"Why, let's us all put our money together instead of buying little things for Grandpapa, for of course we are all going to give him something, and buy one good present." It was a long speech for Ben, and he was quite glad when it was all out.
"Let's," said Polly, quite enchanted. "Oh, Ben, you do think of just the right things."
"No," said Ben, "I don't think up such nice things as you do, Polly," and he looked at her admiringly; "I can't."
"Well, your things are always best in the end, anyway," said Polly, unwilling to take so much praise, and preferring that Ben should have it.
"O dear me!" Joel, with David at his heels, came tumbling up. "You are so slow, just like snails," he grumbled.
"Just like snails," echoed Phronsie, with very pink cheeks, stepping very high, all her attention on the money-bag dangling from her wrist.
"Well, we can't go any faster, Joe," said Ben, "so you must make up your mind to be satisfied."
"Well, I'm not satisfied," declared Joel, in a dudgeon.
"So it seems," said Ben, with a little laugh.
"And it isn't the way, when people are going shopping, to run through the street," said Polly, "so when you get outside the gateway, you've got to walk, Joel. It isn't elegant to race along."