Soon, it might have been within half an hour, she heard Rose call softly at the top of the stairs:--
"Martie."
"Yes, Rose."
"May I come?"
"Yes, dear."
"O Martie! may I, too?" wailed Cherry.
"Yes."
"I 'm coming, mother," said March, speaking in a low, determined voice through the knot-hole.
"Very well, March."
"Come along, Budd," said March, and Budd was only too glad to grip his brother's pajamas and follow after.