“Tell us about Mr. Brown’s farm,” said Ben, as soon as he could speak. “We want to hear about it, Mamsie.”
So Mrs. Pepper began, and set the whole day before them from beginning to end.
“Oh, I am so glad,” said Polly, with a long breath, “that Davie had a good time—because he didn’t want to go without Joel.”
“Joel is going to have a chance,” said Mother Pepper, “and you, Ben, and you, too, Polly, for we’re all invited to spend a day there before very long.”
“Isn’t that fine!” cried Polly, forgetting for a moment her dreadful trouble, and she clapped her hands. And Ben was so pleased at that, that he actually smiled.
“And now you must get to bed, both of you.” Mother Pepper looked up at the old clock on the shelf. “Dear me, who would think it was so late!”
It was all of an hour after, and Mrs. Pepper, who had been sewing by the light of the candle, to make up for the time spent in the visit of that day, let the work drop in her lap, and she was lost in thought.
Suddenly a noise like a little mouse at work in the corner, struck upon her ear, to be followed by another not at all like one to be laid to a mouse, and then a distinct, though soft, rap was heard.
She got out of her chair, and went over to the big green door and opened it.
“Why, Jimmy!” she exclaimed, “is your mother sick?”