Peter, can't you spread up the beds, so't I can git ter cuttin'
out Larry's new suit? I ain't satisfied with his close, an' I
thought in the night of a way to make him a dress out of my old
plaid shawl--kind o' Scotch style, yer know. You other boys
clear out from under foot! Clem, you and Con hop into bed with
Larry while I wash yer underflannins; 'twont take long to dry
'em. Sarah Maud, I think 'twould be perfeckly han'som if you
ripped them brass buttons off yer uncle's policeman's coat an'
sewed 'em in a row up the front o' yer green skirt. Susan, you
must iron out yours an' Kitty's apurns; an' there, I came mighty
near forgettin' Peory's stockin's! I counted the whole lot last
night when I was washin' of 'em, an' there ain't but nineteen
anyhow yer fix 'em, an' no nine pairs mates nohow; an' I ain't
goin' ter have my childern wear odd stockin's to a
dinner-comp'ny, brought up as I was! Eily, can't you run out and
ask Mis' Cullen ter lend me a pair o' stockin's for Peory,
an' tell her if she will, Peory'll give Jim half her candy
when she gets home. Won't yer, Peory?"

Peoria was young and greedy, and thought the remedy so much worse
than the disease that she set up a deafening howl at the
projected bargain--a howl so rebellious and so out of all season
that her mother started in her direction with flashing eye and
uplifted hand; but she let it fall suddenly, saying, "No, I won't
lick ye Christmas day, if yer drive me crazy; but speak up smart,
now, 'n say whether yer'd ruther give Tim Cullen half yer candy
or go bare-legged ter the party?" The matter being put so
plainly, Peoria collected her faculties, dried her tears and
chose the lesser evil, Clem having hastened the decision by an
affectionate wink, that meant he'd go halves with her on his