, ten of them. Which one got it, asked Polly? An intense interest. Oh, I hope the white one did. Well, he looked as much like winning as any of them, said the lady, laughing. Bless her, thought Mrs. Pepper to herself, out in the kitchen, finishing the sack Polly had left. She's a parson's wife, I say. And then the minister came down from Ben's room, and went into the bedroom, and Mrs. Henderson went upstairs into the loft. So he said kindly, as after patting Franzie's head, he came over and sat down by Polly. This is the little girl who came to see me when I was sick. Oh, sir, said Polly, I'm so glad you wasn't. Well, when I come again, said Mr. Henderson, rising after a merry chat, I'll see I shall have to slip a book into my pocket and read for those poor eyes. Oh, thank you, cried Polly. And then she stopped and blushed. Well, what is it, asked the minister encouragingly? Ben loves to hear readings, said Polly. Does he? Well, by that time, my little girl, I guess Ben will be downstairs. He's all right, Polly. Don't you worry about him. And I'll sit in the kitchen by the bedroom door, and you can hear nicely. So the Henderson's went away. But somehow, before they went, a good many things found their way out of the old fashioned chaise into the Pepper's little kitchen. But Polly's eyes didn't get any better, with all the care. And the lines of worry on Mrs. Pepper's face grew deeper and deeper. At last she just confronted Dr. Fisher in the kitchen, one day after his visit to Polly, and boldly asked him if they could ever be cured. I know she's—and there isn't any use keeping it from me, said the poor woman—she's going to be stone blind. My good woman, Dr. Fisher's voice said very gently, and he took the hard brown hand in his own. Your little girl will not be blind. To tell you the truth, but it will take some time for our eyes to get strong. Time and rest. She's strained them in some way, but she will come out of it. Praise the Lord, cried Mrs. Pepper, throwing her apron over her head. And then she sobbed on, and thank you, sir. I can't ever thank you for—if Polly was blind, we might as well give up. The next day, Franzi, who had the doctor's permission to sit up, only she was to be kept from taking cold, scampered around in stocking feet in search of her shoes, which she hadn't seen since she was first taken sick. Oh, I want my very best shoes, she cried. Can't I, mammy? Oh, no, Franzi, you must keep them nice, remonstrated her mother. You can't wear them every day, you know. Tizen every day, said Franzi slowly. It's only one day. Well, and then you'll want them on again tomorrow, said her mother. Oh, no, I won't, cried Franzi. Never, no more tomorrow. If I can have them to-day, please, mammy dear. Mrs. Pepper went to the lowest drawer in the high bureau, and took there from a small parcel done up in white tissue paper. Slowly unrolling this before the delighted eyes of the child, who stood patiently waiting, she disclosed the precious red-topped shoes, which Franzi immediately clasped to her bosom. My own, my very own shoes, whole mind she cried and trudged into the kitchen to put them on herself. Hello, cried Dr. Fisher, coming in about a quarter of an hour later to find her tugging laboriously at the buttons. New shoes, I declare. My own cried Franzi, sticking out one foot for inspection, where every button was in the wrong buttonhole, and they've got red tops, too. So they have, said the doctor, getting down on the floor beside her. Beautiful red tops, aren't they? Beautyful, sang the child delightfully. Does Polly have new shoes every day, as the doctor in a low voice, pretending to examine the other foot? Franzi opened her eyes very wide at this. Oh no, she don't have anything, Polly don't. And what does Polly want most of all, do you know? See if you can tell me. And the doctor put on the most alluring expression he could muster. Oh, I know, said Franzi, with a very wise look. There now, cried the doctor. You're the girl for me, to think you know. So what is it? Franzi got up very gravely, and with one shoe half on, she leaned over and whispered in the doctor's ear. A stove! A what, said the doctor, looking at her, and then at the old black thing in the corner, that looked as if it were ashamed of itself. Why, she's got one. Oh, said the child, it won't burn. And sometimes Polly cries, she does, when she's all alone. And I see her. Now, said the doctor, very sympathetically, that's too bad, that is. And then what does she do? Oh, Ben stuffs it up, it said the child, laughing, and so does Polly, too, with paper. And then it all tumbles out quick. Oh, just as quick, in Franzi's sugar- yellow head and the dismal remembrance. Do you suppose, said the doctor, getting up, that you know of any smart little girl around here, about four years old, and that knows how to button her own red-top shoes that would like to go ride tomorrow in my carriage? Oh, I do, cried Franzi, hopping on one toe. It's me! Very well then, said Dr. Fisher, going to the bedroom door. We'll look out for tomorrow then. To poor Polly, lying in the darkened room, or sitting up in the big rocking chair. For Polly wasn't really very sick in other respects, the disease having all gone into the merry brown eyes, the time seemed interminable. Not to do anything. The very idea at any time would have filled her active, wide-awake little body with horror. And now here she was. Oh, dear, I can't bear it, she said, when she knew by the noise in the kitchen that everybody was out there, so nobody heard except a fat, old, black spider in the corner, and he didn't tell anyone. I know it's a week, she said, since dinner time, if Ben were only well to talk to me. Oh, I say, Polly, scream Joel at the moment running in, Ben's a coming down the stairs. Stop, Joe, said Mrs. Pepper, you shouldn't have told. He wanted to surprise Polly. Oh, he is, cried Polly, clasping her hands in rapture. Mammy, can't I take off this horrid bandage and see him? Dear, me know, said Mrs. Pepper, springing forward, not for the world, Polly. Dr. Fisher'd have our ears off. Well, I can hear any way, said Polly, residing herself to the remaining comfort. Here he is, oh, Ben! There, said Ben, grasping Polly, bandaging all, now we're all right, and say, Polly, you're a brick. Mammy told me not to say that the other day, said Joel, with a very virtuous air. Can't help it, said Ben, who was a little wild over Polly, and besides, he'd been sick himself, and had borne a good deal too. Now, said Mrs. Pepper, after the first excitement was over, you're so comfortable together, and Fronzie don't want me now. I'll go to the store. I must get some more work if Mr. Atkins'll give it to me. I'll be all right now, Mammy, that Ben's here, cried Polly, settling back into her chair, with Fronzie on the stool at her feet. I'm going to tell her stories, Ma, cried Ben, so you needn't worry about us. Isn't it funny, Ben, said Polly, as the gate clicked after the mother, to be sitting still and telling stories in the daytime? Rather funny, replied Ben. Well, do go on, said Joel, as usual, rolling on the floor in a dreadful hurry for the story to begin. Little David looked up quietly, as he sat on Ben's other side, his hands clasped tight together, just as eager, though, he said nothing. Well, once upon a time began Ben delightfully, and launched into one of the stories that the children thought perfectly lovely. Oh, Ben's, he cried Polly, and tranced as they listened with bated breath. However, do you think of such nice things? I've had time enough to think, the last week, said Ben, laughing, to last a lifetime. Do go on, put in Joel, impatient at the delay. Don't hurry him so, said Polly, reprovingly. He isn't strong. Ben, said David, drawing a long breath, his eyes very big. Did he really see a bear? No, said Ben. Oh, where was I? Why, you said Tommy heard a noise, said Polly, and he thought it was a bear. Oh, yes, said Ben. I remember. Twasn't a—oh, make it a bear, Ben, cried Joel, terribly disappointed. Don't let it not be a bear. Why, I can't, said Ben. Twasn't sound true. Never mind, make it sound true, insisted Joel. You can make anything true. Very well, said Ben. I suppose I must. Make it two bears, Ben. Beg little Fronzie. Oh, no, Fronzie. That's too much, cried Joel. That'll spoil it. But make it a big bear, do Ben, and have him bite him somewhere, and most kill him. Oh, Joel, cried Polly, while David's eyes got bigger than ever. So Ben drew upon his powers as a storyteller, to suit his exacting audience, and was making his bear work havoc upon poor Tommy, in a way captivating to all. Even Joel, when— Well, I declare sounded Mrs. Pepper's cheery voice coming in upon them, if this isn't comfortable. Oh, Mammy cried Fronzie, jumping out of Polly's arms, whether she had taken refuge during the thrilling tale, and running to her mother, who gathered her baby up. We've had a bear, a real live bear, we have. Ben made them. Have you, said Mrs. Pepper, taking off her shawl, laying her parcel of work down on the table? Now that's nice. Oh, Mammy cried Polly. It does seem so good to be all together again. And I thank the Lord, said Mrs. Pepper, looking down on her happy little group, and the tears in her eyes. And children, we ought to be very good, and please him, for he's been so good to us. When Fronzie, with many crows of delight and much shattering, had gotten fairly started the following morning on her much anticipated drive with Doctor, the whole family, accepting Polly, drawn up round the door to see them off. Mrs. Pepper resolved to snatch the time, and run down for an hour or two to one of her customers, who had long been waiting for a little tailoring to be done for her boys. Now Joel, she said, footing on her bonnet before the cracked looking glass. You stay along of Polly. Ben must go up to bed, the Doctor said, and Davey is going to the store for some molasses, so you and Polly must keep house. Yes, um, said Joel. May I have something to eat, ma? Yes, said Mrs. Pepper, but don't you eat the new bread. You may have as much as you want of the old. Isn't there any molasses, Mammy? Asked Joel, as she bade Polly good-bye, and gave her numberless charges to be careful of your eyes and not to let a crack of light in through the curtain, as the old green paper shade was called. No, if you're very hungry, you can eat bread, said Mrs. Pepper sensibly. Joel, said Polly, after the mother had gone, I do wish you could read to me. Well, I can't, said Joel, glad he didn't know how. I thought the minister was coming. Well, he was, said Polly, but Mammy said he had to go out of town to a consequence. A what? asked Joel, very much impressed. A con, repeated Polly. Well, it began with a con. I'm sure, yes, very sure, it was a consequence. Oh, that must be splendid, said Joel, coming up to her chair and slowly drawing a string he held in his hand back and forth. To go to consequences and everything. When I'm a man, Polly Pepper, I'm going to be a minister and have a nice time and go just everywhere. Oh, Joel, exclaimed Polly, quite shocked. You couldn't be one. You aren't good enough. Why don't care, said Joel, not at all, dashed by her plainness. I'll be good then, when I'm a big man. Don't you suppose, Polly? A new idea struck him. Mr. Henderson was ever naughty? No, said Polly, very decidedly. Never, never, never. Well, then I don't want to be one, said Joel, veering round with a sigh of relief. And besides, I'd rather have a pair of horses like Mr. Slocum's, and then I could go everywhere as I guess. And sell tin, asked Polly, just like Mr. Slocum. Oh, yes, said Joel. This is the way I'd go. Gee-woop! Gee-wooh! And Joel pranced with his imaginary steeds, all around the room, making about as much noise as any other four boys, as he brought up occasionally against the fore-poster, or the high old bureau. Well, said a voice, close up by Polly's chair, that made her skip with apprehension. It was so like Mr. Ruscha Henderson's. Joel was whooping away behind the bedstead to his horses that had become seriously entangled, so he didn't hear anything. But when Polly said bashfully, I can't see anything, ma'am. He came up red and shining to the surface, and stared with all his might. I came to see you, little girl, said Mr. Ruscha severely, seating herself stiffly by Polly's side. Thank you, ma'am, said Polly faintly. Who is this boy? asked the lady, turning around squarely on Joel, and eyeing him from head to foot. He's my brother, Joel, said Polly. Joel still stared. Which brother pursued Mr. Ruscha like a census-taker? He is next to me, said Polly, wishing her mother was home. He's nine Joel is. He's big enough to do something to help his mother, said Mr. Ruscha, looking him through and through. Don't you think you might do something when the others are sick, and your poor mother is working so hard? She continued, a cold voice. I do something, blurted out Joel sturdily. Lots and lots! You shouldn't say lots, reproved Mr. Ruscha with a sharp look over her spectacles. It isn't proper for boys to talk so. What do you do all day long, she asked, turning back to Polly after a withering glance at Joel, who still stared. Well, I can't do anything, ma'am, replied Polly, sadly. I can't see to do anything. Well, you might knit, I should think, said her visitor. It's dreadful for a girl as big as you are to sit all day idle. I had sore eyes once when I was a little girl. How old are you? she asked abruptly. 11, last month, said Polly. Well, I wasn't only nine when I knit a stocking, and I had sore eyes too, you see. I was a very little girl. And was you ever little? Interrupted Joel in extreme incredulity. Drawing near, he looked over the big square figure. Hey! said Mr. Ruscha. So Joel repeated his question before Polly could stop him. Of course! answered Mr. Ruscha. And then she added tartly. Little boys shouldn't speak unless they're spoken to. Now she turned back to Polly again. Didn't you ever knit a stocking? No, ma'am, said Polly. Not a whole one. Dear me! exclaimed Mr. Ruscha. Did I ever? And she raised her black mitts in intense disdain. A big girl like you never to knit a stocking! To think your mother should bring you up so. And she didn't bring us up! Screamed Joel in indignation, facing her with blazing eyes. Joel, said Polly, be still. And you're very impertinent too, said Mr. Ruscha. A good child never is impertinent. Polly sat quite still, and Mr. Ruscha continued. Now I hope you will learn to be industrious, and when I come again I will see what you have done. You aren't ever coming again, said Joel defiantly. No, never! Joel! implored Polly. And in her distress she pulled up her bandage as she looked at him. You know, ma'am, you'll be so sorry at you. Oh, ma'am! And she turned to Mr. Ruscha, who was now thoroughly aroused to the duty she saw before her of doing these children good. I don't know what the reason is, ma'am. Joel never talks so. He's real good. And it only shows, said the lady, seeing her way quite clear for a little exhortation, that you've all had your own way from infancy, and that you don't do what you might to make your mother's life a happy one. Oh, ma'am! cried Polly, and she burst into a flood of tears. Please, please don't say that. And I say, screamed Joel, stamping his small foot, if you make Polly cry, you'll kill her. Don't Polly, don't! And the boy put both arms around her neck, and soothed and comforted her in every way he could think of. And Mr. Ruscha, seeing no way to make herself heard, disappeared, feeling pity for children who would turn away from good advice. But still Polly cried on. All the pent-up feelings that had been so long controlled had free vent now. She really couldn't stop. Joel frightened to death. At last said, I'm gonna wake up, Ben. That brought Polly to, and she sobbed, oh, no, no, Joey, I'll stop. I will, said Joel, seeing his advantage. I'm going, Polly, and he started to the foot of the stairs. No, I'm done now. Joe, said Polly, wiping her eyes and choking back her thoughts. Oh, Joel, I must scream, my eyes ache so. And poor Polly fairly writhed all over the chair. What'll I do? said Joel, at his wit's end running back. Do you want some water? Oh, no, guessed Polly. Doctor wouldn't let me. Oh, I wish Mammy'd come. I'll go and look for her, suggested Joel, feeling as if he must do something, and he'd rather be out the gate than see Polly suffer. That won't bring her, said Polly, trying to keep still. I'll try to wait. Here she is now, cried Joel, peeping out of the window. Oh, goodie! END OF CHAPTER VII CHAPTER VIII. JOEL'S TURN. Well, Mrs. Pepper's tone was unusually blithe as she stepped into the kitchen. You've had a nice time, I suppose, and what in the world? And she stopped at the bedroom door. Oh, Mammy, if you'd been here, said Joel, while Polly sat still, only holding on to her eyes as if they were going to fly out. There's been a big woman here. She came right in, and she talked awfully. Polly's been a cryin', and her eyes ache dreadfully, and been crying, repeated Mrs. Pepper, coming up to poor Polly. Polly's been crying, she still repeated. Oh, Mammy, I couldn't help it, said Polly. She said, and in spite of all she could do, the rain of tears began again, which bade fair to be as uncontrolled as before. But Mrs. Pepper took her up firmly in her arms as if she were fronzy, and sat down in the old rocking chair, and just patted her back. There, there, she whispered soothingly, don't think of it, Polly, mother's got home. Oh, Mammy, said Polly, crawling up to the comfortable neck for protection. I ought not to mind, but was Mr. Rosa Henderson. And she said, what did she say, asked Mrs. Pepper, thinking perhaps it would be the wiser thing to let Polly free her mind. Oh, she said that we ought to be doing something, that I ought to knit. And go on, said her mother. And then Joel got naughty. Oh, Mammy, he never did so before, and I couldn't stop him, cried Polly, in great distress. I really couldn't, Mammy, and he talked to her, and he told her she wasn't ever coming here again. Joel shouldn't have said that, said Mrs. Pepper. And under her breath something was added that Polly even failed to hear. But no more she isn't. And Mammy, cried Polly, as she flung her arms around her mother's neck, and gave her a grasp that nearly choked Mrs. Pepper. Ain't I helping you some, Mammy? Oh, I wish I could do something big for you. Ain't you happy, Mammy? For the land's sakes, cried Mrs. Pepper, straining Polly to her heart. Whatever has that woman—whatever could she have said to you? Such a girl as you are, too! cried Mrs. Pepper, hugging Polly and covering her with kisses so tender that Polly, warmed and cuddled up to her heart's content, was comforted to the full. Well, said Mrs. Pepper, when at last she thought she had formed between Polly and Joel about the right idea of the visit. Well, now we won't think of it ever any more. It isn't worth it, Polly, you know. But poor Polly and poor Mother! They both were obliged to think of it. Nothing could avert the suffering of the next few days, caused by that long flow of burning tears. Nothing feels good on a Mammy, said Polly at last, twisting her hands in the vain attempt to keep from rubbing the aching and flamed eyes that drove her nearly wild with their itching. Isn't any use in trying anything? There will be use, energetically, protested Mrs. Pepper, bringing another cool bandage. As long as you've got an eye in your head, Polly Pepper! Dr. Fisher's face, when he first saw the change that that fateful visit had wrought, and heard the accounts was very grave indeed. Everything had been so encouraging on his last visit, that he had come round very near-promising Polly, speedy freedom from the hateful bandage. But the little Pepper household soon had something else to think of more important, even than Polly's eyes. For now the heartiest and jolliest of all the little group was down. Joel. How he fell sick they scarcely knew it all came so suddenly. The poor bewildered family had hardly time to think before delirium, and perhaps death stared them in the face. When Polly first heard of it, by Franzi's pattering downstairs and screaming, Oh Polly! Joey's dear and full sick he is! she jumped right up and tore off the bandage. Now I will help mother, I will sew there! And in another minute she would have been up in the sick room, but the first thing she knew, a gentle but firm hand, was laid upon hers, and she found herself back again in the old rocking chair, and, listening to the doctor's words, which were quite stern and decisive. Now I tell you, he said, you must not take off that bandage again. Do you know the consequences? You'll be blind, and then you'll be able to care for your mother all your life. I shall be blind anyway, said Polly despairingly. So don't make any difference. No, your eyes will come out of it all right, only I did hope, and the good doctor's face fell, that the other two boys would escape. But, anti-brightened up at the sight of Polly's forlorn visage, see you do your part by keeping still. But there came a day soon when everything was still, around the once happy little brown house, when only whispers were heard from white lips, and thoughts were fearfully left unuttered. On the morning of one of these days, when Mrs. Pepper felt she could not exist an hour longer without sleep, kind Mrs. Bee became to stay until things were either better or worse. Still the cloud hovered, dark and forbidding. At last one afternoon, when Polly was all alone, she could endure it no longer. She flung herself down by the side of the old bed and buried her face in the gay patched bed quilt. Dear God! she said, make me willing to have anything. She hesitated, yes. Anything happened. To be blind forever, and to have Joey sick, only make me good. How long she stayed there she never knew, for she fell asleep. The first sleep she had had since Joey was taken sick. And little Mrs. Beebie, coming in, found her thus. Polly! the good woman said, leaning over her, you poor, pretty creature, you! I'm going to tell you something. There, there, just to think, Joel's going to get well. Oh, Mrs. Beebie! cried Polly, tumbling over in a heap on the floor, her face as much as could be seen under the bandage in a perfect glow. Is he really? Yes. To be sure, the danger's all over now, said the little old lady, inwardly thinking, if I hadn't to come. Well, then, the Lord wants him to, cried Polly in a rapture, don't he, Mrs. Beebie? To be sure, to be sure, repeated the kind friend, only half understanding. Well, I don't care about my eyes, then, cried Polly, and Mrs. Beebie's intense astonishment and dismay. She spun round and round in the middle of the floor. Oh, Polly! Polly! the little old woman cried, running up to her. Do stop! The doctor wouldn't let you. He wouldn't, really, you know. It'll all go to your eyes. I don't care, repeated Polly in the middle of a spin, but she stopped, obediently. Seems as if I'd just as soon be blind as not. It's so beautiful. Joey's going to get well.