“Why don’t you go, then?” growled Sappy the Owl.
“I must go,” said Merrimeg. “Mother wants me to help her with the dishes, and there’s some sweeping to be done, too, and——”
“Come along, brother,” said Malkin, and the two gnomes led Merrimeg away in the direction of their house.
When they reached it, Merrimeg thanked them, very politely, and ran away home; and when she opened the kitchen door her mother was peeling the potatoes for supper.
“Why, Merrimeg!” said her mother. “Wherever have you been? I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Will you sit down and finish peeling these potatoes for me?”
“Yes, mother,” said Merrimeg.
