was almost as bad, so Henry took his little brother on the hay beside him and talked to him seriously.
"You're old enough now, Benny, to understand what I say to you. Now, listen! When I tell you to keep still after this, that means you're to stop crying if you're crying, or stop laughing if you're laughing, and be just as still as you possibly can. If you don't mind, you will be in danger. Do you understand?"
"Don't I have to mind Jess and Violet too?" asked Benny.
"Absolutely!" said Henry. "You have to mind us all, every one of us!"
Benny thought a minute. "Can't I ask for what I want any more?" he said.
"Indeed you can!" cried Jess and Henry together, "What is it you want?"
"I'm awful hungry," said Benny anxiously.
Henry's brow cleared. "Good old Benny," he said. "We're just going to have supper—or is it breakfast?"
Jess drew out the fragrant loaf of bread. She cut it with Henry's jackknife into four quarters, and she and Henry took the two crusty ends themselves.
