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 morning , 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 .
No caps were at the windows , but behind the drawn curtains two beaming old faces were peeping out to XXXXX how the boys took the great announcement .
deferring expect fails goes see sells study think try used