ngly, for
Davie was the delicate one of the family; at least not nearly so strong
as the others.

Mrs. Pepper looked at her anxiously; but Polly seemed as bright and
healthy as ever, as she jumped up and ran to put the kettle on the
stove.

"What'll the boys say, I wonder!" she thought to herself, feeling
quite important that they really had sickness in the house. As long
as Phronsie wasn't dangerous, it seemed quite like rich folks; and she
forgot the toil, and the grind of poverty. She looked out from time to
time as she passed the window, but no boys came.

"I'll put her in bed, Polly," said Mrs. Pepper, in a whisper, as
Phronsie closed her eyes and breathed regularly.

"And then will you have your dinner, ma?"

"Yes," said Mrs. Pepper, "I don't care--if the boys come."

"The boys'll never come," said Polly, impatiently; "I don't
believe--why! here they are now!"

"Oh, dear," said Joel, coming in crossly, "I'm so hungry--oh--butter!
where'd you get it? I thought we never should get here!"

"I thought so too," said Polly. "Hush! why, where's Ben?"

"He's just back," began Joel, commencing to eat, "and Davie; something
is the matter with Ben--he says he feels funny."

"Something the matter with Ben!" repeated Polly. She dropped the cup she
held, which broke in a dozen pieces.

"Oh, whocky!" cried Joel; "see what you've done, Polly Pepper!"

But Polly didn't hear; over the big, flat door-stone she sped, and
met Ben with little David, coming in the gate. His face was just like
Phronsie's! And with a cold, heavy feeling at her heart, Polly realized
that this was no play.

"Oh, Ben!" she cried, flinging her arms around his neck, and bursting
into tears; "don't! please--I wish you wouldn't; Phronsie's got 'em, and
that's enough!"

"Got what?" asked Ben, while Davie's eyes grew to their widest
proportions.

"Oh, measles!" cried Polly, bursting out afresh; "the hate-fullest,
horridest measles! and now you're taken!"

"Oh no, I'm not," responded Ben, cheerfully, who knew what measles were;
"wipe up, Polly; I'm all right; only my head aches, and my eyes feel
funny."

But Polly, only half-reassured, controlled her sobs; and the sorrowful
trio repaired to mother.

"Oh, dear!" ejaculated Mrs. Pepper, sinking in a chair in dismay, at
sight of Ben's red face; "whatever'll we do now!"

The prop and stay of her life would be taken away if Ben should be laid
aside. No more stray half or quarter dollars would c