Both old ladies shook their heads and sighed , for they led a very quiet life in the narrow house that stood end to the street , squeezed in between two stores , looking as out of place as the good spinsters would have done among the merry lads opposite . Sitting at the front windows day after day , the old ladies had learned to enjoy watching the boys , who came and went , like bees to a hive , month by month . They had their favorites , and beguiled many a long hour speculating on the looks , manners , and probable station of the lads . One lame boy was Miss Jerusha 's pet , though she never spoke to him , and a tall bright-faced fellow , who rather lorded it over the rest , quite won Miss Hetty 's old heart by helping her across the street on a slippery day . They longed to mend some of the shabby clothes , to cheer up the dull discouraged ones , advise the sickly , reprove the rude , and , most of all , feed those who persisted in buying lunch at the dirty bake-shop over the way . The good souls were famous cooks , and had many books full of all manner of nice receipts , which they seldom used , as they lived simply and saw little company . A certain kind of molasses cookie made by their honored mother , -- a renowned housewife in her time , -- and eaten by the sisters as children , had a peculiar charm for them . A tin box was always kept full , though they only now and then nibbled one , and preferred to give them away to poor children , as they trotted to market each day . Many a time had Miss Hetty felt sorely tempted to treat the boys , but was a little timid , for they were rough fellows , and she regarded them much as a benevolent tabby would a party of frisky puppies . To-day the box was full of fresh cookies , crisp , brown , and sweet ; their spicy odor pervaded the room , and the china-closet door stood suggestively open . Miss Hetty 's spectacles turned that way , then went back to the busy scene in the street , as if trying to get courage for the deed . Something happened just then which decided her , and sealed the doom of the bilious tarts and their maker . Several of the younger lads were playing marbles on the sidewalk , for Hop Scotch , Leap Frog , and friendly scuffles were going on in the yard , and no quiet spot could be found . The fat boy sat on a post near by , and , having eaten his last turnover , fell to teasing the small fellows peacefully playing at his feet . One was the shabby lame boy , who hopped to and fro with his crutch , munching a dry cracker , with now and then a trip to the pump to wash it down . He seldom brought any lunch , and seemed to enjoy this poor treat so much that the big bright-faced chap tossed him a red apple as he came out of the yard to get his hat , thrown there by the mate he had been playfully thrashing . The lame child eyed the pretty apple lovingly , and was preparing to take the first delicious bite , when the fat youth with a dexterous kick sent it flying into the middle of the street , where a passing wheel crushed it down into the mud . `` It 's a shame ! He shall have something good ! The scamp ! ''
And with this somewhat confused exclamation Miss XXXXX threw down her work , ran to the closet , then darted to the front door , embracing the tin box , as if the house was on fire and that contained her dearest treasures .
Frog Hetty bake-shop cracker day first month scamp scuffles tarts