Ma did n't tell us to , '' began cautious Eph , who felt that this invasion of the sacred best parlor was a daring step . `` Do n't we always do it Sundays and Thanksgivings ? Would n't Ma wish the children kept safe and warm anyhow ? Can I get up a nice dinner with four rascals under my feet all the time ? Come , now , if you want roast turkey and onions , plum-puddin ' and mince-pie , you 'll have to do as I tell you , and be lively about it . '' Tilly spoke with such spirit , and her last suggestion was so irresistible , that Eph gave in , and , laughing good-naturedly , tramped away to heat up the best room , devoutly hoping that nothing serious would happen to punish such audacity . The young folks delightedly trooped in to destroy the order of that prim apartment with housekeeping under the black horse-hair sofa , `` horseback riders '' on the arms of the best rocking-chair , and an Indian war-dance all over the well-waxed furniture . Eph , finding the society of the peaceful sheep and cows more to his mind than that of two excited sisters , lingered over his chores in the barn as long as possible , and left the girls in peace . Now Tilly and Prue were in their glory , and as soon as the breakfast things were out of the way , they prepared for a grand cooking-time . They were handy girls , though they had never heard of a cooking-school , never touched a piano , and knew nothing of embroidery beyond the samplers which hung framed in the parlor ; one ornamented with a pink mourner under a blue weeping-willow , the other with this pleasing verse , each word being done in a different color , which gave the effect of a distracted rainbow : `` This sampler neat was worked by me , In my twelfth year , Prudence B. '' Both rolled up their sleeves , put on their largest aprons , and got out all the spoons , dishes , pots , and pans they could find , `` so as to have everything handy , '' as Prue said . `` Now , sister , we 'll have dinner at five ; Pa will be here by that time if he is coming to-night , and be so surprised to find us all ready , for he wo n't have had any very nice victuals if Gran ` ma is so sick , '' said Tilly importantly . `` I shall give the children a piece at noon '' -LRB- Tilly meant luncheon -RRB- ; `` doughnuts and cheese , with apple-pie and cider will please 'em . There 's beans for Eph ; he likes cold pork , so we wo n't stop to warm it up , for there 's lots to do , and I do n't mind saying to you I 'm dreadful dubersome about the turkey . '' `` It 's all ready but the stuffing , and roasting is as easy as can be . I can baste first rate . Ma always likes to have me , I 'm so patient and stiddy , she says , '' answered Prue , for the responsibility of this great undertaking did not rest upon her , so she took a cheerful view of things . `` I know , but it 's the stuffin ' that troubles me , '' said Tilly , rubbing her round elbows as she eyed the immense fowl laid out on a platter before her . `` I do n't know how much I want , nor what sort of yarbs to put in , and he 's so awful big , I 'm kind of afraid of him . '' `` I ai n't ! I fed him all summer , and he never gobbled at me .
I feel real mean to be thinking of gobbling him , poor old chap , '' laughed XXXXX , patting her departed pet with an air of mingled affection and appetite .
Prue Thanksgivings Tilly first left mince-pie noon stuffin war-dance weeping-willow