"Do go out, mother, and see what 'tis," said Polly.

"I've come," said a cracked voice, close up by the bedroom door,
followed by a big black cap, which could belong to no other than
Grandma Bascom, "to set by you a spell; what's the matter?" she
asked, and stopped, amazed to see Polly in bed.

"Oh, Polly's taken," screamed Mrs. Pepper in her ear.

"Taken!" repeated the old lady, "what is it--a fit?"

"No," said Mrs. Pepper; "the same as Ben's got; and Phronsie; the
measles."

"The measles, has she?" said grandma; "well, that's bad; and Ben's
away, you say."

"No, he isn't either," screamed Mrs. Pepper, "he's got them, too!"

"Got two what?" asked grandma.

"Measles! he's got the measles too," repeated Mrs. Pepper, loud as
she could; so loud that the old lady's cap trembled at the noise.

"Oh! the dreadful!" said grandma; "and this girl too?" laying her
hand on Phronsie's head.

"Yes," said Mrs. Pepper, feeling it a little relief to tell over her
miseries; "all three of them!"