Part 21 (2/2)

”He's always younger,” said Joel, gloomily, ”and I never sit next to you, Polly”

”Oh!” cried Polly, ”yes, you did, Joel Pepper, just the very last tio,” said Joel, still holding David's arive up

”Well, I think if Maone over to Grand been sick for a day or two--and been caught there by the sudden shower, ”and should see you, you'd feel badly, Joey”

At the rasp on Davie's arm dropped, and he slunk back Then Ben pulled him into a place next to him, quiet was restored, and Polly was soon launched on one of her wonderful stories, ”Mr Kangaroo and the silly little Duck,” and presently they were all so absorbed that no one noticed the sun was shi+ning brightly, until they heard a voice, ”Well, I declare, sitting down in the day-ti to her feet and stared

”Ugh!” cried Joel, taking one look at their visitor

”I should think,” said Miss Jerusha, theher black h, ”that children as old as you are could find so down to fold your hands and tell good-for-nothing stories”

”They aren't good-for-nothing,” shouted Joel ”You haven't heard 'em; they're just beautiful!”

”Be still, Joe,” commanded Ben But Joel broke away from him, and jumped to his feet

”And Mamsie lets Polly tell us stories,” he blurted out fiercely

”Well, then, she's a very uno herself in Mrs Pepper's rocking chair

”She ain't!” screae

”Ourto his feet

There was a light in his pale blue eyes as he bent them on Miss Jerusha, that made her look away a e ”_I_ never was allowed to sit idle in the day-tiirl”

”I don't believe you ever were little,” said Joel, bluntly, and glaring at her across the kitchen

”Joel, Joel!” cried Polly, in great distress ”Oh, please excuse him, Ma'am, he never talks so, and Mamsie will feel so very badly, when she knows it”

”I a up stiff and tall, ”for you children need sos! well, it's not to be wondered at, e consider you've had no bringing up”

”We have had bringing up, Miss Jerusha,” said Ben ”Children, you go into the bedroom, and shut the door, and stay there,”

he said to the three little ones And never having seen hily, without a word, and holding Phronsie by the hands ”Our mother is our mother,” went on Ben, proudly, ”the very best ht us up, oh, how she has worked to bring us up!

and if we're naughty, it's all our own fault!” It was a long speech for Ben to led with pride, while her breast heaved, and she clasped her hands tightly together, so afraid she should speak a word and spoil it all, for Miss Jerusha was really uncomfortable, that they could both see

Meantioin' to Grandma Bascom's for Mamsie,” he cried passionately

”We htly to her hand, and standing still in the middle of the floor, ”'cause Ben told us to, you know”

”Ugh!” they could hear Joel exclairass beneath; but they didn't know that the old cracked pane of glass had given away under his hand, nor that a little strea down his wrist, as he raced over through the lane, and rushed into Grande