"Why sir," stammered Mrs. Pepper, "I don't know what to say. I
couldn't think of imposing all my children on you, and"----
"Imposing! Who's talking of imposing!" said Mr. King in a loud
key. "I want my house kept; will you live here and keep it? That is
the question."

"But sir," began Mrs. Pepper again, "you don't think"---- "I do
think; I tell you, ma'am, I do think," snapped the old gentleman.
"It's just because I have thought that I've made up my mind. Will
you do it Mrs. Pepper?"

"What you goin' to do, mamsie?" asked Joel quickly.

"I don't know as I'm going to do anything yet," said poor Mrs.
Pepper, who was almost stunned.

"To come here and live!" cried Jasper, unable to keep still any
longer--and springing to the children. "Don't you want to, Joe?"

"To live!" screamed Joel. "Oh whickety, yes! Do ma, do come here
and live--do!"

"To live?" echoed Phronsie, over in the old gentleman's lap. "In
this be-yew-ti-ful place? Oh, oh!"

"Oh, mamsie!" that was all Polly could say.

And even Ben had his arms around his mother's neck, whispering
"Do" into her ear, while little Davie got into her lap and teased her
with all his might.