"We've just got to be," said Mrs. Harding. "There's no other way to figure it. But this is enough for a start." Peaches leaned toward her and asked: "May we do this again to-morrow, nicest lady?" "Well I can't say as we can come clear here every day; I'm a busy woman, and my spare time is scarce; and even light as you are, you'd be a load for me; I can't say as we can do this when Peter is busy plowing and harvesting and Junior is away on the cream wagon, and Mickey is in town at his work; we can't do just this; but there is something we can do that will help the feet quite as much. We can bring a bucket of sand up to the house, and set a tub of water in the sun, and you can lie on a comfort under an apple tree with Mary and Bobbie to watch you, and every few hours we can take a little time off for rubbing and splashing." "My job!" shouted Junior. "I get a bucket and carry up the sand!" "I bring the tub and pump the water!" cried Mary. "Me shoo turkey!" announced Bobbie. "I lift the tub to the edge of the shade and carry out the Butterfly!" said Peter. "And where do I come in?" demanded Mickey. "Why Mickey, you 'let' them!" cried Peaches. "You '_let_' them! An' you earn the money to pay for the new back, when I get strong enough to have it changed, an' the Carrel man comes! Don't you 'member?" "Sure!" boasted Mickey, taking on height. "I got the biggest job of all! I got the job that really does the trick, and to-morrow I get right after it. Now I must take you back to the house to rest a while." "Aw come on to the barn with me!" begged Junior. "Let father carry her! Ain't you going to be any company for me at all?" "Sure!" said Mickey. "Wait a minute! I'd like to go to the barn with you." He dried Peaches' feet with his handkerchief, stuffed his stockings in his pocket, and picked up his shoes. "Lily, can you let Peter take you back to rest 'til supper time, so I can see what Junior wants to show me?" "Yes I can," said Peaches. "Yes I can, 'cause I'm a game kid; but I don't wish to!" "Now you look here, Miss Chicken, that hasn't got anything to do with it," explained Mickey. "Every single time you can't have your way, 'cause it ain't good for you. If all these nice folks are so kind to you, you must think part of the time about what they want, and just now Junior wants _me_, so you march right along nice and careful with Peter, and pretty soon I'll come." Peaches pouted a second, then her face cleared by degrees, until it lifted to Peter with a smile. "Peter, will you please to carry me while Mickey does what Junior wants?" she asked with melting sweetness. "Sure!" said Peter. "I'm the one to take you anyway, big and strong as an ox; but that's a pretty way to ask, and acting like a nice lady!" Peaches radiated pride while Peter returned her to the couch, brought her a glass of milk and a cracker, pulled the shade, and going out softly closed the door. In five minutes she was asleep.