The cheer was answered heartily , and in came Father , Mother , Baby , aunts and cousins , all in great spirits , and all much surprised to find such a festive welcome awaiting them . `` Ai n't Gran ` ma dead at all ? '' asked Sol , in the midst of the kissing and hand-shaking . `` Bless your heart , no ! It was all a mistake of old Mr. Chadwick 's . He 's as deaf as an adder , and when Mrs. Brooks told him Mother was mendin ' fast , and she wanted me to come down to-day , certain sure , he got the message all wrong , and give it to the fust person passin ' in such a way as to scare me ` most to death , and send us down in a hurry . Mother was sittin ' up as chirk as you please , and dreadful sorry you did n't all come . '' `` So , to keep the house quiet for her , and give you a taste of the fun , your Pa fetched us all up to spend the evenin ' , and we are goin ' to have a jolly time o n't , to jedge by the looks of things , '' said Aunt Cinthy , briskly finishing the tale when Mrs. Bassett paused for want of breath . `` What in the world put it into your head we was comin ' , and set you to gettin ' up such a supper ? '' asked Mr. Bassett , looking about him , well pleased and much surprised at the plentiful table . Tilly modestly began to tell , but the others broke in and sang her praises in a sort of chorus , in which bears , pigs , pies , and oranges were oddly mixed . Great satisfaction was expressed by all , and Tilly and Prue were so elated by the commendation of Ma and the aunts , that they set forth their dinner , sure everything was perfect . But when the eating began , which it did the moment wraps were off , then their pride got a fall ; for the first person who tasted the stuffing -LRB- it was big Cousin Mose , and that made it harder to bear -RRB- nearly choked over the bitter morsel . `` Tilly Bassett , whatever made you put wormwood and catnip in your stuffin ' ? '' demanded Ma , trying not to be severe , for all the rest were laughing , and Tilly looked ready to cry . `` I did it , '' said Prue , nobly taking all the blame , which caused Pa to kiss her on the spot , and declare that it did n't do a might of harm , for the turkey was all right . `` I never see onions cooked better . All the vegetables is well done , and the dinner a credit to you , my dears , '' declared Aunt Cinthy , with her mouth full of the fragrant vegetable she praised . The pudding was an utter failure , in spite of the blazing brandy in which it lay -- as hard and heavy as one of the stone balls on Squire Dunkin 's great gate . It was speedily whisked out of sight , and all fell upon the pies , which were perfect .
But Tilly and XXXXX were much depressed , and did n't recover their spirits till the dinner was over and the evening fun well under way .
Bassett Cinthy Father Ma Prue adder choked dears evenin mendin