and thereupon ensued a merry scramble as she tumbled out of the big bed,
and commenced operations, Polly running out to help Mamsie get the
breakfast.

"Mush seems good now we don't have to eat it," cried Joel, as they all
at last sat around the board.

"'Twas good then," said Mrs. Pepper, her black eyes roving over the
faces before her.

"How funny," cried Percy Whitney, who had run over from the parsonage to
breakfast, "this yellow stuff is." And he took up a spoonful of it
gingerly.

"You don't like it, Percy; don't try to eat it. I'll make you a slice of
toast," cried Polly, springing out of her chair, "in just one moment."

"No, you mustn't," cried Dick, bounding in in time to catch the last
words. "Mamma said no one was to have anything different, if we came to
breakfast, from what the Peppers are going to eat. I like the yellow
stuff; give me some, do," and he slid into a chair and passed his plate
to Mrs. Pepper.

"So you shall, Dicky," she said hastily. "And you will never taste
sweeter food than this," giving him a generous spoonful.

"Grandpapa is eating ham and fried eggs over at the minister's house,"
contributed Dick, after satisfying his hunger a bit.

"Ham and fried eggs!" exclaimed Mother Pepper, aghast. "Why, he never