chatter, and somehow thinking it might make the mother feel
badly, he had refrained from saying just how tiresome he had
really found this "everlasting breakfast" as Joel called it. But now
he looked up eagerly, his answer all ready. "Oh, I know," he cried,
"what would be most beautiful! toasted bread--white bread--and
candy."

"What's candy?" asked Phronsie.

"Oh, don't you know, Phronsie," cried Polly, "what Mrs. Beebe
gave you the day you got your shoes--the pink sticks; and"-- "And
the peppermint stick Mr. Beebe gave you, Phronsie," finished Joel,
his mouth watering at the remembrance.

"That day, when you got your toe pounded," added Davie, looking
at Joel.

"Oh!" cried Phronsie; "I want some now, I do!"

"Well, Davie," said Polly, "you shall have that for breakfast when
our ship comes in then."

"Your ships aren't ever coming," broke in Mrs. Pepper, wisely, "if
you sit there talking--folks don't ever make any fortunes by
wishing."

"True enough," laughed Ben, jumping up and setting back his
chair. "Come on, Joe; you've got to pile to-day."

"Oh, dear," said Joel, dismally; "I wish Mr. Blodgett's wood was