`` I do n't care a mite for all that . It will be so nice to eat dinner together , warm and comfortable at home , '' said quiet Prue , who loved her own cozy nooks like a cat . `` Come , girls , fly ` round and get your chores done , so we can clear away for dinner jest as soon as I clap my bread into the oven , '' called Mrs. Bassett presently , as she rounded off the last loaf of brown bread which was to feed the hungry mouths that seldom tasted any other . `` Here 's a man comin ' up the hill , lively ! '' `` Guess it 's Gad Hopkins . Pa told him to bring a dezzen oranges , if they war n't too high ! '' shouted Sol and Seth , running to the door , while the girls smacked their lips at the thought of this rare treat , and Baby threw his apple overboard , as if getting ready for a new cargo . But all were doomed to disappointment , for it was not Gad , with the much-desired fruit . It was a stranger , who threw himself off his horse and hurried up to Mr. Bassett in the yard , with some brief message that made the farmer drop his ax and look so sober that his wife guessed at once some bad news had come ; and crying , `` Mother 's wuss ! I know she is ! '' out ran the good woman , forgetful of the flour on her arms and the oven waiting for its most important batch . The man said old Mr. Chadwick , down to Keene , stopped him as he passed , and told him to tell Mrs. Bassett her mother was failin ' fast , and she 'd better come to-day . He knew no more , and having delivered his errand he rode away , saying it looked like snow and he must be jogging , or he would n't get home till night . `` We must go right off , Eldad . Hitch up , and I 'll be ready in less 'n no time , '' said Mrs. Bassett , wasting not a minute in tears and lamentations , but pulling off her apron as she went in , with her mind in a sad jumble of bread , anxiety , turkey , sorrow , haste , and cider apple-sauce . A few words told the story , and the children left their work to help her get ready , mingling their grief for `` Gran ` ma '' with regrets for the lost dinner . `` I 'm dreadful sorry , dears , but it ca n't be helped . I could n't cook nor eat no way , now , and if that blessed woman gets better sudden , as she has before , we 'll have cause for thanksgivin ' , and I 'll give you a dinner you wo n't forget in a hurry , '' said Mrs. Bassett , as she tied on her brown silk pumpkin-hood , with a sob for the good old mother who had made it for her . Not a child complained after that , but ran about helpfully , bringing moccasins , heating the footstone , and getting ready for a long drive , because Gran ` ma lived twenty miles away , and there were no railroads in those parts to whisk people to and fro like magic . By the time the old yellow sleigh was at the door , the bread was in the oven , and Mrs. Bassett was waiting , with her camlet cloak on , and the baby done up like a small bale of blankets .
`` Now , Eph , you must look after the cattle like a man , and keep up the fires , for there 's a storm brewin ' , and neither the children nor dumb critters must suffer , '' said Mr. Bassett , as he turned up the collar of his rough coat and put on his blue mittens , while the old mare shook her bells as if she preferred a trip to XXXXX to hauling wood all day .
Chadwick Gad Keene failin fro left minute right thanksgivin wuss