"I'm so sorry," said Boiler Pan, "but I really couldn't get my old hat off. I should have told you to take a holder."
"Never mind, it's better now. Those potatoes must be done. Yes," as she tried them with a fork, "even the biggest is done in the middle. I'm so glad, for I expect that boy any minute."
"So'm I," said Boiler Pan, "for I feel the effect of this stren-u-os-i-ty."
Mary Frances pretended not to notice this speech, but carefully drained the water from the potatoes, and shook Boiler Pan over the fire to dry them off.
"I—I—learned—that—that—wor—word—after year—years—of—stud—study," he said between the shakes, "and you—nev—never—notic—noticed——"
But Billy was knocking.
So Mary Frances, hastily putting Boiler Pan on the back of the stove, ran to let him in.
"Hello, Sister! Here we are! Lunch ready?"