me."

"Well, don't be gone long then," replied his mother.

"There," said grandma, going into her "keeping-room" to an
old-fashioned chest of drawers; opening one, she took therefrom a
paper, from which she shook out before Joe's delighted eyes some
red and white peppermint drops. "There now, you take these home;
you may have some, but be sure you give the most to the sick ones;
and Polly--let Polly have the biggest."

"She won't take 'em," said Joel, wishing he had the measles. "Well,
you try her," said grandma; "run along now." But it was useless to
tell Joel that, for he was half-way home already. He carried out
grandma's wishes, and distributed conscientiously the precious
drops. But when he came to Polly, she didn't answer; and looking
at her in surprise he saw two big tears rolling out under the
bandage and wetting the pillow.

"I don't want 'em, Joe," said Polly, when he made her understand
that "twas peppermints, real peppermints;" "you may have 'em."

"Try one, Polly; they're real good," said Joel, who had an
undefined
wish to comfort; "there, open your mouth."

So Polly opened her mouth, and Joel put one in with satisfaction.

"Isn't it good?" he asked, watching her crunch it.