Ben Pepper

them," said Mother Fisher, with pride. "I'll trust them anywhere

y fingers sorting the pile of small stockings Jane had brought up from

g up at her, "so don't let us think any more of it. And Ben's big enough to take them anywhe

our ago, begging him not to miss it. And if I told him of the children's plans, he'd give

ded fashion, and putting the last stocking into place on

ew her arms around Mrs. Fisher's neck and gave her a big hug. "Isn't Aunty Whitney too l

er brought her face around to look in

her Fisher's face, and the color dying out of her cheek. "Do you mean we are not to go,

so distressed. "It is just this way," Mrs. Whitney was hurrying on in quite as unhappy a state as Polly had feared: "Father has received word that there is a picture exhibi

's hand. Oh, why had she given way to her passion? The tears w

said Mrs. Whitney, comforting

inging up her head suddenly

up. Mrs. Fisher is going to let you and Ben take the children. Just t

her black eyes fastened on Polly's face. "I don't

't think of-" but she didn't finish, on seeing Mrs. Fisher

she tumbled down on her knees and hid her face

ng the brown hair; "you didn't mean to, but you said it just the same; an

deeper within the folds of the blac

rrowing deeper within the fol

but she said nothing, and at last Polly's s

, de

so so

'must' unless mother says so. And to fly into

ing up to sit straight on the floor, and brushing away

home," said Mrs. Fisher; "for I can't let Ben have

and wriggled on the

our passion; it hurts more than ourselves," said Mothe

" cried Polly, squeezing her mother's hands

thing to say any more than 'must.'" And her black eyes had such a loo

r, "and get ready, for I am going to let you

d flung her arms again around her mother's nec

t you go and help Ben take care of the children if she didn't know you would do everything just right? Never say such a word as that again, Polly!" and the b

she gasped, catching sight of her face in the long mirror on the way, "I

assion," observed Mrs. Fisher, quietly; "it makes a good

h a hasty hand that a little stream ran down the pretty

a pity! Polly'll be so sorry." His blue eyes looked very much

ing, Ben," Mrs. Fish

d Ben, in surprise. "Grandpapa jus

Ben?" ejaculated Mrs. Fisher, involuntarily, ye

, in amazement; "of

a little laugh; "and why I asked such a st

eeks in the towel to dry them off, when Mother Fisher, having made Ben acquainted

rling round, as Polly hurried into the lit

y, on her way, "I'll be

eyes shone and his head was held very high. To think that Polly and he were to be allowed to take the children out shopping amid all the excitement of Christmas wee

looking out at her from the mirror, beside what she saw of the poor swoll

s Phronsie ready yet. But isn't it perfectly splendid that we can go alone, you and I, and, just think, Polly Pepper

o it, and then he would be sure to see her face! So Ben, although he thought it funny that Polly, who was generally bubbling over with joy at the prospec

going over to the closet. "Here, come o

ly, and only succeeding in flopping up one sleeve to knock her hat

eard of trying to put on a coat in a

y, quite exasperated, and setting her hat

and marched her out into the room. And before Polly knew it, her o

mumbled; "I'm so s

her a comforting pat. "Well, co

owed by Jane ushering in Phronsie all attired for the trip, the whol

hold up the little money-bag dangling by its chain fr

so," and he tried to get past her

elf," said Ben, "I sh'd l

e," said Joel, loudly,

said Mrs

But he hung his head and would

I'm going to buy things, I am. See, Mamsie!" She held it up before Mr

e, but there was no smile for Joel, and looking up he cau

David suddenly, who was nearly knocked over by his sudden rebo

said Phronsie, standing on her tiptoes to wh

fore she sent a smile over to Joel that seemed to drop right down into th

r head in its big, fur-trimmed bonnet, and fastening

his composure. Then he thought, and stopp

itney or me," began Mrs. Fisher, looking around on them all. "Well, it's quite time that you should make the tria

red all the little Peppers together.

the shops. And whatever they tell you, you are to do.

people all get in front

sher, decidedly. "At any rate, you are not to c

h. Now may we go, Mamsie?" and he be

ted until the group was once more quiet around her

sie, I sh'd think we might when we are out shopping. And I've got such lots o

se it if you show it li

e it?" demanded Joel,

of your hand if you don

book. I'm going to get a pin," and he raced

owed Joel's movements with attention; "w

clared Joel, with energy, and running back with the biggest pin he co

about it and stick your own hand in," said

e and jamming the pin through the folds; "there, I guess the pick

t my children to be picking and handling at such a time. You can look all you want to; but when you

as if the fact had not been announced before; "see

's the one Grandpapa gave you la

ear Grandpapa gave it to me, and it's my ve

while Joel was screaming, "Come on, Phron, we'll be lat

arms around Mrs. Fisher's neck

isher, patting Polly's shoulder; "an

and hummed her satisfaction, and was kissed and set down again. And then David had to say good-by too, and Ben as well; and then Polly made up her mind she would have the last kiss, so it was so

ly, twitching Phronsie's coat straight. "We

psetting Phronsie, and ran over the steps as fast as he could. "Oh, Mamsie," he cried, flying up to her. Mrs. Fisher had gotten out of her chair, and was now ov

too," howled Joel, burrowing

Mrs. Fisher, cuddling him. "Well

, lifting a radiant face;

e Mother'll feel ba

down the stairs and overtook the group w

g now, I wonder?" said B

good-by, too," said Joel, importantly. "