Joel gave the bag another twist, and gripped it fast.

"An' I guess Pa's got the horse around all right," said Mrs.
Beebe, going out into the shop, "so I s'pose you all must go,
though sorry I be to have you." She gave Polly a motherly little
pat on the shoulder, and fairly cried over Phronsie. "Well,
you've got to go, I s'pose," she said again, "'cause Pa's
a-waitin'; yes, Pa," she called, "they're a-comin'." And presently
the little Peppers, except Phronsie, all clambered over the
wheel; then Polly and Joel lifted her up, and away they went,
Mrs. Beebe watching them off till a turn of the narrow street
hid them from view.

"That Ab'm," said Mr. Beebe, after they had gone quite a piece,
and glancing back over his shoulder, "well, he ain't reelly no
kin to us, thank the Lord, an' they're a-goin' next week. I can
tell you one thing, Polly, he an' his Ma don't git inside our
house agin."




VII

JOEL GOES A-FISHING


Joel sat on the back doorstep and kicked his heels
disconsolately. Davie was lying down on Mamsie's bed, fast