`` I 'd like to try gooseberry tarts . I wonder if she made them as I do my raspberry ones , '' said Daisy , whose interest in cooking had lately revived . `` Hush , '' said Nat , tucking a plump pop-corn into her mouth to silence her , for he felt a particular interest in this tale , and thought it opened well . `` When the tarts were done , Miss Crane put them away in the best parlor closet , and said not a word about them , for she wanted to surprise the boys at tea-time . When the minute came and all were seated at table , she went to get her tarts , but came back looking much troubled , for what do you think had happened ? '' `` Somebody had hooked them ! '' cried Ned . `` No , there they were , but some one had stolen all the fruit out of them by lifting up the upper crust and then putting it down after the gooseberry had been scraped out . '' `` What a mean trick ! '' and Nan looked at Tommy , as if to imply that he would do the same . `` 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 XXXXX . ''
Crane Daisy Lewis Nat Ned Sally Tommy pop-corn tarts tea-time