"The third time's the charm," cried Laura, breaking hopefully into the chorus of lamentations, "Let's get to work!"
When the mixture was returned to the fire she took Alene by the shoulder and placed her on a chair with her back to the stove, "for fear her reproachful glances set the pan a-tremble and that obstinate sugar be glad of the chance to escape taffying!"
Whereupon Ivy, with a parting grimace toward the range, gravely moved her chair around and the others followed her example, until all had turned their backs upon the offending pan.
After a while Ivy craned her neck stealthily. She saw the mixture bubbling. She gave a scream.
"It's stirring of its own accord! Girls, girls, stop it, stop it!"'
"I'm not surprised," Hermione remarked. "The poor thing no doubt feels very much 'stirred up.'"
"Yes, it's fairly boiling over with rage," said Alene. Then, forgetful of the prophesied consequences, she flew to test it.
They crowded around her as she poured a spoonful of the sweet into a glass of water, Then followed a hilarious cheer—
"Joy, joy, our task is done!
The sugar's thickened!
Taffy's won!"