Something will happen; now you see if it don't," said Dotty, determined to be miserable.
After the two carriages, with the horses "Deacon" and "Judge," had driven off, and grandpa had given his last warning about fire, and Horace and the girls had waved their handkerchiefs for the last time, Dotty proceeded to the kitchen to see if she could find anything wherewith to make herself unhappy.

Ruth stood by the flour-board kneading bread, and cutting it with a chopping-knife in a brisk, lively way.

Polly sat by the stove sighing and rubbing silver.
"Dear me, child, what are you doing with my starch ?" said Ruth as she saw Dotty with the bowl at her lips, and a sticky stream tickling down her apron.
"Starch ?" cried Dotty, in disgust; "and you never told me, Ruthie! How did I know it wasn't arrow-root ?" "You see, Polly," said Ruth in a discouraged tone, "just what we are to expect from these children to-day.

Next thing we know, that morsel of a Katie will be running away.

They are enough to try the patience of Job when they both of them set out to see what they _can_ do.