Prissy soon had the table set , and she was just peppering the turnips when a gruff voice behind her said : `` Well , well , what does this mean ? '' Prissy whirled around as if she had been shot , and there stood Uncle Richard in the woodshed door ! Poor Prissy ! She could not have looked or felt more guilty if Uncle Richard had caught her robbing his desk . She did not drop the turnips for a wonder ; but she was too confused to set them down , so she stood there holding them , her face crimson , her heart thumping , and a horrible choking in her throat . `` I -- I -- came up to cook your dinner for you , Uncle Richard , '' she stammered . `` I heard you say -- in the store -- that Mrs. Janeway had gone home and that you had nobody to cook your New Year 's dinner for you . So I thought I 'd come and do it , but I meant to slip away before you came home . '' Poor Prissy felt that she would never get to the end of her explanation . Would Uncle Richard be angry ? Would he order her from the house ? `` It was very kind of you , '' said Uncle Richard drily . `` It 's a wonder your father let you come . '' `` Father was not home , but I am sure he would not have prevented me if he had been . Father has no hard feelings against you , Uncle Richard . '' `` Humph ! '' said Uncle Richard . `` Well , since you 've cooked the dinner you must stop and help me eat it . It smells good , I must say . Mrs. Janeway always burns pork when she roasts it .
Sit down , XXXXX .
Father Humph Janeway Prissy Richard burns choking house roasts turnips