"O dear, I don't know."

"You _said_----"

"I mean--well, cold potatoes, for one thing. I s'pose most
everybody has potatoes. Now eat your breakfast, Joey Pepper.
Those are things. Eat your breakfast this minute!"

When Polly spoke in that tone, the three little Peppers knew
they must obey. Joel ducked his head over his bowl of mush, and
began to hurry the spoonfuls as fast as he could into his mouth.

"I must go up and see what is the matter with David," said Polly,
preparing to run up the stairs. Just at this moment he appeared
coming slowly down. "Oh, here you are!" cried Polly, brightly,
running over to the old stove to dish out his bowl of mush. "Now,
Davie, fly at your breakfast, 'cause I've got to sew all the
morning just as hard as ever I can."




III

DEACON BROWN'S NAIL PILE


"Now, boys," said Polly, as Joel pushed back his chair, "I want
you to help me, that is, as soon as Davie has finished his