So the grace was said, and the bread was passed. "Oh, Ben!"
exclaimed Polly, in dismay, "you didn't wash your hands!" as he
was going to take a piece.

"I forgot it," said Ben, looking down at them. Then he got out
of his chair and went out into the woodshed, where a tin basin
and a towel and soap were always ready, for Mother Pepper said
they might be poor, and that they couldn't help, but they could
keep clean and nice.

Polly nibbled at her dry bread, but she couldn't keep her eyes
off the cake, and Phronsie bit little pieces all around the edge
of her slice. Then she laid it down. "Now I'm ready for the
cake," she said, holding out both hands again. "Please give it
to me, Mammy."

"Oh, no, Phronsie," said Mrs. Pepper, shaking her head, "Mother
can't give it to you till you've eaten all your slice. Besides,
you must wait till Polly is through, and I will pass it to her
first."

"I don't want any more bread, Mammy dear," said Phronsie,
gravely.

"You must eat it," said Mrs. Pepper, firmly.

"See, Phronsie, mine's going fast," cried Polly, with another
bite that rapidly diminished her slice. "Oh, you can't think how
soon it will be gone, if you begin to eat." And Polly munched