“I speak not to be the ‘goose!’” cried Hiram.
“Who’ll be ‘mother’?” asked cousin Floy.
“You be ‘mother,’” said Annetta.
“Well, I’ll be ‘mother,’” said cousin Floy. “Who’ll be my little girl? There must be a little girl to keep coming in, and saying ‘Mother,’ and asking me for things.”
“I’ll be little girl,” said Hiram.
“Hoo, hoo! he, he! you don’t know how! you’re too tall!” shouted the children.
“Oh, yes! I know how. Come, Floy, let’s get ready.” And away they went into the house.
In about five minutes cousin Floy came out, dressed in Mrs. Plummer’s things,—shawl, bonnet, and skirt,—and with a serious face took her seat in a chair which had been placed upon the wagon. Then came Hiram, with Floy’s hat on, the elastic under his chin. For a sack he had turned his coat, which was lined with red, wrong side out; and he had pinned a shawl around his waist in a way which made it look like a dress-skirt.
Floy told him he must keep coming in to ask her something, and must call her “mother” every time. He did just as she had told him. He trotted out of the house and back, taking little short steps, asking a question each time, and imitating the voice of a small child.
“Mother, may I have a cent?” “Mother, may I go out to play?” “Mother, may I wear my new shoes?” “Mother, may I make corn-balls?” “Mother, may I have a doughnut?”