"Very well, children. Put on your aprons. Now, Polly, get the molasses jug."
Mother measured out the molasses. Then she put it on the stove to boil. Soon she measured out some white sugar. She poured it into the molasses.
"Peter, you may carry away the sugar. That is the way you helped grandmother, you know."
"Now let me stir," said Polly.
"Oh, no," said mother. "We do not stir this candy. I thought you knew better than that."
Soon the molasses boiled. The children liked to watch it. They liked the good smell.
Peter said, "See it bubble up just like our spring."
"It is the steam, trying to get out, that makes the bubbles," said mother. "You know that steam is strong. You have seen it lift the lid of the teakettle.
"Now let us try the candy. Bring a cup, Polly. Bring a cup, Peter. Fill them half full of cold water."
Mother dipped a spoon into the boiling candy. She poured part of the spoonful into Polly's cup, and the rest into Peter's cup.