Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-08-11
BY MARY E. WILKINS

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The children looked at each other
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 sup,
per. 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 beer
showed out with a broom, but haC
walked in again.
At last Nancy, the youngest girl
broke the silence.
II saw Thomas coming out of the
pantry" said she.
Thomas, who was the very young,
est OF all, broke into a loud wall
and the tears rolled down his fat
baby cheeks.
II didn't leave zee door OPEN" he
sobbed. II didn't"
What did you go into the pantry
at all for?" Cleried his mother with
severity.
But Thomas only dipped his dou-
BILE chin into his pinafore and sobbcI
harder than ever.
"An9wer mel" repeated his moth
er, in commanding tone.
Thomas checked out a word which
Name. interpreted.
He says he went into the pantry
after pancake" said she.
Thomas, go and stand in the cor
ner," said Mistress Hapgood.
And little Thomas, still lifting up
his voice, trudged across to the con-
ner, and settled himself therein, with
teary face, to the wall.
Now" said Mistress Hapgood,
when did you see Thomas go into
the pantry?"
MO IOI OAIOOIi, -saass.aaSs.N>.s,s 4sssA.~y,
with a dubious lock.
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 obedlently
formed themselves into line in front
of the hearth
Now. Priscilla" said Mistress
Hapgood, did you leave the pantry
door open?"
mo, ma'am," answered Priscilla,
after a little hesitation. Her fair,
sober face lad troubled look.
Polly, did you leave the pantry
door open?"
mo, ma am"
Isaac, did yoa?"
mo, ma'am."
"Nancy?"
mo, ma am"
"Thoma5, did you leave the pantry
door oper?"
NO, m-a'm!" walled Thomas
from his corner.
And all the Hapgood children had
denied leaving the pantry door open.
The frown on Mistress Hapgood's
face deepened.
zone of you left the pantry door
OPEN" said she. There is no one
else who could have done it. l have
been away and you children were
alone in the house One of you is
telling wicked fi5."
There Vas a dead silence. The
children stole inquiTing glances at
each other, and rolled Fearful eyes
in their mothers direction.
Very we'll" continued Mistress
IIapgood, "If one cannot confess, all
must suffer. You must all go with
out your supper"
Then Thomas wall deepened, and
some OF the others Joined in. Pris-
ella stood gtill looking at them.
Mistress Hapgood, with her lips COM
pressed End stepping very firmly,
brought out the pound-cake, and cut
it into squares, and portioned out the
plum sauce. The thin Johhny-cakes
were baking before the fire.
Presently Priscilla went up to her
mother, and pulled her indigo gown
softly.
Mother" she said.
What is it," asked her mother
shortly.
II went into the pantry this after.
noon. 1 might have left the door
open"
Don't you know whether you did
or not?"
II shouldn't wonder if did" an.
s. led Priscilla, trembling.
Just then there was a noise out in
tie yard; the company had come.
"Well, you can go without your
supper them" said her mother, hur.
riedly. And you deserve a greater
punishment for not telling me be
fore"
While the other children sat a
tn table with their elders, and att
the delicious Johnny-cake toast, the
poundcake and the plum sauce, Pris
ella sat in the corner and knitted OF
q blue yarn stocking. Her uncle anC
aunt, and cousins, and her father
Captain, had all been informed Of thu
reason; and Priscilla hung her heaC
over the stocking, and could scarcel!
see the stitches through her tears.
They were almost through suppe
when Grandmother Elliot, Mistress
Hapgood's mother, came in. Sh,
lived Just across the yard. She spok,
to them all; then she looked sharpl,
at Priscilla.
What has the child done?" asked
she.
Mistress Hapgood related the stor,
briefly. Grandmother Elliot locke,
surprised.