CHAPTER X
THE HOME THAT WAS LOST ON CHRISTMAS DAY
"What is going to happen?" asked Hannah pausing at Mr. Hodgkins's front gate and speaking to Stubbins. "I guess he's going to have company. The front door's open, and the window's open, and the side door's open! What shall we do, Stubbins?"
"Do what ma thed, and give him the cake, and leth get a look at the company."
"Shall we go to the front door or the back door?"
"Leth go to the front door, and get a look at hith houthe, too."
One glance at the long, gloomy hall and Hannah turned away. "You can stay there and knock if you want to," she said, "but it's too lonesome for me. I am going to the kitchen door."
"Well, thay, wait, tho I am too. There he ith, Hannah, ther ith Mithter Hodgkinth thanding by the well."
"What's he looking at?"
The man greeted the children with a smile. "Good morning," he said, "come here and see my brother."
"Why, thath a mud turtle," exclaimed Stubbins, plainly disappointed in the brother. "Thath a mud turtle 'cauth Mith Randall thed tho."