a thoroughly good time, that Phronsie,
coming back, clapped her hands in glee to hear them.

"I wish mammy was home," said Polly, polishing up the last cup
carefully.

"Let me put it up," said Jasper, taking it from her, "it goes up here,
don't it, with the rest?" reaching up to the upper-shelf of the old
cupboard.

"Yes," said Polly.

"Oh, I should think you'd have real good times!" said the boy,
enviously. "I haven't a single sister or brother."

"Haven't you?" said Polly, looking at him in extreme pity. "Yes, we do
have real fun," she added, answering his questioning look; "the house is
just brimful sometimes, even if we are poor."

"We aren't poor," said Joel, who never could bear to be pitied. Then,
with a very proud air, he said in a grand way, "At any rate, we aren't
going to be, long, for something's coming!"

"What do you mean, Joey?" asked Ben, while the rest looked equally
amazed.

"Our ships," said Joel confidently, as if they were right before their
eyes; at which they all screamed!

"See Polly's stove!" cried Phronsie, wishing to entertain in her turn.
"Here 'tis," running up to it, and pointing with her fat little finger.

"Yes, I see," cried Jasper, pretending to be greatly surprised; "it's
new, isn't it?"

"Yes," said the child; "it's very all new; four yesterdays ago!"

And then Polly stopped in sweeping up and related, with many additions
and explanations from the others, the history of the stove, and good Dr.
Fisher (upon whom they all dilated at great length), and the dreadful
measles, and everything. And Jasper sympathized, and rejoiced with them
to their hearts content, and altogether got so very home-like, that they
all felt as if they had known him for a year. Ben neglected his work a
little, but then visitors didn't come every day to the Peppers; so
while Polly worked away at her bread, which she was "going to make like
biscuits," she said, the audience gathered in the little old kitchen was
in the merriest mood, and enjoyed everything to the fullest extent.

"Do put in another stick, Bensie dear," said Polly; "this bread won't be
fit for anything!"

"Isn't this fun, though!" cried Jasper, running up to try the oven; "I
wish I could ever bake," and he looked longingly at the little brown
biscuits waiting their turn out on the table.

"You come out some day," said Polly, sociably, "and we'll all try
baking--mammy'd like to have you, I know," feeling sure that nothing
would b