"Fifteen cents for any one over twelve, and ten cents for boys and girls under twelve," said Ben.
"Um, that would be one fifteen cents for you, and ten cents for Polly and Joel, and--"
"Why, you must go, Mamsie," cried Polly; "we shouldn't any of us want to go without you, should we, Ben?"
"No, indeed," said Ben. "But we ain't any of us going, Polly," he finished.
At this there was another howl, breaking out from the two boys. Polly turned quite pale, but said nothing.
"Be quiet, Joel and David," said Mrs. Pepper, turning her black eyes on them. "No, children, if I could let you go at all, I should trust you with such a boy as Ben, and such a girl as Polly, to look after you." Polly raised her head, that had drooped at her mother's reproof, and Ben sat quite straight in his chair. "But I don't see as it's right for me to let you go." There was a sign of another outbreak, but something in Mamsie's eyes stopped it halfway.
"In the first place, it's five miles to Hillsbury," said Mrs. Pepper, slowly, as if trying to put off the final decision as long as possible; "and you younger children couldn't walk it."
"I could, Mamsie," declared Joel, springing up again.
"Sit down, Joel; well, Davie couldn't. I shouldn't be willing for him to try, and walk clear back. And Phronsie--" Mrs. Pepper looked down at Phronsie's yellow head, and smiled. It wasn't necessary for her to say a word. "Mr. Tisbett'll be goin' over," said little Davie, hopefully, "an' he can take us."
"And that would cost money," said Mrs. Pepper.