to tell us," said David slowly; "then they were just magnificent."

Phronsie had laid her head back in the waiting lap, and was crooning
softly to herself.

"I want to go and see dear good Mr. Beebe," she said presently, "and
nice Mrs. Beebe, can I, Mamsie?" looking over at her.

"To be sure," cried Mrs. Pepper, "you shall indeed, child."

"Beebe-Beebe, and who is he, pray?" demanded Mr. King.

"Oh! he keeps the shoe shop over in the Center," explained three or four
voices, "and Phronsie's new shoes were bought there, you know."

"And he gave me pink and white candy-sticks," said Phronsie, and he was
very nice; and I like him very much."

"And Mrs. Beebe gave us doughnuts all around," communicated Joel; "I
don't know but that I liked those best. There was more to them."

"So you always bought your new shoes of the Beebes?" asked the old
gentleman, a question that brought all the five Peppers around his chair
at once.

"We didn't ever have new shoes that I can remember," said Joel quickly,
"except Phronsie's, and once Ben had a new pair. He had to, because he
was the oldest, you know."

"Oh!" said Mr. King.