Harding rising abruptly. "I'll go and speak to
Peter at once, then we'll shift these workmen back, and quiet them as much
as we can. I'll slip on a fresh dress, and put some buttermilk in the
well, and fix Peaches right away, if she's finished her nap----"
Mrs. Harding's voice trailed back telling what she would do as she
hastened to Peter. Mickey, with anxious heart, helped all he could,
washed, slipped on a fresh shirt, and watched the process of adjusting
Peaches' hair ribbon.
"Now understand, I don't _know_ they're coming," he said. "I just _think_
they will."
Because he thought so, for an hour the Harding premises wore a noticeable
air of expectation. All the family were clean and purposely keeping so;
but the waiting was long, while work was piled high in any direction.
Peaches started the return to normal conditions by calling for her slate,
and beginning to copy her lesson. Mary with many promises not to scatter
her scraps, sat beside the couch, cutting bright pictures from the papers.
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