Clover hopped up and offered to help Ma with the dishes, and if she agreed, he helped her out, but if not, he sat patiently at the table until it was time to get ready to go. He appreciated the help she gave in getting his coat on, but he buttoned it up himself and showed her proudly how he could lace up his own shoes now, something he'd only figured out this morning. He hugged her as his Pa came about and then he ran to look in the baskets. He grinned at the babies and announced, "I love you!" to them cheerfully.