Polly now ran in. "I can't find Joel, Mamsie," she said sadly.

"Well, Mis' Beebe said I was to bring him most partic'ler; she'd
rather see him than any of the rest o' you. She said, 'Marinthy,
be sure to bring that boy who was so brave about them robbers.
Tell him I've made some doughnuts special for him.'"

"O dear!" exclaimed Polly, clasping her hands, "whatever can we
do, Mamsie, to find him?"

"You must not wait any longer," said Mrs. Pepper, remembering
how, the day before, Joel, had run down to the brook, and been
gone for hours, following along its course, never coming home
till dinner-time. "Get Phronsie ready, and Davie and yourself.
But I'm sorry for Joey to lose the treat," she said sadly.

"So'm I," said Abram's mother, "an' Mis' Beebe'll feel dreadful
bad. Well, I'm afraid that horse'll start, so I'll get in, an'
you can all come out when you get ready."

Pretty soon Polly emerged from the bedroom with a sad look on
her rosy face, and her brown eyes drooped as she led Phronsie
along as fresh and sweet as a rose, all ready.

"Tisn't nice a bit to go without Joel, Mamsie," said Polly,
disconsolately.

"You can't help it, Polly," replied her mother, "and it won't do
to keep Abram's mother waiting. So go on, and take care of the