You know we all hate her , and you are more afraid of her than you are of spiders , -- so now . '' The young personage whose proper name had been corrupted into Toady , was a small boy of ten or eleven , apple-cheeked , round-eyed , and curly-headed ; arrayed in well-worn , gray knickerbockers , profusely adorned with paint , glue , and shreds of cotton . Perched on a high stool , at an isolated table in a state of chaos , he was absorbed in making a boat , entirely oblivious of the racking tooth-ache which had been his excuse for staying from school . As cool , saucy , hard-handed , and soft-hearted a little specimen of young America was Toady as you would care to see ; a tyrant at home , a rebel at school , a sworn foe to law , order , and Aunt Kipp . This young person was regarded as a reprobate by all but his mother , sister , and sister 's sweetheart , Van Bahr Lamb . Having been , through much anguish of flesh and spirit , taught that lying was a deadly sin , Toady rushed to the other extreme , and bolted out the truth , the whole truth and nothing but the truth , at all times and places , with a startling abruptness that brought wrath and dismay upon his friends and relatives . `` It 's wicked to fib ; you 've whipped that into me and you ca n't rub it out , '' he was wont to say , with vivid recollection of the past tingling in the chubby portions of his frame . `` Mind your chips , Toady , and take care what you say to Aunt Kipp , or you 'll be as poor as a little rat all the days of your life , '' said Polly , warningly . `` I do n't want her old money , and I 'll tell her so if she bothers me about it . I shall go into business with Van and take care of the whole lot ; so do n't you preach , Polly , '' returned Toady , with as much dignity as was compatible with a great dab of glue on the end of his snub nose . `` Mother , did aunt say anything about coming this week ? '' asked Polly , after a pause of intense thought over a breadth with three darns , two spots , and a burn . `` Yes ; she wrote that she was too feeble to come at present , as she had such dreadful palpitations she did n't dare stir from her room . So we are quite safe for the next week at least , and -- bless my soul , there she is now ! '' Mrs. Snow clasped her hands with a gesture of dismay , and sat as if transfixed by the spectacle of a ponderous lady , in an awe-inspiring bonnet , who came walking slowly down the street . Polly gave a groan , and pulled a bright ribbon from her hair . Toady muttered , `` Oh , bother ! '' and vainly attempted to polish up his countenance with a fragmentary pocket-handkerchief . `` Nothing but salt fish for dinner , '' wailed Mrs. Snow , as the shadow of the coming event fell upon her . `` Van will make a fool of himself , and ruin everything , '' sighed Polly , glancing at the ring on her finger .
`` I know she 'll kiss me ; she never will let a fellow alone , '' growled XXXXX , scowling darkly .
America Lamb Mother Toady dab darns days knickerbockers palpitations pocket-handkerchief