The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-10-26
Seleft Stnrp.
WHO LEFT THE DOOR OPEN.
BY MARY E. WILKINS.

BY MARY E. WILKINS.
"Who left the pantry door open?'' said
Mistress Hapgood sternly.
She stood before them straight and tall
in her indigo blue petticoat and short gown,
with her black hair rolled back under
tidy cap, and her black eyes flashing. Her
cheeks were as red as roses. Mistress
Hapgood was handsome woman. The
children-6ve of them-Priscilla being
the eldest-looked a. her with apprehen-
sion. Somebody had left the pantry door
open, and the cat had got in and helped
herself to large piece of sparerib; it had
happened several times before this, and
now severe penalty was to be the con-
sequence.
"Who left the pantry door open?'' re-
peated Mistress Hapgood. "The one that
did must go without supper tonight.
luo cHllGTeu iOOkcu dC each OLHeT.
Uncle Silas and Aunt Prudence Beals and
two cousins were to sup with them that
night, and there would be johnny cake
toast made with cream, plum sauce and
pound-cake for supper. 1t was a good
deal to forego. Mistress Hapgood stood
waiting, and the great white cat that had
made all this trouble sat on the hearth
washing her face. She had been showed
out with the broom, but had soon walked
in again.
At last Nancy, the youngest girl, broke
the silence.
81 saw Thomas coming out of the pan
try" said she.
Thomas, who was the very youngest of
all, broke into loud wall, and the tears
rolled down his fat baby cheeks.
81 didn't leave ZEE door open," he
sobbed. "I didn'tr'
"What did you 60 into the pantry at
all for?'' queried his mother with severity.
But Thomas only dipped his double
chin into his pinafore and sobbed harder
than ever.
"Answer me!' repeated his mother, in
a commanding tone.
Thomas choked out word which Nan
cy interpreted.
"He says he went into the pantry after
a pancake" said she.
Thomas, go and stand in the corner,'
said Mistress Hapgood.
And little Thomas, still lifting up his
voice, trudged across to the corner, and
settled himself therein, with teary face,
to the wall.
"Now,' said Mistress Hapgood, "when
did you see Thomas go into the pantry?'
":This forenoon, answered Nancy, with
a dubious look.
''This forenoon, repeated her mother.
"Haven't you more sense than that, child?
The whole family has been in since then.
Now, stand in row..
The Hapgood children obediently formed
themselves into a line in front of the
hearth.
"Now, Priscilla said Mistress Hap
good, "did you leave the pantry door
open?''
"No, ma am" answered Priscilla, after
a little hesitation. Her fair, sober face
had a troubled look
''Polly, did you leave the pantry door
open?''
"No, ma am"
"Isaac, did your
"No, ma am
"Nancy?'
"No, ma am"
"Thomas, did you leave the pantry
door open?''
"No-o, ma amp walled Thomas
from his corner.
And all the Hapgood children had de-
MED leaving the pantry door open.
The frown on Mistress Hapgood's face
deepened.
"One of you left the pantry door open"
said she. "There is no one else who
could have done it. 1 have been away,
and you children were alone in the house.
One of you is telling wicked fb.''
There was dead silence. The chill
dren stole inquiring glances at each other,
and rolled fearful eyes in their mothers
direction.
every well" continued Mistress Hap
good, eff one cannot confess, all must
suffer. You must all go without your
supper.
Then Thomas wall deepened, and some
of the others joined in. Priscilla stood
quite still looking at them. Mistress Hap
good, with her lips compressed, and step
ping very firmly, brought out the pound
cake and cut it into squares, and portioned
out the plum sauce. The thin johnny
cakes were baking before the fire.
Presently Priscilla went up to her moth
er and pulled her indigo gown softly.
"Mother!' said she.
stWhat 10 it2,, her mother asked short