Prue and I have done it all ourselves , and Pa will be along soon , I reckon , '' cried Tilly , trying to escape . `` Could n't , no ways . My folks will think I 'm dead ef I do n't get along home , sence the horse and sleigh have gone ahead empty . I 've done my arrant and had my joke ; now I want my pay , Tilly , '' and Gad took a hearty kiss from the rosy cheeks of his `` little sweetheart , '' as he called her . His own cheeks tingled with the smart slap she gave him as she ran away , calling out that she hated bears and would bring her ax next time . `` I ai n't afeared ; your sharp eyes found me out ; and ef you run into a bear 's arms you must expect a hug , '' answered Gad , as he pushed back the robe and settled his fur cap more becomingly . `` I should have known you in a minute if I had n't been asleep when the girls squalled . You did it well , though , and I advise you not to try it again in a hurry , or you 'll get shot , '' said Eph , as they parted , he rather crestfallen and Gad in high glee . `` My sakes alive -- the turkey is burnt one side , and the kettles have biled over so the pies I put to warm are all ashes ! '' scolded Tilly , as the flurry subsided and she remembered her dinner . `` Well , I ca n't help it . I could n't think of victuals when I expected to be eaten alive myself , could I ? '' pleaded poor Prue , who had tumbled into the cradle when the rain of oranges began . Tilly laughed , and all the rest joined in , so good humor was restored , and the spirits of the younger ones were revived by sucks from the one orange which passed from hand to hand with great rapidity , while the older girls dished up the dinner . They were just struggling to get the pudding out of the cloth when Roxy called out , `` Here 's Pa ! '' `` There 's folks with him , '' added Rhody . `` Lots of 'em ! I see two big sleighs chock full , '' shouted Seth , peering through the dusk . `` It looks like a semintary . Guess Gramma 's dead and come up to be buried here , '' said Sol in a solemn tone .
This startling suggestion made XXXXX , Prue , and Eph hasten to look out , full of dismay at such an ending of their festival .
Gramma Prue Rhody Tilly ef escape kettles pudding sakes sleighs