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“The syrup is waxing Come and help yourselves”

Then everybody began to talk and laugh again They all hurried to the kitchen for plates, and outdoors to fill the plates with snow The Kitchen door was open and the cold air came in

Outdoors the stars were frosty in the sky and the air nipped Laura’s cheeks and nose Her breath was like smoke

She and the other Laura, and all the other children, scooped up clean snoith their plates Then they went back into the crowded kitchen

Grand wooden spoon she poured hot syrup on each plate of snow It cooled into soft candy, and as fast as it cooled they ate it

They could eat all they wanted, for ar never hurt anybody There was plenty of syrup in the kettle, and plenty of snow outdoors As soon as they ate one plateful, they filled their plates with snow again, and Grandma poured more syrup on it

When they had eaten the soft maple candy until they could eat notable loaded with pumpkin pies and dried berry pies and cookies and cakes There was salt-rising bread, too, and cold boiled pork, and pickles Oo, how sour the pickles were!

They all ate till they could hold no ain But Grandma watched the syrup in the kettle Many times she took a little of it out into a saucer, and stirred it round and round Then she shook her head and poured the syrup back into the kettle

The other room was loud and merry with the

At last, as Grandrains like sand, and Grandma called:

“Quick, girls! It’s graining!”

Aunt Ruby and Aunt Docia and Ma left the dance and ca pans and little pans, and as fast as Grandma filled them with the syrup they set out ar

Then Grandma said:

“Now bring the patty-pans for the children”

There was a patty-pan, or at least a broken cup or a saucer, for every little girl and boy They all watched anxiously while Grandh Then somebody would have to be unselfish and polite