They told her about Silas and his contribution , and she slapped her forehead in despair , for she was quite at her wits ' end , being called upon so unexpectedly for a bran new tale . `` What shall I tell about ? '' she said . `` Boys , '' was the general answer . `` Have a party in it , '' said Daisy . `` And something good to eat , '' added Stuffy . `` That reminds me of a story , written years ago , by a dear old lady . I used to be very fond of it , and I fancy you will like it , for it has both boys , and ` something good to eat ' in it . '' `` What is it called ? '' asked Demi . '' ` The Suspected Boy . ' '' Nat looked up from the nuts he was picking , and Mrs. Jo smiled at him , guessing what was in his mind . `` Miss Crane kept a school for boys in a quiet little town , and a very good school it was , of the old-fashioned sort . Six boys lived in her house , and four or five more came in from the town . Among those who lived with her was one named Lewis White . Lewis was not a bad boy , but rather timid , and now and then he told a lie . One day a neighbor sent Miss Crane a basket of gooseberries . There were not enough to go round , so kind Miss Crane , who liked to please her boys , went to work and made a dozen nice little gooseberry tarts . '' `` I 'd like to try gooseberry tarts . I wonder if she made them as I do my raspberry ones , '' said Daisy , whose interest in cooking had lately revived .
`` Hush , '' XXXXX Nat , tucking a plump pop-corn into her mouth to silence her , for he felt a particular interest in this tale , and thought it opened well .
called eat lived picking reminds said slapped smiled told written