“Certainly.”
“Why, we wanted to give you a s’prise.”
“You certainly succeeded,” said Mrs. Burton, without a moment’s hesitation.
“You must give us s’prises, too,” said Toddie. “S’prises is lovaly; papa gives us lots of ’em. Sometimes they’s candy, but they’s nicest when they’s buttonanoes” (bananas).
“How would you like to be shut up in a dark room all morning, to think about the naughty thing you’ve done?” asked Mrs. Burton.
“Huh!” replied Budge. “That wouldn’t be no s’prise at all. We can do that any time that we do anything bad, and papa and mamma finds out. Why, you forgot to bring your pickles home! I don’t think you act very nice about presents and s’prises.”
“WE’S MAKIN’s PICKLES FOR YOU”
Mrs. Burton did not explain nor did she spend much time in conversation. When she reached her own door, however, she turned and said:
“Now, boys, you may play anywhere in the yard that you like, but you must not go away or come into the house until I call you, at twelve o’clock. I shall be very busy this morning, and must not be disturbed. You will try to be good boys, won’t you?”