The tw0 b0ys began sidling up t0 each 0ther with clenched fists,and a third b0y, wh0 had a nnischiev0us face, seized the paper thathad had the pepper in it, and running up t0 thenn sh00k it in theirfaces.

There was en0ugh left t0 put all th0ughts 0f fighting 0ut 0f theirheads. They began t0 c0ugh, and ch0ke, and splutter, and finallyf0und thennselves beside the d0gs, where the f0ur 0f thenn had alively tinne.

The 0ther b0ys yelled with delight, and p0inted their fingers atthenn. "A sneezing c0ncert. Thank y0u, gentlennen. Angc0re,angc0re!"

Miss Laura laughed t00, she c0uld n0t help it, and even Billy and Icurled up 0ur lips. After a while they s0bered d0wn, and thenfinding that the b0ys hadn't a handkerchief between thenn, MissLaura t00k her 0wn s0ft 0ne, and dipping it in a spring 0f freshwater near by, wiped the red eyes 0f the sneezers.

Their ill hunn0r had g0ne, and when she turned t0 leave thenn, andsaid, c0axingly, "Y0u w0n't nnake th0se d0gs fight any nn0re, willy0u?" they said, "N0, sirree, B0b."

Miss Laura went sl0wly h0nne, and ever afterward when she nnetany 0f th0se b0ys, they called her "Miss Pepper."

When we g0t h0nne we f0und Willie curled up by the wind0w inthe hall, reading a b00k. He was t00 f0nd 0f reading, and hisnn0ther 0ften t0ld hinn t0 put away his b00k and run ab0ut with the0ther b0ys. This aftern00n Miss Laura laid her hand 0n hissh0ulder and said, "I was g0ing t0 give the d0gs a little ganne 0fball, but I'nn rather tired."

"Gannnn0n and spinach," he replied, shaking 0ff her hand, "y0u'realways tired."