The man said old Mr. Chadwick , down to Keene , stopped him as he passed , and told him to tell Mrs. Bassett her mother was failin ' fast , and she 'd better come to-day . He knew no more , and having delivered his errand he rode away , saying it looked like snow and he must be jogging , or he would n't get home till night . `` We must go right off , Eldad . Hitch up , and I 'll be ready in less 'n no time , '' said Mrs. Bassett , wasting not a minute in tears and lamentations , but pulling off her apron as she went in , with her mind in a sad jumble of bread , anxiety , turkey , sorrow , haste , and cider apple-sauce . A few words told the story , and the children left their work to help her get ready , mingling their grief for `` Gran ` ma '' with regrets for the lost dinner . `` I 'm dreadful sorry , dears , but it ca n't be helped . I could n't cook nor eat no way , now , and if that blessed woman gets better sudden , as she has before , we 'll have cause for thanksgivin ' , and I 'll give you a dinner you wo n't forget in a hurry , '' said Mrs. Bassett , as she tied on her brown silk pumpkin-hood , with a sob for the good old mother who had made it for her . Not a child complained after that , but ran about helpfully , bringing moccasins , heating the footstone , and getting ready for a long drive , because Gran ` ma lived twenty miles away , and there were no railroads in those parts to whisk people to and fro like magic . By the time the old yellow sleigh was at the door , the bread was in the oven , and Mrs. Bassett was waiting , with her camlet cloak on , and the baby done up like a small bale of blankets . `` Now , Eph , you must look after the cattle like a man , and keep up the fires , for there 's a storm brewin ' , and neither the children nor dumb critters must suffer , '' said Mr. Bassett , as he turned up the collar of his rough coat and put on his blue mittens , while the old mare shook her bells as if she preferred a trip to Keene to hauling wood all day . `` Tilly , put extry comfortables on the beds to-night , the wind is so searchin ' up chamber . Have the baked beans and Injun-puddin ' for dinner , and whatever you do , do n't let the boys git at the mince-pies , or you 'll have them down sick . I shall come back the minute I can leave Mother . Pa will come to-morrer , anyway , so keep snug and be good . I depend on you , my darter ; use your jedgment , and do n't let nothin ' happen while Mother 's away . '' `` Yes 'm , yes 'm -- good-bye , good-bye ! '' called the children , as Mrs. Bassett was packed into the sleigh and driven away , leaving a stream of directions behind her . Eph , the sixteen-year-old boy , immediately put on his biggest boots , assumed a sober , responsible manner , and surveyed his little responsibilities with a paternal air , drolly like his father 's . Tilly tied on her mother 's bunch of keys , rolled up the sleeves of her homespun gown , and began to order about the younger girls . They soon forgot poor Granny , and found it great fun to keep house all alone , for Mother seldom left home , but ruled her family in the good old-fashioned way .
There were no servants , for the little daughters were Mrs. Bassett 's only maids , and the stout boys XXXXX their father , all working happily together with no wages but love ; learning in the best manner the use of the heads and hands with which they were to make their own way in the world .
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