Joel was only here, we'd be all right," when the shop door
opened suddenly, and into the little parlor ran Joel, very red
in the face.

"Now that's nice enough," cried Mrs. Beebe, getting out of her
chair, her pink cap-ribbons all in a flutter, while old Mr. Beebe
exclaimed, with a beaming face, "Well, I declare! ef I ain't glad
to see you. Set right down by me."

"No, he'll set here, Pa," said Mrs. Beebe, pushing up the chair
next to Ab'm; "there's more room this side." So Joel marched up
and got into his seat.

"An' so you thought you'd come," said Mr. Beebe, with a jolly
little laugh. "Now we'll have fine times, won't we, Phronsie?"
patting her hand. "How'd you git here?"

"I walked," said Joel, who couldn't for his life keep his eyes
from the doughnuts, "'cept when I met a man with a load of hay.
An' he was so slow I got down again, for I was afraid I'd miss
the party."

"Hee, hee, hee!" chuckled Mr. Beebe; "well, wife, do give Joel a
doughnut; he must be tired, a-comin' so far."

"Oh, thank you," cried Joel, thrusting out his hand eagerly.

"'Tain't style, where I come from out West, to help the
doughnuts first, an' specially when that boy's just come," said
Mrs. Marinthy, with a great air.