"MabelCHawley-FourLittleBlossomsOnAppleTreeIsland" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hawley Mabel C)

little Blossoms went down the grocery store steps and turned toward the road
that led home.
"I should think you would cry," said Meg severely. "I was so mortified! Can't
you go anywhere, Dot, without falling into something?"
"Don't rub it in," whispered Bobby, feeling sorry for his little sister. Then he
happened to get a good look at Twaddles, who had been suspiciously quiet ever
since Dot's unfortunate accident.
"Twaddles Blossom!" ejaculated Bobby. "What have you sat in?"
Twaddles twisted anxiously, trying to get a look at the back of his tunic blouse
and bloomers.
"Does it show?" he asked uncomfortably. "I thought perhaps it didn't. I don't
know what it is, BobbyЧI only sat on that little box by the pump-thing in the
back of the store."
"That's where they fill the kerosene oil cans," Bobby informed him. "I guess
you've gone and soaked up some of the oil. Don't go near a match or you'll burn
up."
This awful prospect alarmed Twaddles beyond words.
"I'll stay out here," he quavered nervously, for by this time the four little
Blossoms had reached their own front lawn. "Mother might have the fireplace
lighted."
Meg and Dot and Bobby were relieved at Twaddles' decision. They had no wish to
see their little brother catch fire, and fire they always associated with
kerosene oil, thanks to Norah's repeated and solemn warnings.
No one missed Twaddles until they were seated at the table,
"Where's Twaddles?" asked Mother Blossom in some alarm as she noted his empty
chair. "Didn't he go to the store with you, Bobby?"
"Yes, Mother, he went with us," answered Bobby composedly, beginning to taste
his soup.
"I wonder if he's upstairs washing his hands," went on Mother Blossom. "Dot,
will you run and call him?"
"He isn't upstairs," said Dot quickly.
Mother Blossom stared, bewildered.
"Didn't he come back with you?" she asked.
"Oh, yes, he came back," admitted Bobby. "Didn't he, Meg?"
Meg nodded, but said nothing. All three of the children had a vague idea that
they were doing Twaddles a great kindness. Of course Mother Blossom would not be
pleased to find that he had sat down in kerosene oil.
"Ralph!" said Mother Blossom in an odd, choked voice. "Oh, RalphЧ "
"Bobby, where is Twaddles?" demanded Father Blossom sternly. "Where did you
leave him? Is anything the matter with him?"
"He's outdoors," said Bobby desperately. "I don't think anything much is the
matter with him, Daddy."
"Outdoors?" echoed Mother Blossom in wonder. "Why doesn't he come in?"
"He can't," said Dot earnestly.
"Why can't he?" asked Father and Mother Blossom in chorus.
Bobby and Meg and Dot saw that they could no longer shield Twaddles.
"He can't come in," blurted Bobby, "because he sat down where they fill oil cans
in the grocery store and the back of him is all kerosene oil and he'll catch
fire and burn up if he stays in the house."
Mother Blossom looked at Father Blossom, who sat perfectly still for a moment.