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Mary did not kno big a bear’s drumstick is

When Pa caon He had been going through the woods, with a big bear trap in his hands and the gun on his shoulder, when he walked around a big pine tree covered with snow, and the bear was behind the tree

The bear had just killed the pig and was picking it up to eat it Pa said the bear was standing up on its hind legs, holding the pig in its paws just as though they were hands

Pa shot the bear, and there was no way of knohere the pig ca it was

“So I just brought home the bacon,” Pa said

There was plenty of fresh hts were so cold that the pork in a box and the bearin the little shed outside the back door were solidly frozen and did not thaw

When Ma wanted fresh meat for dinner Pa took the ax and cut off a chunk of frozen bear e balls, or the salt pork, or the set for herself from the shed or the attic

The snow kept coainst the house In the s thepanes were covered with frost in beautiful pictures of trees and flowers and fairies

Ma said that Jack Frost caht and ht that Jack Frost was a littlewhite pointed cap and soft white knee-boots made of deer-skin His coat hite and his un on his back, but in his hands he had shining sharp tools hich he carved the pictures

Laura and Mary were allowed to take Ma’s thilass But they never spoiled the pictures that Jack Frost had ht

When they put their mouths close to the pane and blew their breath on it, the white frost lass Then they could see the drifts of snow outdoors and the great trees standing bare and black,thin blue shadows on the white snow

Laura and Mary helped Ma with the work Everythere were the dishes to wipe Mary wiped er, but Laura aliped carefully her own little cup and plate

By the time the dishes were all wiped and set away, the trundle bed was aired Then, standing one on each side, Laura and Mary straightened the covers, tucked them in well at the foot and the sides, plumped up the pillows and put them in place Then Ma pushed the trundle bed into its place under the big bed

After this was done, Ma began the work that belonged to that day Each day had its own proper work Ma used to say:

“Wash on Monday,