breakfast."

"Oh, that's too bad," grumbled Joel, loudly, "when we got all
our kindlings chopped yesterday, an' there ain't anything else
to do. You know you said we could play to-day, Polly Pepper!"

"I didn't say all day; but of course you can," replied Polly,
with a fine scorn, "if you don't _want_ to help, Joel. I'm
sure the little brown house can get along without a boy who
isn't glad to make it as nice as he possibly can."

The idea of the little brown house getting along without him
made Joel aghast at once, and he stood quite still. Davie laid
down his spoon, and got out of his chair quickly.

"What is it, Polly?" he cried, the pink color all over his cheek.

"Dear me!" cried Polly, merrily, "the very idea of a boy trying
to help who hasn't finished his breakfast. Go back and eat every
bit of that mush and molasses, Davie dear; then, says I, we'll
see what you can do."

"I'll be through in just a minute, Polly." David ran back and
clambered into his chair, plying his spoon so fast that Polly
cried in dismay, "Oh, Davie, you'll choke yourself!"

"No, I won't," said Davie, with a very red face, and swallowing
hard, "it's all slipping down. There, see, Polly. I'm all
through; truly I am." He got out of his chair again, and ran up
to her.