Brewster, so we may as well
leave the trunks in the wagon and take them to the barn."
Jeb was sent to the barn with the wagon and contents, and Mr. Brewster
retired to the lean-to back of the kitchen where he washed his face and
hands in a tin basin. He had dried his hair and face, when Sary called
to her mistress that the meal was ready.
Polly and her mother added the last touches to the table, when Mr.
Brewster came to the door saying: "Well, Ah'm ready, Maw!"
"Run and call the girls, Polly; I think Anne went to tell them about
the trunks," said Mrs. Brewster.
Unwillingly, Polly obeyed and rapped on the door. "Supper's waiting."
While Polly was absent on her errand, Jeb came into the kitchen, took a
home-spun towel from its peg on the back of the door, and his hair-
brush from a small cabinet in the corner. With these toilet articles he
went out again to the lean-to where the crude oak bench held the basin
and soap. The pump was nearby, and Jeb filled the basin quickly and
proceeded to immerse his whole head. Unfortunately, at the moment the
city maidens reached the kitchen door leading from the living-room, Jeb
was guggling loudly. Then he stood up and snorted as he shook his mane
free from the streaming water.
Eleanor turned toward Anne with a smile of amusement on her face, but
Barbara expressed her disgust with an emphatic "Ugh!"
Polly saw and heard, but failed to understand, as she had been
gradually accustomed to Jeb and his uncouth ways.
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