"Why don't you?"
"Let's all ast 'er."
"S'pose she will, Bud?"
"I dunno."
Then Piggy and Abe and Jimmy and Mealy came trapesing up to Miss Morgan's kitchen door. Bud sat by the tree twirling his knife at his game. Piggy, being the spokesman, stood in the doorway. "Miss Morgan," he said, as he slapped his leg with his hat.
"Well, Winfield?" replied the little woman, divining his mission, and hardening her heart against his purpose.
"Miss Morgan," he repeated, and then coaxed sheepishly, "can't Bud go to the show with us, Miss Morgan?"
"I'm afraid not to-day," smiled back Miss Morgan, as she went about her work. A whisper from the doorstep prompted Piggy to "ask her why;" whereat Piggy echoed: "Why can't he, Miss Morgan?"
"Henry misbehaved in church last night, and we've agreed that he shall stay home from the circus."