"Jo-_el_!" called Polly, thinking it quite time now to
interfere.

Joel scuttled behind the old woodshed, and several smothered
grunts proclaimed his disapproval at the interruption.

"Now I know you're up to some mischief," declared Polly, "so you
just come into the house, Joel Pepper, and tell me what it is."

"'Tisn't," said Joel, loudly insisting. "_Don't go, Dave_,"
in a loud whisper. Thereupon ensued a lively scuffle, evidently,
by the noise they made.

"I must," said little Davie; "Polly called us."

"No, she didn't call _you_," declared Joel. "You stay here.
She said 'Joel.'"

"Bo-_oys_!" sang out Polly's voice, not to have any doubt
in the matter.

"There, she did call me," cried Davie, wriggling to get free
from Joel's clutch; "she said 'boys!'"

"She's always calling us," said Joel, in an injured voice,
dragging himself away from the charms of the woodshed to
straggle slowly back to the house.

There sat Polly on the big stone that served as a step for the
back door, with her hands folded in her lap. Little Davie