"If that boy spoils it, I'll never forgive him," sighed Heavy.

Ruth ran out after him. But Isadore took great care in pouring the
mixture into the pans as he had been instructed, and even she had no
complaint to make. He hurried back to the kitchen, too, poured the
residue of the boiled molasses upon the popcorn and they made up the
cornballs at once.

"Come on, now," said Izzy, in a great hurry. "Give us fellows our
share of the cornballs and we'll beat it. We're going skating. We'll
help you eat your old candy when we come back.

"Maybe it will be all gone by that time," said Heavy, slily.

"I wish you joy of it, then, Miss Smartie," returned Isadore,
chuckling. "Come on, fellows."

They seized their skates and ran away. Isadore could hardly talk for
laughter; and he carried a good sized paper bag besides his share of
the popcorn balls.

The girls "cleaned up"--for that had been the agreement with Janey
when she let them have her kitchen--and then sat down before the hall
fire to make pine pillows, of which they were determined to take a
number to Briarwood to give to their friends. Helen had bought a lot
of denim covers stamped and lettered with mottoes, including the
ever-favorite "I Pine for Thee and Likewise Balsam."

But although they were very merry around the fire, Heavy could not