CHAPTER III.
THE WHITE TRUTH.
Dotty continued to go to Mrs.Gray's every night with the milk.
Sometimes Katie went with her, and then they always paused a while under the acorn-tree and played "King and Queen." Dotty said she wished they could ever remember to bring their nipperkins, for in that case the milk would taste a great deal more like nectar.

The "nipperkins" were a pair of handled cups which the children supposed to be silver, and which they always used at table.
Dotty knew she was doing wrong every time she played "King and Queen." She knew the milk was not hers, but Mrs.Gray's; still she said to herself, "Ruthie needn't give so much measure, all pressed down and run over.

If Queenie and I should drink a great deal more, there would always be a quart left.

Yes, I know there would." Mrs.Gray never said anything about the milk; she merely poured it out in a pan, and gave back the pail to Dotty, asking her at the same time as many questions as the child would stay to hear.
One night Dotty begged Prudy to go with her; she wished her to ask for the ducks' eggs.

When they reached the acorn tree Dotty did not stop; she would never have thought of playing "King and Queen" with Prudy; she was afraid of her sister's honest blue eyes.
I am not quite sure Mrs.Gray would have given the eggs to Dotty, though Mrs.Parlin promised her several times the amount of hens' eggs in return.