`` When she told the boys her plan and showed them the poor little patties all robbed of their sweetness , the boys were much grieved and disappointed , and all declared that they knew nothing about the matter . ` Perhaps the rats did it , ' said Lewis , who was among the loudest to deny any knowledge of the tarts . ` No , rats would have nibbled crust and all , and never lifted it up and scooped out the fruit . Hands did that , ' said Miss Crane , who was more troubled about the lie that some one must have told than about her lost patties . Well , they had supper and went to bed , but in the night Miss Crane heard some one groaning , and going to see who it was she found Lewis in great pain . He had evidently eaten something that disagreed with him , and was so sick that Miss Crane was alarmed , and was going to send for the doctor , when Lewis moaned out , ` It 's the gooseberries ; I ate them , and I must tell before I die , ' for the thought of a doctor frightened him . ` If that is all , I 'll give you an emetic and you will soon get over it , ' said Miss Crane . So Lewis had a good dose , and by morning was quite comfortable . ` Oh , do n't tell the boys ; they will laugh at me so , ' begged the invalid . Kind Miss Crane promised not to , but Sally , the girl , told the story , and poor Lewis had no peace for a long time . His mates called him Old Gooseberry , and were never tired of asking him the price of tarts . '' `` Served him right , '' said Emil . `` Badness always gets found out , '' added Demi , morally . `` No , it do n't , '' muttered Jack , who was tending the apples with great devotion , so that he might keep his back to the rest and account for his red face . `` Is that all ? '' asked Dan . `` No , that is only the first part ; the second part is more interesting . Some time after this a peddler came by one day and stopped to show his things to the boys , several of whom bought pocket-combs , jew 's - harps , and various trifles of that sort . Among the knives was a little white-handled penknife that Lewis wanted very much , but he had spent all his pocket-money , and no one had any to lend him . He held the knife in his hand , admiring and longing for it , till the man packed up his goods to go , then he reluctantly laid it down , and the man went on his way .
The next day , however , the peddler returned to say that he could not find that very knife , and thought he must have left it at Miss XXXXX 's .
Crane Dan Demi Lewis Sally gooseberries harps pocket-combs second tarts