about. You could
wear John's slipper, you see----"
She smiled so persuasively. She would never be as handsome as Margaret,
but she had such tender, coaxing eyes, and such a sweet mouth.
"Well, I'll bring my book along." It was one of Cooper's novels that
boys were going wild over just then. "Do you really think they'd like to
have me?"
"Oh, I know they would," eagerly.
Ben had to walk rather one-sided. Joe said he must not bear any weight
on the outside of his foot to press the wound open.
"I've brought Ben," announced the little girl. "And he's going to be a
Revolutionary soldier."
"We are very glad to see him," and Mrs. Dean rose. She had a white
kerchief crossed on her breast, and a pretty cap pinned up for the
occasion.
The yard was shady in the afternoon. There was a piece of carpet spread
on the grass, and some chairs arranged on it, and two or three rugs laid
around. On the space paved with brick stood the table, and two boxes
were the dish closets. There were some cradles, and a bed arranged on
another box. It really was a pretty picture.
Josie and Charles were generally the mother and father of one household.
Charles blushed up to the roots of his hair. He liked playing with the
girls, when he was the only boy, with no one to laugh at him.
"Now you mustn't mind me or I shall go back home and stay all alone,"
said Ben. That appealed to everybody's sympathy. "I'm coming over here
to talk to grandmother about what we did when we were young."
Grandmother had some knitting. People even then knit their husband's
winter stockings because they wore so much better. "And Mrs.
Pennypacker, you might come and call on us."
Nora laughed. That was Ben's favorite name for her when she had the cat.
The soft gray head and the gray paws looked rather queer out of the long
white dress. Pussy Gray had a white nose and his eyes were fastened in
with a black streak that looked like a ribbon.
"How is your son to-day?" Ben inquired.
"He is pretty well, except he's getting some teeth. Ain't you, darling?"
and Nora hugged him up.
"Wow," said Kitty softly.
"Have you had the doctor?"
"No-o," answered Kitty, looking up pathetically.
"I'm afraid I've neglected him," explained Mrs. Pennypacker. "You poor
darling! But your mother has been so busy."
"Meaow," said Kitty resignedly.
"Are you hungry, dear? Would you like a bit of cold chicken? He has to
have something to keep up his strength. Teething
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