Ben came in and hung his cap up on its peg behind the door.
Polly didn't see his face, for she was tying on Phronsie's
eating apron, and Mother Pepper was in the pantry, else some one
would have discovered that he was strangely excited.

"Come," said Polly, "we can't wait any longer for those boys.
Can we, Mamsie?" she called.

"No, we better sit down," said Mrs. Pepper, coming out with a
plate in her hand. "I'm sorry they're late, for I've got a
surprise for you all to-night." She set the plate on the table,
and her black eyes sparkled. "Now, then, see that!"

"Ooh!" cried Polly, her brown eyes very wide, while Phronsie
stopped climbing into her chair to precipitate herself into the
midst of the group. "See, Ben! See!" exclaimed Polly, "it's
white cake with real frosting on top. Oh, Mammy, where did you
get it?"

Ben looked at the six big slices lying across the plate, but he
didn't seem to see them. However, Polly didn't notice, for she
was dancing around the table with Phronsie, to see which side
the cake looked the best.

"White on top--real white on top!" sang Phronsie, beating her
little hands together.

"I know it," cried Polly, almost as much excited. "Oh, how I
wish those two boys were here! Mamsie, where _did_ you get