Harper's Young People, June 6, 1882 An Illustrated Weekly

A quiet Victorian home becomes a bustling playground when seventeen‑year‑old Mary calls her two younger brothers to meet the newest addition to the family. Ben, nine, and Lewis, six, are thrilled to hold the tiny infant, whose bright eyes and dimpled cheek earn him the affectionate nickname “Scrap.” The children instantly adopt him into their make‑believe regiment, turning the nursery into a snowy North‑Pole expedition complete with blankets, seal‑skin caps and plenty of laughter.

When Scrap falls ill with measles and later mumps, the siblings’ imagination shifts to careful caretaking. They dutifully record his progress on the dining‑room door, turning worry into a shared family project. Despite the feverish days, Scrap’s sweet temperament soon returns, and the trio resumes their lively games, reinforcing the bonds of love and responsibility that define their early childhood.