Five Little Peppers And How They Grew | Page 9

Joel, slowly; "and--and--Davie's gone to get
the peppermint," he added, brightening up.

"Tell me, Joe," said Polly, "all that's been going on," and she looked
sternly into his face; "or I'll get Davie to," as little Davie came running
back, with a bottle of castor oil, which in his flurry he had mistaken for
peppermint. This he presented with a flourish to Polly, who was too
excited to see it.
"Oh, no!" cried Joel, in intense alarm; "Davie isn't going to! I'll tell,
Polly; I will truly."
"Go on, then," said Polly; "tell at once;" (feeling as if somebody didn't
tell pretty quick, she should tumble over.)
"Well," said Joel, gathering himself up with a fresh effort, "the old
hammer was a-shaking and Phronsie stuck her foot in the way--and--I
couldn't help it, Polly--no, I just couldn't, Polly."
Quick as a flash, Polly tore off the little old shoe, and well-worn
stocking, and brought to light Phronsie's fat little foot. Tenderly taking
hold of the white toes, the boys clustering around in the greatest
anxiety, she worked them back and forth, and up and down. "Nothing's
broken," she said at last, and drew a long breath.
"It's there," said Phronsie, through a rain of tears; "and it hurts, Polly;"
and she began to wiggle the big toe, where around the nail was settling
a small black spot.
"Poor little toe," began Polly, cuddling up the suffering foot. Just then,
a small and peculiar noise struck her ear; and looking up she saw Joel,
with a very distorted face, making violent efforts to keep from bursting
out into a loud cry. All his attempts, however, failed; and he flung
himself into Polly's lap in a perfect torrent of tears. "I didn't--mean
to--Polly," he cried; "'twas the--ugly, old hammer! oh dear!"
"There, there, Joey, dear," said Polly, gathering him up in the other
corner of the old chair, close to her side; "don't feel bad; I know you
didn't mean to," and she dropped a kiss on his stubby black hair.
When Phronsie saw that anybody else could cry, she stopped

immediately, and leaning over Polly, put one little fat hand on Joel's
neck. "Don't cry," she said; "does your toe ache?"
At this, Joel screamed louder than ever; and Polly was at her wit's end
to know what to do; for the boy's heart was almost broken. That he
should have hurt Phronsie! the baby, the pet of the whole house, upon
whom all their hearts centered--it was too much. So for the next few
moments, Polly had all she could do by way of comforting and
consoling him. Just as she had succeeded, the door opened, and
Grandma Bascom walked in.
"Settin' down?" said she; "I hope your cake ain't in, Polly," looking
anxiously at the stove, "for I've found it;" and she waved a small piece
of paper triumphantly towards the rocking-chair as she spoke.
"Do tell her," said Polly to little David, "what's happened; for I can't get
up."
So little Davie went up to the old lady, and standing on tiptoe,
screamed into her ear all the particulars he could think of, concerning
the accident that had just happened.
"Hey?" said grandma, in a perfect bewilderment; "what's he a-sayin',
Polly--I can't make it out."
"You'll have to go all over it again, David," said Polly, despairingly;
"she didn't hear one word, I don't believe."
So David tried again; this time with better success. And then he got
down from his tiptoes, and escorted grandma to Phronsie, in flushed
triumph.
"Land alive!" said the old lady, sitting down in the chair which he
brought her; "you got pounded, did you?" looking at Phronsie, as she
took the little foot in her ample hand.
"Yes'm," said Polly, quickly; "twasn't any one's fault; what'll we do for
it, grandma?"

"Wormwood," said the old lady, adjusting her spectacles in extreme
deliberation, and then examining the little black and blue spot, which
was spreading rapidly, "is the very best thing; and I've got some to
home--you run right over," she said, turning round on David, quickly,
"an' get it; it's a-hang-in' by the chimbley."
"Let me; let me!" cried Joel, springing out of the old chair, so suddenly
that grandma's spectacles nearly dropped off in fright; "oh! I want to do
it for Phronsie!"
"Yes, let Joel, please," put in Polly; "he'll find it, grandma." So Joel
departed with great speed; and presently returned, with a bunch of dry
herbs, which dangled comfortingly by his side, as he came in.
"Now I'll fix it," said Mrs. Bascom, getting up and taking off her shawl;
"there's a few raisins for you, Polly; I don't want 'em, and they'll make
your cake go better," and she placed a little parcel on the table as she
spoke. "Yes,