"Come, girls, Miss Watson's washin's ready;" and the little forms, at which our Patty and George had been furtively "peeking," disappeared.
It was the work of a few moments to catch the lame turkey, and to start him homeward at the point of George's switch; but someway neither child looked happy over the achievement.
"George," finally began Patty's pleading little voice.
"Well, what d'ye want?" in his gruffest manner.
"They hain't got no father, Georgie."
"No more ha' we, nor mother neither. We're orphans."
"Oh, George! when we've got such a good Aunt Polly, 'n' such a Uncle Amasa. An' corn meal, George."
Now Patty's brother "hated corn meal so" too, as his crafty sister knew. There was a little pause.
"Well, what shell we do?" he inquired, finally. "Tell Aunt Polly, 'n' get her to send 'em something down?"