Page:Anna Chapin--Half a dozen boys.djvu/80

70 shouted, for Sam’s tone was discouragement itself.

“Did you put enough butter on?” queried Bess, who stood at the other side of the room, working with Rob and Phil.

“Butter—No! I forgot to use any,” replied Sam, with an accent of mild disgust.

“Isn’t that candy outside ’most cold?” asked Ted anxiously. “I am afraid it will be covered up in the snow.”

“I'll go see,” said Bert, extricating himself.

He went outside, but reappeared announcing, “It’s cool,” as he displayed one of the platters in proof of his statement. “Isn’t there another dish, Miss Bess?”

“Two more, Bert, one platter and the little deep plate. You know there was just a little left, and I put it in there. They are right where the other was.”

“I’ll go and help him look,” and Sam departed, glad of a chance to scrape off the sticky compound on his fingers.

The platter soon came to light, but the boys reported the small plate as missing.

“I don't see where it can have gone,” said