most kill him."

"Oh, Joel!" cried Polly, while David's eyes got bigger than ever.

So Ben drew upon his powers as story-teller, to suit his exacting
audience, and was making his bear work havoc upon poor Tommy
in a way captivating to all, even Joel, when---- "Well, I declare,"
sounded Mrs. Pepper's cheery voice coming in upon them, "if this
isn't comfortable!"

"Oh, mammy!" cried Phronsie, jumping out of Polly's arms,
whither she had taken refuge during the thrilling tale, and running
to her mother who gathered her baby up, "we've had a bear! a real,
live bear, we have! Ben made him!"

"Have you!" said Mrs. Pepper, taking off her shawl, and laying her
parcel of work down on the table, "now, that's nice!"

"Oh, mammy!" cried Polly, "it does seem so good to be all together
again!"

"And I thank the Lord!" said Mrs. Pepper, looking down on her
happy little group; and the tears were in her eyes-- "and children,
we ought to be very good and please Him, for He's been so good to
us."

THE CLOUD OVER THE LITTLE BROWN HOUSE

When Phronsie, with many crows of delight, and much chattering,
had gotten fairly started the following morning on her