And Miss Hetty made up her mind at that moment to devote some of her time and skill to rescuing those blessed boys from the unprincipled Peck and his cockroach pies . It was pleasant , as well as droll , to see how heartily the good souls threw themselves into the new enterprise , how bravely they kept each other up when courage showed signs of failing , and how rapidly they became convinced that it was a duty to provide better food for the future defenders and rulers of their native land . `` You ca n't expect the dears to study with clear heads if they are not fed properly , and half the women in the world never think that what goes into children 's stomachs affects their brains , '' declared Miss Hetty , as she rolled out vast sheets of dough next day , emphasizing her remarks with vigorous flourishes of the rolling-pin . `` Our blessed mother understood how to feed a family . Fourteen stout boys and girls , all alive and well , and you and I as smart at seventy one and two , as most folks at forty . Good , plain victuals and plenty of 'em is the secret of firm health , '' responded Miss Jerusha , rattling a pan of buns briskly into the oven . `` We 'd better make some Brighton Rock . It is gone out of fashion , but our brothers used to be dreadful fond of it , and boys are about alike all the world over . Ma 's resate never fails , and it will be a new treat for the little dears . '' `` S'pose we have an extra can of milk left and give 'em a good mugful ? Some of those poor things look as if they never got a drop . Peck sells beer , and milk is a deal better . Shall we , sister ? '' `` We 'll try it , Jerushy . In for a penny , in for a pound . '' And upon that principle the old ladies did the thing handsomely , deferring the great event till Monday , that all might be in apple-pie order . They said nothing of it when the lads came on Friday morning , and all Saturday , which was a holiday at school , was a very busy one with them . `` Hullo ! Miss Hetty has done it now , has n't she ? Look at that , old Peck , and tremble ! ''
exclaimed Charley to his mates , as he came down the street on Monday XXXXX , and espied a neat little sign on the sisters ' door , setting forth the agreeable fact that certain delectable articles of food and drink could be had within at reasonable prices during recess .
Hetty Hullo Peck Rock cockroach dears morning mugful resate rolling-pin