"Matter!" Cindy said indignantly. "Do you know what we've been living
on? Fish! Any more and I'll grow fins!"
"I like fish," Alec said.
"You can have 'em!" Cindy sighed. "I'll trade you my share for your
portion of potatoes, biscuits, bacon, and beans! Um-m! I can hardly wait
to start cooking! Did Mother send any dishes?"
"Think she'd expect us to cook without 'em?" Alec's eyes roved around
the homestead. "Say! This looks like something!"
"It is something. Dad and I picked it."
"Huh," Alec sniffed. "Bet you had a lot to do with it."
"Nothing could have been done without me," Cindy said smugly.
"I'll switch off to Cal's place," Sim Macklin broke in, grinning.
"Thank you, Mr. Macklin," Cindy said. "I'll steer my brother home, and
do come see us."
"I will," Sim promised.
He swung his wagon away. Cindy guided Alec in and slid off Sparkle. The
roan pony tossed his head, kicked his heels, and went trotting off to
join Sunshine and Pete's other pony. Jed Simpson came to the wagon, and
beyond the oak grove Pete had left his work and was coming. Mr. Simpson
smiled at his son.
"Hello, Alec!"
"Hi there, Dad!"
"How are your mother and sister?"
"Right as can be," Alec said. "Gramps and Granny have moved in with
them, and Mother hopes you'll send for her soon."
"I'll do it as soon as things are ready," Mr. Simpson agreed.
"It better not be too long," Alec said. "Mother says she's coming
anyhow, and Gramps knows the way."
"Hm-m," Mr. Simpson stroked his chin. "What did you bring?"
"Your plow, Mr. Brent's, spades, mattocks, saws, axes, nails." Alec
listed the tools and supplies he had brought, and finished, "and
Mother's dishes and stove along with plenty to eat."