annoyances that I cannot put up
with; so that altogether, I do not regret it."

Mrs. Pepper, not knowing exactly what to say to this, wisely said
nothing. Meantime, Jappy and the little Peppers were having a sorry time
over in the corner by themselves.

"Well, I'll write," cried Jasper, not liking to look at Polly just then,
as he was sure he shouldn't want anyone to look at him, if he felt like
crying. "And you must answer 'em all."

"Oh, we will! we will!" they cried. "And Jappy, do come next summer,"
said Joel.

"If father'll only say yes, we will, I tell you!" he responded eagerly.

"Come, my boy," said his father the third time; and Jasper knew by the
tone that there must be no delay.

Mr. King had been nervously putting his hand in his pocket during the
last few moments that the children were together; but when he glanced
at Mrs. Pepper's eyes, something made him draw it out again hastily,
as empty as he put it in. "No, 'twouldn't do," he said to himself; "she
isn't the kind of woman to whom one could offer money."

The children crowded back their tears, and hastily said their last
good-bye, some of them hanging on to Prince till the last moment.

And then the carriage door shut with a bang, Jasper giving them a bright
parting smile, and they were gone.

And the Peppers went into their little brown house, and shut the door.

GETTING A CHRISTMAS FOR THE LITTLE ONES

And so October came and went. The little Peppers were very lonely after
Jasper had gone; even Mrs. Pepper caught herself looking up one day when
the wind blew the door open suddenly, half expecting to see the merry
whole-souled boy, and the faithful dog come scampering in.

But the letters came--and that was a comfort; and it was fun to answer
them. The first one spoke of Jasper's being under a private tutor, with
his cousins; then they were less frequent, and they knew he was studying
hard. Full of anticipations of Christmas himself, he urged the little
Peppers to try for one. And the life and spirit of the letter was so
catching, that Polly and Ben found their souls fired within them to try
at least to get for the little ones a taste of Christmastide.

"Now, mammy," they said at last, one day in the latter part of October,
when the crisp, fresh air filled their little healthy bodies with
springing vitality that must bubble over and rush into something,
"we don't want a Thanksgiving--truly we don't. But may we try for a
Christmas