The Adventures of Joel Pepper

strings, there was David, running around brisk as a bee, his cheeks pink as a rose, and Joel, who had stuck to the old box of nails all day, despite Polly's pleadings to sto

g for a long breath by the old green door; the

, standing on the doorstone to see him go; "he wouldn't

im a loving little pat. "I know all about it, why he wanted to do it"--for Joel had told her the w

hronsie, poking her head in betwe

--No, 'tisn't," as David started to scamper over the stepping-stones--"it's a man turning the road. Anyway, sh

Joel, imagining himself a gay trotting horse, was slapping his legs with a switch, and careering around the back of the little brown house in a great state of excitement. Now hearing the calls, he ca

the back door; for really he was very hungry, and there must be as much as a piece of bread, although the little brown house didn't look as if it held much meat and pie and cake.

wding up in front. "Now begin,

he Muffin Man," sa

, Polly, please do let us have the Muffin Man," she cried, her yellow hai

old Muffin Man, he's no fun. I say 'Tag.' Do

" said Davie, reflectively, "and

Polly's eye. "All right, Dave," he cried. "Go on,

engaged in making a cheese, and tumbling over in a heap on the grass. "Come on, Pet," and Polly pulled her up, "don't you see the Muffin Man is wait

up at the window of the kitchen. And as quick as a shot he dropped Polly's hand and

ly, "whatever can ha

her other hand, and lifting her flushed face plea

gayly. "We all know the Muffin Man--the Muffin Man--the Muffi

d nice had Joel stopped to hear it. As it was, he bounded in. "What are you doing in our house?" he cried, doubling up his fists. "Hey?" said the man. He wasn't very nice to look at either, and he peered over and around Joel's stur

our tracks, and I'll make m

small brown fists well doubled up, pommelling right and left, and butting his stubby black head into the stranger's waistcoat. And the next mi

ed the man. "Now I'm going

umpet Lane," sang Polly and Phronsie merrily

ed Polly, as they st

ing her hand; "please, Polly." So down

eg, and in order that he should not use his tongue, Seraphina's clothes, where

n; "and as long as those youngsters are at their noise out there, I'm safe enough," an

ands all over the clean, bare shelves--"well, this will keep me from starving." So he rolled the towel

Polly. "I must see where Joel is." So she dropped the fa

be done. But she had an extra quarter of a dollar in her pocket, and Polly was to run over after the Conference dinner and get a basket of the eatables. "If they leave any," Miss Jerusha, the minister's sister, had said grimly, "which isn't very likely. I've heard 'em preach often en

tied hand and foot, his black eyes blazing, while he was talking as fast as he could rattle, and Polly was untying

, Mamsie!" Phronsie turned and saw Mrs. Pep

er Pepper, grasping her baby tightly. "There

knots in the clothes-line. Davie scuttled over to

g at the knots. "Let me up! I'm going after him.

by her side, and putting both arms around his struggling fig

elp his gettin' it," he sniffled, "Mamsie, I

ered as she thought of what might have been. "You're my bra

s head, his tears all gone. "I can catch h

hter. Oh, Mammy, let us all go after him," she begged

must stir out of this house unless I tell you. And as for

t knot out that tied his arms. Then he set to work to help her get his

and down the road, "do let me go. I can get some stic

ng to Mrs. Pepper; "just think, Ma

scom's and see if he went there. Then Ben'll be home, and he can r

g into the middle of the kitchen with a bound. "He's my th

ly with her little arms around the neck. "Well, I declare!" she said with

ht to. I declare, we're all so excited we don't know what to do. I'

r that now; we ought to get over and see how Grandma Ba

efaced way. "I'll run down the lane and see. Yo

'," screamed Joel, r

er, "come here." Joel s

along. And if you see the man, you call me." And Mrs. Pepper went to the door, and, with P

way, and wasn't a bit afraid. There she sat, dr

upboard," she said sociably, "they're in the big

ly, "Mamsie wants us

"'Twon't take but a mi

, Grandma. Now, let's run, boys, as fast as we can,