“Perhaps Mamsie won’t let ’em come,” he said, a comforting thought striking him.
“Oh, yes, she will,” said Polly cheerfully. “I heard her only the other day talk about asking them some time. And the Parson and Mrs. Henderson have been so good to us, Joey! Come, let’s go and ask her now.”
She grasped his jacket-sleeve and he had nothing to do but to follow.
“O dear me!” exclaimed Polly, as she saw the broom lying just where she had thrown it. “Well, it won’t take a minute to ask Mamsie about your company, Joe, and then I’ll finish sweeping the kitchen,” and she threw wide the bedroom door.
There sat Phronsie on the floor at Mrs. Pepper’s feet, snipping up what she called the “trimming” to Seraphina’s new calico gown, and humming softly to herself as Mamsie set the stitches in the coat, a happy smile on her face. For pleasure was coming to two of her little ones to-morrow through the kindness of good Mr. and Mrs. Brown. When she saw Joel’s face, the smile dropped off a bit, as she remembered how he wanted to go on the beautiful visit. And Polly, too! Then the smile faded completely away.
“Mamsie,” cried Polly, rushing in and towing Joel along, “can’t Joey have some company to-morrow; can’t he, Mamsie?”
“Some company?” repeated Mother Pepper, her work dropping to her lap.
“Yes,” said Polly, “oh, it would be so nice—Peletiah and Ezekiel—can’t he ask them?”
“Ugh!” said Joel. He couldn’t help it, and he twisted up his face, just as if he’d bitten something sour.
“You said you’d like to ask them some time, Mamsie,” went on Polly, still holding Joel’s little calico sleeve fast, “and now Joey and I will be all alone—and he wants some company.”