excitement. "You said 'little brown house,' we heard you just as
plainly; and you re getting up something, I know you are." "People don't
usually select a roomful of listeners, and then shout out their
secrets," said Jasper. "You are in for it now, Joe, and no mistake. Go
ahead, old fellow, and give us the rest of it."

Joel whirled away from them all in desperation. "You might as well,"
laughed the old gentleman, "the mischief is done now, and no mistake."

So Joel, thus set upon, allowed the whole beautiful plan to be wrung
from him, by slow and torturing installments; how they all were to go to
Badgertown, open the little brown house, and stay there--here he glanced
at Mr. King--"perhaps a week," he brought out suddenly, filling the time
with all sorts of frolics, and playing they were there again, and really
and truly living in the old home.

At last it was all out, to be received in different ways by the
listeners.

"Oh, Joe!" cried Davie with shining eyes. "We never could come away
again if we once get there, never!"

Polly stood quite still, a mist gathering before her glad eyes, out of
which she dimly saw the little brown house arise and beckon to her.

Phronsie jumped up and down and clapped her hands in glee. "Oh,
Grandpapa, Grandpapa!" she screamed, "please take us to the little brown
house, please!"

That settled it. "I do not think we need to consider it longer," said