An OldFashioned ThanksgivingWord文件下载.docx

1、 and the tongues of Tilly, Prue, Roxy, and Rhody went as fast as their hands. Farmer Bassett, and Eph, the oldest boy, were chorin round outside, for Thanksgiving was at hand, and all must be in order for that time-honored day.To and fro, from table to hearth, bustled buxom Mrs. Bassett, flushed and

2、 floury, but busy and blithe as the queen bee of this busy little hive should be.I do like to begin seasonable and have things to my mind. Thanksgivin dinners cant be drove, and it does take a sight of victuals to fill all these hungry stomicks,said the good woman, as she gave a vigorous stir to the

3、 great kettle of cider applesauce, and cast a glance of housewifely pride at the fine array of pies set forth on the buttery shelves.Only one more day and then it will be the time to eat. I didnt take but one bowl of hasty pudding this morning, so I shall have plenty of room when the nice things com

4、e, confided Seth to Sol, as he cracked a large hazelnut as easily as a squirrel.No need of my starvinbeforehand. I always have room enough, and Id like to have Thanksgiving every day, answered Solomon, gloating like a young ogre over the little pig that lay near by, ready for roasting.Sakes alive, I

5、 dont, boys! Its a marcy it dont come but once a year. I should be worn to a thread paper with all this extra work atop of my winter weavin and spinnin,laughed their mother, as she plunged her plump arms into the long bread trough and began to knead the dough as if a famine were at hand.Tilly, the o

6、ldest girl, a red-cheeked, black-eyed lass of fourteen, was grinding briskly at the mortar, for spices were costly, and not a grain must be wasted. Prue kept time with the chopper, and the twins sliced away at the apples till their little brown arms ached, for all knew how to work, and did so now wi

7、th a will.I think its real fun to have Thanksgiving at home. Im sorry Granma is sick, so we cant go there as usual, but I like to mess round here, dont you, girls? asked Tilly, pausing to take a sniff at the spicy pestle.It will be kind of lonesome with only our own folks. I like to see all the cous

8、ins and aunts, and have games, and sing, cried the twins, who were regular little romps, and could run, swim, coast, and shout as well as their brothers.I dont care a mite for all that. It will be so nice to eat dinner together, warm and comfortable at home, said quiet Prue, who loved her own cozy n

9、ooks like a cat.Come, girls, fly round and get your chores done, so we can clear away for dinner jest as soon as I clap my bread into the oven, called Mrs. Bassett presently, as she rounded off the last loaf of brown bread which was to feed the hungry mouths that seldom tasted any other.Heres a man

10、cominup the hill lively!Guess its Gad Hopkins. Pa told him to bring a dezzen oranges, if they warnt too high! shouted Sol and Seth, running to the door, while the girls smacked their lips at the thought of this rare treat, and Baby threw his apple overboard, as if getting ready for a new cargo.But a

11、ll were doomed to disappointment, for it was not Gad, with the much-desired fruit. It was a stranger, who threw himself off his horse and hurried up to Mr. Bassett in the yard, with some brief message that made the farmer drop his ax and look so sober that his wife guessed at once some bad news had

12、come; and crying, Mothers wuss! I know she is! Out ran the good woman, forgetful of the flour on her arms and the oven waiting for its most important batch.The man said old Mr.Chadwick, down to Keene, stopped him as he passed, and told him to tell Mrs. Bassett her mother was failin fast, and shed be

13、tter come today.He knew no more, and having delivered his errand he rode away, saying it looked like snow and he must be jogging, or he wouldnt get home till night.We must go right off, Eldad. Hitch up, and Ill be ready in lessn no time, said Mrs. Bassett, wasting not a minute in tears and lamentati

14、ons, but pulling off her apron as she went in, with her head in a sad jumble of bread, anxiety, turkey, sorrow, haste, and cider applesauce.A few words told the story, and the children left their work to help her get ready, mingling their grief for Granma with regrets for the lost dinner.Im dreadful

15、 sorry, dears, but it cant be helped. I couldnt cook nor eat no way now, and if that blessed woman gets better sudden, as she has before, well have cause for thanksgivin, and Ill give you a dinner you wont forget in a hurry, said Mrs. Bassett, as she tied on her brown silk pumpkin-hood, with a sob f

16、or the good old mother who had made it for her.Not a child complained after that, but ran about helpfully, bringing moccasins, heating the footstone, and getting ready for a long drive, because Granma lived twenty miles away, and there were no railroads in those parts to whisk people to and fro like

17、 magic. By the time the old yellow sleigh was at the door, the bread was in the oven, and Mrs. Bassett was waiting, with her camlet cloak on, and the baby done up like a small bale of blankets.Now, Eph, you must look after the cattle like a man and keep up the fires, for theres a storm brewin, and n

18、either the children nor dumb critters must suffer, said Mr. Bassett, as he turned up the collar of his rough coat and put on his blue mittens, while the old mare shook her bells as if she preferred a trip to Keene to hauling wood all day.Tilly, put extry comfortables on the beds to-night, the wind i

19、s so searchin up chamber. Have the baked beans and Injun-puddin for dinner, and whatever you do, dont let the boys get at the mince-pies, or youll have them down sick. I shall come back the minute I can leave Mother. Pa will come to-morrer anyway, so keep snug and be good. I depend on you, my darter

20、; use your jedgment, and dont let nothin happen while Mothers away.Yesm, yesm-good-bye, good-bye! called the children, as Mrs. Bassett was packed into the sleigh and driven away, leaving a stream of directions behind her.Eph, the sixteen-year-old boy, immediately put on his biggest boots, assumed a

21、sober, responsible manner and surveyed his little responsibilities with a paternal air, drolly like his fathers. Tilly tied on her mothers bunch of keys, rolled up the sleeves of her homespun gown, and began to order about the younger girls. They soon forgot poor Granny, and found it great fun to ke

22、ep house all alone, for Mother seldom left home, but ruled her family in the good old-fashioned way. There were no servants, for the little daughters were Mrs. Bassetts only maids, and the stout boys helped their father, all working happily together with no wages but love; learning in the best manne

23、r the use of the heads and hands with which they were to make their own way in the world.The few flakes that caused the farmer to predict bad weather soon increased to a regular snowstorm, with gusts of wind, for up among the hills winter came early and lingered long. But the children were busy, gay

24、, and warm indoors, and never minded the rising gale nor the whirling white storm outside.Tilly got them a good dinner, and when it was over the two elder girls went to their spinning, for in the kitchen stood the big and little wheels, and baskets of wool rolls ready to be twisted into yarn for the

25、 winters knitting, and each day brought its stint of work to the daughters, who hoped to be as thrifty as their mother.Eph kept up a glorious fire, and superintended the small boys, who popped corn and whittled boats on the hearth; while Roxy and Rhody dressed corncob dolls in the settle corner, and

26、 Bose, the brindled mastiff, lay on the braided mat, luxuriously warming his old legs. Thus employed, they made a pretty picture, these rosy boys and girls, in their homespun suits, with the rustic toys or tasks which most children nowadays would find very poor or tiresome.Tilly and Prue sang, as th

27、ey stepped to and fro, drawing out the smoothly twisted threads to the musical hum of the great spinning wheels. The little girls chattered like magpies over their dolls and the new bedspread they were planning to make, all white dimity stars on a blue calico ground, as a Christmas present to Ma. The boys roared at Ephs jokes, and had rough and tumble games over Bose, who didnt mind them i