"Yes," said Phronsie, shaking her yellow head very wisely at him,
and diving down into her cup of very weak milk and water to see if
Polly had put any sugar in by mistake--a proceeding always
expectantly observed. "Yes, we are really, Bensie, very dreadful
rich!"

"I wish we could be rich now, then," said Ben, taking another
generous slice of the brown bread; "in time for mamsic's birthday,"
and he cast a sorrowful glance at Polly.

"I know," said Polly; "oh dear! if we only could celebrate it!"

"I don't want any other celebration," said Mrs. Pepper, beaming on
them so that a little flash of sunshine seemed to hop right down on
the table, "than to look round on you all; I'm rich now, and that's a
fact!"

"Mamsie don't mind her five bothers," cried Polly, jumping up and
running to hug her mother; thereby producing a like desire in all
the others, who immediately left their seats and followed her
example.

"Mother's rich enough," ejaculated Mrs. Pepper; her bright, black
eyes glistening with delight, as the noisy troop filed back to their
bread and potatoes; "if we can only keep together, dears, and grow
up good, so that the little brown house won't be ashamed of us,
that's all I ask."

"Well," said Polly, in a burst of confidence to Ben, after the table