"that mamsie won't know what to do, will she, Polly?"

"No, I don't believe she will," said Polly, gayly, stuffing in more
wood; "Oh, dear! there goes Ben's putty; it's all come out!"

"So it has," said Joel, going around back of the stove to explore;
and then he added cheerfully, "it's bigger'n ever; oh! it's an awful
big hole, Polly!"

"Now, whatever shall we do!" said Polly, in great distress; "that
hateful old crack! and Ben's clear off to Deacon Blodgett's!"

"I'll run and get him," cried Joel, briskly; "I'll bring him right home
in ten minutes."

"Oh, no, you must not, Joe," cried Polly in alarm; "it wouldn't ever
be right to take him off from his work; manisie wouldn't like it."

"What will you do, then?" asked Joel, pausing on his way to the
door.

"I'm sure I don't know," said Polly, getting down on her knees to
examine the crack; "I shall have to stuff it with paper, I s'pose."

"'Twon't stay in," said Joel, scornfully; "don't you know you stuffed
it before, last week?"

"I know," said Polly, with a small sigh; and sitting down on the
floor, she remained quite still for a minute, with her two black
hands thrust out straight before her.