下载辰思小说免费APP
“AmIthefirstmouseyouhavecaught，youslypussies-in-boots？“sheasked，asshewasconductedtothebigchair，suppliedwithrefreshments，andsurroundedbyaflockofmerry-facedlisteners。
TheytoldheraboutSilasandhiscontribution，andsheslappedherforeheadindespair，forshewasquiteatherwits’end，beingcalleduponsounexpectedlyforabrannewtale。
“WhatshallItellabout？“shesaid。
“Boys，“wasthegeneralanswer。
“Haveapartyinit，“saidDaisy。
“Andsomethinggoodtoeat，“addedStuffy。
“Thatremindsmeofastory，writtenyearsago，byadearoldlady。
Iusedtobeveryfondofit，andIfancyyouwilllikeit，forithasbothboys，and’somethinggoodtoeat’init。“
“Whatisitcalled？“askedDemi。
“’TheSuspectedBoy。’“
Natlookedupfromthenutshewaspicking，andMrs。Josmiledathim，guessingwhatwasinhismind。
“MissCranekeptaschoolforboysinaquietlittletown，andaverygoodschoolitwas，oftheold-fashionedsort。Sixboyslivedinherhouse，andfourorfivemorecameinfromthetown。AmongthosewholivedwithherwasonenamedLewisWhite。Lewiswasnotabadboy，butrathertimid，andnowandthenhetoldalie。OnedayaneighborsentMissCraneabasketofgooseberries。Therewerenotenoughtogoround，sokindMissCrane，wholikedtopleaseherboys，wenttoworkandmadeadozennicelittlegooseberrytarts。“
“I’dliketotrygooseberrytarts。IwonderifshemadethemasIdomyraspberryones，“saidDaisy，whoseinterestincookinghadlatelyrevived。
“Hush，“saidNat，tuckingaplumppop-cornintohermouthtosilenceher，forhefeltaparticularinterestinthistale，andthoughtitopenedwell。
“Whenthetartsweredone，MissCraneputthemawayinthebestparlorcloset，andsaidnotawordaboutthem，forshewantedtosurprisetheboysattea-time。Whentheminutecameandallwereseatedattable，shewenttogethertarts，butcamebacklookingmuchtroubled，forwhatdoyouthinkhadhappened？“
“Somebodyhadhookedthem!“criedNed。
“No，theretheywere，butsomeonehadstolenallthefruitoutofthembyliftinguptheuppercrustandthenputtingitdownafterthegooseberryhadbeenscrapedout。“
“Whatameantrick!“andNanlookedatTommy，asiftoimplythathewoulddothesame。
“Whenshetoldtheboysherplanandshowedthemthepoorlittlepattiesallrobbedoftheirsweetness，theboysweremuchgrievedanddisappointed，andalldeclaredthattheyknewnothingaboutthematter。’Perhapstheratsdidit，’saidLewis，whowasamongtheloudesttodenyanyknowledgeofthetarts。’No，ratswouldhavenibbledcrustandall，andneverlifteditupandscoopedoutthefruit。Handsdidthat，’saidMissCrane，whowasmoretroubledabouttheliethatsomeonemusthavetoldthanaboutherlostpatties。Well，theyhadsupperandwenttobed，butinthenightMissCraneheardsomeonegroaning，andgoingtoseewhoitwasshefoundLewisingreatpain。Hehadevidentlyeatensomethingthatdisagreedwithhim，andwassosickthatMissCranewasalarmed，andwasgoingtosendforthedoctor，whenLewismoanedout，’It’sthegooseberries；Iatethem，andImusttellbeforeIdie，’forthethoughtofadoctorfrightenedhim。’Ifthatisall，I’llgiveyouanemeticandyouwillsoongetoverit，’saidMissCrane。SoLewishadagooddose，andbymorningwasquitecomfortable。’Oh，don’ttelltheboys；theywilllaughatmeso，’beggedtheinvalid。KindMissCranepromisednotto，butSally，thegirl，toldthestory，andpoorLewishadnopeaceforalongtime。HismatescalledhimOldGooseberry，andwerenevertiredofaskinghimthepriceoftarts。“
“Servedhimright，“saidEmil。
“Badnessalwaysgetsfoundout，“addedDemi，morally。
“No，itdon’t，“mutteredJack，whowastendingtheappleswithgreatdevotion，sothathemightkeephisbacktotherestandaccountforhisredface。
“Isthat
