"Well, mother, we want to be foolish too," said Sally.
"Well, you and your father are too much for me," said Mrs. Kittridge, plaintively; "you always get your own way."
"How lucky that my way is always a good one!" said Sally.
"Well, you know, Sally, you are going to make the beer to-morrow," still objected her mother.
"Oh, yes; that's another reason," said Sally. "Mara and I shall come home through the woods in the morning, and we can get whole apronfuls of young wintergreen, and besides, I know where there's a lot of sassafras root. We'll dig it, won't we, Mara?"
"Yes; and I'll come down and help you brew," said Mara. "Don't you remember the beer I made when Moses came home?"
"Yes, yes, I remember," said the Captain, "you sent us a couple of bottles."
"We can make better yet now," said Mara. "The wintergreen is young, and the green tips on the spruce boughs are so full of strength. Everything is lively and sunny now."
"Yes, yes," said the Captain, "and I 'spect I know why things do look pretty lively to some folks, don't they?"
"I don't know what sort of work you'll make of the beer among you," said Mrs. Kittridge; "but you must have it your own way."