lowers from the time they began to bloom until after
they were gathered and sold.

"I am sure I ought to have half the profits from the honey," she laughed,
"for I nearly keep the bees!"

That summer Rocket's loads grew so large that a pony had to be hired to
take his place sometimes, for Aunt Emma's fowls and eggs added
considerably to the weight and to the number of baskets they had to get
into the cart. So soon did they repay themselves for the cost of the
fowl-house, that before autumn was past Bella had begun once more to hope
that her dream of a stall in the market might yet be realised, and shortly
too.

They had so much to sell now, and such a variety of things, that it took
them a very long time to find customers for all, and it was very, very,
tiring work, they found, to go round from house to house, all over the
hilly little town. It meant long, weary hours of tramping, and often they
could not get home till quite late. Then, quite suddenly, one day, when
they had got home late, and more than usually tired, the next and
long-hoped-for step was decided upon. They would rent a stall in the
market for the winter months, at any rate, and they would begin on the
very next Saturday as ever was.

When once this great step was decided upon, preparations had to begin at
once, and in earnest, for long white cloths to cover the shelves had to be
bought and made, to make them look clean and dainty. In a state of great
excitement they all practised on the kitchen table how they would arrange
the things, and how they should be laid out to look their best and be most
attractive.

Margery looked on with the keenest interest. "Oh, Aunt Emma, do let me go
with them on Saturday. Just this once," she pleaded eagerly. "I don't
weigh very heavy, and I'm sure the pony wouldn't mind me, and I'd be ever
so good. I wouldn't be a bit of trouble, not the very least little bit.
May I? Daddy, do say yes! Tom and Bella will take care of me."

Aunt Emma looked at her doubtfully, but there was a smile at the corner of
her mouth. "Well, take care you don't get sold too," she said;
"if you do, I shan't buy you back, I promise you. I've a good mind to
walk in myself in the afternoon," she added, turning to her brother.
"I haven't seen Norton Market for years, and I've often felt I'd like to.
I little thought I should ever be helping to have a stall there. I really
think I must go in, William."

"You could drive home," said