"As we are all going to make the toffee, I should say we had better all try it. We can have four cups of water and four spoons, can't we, Margaret?"
"Oh, yes!" replied Margaret. "Will you fetch them please, Mary?"
Mary went off as requested, but she was away so long that Tom and Margaret had finished stirring, and they were ready for her to take the spoon when she returned, looking hot and excited, but bearing the four cups of water and four spoons on a tray.
"Aunt Bridget wouldn't let me have four cups at first," she remarked on entering: "she said it was too many; but I got them at last."
"That's right," said Tom. "Shall we try if the toffee is nearly ready?"
"We had better not try too soon, because if four of us taste very often, we shall eat so much before it is ready that there will be very little to divide after it is ready."
"Quite true," said Tom; while Mary stirred enthusiastically until her six minutes were gone.
"Now for my turn," said Rosy.
"I think we had better try whether it is done enough yet," said Tom.
"Tom, how unkind you are!" said Rosy. "Everybody has stirred but me, and just as my turn has come you want to try it. Besides, how can I try it when I am stirring?"