`` And if anything dreadful happens telegraph us . '' Then they were really gone and we were all left `` to keep house . '' Uncle Roger and Peter went away to their work . Felicity at once set the preparations for dinner a-going , and allotted to each of us his portion of service . The Story Girl was to prepare the potatoes ; Felix and Dan were to pick and shell the peas ; Cecily was to attend the fire ; I was to peel the turnips . Felicity made our mouths water by announcing that she was going to make a roly-poly jam pudding for dinner . I peeled my turnips on the back porch , put them in their pot , and set them on the stove . Then I was at liberty to watch the others , who had longer jobs . The kitchen was a scene of happy activity . The Story Girl peeled her potatoes , somewhat slowly and awkwardly -- for she was not deft at household tasks ; Dan and Felix shelled peas and tormented Pat by attaching pods to his ears and tail ; Felicity , flushed and serious , measured and stirred skilfully . `` I am sitting on a tragedy , '' said the Story Girl suddenly . Felix and I stared . We were not quite sure what a `` tragedy '' was , but we did not think it was an old blue wooden chest , such as the Story Girl was undoubtedly sitting on , if eyesight counted for anything . The old chest filled up the corner between the table and the wall . Neither Felix nor I had ever thought about it particularly . It was very large and heavy , and Felicity generally said hard things of it when she swept the kitchen . `` This old blue chest holds a tragedy , '' explained the Story Girl . `` I know a story about it . '' `` Cousin Rachel Ward 's wedding things are all in that old chest , '' said Felicity . Who was Cousin Rachel Ward ?
And why were her wedding things shut up in an old blue chest XXXXX Uncle Alec 's kitchen ?
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