him critically as he came in the door with the paper.

"Be still," said Polly, trying not to laugh; "that's because he baked
so funny; it made his feet stick out."

"Children," said Mrs. Pepper, "how'll Jasper know where the cakes
come from?"

"Why, he'll know it's us," said Polly, "of course; 'cause it'll make
him think of the baking we're going to have when he gets well."

"Well, but you don't say so," said Mrs. Pepper, smiling; "tisn't
polite to send it this way."

"Whatever'll we do, mammy!" said all four children in dismay,
while Phronsie simply stared. "Can't we send 'em at all?"

"Why yes," said their mother; "I hope so, I'm sure, after you've got
'em baked; but you might answer Jasper's letter I should think, and
tell him about 'em, and the 'gingerbread boy'."

"Oh dear," said Polly, ready to fly, "I couldn't mamsie; I never
wrote a letter."

"Well, you never had one before, did your said her mother,
composedly biting her thread. "Never say you can't, Polly, 'cause
you don't know what you can do till you've tried."

"You write, Ben," said Polly, imploringly.