Just then there came a heavy knock at the kitchen door.
“There he comes with it now, I believe,” whispered Mrs. Duwell. “Wallace, you may open the door.”
Wallace ran quickly to the door and opened it, and there stood—the bread man.
“Oh, mother,” exclaimed Wallace, “it’s only the bread man!”
“Wallace,” said his mother, “speak more politely. Say ‘good morning,’ and take a loaf of bread and a dozen rolls.”
“Now, mother, tell us who it is you expect, and what he is going to bring,” coaxed Ruth as soon as the door was closed.
“Sit down and eat your breakfast, children, and I will tell you all about it.”
When the children had been served, she went on: “The man I spoke about has just gone—he is the bread man. Isn’t a loaf of bread the most useful and wonderful article sold in any store in the city?”
“Why, mother, you are joking!” exclaimed Wallace.