“Oh, how nice! May I sit on the doorstep and eat it?” Peggy cried.
I don’t suppose, though she lived to be a hundred years old, she would ever forget the taste of that bread and sugar, it was so delicious.
Janet was getting out a huge brass pan from the scullery, and Peggy wanted to know what it was meant for.
“It’s to make jam in, Miss Peggy; but that’s too hot a job for you. Maybe if you go and play for an hour and come back, I’ll let you stir the pan for a minute then,” said Janet. And then, anxious that Peggy should get into no further mischief that night, she suggested the washing-green as a safe place to spend the hour in. There were shamrocks growing there, and clover; and if Peggy could find a four-leaved clover, she would be lucky all the rest of her life, she assured her.
The washing-green was very cool and pleasant, and Peggy lay on her face on the grass and searched for that four-leaved clover for a whole hour without being dull for a minute. Then she heard Janet calling her, and went running to the kitchen. There the great brass pan was full of boiling fruit, deep crimson, and with the most delicious smell. Janet gave her a saucer, and told her that with a large spoon she might skim the white froth from the edge of the pan. This was great fun to do; and then she was allowed to taste it, and it was very good. Then Janet took the huge pan off the fire, and with a cup began to fill up rows and rows of jars with the jam. Peggy sat on the table and counted the jars, and was allowed, when they were full, to take a damp cloth and wipe off all the drops of jam from the edges, so that the jars were all clean and neat. When all this was done it was quite late, and Janet said Peggy must go and have her frock changed for the evening now.
“I’ve been so happy, Janet, I want to stay with you,” said Peggy, flinging her arms round Janet’s neck as she said good-night.
CHAPTER VII.
THE ADVENTURE IN THE LANE.
