The afternoon nap that day was very much shorter, for the three were bent on helping indoors. They were not very well pleased, therefore, when they were dressed for the afternoon and sent out to play in the yard. The Doctor, coming home early, saw them walking about in a listless way and went out to see what the trouble was.
"Well, what is wrong now, little folks?"
"O Uncle! ev'ybody is all the time saying, 'Not jes' now,' and 'After while,' and 'Not at present, thank you,' and all things same as that when we want to help, so they is," pouted Beth.
"Yes, and we didn't ask nennybody for presents, Uncle, not ever, ever at all."
"Not ever, ever at all. We jes' want to help."
"And when is 'after while,' anyway, Uncle Frank. Seems to me big folks are always saying that, and it never comes," added Dick.
"Dear, dear, it is too bad to have your feelings hurt in this way. I must see what can be done about it. Surely there must be something for such willing hands to do."
"Oh, we did whole lots of things this morning-time. See all those red and blue and yellow marks we made on ev'ything?" Beth lowered her voice. "All 'cept Jack. He's too little, you know; but he's so cute."
"Yes, I saw the marks as soon as I came out here. May I ask what they mean?"
"The why we made them is 'cause we want ev'ybody to know jes' 'zactly the things we must take to Bird-a-Lea with us."