“I told him we would all help him. You will—won’t you?”
They all, even Katy, who was not often willing to do what her friends asked her to do, declared that they would.
They were so pleased at the idea of a story from Uncle Ben, that they were willing to buy the pleasure by picking his currants for him. Flora led the way back to the old man’s house. He met them with a smile on his face, and led them out to the bushes, where they went to work.
It turned out that Uncle Ben had picked more than half the currants he wanted himself, and in less than half an hour the busy fingers of the children had finished the job.
Uncle Ben then led them to an apple tree near the house. Seating himself on the ground, the children gathered around him, and he began the story. The little folks could scarcely believe that he was the cross old man, whom almost every body hated, for he looked as good natured as any body could look.
On the Cross-trees.
III.
I have no doubt my little readers will wish they were members of the party under the apple tree, hearing the story which the Riverdale children enjoyed so much, and which produced a lasting impression on their minds; and for their benefit I will repeat it.