it? from dear Mrs. Henderson, I s'pose."

"No, guess again," said Mrs. Pepper, cheerily. Then she looked
at Ben steadily out of her black eyes. "I was going past Miss
Barber's, and she knocked on the window, and when I stopped she
ran out, and gave it to me all done up. 'I've been watching for
you,' she said, 'for I knew you were helping at Deacon Brown's
to-day. We had comp'ny last night, and I want you to have some
of sister's cake. She's had real good luck.' So that's all the
story about the cake, Polly." Mother Pepper still looked at Ben,
though she spoke as cheerily as ever.

"I'm so glad Miss Barber did have company last night," said
Polly, her mouth watering for the taste of "sister's cake."

"I want a piece," said Phronsie, stopping her dance suddenly,
to hold out both hands.

"Oh, no, Phronsie," said Polly, with a little laugh, "you must
eat your bread first. Folks don't ever eat cake first."

"Don't they?" asked Phronsie.

"No, indeed; there, hop up into your chair." Polly flew into her
own. "Why don't those boys come?" she cried in a vexed little
way.

"It won't make them come any quicker to fret over it," observed
Mother Pepper, composedly, and getting into her chair. "Come,
Ben, sit down, and we'll begin."