`` I guess it 's such a little conscience that it do n't prick hard enough for me to feel it , '' added Rob , after thinking the matter over for a minute . `` We must sharpen it up . It 's bad to have a dull conscience ; so you may stay here till dinner-time , and talk about it with Nan . I trust you both not to untie yourselves till I say the word . '' `` No , we wo n't , '' said both , feeling a certain sense of virtue in helping to punish themselves . For an hour they were very good , then they grew tired of one room , and longed to get out . Never had the hall seemed so inviting ; even the little bedroom acquired a sudden interest , and they would gladly have gone in and played tent with the curtains of the best bed . The open windows drove them wild because they could not reach them ; and the outer world seemed so beautiful , they wondered how they ever found the heart to say it was dull . Nan pined for a race round the lawn , and Rob remembered with dismay that he had not fed his dog that morning , and wondered what poor Pollux would do . They watched the clock , and Nan did some nice calculations in minutes and seconds , while Rob learned to tell all the hours between eight and one so well that he never forgot them . It was maddening to smell the dinner , to know that there was to be succotash and huckleberry pudding , and to feel that they would not be on the spot to secure good helps of both . When Mary Ann began to set the table , they nearly cut themselves in two trying to see what meat there was to be ; and Nan offered to help her make the beds , if she would only see that she had `` lots of sauce on her pudding . '' When the boys came bursting out of school , they found the children tugging at their halters like a pair of restive little colts , and were much edified , as well as amused , by the sequel to the exciting adventures of the night . `` Untie me now , Marmar ; my conscience will prick like a pin next time , I know it will , '' said Rob , as the bell rang , and Teddy came to look at him with sorrowful surprise . `` We shall see , '' answered his mother , setting him free . He took a good run down the hall , back through the dining-room , and brought up beside Nan , quite beaming with virtuous satisfaction . `` I 'll bring her dinner to her , may I ? '' he asked , pitying his fellow-captive . `` That 's my kind little son ! Yes , pull out the table , and get a chair ; '' and Mrs. Jo hurried away to quell the ardor of the others , who were always in a raging state of hunger at noon .
XXXXX ate alone , and spent a long afternoon attached to the sofa .
Ann Jo Nan Rob Teddy dinner-time halters hours minute pudding