When Mrs. March heard their feet pattering about, she called from her room:—
"What in the world are you about, children?"
"Getting up, mamma," answered Nelly. "We're going up to town real early, so as to get out of the way of the boys, and have a good long time at Mr. Kleesman's. It takes about three hours to do what he does to the ore. Can't we go?"
"I have no objection," replied Mrs. March; "but you must have some breakfast. I will get right up."
"Oh, no! no! please, dear mamma, don't!" cried Nelly. "It's only four o'clock by the clock downstairs: I've just been down. We can get plenty to eat without you. There is beautiful cream in the pantry; and a whole lot of cold potatoes."
Mrs. March laughed, and said:—
"I don't think cold potatoes are a very good breakfast."
"Why, mamma! mamma!" cried Rob, "cold potatoes are splendid. I like them best cold, with lots of salt. Please don't you get up."
Mrs. March was very sleepy; so she turned over in bed, and went sound to sleep. When Nelly was dressed, she peeped cautiously in at the door of her mother's room, which stood open.
"They're both sound asleep, Rob," she whispered: "let's take off our shoes."