He swung Phronsie up to his shoulder and then into the chair that he had made high enough for her by nailing a board across two strips of wood. “Now says I, here you go, Puss!”
They were all so tired when they got through with blind man’s buff, the supper dishes first being well out of the way, that Phronsie, who wanted to be “Puss,” fell asleep on the little cricket before they could get her into the corner. So Polly bundled her off to the trundle-bed and tucked her up with a kiss.
“Now the worst is over,” she said, coming out of the bedroom, to Ben.
“And you two boys—it’s time you were off,” said Ben, pointing to the loft, “or you’ll tumble asleep like Phronsie.”
“I’m not sleepy,” said Joel, digging his knuckles into his black eyes and trying to keep awake.
“I am,” said Davie, “and my legs are tired.” And he stumbled off to the loft stairs.
“Hoh!” exclaimed Joel, following slowly, “I ain’t sleepy a single bit. And Polly and you are going to talk over secrets after we’re gone,” and he turned half-way up the loft stairs to show an injured face.
“Well, you wouldn’t hear any secrets if you stayed,” declared Ben coolly, “so you might as well take yourself off, Joe.”
CHAPTER IX
THE OLD BOOK BOX
MRS. PARSON HENDERSON for once left her breakfast dishes unwashed.