Good Mrs. Beebe ran her eye over the little bunch of Peppers as
they jumped down over the wheel. "Why, where's Joel?" she cried.
"In the bottom o' th' wagon, I s'pose," she added, laughing and
shaking her fat sides.

"Yes, where's Joel?" cried Mr. Beebe, rubbing his hands together
harder than ever. "I want him to tell me all about how he
ketched them robbers."

Polly was just going to tell all about Joel, and why he couldn't
come, when the big woman shouted out, "They couldn't find him,
for he warn't to home."

"Sho, now, that's too bad!" ejaculated Mr. Beebe, dreadfully
disappointed. Mrs. Beebe already had Phronsie in her arms, and
was whispering to her some of the delights to come. "Well, well,
well, come right in, all of you, and make yourselves to home.
I'll take care of the horse, Marinthy; go in an' set down."

"I'm sure I'm glad to," said Marinthy, getting over the little
steps quickly after the Pepper children, and nearly knocking
down David, who came last. "Ab'm, come here an' make your
manners," she called. Ab'm got down from the pile of boxes where
he had been looking out of the window, and slouched forward, his
finger in his mouth.

"Speak up pretty, now," said his mother, pulling his jacket down
with a twitch, and looking at him admiringly; "these children's
come to your party. Say how do you do, an' you're glad to see