But they didn’t go back to Grandma Bascom’s after all that day, for just then in came Mother Pepper, her black eyes shining.
“Mamsie!” they all screamed in joy, Phronsie laying down her spoon and beginning to clamber out of her high-chair.
“There, there, baby, sit still.” Mother Pepper put her hand on the fat little shoulder. “All of you children stay just where you are. No, no, Polly, I’ll take off my bonnet. Yes, Mother’s got home sooner than expected, for Mrs. Blodgett has had company come; so when I got there, after taking back the coats to Mr. Atkins, there wasn’t anything to do.”
It was a long speech for Mrs. Pepper to make, and then she went into the bedroom and the children’s spoons clicked faster than ever.
“Now we must be good as can be,” said Polly to the others, “and run right back to Grandma’s without making any fuss.”
“I shall tell Mamsie I don’t wan’t to go,” announced Joel, having eaten as much as he could, and giving a long stretch, “I’m awful tired, Polly.”
“Awfully,” corrected Polly, who was very particular about her speech as well as other matters; “you do say such perfectly dreadful things, Joel.”
“It is awful,” persisted Joel, obstinately.
“No,” said Polly, shaking her head, “it isn’t; you must say ‘awfully,’ Joe.”
“But I don’t want to,” said Joel, setting his little white teeth together firmly.