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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/30007-0.txt b/30007-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..95f72f2 --- /dev/null +++ b/30007-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4140 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30007 *** + +A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS + + + + + The "Dear Little Girl" Series + + A Dear Little Girl + A Dear Little Girl at School + A Dear Little Girl's Summer Holidays + A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays + + + + + A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S + THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS + + _Amy E. Blanchard_ + + [Illustration] + + WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO. + Racine, Wisconsin + + + Copyright 1912 by George W. Jacobs & Co. + + Printed in 1924 by + Western Printing & Lithographing Co. + Racine, Wis. + + Printed in U. S. A. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I THE INVITATION 9 + + II RELIANCE 30 + + III WHERE'S THE KEY? 50 + + IV A HEARTY DINNER 71 + + V THE RED BOOK 93 + + VI THE OLD HOUSE 113 + + VII THE MILL STREAM 134 + + VIII JETTY'S PARTY 154 + + IX THE ELDERFLOWERS 174 + + X WHAT BEN DID 196 + + XI FAREWELLS 215 + + XII HOW ARE YOU? 234 + + + + +A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE INVITATION + + +"Any news, mother?" asked Edna one Friday afternoon when she came home +from school. + +"There's a letter from grandma," replied Mrs. Conway after kissing the +lips held up to hers. "There isn't any real news in it, but there is an +invitation." + +"What kind of an invitation?" + +"A Thanksgiving kind." + +"Oh, mother, what do you mean?" + +"I mean that grandma wants us all to spend an old-fashioned Thanksgiving +with her; the kind she used to have when she was young. She says she +and grandpa are both getting old and they may not be able to have the +whole family there together again." + +"And are we going?" + +"Yes, I think so." + +"The whole family?" + +"I think perhaps you and I will go on a day or two ahead and let the +others follow. Celia and the boys can come with your father, who +probably could not get off till Wednesday afternoon. Grandma asks that I +bring my baby with me." + +"And that means me," returned Edna, hugging herself. "How long shall we +stay, mother?" + +"That depends upon several things which will have to be learned later, +so I can't tell just yet." + +Edna danced off to hunt up her brothers that she might tell them the +news. She found them in their little workshop over the stable. Charlie +was making a new box to put in his pigeon house and Frank was watching +him. They had not seen their little sister since Monday for she and her +sister Celia went to school in the city, remaining until the Friday +afternoon of each week. + +"Hello!" cried Charlie, looking up. "When did you come?" + +"Oh, we've just come, only a few minutes ago, and what do you think is +the news?" + +"The Dutch have taken Holland," returned Charlie, hammering away at his +box. "Just hand me that box of nails, Frank, won't you?" + +"That's a silly answer," said Edna with contempt. + +"Well, if it's news, how did you expect me to know it?" + +"I didn't expect you to know it, only to guess." + +"Well, I guessed," replied Charlie teasingly. "I suppose it's a foolish +sort of thing; Uncle Justus has grown another hair in his eyebrows or +your friend Dorothy has a new hat." + +"It's nothing so unimportant," Edna continued; "for it concerns you +boys, too, but if you don't want to know I'll go up to Dorothy's; she'll +be interested even if she isn't going." + +"Going? Where?" cried both boys. + +"That's for me to know and for you to find out," retorted Edna, +beginning to scramble down the ladder. Both boys darted after; Charlie +swung himself down ahead of her to the floor below and was ready to grab +her before she reached the last rung. Then there was much laughing, +scrambling, tickling and protesting till at last Edna was compelled to +give up her secret, ending triumphantly with: "And I'm going first with +mother." + +"Who said so?" questioned Charlie. + +"Mother did. We are to go two or three days ahead of anyone else." + +"Oh, well, I don't care," returned Charlie. "There wouldn't be any boys +for me to play with anyhow." + +"How many are coming for Thanksgiving?" asked Frank. + +"I don't know exactly," Edna answered, "but I suppose all the aunts and +cousins and uncles that can get there. Aunt Lucia and Uncle Bert and of +course Aunt Alice and her boys, Ben and his brother. Ben will have to +go, and I'm awfully glad; he's my favoritest cousin." + +"How about Louis?" + +"He is not any relation to grandma and grandpa Willis, is he?" + +"I don't know; I never could get relations straight. I hope he isn't any +kin to them and I am sorry he is to us, for he is a pill. You know he +is, no matter what you say. Just look how he acted last summer. You +needn't try to excuse him, for Dorothy told me all about it." + +Edna could not deny facts, for it was quite true that her cousin Louis +was not above blame in sundry instances, so she changed the subject by +saying, "I think I'll go over to Dorothy's anyhow." + +The boys did not try to detain her and she ran out along the road and up +to the old-fashioned house where her friend Dorothy Evans lived. Dorothy +was playing with her kitten out on the side porch. She had dressed the +little creature in long clothes and was walking up and down singing to +it as it lay contentedly in her arms, it's two gray paws sticking out +from the sleeves of a little red sacque belonging to one of Dorothy's +dolls. + +"Doesn't Tiddlywinks look funny?" said Dorothy by way of greeting. "And +isn't he good? I believe he likes to be dressed up, for he lies as +still as anything. Of course, if he fussed and meowed, I would take off +the things and let him go." + +Edna touched the soft silvery paws gently. "I believe he does like it," +she returned. "See, he shuts his eyes exactly as if he felt nice and +cozy. Oh, Dorothy, guess what! We are all going to grandpa Willis's next +week. We are all going for Thanksgiving, only mother and I are going +first. Isn't that lovely?" + +"Lovely for you, I suppose," replied Dorothy dejectedly, "but I shall +miss you dreadfully." + +"Oh, no, you won't, when you have Margaret and Nettie so near. Besides I +shall not be gone long, not more than a week." + +"Are there any girls there?" asked Dorothy, a little jealously. + +"Not like us. There is a little girl, mother says, that grandma has +taken in to help her and Amanda; Amanda is the woman who lives there +and cooks and churns and does all sorts of things." + +"Is it in the real country?" + +"It is real country and yet it isn't, for it is a village. Grandpa has a +farm, but just across the street is a store and the church is only a few +steps away, and there are lots of neighbors; some have big places and +some have little ones. Grandpa's isn't as big as the biggest nor as +little as the littlest." + +"Does he keep horses and cows and chickens and things?" + +"Oh, my, yes, and ducks and turkeys and sheep." + +"I should think it would be a pretty nice sort of place." + +"It is lovely and I am always crazy about going there." + +"But please don't stay too long this time," urged Dorothy. + +"I'll have to stay till mother brings me back," returned Edna +cheerfully. "I wish there were another kitten, Dorothy, so I could have +a live doll, too." + +"You might take the mother cat," Dorothy suggested; "she is very gentle +and nice." + +They went in search of Tiddlywinks' mother, but Madam Pittypat objected +to being made a baby of, for, though she was gentle enough, she squirmed +and twisted herself out of every garment they tried upon her, and, at +the first opportunity, walked off in a most dignified manner, as though +she would say: "Such a way to treat the mother of a family!" + +So the two little girls concluded that they would free Tiddlywinks and +turn him again into a kitten. They left him stretching himself and +yawning lazily, as they trudged off to see their friend, Margaret +McDonald, that they might tell her Edna's news. + +The days sped by quickly until Tuesday came, when Edna and her mother +were to start on their journey. Edna at first decided to take her doll +Ada "because she is more used to traveling," she said, but at the last +moment she changed her mind saying that Ada had been on so many journeys +that she thought someone else should have a chance and, therefore, it +was her new doll, Virginia, who was dressed for the trip. The previous +year Edna had spent Thanksgiving Day with her Uncle Justus; this year it +would be quite a different thing to sit at table with a whole company of +cousins instead of dining alone with Uncle Justus. + +It was a journey of three hours before the station of Mayville was +reached, then a drive of four miles to Overlea lay before them. But +there was grandpa himself waiting to help them off the train, to see +that their trunks were safely stowed into the big farm wagon, and at +last to tuck them snugly into the carriage which was to bear them to the +white house set in behind a stately row of maples. These had lost their +leaves, but a crimson oak still showed its red against the sky, and the +vines clambering up the porch waved out scarlet banners to welcome the +guests. + +Grandma Willis was standing on the porch to greet them as they drew up +before the door. Behind her stood Amanda and behind Amanda a little girl +about twelve or thirteen. Behind the little girl trailed a cat and three +kittens. At the sight of these Edna gave a squeal of delight. "New +kittens, grandma? How lovely! I'm so glad," she cried. + +Grandma smiled. "Well, give me a good hug and kiss first and then +Reliance can let you take one of the kittens to hug." + +"Who is Reliance? Is that what you call the mother-cat?" + +"No, her name is Tippy. Reliance is the little girl who, we hope, is +going to carry out the promise of her name." + +Edna did not understand this latter speech but she smiled encouragingly +at Reliance who smiled back at her. Then after the huggings and kissings +were given to Mrs. Willis, Reliance picked up one of the kittens and +held it out to Edna who cuddled it up to her and followed the others +into the house. + +It was a big old-fashioned place where the Willis family had lived for +many generations. In the large living-room was a huge fireplace in which +now a roaring fire crackled and leaped high. There was a small seat +close to it and on this Edna settled herself. + +"Here, here, aren't you going to stay a while?" cried grandpa who had +given over the carriage into the hands of Ira, the hired man, and who +had just come in. + +"Why, of course we are going to stay," replied Edna. + +"Then why don't you take off your things? Mother, isn't there any place +they can lay their bonnets and coats? It seems to me there should be a +bed or cupboard somewhere." + +"Now, father," protested Mrs. Willis, "you know this house is big enough +to hold the hats and coats of the entire family." + +"Didn't know but you were house-cleaning and had every place turned +upside down." + +"Now, father," Mrs. Willis continued, "you know we've been days getting +the house cleaned and that everything is in apple-pie order for +Thanksgiving." + +Grandpa gave Mrs. Conway a sly wink. "You'd think it ought to be in +apple-pie order," he said, "by the way they have been tearing up the +place. Couldn't find my papers, my sticks, my umbrella or anything when +I wanted them. I am glad you all have come so you can help me hunt for +them." + +"Why, father, how you do go on," Mrs. Willis interposed. The old +gentleman laughed. He was a great tease, as Edna well knew. + +"Where shall we go to lay off our things, mother?" asked Mrs. Conway. + +"Up to your own old room over the dining-room. Here, Reliance, take the +kitten and you, Edna, can come along with your mother." + +"There's no need for you to go up, mother," said Mrs. Conway. "I have +been there before, you know, and I think I can find the way." Then the +two smiled wisely at one another. + +But grandma would go and presently Edna found herself in a large room +which looked out upon the west. Mrs. Conway stood still and gazed +around her. "How natural it all seems," she said, "even to the pictures +upon the walls. I went from this room a bride, Edna, and when I come +back to it I feel not a day older. This is the same furniture, but this +is a new carpet, mother, and new curtains, and the little cot you have +put in for Edna, I suppose." + +"Yes, there are some things that will not last a lifetime," answered +Mrs. Willis, "and we must furbish up once in a while. I thought you +would rather have Edna here with you than elsewhere, and at such a +crowded time we have to stow away as we can. I have put another cot in +my room for one of the other children and Celia is to go in with Becky." + +While they were talking Ira brought up the trunks and Mrs. Conway +commenced the task of unpacking, so very soon they were settled and +ready for dinner, which was served in the big dining-room where was +another open fireplace not quite so large as the first, but ample +enough. Reliance waited upon the table and helped to clear away the +dishes afterward. + +"When you are through with your tasks, Reliance, you can take Edna out +and show her the chickens and pigs and things," said grandma. + +"Reliance is quite a recent addition to the family, isn't she?" said +Mrs. Conway when the little maid went out. + +"Yes," Mrs. Willis replied. "Amanda isn't as young as she was and we +thought it would be a good thing to have someone here who could save her +steps and who could be trained to take her place after a while. I think +Reliance promises to be very capable in time." + +While her mother talked to the grandparents, Edna walked softly around +the room looking at the different things, the pictures, books and +ornaments. There was a high mantel upon which stood a pair of Dresden +vases and two quaint little figures. In the middle was a china house +with a red door and vines over the windows. Edna had always admired it +and was glad to see it still there. She stood looking at it for a long +time. She liked to have her grandmother tell her its history. "That was +brought to me by my grandfather when he returned from England," Mrs. +Willis always said. "I was a little girl about six years old. Later he +brought me those two China figures. He was a naval officer and that is +his portrait you see hanging on the wall." + +"I love the little house," remarked Edna, knowing that the next word +would be: "You may play with it if you are very careful. It is one of my +oldest treasures and I should be very grieved if it were broken." + +The little house was then handed down and Edna examined it carefully. +"It is so very pretty," she said, "that I should like to live in it. I +would like to live in a house with a bright red door." + +"I used to think that same thing when I was a little girl," her +grandmother told her. + +"I think maybe you'd better put it back so I won't break it," said Edna, +carefully handing the treasure to her grandmother, "and then will you +please tell me about the pictures?" + +"The one over the mantel is called 'The Signing of the Declaration of +Independence,' and that small framed affair by the chimney is a key to +it, for it tells the names of the different men who figure in the +picture." + +"I will look at it some day and see if I can find out which is which," +said Edna. "That is Napoleon Bonaparte over there; I know him." + +"Yes; and that other is General Washington, whom, of course, you know." + +"Oh, yes, of course; and I know that little girl, the black head over +there; it is my great-great-grandmother." + +"The silhouette, you mean? Yes, that is she, and she is the same one who +did that sampler you see hanging between the windows. She was not so old +as you when she did it." + +Edna crossed the room and knelt on a chair in front of the sampler. It +was dim with age, but she could discern a border of pink flowers with +green leaves and letters worked in blue silk. She followed the letters +with the tip of her finger, tracing them on the glass and at last +spelling out the name of "Annabel Lisle, wrought in her seventh year." + +"Poor little Annabel, how hard she must have worked," sighed Edna. "I +am glad I don't have to do samplers." + +"You might be worse employed," said her grandmother, smiling. + +"Did you ever do a sampler?" asked Edna. + +"Not a sampler like this one, but I learned to work in cross stitch. Do +you remember the little stool in the living-room by the fireplace?" + +"The one with roses on it that I was sitting on?" + +"Yes; that I did when I was about your age, and the sofa pillow with the +two doves on it I did when I was about Celia's age. I was very proud of +it, I remember." + +"May I go look at them?" + +"Assuredly." + +So Edna went into the next room and carefully examined the two pieces of +work which now had a new importance in her eyes. A little girl about +her age had done them long ago. She discovered, too, a queer-looking +picture behind the door. It was of a lady leaning against an urn, a +weeping-willow tree near by. The lady held a handkerchief in her hand +and looked very sorrowful. Edna wondered why she seemed so sad. There +were some words written below but they were too faint for her to +decipher, and she determined to ask her grandmother about this picture +which she had never noticed before. While she was still looking at it, +Reliance came to the door to say, "I can go now; I've finished what I +had to do." Edna turned with alacrity and the two went out together. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +RELIANCE + + +"How long have you lived here?" Edna asked her companion when they were +outside. + +"About six months," was the reply. + +"Are you 'dopted?" came the next question. + +"No, I'm bound." + +Edna looked puzzled. "I don't know what that is. I know a girl that was +a Friendless and she was 'dopted so now she has a mother and a beautiful +home. Her name used to be Maggie Horn, but now it is Margaret McDonald. +Is your name Reliance Willis?" + +"No, it is Reliance Fairman, and it wasn't ever anything else. I was +friendless, too, till Mrs. Willis took me." + +"Oh, and did you live in a house with a lot of other Friendlesses?" + +"No, I wasn't in an orphan asylum, if that's what you mean, but I reckon +I would have had to go there or else to the almshouse." + +"Oh!" This seemed even more dreadful to Edna and she looked at her +companion with new interest, at the same time slipping her hand into the +other's to show her sympathy. "Tell me about it," she said. + +"Why, you see, my parents died. We lived about three miles from here, +and your grandmother used to know my grandmother; they went to the same +school, so when us children were left without any home or any money your +grandmother said she would take me and keep me till I was of age, so +they bound me." + +"How many children were there?" + +"Three boys and me. Two of the boys are with Mr. Lukens and the other is +in a home; he is a little chap, only six. If he'd been bigger maybe your +grandfather would have had him here, and perhaps he will come when he is +big enough to be of any use." + +"I think that would be very nice and I shall ask grandfather to be sure +to take him. Do you like it here?" + +"Oh, yes, I like it. Amanda is awful pernickity sometimes, but I just +love your grandmother and it is a heap sight better than being hungry +and cold." + +"Would you have to stay supposing you didn't like it?" Edna was +determined to get all the particulars. + +"I suppose so; I'd have to stay till I was eighteen; I'm bound to do +that." + +Edna reflected. "I suppose that is what it means by being bound; you +are just bound to stay. I wonder if anyone else was ever named +Reliance," she went on, being much interested to hear something about so +peculiar a name. + +"My grandmother was, her that your grandmother knew." + +"Oh, was she? Then you are named after your grandmother just as my +sister Celia is named Cecelia after hers. Yours is a funny name, isn't +it? I don't mean funny exactly, for I think it is quite pretty, but I +never knew of anyone named that." + +"I don't mind it when I get it all, but when my brothers called me Li I +didn't like it. Your grandmother gives me the whole name, and I am glad +she does; but she said they generally used to call my grandmother Lyley +when she was a little girl." + +"I think that is rather pretty, too, don't you?" + +"Yes, but I like the whole name better." + +"Then I will always call you by the whole name," Edna assured her. "Can +you tell stories, Reliance?" + +"Do you mean fibs or reading stories like--let's see--Cinderella and +Jack and the Beanstalk?" + +"Oh, I mean the Cinderella kind; I'd hate to think you told fibs." + +"I can tell 'em, but I guess I don't care to. I know two or three of the +other kind and Bible stories, some of them: Eli and Samuel, and David +and Goliath, and all those." + +"Do you go to school?" + +"Half the year, but I guess I won't be going very much longer. I'll soon +be going on fourteen; I'll stop when I'm fifteen." + +"Oh, shall you? Then what will you do?" + +"I'll learn to housekeep and cook, and to sew and all that. Mrs. Willis +says it is more important for me to be educated in the useful things, +that I'll get along better if I am, and I guess she is right. My mother +couldn't cook worth a cent and she just hated it, so we didn't get very +good vittles." + +"Was it your mother's mother after whom you were named?" + +"No, my father's mother. The Fairmans lived around here, but there ain't +many of them left now. My father was an only child, and he married my +mother out of town; she hadn't ever been used to the country. She used +to work in a store and that's why she couldn't cook, you see." + +Edna pondered over this information, wondering if everyone who worked in +a store must necessarily turn out a poor cook. + +"You ought just to see what's getting ready for Thanksgiving," said +Reliance, changing the subject, "I never seen such a pile of stuff. It +fair makes my mouth water to think of it; pies and cakes and doughnuts +and jellies and I don't know what all. I guess there's as many as twenty +or thirty coming, ain't there?" + +"Let me see; I shall have to count. There will be Aunt Alice and her two +boys, Ben and Willis, and Uncle Bert Willis with his five children and +Aunt Lucia; that makes ten, and then there will be all of us, papa and +mamma and us four children; that makes--let me see--" she counted +hurriedly on her fingers. "How many did I say, Reliance? Ten? Oh, yes, +and six make sixteen. Then there are the greats; great Aunt Emmeline and +her brother, Wilbur Merrifield, and his daughter, Cousin Becky. Sixteen +did I say? and three make nineteen. Oh, yes, Cousin Becky's sweetheart +that she is going to marry soon; he is coming and he will make it just +twenty. Counting grandpa and grandma there will be twenty-two, and +counting you and Amanda there will be twenty-four to eat the goodies." + +"You didn't count the two men, Ira and Jim," said Reliance; "they will +eat here, too." + +"Oh, yes, I forgot them. What a crowd, twenty-six people. If they cut a +pie in six pieces it would take over four to go around once, wouldn't +it?" + +"I suppose we would be allowed a second piece on Thanksgiving Day," +remarked Reliance, "though maybe with the other things no one would want +it." + +"How many kinds of pie will there be?" asked Edna. + +"Three at least. I heard Amanda say that she would make the fillings +to-day for pumpkin, lemon and apple; she has the crust all done. She +has made the jelly, too; it's to be served with whipped cream. Your +grandma was talking about having plum pudding, but Amanda said she +didn't see the sense of having it when it wasn't Christmas, and there +would be such lots of other things, all the nuts and apples and such +things. There is going to be chicken pie, besides the turkeys and the +oysters." + +"Dear me," sighed Edna, "I am afraid I shall eat a great deal and be +very uncomfortable. I was last year for a little while because I ate two +Thanksgiving dinners. What did you do last year, Reliance?" + +Reliance looked very sober. "We didn't have much of a Thanksgiving last +year, for it was just before my mother died and she was ill then, so us +children just had to get along the best we could. Somebody sent us in a +pie and some jelly for mother and that is about all we had to be +thankful for. I suppose it was much better than nothing. We ate all the +pie at one meal. Billy said we might as well for it wouldn't last two +days anyhow unless we had little bits of pieces, so each of us had a +whole quarter. Billy tried to trap a rabbit or shoot a squirrel or +something, but he hadn't enough shot and the rabbits didn't trap." + +Secretly Edna was rather glad to hear this, even though it meant that +the Fairmans went without meat for dinner. She walked along pondering +over these facts and wondering which were to be preferred. She could not +tell whether to be glad the squirrels and rabbits had escaped or to be +sorry that the Fairmans could not have had game for Thanksgiving. It was +rather a hard matter to settle, so finally she dismissed the subject and +gave her attention to the pigs whose pen they now had reached. Edna did +not think them very cleanly or attractive creatures, however, and was +very soon ready to leave them that she might see the chickens and ducks +which she found much more interesting. + +The short November day was already so near its end that the fowls were +thinking of going to roost, though the hour was not late, and after +watching them take their supper, which Edna helped Reliance to +distribute, the two girls went on to the garden, now robbed of most of +its vegetables. There were a few tomatoes to be found on the vines; +though celery, turnips and cabbages made a brave showing. Edna felt that +she was quite a discoverer when she came across some tiny yellow +tomatoes which the frost had not yet touched, and which she gathered in +triumph to carry back to her mother. + +"I know where there's a chestnut tree," announced Reliance suddenly. + +"Oh, do let's find it," said Edna. "I will put the tomatoes in my +handkerchief and carry them that way. We ought to gather all the +chestnuts we can, for I know mighty well after the boys come there won't +be a nut left." There was a rush down the hill to the big chestnut tree +about whose roots lay the prickly burs which the frost had opened to +show the shining brown nuts within. + +"I don't see how we are going to carry them," said Edna after a while, +when she had gathered together quite a little heap. + +"I'll show you," Reliance told her, and began tying knots in the corners +of the apron she wore. "There," she said, "that makes a very good bag, +and what we can't carry that way we can leave and come back for +to-morrow. We'd better take as many as we can, though, for to-morrow +will be such a busy day I may not be able to come, and if we don't, the +squirrels will get them all." + +"I could come alone, now that I know the way," said Edna, "or maybe +mamma would come with me." + +"I suppose we'd better be going back," said Reliance when she lifted the +improvised bag to her arm. "It is near to milking time and that means +getting ready for supper." + +"What do you do to get ready for supper?" asked Edna taking hold of one +side of the bag. + +"Oh, I set the table and go down to the spring-house for the butter and +cream. I can skim milk now, but I couldn't at first, I got it all mixed +up." + +"Do you skim all the milk?" + +"Oh, no, that we put on the table to drink is never skimmed. The skimmed +milk goes to the pigs." + +"Oh, does it? I think you feed your pigs pretty well. Are we going to +watch them milk?" + +"You can if you like; I've got to go right back." + +"You don't help with the milking then?" + +"No; Ira does it. Your grandpa says it is man's work, but Ira lets me do +a little sometimes so I will learn." + +"Aren't you afraid of the cows?" + +"No, indeed, are you?" + +"Kind of. They have such sharp horns sometimes," answered Edna by way of +excusing her fear. + +"Your grandpa's don't have; he keeps only dehorned cattle." + +"What are they?" + +"The kind that have had their horns taken off so they don't do any +damage." + +"I think maybe I wouldn't mind that kind so much," said Edna, after +considering the matter for a moment. "If you don't mind, I think I +would like to stop and see Ira milk." + +Reliance said she didn't mind in the least and, therefore, she left the +little girl at the bars of the stable yard which was quite as near as +she wished to stand to the herd of cows gathered within. + +"Want to come in and learn to milk?" asked Ira, looking up with a smile +at the little red-capped figure. + +"Oh, no, thank you," returned Edna hastily. "I'd rather watch you." She +would really have like to try her hand if there had been but one cow, +but when there were six, how could a young person be certain that one of +the number would not turn and rend her? To be sure, they were much less +fearsome without horns, but still they were too big and dreadful to be +entirely trusted. So she stood watching the milk foam into the shining +tin buckets and then she walked contentedly with Ira to where Amanda +was waiting to strain the milk and put it away in the spring-house. + +"Do you keep it out here all winter and doesn't it freeze?" asked Edna. + +"In winter we keep it in the pantry up at the house. If it should turn +cold suddenly now, we'd have to bring it in," Amanda told her, as she +carefully lifted the earthen crocks into place. "There comes Reliance +for the cream and butter," she went on. "Reliance, I'll carry up the +milk and you come along with the rest. Don't tarry down here, and be +sure you lock the spring-house door and fetch in the key." Then she went +out leaving the two little girls behind. + +Reliance carefully attended to her duties, Edna watching her admiringly. +It must be a fine thing to be so big a girl as this, one who could be +trusted to do work like a grown-up woman. "Let me carry something," she +offered, when Reliance stepped up the stone steps and outside, carrying +the butter in one hand and the pitcher of cream in the other. + +"If you would lock the door and wouldn't mind taking the key along, I +wouldn't have to set down these things," Reliance said. + +Edna did as she was asked, standing tip-toe in order to turn the big key +in the heavy door. + +"When we get to the house you can hang the key on its nail behind the +kitchen door," Reliance told her. "It is always kept there." + +Edna swung the big key on her finger by its string and trotted along by +the side of Reliance, asking many questions, and delighting to hear +Reliance enlarge upon the all-important subject of the Thanksgiving +festivities. + +"We've got to get up good and early," Reliance remarked, "for there's +a heap to be done, even if we are ahead with the baking. I expect to +be up before daylight, myself, and I reckon Ira will be milking by +candlelight," she added, as she entered the kitchen door. Mrs. Conway +was in the kitchen talking to Amanda, and Edna hastened to show her +little hoard of tomatoes. "We gathered a whole lot of chestnuts, too," +she told her mother. "They were all on the ground down the hill behind +the barn." + +"I know the very tree," Mrs. Conway told her. "We must roast some in the +ashes this evening. Come along, supper is ready and you must get +yourself freshened up." + +Edna followed along and, in the prospect of supper and then of roasting +chestnuts, she forgot all about the spring-house key. This, by the way, +was lying on the door-mat where she had dropped it. A little later on, +it was picked up by Reliance and was slipped into the pocket of her +gingham apron. "I won't remind her that she dropped it. Likely as not +she forgot all about it," said Reliance to herself. "I ought not to have +trusted it to as little a girl as she is." + +It was not till after she was in bed that Edna remembered that she had +ever had the key. Where had she put it? She had no recollection of it +after she had swung it by its string upon her finger on the way to the +house. "It must be on the kitchen table," she told herself. "I opened my +handkerchief there to show mother the tomatoes." She sat up in bed +wondering if she would better get up and go down, but she finally +decided to wait till her mother should have come to bed and then confide +in her. + +However, try as she would, she could not keep awake. It had been an +exciting and fatiguing day and she was in the land of dreams in a few +minutes, not even having visions of keys, spring-houses or Thanksgiving +dinners, but of the mother cat and her three kittens who were climbing +chestnut trees and throwing down chestnuts to her. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +WHERE'S THE KEY? + + +Very, very early in the morning Edna was awake. She was not used to +farmyard sounds and could not tell if it were a lusty rooster, an +insistent guinea-fowl or a gobbling turkey whose voice first reached +her. But whichever it was, she was quite broad awake while it was yet +dark. She lay still for a few minutes, with an uncertain feeling of +something not very pleasant overshadowing her, then she remembered the +key. "Oh, dear," she sighed, "if they can't get into the spring-house +there will be no cream for breakfast and no butter, either. The key must +be found." + +She got up and softly crept to the window. A bright star hung low in the +sky and there was the faintest hint of light along the eastern horizon. +Presently Edna saw a lighted lantern bobbing around down by the stable +and concluded that Ira must be up and that it was morning, or at least +what meant morning to farmers. She stood watching the light grow in the +east and finally decided that she would dress and be all ready by the +time it was light enough to hunt for the lost key. + +By now she could see well enough to find her clothes, but, fearing lest +she should waken her mother, she determined to go to the bathroom at the +end of the hall rather than use the wash-stand in the room where she +was, so she gathered up her clothing in her arms, and went down the +entry, made her toilet and crept down stairs. There was a light burning +in the lower hallway, but it was dark all through the rest of the house +and she was obliged to feel her way through the rooms. There was a +noise of some one stirring in the pantry. She opened the door of the +kitchen gently and peeped in. A lamp was burning on the table, but no +key lay there. Edna tip-toed in quietly and felt on the nail where the +key should hang, thrusting aside a gingham apron belonging to Reliance +which hung just above its place, but the nail was empty and she was +forced to believe she had dropped the key somewhere between the +spring-house and the kitchen. She tip-toed out of the kitchen, turned +the key of the outside door and closed it after her as noiselessly as +possible, and in another moment was outside in the chill November air. +It was rather fearsome to make one's way down dim paths where some wild +creature might still be lurking after a night's raid from the woods near +by, and she imagined all sorts of things. First, something stole softly +by her and was off like a shot through the tall weeds growing beyond the +fence; it was only a rabbit who was more frightened at Edna than she at +it. Next, the bushes parted and a small white figure crept stealthily +forth. The child's heart stood still and she stopped short. Then came a +plaintive meow and she discovered one of the three kittens out on an +adventuring tour. She picked up the little creature which purred +contentedly as she snuggled it to her, continuing her way. + +The garden left behind, there was the lane to be passed through, and +here some real cause for fear in Edna's opinion, for the cows that Ira +had just finished milking were coming through the bars he had let down. +They stumbled along clumsily, following one another over the rail, and +ambled on to another set of bars where they stood till Ira should let +them through. At first, Edna did not realize that they were not making +for the spot where she stood and she took to her heels, fleeing +frantically back to the garden, banging the gate behind her and standing +still waiting till the cows were through and the bars up again. Seeing +the cows safely shut out from the lane she ventured forth again and +followed Ira's lantern to the barn. Here she stood looking around and +presently the beams from the lantern fell upon her little figure with +the white kitten still clasped in her arms. + +Ira looked up in surprise. "Hello!" he cried. "What's took you up so +airly? Why, I jest got through milkin', and, doggone it, it ain't +skeerce light yit." + +"I know," said Edna, "but I had to get up early, you see, so as to find +the key before breakfast." + +"Key? What key?" + +"The key of the spring-house. Reliance gave it to me to carry and I was +to have hung it up on a nail behind the kitchen door, and I forgot all +about it till I was in bed. You see if it isn't found nobody can have +any milk or cream for breakfast." + +"Oh, I guess we could manage," returned Ira reassuringly. "Didn't drop +it indoors, did you?" + +"I don't think so. I looked in the kitchen as I came out and I didn't +find it there. If it had been picked up, it would be on the nail, I +should think." + +"Most likely it would; it would be there sure if 'Mandy found it; she +don't let nothin' stay out of place very long, I kin tell ye." + +"As long as I didn't find it in the kitchen I thought I would come here +because I saw you had a lantern, and it really isn't quite light enough +to see very plainly, is it?" + +"No, it ain't. Sun don't rise till somewheres around seven this time o' +year. Well, you come with me and we'll work our way long the path from +the spring-house and if we don't find the key we will go inside and +inquire. I alwuz find it don't do no harm to ask questions, and that +there key is bound to be somewheres betwixt this and the house." + +He swung his lantern so its rays would shed a broad light along the way, +and Edna pattered along just behind him, trying very hard to keep up +with his long strides. When at last they reached the spring-house, he +slackened his pace and began carefully to look to the right and to the +left. + +"You come right straight along, did you?" he questioned. "Didn't go +cavortin' off nowheres pickin' weeds or chasin' cats, did you?" + +"No, we came as straight as could be. Reliance had the butter and cream +and we didn't stop once." + +"Then I guess you likely dropped it inside, for I've sarched careful and +I can't find it. Maybe when it comes real bright daylight you could look +again, but I should advise askin' at the house next thing you do." + +He led the way into the kitchen where Amanda was briskly stirring about. +"Well," she began, "what's wanting? Well, I declare if there ain't Edna. +What's got you up so early, missy? I guess you're like the rest of us, +couldn't sleep for thinking of all that's to do for Thanksgiving." + +"You ain't picked up the spring-house key nowheres about, have you?" +asked Ira. + +"Why, no. You had it?" + +"No, I ain't, but sissy there says 'Liance gave it to her to carry and +she ain't no notion of what she done with it, thought mebbe she might +ha' drapped it in here. She got so worried over it she riz from her bed +and come out to hunt it up, says she was afraid nobody couldn't get no +breakfast because of her losing of it." + +"I guess we won't suffer for breakfast," said Amanda, looking down +kindly at the little girl. "I don't carry back the milk nights this time +of year. Any that's left I just set in the pantry and there is what was +left from supper this blessed minute; butter, too, and cream, plenty for +breakfast. You just rest your mind on that score." + +"But," said Edna, "you will want a whole lot of things for the +Thanksgiving cooking and what will you do with them all locked up?" + +Ira laughed. "'Twouldn't be such an awful job to lift the door from its +hinges, and if a body was right spry he could climb in at the window +after he'd prised it open and the things could be handed out. Besides +we've got all the morning's milk and there'll be the night's milk and +to-morrow's milk, so I don't see that we shan't get along first-rate. +There is more than one way out of that trouble, ain't there, 'Mandy?" + +"I should say so. Wait till the sun's real high and I guess we'll find +the key fast enough," she said to Edna. "Now, you stay right here and +don't go running about in the cold; you'll be down sick traipsing about +in the wet grass, and then where will your Thanksgiving be?" + +Thus warned, Edna was content to stay in the kitchen into which the +morning light was beginning to creep and which was already warm from the +big stove. In a few minutes, Reliance appeared from the next room where +she had been setting the table. She was much astonished to learn that +Edna had been down before her. "What in the world did you get up so soon +for?" she asked. + +"To find the key," Edna answered, and then told her all about the +search, ending up with, "You haven't seen anything of it, have you, +Reliance?" + +Reliance's face broadened into a smile, as for answer she went behind +the kitchen door and produced the key from its nail, holding it up to +view. + +"Why, where in the world did you get it?" inquired Edna in a tone of +surprise. "It wasn't on the nail when I looked there for it a little +while ago." + +"You dropped it on the door-mat last evening," Reliance told her. "I +found it there and slipped it into the pocket of my apron, and this +morning when I went to get my apron, there it was so I just hung it up +where it belonged." + +"Well, I'm sure," said Amanda, "that's easily explained." + +"Who'd ha' thought it," said Ira. "Well, that let's us out of another +hunt. I won't have to wrastle with the door after all, will I?" + +So, after all, Edna's early rising was unnecessary, but she did not feel +sorry that she had had such an experience, and was content to sit and +watch Amanda mould her biscuits and to help Reliance finish setting the +table. Amanda insisted upon giving her a drink of buttermilk from the +spring-house to which she despatched Reliance, advising Edna not to go +this time. "You've had one tramp," she said, "and moreover you'll be +starved by breakfast time if you don't have something to stay you." + +The sausages were sizzling in the pan, and the griddle was ready for the +buckwheat cakes when Mrs. Conway appeared. "Well, you did steal a march +on us," she said to her little daughter. "How long have you been up? I +didn't hear a sound. You must have been a veritable mouse to be so +quiet." + +"I've been up since before daylight," Edna told her. "I took my things +into the bathroom so as not to disturb you; it was lovely and warm in +there." Then again she repeated her story of the lost key. + +"Reliance had the joke on her," said Amanda, "for she had the key all +the time." + +"Why didn't you tell me you had found it?" asked Edna a little +reproachfully as she turned to Reliance, who had by this time returned +from the spring-house. + +"I thought you would forget all about it, and I didn't think it was +worth while to mention. Besides," she added, "I ought to have carried +the key myself anyway." + +"You're right there," remarked Amanda. "It is your especial charge and +you oughtn't to have let anyone else fetch it in. Moreover, you'd ought +to have hung it up the minute you found it, and there it would have been +when it was looked for." + +"Oh, don't scold her," begged Edna. "It was all my fault, really." + +Amanda smiled. "I don't see it just that way. Folks had ought to learn +when they're young that in this house there's a place for everything, +and everything should be in its place. I rather guess, though, that that +special key won't get lost again right away." + +Edna felt that she had brought this lecture upon Reliance and felt +rather badly to have done so, but the prospect of buckwheat cakes soon +drove her self-reproach away and she went in to say good morning to her +grandparents, well satisfied with the world in general and content to +look ahead rather than at what was now past and gone, and which could +not be altered. + +Before the day had far advanced, came the first of the arrivals, Aunt +Alice Barker and her two boys, Ben and Willis. Ben and Edna were great +chums, though he was the older of the two boys. Ben was alert, full of +fun and ready to joke on every occasion, while Willis was rather shy and +had not much to say to his little cousin, whom, by the way, he did not +know so very well. + +Edna would fain have spent the morning in the kitchen from which issued +delectable odors, but Amanda had declared she wanted all the room there +was, that she had scatted out the cats and dogs and she would have to +scat out children, too, if they came bothering around. Therefore, to +avoid this catastrophe, Edna took herself to a different part of the +house, and was standing at one of the front windows when the carriage +drove up. + +"Oh, grandpa," she sang out, "here come Aunt Alice and her boys! Hurry! +Hurry! or they will get here before we can be there to meet them." + +Her grandfather threw down his newspaper and laid aside his spectacles. +"Well, well," he said, "it takes the young eyes to find out who is +coming. I didn't suppose Allie would be here till afternoon. What team +have they. Why didn't they let us know so we could send for them!" + +He followed Edna, who was already at the front door tugging at the bolt, +then in another moment the two were out on the porch while yet the +carriage was some yards away. Ben caught sight of them. "Hello!" he +cried out. "Here we are, bag and baggage. Didn't expect us so soon, did +you grandpa?" + +"No, son, we didn't. How did you come to steal a march on us in this +way?" + +"The express was behind time so we caught it at the junction, instead of +having to wait for the train we expected to take. It didn't seem worth +while to telephone; in fact we didn't have time, so we just got this +team from Mayville and here we are. How are you Pinky Blooms?" He darted +at Edna, tousled her hair, picked her up and slung her over his shoulder +as if she were a bag of meal, and dropped her on the top step of the +porch, she laughing and protesting the while. + +"Oh, Ben," she panted, "you are perfectly dreadful." + +"Why, is that you, Edna?" said Ben in pretended surprise. "I thought you +were my valise; it is too bad I made the mistake and dumped you down so +unceremoniously." + +Edna knew perfectly well how to take this so she picked herself up +laughing, and started after Ben who leaped over the railing of the porch +thus making his escape. By this time Mrs. Willis and Mrs. Conway had +come out and the whole company went indoors, Ben the last to come, +peeping in through a crack of the door, and then slinking in with a +pretense of being afraid of Edna. An hour later, these two were tramping +over the place, hand in hand, making all sorts of discoveries, leaving +Willis deep in a book and the older people chatting cozily before the +open fire. + +Aunt Emmeline, Uncle Wilbur and Becky were the next to come, Becky being +in a pout because her sweetheart had failed to make the train, and Aunt +Emmeline fussing and arguing with her. + +"You know, Becky, that he is coming, and I don't see what difference a +couple of hours will make," she said as she gave her hand, to her +sister, Mrs. Willis. "I am just telling Becky, Cecelia, that she is very +foolish to make such a fuss because Howard is detained; he missed the +train, you see, and can't arrive till the next comes in." She passed on +into the house still talking, while Edna made her escape upstairs. She +had not noticed the little girl, and Edna felt rather slighted. + +However, this was all forgotten a little later when her own brothers and +sister as well as her father were to be welcomed. You would suppose Edna +had been parted from them for at least a year, so joyous were her +greetings, and so much did she have to tell. She had scarcely unburdened +herself of all her happenings, before in swarmed Uncle Bert and his +family. There was so many of these that for a little while they seemed +to fill the entire house, for, first appeared Aunt Lucia and after her +the nurse carrying the baby, then Uncle Bert with little Herbert in his +arms, and then Lulie and Allen and Ted. Cousin Becky's sweetheart, +Howard Colby, came on the last train and ended the list of guests. What +a houseful it was, to be sure, and what long, long tables in the +dining-room. Reliance was not able to wait on everybody, and so Amanda's +niece Fanny, took a hand, thus everyone was served. + +Edna was rather shy of those cousins whom she had not seen for two or +three years, and after supper preferred to stay close to her sister +Celia and Ben, though her brothers were soon hob-nobbing with Allen and +Ted, and were planning expeditions for the morrow. Ben told such a funny +story about the lady by the willow tree, that Edna could never look at +the picture again without laughing, but he had scarcely finished it +before some one called out: "Bedtime for little folks!" and all the +younger ones trooped off upstairs, grandma herself leading the way to +see that each one was tucked in comfortably. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A HEARTY DINNER + + +It would be quite a task if one were to try to compute the number of +buckwheat cakes consumed at the long tables the next morning, and there +might have been more but that Charlie stopped Frank in the act of +helping himself to a further supply by saying: "Look here, son, if you +keep on eating cakes you won't give your Thanksgiving dinner any show at +all. I'm thinking about that turkey." + +This remark was passed down the table and had the effect of bringing the +breakfast to a conclusion. The boys scampered off out of doors to scour +the place for nuts or to dive into unfrequented woodsy places, while the +girls gathered around the crowing baby, in high good-humor with herself +and the world at large. Then the nurse bore baby off and Edna turned to +her mother for advice. + +"What can I do, mother?" she asked. + +"Why, let me see. Your Aunt Alice and I are going to help your grandma +to arrange the tables, after a while. We shall want a lot of decorations +besides the roses your Uncle Bert brought. Suppose you little girls +constitute yourselves an order of flower girls with Celia at your head, +and go out to find whatever may do for the tables." + +"There are some chrysanthemums, little yellow ones, and there are a few +white ones, too; I saw them yesterday down by the fence." + +"They will do nicely; we will have those and anything else that will be +pretty for the table or the rooms." + +"Shall we ask Lulie to go with us?" whispered Edna. + +"Certainly I would. She isn't quite so old as you, but she is the only +other little girl here, and it would be very rude and unkind to leave +her out." + +"You ask her," continued Edna in a low tone. + +For answer Mrs. Conway smiled over at Lulie. "Don't you want to be a +flower girl?" she asked; "Celia, I propose that you take these two +little girls in tow and go on an expedition to gather flowers to deck +the tables and the house, I know you will enjoy it." + +"Indeed I shall," replied Celia. "Come on, girls, let's see what we can +find." And the three sallied forth to discover what might be of use. + +An hour later they came back laden with small branches of scarlet oak, +with graceful weeds, with the little buttony chrysanthemums, and with +actually a few late roses which had braved the frost and were showing +pale faces in a sheltered corner when the girls came upon them. By this +time, the three cousins were well acquainted, the two younger the best +friends possible, so that when dinner was really ready they were quite +happy at being allowed to sit side by side. + +It would fill a whole chapter if I were to tell you about all the good +things on that table. Grandpa carved a huge brown turkey at one end, +while Uncle Bert carved an equally huge and brown one at the other end. +Grandma served the flakiest of noble chicken-pies at her side of the +table, while Aunt Alice served an oyster-pie of the same proportions and +quite as delicious. The boys, not in the least disturbed by the memory +of the buckwheat cakes, were ready with full-sized appetites, while the +girls, after their scramble in search of decorations, had no reason to +complain of not being hungry. To Cousin Becky's lot fell one of the +wishbones, and to Edna's joy she had the other. Cousin Becky put hers up +over the front door after dinner, and it was the strangest thing in the +world that Mr. Howard Colby should be the first to come in afterward. +Edna decided to save hers till it was entirely dry. + +"What are you going to do with it then?" asked Lulie. + +"I haven't quite decided. I shall take it home, and maybe I'll pull it +with Dorothy or maybe I will make a pen-wiper of it for a Christmas +gift. I might give it to Ben." + +"I never heard of wishbone pen-wipers," said Lulie. "Are they very hard +to make?" + +"Not so very, if you have anyone to help you with the sealing-wax head. +Celia could help me with that. You make a head, you know, and then the +wishbone has two legs and you dress it up so it is a pen-wiper." This +was not a very clear description, but Lulie was satisfied, especially as +at that moment Ben came to them and said that everyone was going to play +games, in order that their dinners might properly digest. + +"Everybody?" inquired Lulie. "The grandparents, too?" + +"Of course," Ben told her. "We are going to begin with something easy, +like forfeits, and work up to the real snappy ones after." + +"What are the snappy ones?" asked Edna. + +"Oh, things like Hide-and-Seek and lively things that will keep us on +the jump." + +The two little girls followed Ben into the next room and before long +everyone was trying to escape from grandpa who was as eager for a game +of Blind Man's Buff as anybody, and who at last caught Becky, who in +turn caught Howard Colby because he didn't try to get out of her way. +This ended that game, but everybody was so warmed up to the fun that +when it was proposed to carry on a game of Hide and Seek out of doors +all agreed, and Edna was so convulsed with laughter to see her +dignified, great-uncle Wilbur crouching behind a wood-pile and peeping +fearfully over the top that she forgot to hide herself properly and was +discovered by Ben in a moment. + +"You're no good at all at hiding," Ben told her. "Anybody could have +found you with half an eye." + +"Oh, I don't care," replied Edna; "I'll have just as much fun finding +out some one else," and she it was who made straight for Uncle Wilbur's +wood-pile to which he had returned with the fond belief of its serving +as good a turn a second time. + +It was not so very long before the older persons declared that they had +had enough of it. The men returned to the house to have a smoke and the +ladies to chat around the fire. As for the children, it was quite too +much to expect them to go in while there was a twinkle of daylight left, +and, as Amanda expressed it, "They took the place." The girls did not +roam far from the house but the boys wandered much further afield, +bringing caps and pockets full of nuts, and clothes full of burs and +stick-tights, even Ben brought back a hoard of persimmons touched by the +frost and as sweet as honey. + +He poured these out on a flat stone near which Edna was standing. "Come +here, Edna," he said, "let's divvy up. I'll give you half; you can take +what you don't eat to your mother and I'll take what I don't eat to my +mother." + +Edna squatted down by the stone and began delicately to nibble at the +fruit which still bore its soft purple bloom. "I don't believe I shall +eat very many," she said, "for my dinner is still lasting, and there +will be supper before I am ready for it. We are not going to have a +real, regular set-the-table supper, because grandma thinks Amanda and +Reliance should have some holiday, too, but we are going to have +sandwiches and cakes and nuts and apples and cider and a whole lot of +things; something like a party you know. Aren't you going to eat any of +your persimmons, Ben?" + +"No, that coming supper party sounds too seductive; I'll wait so that I +can do it justice." + +"What did you see out in the woods?" asked Edna. + +"Foxy grape-vines and bare trees," he answered promptly. + +"Do you mean b-e-a-r trees or b-a-r-e trees?" + +"Which ever you like; I've no doubt there were both kinds." + +"Oh, Ben," Edna glanced around fearfully, "do you really think there are +bears around here?" + +"I know there are, sometimes." He drew down his mouth in a way which +made Edna suspect a joke. + +"When is the sometimes?" she asked suspiciously. + +"When they have a circus at Mayville." + +"Oh, you Ben Barker, you are the worst," cried Edna roguishly pulling +his nose. + +"Here, here," he exclaimed, "look out, it might come off like the fox's +tail." + +"What fox?" + +"Don't you know the story of 'Reynard, the Fox'? It is in one of those +big, red books that lie on that claw-footed table in the living-room." + +"Here, in this house?" + +"Yea, verily. You don't mean to say you have never read those books! +Why, there is not a year since I was eight years old that I haven't +pored over them. Every time I have been here, and that is at least once +a year, I go for those books, I'd advise you to make their +acquaintance." + +"You tell me the story; then I won't have to read it." + +"No, my child, I shall not allow you to neglect your opportunities +through any weakness on my part. Read it for yourself, and thereafter, +the red book will be one of your prized memories of 'Overlea.'" + +"Then tell me again about the lady and the willow tree," begged Edna; +"that was so funny." + +Ben laughed. "I am afraid I don't remember that so well as I do the fox +story, but maybe I will think of some more about her. Come, it is time +to go in. They may be eating those chicken or turkey sandwiches this +very minute." + +Hanging on his arm, Edna skipped along to the house to find that it was +quite too early to think of sandwiches, though the lamps were lighted in +all but the living-room where a cheerful fire made the place light +enough. Around the fire sat grandma, Aunt Emmeline, Aunt Alice and Mrs. +Conway. Aunt Lucia was upstairs with the babies. Uncle Wilbur was taking +a nap, and grandpa and Uncle Bert were out looking after the stock, as +Ira and the other man had been allowed a holiday. Over in the corner of +the sofa sat Cousin Becky and her lover talking in low tones. + +"Dear me," said grandma, as the children all trooped in, "we must have +a light; these little folks may not like to sit in the dark." + +"This is the best kind of light," declared Ben, "and the very time for +telling tales. Let's all sit around the fire and have a good time. We'll +begin with the oldest and so on down to the youngest If we don't have +time to go all the way down the line, we'll stop when we're hungry. +How's that, grandma? Do you like the plan?" + +"It is just as the others say, my dear," she answered. + +"It's a lovely plan, Ben," said Mrs. Conway. "You will have to begin, +mother, and Aunt Emmeline can come next." + +"Oh, dear," protested that lady, "I never was one for telling tales; you +will have to count me out." + +"I am sure if I can, you can," grandma assured her. "What shall it be +about, children?" + +"Oh, about when you were a little girl," cried Edna. + +"About the time the horse ran away with you," spoke up the boys. + +"About your first ball please," begged Celia. + +Grandma laughed. "Just listen to them. They have heard all those things +dozens of times. I'll tell you what we will do. I will tell about the +runaway horse, that belongs to the time when I was a little girl, and +Emmeline shall tell about her first ball, and I can remind her if she +forgets anything. I remember her first ball even better than my first, +for it was at hers I met your grandfather." + +This was all so satisfactory that there was not a murmur of dissent, and +grandma began: "It was when I was about ten years old that I went one +day with my father to the nearest village. He was driving a pair of +spirited horses, and on our way home a parcel we were bringing home, +fell out of the buggy. My father stopped the horses and ran back to pick +up the parcel, but before he could get to the buggy, the horses took +fright at a piece of paper blowing along the road in front of them and +off they started, full tilt, down the road. In vain my father cried, +'Hey, there! Whoa, Barney! Whoa Pet!' on they went faster and faster. I +managed to hold on to the reins but my young hands were not strong +enough to control the wild creatures, and I thought every minute would +be my last, for up hill and down dale we went at such a pace I had never +known. Over a stump would jounce the buggy, and I would nearly pitch +out. Around the last curve they went with a swing which I thought would +land me on my back or my head, but I managed to keep my seat and at +last saw the open gate of our own lane before me. Would the horses go +through without hitting a gate post? Would they run into a fence or over +a pile of stones at one side? My heart was in my mouth. I jerked the +reins in a vain attempt to guide them, but on they went, pell-mell, +making straight for the open gate. Presently I saw some one rush from +the house and then another person come flying from the stables. Just +before we reached the gate, it was flung to with a bang. The horses +pranced, swung a little to one side and stopped short, and I heard some +one say, 'So, Barney, so Pet!' I didn't know what happened next but the +first thing I knew I was lying on the lounge in the sitting-room, my +mother bending over me, and holding a bottle of salts to my nose, 'Oh, +dear, oh, dear,' my mother was crying, 'another minute and the child +might have been killed.'" + +"Who was it shut the gate?" asked Allen eagerly. + +"Amanda's mother, who was living with us at that time." + +"And who caught the horses?" queried Ted. + +"Jim Doughty, who was our hired man." + +"Weren't you nearly frightened to death?" Lulie put the question. + +"Very nearly, and so was my father. He was as pale as a ghost when he +got home. He had to walk all the way, and said he thought he should +never get there. The country wasn't as thickly settled as it is now, and +there were no houses between us and the spot where the horses took +fright." + +"Where is the place you lived?" asked Allen. + +"About five miles from here." + +"I should like to see it," said the boy musingly. "I suppose those +horses are dead. I'd like to see horses that could run like that." + +"They would be somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty-five or seventy +years old by this time," said grandma with a smile, "and the oldest +horse I ever knew was forty." + +"Gee! but that was old," remarked Frank. "Whose was it, grandma? Yours?" + +"No, my grandfather's. Her name was Dolly, and she took my grandparents +to church every Sunday for many years, up to a little while before she +died. Now, Emmeline, let's hear about the ball." + +"It was just a ball," began Aunt Emmeline. + +"The County Ball," put in grandma. "They always have one every year at +Fair time. Emmeline was sixteen and I was eighteen. Now go on, +Emmeline." + +"I wore white tarlatan trimmed with forget-me-nots," said Aunt Emmeline, +"and I danced my first dance with Steve Hardesty." She paused and gave a +little sigh. "He took me into supper, too, poor Steve." Grandma leaned +over and laid her hand softly on her sister's. "It is such a long time, +such a very long time ago," she said softly. + +Aunt Emmeline smiled a little sadly. "Yes, a long time," she repeated. +"You wore, what was it you wore, Cecelia?" + +"I wore pink tarlatan trimmed with rosebuds and a wreath of them in my +hair. The skirt was caught up with bunches of the little buds and green +leaves, and I thought it the prettiest dress I ever saw." + +"It was a great ball," Aunt Emmeline went on, brightening. "I danced +every set, and so did you, Cecelia." + +"And how everyone did talk because I danced so many with Ben Willis whom +I had met for the first time that night. He would see me home, you +remember, although Uncle Phil and Cousin Dick were both there to look +after us; we were staying at our uncle's, my dears. It was during the +early days of the war, and there was much talk of what would happen next +and who would be going off to join the army, you remember." + +"It was not till two years after, that Steve went," said Aunt Emmeline +wistfully. + +"Tell us about Steve," spoke up Frank. "Did he become a soldier?" + +Celia shook her head warningly at her little brother, for she knew Aunt +Emmeline's story, and of how her young lover was killed in battle, but +Aunt Emmeline did not hesitate to answer. "Yes, he went, but he never +came back." + +Silence fell upon the little group for a moment till Aunt Emmeline +herself broke it by saying, "Do you remember, Cecelia, how angry you +were with Polly Parker because she copied your dress, and how you were +going to have yours trimmed with daisies, and changed all that at the +last moment? I can see you now, ripping off those inoffensive daisies +and flinging them on the floor." + +Grandma laughed. "Well, after all, hers wasn't a bit like mine, for it +was a different shade of pink and wasn't made the same way. Yes, I was +furious, I remember, because it wasn't the first time Polly had copied +my things; she had a way of doing it." + +"Here comes grandpa," announced Herbert who did not find all this talk +of dress and balls very interesting. + +The entrance of grandpa and Uncle Bert broke up the party by the fire, +for soon the sandwiches and other things were brought in, then came +songs and games till, before anyone realized it, bedtime came and +Thanksgiving Day was over. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE RED BOOK + + +Whether it was the search for the key in the chill of the early morning, +or whether it was that she ate too heartily of grandma's good things, +certain it was that when Edna waked up the morning after Thanksgiving, +she felt very listless and miserable. Her father was already up and +dressed, and her mother was making her toilet when the little girl +turned over and watched her with heavy eyes. + +"Well, little girl," said Mrs. Conway, "it seems to me that it is time +for you to get up." + +Edna gave a long sigh, closed her eyes, but presently found the courage +to make an effort towards rising. She threw aside the covers, slipped +her feet into her red worsted slippers, and then sat on the side of her +cot in so dejected an attitude that her mother noticed it. "What," she +said, "are you so very sleepy still? I suspect you are tired out from +yesterday's doings." + +"My head aches and there are cold creeps running up and down my back," +Edna told her. + +Her mother came nearer, and laid her cool hand on the throbbing temples. +"Your head is hot," she declared. "I am afraid you have taken cold. +Cuddle back under the covers and I will bring or send your breakfast up +to you." + +"I don't think I want any breakfast," said Edna, snuggling down with a +grateful feeling for the warmth and quiet. + +"Not want any breakfast? Then you certainly aren't well. When waffles +and fried chicken cannot tempt you, I know something is wrong." + +Mrs. Conway went on with the finishing touches to her dress and hair +while Edna dozed, but half conscious of what was going on around her. +She did not hear her mother leave the room, and did not know how long it +was before she heard Celia's voice saying: "Mother says you'd better try +to drink this." + +"This" was a cup of hot milk of which Edna tried to take a few sips and +then lay back on her pillow. "I don't want it," she said. + +"Poor little sister," said Celia commiseratingly. "It is too bad you +don't feel well. Is there anything I can do for you?" + +"No, thank you," replied Edna weakly. + +"Mother is coming up in a minute," Celia went on. "Uncle Bert and all of +them are going this morning, but as soon as they are off she will come +up to see how you are." + +"Is everyone going?" asked Edna languidly. + +"No, not this morning. Uncle Bert and his family take the morning train +because they have the furthest to go, and Aunt Lucia wants to get home +with the children before dark. Uncle Wilbur, Aunt Emmeline and all those +are going on the afternoon train. Father thinks he must get back to-day, +too." + +Edna made no answer, but closed her eyes again drowsily. + +"I'll set the milk down here," Celia went on, "and maybe you will feel +like drinking some more of it after a little while." + +She set the cup on a chair by Edna's bedside and stole softly out of the +room, leaving her sister to fall into another doze from which she was +awakened by hearing a timid voice say: "Excuse me. I hope you are not +asleep, but I want to say good-bye," and turning over, Edna saw her +little Cousin Lulie. + +"Oh, are you going?" came from the little girl in bed. + +"Yes, we are all ready. I am so sorry you are sick. I like you so much +and I wish you would come to our house some day." + +Edna was too polite not to make some effort of appreciation, so she sat +up and held out her little hot hand. "Oh, thank you," she answered; "I +should love to come, and I wish you could come to see us. Ask Uncle Bert +to bring you real soon." + +"Mother said I had better not kiss you," remarked Lulie honestly, "for I +might take your cold, but I have folded up a kiss in this piece of paper +and I will put it here so you can get it when I am gone." + +Edna smiled at this and liked Lulie all the better for the fancy. "I +won't forget it," she said earnestly. "I will send you one when I get +well, but you'd better not take a feverish one with you. Good-bye, and +say good-bye to all the others." + +"They would have come, too," Lulie informed her, "but mother thought one +of us was enough when you had a headache, and that I could bring all the +good-byes for the others. Now I must go. Get well soon." And she was off +leaving Edna with a consciousness of it's being a wise decree which +prevented more visitors, for her headache was so much the worse for +having had but one. + +She lay very still wishing the noises below would cease, the running +back and forth, the shutting of doors, the calling of the boys to one +another and the crying of the baby. But last of all she heard the +carriage wheels on the gravel, and then it was suddenly silent. The boys +had all gone off to play, and the only sounds were occasional footsteps +on the stair, the stirring of the kitchen fire, and outside, the distant +"Caw! Caw!" of the crows in the trees. For a long time she was very +quiet. Once her mother came to the door and peeped in, but, seeing no +movement, believed the child asleep, but later she came in and Edna +opened her eyes to see her standing by her bedside. + +"Poor little lass," said her mother, "you're not feeling well at all, +are you? I am afraid you have a little fever. I will give you something +that I hope will make you feel better." + +"Not any nasty medicine," begged Edna. + +"No, only some tiny tablets that you can swallow right down with a +little water." She went to the bureau and found the little phial she was +in search of. After shaking out a few pellets in her hand, she brought +them to Edna with a glass of water and the child took the dose +obediently, for she knew these small tablets of old. + +"Now," Mrs. Conway went on, "I will cover you up warm, and you must try +to get to sleep. Grandma is trying to keep the house quiet and Ben has +taken off the boys. I am going to tidy up the room and stay here with +you for awhile. There, now; you will be more comfortable that way," and +under her mother's loving touches Edna felt happier already and in a +short time fell into a sound sleep from which she awakened feeling +brighter. Her mother was sitting by the window crocheting where the sun +was streaming in. + +Edna sat up and pushed back the hair from her face. Her mother noticed +the movement. "Well, dearie," she said, "you have had a nice nap and I +hope you feel ever so much better." + +"Yes, I think I do," said the child a little doubtfully. + +"That wasn't a very enthusiastic voice. You can't be sure about it?" + +"Yes, I can. I do feel a great deal better." + +"And as if you would like a little something to eat?" + +"Why--what could I eat?" + +"How would some milk toast and a soft-boiled egg do?" + +"I like milk toast pretty well, but I don't believe I want the egg." + +"Not when it will be freshly laid this morning?" + +"I couldn't have it fried, I suppose?" + +"Better not. I'll tell you what I will do; I will go down and ask +grandma what she thinks would be best for you. Would you like to sit up +in bed? I can put something over your shoulders and prop you up with +pillows, or how would you like to get into my bed? There is more room +and you can look out of the window. I will bundle you up and carry you +over." + +"I'd like that," returned Edna in a satisfied tone; it was always a +treat to get into mother's bed. + +Mrs. Conway turned down the covers of her own bed, slipped Edna into her +flannel wrapper, threw a shawl around her and carried her across the +room to deposit her in the big bed. "There," she said, "you can keep +your wrapper on till you get quite warm. Let me put this pillow behind +your back. That's it. Now, then, how do you like the change?" + +"Oh, I like it," Edna assured her. "And my head is much better." + +"I think you'd better stay in bed, however, for we want to break up that +cold. There is no better way to do it than to keep you in bed for to-day +at least. Now I will go down and interview grandma." + +She left the room, and Edna heard her talking to some one in the entry. +Then the door opened and grandma herself came in. "Good morning, dear +child," she said. "I wanted to come up before, but it seemed best to +keep you quiet. I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better, but +you must be careful not to take more cold. Would you like to have Serena +to keep you company?" + +"Oh, I should like her very much," returned Edna. + +Her grandmother left the room returning presently with an old-fashioned +doll which had been hers when she was a little girl. The doll was +dressed in the fashion of sixty years ago and was quite a different +creature from Edna's Virginia. She always liked Serena in spite of her +black corkscrew curls and staring blue eyes. Whenever she visited +Overlea, Serena was given to her to play with, as a special privilege. +Her grandma knew that Edna was careful, but she would not have brought +out this relic of her childhood for everyone. "I will put this little +shawl around her before you take her, for she has been in a cooler room, +and it might chill you to touch her," said grandma, as she wound a small +worsted shawl over Serena's blue silk frock. "I will put her on the bed +there right by you and then I will go down to see if Amanda has anything +that is fit for a little invalid to eat." She kissed the top of Edna's +head and went out leaving her to Serena's company. + +It was not long before Edna heard some one coming slowly up the stair, +then there was a pause before the door, next a knock and second pause +before Edna's "Come in" was answered by Reliance who carefully bore a +tray on which stood several covered dishes. + +"I asked Mrs. Willis to please let me bring this up," said Reliance. "I +am so sorry you are sick, I am dreadfully afraid you took cold hunting +that key." + +"Oh, I don't suppose it was that," Edna tried to reassure her. "I might +have taken cold yesterday, for I got so warm running when we were +playing Hide-and-Seek. Oh, how lovely, Reliance, you have brought up +grandma's dear little dishes that were given her when she was a little +girl. I love those little dishes with the flowers on them." + +"You're to eat this first," said Reliance, uncovering a small tureen in +which some delicious chicken broth was steaming. "There is toast to go +with it. Then if you feel as if you wanted any more, there is a little +piece of cold turkey and some jelly." + +But in spite of her belief that she could eat every bit of what was +before her, Edna could do no more than manage the broth and one piece +of toast, Reliance watching her solicitously while she ate. "You're not +very peckish, are you?" she said. "Well, anyhow I am glad this didn't +come on before you had your Thanksgiving; it would have been dreadful if +it had happened yesterday." + +"I am glad, too," returned Edna. "What time is it, Reliance?" + +"It's most dinner time. As soon as the boys come in, it will be ready. +I'll take back the tray, but I have to go awful careful, for I would +sooner break my leg than these dishes." She bore off the tray as Edna +snuggled back against her pillows, holding one of Serena's kid hands in +hers in order that she might feel less alone. She was not left long to +Serena's sole company, however, for first came her father to say +good-bye, then Aunt Emmeline stopped at the door, and behind her, Cousin +Becky and Uncle Wilbur, all ready with sympathy and good wishes. A +little later, she heard the carriage drive off which should take all +these to the train. There was silence for a time which finally was +interrupted by a tap at the door. + +"Come in," called Edna. + +The door opened, and in walked Ben with a large red book under his arm. +"Hello, you little old scalawag," he said. "What in the world did you go +and do this for?" + +"I couldn't help it," said Edna apologetically. + +"You poor, little, old kitten, of course you couldn't. Well, I have +brought you up Mr. Fox, and I wanted to tell you that the lady by the +willow has had another accident; she dropped her last chocolate +marshmallow and the dog stepped on it. Of course, that wasn't as bad as +the first, but when you have only one handkerchief it is pretty hard to +have to cry it twice full of tears. Fortunately, hers has had a chance +to dry between whiles." + +Edna smiled. It was good to have Ben come in with his nonsense. "Hasn't +she found her eyelash yet?" + +"No, and it was a wet one which is awfully hard to find unless it is +raining; it is hard enough then, goodness knows. How did you stand all +the racket this morning? If a noisy noise annoys an oyster, how much of +a noisy noise does it take to annoy Pinky Blooms? That sounds like a +problem in mental arithmetic, but it isn't. Shall I read to you a +little?" + +"Oh, please." + +"About Reynard, the Fox, shall it be?" + +"Oh, yes. I do so want to know how he lost his tail." + +"Then, here goes," said Ben, as he opened the big, red book. Edna +settled herself back against the pillows and Ben began the story, while +Edna was so interested that she forgot all about her headache. He +finished the tale before he put the book down. "How do you like it?" he +asked. + +"It is perfectly fine. Are there other stories in that book?" + +"Yes, some mighty good ones. Here, do you want to see the pictures? They +are funny and old-fashioned, but they are pretty good for all that." He +laid the book across Edna's knees and showed her the illustrations +relating to Reynard, the Fox, all of which interested her vastly. + +"I am so glad I know about this book," she said as she came to the last +page. "I always thought it was only for grown-ups, and never even looked +at it. Will you read me some more to-morrow?" + +"Sorry I can't, ducky dear, for I am off by the morning train to a +football game which I can't miss." + +"Oh, I forgot about that. Are the boys going, too?" + +"Yes, and Celia. We are all going back together. There is something on +at the Evanses Saturday night, and Celia wouldn't miss that." + +"Neither would you," said Edna slyly. + +"You're a mean, horrid, little girl," said Ben in a high, little voice. +"I'm just going to take my book and go home, so I am." + +"It isn't your book; it is grandma's." + +"I don't care if it is; I'm not going to play with you, and I will slap +your doll real hard." + +"Do you mean Serena? She isn't my doll; she is grandma's. Her name is +Serena, don't you remember? I've known her ever since I was a little, +little thing." + +"And what are you now but a little, little thing, I should like to +know." + +"I'm bigger than Lulie Willis, but I'm not big enough to go to Agnes's +party Saturday night." She spoke somewhat soberly, for she did want to +be there. + +"Oh, never mind," said Ben, with an air of comforting her, "I shall be +there and I am as big as two of you." + +"I don't see how that makes it any better," said Edna, after searching +her mind for a reason why it should be of any comfort to her. + +"Oh, yes it does," returned Ben, "for if I were only as big as you I +shouldn't be there either." + +"As if that helped it." + +"Oh, yes it does, for, you see, they will have a lot of good things and +I can eat enough for you and me both, I am sure," he added triumphantly. +"That is an excellent argument. If a thing can be done for two persons +instead of one, it makes all the difference in the world." + +Edna put her head back against the pillows. Ben was too much for her +when he took that stand. + +"There," said the lad contritely, "I'm making your head worse by my +foolishness. Are you tired? Is there anything I can do for you? Would +you like one of the kittens?" + +"Oh, yes, Ben, I would. They are so comforting and cozy. I am glad you +thought of that." + +"Shall I leave the red book or take it down?" + +"Leave it, please; I might like to look at it after a while." + +So Ben went off, returning directly with one of the kittens which he +deposited on the bed and which presently cuddled close to the child. +Then Ben left her, Serena by her side and the kitten purring contentedly +in her arms. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE OLD HOUSE + + +Although Edna was much better the next day, it was thought prudent to +keep her indoors. All the guests departed with the exception of her +mother, her Aunt Alice and her own self, the house resumed its ordinary +quiet and seemed rather an empty place after its throng of Thanksgiving +visitors. + +"You'd better make up your mind to stay another week, daughter," said +grandma to Edna's mother. "This child isn't fit to be out, and won't be +for two or three days." + +"Oh, I think she will be able to go by Monday," replied Mrs. Conway. "I +shouldn't like to keep her out of school so long." + +"Her health is of much more importance than school," grandma went on. +"She is always well up in her studies, isn't she? You remember that I +didn't have the usual visit last summer, and as Alice is going to stay +we could all have a nice cozy time together." + +"But how would things go on at home without me?" + +"Plenty well enough. I am sure Lizzie can take care of Henry and the +boys." + +"I am not so sure about the boys, though I suppose Henry could get along +very well, and Celia is in town all through the week." + +"Why couldn't Charlie and Frank stay with the Porter boys till we get +back?" piped up Edna from her stool by the fire. "You know, mother, that +Mrs. Porter has asked and asked them, for her boys have already stayed +weeks with us in the summer." + +"Ye-es, I know," returned Mrs. Conway, a little doubtfully. + +"I am sure that is an excellent plan," said grandma, beaming at Edna +over her knitting. "Edna will be all the better for a week here, and +indeed for a longer time." + +"Oh, we couldn't stay longer than next Saturday at the very outside," +put in Mrs. Conway hastily. "I'd love to stay, mother dear, but you know +a housekeeper cannot be too long away, especially when she has not +arranged beforehand to do so." + +Grandma nodded at Edna. "We'll consider it settled that you are to stay +for another week. Let's have it all arranged, daughter. Call up long +distance and let Henry know." + +"I promised him, anyhow, that I would let him know to-day how Edna was +getting along. He was afraid when he went away that she might be in for +a serious illness. I shall be glad to let him know she is better." + +"And he will be so glad to hear that, he won't mind your telling him you +will stay longer," remarked grandma with a little laugh. + +Mrs. Conway went to the telephone and soon it was settled that they were +to remain. "I don't know what Uncle Justus will say," Mrs. Conway +observed when she reëntered the room. "He will think I am a very +injudicious mother to keep you out of school so long." + +"Not if you tell him I was sick," returned Edna, who secretly rather +enjoyed the prospect of making such an announcement. Like most children, +she liked the importance which an illness gave to her small self. + +Saturday was an indoors day spent with Serena, Virginia and the big, +red book. Sunday, too, Edna was shut in except for the few minutes she +was allowed to walk up and down the porch in the sun. She was well +wrapped up for this event, and was charged not to put foot on the damp +ground. + +It had been rather a lonesome morning, with everyone at church except +Amanda, but the little girl stood it pretty well. She read aloud to an +audience consisting of the two dolls and the three kittens, she sang +hymns, in rather a husky voice to be sure, and she stood at the window a +long time watching the people pass by on their way to and from church. + +In the afternoon, her grandfather took his two daughters to see some +relative, Reliance went off to Sunday school, and Edna was left alone +with her grandmother who told her stories and sang, to the accompaniment +of the melodeon she had used when a little girl. Edna enjoyed this +performance very much, but after a while grandma was tired of an +instrument that skipped notes and wheezed like an old horse, so they +went back to the big chair by the open fire. Grandma continued the +singing, rocking Edna in her arms till the child fell fast asleep, the +drowsy hum of the tea-kettle, hanging on the crane, helping to make a +lullaby. When she woke up it was nearly dark. She heard her mother's +voice in the hall and realized that the long Sabbath day was nearly +over. + +This was the last shut-in day, for the weather was clear and bracing, +and, well wrapped up, Edna was able to enjoy it. Reliance always joined +her when the work was done in the afternoon, and she led her to the +acquaintance of two or three other little girls: Alcinda Hewlett, the +daughter of the postmaster, Reba Manning, the minister's daughter, and +Esther Ann Taber who lived just across the way. These three were +playing with Reliance and Edna in front of Esther Ann's one day when +suddenly Esther spoke up: "I know where there is an empty house and +anyone can go into it who wants to." + +"Where is it?" asked Reba, with interest. + +"Down past old Sam Titus's. Don't you know that brown house back there +by the orchard?" + +"Oh, but it is haunted," cried Alcinda. + +"Nonsense, it couldn't be," put in Reba. "My father says there aren't +such things as haunted houses, and he ought to know." + +The word of such high authority as the minister could not be gainsaid, +though the suggestion gave the girls rather a creepy feeling. + +"I'll dare you all to go in there with me," spoke up Esther Ann. + +"Oh, Esther Ann, dast we?" said Alcinda. + +"Why not? Nobody lives there, and I don't believe anyone owns it, for +there is never a person goes in or out, even to do spring cleaning. I +heard my mother say that two old ladies lived there, sisters, and they +didn't speak to one another for years; that was long ago and since they +died nobody knows who the place belongs to, for it isn't ever lived in." + +"Like that place where we go to gather chestnuts," spoke up Reba. +"Anybody can go there and get all they want. My father said I could go, +and that it was all right, and he knows." + +"Of course he does," agreed Esther Ann. "Come, who is going with me?" + +"I'd as soon go as not," Reliance was the first to speak. + +"How do you get in?" asked Alcinda, a little doubtfully. + +"Walk in, goosey. Just open the door and walk in." + +"Isn't the door locked?" + +"The back door isn't, I tried it one day," replied Esther Ann. + +"Why didn't you go in then?" asked Alcinda. + +"Well, I was all by myself, and--and--I thought it would be nicer to +have some one with me; it always is when you want to explore." + +This seemed a perfectly reasonable answer, and the others were +reassured, moreover, to a company of five, nothing was likely to happen, +they thought, and the spirit of adventure was high in the breast of more +than one. + +"We'd better start right along," suggested Reliance, "for I have to be +back, and Edna mustn't stay out after dark." + +"Then, come along, all that want to go," cried Esther Ann, taking the +lead. + +Off they started down the wide street bordered by maples, now shorn of +their leaves, but furnishing a carpet of yellow underfoot, past the +church, the store, the schoolhouse and on to the old brown house sitting +back behind an orchard of gnarled, crooked apple trees. The place was +all grown up with weeds, though here and there were signs of a former +garden. Up the rotting pillars of the porch a woodbine still clambered, +and around the door, lilac bushes kept their green. + +Though she had come thus far without mishap, Alcinda's courage suddenly +failed her and she turned and ran. + +"'Fraid cat! 'Fraid cat!" called Esther Ann after her. + +This had the effect of arresting Alcinda in her flight and she stood +still. + +"Come on," cried Esther Ann. + +"I don't want to," called back Alcinda. "I'll wait out here for you." + +"You don't know what you're missing," Esther Ann called back, trying +once more to persuade her. + +"I'll wait for you here," repeated Alcinda taking up her position on the +horse block by the gate. + +"All right," responded Esther Ann, and opened the door which gave easily +as she turned the knob. + +The four little girls found themselves in a dingy kitchen whose +belongings remained as they had been left years before. Cobwebs hung +from the ceiling; dust was everywhere. The stove rusty and falling to +pieces, still held one or two pots and pans. There was crockery on the +dresser, and a lamp on the table. + +Esther Ann led the way to the next room. "I don't think this one is a +bit interesting," she made the remark as she penetrated further. + +"Do you think we ought to go?" whispered Edna to Reliance, as these two +lagged a little in the rear. + +"Why not? Anyone can come in if it belongs to no one, and they say it +doesn't belong to a soul. Nobody lives here and why haven't we a right +as well as the rest of the world?" + +This argument satisfied Edna and she followed along through the deserted +rooms, catching sight of a moth-eaten cover here, a bunch of withered +flowers there. Books, long untouched, lay half open on a table in one +room, the bed was still unmade in another, and everything was confusion. + +"Isn't it lovely and spooky?" said Esther Ann, tingling with excitement. +"I'm going to see what is in those bureau drawers." + +She darted toward an old-fashioned bureau which stood in the room, +flopped down on her knees, and drew out the lower drawer. "Oh, girls," +she cried, "look here." + +The others gathered around her to see boxes in which were the treasures +of a forgotten owner,--strings of beads, half-worn white kid gloves, a +fan with ivory sticks, combs, and ornaments of various kinds. + +"Let's each take something home to her mother," proposed Esther Ann. "I +speak for the fan." + +"Oh, Esther, do you dare?" asked Reba. + +"Why not? They don't belong to anyone," came back the old argument. + +"Some one else will most likely take them if we don't," remarked +Reliance conclusively. + +This satisfied the less venturesome, and they all sat down on the floor +to make a selection. Reba chose a quaint, silver buckle, Reliance +selected a mother-of-pearl card-case, Edna decided upon a +tortoise-shell comb. + +"Wasn't it lovely that we should find them?" said Esther Ann +enthusiastically. "It will be so nice to be able to take home presents. +I am glad no one else found them before we did." + +"I wonder how long the back door has been opened," said Reba. "Has it +always been?" + +"I don't know. I never tried it till the other day," Esther Ann told +her. + +After rummaging a little further and discovering frocks and coats of +unfamiliar cut hanging in the closets and wardrobes, and coming upon +mouldy slippers, and queer-looking hats in other places, they concluded +they must go. Alcinda had wearied of waiting and had gone off long +before, therefore, the four, after shutting the door behind them, took +their way through the leaf-strewn path to the gate, then up the street +to their respective homes. + +"Don't you think Mrs. Willis will be pleased with the card-case?" asked +Reliance, as they were entering the gate at Overlea. + +"I'm sure she will. She can use it when she goes to the city to see +Uncle Bert, and I know mother will like this comb," returned Edna. + +Reliance had no time to present her gift at that moment for Amanda +called her to come at once to attend to her duties, remarking that she +was late, but Edna hunted up her mother who was upstairs. "Oh, mother, +mother," she cried, entering the room where her mother was, "see what I +have for you. Isn't it pretty?" + +Her mother looked up from the letter she was writing. "What is it, dear? +Why, Edna, what a beautiful comb. Where did you get it?" + +"I found it," replied Edna in an assured tone. "We all found lovely +things." Then she launched forth upon an account of the afternoon's +adventures. + +Her mother listened attentively, and when the child had finished her +tale, she drew her close to her side, kissing the little, eager face, +and saying, "Dear child, I am afraid you have made a mistake. The things +were not for you little girls to take." + +"But mother, they didn't belong to anyone. They have been there for +years and years, and nobody wants them." + +"They would have to belong to some one, dear child. We will ask grandma +about the house and whose property it is. Let us go find her." + +They hunted up Mrs. Willis who listened interestedly to what they had to +tell. "The old Topham house," she said when they had finished. "It +belonged to two sisters, Miss Nancy and Miss Tabitha Topham. These two +lived together for years, but finally they quarreled and each vowed that +she would never speak to the other. They died within a few weeks of one +another and there were no nearer heirs than distant cousins who have +never troubled themselves to look after the place. Old Nathan Holcomb +was the nearest neighbor and he used to keep things pretty well secured, +but since his death the place has been going to rack and ruin more and +more each year. There is some fine, old furniture there and it is a +wonder everything in the house has not been stolen before now, but as +the place has the reputation of being haunted it has been more or less +avoided. I never heard of its being open to the public and I shall speak +to some one who will see that it is made secure. Even if it is not +valued by the present owners, it should not be left for tramps or any +chance vagrant to make use of." + +Edna looked down at the comb which she still held in her hand. "What +must I do about this?" she asked. + +"You must take it back to-morrow and restore it to its place," her +mother told her. "I am perfectly sure that not one of you little girls +dreamed that she had no right to take the things, but nevertheless they +were not yours, and I am very certain that the other mothers will say +the same thing." + +"Reliance has a lovely card-case," said Edna, regretfully. "She was +going to give it to you, grandma." + +Mrs. Willis smiled. "I appreciate the spirit, but she must not be +allowed to keep it, my dear." + +Edna's face sobered. She felt much crestfallen. She wondered what Reba's +father would say. + +She did not have long to wait to find this out for after supper came two +young callers who sidled in with rather shamefaced expressions. "Suppose +you take Reba and Esther Ann into the dining-room for a little while," +suggested grandma encouragingly. "Little folks like to chatter about +their own affairs, I well know." + +Edna shot her grandma a grateful look and soon was closeted with the +little girls. "Oh, Edna, what did your mother say?" began Esther Ann. + +"She said I must take back the comb, because I had no right to take it." + +"That's just what my mother said," returned Esther Ann. + +"My father said it's dishonest," put in Reba, "I mean dishonest to keep +it. He knew we didn't mean to steal." + +"Oh, Reba, don't say such a dreadful word," said Edna in distress. + +"It would be stealing, you know, if we were to keep the things," +continued Reba bluntly. "My father says you couldn't call it by any +other name, and that to break into a house is burglary." + +This sounded even more dreadful, though Esther Ann relieved the speech +of its effect by saying: "But we didn't break in; we just opened the +door and walked in. There wouldn't have been anyone to answer if we had +knocked." + +"That makes me feel kind of shivery," remarked Edna. "I would rather not +go back, but I suppose we shall have to." + +"Yes, we shall have to," Reba made the statement determinedly. + +Therefore, it was with anything but an adventurous spirit that the four +little girls went on their errand the next afternoon. There was no +poking into nooks and corners this time, but straight to the bureau went +they. Solemnly was each article returned to the box from which it was +taken. Silently they tip-toed down the dusty stairs and through the +silent rooms to the outer air where each drew a sigh of relief. Esther +Ann was the first to speak. "There, that's done," she said. "I don't +ever want to go there again." + +"Nor I." + +"Nor I." + +"Nor I," chanted the other three. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE MILL STREAM + + +On their way home from the old house, the four girls saw Alcinda +approaching. "Don't let's say anything to her about where we've been," +said Esther Ann. + +"No, don't let's," returned Reba; "you know she didn't want to go there +in the first place." + +"It was only because she was scared to," rejoined Esther Ann. + +"Well, anyhow, don't let's say anything about it," continued Reba. +"Don't you say so, girls?" She looked over her shoulder at Edna and +Reliance who were walking behind. + +"I don't see any reason why we should," said Reliance. "Of course, if +she should ask questions, we wouldn't tell her a story." + +"Oh, no, we wouldn't do that," agreed the other girls. + +But Alcinda had no thought of old houses or anything else at this time +but her little dog, Jetty, a handsome, black Pommeranian to whom she was +devoted and of whom she was very proud. "Oh, girls," she exclaimed as +she came up, "have you seen or heard anything of Jetty? We haven't seen +him since morning, and I am so afraid he has been stolen." + +"Oh, wouldn't that be dreadful?" said Edna sympathetically. + +"I don't see who would steal him," said Esther Ann, practically. +"Everyone knows he belongs to you, and there aren't many strangers that +come through the village." + +"There are a few. There was a tramp at our back door only a few days +ago." + +"But you didn't lose Jet a few days ago; it was only to-day that you +missed him." + +"I think it's more likely he is shut up somewhere," decided Reba. "Where +have you looked, Alcinda?" + +"Oh, pretty near everywhere I could think of, and I have asked everybody +who might have seen him." + +"Maybe he has gone off with some other dogs," suggested Reliance. "Dogs +will do that, and sometimes they don't come back for two or three days. +Mr. Prendergast had a dog that did that way. He lives near where we used +to, you know, and he had a collie named Rob Roy that would go off now +and then, and the other dogs would bring him back after a while. He +would come in looking so ashamed, while they stood off to see how he +would be treated." + +"Jetty never did run away before," said Alcinda, doubtfully, although +Reliance's words were comforting. + +"When did you see him last and what was he doing?" asked Esther Ann. + +"Mother heard him barking at a wagon that was going by. He doesn't bark +at everyone, but there are some people he can't bear." + +"What people?" inquired Esther Ann, trying to get a clue. + +"He doesn't like the butcher boy nor the man that drives the mill wagon, +nor the man that brings the laundry. He always runs out and barks at +them." + +"Have you asked any of them about him?" + +"No, not yet." + +"Then I'll tell you what let's do, girls," proposed Esther Ann. "Two of +us can go around by the mill, two of us can go to the butcher's and +Alcinda can go to the laundry place." + +"All right," exclaimed Alcinda hopefully. "It would be lovely if you all +would do that." + +"I speak to go to the butcher's," spoke up Esther Ann. She was always +ready to arrange affairs for everyone. "Reliance, you and Edna can go to +the mill; it isn't such a very great way, and Reba can go with me." + +The girls all accepted this arrangement and set off in the three +different directions. + +"Do you like going to the mill?" asked Edna when she and Reliance were +fairly on their way. + +"Oh, yes, much better than going to the butcher's. Although it is quite +a little further, it is a much prettier walk. I always did like mill +ponds, didn't you, Edna?" + +"Why, I don't know much about them, but I should think I would like +them. Do we turn off here?" + +"Yes, this road leads straight to the mill; you can see it presently +through the trees." + +"It isn't so very far, is it?" + +"No, but it is a little further to the mill pond. I wonder if the miller +is there." + +"Isn't he always there?" + +"He is always there in the morning, but not always in the afternoon. No, +the mill is shut down." + +"How do you know?" + +"I don't hear it, and see there, the wheel isn't moving." + +"Oh!" Edna thought that Reliance was very clever to know all this before +they had even reached the mill which now loomed up before them, a grey +stone structure in a little nest of trees which climbed the hill behind +it, and spread along the sides of the stream, flowing on to join the +river. + +"It is very pretty here, isn't it?" said Edna admiringly. "What do they +call the stream, Reliance?" + +"Black Creek. The mill pond and dam and sluice and all those are higher +up. Do you want to go see them?" + +"Why, yes, if we can't do anything about finding Jetty." + +"I thought we might go around by the miller's house on our way back; it +isn't much further, and we could ask there." + +This seemed a wise thing to do, Edna thought, and she cheerfully +followed Reliance to where the mill pond lay calm and smooth before +them. "It must be lovely here in summer," remarked Edna +enthusiastically. + +"It is one of the prettiest places anywhere about. We come here +sometimes for our picnics, all of us school children and the teacher. +Would you dare go across, Edna?" + +Edna looked around but saw no bridge. "How could we get across?" she +asked. "I don't see any way but to swim." + +Reliance laughed. "There," she said, pointing to the heavy beam which +stretched from shore to shore and below which the water was slowly +trickling, "that's the bridge we children always use." + +Edna drew back in dismay. "Oh, how can you? I wouldn't dare. It is so +near the water and suppose you should fall in. I would be sure to get +dizzy, and over I would go." + +"Oh, pooh, I don't get dizzy," returned Reliance. "I will show you how +easy it is," and in another minute she was standing on the beam, Edna +shivering and with a queer sensation under her knees. "Oh, do come back, +Reliance," she cried; "I am so afraid you will fall in." + +But Reliance did not hear her, or if she did hear, she paid no heed, but +stood looking earnestly at a point beyond her in the water. "Edna, +Edna," she presently called. "You will have to come. I really believe it +is Jetty out there in the water." + +Edna wrung her hands. "Oh, I can't, I can't," she wept. + +"You must help me try to get him in. I'll come back for you." + +Edna shrank away from the shore, divided between her fear of crossing +and her desire to help in the rescue. Reliance lost no time in reaching +her. "You will have to come," she cried excitedly. "He is nearer the +other side. I must go over and try to find a board or two, and you must +stay on the beam and watch so as to see which way he heads. Poor little +fellow, I wonder how long he has been in there. Come, Edna, you can put +your arms around my waist and I will go ahead; you mustn't look at the +water, but just step along after me; I won't let you fall." + +Terrible as this effort promised to be, Edna decided that she must make +it if they would save Jetty, and she followed Reliance, who, +encouraging, coaxing, and leading the way step by step, managed to get +the child safely across. "Isn't there any other way of getting back?" +quavered Edna when they were over. + +"I think there is a little bridge further down, but never mind that now, +Edna; you stay there and watch, while I get a board and put it out +toward him. I shouldn't wonder if I could find one somewhere about." + +Fearfully, Edna crouched on the beam, which seemed but a few inches from +the water. She kept her eyes fixed on the water that she might not lose +sight of the little black head now not so very far away. "Jetty, Jetty," +she called, "we'll get you out. Nice doggie. Please don't drown before +Reliance comes." + +The little dog renewed his struggles and began to swim toward her, Edna +continuing her encouraging talk. + +Presently Reliance came down the bank up which she had scrambled; she +was dragging a board behind her and finding some difficulty in doing so. +"Is he still there?" she panted. + +"Yes, and trying to swim over to me." + +"Don't let him, don't let him. Come over on the bank; it will be easier +to get him from there. There's another board up there. I will go get it +if you will hold on to this one." Edna hesitated to cross the few feet +between her and the shore. "Quick, quick," insisted Reliance. "He might +drift to the dam and get caught there. We must get him before he reaches +it. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl." + +Edna obeyed and in another moment was running along the bank toward +Reliance, forgetting everything but her eagerness to save the little +dog, who, seeing both girls, turned and feebly swam to where they were +standing. His strength was almost spent, and he had hard work to keep +from being borne along by the current which was swifter in the center of +the pond. + +"I'll have to shove out the board so he can reach it," said Reliance +excitedly. "Here, take this pole and try to keep the board from drifting +toward the dam while I go get the other board." And she thrust the +forked pole into Edna's hands and then sprang up the bank, while Edna +crouched down, as near the water as possible, in order to make best use +of her pole. + +It was not easy to keep the board from drifting out, but along the +shallows it was quiet water and it did not go so very far, and before +long, the little dog was able to reach it, crawling upon it and +shivering while he wagged his tail feebly as Edna continued to cheer +him. It was harder work now that the board was heavier by reason of the +added weight, and once or twice Edna was afraid that after all her +efforts would be in vain. It would be dreadful to abandon Jetty when he +was so near to land, and she wished he would attempt to swim to her. But +the little creature was too exhausted to make further effort now that he +had reached footing, though he whined a little when the board drifted +out. + +Just as she was afraid it would go beyond her reach, Reliance came +scrambling back, breathless from her exercise. "I had such a time," she +panted. "Oh, Edna, he is really safe, and it is really poor little +Jetty. How glad Alcinda will be. Here, don't let the board go." She +snatched the pole from Edna's hands. "I'll hold on to it while you push +out the other board. I can wade in and get him if I can't do anything +else." + +But once so near shore as the second board brought him, Jetty was not +afraid to swim the remaining distance, having gathered up a little added +strength, and after coaxing, ordering and cajoling, the girls were +rewarded by seeing the little creature creep to the edge of the board, +take to the water again and paddle ashore, crouching at their feet in an +ecstasy of joy. + +"He is so sopping wet I am afraid he will take cold," said Reliance. "I +am going to wrap him up in my sweater and carry him." + +"But won't you take cold," said Edna anxiously. + +"No, for I am too warm with struggling up that bank and down again. We +can walk fast." + +At first Jetty did not even have power to shake himself, but before many +minutes, his dripping coat was freed of many drops of water, which +freely sprinkled the girls, who laughing ran at a safe distance, and +then Reliance wrapped him up in her jersey and carried him away from the +scene of his late disaster. + +"How do you suppose he got in the water?" asked Edna as they trudged +along. + +"I think someone threw him in." + +"Oh, Reliance, do you really?" + +"Yes, I do. We go right by the miller's house and I am going to stop +there and ask them what they know about it all." + +"Do you think the miller did it?" + +"Oh, no, he wouldn't do such a wicked thing; he is a very nice man, but +he might have seen Jetty about the place and we may be able to find out +something." + +To Edna's satisfaction a small footbridge was discovered a short +distance below and on this they crossed, reaching the miller's house +just after. The miller himself was just going in the gate. Reliance +marched up to him and without wasting words, said: "Do you know how this +little dog happened to get into the mill pond?" + +The miller paused and looked down at the black nose peeping from its +scarlet wrapping. + +"That little dog? I saw him around the mill this morning. A man that has +been driving for me said he found it along the road. Is it your dog?" + +"No, it belongs to Alcinda Hewlett." + +"Bob Hewlett's daughter?" + +"Yes, her father keeps the store and is the postmaster." + +"Humph!" The miller stroked his chin and looked speculatively at the +little dog. + +"How do you suppose he got so far from home?" ventured Edna. + +"Shouldn't wonder if he was brought in my wagon in an empty sack. Bad +man, bad man, that Jeb Wilkins." + +"Jetty always barked at him," said Edna. + +"I guess that accounts for it. Jeb got mad and thought he'd pay the +little creature back. Barked at him, did he? Well, I don't blame the +dog. I did some pretty tall growling myself before I discharged the man. +He's gone now for good, or bad, whichever you like." + +"Do you think he threw the dog in the water?" asked Reliance coming +directly to the point. + +"That's just what I do think. I shouldn't wonder if he meant to steal +him at first, and sell him, for it is a valuable dog, they tell me, but +the dog got out, and I was keeping an eye on Jeb so he couldn't make way +with the beast. I meant to take him home and advertise for his owner, +but when I came to look for him, the dog was gone, though Jeb was there. +Said, as innocent as you please, when I made inquiries, that some people +drove by and took the dog back to town where he belonged." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Edna, her eyes and mouth round with surprise and +disapproval. + +"Just what he said. Made it up out of whole cloth, of course, and +meantime had taken his spite out on me and the poor little dog by +throwing him overboard. How did you happen upon him?" + +Reliance gave an account of the rescue and received approving nods. +"Smart girls, you two," he commented. + +"Oh, I wasn't smart at all," piped up Edna. "It was all Reliance. I +couldn't have done a thing without her." + +"Well," said Mr. Millikin with a smile, "you did your part, and that's +enough said. I was just going to unhitch, but there is my buggy all +ready, and I guess the quickest way to get you back to the village is to +take you there behind Dolly." + +"Oh, but we can walk, thank you," protested Reliance. + +"It's pretty much of a walk, and the sooner you get there the more +pleased several people will be, I for one, because I don't want Bob +Hewlett's little girl to mourn for her pet any longer than she need, and +again, because I am in a way responsible for what has happened. I'll go +get the buggy right off. You wait here; it won't take a minute." So +presently they were driving along toward home, Reliance with a horse +blanket around her which Mr. Millikin fished out from under the seat +and insisted upon her putting around her shoulders. + +To say that Alcinda was overjoyed at the sight of her little pet which +she had given up for lost, would be speaking mildly. "I'll never forget +you two girls, never," she cried. "I shall thank you forever and ever, +and you, too, Mr. Millikin." + +"Me? I'm partly to blame, for I ought to have discharged that +good-for-nothing scoundrel long ago, but he was a good driver, and I was +waiting to fill his place. Well, it's all come out right, after all. I +hope your little dog will be none the worse for the experience. I'll pay +his doctor's bills if he gets sick." After which speech, the miller +drove off, and the rescuers darted across the street to their home, +where the tardiness of their appearance was entirely forgiven after they +had told their story. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +JETTY'S PARTY + + +Grandma was so concerned lest Edna had taken fresh cold by reason of +this latest adventure that she insisted upon putting the little girl +through a course of treatment to prevent possible evil results. "After +dabbling in that cold water and getting her feet wet it will be a wonder +if she isn't laid up," said grandma, coming into the room just as Edna +was going to bed. "She must have her feet in mustard water, and Amanda +is making a hot lemonade for her." + +So Edna's feet were thrust into the hot bath, and she was made to sip +the hot drink, then was bundled into bed with charges not to allow her +arms out from under the covers. It was rather a warm and unpleasant +experience, and the worst of it was that grandma said the next morning +that she mustn't think of going out-of-doors that day. + +"Oh, dear," sighed the little girl, when she was alone with her mother, +"don't you think grandma is very particular? Did she used to do so when +you were a little girl?" + +"She did indeed, and when she was a little girl it was even worse, for +instead of lemonade to drink, she was made to take a very bitter dose of +herb tea, or a dreadful mess called composition which had every sort of +nauseous thing in it you can think of. Little folks nowadays get off +very easily, it seems to me." + +"I didn't mind the hot lemonade a bit, but I shall never forget the +smell of that mustard water," said Edna after a pause. + +Her mother laughed. "You must be thankful that it is no more than +that." + +"What am I going to do to-day?" inquired the little girl. "I was going +to do ever so many nice things out-of-doors and now I can't." + +"Then we must think up some nice things to do indoors." + +"What kind of things?" + +"I shall have to put on my thinking cap in order to find that out. +Meanwhile, suppose you run down to grandma with this tumbler; it had +your lemonade in it and should go down to be washed." + +Edna ran off to her grandma, coming back presently with a much brighter +countenance than she took away. "Grandma is going to let me help with +the turtle cakes," she said eagerly. "That's a very nice thing, don't +you think?" + +"I think that is very nice indeed." + +"Amanda is mixing them now, and when they are cut out, I am going to +help with the turtles. Good-bye, mother; I will bring you one of my +turtles as soon as they are baked." + +These turtle cakes were much prized by the Conway children. When grandma +sent a box from the farm there was always a supply of these famous +cookies. Grandma had promised that Edna should take some home with her +when she went on Saturday morning. She watched Amanda roll them out, cut +them in rounds and place them in the pans; then came Edna's part in the +preparation. Amanda showed her how to put first a big fat raisin in the +center of the cake, then a current for the turtle's head, four cloves +were then stuck in, part way under the raisin, thus making the feet, and +for the tail, another clove with the sharp end out. Amanda could do them +much faster than Edna, but the child was greatly pleased to have +completed a whole pan all by herself, and when these were baked she +carefully carried some of them to her mother and Aunt Alice. Grandma +had already seen the results of her granddaughter's labors. + +"I know just how to do them now, mother," said Edna, "and I think it is +great fun. Grandma is going to save the pan I did so I can have them to +carry home." + +"You might have a tea-party for the dolls this afternoon, and use some +of your cookies for refreshments." + +"Could Reliance come?" + +"Why, I should think so. I have thought of something else for you to do +this morning; you could begin a Christmas gift for Celia. You know you +always have a hard time keeping her gift a secret." + +"What kind of thing could I make?" + +"I noticed that your sister's little work bag was getting rather dingy +and I am sure she would be delighted to have a new one." + +"But where will I get anything to make it of?" + +"No doubt grandma has something in her piece-bag; she always has all +sorts of odds and ends, and it would give her pleasure to let you have +anything that might serve the purpose. I will ask her, and we can get +the ribbons for it any time between now and Christmas." + +Her mother was as good as her word, and leaving the room came back in a +few minutes with a large bag whose contents she emptied on the bed. +"There," she said, "take your choice. Grandma says you are perfectly +welcome to anything you find." + +Edna began turning over the pieces. "You help me choose, mother," she +said presently. "I don't know just how big the piece ought to be." + +Her mother drew up her chair and began to look over the bits of gay silk +before her. "I declare," she said presently, "here is a piece of a party +frock I wore when I was about Celia's age. It was almost my first real +new party frock, for before that I always wore a simple white muslin. +This is perfectly new, and must have been left over. To think of its +being in this bag all those years. It appears to be sufficiently strong, +however." She shook it out and held it up to the light. The material was +a pale green silk with tiny bunches of flowers upon it. Edna thought it +very pretty. + +"I think Celia will be perfectly delighted to have a bag made of your +first party frock, mother," she said. "Do you think grandma would mind +my having it?" + +"I am sure she will be very much pleased. We will decide upon that, and +you can put back the rest of the pieces. There will be an abundance in +this for a nice, full bag I am sure. I will cut it out for you and show +you just how to make it." + +The time passed so rapidly in planning and making the bag that it was +the dinner hour before they knew it, and after dinner came an unexpected +call from Alcinda. She was a sedate-looking little girl with big blue +eyes and straight, mouse-colored hair, but upon this occasion she was +dimpling and smiling as she handed a tiny, three-cornered note to Edna. +Upon opening this Edna discovered, written in a childish hand, the +following words, "Mr. Jetty Hewlett requests the honor of Miss Edna +Conway's company to a tea-party at four o'clock this afternoon." + +"Oh, dear," sighed Edna, "I'm awfully afraid I can't go, for grandma +said it was as much as my life was worth to go out of the house +to-day." + +"Oh, but you aren't ill, are you?" asked Alcinda. + +"No, but she is afraid I will be." + +"But you must come," persisted Alcinda, "for it is in honor of you and +Reliance, and Jetty is going to help receive." + +"I will go ask mother," returned Edna, and running off she returned with +Mrs. Conway. + +"Mayn't Edna come to Jetty's tea-party?" begged Alcinda. "We have +everything planned, and it will be perfectly dreadful if she stays away. +She won't take cold, just going across the street, and our house is as +warm as anything." + +Edna looked beseechingly at her mother. "Do please say yes, mother," she +begged. + +"I don't see how you could take cold going just across the street, if +you wrap up well and wear your rubbers," said her mother. + +"Goody! Goody!" cried Alcinda. "Here is an invitation for Reliance, too. +Be sure to come at four o'clock. I have some more invitations to deliver +so I must go." + +"Now I needn't have a tea-party for the dolls," said Edna when Alcinda +had gone. Her mother smiled. "You speak as if that would be a great +hardship," she remarked. + +"No, I don't mean that, but I would so much rather go to Alcinda's. +Shall I wear my best frock, mother?" + +"Why, yes, I think you may." + +"I wonder if grandma will let Reliance go, and what she will wear," said +Edna, after a moment's thought. "I think I will go ask, mother, for I +don't want to be better dressed than Reliance; it was really she who +saved Jetty, you know." + +"That is the proper feeling, dear child." + +Edna flew off to find Reliance who had received her invitation, and +hoped for the permission from Mrs. Willis. "I do hope she will let me +go," she said fervently. "Come with me, Edna, when I ask her, won't +you?" + +Edna was very ready to do this, and hunted up her grandmother. "Oh, +grandma," she cried, "we've been invited to a party over at Alcinda's. +Jetty is giving it in honor of Reliance and me. Mother says I won't take +cold just going across the street, and you are going to let Reliance go, +too, aren't you?" + +"What's all this?" inquired grandma. + +Edna repeated her news, but her grandmother did not reply for a moment. +"I am afraid Reliance will not be back in time to do her evening work," +she said at last. + +"Oh, but--" this was an unexpected objection, "couldn't she do some of +it before she goes?" + +"She might do some, but not all, however, we will see. Reliance, you +bustle around and see how smart you can be, and I will think what can be +done." + +"I can set the table," said Edna eagerly. "Would you mind if it were +done so much ahead of time for just this once?" + +"No," replied her grandmother very kindly. + +"And may I skim the milk and bring up the butter for supper? I can set +it in the pantry where it will keep cool," Reliance said. + +"You may do that," Mrs. Willis told her. + +"What else will there be to do?" asked Edna, as the two little girls +hurried from the room. + +"I have to turn down the beds and light the lamps when it gets dark." + +"That isn't very much to do. Maybe Amanda wouldn't mind seeing to those +things for just this one time. I am going to ask her." + +Reliance was only too glad to have Edna take this request off her hands, +herself having a wholesome awe of Amanda, but to her relief Amanda was +in a good humor and promised to look after these extra duties, so in +good season Reliance was free to prepare for the party, while Edna went +to her mother to be dressed. + +"Mother," she said, "do you think it is funny to go to a party with a +bound girl? Is a bound girl the same as a Friendless? You know Margaret +McDonald is our friend, and she used to be a Friendless." + +"I don't think it is funny at all. Reliance had no home, to be sure, +till your grandmother took her, but she is a good, little girl, and I +used to know her father when I lived here." + +"Oh, mother, did you?" + +"Oh, yes, he was quite a nice, young man. I never knew his wife, but I +am afraid he did not marry very well. Reliance will probably have to +work for her living, but that is no reason why she should not be treated +as an equal. The people about here know she comes of good stock and that +the poverty of the family was due more to misfortune than misbehavior. I +have no doubt but Reliance will make a fine woman, as her grandmother +was, and when she is grown up, she may marry some farmer of the +neighborhood, and take the place she should." + +This was all very interesting to Edna, and she sat looking at the +outstretched feet upon which she had just drawn her stockings till her +mother reminded her that time was flying. "Wake up, dearie," she said. +"Why, what a brown study you are in. Reliance will be ready long before +you are. Hurry on with your shoes, and then come let me tie your hair." + +At this Edna jumped and bustled around with such promptness that she was +ready by the time Reliance came to the door neatly dressed in her bright +plaid frock and scarlet hair ribbons. She was a dark-haired, dark-eyed +little girl with rosy cheeks, and though not exactly pretty, had a +pleasant, intelligent face. Edna had finally decided not to wear her +best white frock, but had on a pretty blue challis, quite suited to the +occasion, her mother told her. + +The two little girls set out in high feather and arrived at Alcinda's +house to find that several had reached there before them. Jetty, with a +huge red bow on his collar, barked a welcome, and Alcinda beamed upon +them as they entered. "I was so afraid something would happen to keep +you," she said. + +Esther Ann hurried forward to talk as fast as she could, as was her +habit, her words tumbling over one another in her effort and excitement. +"Wasn't it splendid that you two found Jetty? I wish we had gone that +way, but then maybe we wouldn't have found him after all. I think it is +real nice of Alcinda to ask Reliance when she is a bound girl, don't +you?" This in an aside to Edna. "I'm sure she is as good as anybody. How +long are you going to stay? Here, I'll show you where to take off your +things; you needn't go, Alcinda." And she swept the little hostess aside +while she led the way to an upper room. + +By this time, the latest comers had arrived, so there were about a +dozen in all, enough for almost any game they might choose to play. In +the first, Hide the Handkerchief, Jetty joined with great zeal, being +always the first one to find the handkerchief. "You see he does it with +his nose," said Alcinda by way of explanation, a remark which made +everyone laugh, and set the lively Esther Ann to sticking her nose into +every corner the next time the handkerchief was hidden. + +"You ought to put cologne on it and then maybe we could find it," she +said, and this, too, raised a laugh as she meant it should, for it took +very little to amuse them. + +At five o'clock a tray was brought in. Delicious cocoa and home-made +cakes were served, followed by candies, nuts and raisins. While the +girls were busy over these, Alcinda cast many glances toward the door +and once or twice whispered to her mother, who nodded reassuringly. It +was evident that some matter of surprise was to follow. What it was, +came to light a little later when Mr. Hewlett came in. He knew each +little girl, for even Edna was no stranger to him, so he spoke to each +by name. Then he stood up by the fireplace and said: "You have all heard +of the medals which are given for the performance of brave deeds. Well, +my little girl thinks her small dog would like to show his appreciation +of the act which saved his life the other day, and so I have prepared +two medals for the heroines of that occasion; they are not gold medals; +in fact they are not real medals and of no special value except that +they represent her, and our, gratitude to the little girls who were the +life savers." He paused and looked at Alcinda who bustled forward and +gave into his hands two tiny baskets. + +"Here, Jetty," called Mr. Hewlett, and Jetty, who had been sitting in +Mrs. Hewlett's lap, jumped down and danced over to see what was required +of him. Mr. Hewlett stooped down and gave the dog one of the small +baskets which he took in his month with much wagging of tail. + +"Take it, Jetty," ordered Mr. Hewlett. Jetty started off toward his +little mistress, who quickly left her place and stood by Edna's chair. +Jetty dropped the basket, not knowing exactly what was expected of him. + +"Bring it here, Jet," said Alcinda. Therefore, being sure of himself, +Jetty frisked over to where Alcinda was standing. "Give it to Edna," +said Alcinda, laying her hand on Edna's lap. Jetty did as he was told +and then scampered back to repeat the operation, this time it being +Reliance to whom he was directed to go. + +"Do let's see," urged Esther Ann, edging up to Edna. + +Edna uncovered the basket and saw a box lying there. Inside the box was +a new quarter in which a hole had been drilled; a string had been passed +through this and to the string was attached a bow of blue ribbon. +Reliance found the same in her basket, only her ribbon was red. + +"You must put them on and wear them," said Alcinda, "so everyone can see +how honorable you are." She didn't just know why her father and mother +smiled so broadly. + +The girls proudly pinned on their medals and wore them home, for very +soon came grandpa to say they must get ready to go. + +"I'm going to keep mine forever and ever, aren't you?" whispered +Reliance, as she started around to the kitchen door. + +"'Deed I am," returned Edna. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE ELDERFLOWERS + + +Edna's account of the G. R. club, to which she and most of her friends +belonged, had quite excited the ambition of the little girls at Overlea +to have a similar one. + +"I told my father about it," said Reba to Edna when they met at Jetty's +party, "and he thought it was a most beautiful club, didn't he, Esther +Ann, and he ought to know. He said we could have one just like it." + +"Oh, we don't want to do that," put in Esther Ann scornfully. "We don't +want to be copy-cats. We want to have something all our ownty downty +selves, and not just like somebody else." + +"That's just what I think," spoke up Emma Hunt. "Not that I don't think +yours is the best I ever heard of, and I don't see why we couldn't have +one something like it, just a little different." + +"There aren't so very many girls of us, for there are more old people +than children in this place," said Alcinda. "Would that make any +difference, Edna? Yours is such a big club." + +"It wasn't big when we began; there were only six of us to begin with." + +"Oh, were there? Then we could do it easily. Let me see how many are +here; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, +and there is Mattie Bond who couldn't come because she is sick; she +would make twelve." + +"How many are there in your club?" asked Reliance. + +"Oh, I don't know just how many by now. Uncle Justus has a pretty big +school and almost every girl belongs to it," replied Edna. + +"The real big girls?" + +"Yes, and we have one very grown-up lady, an honorary member; I'll tell +you all about Miss Eloise some day. Agnes Evans was our first president, +and she is really grown up, for she is at college." + +"I think a little club would be nicer," Esther Ann spoke her mind. + +"But what shall it be and what shall we call it?" asked Alcinda. + +"I'll tell you what," proposed Edna, "you all ask your mothers what they +think and I will ask my mother what she thinks, and we can meet +somewhere to-morrow to talk it over." + +"I haven't any mother," came a sorrowful little voice from the corner. +Big Reliance put her arm around the younger girl. "Never mind, Letty," +she whispered; "neither have I, but we can ask somebody else's mother." + +"I'll lend both of you my mother," whispered Edna from the other side. + +So it was that the company of little girls went home from Jetty's party +with quite a new plan. Even Edna, who would really have no part in the +club, was much interested, and could scarcely wait to talk it over with +her mother at bedtime. She began as soon as they were upstairs together. +"Mother," she said, "do you think grandma would let Reliance come up +while I am getting ready for bed?" + +"Why, dearie, I don't know, I am sure. Why do you want her on this +special night?" + +"Because there is something we girls are going to talk over with our +mothers, and Reliance hasn't any mother, neither has Letty Osgood, and I +told them I would lend them my mother. You don't mind, do you, mother +dear?" Edna put her two hands on each of her mother's cheeks and looked +at her very earnestly. + +"Why, my darling, of course not," returned Mrs. Conway, kissing her. +"You know mother is always very glad to mother any little girl who may +need her. What is this wonderful something you are to talk over?" + +"I think we'd better not begin until we know about Reliance though. I +wish I had asked grandma before I came up, but I wanted to speak to you +first, mother dear." + +"Then I will go down and ask her. Where is Reliance?" + +"I suppose she is in the kitchen with Amanda; I don't believe she has +gone to bed yet." + +Her mother left the room, and while Edna unlaced her shoes, she listened +for her return. In a few minutes she heard voices on the stair and +realized that Reliance was coming up. "We haven't said a word about it +yet," she nodded to Reliance who came in behind Mrs. Conway. "You begin, +Reliance." + +"No, you," said Reliance drawing back shyly. + +"Well," began Edna, addressing her mother, "you see the girls want to +get up a club something like ours, only not just like it, and they don't +want the same name either. There aren't such a lot of girls here, +because there are so many more old people than young ones in this +village, and so you see--what kind of club would be nice, mother?" + +"Why, dearie, I shall have to think it over." + +"We ought to decide very soon," said Edna, "for I should hate to go away +without knowing. Could Reliance bring Letty Osgood home with her from +school to-morrow? I lent you to her, too, and maybe by that time you +might think of something?" + +"We'll ask grandma about it, dear, though I am sure she will not object. +Is that all now?" + +Edna thought it was, and now that she was ready to pop into bed, +Reliance left her with a happy "Good-night!" It was like sunshine in the +house to have such a dear little girl as Edna, she thought as she went +downstairs, and though Amanda reprimanded her sharply for not being in +bed, she did not answer back, for, in fact, she scarcely heard her, so +busy was she with pleasant thoughts, and so excited over the idea of the +club. + +The next morning, Edna and her mother did a great deal of talking about +the new club, so much, in fact, that when it was time for Reliance to +return from school, Edna was on the lookout for her, feeling that she +had so much to tell that there should be no time wasted. "Here they +come, mother," she sang out. "Reliance and Letty. May I bring them +right up here?" + +"To be sure you may." + +"I'm going down to tell Amanda to 'scuse Reliance for just a few +minutes." She flew downstairs to the kitchen. "'Manda," she said, +"mother is going to talk over something very important with Reliance and +Letty, so will you please not call her for a few minutes? I'll help her +set the table." + +"It seems to me you are making too much of Reliance," returned Amanda; +"she can't be brought up to look for nothing but ease and pleasure; she +will have to work for her living." + +"But this isn't anything that is going to keep her from doing that," +explained Edna, "and grandma said she could have a little time to play +while I am here, specially when I help her." + +"Oh, well, go 'long," returned Amanda, "only don't keep her too long; +there's more to do than set the table." + +Though the permission was accorded rather ungraciously, Edna was +satisfied, and ran to welcome Letty who was just coming in the gate. "I +am so glad you could come," she said. "You are going to stay to dinner, +aren't you? Did you ask your father?" + +"Yes, and he said I might." + +"Good! Then come right upstairs and take off your things. Oh, girls, +mother has a lovely plan for a club, and the dearest name you ever +heard. You can come, Reliance, grandma said so, and so did Amanda. I'm +going to help set the table." + +She led the way up to where her mother was sitting, her face bright with +eagerness as she brought Letty forward. "This is Letty Osgood, mother, +Dr. Osgood's daughter, you know." + +Mrs. Conway drew the shy little girl nearer. "It is very nice to see +Letitia Osgood's daughter," she said. "I knew your dear mother very +well, and I am glad to have my little girl making friends with her +little girl." + +"Now, mother," began Edna, breaking in, "won't you please not talk much +at first about anything but the club, because Reliance has only a few +minutes to stay." + +Her mother smiled and nodded to Letty. "Very well, Letty," she said, +"well have a nice, little, cozy chat all to ourselves after awhile when +this impatient young person has had her subject discussed. I was +thinking, girlies, that as long as there are so many elderly and old +people in the village, some of whom are poor and some who are partial +invalids, that it would be a very sweet thing if you little girls could +form yourselves into a club which would help to make their lives a +little less sad. It would mean a great deal to old Miss Belinda Myers, +for instance, if one of you would drop in once in a while with a flower, +or any little thing for her. She is so crippled up with rheumatism that +she can't leave her room, and must sit there by the window all day long. +She is fond of children, too. Of course she has plenty of this world's +goods, and her old friends do not neglect her, yet I am sure that you +could give something to her by your mere presence which none of the +older persons could. Then there is poor old Nathan Keener." + +"Oh, but he is such an old cross patch," interrupted Edna. + +"So he is, but he has had enough to make him so. I wonder if any one of +us would be very amiable if she were poverty-stricken, half sick all the +time, had lost all her friends and had been cheated out of the little +which would make old age comfortable? It is very easy to be smiling and +agreeable when everything goes right, but when things go wrong, it isn't +half so easy, especially when one hasn't a good disposition to begin +with." + +"But what in the world could we do for him?" asked Reliance. "If we +stopped to speak to him, very likely he would get after us with a +stick." + +"Did any of the boys and girls ever try the experiment of speaking to +him pleasantly? I am quite sure the boys do their best to annoy him in +any way they can contrive, and even some of the girls tease him slyly +and call him names, I am told." + +"Yes, they do," replied Reliance, doubtfully, who herself was not +entirely innocent in this regard. + +"Suppose you were to try the experiment of beginning by smiling when you +go by and saying, pleasantly, 'Good-morning, Mr. Keener?' Then next day, +even if he chased you away the first time, you might say, 'Isn't this a +lovely morning, Mr. Keener?' and you could always make a point of saying +something pleasant to him when you go by. Then some day when it is +raining or too cold for him to sit in his doorway----" + +"Like a great big, ugly spider," remarked Letty. + +Mrs. Conway paid no heed to the comment, "you could leave a big apple on +the doorsill for him, and so on, till in time I will venture to say he +will learn that you wish him well and are trying to be friends. You must +keep in your mind all the time that he is a poor, neglected, friendless, +unhappy old man and that if you can succeed in bringing even a little +sunshine into his life, you will be doing a great deal." + +The girls were very sober for a few minutes, then Reliance said +thoughtfully, "I believe I should like to try it anyway." + +"Of course," Mrs. Conway went on, "the girls may have found other and +better ideas for a club, and a better name than I can suggest, but it +seemed to me that this might be made something like the G. R., yet would +not be exactly the same, and it could have quite a different name." + +"Oh, mother," exclaimed Edna, "do tell the name you thought of, I think +it is so lovely." + +"I thought you might call yourselves 'The Elderflowers,' because your +good deeds would be directed toward your elders, and you would be +cheerful, little flowers to bring sweetness to sad lives." + +"I think it is the most beautiful idea," exclaimed Letty earnestly, "and +I shall be dreadfully disappointed if the girls want something +different. I begin to feel sorry for old Nathan Keener already." + +"That is an excellent beginning," said Mrs. Conway, with a smile. + +Here came a call from Amanda, so Reliance and Edna scampered off leaving +Letty to be entertained by Mrs. Conway. + +When Reliance came home from school that afternoon, she brought the +information that the girls were going to meet in Hewlett's old +blacksmith shop that afternoon, and that Edna was to be sure to come. To +her own great disappointment, she could not go herself, for Amanda +declared that she could not get along without her, and that all this +gallivanting about was a mistake, and that if Mrs. Willis was going to +have a bound girl there for her to bother with and get no good of, she +guessed it was time for younger folks to take her place. A girl that +spent half her time at school and the other half skylarking wouldn't +amount to much anyway was her opinion. + +So because the old servant had to be pacified and because it was a day +on which Reliance could really be ill spared, she did not attend the +meeting. + +"I am sorry, dear," said Mrs. Willis, when Edna begged to have the +decree altered, "but I am afraid we really cannot spare Reliance this +afternoon. You know she has had a lot of time for play this past week; +we have been very indulgent to her because of your being here." Edna saw +that this was final and went to her mother with rather a grave face. + +"Mother," she said, "isn't it too bad that Reliance can't go? She says +she wouldn't mind so much if it were not for the voting, but you see if +she isn't there, she will lose her vote, and we do so want the +Elderflower plan to be the one." + +"Why couldn't you be her proxy?" said Mrs. Conway. + +"Proxy? What is proxy, mother?" + +"It is some one appointed in the place of another to do what would +otherwise be done by the first person; for instance, in this case you +could be proxy for Reliance and vote for her. She could sign a paper +which would make it very plain." + +"Oh, mother, will you write the paper and let me take it to her to +sign?" + +"Certainly I will." She drew the writing materials to her and wrote a +few lines. "There," she said, "I think that will do." + +"Please read it, mother." + +Mrs. Conway read: "I hereby appoint Edna Conway to be my proxy and to +vote upon any question which may come up before this meeting. + +"Signed--" + +"That sounds very important," said Edna, clasping her hands. "Show me +where she is to sign her name, mother. I know she will be perfectly +delighted that I can speak for her." + +Reliance truly was pleased, the more that the sending of such an +important legal document gave her a certain position with the others. +She signed her name with a flourish, and Edna, armed with the +indisputable right to take her place, started off for Hewlett's old +blacksmith shop. This sat back some distance from the store, and was +used as a storage place for empty boxes and such things. + +Edna found most of the company gathered when she arrived. They were all +chattering away with little idea of what must be done first. "Here comes +Edna Conway," cried Esther Ann; "she can tell us just what to do. Come +along, Edna. What was the first thing you did when you got up a club?" + +"We had a president and a secretary the first thing; the president was +called _pro tem._; she wasn't the real president till we elected her." + +"Then you be _pro tem._, for you know just what to do." + +"Oh, no, I couldn't," Edna shrank from such a public office, and her +little round face took on a look of real distress at such a prospect. + +"Somebody's got to be then," said Esther Ann. "I will." + +"I will, I will," came from one and another of the girls, too eager for +prominence to care about what was expected of them. + +"We can't all be," remarked Milly Somers. "We're wasting time and we +ought to have had this all settled at first. I wish there were some +older person to get us started." + +"Everyone isn't here yet," spoke up Alcinda. "Isn't Reliance coming, +Edna?" + +"No, she can't. She has too much to do this afternoon, but I am her +proxy. I've got a paper that says so." + +The girls giggled. "Isn't she cute?" whispered Esther Ann. "Let's see +the paper, Edna." + +Edna solemnly drew it from the small bag she carried, and handed it to +Esther Ann. + +"Read it, Esther Ann, read it," clamored the girls. And Esther Ann read +it aloud. + +"How in the world did you know about such a thing," said Milly Somers. + +"Oh, I didn't think of it," she answered; "it was my mother." + +"She must be awfully smart," said Esther Ann admiringly. "I wish she +were here to tell us just what to do, if you won't do it." + +"Maybe she would come for just a little while," said Edna, feeling +assured that if her mother were there to tell of her own ideas about the +club that there would be no doubt of its being "The Elderflowers." +"Suppose I go and ask her," she added. + +"All right," agreed the girls. "Tell her if she will stay just long +enough to tell us how to get started, it is all we ask." + +Edna rushed back to the house and upstairs, where she breathlessly +explained her errand. "You will go? won't you, mother, just for a few +minutes," she begged. "You won't have to change your dress, or even put +a hat on if you don't want to. We need you so very, very much. Nobody +knows what to do, and they all talk at once, and giggle and say silly +things. It ought to be real serious, oughtn't it?" + +"Not too serious, I should say," returned her mother. "Very well, dear, +I will come." She threw on a long coat and followed the little girl +across the street to where the prospective club members waited +expectantly. + +It did not take long to set the ball in motion, and in less than half an +hour Esther Ann was made president _pro tem._, Milly Somers was +appointed secretary, and the business of choosing came up. There were +not very many original ideas offered. Few of the girls had any. Mrs. +Conway listened to them all, and at last explained her own plan so +clearly and with such earnestness that it was a matter of only a few +minutes before it was decided that "The Elderflower Club" should start +its existence at once. + +To cap the climax, Edna was elected an honorary member, "for," said the +girls, "if it hadn't been for you we should never have had a club at +all. And when you come to your grandfather's, you will always know that +you must attend the club meetings." + +Therefore, it was a very happy little girl who went back to report to +Reliance the happenings of this first meeting of the club. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +WHAT BEN DID + + +The members of the Elderflower Club were so eager to begin business that +they could scarcely wait till the next day. The more retiring ones, like +Alcinda, contented themselves with beginning their ministrations to +relatives or those they knew, but it was to adventurous spirits like +Esther Ann and Reliance that a difficult case such as old Nathan Keener +appealed. Reliance, following out Mrs. Conway's advice, gave a cheery +"Good-morning, Mr. Keener," as she went by his dilapidated house on her +way to school. She reported this performance to the other girls at +recess. + +"Oh, Reliance, you didn't dare, did you?" exclaimed Alcinda. "What did +he do? Did he run after you?" + +"No, he only frowned and grunted." + +"Did you walk very fast when you went by?" asked little Letty Osgood, +being very sure that she would not have loitered upon such an occasion. + +"No, not so very. I just walked as I always do." + +"Then I think you were very brave," continued Letty. + +"Pooh!" exclaimed Esther Ann, "that wasn't anything to do. Just wait +till you see what I am going to do." + +"What, Esther Ann? What?" clamored the girls. + +"Wait till this afternoon and you will see," was all Esther Ann would +say to satisfy their curiosity. + +This being Friday and Edna's last day at her grandmother's, her friends +begged that she be allowed to go with them to school that afternoon. +"We don't have real lessons," Reliance told her, "for Miss Fay reads to +us, and we have a sewing lesson." + +"I'd love to go," said Edna, "and I could take the work bag I am making +for Celia. I could finish it, I think. May I go?" + +"I haven't the slightest objection," Mrs. Conway assured her. So she set +off with Reliance, and felt quite at home since she knew all the girls +of her own age, and older, and, as she said, "the littler ones don't +count." + +Everything moved along pleasantly during the school session, and the +girls started along in a bunch toward home. "You just come with me, +Edna," said Esther Ann. "You see you are a member of the club, too, and +this will be your only chance to do a deed. The others can follow along +if they want. I'll tell you what I am going to do and you can take +part, if you like." + +The others were both timid and curious, and were quite content to obey +Esther Ann's suggestion to "follow on." Edna, it may be said, was not +inspired with that wholesome dread of old Nathan which possessed the +others, for she had not been brought up under the shadow of his +ogre-like actions, and she felt that this was an opportunity which she +could not neglect. She trotted along valiantly by Esther Ann's side, the +others keeping a safe distance behind. + +"Tell me what you are going to do," said Edna to her companion, as they +proceeded on their way. + +For answer, Esther Ann dived down into her school-bag and produced first +one then another big, red apple. "I am going to give these to Nathan. +You can give one. I mean just to walk right up to him and say, 'Won't +you have an apple, Mr. Keener?'" + +"Suppose he isn't there," returned Edna. + +"Oh, he'll be there; he always is when it is a bright day like this. He +sits in an old chair on that broad doorstep in front of his house, and +leans on a big, thick stick he always carries." + +"Who cooks for him?" + +"Oh, he cooks for himself, when he has anything to cook. He has a little +garden, but it doesn't amount to much. He has no apple trees except an +old one that is nearly dead and never has but a few little, measly, +knerly apples on it; that's why I thought he'd like these." + +Their walk was carrying them nearer and nearer the old man's door. +"There he is now," whispered Esther Ann. "I'll go first and you come +right up behind me. Here, take your apple." She thrust the fruit into +Edna's hand and hastened her own pace a little. Edna's heart began to +beat fast, for surely Nathan Keener was anything but an attractive +figure as he sat there glowering and muttering, his gaunt hands resting +on his knotted stick, and his grizzly old face wearing a wrathful look. + +True to her guns, Esther Arm dashed forward and held out her apple +saying in a shrill, excited voice, "Won't you have----" + +But she got no further, for with a snarl the old man reached out one +long, bony arm and grabbed her by the shoulder, raising his stick +threateningly, "I'll larn ye, ye little varmint," he began. + +Esther screamed. Edna, paralyzed with fright, looked on with affrighted +eyes, but presently found voice to quaver out, "Please don't hurt her! +Oh, please don't!" + +The other girls a little distance off stood huddled together like a +flock of sheep. No one was brave enough to venture within reach of that +terrible stick, but just then along came a crowd of boys from school. +The foremost took in the situation in a glance, and in another instant +was on the platform by Esther's side. + +"Here, you old mut, what are you doing to my sister?" he cried, at the +same time trying to wrest the stick from the old man's grasp. + +But Nathan had too long wielded the stick with effect to lose it so +readily. Loosing his hold upon Esther, he swiftly shifted his weapon to +his other hand and brought down a blow on the boy's back. + +By this time the other boys had come up; there were cries, threats, +screams from the girls, shouts from the boys. All was in a dreadful +hub-bub when along the road approached a young man who stood for a +moment and then dashed to the scene of battle. "Here, boys, here," he +cried, "what are you doing to that old man?" + +"He was going to beat my sister," spoke up the one who had first hurried +to the front. + +"You old scalawag," cried the young man, "what were you up to? If you +are yearning to hit somebody, take a fellow your own size." He wrenched +the stick from the man's grasp and threw it away. "Now," he said, "have +it out if you will. I'm ready." He squared off, but the old man had +neither strength nor desire to grapple with such a masterful opponent, +and he slunk back against his door. + +"I guess if your life was pestered by a set of young wretches like +these, you'd threaten, too," he said surlily. "I guess I'm getting too +smart for their tricks, and know enough not to take anything they offer +me. I don't have to have more'n one apple full of red pepper set on my +doorsill. I guess I know who hides my loaf of bread, and puts salt in my +can of milk. I guess I cut my eyeteeth a good many years ago, and can +catch 'em at their tricks." + +The young man looked around at the group of boys, now rather shamefaced, +at the group of girls now gathered around Esther Ann. On the edge of +this latter group he recognized a little round face now tear-stained and +affrighted. In a moment he was by Edna's side. "Well, I'll be +everlastingly switched," he exclaimed, "Edna, my child, what are you +doing in this mix-up?" + +"Oh, Ben," returned Edna, "it was all a mistake. Nobody meant to play a +trick." + +"Come over here and tell me all about it," said Ben, leading her aside. +Edna poured forth her tale of woe, during the recital of which more +than once Ben's mouth twitched and his eyes grew merry. "It doesn't do +to be too zealous, does it?" he said at the close of the story. "Here, +old fellow, come back here." He made a dash at old Nathan who was now +retreating within his own doorway. Ben pulled him back by his +coat-tails. "We aren't through with this yet," he went on as the man +turned upon him with a few smothered words. "That isn't a pretty way to +talk. You have something of a case, I admit, but you happened to +overreach yourself this time. No, you're not going in yet. A little more +fresh air won't hurt you. Sit down there and be good and I will tell you +a pretty little story." He pushed the old man gently into his chair and +stood guard over him. "No, you don't need your stick yet; you might get +careless with it. I'll just lean it up against the house. Now, then, +those little girls hadn't a notion of playing you a trick; they were +trying to do you a kindness. They knew you were lonely and hadn't much +chance to run around with the boys, or run an automobile, so they +thought they would chirk you up a little by presenting you with a large, +sweet, juicy, red apple. Their little hearts were throbbing with +good-will; they had an unconquerable desire to bring a smile to your +lips and a gleam of happiness to your eye. To prove this to you, I will +now dissect this large, sweet, juicy, red apple. I will eat half and you +will eat the other. If it isn't a good apple, I'll eat my hat." He +carefully cut the apple, which Edna had given him, pared and quartered +it, stuck a piece on the end of his knife and offered it to the old man, +who pushed it away contemptuously. "Let me insist," Ben went on. "We are +not playing Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. There is no serpent in +sight, not so much as a worm, and if you find so much as a grain of red +pepper I'll acknowledge myself beaten." + +The old man muttered incoherently as Ben finished his harangue, but made +no motion to take the apple. "You don't know what you are missing," Ben +went on. "Now just for the sake of old times, let's try to be jolly and +remember when we were boys. Why, many a time you and I have raced down +this shaded street, shouting with mirth, have climbed the wall by the +orchard and stuffed our pockets with apples like these. You never could +take a joke, as I remember, but still you weren't a bad fellow, and I'll +bet you were a wonder at baseball. I shouldn't wonder if your batting +didn't beat the town. The way you swing around that stick of yours shows +there is 'life in the old land yet.'" + +The old man's face had relaxed a little and he no longer muttered under +his breath. Ben winked at the boys who had drawn nearer and were +enjoying the situation to the utmost. "Now, just for old times' sake," +continued Ben, "just tell me what was the last real, good, old-fashioned +trick you ever played?" The old man cast a half-suspicious look at the +smiling young man by his side, but made no reply. "Too bad you forget," +said Ben, "but I'll bet an apple to an oyster you don't forget that last +game you played." + +"Who told you about it?" snapped out the old man. + +"Never mind. Do you suppose such a game as that will ever be forgotten? +I'm going to tell these boys all about it some day, see if I don't." + +Nathan wheeled around in his chair and glanced over the row of young +faces before him. Then he leaned back in his chair and sighed. + +"I'll bet you wouldn't mind a good game now, but you've no use for these +boys and they haven't much for you. When's the next game, boys?" He +turned to the row of faces. + +"We've stopped playing baseball for this year," came in a chorus. + +"Don't have football up here?" + +"No, we haven't any team." + +"Too bad. I might join you on that. Well, Mr. Keener, some of these days +you and I will go to a game together; we'll get that fixed up. Which of +you boys was it who so doughtily sped to the rescue of the young +maiden?" + +"Jim Tabor; it was his sister the old man was after," piped up the boys. + +"All right, and mighty little respect I would have had for him, if he +hadn't pitched in the way he did. Step up here, Jim." + +Jim came forward, a little awkwardly, the other boys snickering. "Mr. +Keener, this is Jim Taber. I want you to look at him and tell me if, +when you were a boy of his size you had seen anyone threatening your +sister with a stick, you wouldn't have pitched in and fought for her for +all you were worth. You weren't any slouch in those days when it came to +fighting, I know. That's all, Jim, no apologies necessary. Now, Mr. +Keener, there is just one thing more. I don't believe these children are +really bad, only mischievous as you used to be when you were a +youngster. The girls, I know, are all ready to be friends, bless their +dear little hearts. As for the boys, I'll venture to say we can patch up +a treaty of peace with them. If you will promise to be a little less +free with that stick and not get a grouch on you every time a boy looks +your way, they will promise to play no more tricks. If they don't +promise, I'll give every mother's son of them Hail Columbia when I come +this way again," and by his looks, the boys knew he meant what he said. +They were conscious that Ben was standing up for old Nathan, and yet +that he meant to be perfectly fair to them. Ben looked up and down the +line. "Well?" he said. + +The boys looked at one another. "If he'll promise, we will," spoke up +Jim Taber. + +"It's a go," said Ben. "Now, Mr. Keener, it's up to you." + +Old Nathan gave a grunt which might have meant anything, but Ben chose +to interpret it his own way. "I think that is meant for assent," he +said. "The gentleman seems to be speaking a foreign language to-day, +Choctaw, I should say, or maybe Hindostanee. However, it is all right. +Now, Mr. Keener, allow me, sir." He opened the door with a flourish and +handed the old man his stick. Without a word, Nathan took the stick and +went in, Ben bowing and scraping and saying, "Thank you for a very good +time," then receiving no reply, not even a grunt, he added, "Not at all, +the pleasure is entirely mine." The door closed and that was the end of +it. + +Edna came running up. "Oh, Ben," she said, "how glad I am to see you. +Oh, wasn't it dreadful? How did you happen to come along?" + +"Why, Pinky Blooms, I was on my way to grandpa's, thought I would come +to take mother back to-morrow, and, as it was a fine afternoon, I +concluded, to walk up from the station. Happened by just in the nick of +time, didn't I? Funny old curmudgeon, isn't Nathan?" + +"Oh, he is terrible," responded Edna, with a remembrance of the uplifted +stick. "Are you going home with me?" + +"No; you trot along with the rest of the brood; I am going to stay here +a few minutes and have a chat with the boys; I'll be along directly." + +So Edna left him, the boys crowding around and asking all sorts of +questions. Ben was no new figure in the town, and most of them knew him +at least by sight. Just what he said to the boys, Edna never knew, but +it is a matter of comment that from that day on there were no more +tricks played on old Nathan Keener, and though the big stick was not so +much in evidence, it was a long time before any of the Elderflowers made +any headway in winning even so much as a grunt from him. It was a great +setback to the enthusiasm of the girls, but as Reliance told Esther Ann, +she should not have tried so venturesome a thing at the very outset. +"Mrs. Conway says we should have worked up to it gradually. It's just +like training a wild animal, you have to win its confidence first." But +Esther Ann declared she wanted no more of Nathan Keener, and Reliance +was perfectly welcome to try any methods she liked so long as Esther Ann +was not asked to share in the effort. It was a very exciting afternoon, +taking it all in all, and was the means of bringing some ridicule and +some censure upon the little club. One or two of the girls resigned, +saying their mothers did not approve of such proceedings. All this, +however, did not happen during Edna's Thanksgiving visit, but she heard +of it afterward, and of further matters concerning the Elderflowers. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +FAREWELLS + + +Edna had not finished telling her mother about the afternoon's +adventures when Ben came in. The family had gathered in the living-room, +Edna sitting on her grandfather's knee, and the others ranged around the +big fireplace. "There comes Ben now," Edna sang out, catching sight of +her cousin's figure, and running to meet him. + +"Halloo, young man," was grandpa's greeting. "I hear you have been +having a set-to with Nathan Keener. It isn't the first time that he has +had a fisticuffs with a member of this family. He and I used to be +continually at it when we were boys together." + +"Oh, but isn't he much older than you, grandpa?" said Edna, in +surprise. "He looks like a very, very old man." + +"And I don't? That's a nice compliment, missy. No, he and I are about of +an age, and went to school together in the little, old, red schoolhouse +that was burned down some years ago. It is ill health and trouble that +makes him look so old, I suppose. Poor old chap, he has lost most of the +friends who would have stood by him, for he has taken such an attitude +it is impossible to be on good terms with him." + +"Ben thinks he used to play baseball," spoke up Edna. "Did they play it +so many, many years ago?" + +Her grandfather laughed. "They certainly did, and he was tremendous at +it. Let me see, forty, fifty years ago isn't so long, and I can well +remember the time the Overlea boys beat the Boxtown boys, and it was all +because of Nat Keener's good playing. The Boxtown fellows thought all +they had to do was to walk in and win, but we gave them a big surprise +that day. I remember how we cheered and, after the game was over, +carried Nat around the village on our shoulders." + +Ben smiled and nodded as if this event came within his recollection, +too. Edna looked at him in surprise. "Why, Ben," she said, "you weren't +there." + +Ben laughed. "No, but I heard about it all years ago, and it came to my +mind to-day when I was having it out with Nathan. I'll venture to say he +is thinking more of those old times, at this very minute, than he is of +his troubles." + +"Poor old Nat," grandpa shook his head. "He was as high-spirited a young +chap as ever lived, but uncontrolled and always fighting against the +pricks. It must be pretty hard for him, pretty hard. He has grown so +morose and snappish that no one takes the trouble to do more than nod +to him nowadays. He wasn't a bad sort, too free and open-handed, too +fond of pleasure, maybe." + +"He doesn't have much chance to indulge himself there in these days," +remarked grandma. + +"False friends, a worthless wife and a bad son have about finished up +what he had. With good money after bad all the time there is nothing +left but that little tumbledown house he lives in." + +"What does he live on?" asked Ben. + +"Ask your grandpa," answered Mrs. Willis smiling across at her husband. + +"Oh, pshaw!" exclaimed Mr. Willis, "nobody counts a load of wood or a +bag of potatoes once in a while. I must stop and see if I can't draw him +out of his shell some of these days." + +"Talk to him about when you were boys, grandpa," said Ben; "that will +fetch him." + +Just here, Reliance came to the door to say that Ira would like to speak +to Mr. Willis, and Mrs. Barker appropriated Ben, so Edna was left to her +grandmother and her mother. + +"So we are going to lose our little girl to-morrow," grandma began. + +"You won't be left without any little girl," replied Edna cheerfully, +"for you will have Reliance." + +"But that isn't the same thing as having my own little granddaughter," +responded Mrs. Willis. + +"No," returned Edna. "When are we coming here again, mother?" + +"Why, my dear, I don't know. We have made grandma a good, long visit +this time." + +"It isn't what I call a long visit," grandma observed. "When I was a +child I spent months at a time at my grandparents." + +"I spent months at Uncle Justus', but then I was there at school," +remarked Edna. "I don't see why I couldn't come here on holidays, +mother." + +"You can do that sometimes, surely. We have promised you to Uncle Bert +for the Christmas holidays, but maybe you could come at Easter, if +grandma would like to have you." + +"Grandma would like very much to have her," said that lady. + +"Even if I came without mother?" questioned Edna. + +"Even if you came by your own little self. We shall claim her for the +Easter holidays, daughter, and you must let nothing prevent her coming. +If it is not convenient for any of the rest of you to come, just put her +on the train upon which Marcus Brown is conductor and he will see that +she gets off safely at Mayville." + +Edna looked a little doubtful at the idea of making the journey by +herself but she did not say anything. + +"However," grandma went on, "I don't see why Celia couldn't come with +her, or perhaps Ben could." + +"Well, we shall see," responded Mrs. Conway. "Well try to get her here +in some way." + +"Then we shall consider that quite settled," said grandma with a +satisfied air. + +"I've had an awfully good time," said Edna thoughtfully. + +"Even though you have been sick abed, and have had all sorts of +unpleasant adventures?" said grandma with a smile. + +"I wasn't so very sick," returned Edna, "and I wouldn't have minded that +except for the mustard bath." + +Her grandmother laughed. "Well hope that you won't need one the next +time." + +"I didn't mind the adventures very much, either, and now that they are +all over, I am awfully glad that I will have something so interesting to +tell the girls at home. I think a great deal has happened in the time I +have been here, don't you, grandma?" + +"From the standpoint of a little girl I suppose that is true, though it +hasn't seemed such a very exciting time to the rest of us. This is a +quiet old village and we jog along pretty much the same way year in and +year out, without very many changes." + +"I think it is just lovely here," replied Edna, "and I like all the +girls, too. I shall be glad to see them again. I sort of remembered some +of them, but you know I haven't been here before for ever so many years, +and I had forgotten lots of things, even about the house and the place." + +"Then don't stay away so long as to forget anything again," her +grandmother charged her. + +"I'm forgetting that this is the last chance I will have to help +Reliance set the table," said Edna, jumping up. + +She found Reliance had already begun this task and that Amanda was +making some specially good tea-cakes in honor of this last evening. She +was in a good humor and did not object, as she did sometimes, to Edna's +being in the kitchen while supper was being prepared. "Just think," +remarked Edna, as she leaned her elbows on the table to watch Amanda, +"where I shall be to-morrow evening at this time." + +"And are you sorry?" asked Amanda. + +"No, not exactly. I am glad and sorry both. I should love to stay and +yet I want to see them all at home." + +"That's perfectly natural," Amanda returned, pricking the tea-cakes +daintily. + +"What do you have to do that for?" asked the little girl. + +"To keep 'em from blistering," Amanda told her. "There, open the oven +door, Reliance, and then bring me that bowl of cottage cheese from the +pantry. I didn't know as it would be warm enough to allow of us having +any more this week, but you see it was." + +"I just love cottage cheese," Edna made the remark, as she watched +Amanda pour in the yellow cream and stir it into the cheese. "I wish we +kept a cow, so we could have all the milky things you have here." + +"Ain't your place big enough for one?" inquired Amanda, in rather a +surprised tone. + +"No; it isn't just country, you know. Mrs. McDonald has a big place, and +the Evanses have a nice garden and a grove of trees. We have some trees +and some garden, and we have a stable, but we haven't any pasture for +cows." + +"You might pasture her out," Amanda suggested, scraping the contents of +the bowl into a glass dish. "Here, Reliance, take that in and set it on +the table, and then go after your milk and butter. The dark will catch +you if you don't hurry." + +"I'm going, too," announced Edna. "I can carry the butter, but I won't +bring the key." The two little girls laughed, for this was a standing +joke between them. + +They started out through the rustling leaves to the spring-house; the +leaves gave forth a queer, though pleasant odor, as they pushed their +feet through them. A big star blazed out against the pale rose of an +evening sky. Over in the cornfields, crows were calling, and a few +crickets, not yet driven to cover by the frost, chirped in the grass. +The cows were standing in the stable yard. They had been milked, and +Ira had brought the pails to the spring-house before this. The little +white kitten which Edna had made a great pet of, followed her down the +walk, frisking away after a falling leaf, or dancing sideways in +pretended fear of its own tail. Edna picked it up but it had no desire +to stay when this, of all hours in the day, was the best to play in, so +it scrambled down from her arms and was off like a flash, darting half +way up a tree, with ears back and claws outspread. + +"I do hate to leave the kitten," said Edna. "I hope it won't miss me too +much. You will try to give it a little attention, even though you love +the grey one best, won't you, Reliance?" + +Reliance promised, and leaving the kitten to its own wild antics they +went into the spring-house, issuing forth with the various things they +had gone for. "Just think," sighed Reliance, "this is the very last +time you will help me bring up the things. I shall miss you awfully, +Edna. You have been so good to me." + +"Why, no, I haven't," answered she; "you have been good to me. I'm +coming back at Easter, Reliance, and it will be so nice, for I shall +have so many questions to ask about the girls and the club and all +that." + +"Are you really coming at Easter? I didn't know that." + +"Yes, mother just now promised grandma I should." + +"Goody! Goody! I must tell the girls when I see them." + +The girls, however, found out before Reliance saw them, for knowing that +Edna was to leave in the morning, they gave her a surprise that very +evening. Supper was hardly over before Reliance, trying very hard to +smother laughter, had a whispered consultation with Mrs. Willis, who, +after it was over, came back to her place by the fire. In a few minutes +she said, "Edna, dear, I wish you would go up to my room and see if you +can find my other pair of glasses. Look on the bureau and the table in +my room, and, if you don't find them there, look in the other rooms." + +Very obediently Edna trotted off upstairs, searched high and low, looked +in this room and that, but no glasses were to be found. After much +hunting, she came down without them. She stepped slowly down the stair, +humming softly to herself. It was very quiet in the living-room, or did +she hear whispers, and subdued titters? Was Reliance or maybe Ben going +to play a trick on her? She heard a sudden "Hush! Hush!" as she reached +the door of the living-room, but she made up her mind that she would +appear perfectly unconcerned, and entered the room in a very don't-care +sort of manner. "I couldn't find----" she began and then stopped short, +for there, ranged around the room, were twelve little girls all smiling +to see the look of surprise on her face. So that was what the trick was. + +"We're a surprise party," spoke up Esther Ann. + +"And we're a good-by party, too," added Reba. + +"We've all brought you something," Alcinda spoke. + +"We are going to stay an hour," Letty added. + +Here Esther Ann darted forward with a bag of nuts which she plumped down +in Edna's lap. "There," she said, "you must take those along with you." + +Next, Reba presented a neat little book. It looked very religious, Edna +thought, but the cover was pretty and there was an attractive picture in +it. + +Alcinda came next with a very ornate vase which Edna remembered seeing +on the glass case in Mr. Hewlett's store. + +Letty brought the figure of a cunning cat playing with a ball; this Edna +liked very much. Some brought candy, some brought cakes, one brought a +paper doll, another a little cup and saucer, but each one had something +to contribute till Edna exclaimed: "Why, it is just like a birthday, and +these are lovely presents." + +"Oh, they're nothing but some little souvenirs," remarked Esther Ann +loftily. "We wanted you to have them to remember us by." + +"I shall never forget you, never," said Edna earnestly, "and I thank you +ever and ever so much." She gathered up her booty and piled it on the +table, then some one proposed a game, and they amused themselves till +grandma sent out for nuts, cider, apples and cakes, which feast ended +the entertainment, though it is safe to say it lasted more than an +hour. At the last, the girls all crowded around Edna to kiss her +good-night and to make their farewells, and then, like a flock of birds, +they all took flight, scurrying home by the light of their lanterns, +some across the street, some down, some up. + +As the sound of the last merry voice died away, Edna threw herself into +her grandmother's arms. "Oh, grandma," she cried, "wasn't it a lovely +surprise? Did you know about it?" + +"Not so very long before. Reliance came and told me what the girls +wanted to do, and I promised to help in any way that I could." + +"And was that why you sent me up for the glasses? I didn't tell you +after all that I couldn't find them." + +"I didn't expect you to," said her grandmother, laughing. "I only told +you to go see if you could find them so as to get you out of the way +and keep you occupied long enough to allow the girls to come in." + +"I didn't hear the front door shut." + +"No, for they came around by way of the side door, and tip-toed in by +way of the dining-room." + +"Well, it was lovely," sighed Edna in full content. + +Although the real farewells had been said on that evening, that was not +quite the last of it, for the girls were gathered in a body by the +church the next morning when Edna drove by on her way to the train. She +was squeezed in the back seat of the carriage between her mother and her +Aunt Alice. Ben was on the front seat with his grandfather. Reliance at +the gate was waving a tearful farewell, a white kitten under one arm and +a grey one under the other. Grandma herself stood in the doorway. +"Good-by! Good-by!" sounded fainter and fainter from Reliance, but the +word was taken up by the girls who shouted a perfect chorus of good-bys +as the black horses trotted nimbly along and bore Edna out of sight. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +HOW ARE YOU? + + +In what seemed an incredibly short time, Edna was getting out at the +station nearest her own home. Ben and his mother had parted from them an +hour before and were now on their way to their own home. Ben, however, +would return on Monday to take up his college work again. + +"There they are!" were the first words Edna heard as she and her mother +descended from the train. And then the boys rushed forward to hug and +kiss both herself and her mother and to make as much fuss over them as +if they had been gone a year. + +"Gee! but I'm glad to see you," cried Charlie. "It hasn't seemed like +home at all without you, mother." + +"Didn't you have a good time at Mrs. Porter's?" asked Edna. + +"Had a high old time," responded Frank. "Here, let me take some of those +things. You look like country travellers with all those bundles. What +you got there?" + +"Oh, things," returned Edna vaguely. "All sorts of things the girls gave +me to bring home." + +"You look like a regular old emigrant with so many boxes and bags." + +"We couldn't get them all in the trunk," Edna explained, "and so we had +to bring them this way. When did you get back, Frank?" + +"Last night. We came home with father." + +"Then you haven't had such a very long time in which to miss us," said +Mrs. Conway, with a smile. + +"Well, it seemed like a long time," returned Frank, "Nothing ever does +go right when you're away, mother." + +"What special thing has gone wrong this time?" asked his mother. + +"Oh, I couldn't find anything I wanted this morning, and nobody knew +where anything was, and Celia didn't know how to fix anything, and all +that." + +Mrs. Conway laughed. "That shows how I spoil you all. I am afraid I +missed my boys, too, and am glad to get back to them." + +"Where's Celia?" asked Edna. + +"She's home. We all came up together last night. Lizzie had waffles for +supper, and Frank ate ten pieces," spoke up Charlie. + +"Well, that was all I could get," said Frank, in an injured way. "Lizzie +said there were no more." + +"Oh, Frank, Frank," laughed his mother. "Well, at any rate, I am glad +to know my absence has not affected your appetite." + +"Tell us what you did at the Porter's," said Edna. + +"Oh, we just racketed around. We went to a fierce old football game, and +we did all sorts of stunts in the house. Steve and Roger have a fine +little workshop. I don't believe I like living right in the city, +though. We boys have a heap more fun at a place like this where we can +get out-of-doors. Roger and Steve say so, too." + +"I am glad you are so well content," observed Mrs. Conway. + +"There's Celia," Edna sang out, seeing some one on the porch watching +for them. It was a chill, wintry morning, and they were all glad to +hurry indoors to the warm fire. The house looked cozy and cheerful, +yellow chrysanthemums in tall vases graced the hall and library; in the +latter, an open grate fire glowed, and Edna looked around complacently. +"It is kind of nice to get home," she remarked. "I love it at grandma's, +but I reckon we all like our own home better than other people's. How +are you, Celia? Tell me everything that has been going on at school. How +is Dorothy? Did you have a club-meeting and was it a nice one? Oh, I +must tell you about the Elderflowers, mustn't I, mother? Has Agnes gone +back to college? Have you seen Miss Eloise?" + +"Dear me," cried Celia, "what a lot of questions. I wonder if I can +answer them all. Let me see. I'll have to go backwards, I think. I +haven't seen Miss Eloise, but some of the girls have. She and her sister +dined at the Ramseys on Thanksgiving Day." + +"I know they had a good dinner, then," remarked Edna, "for I was there +myself last Thanksgiving." + +"Agnes has gone back to college. Dorothy is well. We had a nice +club-meeting, and I missed my little sister's dear, round, little face. +Dorothy has been so impatient that she can hardly wait to see you. She +has been calling me up at intervals all morning to know if you had come +yet. There is the telephone now. No doubt it is Dorothy calling." + +Edna flew to the 'phone and Celia heard. "Yes, this is Edna. Oh, hello, +Dorothy. I'm well, how are you? I don't know; I'll see. Oh, no, you come +over here; that will be much nicer. I have some things to show you. +What's that? Yes, indeed, I am glad to get back." Then a little tinkle +of laughter. "You are a goosey goose; I'm not going to tell you. Come +over. Yes, right away if you want to, Dorothy." + +She went back to her sister, and established herself in her lap, putting +one arm around her neck and stretching out her feet to the warmth of +the fire. "It was Dorothy," she said. + +"That was quite evident, my dear," returned Celia. "What was it you +wouldn't tell her?" + +"Oh, Dorothy is such a goose. She was afraid I had gotten to like some +of the Overlea girls better than I do her. Just because I wrote to her +about Reliance and Alcinda and all of them. Just as if I couldn't like +more than one girl. Don't you think it is silly, sister, for anyone to +want you to have no other friend, I mean no other best friend? Of course +I love Dorothy dearly, but I love Jennie, too, and I am very fond of +Netty Black, and, oh, lots of girls. Are you that way about Agnes, +Celia?" + +Celia felt a pang of self-reproach, for it must be admitted that she had +felt a little jealous of the new friends Agnes was making at college. "I +don't suppose I should be?" she answered after a pause. "I suppose it +is very selfish and unfair to feel that way about it. Mother says it is +very conceited of a person to think she can satisfy every need of a +friend, and that it shows only love of self, and not love of your +friend, when you want to exclude others from her friendship, and I am +sure I don't want to be either selfish or conceited, and I should hate +to be called a jealous person." + +"Do you think Dorothy is conceited and selfish?" + +"I don't think she means to be, but when she wants to deprive you of +good times with other girls, or is jealous of your friendship for them, +she is encouraging conceit and selfishness. I'm glad you asked me about +the way I feel toward Agnes, for it makes me see that I am by no means +the true friend I ought to be. If I loved her as I should, I'd want her +to have all the good times, all the love, all the benefit she could get +from others, and I mean to fight against any other feeling but the right +one. I don't believe my little sister will be the jealous kind," she +said hugging Edna up. + +"If you see me getting that way, I hope you won't let me," returned Edna +earnestly. + +"There's Dorothy now," said Celia, putting down the plump little figure +from her lap. And Edna ran out to greet her friend. + +There was so much to talk about, so many things to show, that Dorothy +must needs stay to lunch. A little later, over came Margaret McDonald to +say "How do you do" and to bring some flowers from her mother's +greenhouse. Edna's tongue ran so fast and she had so much to tell that +the afternoon seemed all too short. Dorothy and Margaret, too, had their +own affairs to talk about, and it was dark before the two little +visitors were ready to go. + +The next excitement was the coming of her father, for whom Dorothy +watched and who appeared almost gladder than anyone that his wife and +little girl were at home again. "This is something like," he said as he +came in, his face wreathed in smiles. + +"You poor dear," said Edna, in a motherly way, "it has been a lonely +time for you, hasn't it?" + +"Pretty lonely, but then it teaches me how to appreciate my family when +they get back. My, my, my, what a difference it does make, to be sure. I +don't think I can stand you all skylarking off again very soon." + +It was all very cozy and natural after dinner to be back again in the +library, Mrs. Conway on one side the table with her fancy work, Mr. +Conway on the other with the evening paper, the boys reading, or +scrapping in the hall, Celia in the next room at the piano, and Edna +herself with the Children's Page of the paper spread out before her +where she lay at full length on the big rug before the fire. Somehow the +page of stories and puzzles did not absorb her as much as usual. She +wondered what Reliance was doing, if her grandmother felt lonely without +her little granddaughter, and if the white kitten missed her. She saw +the long street bordered by maples, the store and the postoffice, the +white church. Presently she got up and went over to her mother. +"Wouldn't it be nice," she said, "if one could be in two places at the +same time?" + +Her mother nodded. "I shouldn't wonder if you and I were in two places +at the same time, or that we had been during the last few minutes, for I +am sure while our bodies are here our thoughts have been in Overlea." + +"That is just where my thoughts have been," answered Edna. "Do you +suppose they miss us, mother?" + +"I am afraid they do, very much," said her mother, with a soft, little +sigh. "I know if either of my daughters ever goes away to a home of her +own, I shall miss her very much when she has left me after making a +visit." + +Edna stood with her arm still around her mother's neck. This was rather +a new thought. Once her mother had been a little girl like her, of +course, and had stood by her mother's side just like this, and now she +was living in quite a different home. Edna tried to imagine how it would +seem to come back to this, her childhood's home, from one of her very +own, but it was entirely too difficult a matter so she gave it up and +went back to her paper. But in a few minutes, the pictures on the page +before her became pictures of Overlea. She was taking the spring-house +key to old Nathan Keener that he might unlock his door and let out the +white kitten. Then she was half conscious of hearing a voice say: "No, +never mind; she is all tired out; I'll carry her up." Then she was +helped to her feet, a pair of strong arms lifted her up, and she was +borne up the stairs. She hardly knew who undressed her and stowed her +away in bed. She felt a soft kiss on her cheek and then she sank into a +deep slumber. The dear little girl's Thanksgiving holidays were over. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + +Alternative spelling for good-bye and good-by has been retained as it +appears in the original publication. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving +Holidays, by Amy E. Blanchard + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30007 *** diff --git a/30007-h/30007-h.htm b/30007-h/30007-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..15e6443 --- /dev/null +++ b/30007-h/30007-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4324 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays, by Amy E. Blanchard + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +h1, h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +hr { margin: 5em auto 3em auto; + height: 0px; + border-width: 1px 0 0 0; + border-style: solid; + border-color: #9370d8; + width: 30em; + clear: both; +} + +hr.hr4 {border-width: 0px;} + +hr.hr2 {width: 15em; margin: 2em auto 3em auto;} + +hr.hr3 {width: 3em; margin: 1em auto 1em auto;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0; +} + +td {vertical-align: top;} +td.tdl {text-align: left; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-right: 1em;} +td.tdr {text-align: right; padding-right: 2em;} +td.tdr2 {text-align: right;} +td.th {font-size: .7em;} + +#box {border: 1px solid #9370d8; + padding: 1em; width: 24em; + margin: 5em auto 5em auto;} +.series {margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 5em; text-indent: -5em;} + +.pagenum {/* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /*visibility: hidden;*/ + position: absolute; + left: 1em; + font-size: 10px; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + font-style: normal; + letter-spacing: normal; + text-indent: 0em; + text-align: right; + color: #999999; + background-color: #ffffff; +} /* page numbers */ + +.center {text-align: center;} +.u {text-decoration: underline;} +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: 5em auto 5em; + text-align: center; +} + +.tn {margin: auto; text-align: center; width: 20em;} +.noi {text-indent: 0em;} +.title {font-size: 2em;} +.link {font-size: .8em; text-indent: 0em; margin: 2em auto 2em auto;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30007 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 362px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="362" height="600" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<h1>A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S<br /> +THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS</h1> + + + +<div id="box"> +<h2 class="u">The "Dear Little Girl" Series</h2> +<p class="series">A Dear Little Girl</p> +<p class="series">A Dear Little Girl at School</p> +<p class="series">A Dear Little Girl's Summer Holidays</p> +<p class="series">A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays</p> +</div> + + + + +<p class="noi center title">A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S<br /> +THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS<br /> +<br /> +<i>Amy E. Blanchard</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 144px;"> +<img src="images/girl.jpg" width="144" height="268" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Whitman Publishing Co.</span><br /> +<small>Racine, Wisconsin</small></h2> + +<hr /> + +<h4><small>Copyright 1912 by George W. Jacobs & Co.</small><br /> +<br /> +Printed in 1924 by<br /> +Western Printing & Lithographing Co.<br /> +Racine, Wis.<br /> +<br /> +Printed in U. S. A. +</h4> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="contents" id="contents"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="tdr th">CHAPTER</td> +<td class="tdr2 th" colspan="2">PAGE</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">I</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Invitation</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#I">9</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">II</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Reliance</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#II">30</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">III</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Where's the Key?</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#III">50</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IV</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Hearty Dinner</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#IV">71</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">V</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Red Book</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#V">93</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VI</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Old House</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#VI">113</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VII</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Mill Stream</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#VII">134</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VIII</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Jetty's Party</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#VIII">154</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IX</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Elderflowers</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#IX">174</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">X</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">What Ben Did</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#X">196</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XI</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Farewells</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#XI">215</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XII</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">How Are You?</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#XII">234</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +<big>A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S<br /> +THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS</big></h2> + + +<hr class="hr4" /> + +<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>CHAPTER I<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE INVITATION</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi">"<span class="smcap">Any</span> news, mother?" asked Edna one Friday afternoon when she came home +from school.</p> + +<p>"There's a letter from grandma," replied Mrs. Conway after kissing the +lips held up to hers. "There isn't any real news in it, but there is an +invitation."</p> + +<p>"What kind of an invitation?"</p> + +<p>"A Thanksgiving kind."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that grandma wants us all to spend an old-fashioned Thanksgiving +with her; the kind she used to have when she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> was young. She says she +and grandpa are both getting old and they may not be able to have the +whole family there together again."</p> + +<p>"And are we going?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so."</p> + +<p>"The whole family?"</p> + +<p>"I think perhaps you and I will go on a day or two ahead and let the +others follow. Celia and the boys can come with your father, who +probably could not get off till Wednesday afternoon. Grandma asks that I +bring my baby with me."</p> + +<p>"And that means me," returned Edna, hugging herself. "How long shall we +stay, mother?"</p> + +<p>"That depends upon several things which will have to be learned later, +so I can't tell just yet."</p> + +<p>Edna danced off to hunt up her brothers that she might tell them the +news. She found them in their little workshop over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> the stable. Charlie +was making a new box to put in his pigeon house and Frank was watching +him. They had not seen their little sister since Monday for she and her +sister Celia went to school in the city, remaining until the Friday +afternoon of each week.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" cried Charlie, looking up. "When did you come?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we've just come, only a few minutes ago, and what do you think is +the news?"</p> + +<p>"The Dutch have taken Holland," returned Charlie, hammering away at his +box. "Just hand me that box of nails, Frank, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"That's a silly answer," said Edna with contempt.</p> + +<p>"Well, if it's news, how did you expect me to know it?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't expect you to know it, only to guess."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>"Well, I guessed," replied Charlie teasingly. "I suppose it's a foolish +sort of thing; Uncle Justus has grown another hair in his eyebrows or +your friend Dorothy has a new hat."</p> + +<p>"It's nothing so unimportant," Edna continued; "for it concerns you +boys, too, but if you don't want to know I'll go up to Dorothy's; she'll +be interested even if she isn't going."</p> + +<p>"Going? Where?" cried both boys.</p> + +<p>"That's for me to know and for you to find out," retorted Edna, +beginning to scramble down the ladder. Both boys darted after; Charlie +swung himself down ahead of her to the floor below and was ready to grab +her before she reached the last rung. Then there was much laughing, +scrambling, tickling and protesting till at last Edna was compelled to +give up her secret, ending triumphantly with: "And I'm going first with +mother."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>"Who said so?" questioned Charlie.</p> + +<p>"Mother did. We are to go two or three days ahead of anyone else."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I don't care," returned Charlie. "There wouldn't be any boys +for me to play with anyhow."</p> + +<p>"How many are coming for Thanksgiving?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"I don't know exactly," Edna answered, "but I suppose all the aunts and +cousins and uncles that can get there. Aunt Lucia and Uncle Bert and of +course Aunt Alice and her boys, Ben and his brother. Ben will have to +go, and I'm awfully glad; he's my favoritest cousin."</p> + +<p>"How about Louis?"</p> + +<p>"He is not any relation to grandma and grandpa Willis, is he?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; I never could get relations straight. I hope he isn't any +kin to them and I am sorry he is to us, for he is a pill. You know he +is, no matter what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> you say. Just look how he acted last summer. You +needn't try to excuse him, for Dorothy told me all about it."</p> + +<p>Edna could not deny facts, for it was quite true that her cousin Louis +was not above blame in sundry instances, so she changed the subject by +saying, "I think I'll go over to Dorothy's anyhow."</p> + +<p>The boys did not try to detain her and she ran out along the road and up +to the old-fashioned house where her friend Dorothy Evans lived. Dorothy +was playing with her kitten out on the side porch. She had dressed the +little creature in long clothes and was walking up and down singing to +it as it lay contentedly in her arms, it's two gray paws sticking out +from the sleeves of a little red sacque belonging to one of Dorothy's +dolls.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't Tiddlywinks look funny?" said Dorothy by way of greeting. "And +isn't he good? I believe he likes to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> dressed up, for he lies as +still as anything. Of course, if he fussed and meowed, I would take off +the things and let him go."</p> + +<p>Edna touched the soft silvery paws gently. "I believe he does like it," +she returned. "See, he shuts his eyes exactly as if he felt nice and +cozy. Oh, Dorothy, guess what! We are all going to grandpa Willis's next +week. We are all going for Thanksgiving, only mother and I are going +first. Isn't that lovely?"</p> + +<p>"Lovely for you, I suppose," replied Dorothy dejectedly, "but I shall +miss you dreadfully."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, you won't, when you have Margaret and Nettie so near. Besides I +shall not be gone long, not more than a week."</p> + +<p>"Are there any girls there?" asked Dorothy, a little jealously.</p> + +<p>"Not like us. There is a little girl, mother says, that grandma has +taken in to help her and Amanda; Amanda is the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> woman who lives there +and cooks and churns and does all sorts of things."</p> + +<p>"Is it in the real country?"</p> + +<p>"It is real country and yet it isn't, for it is a village. Grandpa has a +farm, but just across the street is a store and the church is only a few +steps away, and there are lots of neighbors; some have big places and +some have little ones. Grandpa's isn't as big as the biggest nor as +little as the littlest."</p> + +<p>"Does he keep horses and cows and chickens and things?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my, yes, and ducks and turkeys and sheep."</p> + +<p>"I should think it would be a pretty nice sort of place."</p> + +<p>"It is lovely and I am always crazy about going there."</p> + +<p>"But please don't stay too long this time," urged Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to stay till mother brings me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> back," returned Edna +cheerfully. "I wish there were another kitten, Dorothy, so I could have +a live doll, too."</p> + +<p>"You might take the mother cat," Dorothy suggested; "she is very gentle +and nice."</p> + +<p>They went in search of Tiddlywinks' mother, but Madam Pittypat objected +to being made a baby of, for, though she was gentle enough, she squirmed +and twisted herself out of every garment they tried upon her, and, at +the first opportunity, walked off in a most dignified manner, as though +she would say: "Such a way to treat the mother of a family!"</p> + +<p>So the two little girls concluded that they would free Tiddlywinks and +turn him again into a kitten. They left him stretching himself and +yawning lazily, as they trudged off to see their friend, Margaret +McDonald, that they might tell her Edna's news.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>The days sped by quickly until Tuesday came, when Edna and her mother +were to start on their journey. Edna at first decided to take her doll +Ada "because she is more used to traveling," she said, but at the last +moment she changed her mind saying that Ada had been on so many journeys +that she thought someone else should have a chance and, therefore, it +was her new doll, Virginia, who was dressed for the trip. The previous +year Edna had spent Thanksgiving Day with her Uncle Justus; this year it +would be quite a different thing to sit at table with a whole company of +cousins instead of dining alone with Uncle Justus.</p> + +<p>It was a journey of three hours before the station of Mayville was +reached, then a drive of four miles to Overlea lay before them. But +there was grandpa himself waiting to help them off the train, to see +that their trunks were safely stowed into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> the big farm wagon, and at +last to tuck them snugly into the carriage which was to bear them to the +white house set in behind a stately row of maples. These had lost their +leaves, but a crimson oak still showed its red against the sky, and the +vines clambering up the porch waved out scarlet banners to welcome the +guests.</p> + +<p>Grandma Willis was standing on the porch to greet them as they drew up +before the door. Behind her stood Amanda and behind Amanda a little girl +about twelve or thirteen. Behind the little girl trailed a cat and three +kittens. At the sight of these Edna gave a squeal of delight. "New +kittens, grandma? How lovely! I'm so glad," she cried.</p> + +<p>Grandma smiled. "Well, give me a good hug and kiss first and then +Reliance can let you take one of the kittens to hug."</p> + +<p>"Who is Reliance? Is that what you call the mother-cat?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>"No, her name is Tippy. Reliance is the little girl who, we hope, is +going to carry out the promise of her name."</p> + +<p>Edna did not understand this latter speech but she smiled encouragingly +at Reliance who smiled back at her. Then after the huggings and kissings +were given to Mrs. Willis, Reliance picked up one of the kittens and +held it out to Edna who cuddled it up to her and followed the others +into the house.</p> + +<p>It was a big old-fashioned place where the Willis family had lived for +many generations. In the large living-room was a huge fireplace in which +now a roaring fire crackled and leaped high. There was a small seat +close to it and on this Edna settled herself.</p> + +<p>"Here, here, aren't you going to stay a while?" cried grandpa who had +given over the carriage into the hands of Ira, the hired man, and who +had just come in.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>"Why, of course we are going to stay," replied Edna.</p> + +<p>"Then why don't you take off your things? Mother, isn't there any place +they can lay their bonnets and coats? It seems to me there should be a +bed or cupboard somewhere."</p> + +<p>"Now, father," protested Mrs. Willis, "you know this house is big enough +to hold the hats and coats of the entire family."</p> + +<p>"Didn't know but you were house-cleaning and had every place turned +upside down."</p> + +<p>"Now, father," Mrs. Willis continued, "you know we've been days getting +the house cleaned and that everything is in apple-pie order for +Thanksgiving."</p> + +<p>Grandpa gave Mrs. Conway a sly wink. "You'd think it ought to be in +apple-pie order," he said, "by the way they have been tearing up the +place. Couldn't find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> my papers, my sticks, my umbrella or anything when +I wanted them. I am glad you all have come so you can help me hunt for +them."</p> + +<p>"Why, father, how you do go on," Mrs. Willis interposed. The old +gentleman laughed. He was a great tease, as Edna well knew.</p> + +<p>"Where shall we go to lay off our things, mother?" asked Mrs. Conway.</p> + +<p>"Up to your own old room over the dining-room. Here, Reliance, take the +kitten and you, Edna, can come along with your mother."</p> + +<p>"There's no need for you to go up, mother," said Mrs. Conway. "I have +been there before, you know, and I think I can find the way." Then the +two smiled wisely at one another.</p> + +<p>But grandma would go and presently Edna found herself in a large room +which looked out upon the west. Mrs. Conway<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> stood still and gazed +around her. "How natural it all seems," she said, "even to the pictures +upon the walls. I went from this room a bride, Edna, and when I come +back to it I feel not a day older. This is the same furniture, but this +is a new carpet, mother, and new curtains, and the little cot you have +put in for Edna, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there are some things that will not last a lifetime," answered +Mrs. Willis, "and we must furbish up once in a while. I thought you +would rather have Edna here with you than elsewhere, and at such a +crowded time we have to stow away as we can. I have put another cot in +my room for one of the other children and Celia is to go in with Becky."</p> + +<p>While they were talking Ira brought up the trunks and Mrs. Conway +commenced the task of unpacking, so very soon they were settled and +ready for dinner, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> was served in the big dining-room where was +another open fireplace not quite so large as the first, but ample +enough. Reliance waited upon the table and helped to clear away the +dishes afterward.</p> + +<p>"When you are through with your tasks, Reliance, you can take Edna out +and show her the chickens and pigs and things," said grandma.</p> + +<p>"Reliance is quite a recent addition to the family, isn't she?" said +Mrs. Conway when the little maid went out.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Mrs. Willis replied. "Amanda isn't as young as she was and we +thought it would be a good thing to have someone here who could save her +steps and who could be trained to take her place after a while. I think +Reliance promises to be very capable in time."</p> + +<p>While her mother talked to the grandparents, Edna walked softly around +the room looking at the different things, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> pictures, books and +ornaments. There was a high mantel upon which stood a pair of Dresden +vases and two quaint little figures. In the middle was a china house +with a red door and vines over the windows. Edna had always admired it +and was glad to see it still there. She stood looking at it for a long +time. She liked to have her grandmother tell her its history. "That was +brought to me by my grandfather when he returned from England," Mrs. +Willis always said. "I was a little girl about six years old. Later he +brought me those two China figures. He was a naval officer and that is +his portrait you see hanging on the wall."</p> + +<p>"I love the little house," remarked Edna, knowing that the next word +would be: "You may play with it if you are very careful. It is one of my +oldest treasures and I should be very grieved if it were broken."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>The little house was then handed down and Edna examined it carefully. +"It is so very pretty," she said, "that I should like to live in it. I +would like to live in a house with a bright red door."</p> + +<p>"I used to think that same thing when I was a little girl," her +grandmother told her.</p> + +<p>"I think maybe you'd better put it back so I won't break it," said Edna, +carefully handing the treasure to her grandmother, "and then will you +please tell me about the pictures?"</p> + +<p>"The one over the mantel is called 'The Signing of the Declaration of +Independence,' and that small framed affair by the chimney is a key to +it, for it tells the names of the different men who figure in the +picture."</p> + +<p>"I will look at it some day and see if I can find out which is which," +said Edna.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> "That is Napoleon Bonaparte over there; I know him."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and that other is General Washington, whom, of course, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, of course; and I know that little girl, the black head over +there; it is my great-great-grandmother."</p> + +<p>"The silhouette, you mean? Yes, that is she, and she is the same one who +did that sampler you see hanging between the windows. She was not so old +as you when she did it."</p> + +<p>Edna crossed the room and knelt on a chair in front of the sampler. It +was dim with age, but she could discern a border of pink flowers with +green leaves and letters worked in blue silk. She followed the letters +with the tip of her finger, tracing them on the glass and at last +spelling out the name of "Annabel Lisle, wrought in her seventh year."</p> + +<p>"Poor little Annabel, how hard she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> must have worked," sighed Edna. "I +am glad I don't have to do samplers."</p> + +<p>"You might be worse employed," said her grandmother, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever do a sampler?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Not a sampler like this one, but I learned to work in cross stitch. Do +you remember the little stool in the living-room by the fireplace?"</p> + +<p>"The one with roses on it that I was sitting on?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; that I did when I was about your age, and the sofa pillow with the +two doves on it I did when I was about Celia's age. I was very proud of +it, I remember."</p> + +<p>"May I go look at them?"</p> + +<p>"Assuredly."</p> + +<p>So Edna went into the next room and carefully examined the two pieces of +work which now had a new importance in her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> eyes. A little girl about +her age had done them long ago. She discovered, too, a queer-looking +picture behind the door. It was of a lady leaning against an urn, a +weeping-willow tree near by. The lady held a handkerchief in her hand +and looked very sorrowful. Edna wondered why she seemed so sad. There +were some words written below but they were too faint for her to +decipher, and she determined to ask her grandmother about this picture +which she had never noticed before. While she was still looking at it, +Reliance came to the door to say, "I can go now; I've finished what I +had to do." Edna turned with alacrity and the two went out together.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +<a name="II" id="II"></a>CHAPTER II<br /> +<br /> +<small>RELIANCE</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi">"<span class="smcap">How</span> long have you lived here?" Edna asked her companion when they were +outside.</p> + +<p>"About six months," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Are you 'dopted?" came the next question.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm bound."</p> + +<p>Edna looked puzzled. "I don't know what that is. I know a girl that was +a Friendless and she was 'dopted so now she has a mother and a beautiful +home. Her name used to be Maggie Horn, but now it is Margaret McDonald. +Is your name Reliance Willis?"</p> + +<p>"No, it is Reliance Fairman, and it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> wasn't ever anything else. I was +friendless, too, till Mrs. Willis took me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, and did you live in a house with a lot of other Friendlesses?"</p> + +<p>"No, I wasn't in an orphan asylum, if that's what you mean, but I reckon +I would have had to go there or else to the almshouse."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" This seemed even more dreadful to Edna and she looked at her +companion with new interest, at the same time slipping her hand into the +other's to show her sympathy. "Tell me about it," she said.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see, my parents died. We lived about three miles from here, +and your grandmother used to know my grandmother; they went to the same +school, so when us children were left without any home or any money your +grandmother said she would take me and keep me till I was of age, so +they bound me."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>"How many children were there?"</p> + +<p>"Three boys and me. Two of the boys are with Mr. Lukens and the other is +in a home; he is a little chap, only six. If he'd been bigger maybe your +grandfather would have had him here, and perhaps he will come when he is +big enough to be of any use."</p> + +<p>"I think that would be very nice and I shall ask grandfather to be sure +to take him. Do you like it here?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I like it. Amanda is awful pernickity sometimes, but I just +love your grandmother and it is a heap sight better than being hungry +and cold."</p> + +<p>"Would you have to stay supposing you didn't like it?" Edna was +determined to get all the particulars.</p> + +<p>"I suppose so; I'd have to stay till I was eighteen; I'm bound to do +that."</p> + +<p>Edna reflected. "I suppose that is what it means by being bound; you +are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> just bound to stay. I wonder if anyone else was ever named +Reliance," she went on, being much interested to hear something about so +peculiar a name.</p> + +<p>"My grandmother was, her that your grandmother knew."</p> + +<p>"Oh, was she? Then you are named after your grandmother just as my +sister Celia is named Cecelia after hers. Yours is a funny name, isn't +it? I don't mean funny exactly, for I think it is quite pretty, but I +never knew of anyone named that."</p> + +<p>"I don't mind it when I get it all, but when my brothers called me Li I +didn't like it. Your grandmother gives me the whole name, and I am glad +she does; but she said they generally used to call my grandmother Lyley +when she was a little girl."</p> + +<p>"I think that is rather pretty, too, don't you?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>"Yes, but I like the whole name better."</p> + +<p>"Then I will always call you by the whole name," Edna assured her. "Can +you tell stories, Reliance?"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean fibs or reading stories like—let's see—Cinderella and +Jack and the Beanstalk?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I mean the Cinderella kind; I'd hate to think you told fibs."</p> + +<p>"I can tell 'em, but I guess I don't care to. I know two or three of the +other kind and Bible stories, some of them: Eli and Samuel, and David +and Goliath, and all those."</p> + +<p>"Do you go to school?"</p> + +<p>"Half the year, but I guess I won't be going very much longer. I'll soon +be going on fourteen; I'll stop when I'm fifteen."</p> + +<p>"Oh, shall you? Then what will you do?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>"I'll learn to housekeep and cook, and to sew and all that. Mrs. Willis +says it is more important for me to be educated in the useful things, +that I'll get along better if I am, and I guess she is right. My mother +couldn't cook worth a cent and she just hated it, so we didn't get very +good vittles."</p> + +<p>"Was it your mother's mother after whom you were named?"</p> + +<p>"No, my father's mother. The Fairmans lived around here, but there ain't +many of them left now. My father was an only child, and he married my +mother out of town; she hadn't ever been used to the country. She used +to work in a store and that's why she couldn't cook, you see."</p> + +<p>Edna pondered over this information, wondering if everyone who worked in +a store must necessarily turn out a poor cook.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>"You ought just to see what's getting ready for Thanksgiving," said +Reliance, changing the subject, "I never seen such a pile of stuff. It +fair makes my mouth water to think of it; pies and cakes and doughnuts +and jellies and I don't know what all. I guess there's as many as twenty +or thirty coming, ain't there?"</p> + +<p>"Let me see; I shall have to count. There will be Aunt Alice and her two +boys, Ben and Willis, and Uncle Bert Willis with his five children and +Aunt Lucia; that makes ten, and then there will be all of us, papa and +mamma and us four children; that makes—let me see—" she counted +hurriedly on her fingers. "How many did I say, Reliance? Ten? Oh, yes, +and six make sixteen. Then there are the greats; great Aunt Emmeline and +her brother, Wilbur Merrifield, and his daughter, Cousin Becky. Sixteen +did I say? and three make nineteen. Oh, yes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> Cousin Becky's sweetheart +that she is going to marry soon; he is coming and he will make it just +twenty. Counting grandpa and grandma there will be twenty-two, and +counting you and Amanda there will be twenty-four to eat the goodies."</p> + +<p>"You didn't count the two men, Ira and Jim," said Reliance; "they will +eat here, too."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I forgot them. What a crowd, twenty-six people. If they cut a +pie in six pieces it would take over four to go around once, wouldn't +it?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose we would be allowed a second piece on Thanksgiving Day," +remarked Reliance, "though maybe with the other things no one would want +it."</p> + +<p>"How many kinds of pie will there be?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Three at least. I heard Amanda say that she would make the fillings +to-day for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> pumpkin, lemon and apple; she has the crust all done. She +has made the jelly, too; it's to be served with whipped cream. Your +grandma was talking about having plum pudding, but Amanda said she +didn't see the sense of having it when it wasn't Christmas, and there +would be such lots of other things, all the nuts and apples and such +things. There is going to be chicken pie, besides the turkeys and the +oysters."</p> + +<p>"Dear me," sighed Edna, "I am afraid I shall eat a great deal and be +very uncomfortable. I was last year for a little while because I ate two +Thanksgiving dinners. What did you do last year, Reliance?"</p> + +<p>Reliance looked very sober. "We didn't have much of a Thanksgiving last +year, for it was just before my mother died and she was ill then, so us +children just had to get along the best we could.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> Somebody sent us in a +pie and some jelly for mother and that is about all we had to be +thankful for. I suppose it was much better than nothing. We ate all the +pie at one meal. Billy said we might as well for it wouldn't last two +days anyhow unless we had little bits of pieces, so each of us had a +whole quarter. Billy tried to trap a rabbit or shoot a squirrel or +something, but he hadn't enough shot and the rabbits didn't trap."</p> + +<p>Secretly Edna was rather glad to hear this, even though it meant that +the Fairmans went without meat for dinner. She walked along pondering +over these facts and wondering which were to be preferred. She could not +tell whether to be glad the squirrels and rabbits had escaped or to be +sorry that the Fairmans could not have had game for Thanksgiving. It was +rather a hard matter to settle, so finally she dismissed the subject and +gave her attention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> to the pigs whose pen they now had reached. Edna did +not think them very cleanly or attractive creatures, however, and was +very soon ready to leave them that she might see the chickens and ducks +which she found much more interesting.</p> + +<p>The short November day was already so near its end that the fowls were +thinking of going to roost, though the hour was not late, and after +watching them take their supper, which Edna helped Reliance to +distribute, the two girls went on to the garden, now robbed of most of +its vegetables. There were a few tomatoes to be found on the vines; +though celery, turnips and cabbages made a brave showing. Edna felt that +she was quite a discoverer when she came across some tiny yellow +tomatoes which the frost had not yet touched, and which she gathered in +triumph to carry back to her mother.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>"I know where there's a chestnut tree," announced Reliance suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do let's find it," said Edna. "I will put the tomatoes in my +handkerchief and carry them that way. We ought to gather all the +chestnuts we can, for I know mighty well after the boys come there won't +be a nut left." There was a rush down the hill to the big chestnut tree +about whose roots lay the prickly burs which the frost had opened to +show the shining brown nuts within.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how we are going to carry them," said Edna after a while, +when she had gathered together quite a little heap.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you," Reliance told her, and began tying knots in the corners +of the apron she wore. "There," she said, "that makes a very good bag, +and what we can't carry that way we can leave and come back for +to-morrow. We'd better take as many as we can, though, for to-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>morrow +will be such a busy day I may not be able to come, and if we don't, the +squirrels will get them all."</p> + +<p>"I could come alone, now that I know the way," said Edna, "or maybe +mamma would come with me."</p> + +<p>"I suppose we'd better be going back," said Reliance when she lifted the +improvised bag to her arm. "It is near to milking time and that means +getting ready for supper."</p> + +<p>"What do you do to get ready for supper?" asked Edna taking hold of one +side of the bag.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I set the table and go down to the spring-house for the butter and +cream. I can skim milk now, but I couldn't at first, I got it all mixed +up."</p> + +<p>"Do you skim all the milk?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, that we put on the table to drink is never skimmed. The skimmed +milk goes to the pigs."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>"Oh, does it? I think you feed your pigs pretty well. Are we going to +watch them milk?"</p> + +<p>"You can if you like; I've got to go right back."</p> + +<p>"You don't help with the milking then?"</p> + +<p>"No; Ira does it. Your grandpa says it is man's work, but Ira lets me do +a little sometimes so I will learn."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you afraid of the cows?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, are you?"</p> + +<p>"Kind of. They have such sharp horns sometimes," answered Edna by way of +excusing her fear.</p> + +<p>"Your grandpa's don't have; he keeps only dehorned cattle."</p> + +<p>"What are they?"</p> + +<p>"The kind that have had their horns taken off so they don't do any +damage."</p> + +<p>"I think maybe I wouldn't mind that kind so much," said Edna, after +considering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> the matter for a moment. "If you don't mind, I think I +would like to stop and see Ira milk."</p> + +<p>Reliance said she didn't mind in the least and, therefore, she left the +little girl at the bars of the stable yard which was quite as near as +she wished to stand to the herd of cows gathered within.</p> + +<p>"Want to come in and learn to milk?" asked Ira, looking up with a smile +at the little red-capped figure.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, thank you," returned Edna hastily. "I'd rather watch you." She +would really have like to try her hand if there had been but one cow, +but when there were six, how could a young person be certain that one of +the number would not turn and rend her? To be sure, they were much less +fearsome without horns, but still they were too big and dreadful to be +entirely trusted. So she stood watching the milk foam into the shining +tin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> buckets and then she walked contentedly with Ira to where Amanda +was waiting to strain the milk and put it away in the spring-house.</p> + +<p>"Do you keep it out here all winter and doesn't it freeze?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"In winter we keep it in the pantry up at the house. If it should turn +cold suddenly now, we'd have to bring it in," Amanda told her, as she +carefully lifted the earthen crocks into place. "There comes Reliance +for the cream and butter," she went on. "Reliance, I'll carry up the +milk and you come along with the rest. Don't tarry down here, and be +sure you lock the spring-house door and fetch in the key." Then she went +out leaving the two little girls behind.</p> + +<p>Reliance carefully attended to her duties, Edna watching her admiringly. +It must be a fine thing to be so big a girl as this, one who could be +trusted to do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> work like a grown-up woman. "Let me carry something," she +offered, when Reliance stepped up the stone steps and outside, carrying +the butter in one hand and the pitcher of cream in the other.</p> + +<p>"If you would lock the door and wouldn't mind taking the key along, I +wouldn't have to set down these things," Reliance said.</p> + +<p>Edna did as she was asked, standing tip-toe in order to turn the big key +in the heavy door.</p> + +<p>"When we get to the house you can hang the key on its nail behind the +kitchen door," Reliance told her. "It is always kept there."</p> + +<p>Edna swung the big key on her finger by its string and trotted along by +the side of Reliance, asking many questions, and delighting to hear +Reliance enlarge upon the all-important subject of the Thanksgiving +festivities.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>"We've got to get up good and early," Reliance remarked, "for there's +a heap to be done, even if we are ahead with the baking. I expect to +be up before daylight, myself, and I reckon Ira will be milking by +candlelight," she added, as she entered the kitchen door. Mrs. Conway +was in the kitchen talking to Amanda, and Edna hastened to show her +little hoard of tomatoes. "We gathered a whole lot of chestnuts, too," +she told her mother. "They were all on the ground down the hill behind +the barn."</p> + +<p>"I know the very tree," Mrs. Conway told her. "We must roast some in the +ashes this evening. Come along, supper is ready and you must get +yourself freshened up."</p> + +<p>Edna followed along and, in the prospect of supper and then of roasting +chestnuts, she forgot all about the spring-house key. This, by the way, +was lying on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> door-mat where she had dropped it. A little later on, +it was picked up by Reliance and was slipped into the pocket of her +gingham apron. "I won't remind her that she dropped it. Likely as not +she forgot all about it," said Reliance to herself. "I ought not to have +trusted it to as little a girl as she is."</p> + +<p>It was not till after she was in bed that Edna remembered that she had +ever had the key. Where had she put it? She had no recollection of it +after she had swung it by its string upon her finger on the way to the +house. "It must be on the kitchen table," she told herself. "I opened my +handkerchief there to show mother the tomatoes." She sat up in bed +wondering if she would better get up and go down, but she finally +decided to wait till her mother should have come to bed and then confide +in her.</p> + +<p>However, try as she would, she could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> not keep awake. It had been an +exciting and fatiguing day and she was in the land of dreams in a few +minutes, not even having visions of keys, spring-houses or Thanksgiving +dinners, but of the mother cat and her three kittens who were climbing +chestnut trees and throwing down chestnuts to her.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +<a name="III" id="III"></a>CHAPTER III<br /> +<br /> +<small>WHERE'S THE KEY?</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Very</span>, very early in the morning Edna was awake. She was not used to +farmyard sounds and could not tell if it were a lusty rooster, an +insistent guinea-fowl or a gobbling turkey whose voice first reached +her. But whichever it was, she was quite broad awake while it was yet +dark. She lay still for a few minutes, with an uncertain feeling of +something not very pleasant overshadowing her, then she remembered the +key. "Oh, dear," she sighed, "if they can't get into the spring-house +there will be no cream for breakfast and no butter, either. The key must +be found."</p> + +<p>She got up and softly crept to the window. A bright star hung low in the +sky<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> and there was the faintest hint of light along the eastern horizon. +Presently Edna saw a lighted lantern bobbing around down by the stable +and concluded that Ira must be up and that it was morning, or at least +what meant morning to farmers. She stood watching the light grow in the +east and finally decided that she would dress and be all ready by the +time it was light enough to hunt for the lost key.</p> + +<p>By now she could see well enough to find her clothes, but, fearing lest +she should waken her mother, she determined to go to the bathroom at the +end of the hall rather than use the wash-stand in the room where she +was, so she gathered up her clothing in her arms, and went down the +entry, made her toilet and crept down stairs. There was a light burning +in the lower hallway, but it was dark all through the rest of the house +and she was obliged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> to feel her way through the rooms. There was a +noise of some one stirring in the pantry. She opened the door of the +kitchen gently and peeped in. A lamp was burning on the table, but no +key lay there. Edna tip-toed in quietly and felt on the nail where the +key should hang, thrusting aside a gingham apron belonging to Reliance +which hung just above its place, but the nail was empty and she was +forced to believe she had dropped the key somewhere between the +spring-house and the kitchen. She tip-toed out of the kitchen, turned +the key of the outside door and closed it after her as noiselessly as +possible, and in another moment was outside in the chill November air. +It was rather fearsome to make one's way down dim paths where some wild +creature might still be lurking after a night's raid from the woods near +by, and she imagined all sorts of things. First, something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> stole softly +by her and was off like a shot through the tall weeds growing beyond the +fence; it was only a rabbit who was more frightened at Edna than she at +it. Next, the bushes parted and a small white figure crept stealthily +forth. The child's heart stood still and she stopped short. Then came a +plaintive meow and she discovered one of the three kittens out on an +adventuring tour. She picked up the little creature which purred +contentedly as she snuggled it to her, continuing her way.</p> + +<p>The garden left behind, there was the lane to be passed through, and +here some real cause for fear in Edna's opinion, for the cows that Ira +had just finished milking were coming through the bars he had let down. +They stumbled along clumsily, following one another over the rail, and +ambled on to another set of bars where they stood till Ira should let +them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> through. At first, Edna did not realize that they were not making +for the spot where she stood and she took to her heels, fleeing +frantically back to the garden, banging the gate behind her and standing +still waiting till the cows were through and the bars up again. Seeing +the cows safely shut out from the lane she ventured forth again and +followed Ira's lantern to the barn. Here she stood looking around and +presently the beams from the lantern fell upon her little figure with +the white kitten still clasped in her arms.</p> + +<p>Ira looked up in surprise. "Hello!" he cried. "What's took you up so +airly? Why, I jest got through milkin', and, doggone it, it ain't +skeerce light yit."</p> + +<p>"I know," said Edna, "but I had to get up early, you see, so as to find +the key before breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Key? What key?"</p> + +<p>"The key of the spring-house. Reliance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> gave it to me to carry and I was +to have hung it up on a nail behind the kitchen door, and I forgot all +about it till I was in bed. You see if it isn't found nobody can have +any milk or cream for breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess we could manage," returned Ira reassuringly. "Didn't drop +it indoors, did you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so. I looked in the kitchen as I came out and I didn't +find it there. If it had been picked up, it would be on the nail, I +should think."</p> + +<p>"Most likely it would; it would be there sure if 'Mandy found it; she +don't let nothin' stay out of place very long, I kin tell ye."</p> + +<p>"As long as I didn't find it in the kitchen I thought I would come here +because I saw you had a lantern, and it really isn't quite light enough +to see very plainly, is it?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>"No, it ain't. Sun don't rise till somewheres around seven this time o' +year. Well, you come with me and we'll work our way long the path from +the spring-house and if we don't find the key we will go inside and +inquire. I alwuz find it don't do no harm to ask questions, and that +there key is bound to be somewheres betwixt this and the house."</p> + +<p>He swung his lantern so its rays would shed a broad light along the way, +and Edna pattered along just behind him, trying very hard to keep up +with his long strides. When at last they reached the spring-house, he +slackened his pace and began carefully to look to the right and to the +left.</p> + +<p>"You come right straight along, did you?" he questioned. "Didn't go +cavortin' off nowheres pickin' weeds or chasin' cats, did you?"</p> + +<p>"No, we came as straight as could be.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> Reliance had the butter and cream +and we didn't stop once."</p> + +<p>"Then I guess you likely dropped it inside, for I've sarched careful and +I can't find it. Maybe when it comes real bright daylight you could look +again, but I should advise askin' at the house next thing you do."</p> + +<p>He led the way into the kitchen where Amanda was briskly stirring about. +"Well," she began, "what's wanting? Well, I declare if there ain't Edna. +What's got you up so early, missy? I guess you're like the rest of us, +couldn't sleep for thinking of all that's to do for Thanksgiving."</p> + +<p>"You ain't picked up the spring-house key nowheres about, have you?" +asked Ira.</p> + +<p>"Why, no. You had it?"</p> + +<p>"No, I ain't, but sissy there says 'Liance gave it to her to carry and +she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> ain't no notion of what she done with it, thought mebbe she might +ha' drapped it in here. She got so worried over it she riz from her bed +and come out to hunt it up, says she was afraid nobody couldn't get no +breakfast because of her losing of it."</p> + +<p>"I guess we won't suffer for breakfast," said Amanda, looking down +kindly at the little girl. "I don't carry back the milk nights this time +of year. Any that's left I just set in the pantry and there is what was +left from supper this blessed minute; butter, too, and cream, plenty for +breakfast. You just rest your mind on that score."</p> + +<p>"But," said Edna, "you will want a whole lot of things for the +Thanksgiving cooking and what will you do with them all locked up?"</p> + +<p>Ira laughed. "'Twouldn't be such an awful job to lift the door from its +hinges,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> and if a body was right spry he could climb in at the window +after he'd prised it open and the things could be handed out. Besides +we've got all the morning's milk and there'll be the night's milk and +to-morrow's milk, so I don't see that we shan't get along first-rate. +There is more than one way out of that trouble, ain't there, 'Mandy?"</p> + +<p>"I should say so. Wait till the sun's real high and I guess we'll find +the key fast enough," she said to Edna. "Now, you stay right here and +don't go running about in the cold; you'll be down sick traipsing about +in the wet grass, and then where will your Thanksgiving be?"</p> + +<p>Thus warned, Edna was content to stay in the kitchen into which the +morning light was beginning to creep and which was already warm from the +big stove. In a few minutes, Reliance appeared from the next room where +she had been setting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> the table. She was much astonished to learn that +Edna had been down before her. "What in the world did you get up so soon +for?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"To find the key," Edna answered, and then told her all about the +search, ending up with, "You haven't seen anything of it, have you, +Reliance?"</p> + +<p>Reliance's face broadened into a smile, as for answer she went behind +the kitchen door and produced the key from its nail, holding it up to +view.</p> + +<p>"Why, where in the world did you get it?" inquired Edna in a tone of +surprise. "It wasn't on the nail when I looked there for it a little +while ago."</p> + +<p>"You dropped it on the door-mat last evening," Reliance told her. "I +found it there and slipped it into the pocket of my apron, and this +morning when I went to get my apron, there it was so I just hung it up +where it belonged."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>"Well, I'm sure," said Amanda, "that's easily explained."</p> + +<p>"Who'd ha' thought it," said Ira. "Well, that let's us out of another +hunt. I won't have to wrastle with the door after all, will I?"</p> + +<p>So, after all, Edna's early rising was unnecessary, but she did not feel +sorry that she had had such an experience, and was content to sit and +watch Amanda mould her biscuits and to help Reliance finish setting the +table. Amanda insisted upon giving her a drink of buttermilk from the +spring-house to which she despatched Reliance, advising Edna not to go +this time. "You've had one tramp," she said, "and moreover you'll be +starved by breakfast time if you don't have something to stay you."</p> + +<p>The sausages were sizzling in the pan, and the griddle was ready for the +buckwheat cakes when Mrs. Conway appeared.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> "Well, you did steal a march +on us," she said to her little daughter. "How long have you been up? I +didn't hear a sound. You must have been a veritable mouse to be so +quiet."</p> + +<p>"I've been up since before daylight," Edna told her. "I took my things +into the bathroom so as not to disturb you; it was lovely and warm in +there." Then again she repeated her story of the lost key.</p> + +<p>"Reliance had the joke on her," said Amanda, "for she had the key all +the time."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you tell me you had found it?" asked Edna a little +reproachfully as she turned to Reliance, who had by this time returned +from the spring-house.</p> + +<p>"I thought you would forget all about it, and I didn't think it was +worth while to mention. Besides," she added, "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> ought to have carried +the key myself anyway."</p> + +<p>"You're right there," remarked Amanda. "It is your especial charge and +you oughtn't to have let anyone else fetch it in. Moreover, you'd ought +to have hung it up the minute you found it, and there it would have been +when it was looked for."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't scold her," begged Edna. "It was all my fault, really."</p> + +<p>Amanda smiled. "I don't see it just that way. Folks had ought to learn +when they're young that in this house there's a place for everything, +and everything should be in its place. I rather guess, though, that that +special key won't get lost again right away."</p> + +<p>Edna felt that she had brought this lecture upon Reliance and felt +rather badly to have done so, but the prospect of buckwheat cakes soon +drove her self-reproach<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> away and she went in to say good morning to her +grandparents, well satisfied with the world in general and content to +look ahead rather than at what was now past and gone, and which could +not be altered.</p> + +<p>Before the day had far advanced, came the first of the arrivals, Aunt +Alice Barker and her two boys, Ben and Willis. Ben and Edna were great +chums, though he was the older of the two boys. Ben was alert, full of +fun and ready to joke on every occasion, while Willis was rather shy and +had not much to say to his little cousin, whom, by the way, he did not +know so very well.</p> + +<p>Edna would fain have spent the morning in the kitchen from which issued +delectable odors, but Amanda had declared she wanted all the room there +was, that she had scatted out the cats and dogs and she would have to +scat out children, too, if they came bothering around.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> Therefore, to +avoid this catastrophe, Edna took herself to a different part of the +house, and was standing at one of the front windows when the carriage +drove up.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa," she sang out, "here come Aunt Alice and her boys! Hurry! +Hurry! or they will get here before we can be there to meet them."</p> + +<p>Her grandfather threw down his newspaper and laid aside his spectacles. +"Well, well," he said, "it takes the young eyes to find out who is +coming. I didn't suppose Allie would be here till afternoon. What team +have they. Why didn't they let us know so we could send for them!"</p> + +<p>He followed Edna, who was already at the front door tugging at the bolt, +then in another moment the two were out on the porch while yet the +carriage was some yards away. Ben caught sight of them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> "Hello!" he +cried out. "Here we are, bag and baggage. Didn't expect us so soon, did +you grandpa?"</p> + +<p>"No, son, we didn't. How did you come to steal a march on us in this +way?"</p> + +<p>"The express was behind time so we caught it at the junction, instead of +having to wait for the train we expected to take. It didn't seem worth +while to telephone; in fact we didn't have time, so we just got this +team from Mayville and here we are. How are you Pinky Blooms?" He darted +at Edna, tousled her hair, picked her up and slung her over his shoulder +as if she were a bag of meal, and dropped her on the top step of the +porch, she laughing and protesting the while.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ben," she panted, "you are perfectly dreadful."</p> + +<p>"Why, is that you, Edna?" said Ben in pretended surprise. "I thought you +were my valise; it is too bad I made the mistake<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> and dumped you down so +unceremoniously."</p> + +<p>Edna knew perfectly well how to take this so she picked herself up +laughing, and started after Ben who leaped over the railing of the porch +thus making his escape. By this time Mrs. Willis and Mrs. Conway had +come out and the whole company went indoors, Ben the last to come, +peeping in through a crack of the door, and then slinking in with a +pretense of being afraid of Edna. An hour later, these two were tramping +over the place, hand in hand, making all sorts of discoveries, leaving +Willis deep in a book and the older people chatting cozily before the +open fire.</p> + +<p>Aunt Emmeline, Uncle Wilbur and Becky were the next to come, Becky being +in a pout because her sweetheart had failed to make the train, and Aunt +Emmeline fussing and arguing with her.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>"You know, Becky, that he is coming, and I don't see what difference a +couple of hours will make," she said as she gave her hand, to her +sister, Mrs. Willis. "I am just telling Becky, Cecelia, that she is very +foolish to make such a fuss because Howard is detained; he missed the +train, you see, and can't arrive till the next comes in." She passed on +into the house still talking, while Edna made her escape upstairs. She +had not noticed the little girl, and Edna felt rather slighted.</p> + +<p>However, this was all forgotten a little later when her own brothers and +sister as well as her father were to be welcomed. You would suppose Edna +had been parted from them for at least a year, so joyous were her +greetings, and so much did she have to tell. She had scarcely unburdened +herself of all her happenings, before in swarmed Uncle Bert and his +family. There was so many of these that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> for a little while they seemed +to fill the entire house, for, first appeared Aunt Lucia and after her +the nurse carrying the baby, then Uncle Bert with little Herbert in his +arms, and then Lulie and Allen and Ted. Cousin Becky's sweetheart, +Howard Colby, came on the last train and ended the list of guests. What +a houseful it was, to be sure, and what long, long tables in the +dining-room. Reliance was not able to wait on everybody, and so Amanda's +niece Fanny, took a hand, thus everyone was served.</p> + +<p>Edna was rather shy of those cousins whom she had not seen for two or +three years, and after supper preferred to stay close to her sister +Celia and Ben, though her brothers were soon hob-nobbing with Allen and +Ted, and were planning expeditions for the morrow. Ben told such a funny +story about the lady by the willow tree, that Edna could never look at +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> picture again without laughing, but he had scarcely finished it +before some one called out: "Bedtime for little folks!" and all the +younger ones trooped off upstairs, grandma herself leading the way to +see that each one was tucked in comfortably.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +<a name="IV" id="IV"></a>CHAPTER IV<br /> +<br /> +<small>A HEARTY DINNER</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">It</span> would be quite a task if one were to try to compute the number of +buckwheat cakes consumed at the long tables the next morning, and there +might have been more but that Charlie stopped Frank in the act of +helping himself to a further supply by saying: "Look here, son, if you +keep on eating cakes you won't give your Thanksgiving dinner any show at +all. I'm thinking about that turkey."</p> + +<p>This remark was passed down the table and had the effect of bringing the +breakfast to a conclusion. The boys scampered off out of doors to scour +the place for nuts or to dive into unfrequented woodsy places, while the +girls gathered around the crowing baby, in high good-humor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> with herself +and the world at large. Then the nurse bore baby off and Edna turned to +her mother for advice.</p> + +<p>"What can I do, mother?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Why, let me see. Your Aunt Alice and I are going to help your grandma +to arrange the tables, after a while. We shall want a lot of decorations +besides the roses your Uncle Bert brought. Suppose you little girls +constitute yourselves an order of flower girls with Celia at your head, +and go out to find whatever may do for the tables."</p> + +<p>"There are some chrysanthemums, little yellow ones, and there are a few +white ones, too; I saw them yesterday down by the fence."</p> + +<p>"They will do nicely; we will have those and anything else that will be +pretty for the table or the rooms."</p> + +<p>"Shall we ask Lulie to go with us?" whispered Edna.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>"Certainly I would. She isn't quite so old as you, but she is the only +other little girl here, and it would be very rude and unkind to leave +her out."</p> + +<p>"You ask her," continued Edna in a low tone.</p> + +<p>For answer Mrs. Conway smiled over at Lulie. "Don't you want to be a +flower girl?" she asked; "Celia, I propose that you take these two +little girls in tow and go on an expedition to gather flowers to deck +the tables and the house, I know you will enjoy it."</p> + +<p>"Indeed I shall," replied Celia. "Come on, girls, let's see what we can +find." And the three sallied forth to discover what might be of use.</p> + +<p>An hour later they came back laden with small branches of scarlet oak, +with graceful weeds, with the little buttony chrysanthemums, and with +actually a few late roses which had braved the frost and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> were showing +pale faces in a sheltered corner when the girls came upon them. By this +time, the three cousins were well acquainted, the two younger the best +friends possible, so that when dinner was really ready they were quite +happy at being allowed to sit side by side.</p> + +<p>It would fill a whole chapter if I were to tell you about all the good +things on that table. Grandpa carved a huge brown turkey at one end, +while Uncle Bert carved an equally huge and brown one at the other end. +Grandma served the flakiest of noble chicken-pies at her side of the +table, while Aunt Alice served an oyster-pie of the same proportions and +quite as delicious. The boys, not in the least disturbed by the memory +of the buckwheat cakes, were ready with full-sized appetites, while the +girls, after their scramble in search of decorations, had no reason to +complain of not being hungry.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> To Cousin Becky's lot fell one of the +wishbones, and to Edna's joy she had the other. Cousin Becky put hers up +over the front door after dinner, and it was the strangest thing in the +world that Mr. Howard Colby should be the first to come in afterward. +Edna decided to save hers till it was entirely dry.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with it then?" asked Lulie.</p> + +<p>"I haven't quite decided. I shall take it home, and maybe I'll pull it +with Dorothy or maybe I will make a pen-wiper of it for a Christmas +gift. I might give it to Ben."</p> + +<p>"I never heard of wishbone pen-wipers," said Lulie. "Are they very hard +to make?"</p> + +<p>"Not so very, if you have anyone to help you with the sealing-wax head. +Celia could help me with that. You make a head, you know, and then the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +wishbone has two legs and you dress it up so it is a pen-wiper." This +was not a very clear description, but Lulie was satisfied, especially as +at that moment Ben came to them and said that everyone was going to play +games, in order that their dinners might properly digest.</p> + +<p>"Everybody?" inquired Lulie. "The grandparents, too?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," Ben told her. "We are going to begin with something easy, +like forfeits, and work up to the real snappy ones after."</p> + +<p>"What are the snappy ones?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Oh, things like Hide-and-Seek and lively things that will keep us on +the jump."</p> + +<p>The two little girls followed Ben into the next room and before long +everyone was trying to escape from grandpa who was as eager for a game +of Blind Man's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> Buff as anybody, and who at last caught Becky, who in +turn caught Howard Colby because he didn't try to get out of her way. +This ended that game, but everybody was so warmed up to the fun that +when it was proposed to carry on a game of Hide and Seek out of doors +all agreed, and Edna was so convulsed with laughter to see her +dignified, great-uncle Wilbur crouching behind a wood-pile and peeping +fearfully over the top that she forgot to hide herself properly and was +discovered by Ben in a moment.</p> + +<p>"You're no good at all at hiding," Ben told her. "Anybody could have +found you with half an eye."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't care," replied Edna; "I'll have just as much fun finding +out some one else," and she it was who made straight for Uncle Wilbur's +wood-pile to which he had returned with the fond belief of its serving +as good a turn a second time.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>It was not so very long before the older persons declared that they had +had enough of it. The men returned to the house to have a smoke and the +ladies to chat around the fire. As for the children, it was quite too +much to expect them to go in while there was a twinkle of daylight left, +and, as Amanda expressed it, "They took the place." The girls did not +roam far from the house but the boys wandered much further afield, +bringing caps and pockets full of nuts, and clothes full of burs and +stick-tights, even Ben brought back a hoard of persimmons touched by the +frost and as sweet as honey.</p> + +<p>He poured these out on a flat stone near which Edna was standing. "Come +here, Edna," he said, "let's divvy up. I'll give you half; you can take +what you don't eat to your mother and I'll take what I don't eat to my +mother."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>Edna squatted down by the stone and began delicately to nibble at the +fruit which still bore its soft purple bloom. "I don't believe I shall +eat very many," she said, "for my dinner is still lasting, and there +will be supper before I am ready for it. We are not going to have a +real, regular set-the-table supper, because grandma thinks Amanda and +Reliance should have some holiday, too, but we are going to have +sandwiches and cakes and nuts and apples and cider and a whole lot of +things; something like a party you know. Aren't you going to eat any of +your persimmons, Ben?"</p> + +<p>"No, that coming supper party sounds too seductive; I'll wait so that I +can do it justice."</p> + +<p>"What did you see out in the woods?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Foxy grape-vines and bare trees," he answered promptly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>"Do you mean b-e-a-r trees or b-a-r-e trees?"</p> + +<p>"Which ever you like; I've no doubt there were both kinds."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ben," Edna glanced around fearfully, "do you really think there are +bears around here?"</p> + +<p>"I know there are, sometimes." He drew down his mouth in a way which +made Edna suspect a joke.</p> + +<p>"When is the sometimes?" she asked suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"When they have a circus at Mayville."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you Ben Barker, you are the worst," cried Edna roguishly pulling +his nose.</p> + +<p>"Here, here," he exclaimed, "look out, it might come off like the fox's +tail."</p> + +<p>"What fox?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you know the story of 'Reynard, the Fox'? It is in one of those +big,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> red books that lie on that claw-footed table in the living-room."</p> + +<p>"Here, in this house?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, verily. You don't mean to say you have never read those books! +Why, there is not a year since I was eight years old that I haven't +pored over them. Every time I have been here, and that is at least once +a year, I go for those books, I'd advise you to make their +acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"You tell me the story; then I won't have to read it."</p> + +<p>"No, my child, I shall not allow you to neglect your opportunities +through any weakness on my part. Read it for yourself, and thereafter, +the red book will be one of your prized memories of 'Overlea.'"</p> + +<p>"Then tell me again about the lady and the willow tree," begged Edna; +"that was so funny."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>Ben laughed. "I am afraid I don't remember that so well as I do the fox +story, but maybe I will think of some more about her. Come, it is time +to go in. They may be eating those chicken or turkey sandwiches this +very minute."</p> + +<p>Hanging on his arm, Edna skipped along to the house to find that it was +quite too early to think of sandwiches, though the lamps were lighted in +all but the living-room where a cheerful fire made the place light +enough. Around the fire sat grandma, Aunt Emmeline, Aunt Alice and Mrs. +Conway. Aunt Lucia was upstairs with the babies. Uncle Wilbur was taking +a nap, and grandpa and Uncle Bert were out looking after the stock, as +Ira and the other man had been allowed a holiday. Over in the corner of +the sofa sat Cousin Becky and her lover talking in low tones.</p> + +<p>"Dear me," said grandma, as the children<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> all trooped in, "we must have +a light; these little folks may not like to sit in the dark."</p> + +<p>"This is the best kind of light," declared Ben, "and the very time for +telling tales. Let's all sit around the fire and have a good time. We'll +begin with the oldest and so on down to the youngest If we don't have +time to go all the way down the line, we'll stop when we're hungry. +How's that, grandma? Do you like the plan?"</p> + +<p>"It is just as the others say, my dear," she answered.</p> + +<p>"It's a lovely plan, Ben," said Mrs. Conway. "You will have to begin, +mother, and Aunt Emmeline can come next."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," protested that lady, "I never was one for telling tales; you +will have to count me out."</p> + +<p>"I am sure if I can, you can," grandma<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> assured her. "What shall it be +about, children?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, about when you were a little girl," cried Edna.</p> + +<p>"About the time the horse ran away with you," spoke up the boys.</p> + +<p>"About your first ball please," begged Celia.</p> + +<p>Grandma laughed. "Just listen to them. They have heard all those things +dozens of times. I'll tell you what we will do. I will tell about the +runaway horse, that belongs to the time when I was a little girl, and +Emmeline shall tell about her first ball, and I can remind her if she +forgets anything. I remember her first ball even better than my first, +for it was at hers I met your grandfather."</p> + +<p>This was all so satisfactory that there was not a murmur of dissent, and +grandma began: "It was when I was about ten years old that I went one +day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> with my father to the nearest village. He was driving a pair of +spirited horses, and on our way home a parcel we were bringing home, +fell out of the buggy. My father stopped the horses and ran back to pick +up the parcel, but before he could get to the buggy, the horses took +fright at a piece of paper blowing along the road in front of them and +off they started, full tilt, down the road. In vain my father cried, +'Hey, there! Whoa, Barney! Whoa Pet!' on they went faster and faster. I +managed to hold on to the reins but my young hands were not strong +enough to control the wild creatures, and I thought every minute would +be my last, for up hill and down dale we went at such a pace I had never +known. Over a stump would jounce the buggy, and I would nearly pitch +out. Around the last curve they went with a swing which I thought would +land me on my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> back or my head, but I managed to keep my seat and at +last saw the open gate of our own lane before me. Would the horses go +through without hitting a gate post? Would they run into a fence or over +a pile of stones at one side? My heart was in my mouth. I jerked the +reins in a vain attempt to guide them, but on they went, pell-mell, +making straight for the open gate. Presently I saw some one rush from +the house and then another person come flying from the stables. Just +before we reached the gate, it was flung to with a bang. The horses +pranced, swung a little to one side and stopped short, and I heard some +one say, 'So, Barney, so Pet!' I didn't know what happened next but the +first thing I knew I was lying on the lounge in the sitting-room, my +mother bending over me, and holding a bottle of salts to my nose, 'Oh, +dear, oh, dear,' my mother was crying,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> 'another minute and the child +might have been killed.'"</p> + +<p>"Who was it shut the gate?" asked Allen eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Amanda's mother, who was living with us at that time."</p> + +<p>"And who caught the horses?" queried Ted.</p> + +<p>"Jim Doughty, who was our hired man."</p> + +<p>"Weren't you nearly frightened to death?" Lulie put the question.</p> + +<p>"Very nearly, and so was my father. He was as pale as a ghost when he +got home. He had to walk all the way, and said he thought he should +never get there. The country wasn't as thickly settled as it is now, and +there were no houses between us and the spot where the horses took +fright."</p> + +<p>"Where is the place you lived?" asked Allen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>"About five miles from here."</p> + +<p>"I should like to see it," said the boy musingly. "I suppose those +horses are dead. I'd like to see horses that could run like that."</p> + +<p>"They would be somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty-five or seventy +years old by this time," said grandma with a smile, "and the oldest +horse I ever knew was forty."</p> + +<p>"Gee! but that was old," remarked Frank. "Whose was it, grandma? Yours?"</p> + +<p>"No, my grandfather's. Her name was Dolly, and she took my grandparents +to church every Sunday for many years, up to a little while before she +died. Now, Emmeline, let's hear about the ball."</p> + +<p>"It was just a ball," began Aunt Emmeline.</p> + +<p>"The County Ball," put in grandma. "They always have one every year at +Fair<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> time. Emmeline was sixteen and I was eighteen. Now go on, +Emmeline."</p> + +<p>"I wore white tarlatan trimmed with forget-me-nots," said Aunt Emmeline, +"and I danced my first dance with Steve Hardesty." She paused and gave a +little sigh. "He took me into supper, too, poor Steve." Grandma leaned +over and laid her hand softly on her sister's. "It is such a long time, +such a very long time ago," she said softly.</p> + +<p>Aunt Emmeline smiled a little sadly. "Yes, a long time," she repeated. +"You wore, what was it you wore, Cecelia?"</p> + +<p>"I wore pink tarlatan trimmed with rosebuds and a wreath of them in my +hair. The skirt was caught up with bunches of the little buds and green +leaves, and I thought it the prettiest dress I ever saw."</p> + +<p>"It was a great ball," Aunt Emmeline went on, brightening. "I danced +every set, and so did you, Cecelia."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>"And how everyone did talk because I danced so many with Ben Willis whom +I had met for the first time that night. He would see me home, you +remember, although Uncle Phil and Cousin Dick were both there to look +after us; we were staying at our uncle's, my dears. It was during the +early days of the war, and there was much talk of what would happen next +and who would be going off to join the army, you remember."</p> + +<p>"It was not till two years after, that Steve went," said Aunt Emmeline +wistfully.</p> + +<p>"Tell us about Steve," spoke up Frank. "Did he become a soldier?"</p> + +<p>Celia shook her head warningly at her little brother, for she knew Aunt +Emmeline's story, and of how her young lover was killed in battle, but +Aunt Emmeline did not hesitate to answer. "Yes, he went, but he never +came back."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>Silence fell upon the little group for a moment till Aunt Emmeline +herself broke it by saying, "Do you remember, Cecelia, how angry you +were with Polly Parker because she copied your dress, and how you were +going to have yours trimmed with daisies, and changed all that at the +last moment? I can see you now, ripping off those inoffensive daisies +and flinging them on the floor."</p> + +<p>Grandma laughed. "Well, after all, hers wasn't a bit like mine, for it +was a different shade of pink and wasn't made the same way. Yes, I was +furious, I remember, because it wasn't the first time Polly had copied +my things; she had a way of doing it."</p> + +<p>"Here comes grandpa," announced Herbert who did not find all this talk +of dress and balls very interesting.</p> + +<p>The entrance of grandpa and Uncle Bert broke up the party by the fire, +for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> soon the sandwiches and other things were brought in, then came +songs and games till, before anyone realized it, bedtime came and +Thanksgiving Day was over.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +<a name="V" id="V"></a>CHAPTER V<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE RED BOOK</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Whether</span> it was the search for the key in the chill of the early morning, +or whether it was that she ate too heartily of grandma's good things, +certain it was that when Edna waked up the morning after Thanksgiving, +she felt very listless and miserable. Her father was already up and +dressed, and her mother was making her toilet when the little girl +turned over and watched her with heavy eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well, little girl," said Mrs. Conway, "it seems to me that it is time +for you to get up."</p> + +<p>Edna gave a long sigh, closed her eyes, but presently found the courage +to make an effort towards rising. She threw aside the covers, slipped +her feet into her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> red worsted slippers, and then sat on the side of her +cot in so dejected an attitude that her mother noticed it. "What," she +said, "are you so very sleepy still? I suspect you are tired out from +yesterday's doings."</p> + +<p>"My head aches and there are cold creeps running up and down my back," +Edna told her.</p> + +<p>Her mother came nearer, and laid her cool hand on the throbbing temples. +"Your head is hot," she declared. "I am afraid you have taken cold. +Cuddle back under the covers and I will bring or send your breakfast up +to you."</p> + +<p>"I don't think I want any breakfast," said Edna, snuggling down with a +grateful feeling for the warmth and quiet.</p> + +<p>"Not want any breakfast? Then you certainly aren't well. When waffles +and fried chicken cannot tempt you, I know something is wrong."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>Mrs. Conway went on with the finishing touches to her dress and hair +while Edna dozed, but half conscious of what was going on around her. +She did not hear her mother leave the room, and did not know how long it +was before she heard Celia's voice saying: "Mother says you'd better try +to drink this."</p> + +<p>"This" was a cup of hot milk of which Edna tried to take a few sips and +then lay back on her pillow. "I don't want it," she said.</p> + +<p>"Poor little sister," said Celia commiseratingly. "It is too bad you +don't feel well. Is there anything I can do for you?"</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," replied Edna weakly.</p> + +<p>"Mother is coming up in a minute," Celia went on. "Uncle Bert and all of +them are going this morning, but as soon as they are off she will come +up to see how you are."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>"Is everyone going?" asked Edna languidly.</p> + +<p>"No, not this morning. Uncle Bert and his family take the morning train +because they have the furthest to go, and Aunt Lucia wants to get home +with the children before dark. Uncle Wilbur, Aunt Emmeline and all those +are going on the afternoon train. Father thinks he must get back to-day, +too."</p> + +<p>Edna made no answer, but closed her eyes again drowsily.</p> + +<p>"I'll set the milk down here," Celia went on, "and maybe you will feel +like drinking some more of it after a little while."</p> + +<p>She set the cup on a chair by Edna's bedside and stole softly out of the +room, leaving her sister to fall into another doze from which she was +awakened by hearing a timid voice say: "Excuse me. I hope you are not +asleep, but I want to say good-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>bye," and turning over, Edna saw her +little Cousin Lulie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, are you going?" came from the little girl in bed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we are all ready. I am so sorry you are sick. I like you so much +and I wish you would come to our house some day."</p> + +<p>Edna was too polite not to make some effort of appreciation, so she sat +up and held out her little hot hand. "Oh, thank you," she answered; "I +should love to come, and I wish you could come to see us. Ask Uncle Bert +to bring you real soon."</p> + +<p>"Mother said I had better not kiss you," remarked Lulie honestly, "for I +might take your cold, but I have folded up a kiss in this piece of paper +and I will put it here so you can get it when I am gone."</p> + +<p>Edna smiled at this and liked Lulie all the better for the fancy. "I +won't forget<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> it," she said earnestly. "I will send you one when I get +well, but you'd better not take a feverish one with you. Good-bye, and +say good-bye to all the others."</p> + +<p>"They would have come, too," Lulie informed her, "but mother thought one +of us was enough when you had a headache, and that I could bring all the +good-byes for the others. Now I must go. Get well soon." And she was off +leaving Edna with a consciousness of it's being a wise decree which +prevented more visitors, for her headache was so much the worse for +having had but one.</p> + +<p>She lay very still wishing the noises below would cease, the running +back and forth, the shutting of doors, the calling of the boys to one +another and the crying of the baby. But last of all she heard the +carriage wheels on the gravel, and then it was suddenly silent. The boys +had all gone off to play, and the only sounds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> were occasional footsteps +on the stair, the stirring of the kitchen fire, and outside, the distant +"Caw! Caw!" of the crows in the trees. For a long time she was very +quiet. Once her mother came to the door and peeped in, but, seeing no +movement, believed the child asleep, but later she came in and Edna +opened her eyes to see her standing by her bedside.</p> + +<p>"Poor little lass," said her mother, "you're not feeling well at all, +are you? I am afraid you have a little fever. I will give you something +that I hope will make you feel better."</p> + +<p>"Not any nasty medicine," begged Edna.</p> + +<p>"No, only some tiny tablets that you can swallow right down with a +little water." She went to the bureau and found the little phial she was +in search of. After shaking out a few pellets in her hand, she brought +them to Edna with a glass of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> water and the child took the dose +obediently, for she knew these small tablets of old.</p> + +<p>"Now," Mrs. Conway went on, "I will cover you up warm, and you must try +to get to sleep. Grandma is trying to keep the house quiet and Ben has +taken off the boys. I am going to tidy up the room and stay here with +you for awhile. There, now; you will be more comfortable that way," and +under her mother's loving touches Edna felt happier already and in a +short time fell into a sound sleep from which she awakened feeling +brighter. Her mother was sitting by the window crocheting where the sun +was streaming in.</p> + +<p>Edna sat up and pushed back the hair from her face. Her mother noticed +the movement. "Well, dearie," she said, "you have had a nice nap and I +hope you feel ever so much better."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>"Yes, I think I do," said the child a little doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"That wasn't a very enthusiastic voice. You can't be sure about it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can. I do feel a great deal better."</p> + +<p>"And as if you would like a little something to eat?"</p> + +<p>"Why—what could I eat?"</p> + +<p>"How would some milk toast and a soft-boiled egg do?"</p> + +<p>"I like milk toast pretty well, but I don't believe I want the egg."</p> + +<p>"Not when it will be freshly laid this morning?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't have it fried, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Better not. I'll tell you what I will do; I will go down and ask +grandma what she thinks would be best for you. Would you like to sit up +in bed? I can put something over your shoulders and prop you up with +pillows, or how would you like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> to get into my bed? There is more room +and you can look out of the window. I will bundle you up and carry you +over."</p> + +<p>"I'd like that," returned Edna in a satisfied tone; it was always a +treat to get into mother's bed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conway turned down the covers of her own bed, slipped Edna into her +flannel wrapper, threw a shawl around her and carried her across the +room to deposit her in the big bed. "There," she said, "you can keep +your wrapper on till you get quite warm. Let me put this pillow behind +your back. That's it. Now, then, how do you like the change?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I like it," Edna assured her. "And my head is much better."</p> + +<p>"I think you'd better stay in bed, however, for we want to break up that +cold. There is no better way to do it than to keep you in bed for to-day +at least. Now I will go down and interview grandma."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>She left the room, and Edna heard her talking to some one in the entry. +Then the door opened and grandma herself came in. "Good morning, dear +child," she said. "I wanted to come up before, but it seemed best to +keep you quiet. I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better, but +you must be careful not to take more cold. Would you like to have Serena +to keep you company?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I should like her very much," returned Edna.</p> + +<p>Her grandmother left the room returning presently with an old-fashioned +doll which had been hers when she was a little girl. The doll was +dressed in the fashion of sixty years ago and was quite a different +creature from Edna's Virginia. She always liked Serena in spite of her +black corkscrew curls and staring blue eyes. Whenever she visited +Overlea, Serena was given to her to play with, as a special<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> privilege. +Her grandma knew that Edna was careful, but she would not have brought +out this relic of her childhood for everyone. "I will put this little +shawl around her before you take her, for she has been in a cooler room, +and it might chill you to touch her," said grandma, as she wound a small +worsted shawl over Serena's blue silk frock. "I will put her on the bed +there right by you and then I will go down to see if Amanda has anything +that is fit for a little invalid to eat." She kissed the top of Edna's +head and went out leaving her to Serena's company.</p> + +<p>It was not long before Edna heard some one coming slowly up the stair, +then there was a pause before the door, next a knock and second pause +before Edna's "Come in" was answered by Reliance who carefully bore a +tray on which stood several covered dishes.</p> + +<p>"I asked Mrs. Willis to please let me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> bring this up," said Reliance. "I +am so sorry you are sick, I am dreadfully afraid you took cold hunting +that key."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't suppose it was that," Edna tried to reassure her. "I might +have taken cold yesterday, for I got so warm running when we were +playing Hide-and-Seek. Oh, how lovely, Reliance, you have brought up +grandma's dear little dishes that were given her when she was a little +girl. I love those little dishes with the flowers on them."</p> + +<p>"You're to eat this first," said Reliance, uncovering a small tureen in +which some delicious chicken broth was steaming. "There is toast to go +with it. Then if you feel as if you wanted any more, there is a little +piece of cold turkey and some jelly."</p> + +<p>But in spite of her belief that she could eat every bit of what was +before her, Edna could do no more than manage the broth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> and one piece +of toast, Reliance watching her solicitously while she ate. "You're not +very peckish, are you?" she said. "Well, anyhow I am glad this didn't +come on before you had your Thanksgiving; it would have been dreadful if +it had happened yesterday."</p> + +<p>"I am glad, too," returned Edna. "What time is it, Reliance?"</p> + +<p>"It's most dinner time. As soon as the boys come in, it will be ready. +I'll take back the tray, but I have to go awful careful, for I would +sooner break my leg than these dishes." She bore off the tray as Edna +snuggled back against her pillows, holding one of Serena's kid hands in +hers in order that she might feel less alone. She was not left long to +Serena's sole company, however, for first came her father to say +good-bye, then Aunt Emmeline stopped at the door, and behind her, Cousin +Becky and Uncle Wilbur, all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> ready with sympathy and good wishes. A +little later, she heard the carriage drive off which should take all +these to the train. There was silence for a time which finally was +interrupted by a tap at the door.</p> + +<p>"Come in," called Edna.</p> + +<p>The door opened, and in walked Ben with a large red book under his arm. +"Hello, you little old scalawag," he said. "What in the world did you go +and do this for?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't help it," said Edna apologetically.</p> + +<p>"You poor, little, old kitten, of course you couldn't. Well, I have +brought you up Mr. Fox, and I wanted to tell you that the lady by the +willow has had another accident; she dropped her last chocolate +marshmallow and the dog stepped on it. Of course, that wasn't as bad as +the first, but when you have only one handkerchief it is pretty hard to +have to cry it twice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> full of tears. Fortunately, hers has had a chance +to dry between whiles."</p> + +<p>Edna smiled. It was good to have Ben come in with his nonsense. "Hasn't +she found her eyelash yet?"</p> + +<p>"No, and it was a wet one which is awfully hard to find unless it is +raining; it is hard enough then, goodness knows. How did you stand all +the racket this morning? If a noisy noise annoys an oyster, how much of +a noisy noise does it take to annoy Pinky Blooms? That sounds like a +problem in mental arithmetic, but it isn't. Shall I read to you a +little?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, please."</p> + +<p>"About Reynard, the Fox, shall it be?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. I do so want to know how he lost his tail."</p> + +<p>"Then, here goes," said Ben, as he opened the big, red book. Edna +settled herself back against the pillows and Ben<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> began the story, while +Edna was so interested that she forgot all about her headache. He +finished the tale before he put the book down. "How do you like it?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"It is perfectly fine. Are there other stories in that book?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, some mighty good ones. Here, do you want to see the pictures? They +are funny and old-fashioned, but they are pretty good for all that." He +laid the book across Edna's knees and showed her the illustrations +relating to Reynard, the Fox, all of which interested her vastly.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad I know about this book," she said as she came to the last +page. "I always thought it was only for grown-ups, and never even looked +at it. Will you read me some more to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Sorry I can't, ducky dear, for I am off by the morning train to a +football game which I can't miss."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>"Oh, I forgot about that. Are the boys going, too?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and Celia. We are all going back together. There is something on +at the Evanses Saturday night, and Celia wouldn't miss that."</p> + +<p>"Neither would you," said Edna slyly.</p> + +<p>"You're a mean, horrid, little girl," said Ben in a high, little voice. +"I'm just going to take my book and go home, so I am."</p> + +<p>"It isn't your book; it is grandma's."</p> + +<p>"I don't care if it is; I'm not going to play with you, and I will slap +your doll real hard."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Serena? She isn't my doll; she is grandma's. Her name is +Serena, don't you remember? I've known her ever since I was a little, +little thing."</p> + +<p>"And what are you now but a little, little thing, I should like to +know."</p> + +<p>"I'm bigger than Lulie Willis, but I'm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> not big enough to go to Agnes's +party Saturday night." She spoke somewhat soberly, for she did want to +be there.</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind," said Ben, with an air of comforting her, "I shall be +there and I am as big as two of you."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how that makes it any better," said Edna, after searching +her mind for a reason why it should be of any comfort to her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes it does," returned Ben, "for if I were only as big as you I +shouldn't be there either."</p> + +<p>"As if that helped it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes it does, for, you see, they will have a lot of good things and +I can eat enough for you and me both, I am sure," he added triumphantly. +"That is an excellent argument. If a thing can be done for two persons +instead of one, it makes all the difference in the world."</p> + +<p>Edna put her head back against the pillows.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> Ben was too much for her +when he took that stand.</p> + +<p>"There," said the lad contritely, "I'm making your head worse by my +foolishness. Are you tired? Is there anything I can do for you? Would +you like one of the kittens?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Ben, I would. They are so comforting and cozy. I am glad you +thought of that."</p> + +<p>"Shall I leave the red book or take it down?"</p> + +<p>"Leave it, please; I might like to look at it after a while."</p> + +<p>So Ben went off, returning directly with one of the kittens which he +deposited on the bed and which presently cuddled close to the child. +Then Ben left her, Serena by her side and the kitten purring contentedly +in her arms.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>CHAPTER VI<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE OLD HOUSE</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Although</span> Edna was much better the next day, it was thought prudent to +keep her indoors. All the guests departed with the exception of her +mother, her Aunt Alice and her own self, the house resumed its ordinary +quiet and seemed rather an empty place after its throng of Thanksgiving +visitors.</p> + +<p>"You'd better make up your mind to stay another week, daughter," said +grandma to Edna's mother. "This child isn't fit to be out, and won't be +for two or three days."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think she will be able to go by Monday," replied Mrs. Conway. "I +shouldn't like to keep her out of school so long."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>"Her health is of much more importance than school," grandma went on. +"She is always well up in her studies, isn't she? You remember that I +didn't have the usual visit last summer, and as Alice is going to stay +we could all have a nice cozy time together."</p> + +<p>"But how would things go on at home without me?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty well enough. I am sure Lizzie can take care of Henry and the +boys."</p> + +<p>"I am not so sure about the boys, though I suppose Henry could get along +very well, and Celia is in town all through the week."</p> + +<p>"Why couldn't Charlie and Frank stay with the Porter boys till we get +back?" piped up Edna from her stool by the fire. "You know, mother, that +Mrs. Porter has asked and asked them, for her boys have already stayed +weeks with us in the summer."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>"Ye-es, I know," returned Mrs. Conway, a little doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"I am sure that is an excellent plan," said grandma, beaming at Edna +over her knitting. "Edna will be all the better for a week here, and +indeed for a longer time."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we couldn't stay longer than next Saturday at the very outside," +put in Mrs. Conway hastily. "I'd love to stay, mother dear, but you know +a housekeeper cannot be too long away, especially when she has not +arranged beforehand to do so."</p> + +<p>Grandma nodded at Edna. "We'll consider it settled that you are to stay +for another week. Let's have it all arranged, daughter. Call up long +distance and let Henry know."</p> + +<p>"I promised him, anyhow, that I would let him know to-day how Edna was +getting along. He was afraid when he went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> away that she might be in for +a serious illness. I shall be glad to let him know she is better."</p> + +<p>"And he will be so glad to hear that, he won't mind your telling him you +will stay longer," remarked grandma with a little laugh.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conway went to the telephone and soon it was settled that they were +to remain. "I don't know what Uncle Justus will say," Mrs. Conway +observed when she reëntered the room. "He will think I am a very +injudicious mother to keep you out of school so long."</p> + +<p>"Not if you tell him I was sick," returned Edna, who secretly rather +enjoyed the prospect of making such an announcement. Like most children, +she liked the importance which an illness gave to her small self.</p> + +<p>Saturday was an indoors day spent with Serena, Virginia and the big, +red<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> book. Sunday, too, Edna was shut in except for the few minutes she +was allowed to walk up and down the porch in the sun. She was well +wrapped up for this event, and was charged not to put foot on the damp +ground.</p> + +<p>It had been rather a lonesome morning, with everyone at church except +Amanda, but the little girl stood it pretty well. She read aloud to an +audience consisting of the two dolls and the three kittens, she sang +hymns, in rather a husky voice to be sure, and she stood at the window a +long time watching the people pass by on their way to and from church.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, her grandfather took his two daughters to see some +relative, Reliance went off to Sunday school, and Edna was left alone +with her grandmother who told her stories and sang, to the accompaniment +of the melodeon she had used when a little girl. Edna enjoyed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> this +performance very much, but after a while grandma was tired of an +instrument that skipped notes and wheezed like an old horse, so they +went back to the big chair by the open fire. Grandma continued the +singing, rocking Edna in her arms till the child fell fast asleep, the +drowsy hum of the tea-kettle, hanging on the crane, helping to make a +lullaby. When she woke up it was nearly dark. She heard her mother's +voice in the hall and realized that the long Sabbath day was nearly +over.</p> + +<p>This was the last shut-in day, for the weather was clear and bracing, +and, well wrapped up, Edna was able to enjoy it. Reliance always joined +her when the work was done in the afternoon, and she led her to the +acquaintance of two or three other little girls: Alcinda Hewlett, the +daughter of the postmaster, Reba Manning, the minister's daughter, and +Esther Ann Taber<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> who lived just across the way. These three were +playing with Reliance and Edna in front of Esther Ann's one day when +suddenly Esther spoke up: "I know where there is an empty house and +anyone can go into it who wants to."</p> + +<p>"Where is it?" asked Reba, with interest.</p> + +<p>"Down past old Sam Titus's. Don't you know that brown house back there +by the orchard?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but it is haunted," cried Alcinda.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, it couldn't be," put in Reba. "My father says there aren't +such things as haunted houses, and he ought to know."</p> + +<p>The word of such high authority as the minister could not be gainsaid, +though the suggestion gave the girls rather a creepy feeling.</p> + +<p>"I'll dare you all to go in there with me," spoke up Esther Ann.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>"Oh, Esther Ann, dast we?" said Alcinda.</p> + +<p>"Why not? Nobody lives there, and I don't believe anyone owns it, for +there is never a person goes in or out, even to do spring cleaning. I +heard my mother say that two old ladies lived there, sisters, and they +didn't speak to one another for years; that was long ago and since they +died nobody knows who the place belongs to, for it isn't ever lived in."</p> + +<p>"Like that place where we go to gather chestnuts," spoke up Reba. +"Anybody can go there and get all they want. My father said I could go, +and that it was all right, and he knows."</p> + +<p>"Of course he does," agreed Esther Ann. "Come, who is going with me?"</p> + +<p>"I'd as soon go as not," Reliance was the first to speak.</p> + +<p>"How do you get in?" asked Alcinda, a little doubtfully.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>"Walk in, goosey. Just open the door and walk in."</p> + +<p>"Isn't the door locked?"</p> + +<p>"The back door isn't, I tried it one day," replied Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you go in then?" asked Alcinda.</p> + +<p>"Well, I was all by myself, and—and—I thought it would be nicer to +have some one with me; it always is when you want to explore."</p> + +<p>This seemed a perfectly reasonable answer, and the others were +reassured, moreover, to a company of five, nothing was likely to happen, +they thought, and the spirit of adventure was high in the breast of more +than one.</p> + +<p>"We'd better start right along," suggested Reliance, "for I have to be +back, and Edna mustn't stay out after dark."</p> + +<p>"Then, come along, all that want to go," cried Esther Ann, taking the +lead.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>Off they started down the wide street bordered by maples, now shorn of +their leaves, but furnishing a carpet of yellow underfoot, past the +church, the store, the schoolhouse and on to the old brown house sitting +back behind an orchard of gnarled, crooked apple trees. The place was +all grown up with weeds, though here and there were signs of a former +garden. Up the rotting pillars of the porch a woodbine still clambered, +and around the door, lilac bushes kept their green.</p> + +<p>Though she had come thus far without mishap, Alcinda's courage suddenly +failed her and she turned and ran.</p> + +<p>"'Fraid cat! 'Fraid cat!" called Esther Ann after her.</p> + +<p>This had the effect of arresting Alcinda in her flight and she stood +still.</p> + +<p>"Come on," cried Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to," called back Alcinda. "I'll wait out here for you."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>"You don't know what you're missing," Esther Ann called back, trying +once more to persuade her.</p> + +<p>"I'll wait for you here," repeated Alcinda taking up her position on the +horse block by the gate.</p> + +<p>"All right," responded Esther Ann, and opened the door which gave easily +as she turned the knob.</p> + +<p>The four little girls found themselves in a dingy kitchen whose +belongings remained as they had been left years before. Cobwebs hung +from the ceiling; dust was everywhere. The stove rusty and falling to +pieces, still held one or two pots and pans. There was crockery on the +dresser, and a lamp on the table.</p> + +<p>Esther Ann led the way to the next room. "I don't think this one is a +bit interesting," she made the remark as she penetrated further.</p> + +<p>"Do you think we ought to go?" whispered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> Edna to Reliance, as these two +lagged a little in the rear.</p> + +<p>"Why not? Anyone can come in if it belongs to no one, and they say it +doesn't belong to a soul. Nobody lives here and why haven't we a right +as well as the rest of the world?"</p> + +<p>This argument satisfied Edna and she followed along through the deserted +rooms, catching sight of a moth-eaten cover here, a bunch of withered +flowers there. Books, long untouched, lay half open on a table in one +room, the bed was still unmade in another, and everything was confusion.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it lovely and spooky?" said Esther Ann, tingling with excitement. +"I'm going to see what is in those bureau drawers."</p> + +<p>She darted toward an old-fashioned bureau which stood in the room, +flopped down on her knees, and drew out the lower<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> drawer. "Oh, girls," +she cried, "look here."</p> + +<p>The others gathered around her to see boxes in which were the treasures +of a forgotten owner,—strings of beads, half-worn white kid gloves, a +fan with ivory sticks, combs, and ornaments of various kinds.</p> + +<p>"Let's each take something home to her mother," proposed Esther Ann. "I +speak for the fan."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Esther, do you dare?" asked Reba.</p> + +<p>"Why not? They don't belong to anyone," came back the old argument.</p> + +<p>"Some one else will most likely take them if we don't," remarked +Reliance conclusively.</p> + +<p>This satisfied the less venturesome, and they all sat down on the floor +to make a selection. Reba chose a quaint, silver buckle, Reliance +selected a mother-of-pearl<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> card-case, Edna decided upon a +tortoise-shell comb.</p> + +<p>"Wasn't it lovely that we should find them?" said Esther Ann +enthusiastically. "It will be so nice to be able to take home presents. +I am glad no one else found them before we did."</p> + +<p>"I wonder how long the back door has been opened," said Reba. "Has it +always been?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I never tried it till the other day," Esther Ann told +her.</p> + +<p>After rummaging a little further and discovering frocks and coats of +unfamiliar cut hanging in the closets and wardrobes, and coming upon +mouldy slippers, and queer-looking hats in other places, they concluded +they must go. Alcinda had wearied of waiting and had gone off long +before, therefore, the four, after shutting the door behind them, took +their way through the leaf-strewn path to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> gate, then up the street +to their respective homes.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think Mrs. Willis will be pleased with the card-case?" asked +Reliance, as they were entering the gate at Overlea.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure she will. She can use it when she goes to the city to see +Uncle Bert, and I know mother will like this comb," returned Edna.</p> + +<p>Reliance had no time to present her gift at that moment for Amanda +called her to come at once to attend to her duties, remarking that she +was late, but Edna hunted up her mother who was upstairs. "Oh, mother, +mother," she cried, entering the room where her mother was, "see what I +have for you. Isn't it pretty?"</p> + +<p>Her mother looked up from the letter she was writing. "What is it, dear? +Why, Edna, what a beautiful comb. Where did you get it?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>"I found it," replied Edna in an assured tone. "We all found lovely +things." Then she launched forth upon an account of the afternoon's +adventures.</p> + +<p>Her mother listened attentively, and when the child had finished her +tale, she drew her close to her side, kissing the little, eager face, +and saying, "Dear child, I am afraid you have made a mistake. The things +were not for you little girls to take."</p> + +<p>"But mother, they didn't belong to anyone. They have been there for +years and years, and nobody wants them."</p> + +<p>"They would have to belong to some one, dear child. We will ask grandma +about the house and whose property it is. Let us go find her."</p> + +<p>They hunted up Mrs. Willis who listened interestedly to what they had to +tell. "The old Topham house," she said when they had finished. "It +belonged to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> two sisters, Miss Nancy and Miss Tabitha Topham. These two +lived together for years, but finally they quarreled and each vowed that +she would never speak to the other. They died within a few weeks of one +another and there were no nearer heirs than distant cousins who have +never troubled themselves to look after the place. Old Nathan Holcomb +was the nearest neighbor and he used to keep things pretty well secured, +but since his death the place has been going to rack and ruin more and +more each year. There is some fine, old furniture there and it is a +wonder everything in the house has not been stolen before now, but as +the place has the reputation of being haunted it has been more or less +avoided. I never heard of its being open to the public and I shall speak +to some one who will see that it is made secure. Even if it is not +valued by the present owners, it should not be left<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> for tramps or any +chance vagrant to make use of."</p> + +<p>Edna looked down at the comb which she still held in her hand. "What +must I do about this?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"You must take it back to-morrow and restore it to its place," her +mother told her. "I am perfectly sure that not one of you little girls +dreamed that she had no right to take the things, but nevertheless they +were not yours, and I am very certain that the other mothers will say +the same thing."</p> + +<p>"Reliance has a lovely card-case," said Edna, regretfully. "She was +going to give it to you, grandma."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Willis smiled. "I appreciate the spirit, but she must not be +allowed to keep it, my dear."</p> + +<p>Edna's face sobered. She felt much crestfallen. She wondered what Reba's +father would say.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>She did not have long to wait to find this out for after supper came two +young callers who sidled in with rather shamefaced expressions. "Suppose +you take Reba and Esther Ann into the dining-room for a little while," +suggested grandma encouragingly. "Little folks like to chatter about +their own affairs, I well know."</p> + +<p>Edna shot her grandma a grateful look and soon was closeted with the +little girls. "Oh, Edna, what did your mother say?" began Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"She said I must take back the comb, because I had no right to take it."</p> + +<p>"That's just what my mother said," returned Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"My father said it's dishonest," put in Reba, "I mean dishonest to keep +it. He knew we didn't mean to steal."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Reba, don't say such a dreadful word," said Edna in distress.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>"It would be stealing, you know, if we were to keep the things," +continued Reba bluntly. "My father says you couldn't call it by any +other name, and that to break into a house is burglary."</p> + +<p>This sounded even more dreadful, though Esther Ann relieved the speech +of its effect by saying: "But we didn't break in; we just opened the +door and walked in. There wouldn't have been anyone to answer if we had +knocked."</p> + +<p>"That makes me feel kind of shivery," remarked Edna. "I would rather not +go back, but I suppose we shall have to."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we shall have to," Reba made the statement determinedly.</p> + +<p>Therefore, it was with anything but an adventurous spirit that the four +little girls went on their errand the next afternoon. There was no +poking into nooks and corners this time, but straight to the bureau went +they. Solemnly was each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> article returned to the box from which it was +taken. Silently they tip-toed down the dusty stairs and through the +silent rooms to the outer air where each drew a sigh of relief. Esther +Ann was the first to speak. "There, that's done," she said. "I don't +ever want to go there again."</p> + +<p>"Nor I."</p> + +<p>"Nor I."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," chanted the other three.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +<a name="VII" id="VII"></a>CHAPTER VII<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE MILL STREAM</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">On</span> their way home from the old house, the four girls saw Alcinda +approaching. "Don't let's say anything to her about where we've been," +said Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"No, don't let's," returned Reba; "you know she didn't want to go there +in the first place."</p> + +<p>"It was only because she was scared to," rejoined Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow, don't let's say anything about it," continued Reba. +"Don't you say so, girls?" She looked over her shoulder at Edna and +Reliance who were walking behind.</p> + +<p>"I don't see any reason why we should," said Reliance. "Of course, if +she should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> ask questions, we wouldn't tell her a story."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, we wouldn't do that," agreed the other girls.</p> + +<p>But Alcinda had no thought of old houses or anything else at this time +but her little dog, Jetty, a handsome, black Pommeranian to whom she was +devoted and of whom she was very proud. "Oh, girls," she exclaimed as +she came up, "have you seen or heard anything of Jetty? We haven't seen +him since morning, and I am so afraid he has been stolen."</p> + +<p>"Oh, wouldn't that be dreadful?" said Edna sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"I don't see who would steal him," said Esther Ann, practically. +"Everyone knows he belongs to you, and there aren't many strangers that +come through the village."</p> + +<p>"There are a few. There was a tramp<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> at our back door only a few days +ago."</p> + +<p>"But you didn't lose Jet a few days ago; it was only to-day that you +missed him."</p> + +<p>"I think it's more likely he is shut up somewhere," decided Reba. "Where +have you looked, Alcinda?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, pretty near everywhere I could think of, and I have asked everybody +who might have seen him."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he has gone off with some other dogs," suggested Reliance. "Dogs +will do that, and sometimes they don't come back for two or three days. +Mr. Prendergast had a dog that did that way. He lives near where we used +to, you know, and he had a collie named Rob Roy that would go off now +and then, and the other dogs would bring him back after a while. He +would come in looking so ashamed, while they stood off to see how he +would be treated."</p> + +<p>"Jetty never did run away before,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> said Alcinda, doubtfully, although +Reliance's words were comforting.</p> + +<p>"When did you see him last and what was he doing?" asked Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"Mother heard him barking at a wagon that was going by. He doesn't bark +at everyone, but there are some people he can't bear."</p> + +<p>"What people?" inquired Esther Ann, trying to get a clue.</p> + +<p>"He doesn't like the butcher boy nor the man that drives the mill wagon, +nor the man that brings the laundry. He always runs out and barks at +them."</p> + +<p>"Have you asked any of them about him?"</p> + +<p>"No, not yet."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll tell you what let's do, girls," proposed Esther Ann. "Two of +us can go around by the mill, two of us can go to the butcher's and +Alcinda can go to the laundry place."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>"All right," exclaimed Alcinda hopefully. "It would be lovely if you all +would do that."</p> + +<p>"I speak to go to the butcher's," spoke up Esther Ann. She was always +ready to arrange affairs for everyone. "Reliance, you and Edna can go to +the mill; it isn't such a very great way, and Reba can go with me."</p> + +<p>The girls all accepted this arrangement and set off in the three +different directions.</p> + +<p>"Do you like going to the mill?" asked Edna when she and Reliance were +fairly on their way.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, much better than going to the butcher's. Although it is quite +a little further, it is a much prettier walk. I always did like mill +ponds, didn't you, Edna?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I don't know much about them, but I should think I would like +them. Do we turn off here?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>"Yes, this road leads straight to the mill; you can see it presently +through the trees."</p> + +<p>"It isn't so very far, is it?"</p> + +<p>"No, but it is a little further to the mill pond. I wonder if the miller +is there."</p> + +<p>"Isn't he always there?"</p> + +<p>"He is always there in the morning, but not always in the afternoon. No, +the mill is shut down."</p> + +<p>"How do you know?"</p> + +<p>"I don't hear it, and see there, the wheel isn't moving."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" Edna thought that Reliance was very clever to know all this before +they had even reached the mill which now loomed up before them, a grey +stone structure in a little nest of trees which climbed the hill behind +it, and spread along the sides of the stream, flowing on to join the +river.</p> + +<p>"It is very pretty here, isn't it?" said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> Edna admiringly. "What do they +call the stream, Reliance?"</p> + +<p>"Black Creek. The mill pond and dam and sluice and all those are higher +up. Do you want to go see them?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, if we can't do anything about finding Jetty."</p> + +<p>"I thought we might go around by the miller's house on our way back; it +isn't much further, and we could ask there."</p> + +<p>This seemed a wise thing to do, Edna thought, and she cheerfully +followed Reliance to where the mill pond lay calm and smooth before +them. "It must be lovely here in summer," remarked Edna +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"It is one of the prettiest places anywhere about. We come here +sometimes for our picnics, all of us school children and the teacher. +Would you dare go across, Edna?"</p> + +<p>Edna looked around but saw no bridge.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> "How could we get across?" she +asked. "I don't see any way but to swim."</p> + +<p>Reliance laughed. "There," she said, pointing to the heavy beam which +stretched from shore to shore and below which the water was slowly +trickling, "that's the bridge we children always use."</p> + +<p>Edna drew back in dismay. "Oh, how can you? I wouldn't dare. It is so +near the water and suppose you should fall in. I would be sure to get +dizzy, and over I would go."</p> + +<p>"Oh, pooh, I don't get dizzy," returned Reliance. "I will show you how +easy it is," and in another minute she was standing on the beam, Edna +shivering and with a queer sensation under her knees. "Oh, do come back, +Reliance," she cried; "I am so afraid you will fall in."</p> + +<p>But Reliance did not hear her, or if she did hear, she paid no heed, but +stood looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> earnestly at a point beyond her in the water. "Edna, +Edna," she presently called. "You will have to come. I really believe it +is Jetty out there in the water."</p> + +<p>Edna wrung her hands. "Oh, I can't, I can't," she wept.</p> + +<p>"You must help me try to get him in. I'll come back for you."</p> + +<p>Edna shrank away from the shore, divided between her fear of crossing +and her desire to help in the rescue. Reliance lost no time in reaching +her. "You will have to come," she cried excitedly. "He is nearer the +other side. I must go over and try to find a board or two, and you must +stay on the beam and watch so as to see which way he heads. Poor little +fellow, I wonder how long he has been in there. Come, Edna, you can put +your arms around my waist and I will go ahead; you mustn't look at the +water, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> just step along after me; I won't let you fall."</p> + +<p>Terrible as this effort promised to be, Edna decided that she must make +it if they would save Jetty, and she followed Reliance, who, +encouraging, coaxing, and leading the way step by step, managed to get +the child safely across. "Isn't there any other way of getting back?" +quavered Edna when they were over.</p> + +<p>"I think there is a little bridge further down, but never mind that now, +Edna; you stay there and watch, while I get a board and put it out +toward him. I shouldn't wonder if I could find one somewhere about."</p> + +<p>Fearfully, Edna crouched on the beam, which seemed but a few inches from +the water. She kept her eyes fixed on the water that she might not lose +sight of the little black head now not so very far away. "Jetty, Jetty," +she called, "we'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> get you out. Nice doggie. Please don't drown before +Reliance comes."</p> + +<p>The little dog renewed his struggles and began to swim toward her, Edna +continuing her encouraging talk.</p> + +<p>Presently Reliance came down the bank up which she had scrambled; she +was dragging a board behind her and finding some difficulty in doing so. +"Is he still there?" she panted.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and trying to swim over to me."</p> + +<p>"Don't let him, don't let him. Come over on the bank; it will be easier +to get him from there. There's another board up there. I will go get it +if you will hold on to this one." Edna hesitated to cross the few feet +between her and the shore. "Quick, quick," insisted Reliance. "He might +drift to the dam and get caught there. We must get him before he reaches +it. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>Edna obeyed and in another moment was running along the bank toward +Reliance, forgetting everything but her eagerness to save the little +dog, who, seeing both girls, turned and feebly swam to where they were +standing. His strength was almost spent, and he had hard work to keep +from being borne along by the current which was swifter in the center of +the pond.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to shove out the board so he can reach it," said Reliance +excitedly. "Here, take this pole and try to keep the board from drifting +toward the dam while I go get the other board." And she thrust the +forked pole into Edna's hands and then sprang up the bank, while Edna +crouched down, as near the water as possible, in order to make best use +of her pole.</p> + +<p>It was not easy to keep the board from drifting out, but along the +shallows it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> quiet water and it did not go so very far, and before +long, the little dog was able to reach it, crawling upon it and +shivering while he wagged his tail feebly as Edna continued to cheer +him. It was harder work now that the board was heavier by reason of the +added weight, and once or twice Edna was afraid that after all her +efforts would be in vain. It would be dreadful to abandon Jetty when he +was so near to land, and she wished he would attempt to swim to her. But +the little creature was too exhausted to make further effort now that he +had reached footing, though he whined a little when the board drifted +out.</p> + +<p>Just as she was afraid it would go beyond her reach, Reliance came +scrambling back, breathless from her exercise. "I had such a time," she +panted. "Oh, Edna, he is really safe, and it is really poor little +Jetty. How glad Alcinda will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> be. Here, don't let the board go." She +snatched the pole from Edna's hands. "I'll hold on to it while you push +out the other board. I can wade in and get him if I can't do anything +else."</p> + +<p>But once so near shore as the second board brought him, Jetty was not +afraid to swim the remaining distance, having gathered up a little added +strength, and after coaxing, ordering and cajoling, the girls were +rewarded by seeing the little creature creep to the edge of the board, +take to the water again and paddle ashore, crouching at their feet in an +ecstasy of joy.</p> + +<p>"He is so sopping wet I am afraid he will take cold," said Reliance. "I +am going to wrap him up in my sweater and carry him."</p> + +<p>"But won't you take cold," said Edna anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, for I am too warm with struggling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> up that bank and down again. We +can walk fast."</p> + +<p>At first Jetty did not even have power to shake himself, but before many +minutes, his dripping coat was freed of many drops of water, which +freely sprinkled the girls, who laughing ran at a safe distance, and +then Reliance wrapped him up in her jersey and carried him away from the +scene of his late disaster.</p> + +<p>"How do you suppose he got in the water?" asked Edna as they trudged +along.</p> + +<p>"I think someone threw him in."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Reliance, do you really?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do. We go right by the miller's house and I am going to stop +there and ask them what they know about it all."</p> + +<p>"Do you think the miller did it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, he wouldn't do such a wicked thing; he is a very nice man, but +he might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> have seen Jetty about the place and we may be able to find out +something."</p> + +<p>To Edna's satisfaction a small footbridge was discovered a short +distance below and on this they crossed, reaching the miller's house +just after. The miller himself was just going in the gate. Reliance +marched up to him and without wasting words, said: "Do you know how this +little dog happened to get into the mill pond?"</p> + +<p>The miller paused and looked down at the black nose peeping from its +scarlet wrapping.</p> + +<p>"That little dog? I saw him around the mill this morning. A man that has +been driving for me said he found it along the road. Is it your dog?"</p> + +<p>"No, it belongs to Alcinda Hewlett."</p> + +<p>"Bob Hewlett's daughter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, her father keeps the store and is the postmaster."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>"Humph!" The miller stroked his chin and looked speculatively at the +little dog.</p> + +<p>"How do you suppose he got so far from home?" ventured Edna.</p> + +<p>"Shouldn't wonder if he was brought in my wagon in an empty sack. Bad +man, bad man, that Jeb Wilkins."</p> + +<p>"Jetty always barked at him," said Edna.</p> + +<p>"I guess that accounts for it. Jeb got mad and thought he'd pay the +little creature back. Barked at him, did he? Well, I don't blame the +dog. I did some pretty tall growling myself before I discharged the man. +He's gone now for good, or bad, whichever you like."</p> + +<p>"Do you think he threw the dog in the water?" asked Reliance coming +directly to the point.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I do think. I shouldn't wonder if he meant to steal +him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> at first, and sell him, for it is a valuable dog, they tell me, but +the dog got out, and I was keeping an eye on Jeb so he couldn't make way +with the beast. I meant to take him home and advertise for his owner, +but when I came to look for him, the dog was gone, though Jeb was there. +Said, as innocent as you please, when I made inquiries, that some people +drove by and took the dog back to town where he belonged."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Edna, her eyes and mouth round with surprise and +disapproval.</p> + +<p>"Just what he said. Made it up out of whole cloth, of course, and +meantime had taken his spite out on me and the poor little dog by +throwing him overboard. How did you happen upon him?"</p> + +<p>Reliance gave an account of the rescue and received approving nods. +"Smart girls, you two," he commented.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>"Oh, I wasn't smart at all," piped up Edna. "It was all Reliance. I +couldn't have done a thing without her."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mr. Millikin with a smile, "you did your part, and that's +enough said. I was just going to unhitch, but there is my buggy all +ready, and I guess the quickest way to get you back to the village is to +take you there behind Dolly."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but we can walk, thank you," protested Reliance.</p> + +<p>"It's pretty much of a walk, and the sooner you get there the more +pleased several people will be, I for one, because I don't want Bob +Hewlett's little girl to mourn for her pet any longer than she need, and +again, because I am in a way responsible for what has happened. I'll go +get the buggy right off. You wait here; it won't take a minute." So +presently they were driving along toward home, Reliance with a horse +blanket<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> around her which Mr. Millikin fished out from under the seat +and insisted upon her putting around her shoulders.</p> + +<p>To say that Alcinda was overjoyed at the sight of her little pet which +she had given up for lost, would be speaking mildly. "I'll never forget +you two girls, never," she cried. "I shall thank you forever and ever, +and you, too, Mr. Millikin."</p> + +<p>"Me? I'm partly to blame, for I ought to have discharged that +good-for-nothing scoundrel long ago, but he was a good driver, and I was +waiting to fill his place. Well, it's all come out right, after all. I +hope your little dog will be none the worse for the experience. I'll pay +his doctor's bills if he gets sick." After which speech, the miller +drove off, and the rescuers darted across the street to their home, +where the tardiness of their appearance was entirely forgiven after they +had told their story.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /> +<br /> +<small>JETTY'S PARTY</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Grandma</span> was so concerned lest Edna had taken fresh cold by reason of +this latest adventure that she insisted upon putting the little girl +through a course of treatment to prevent possible evil results. "After +dabbling in that cold water and getting her feet wet it will be a wonder +if she isn't laid up," said grandma, coming into the room just as Edna +was going to bed. "She must have her feet in mustard water, and Amanda +is making a hot lemonade for her."</p> + +<p>So Edna's feet were thrust into the hot bath, and she was made to sip +the hot drink, then was bundled into bed with charges not to allow her +arms out from under the covers. It was rather a warm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> and unpleasant +experience, and the worst of it was that grandma said the next morning +that she mustn't think of going out-of-doors that day.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," sighed the little girl, when she was alone with her mother, +"don't you think grandma is very particular? Did she used to do so when +you were a little girl?"</p> + +<p>"She did indeed, and when she was a little girl it was even worse, for +instead of lemonade to drink, she was made to take a very bitter dose of +herb tea, or a dreadful mess called composition which had every sort of +nauseous thing in it you can think of. Little folks nowadays get off +very easily, it seems to me."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mind the hot lemonade a bit, but I shall never forget the +smell of that mustard water," said Edna after a pause.</p> + +<p>Her mother laughed. "You must be thankful that it is no more than +that."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>"What am I going to do to-day?" inquired the little girl. "I was going +to do ever so many nice things out-of-doors and now I can't."</p> + +<p>"Then we must think up some nice things to do indoors."</p> + +<p>"What kind of things?"</p> + +<p>"I shall have to put on my thinking cap in order to find that out. +Meanwhile, suppose you run down to grandma with this tumbler; it had +your lemonade in it and should go down to be washed."</p> + +<p>Edna ran off to her grandma, coming back presently with a much brighter +countenance than she took away. "Grandma is going to let me help with +the turtle cakes," she said eagerly. "That's a very nice thing, don't +you think?"</p> + +<p>"I think that is very nice indeed."</p> + +<p>"Amanda is mixing them now, and when they are cut out, I am going to +help with the turtles. Good-bye, mother; I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> will bring you one of my +turtles as soon as they are baked."</p> + +<p>These turtle cakes were much prized by the Conway children. When grandma +sent a box from the farm there was always a supply of these famous +cookies. Grandma had promised that Edna should take some home with her +when she went on Saturday morning. She watched Amanda roll them out, cut +them in rounds and place them in the pans; then came Edna's part in the +preparation. Amanda showed her how to put first a big fat raisin in the +center of the cake, then a current for the turtle's head, four cloves +were then stuck in, part way under the raisin, thus making the feet, and +for the tail, another clove with the sharp end out. Amanda could do them +much faster than Edna, but the child was greatly pleased to have +completed a whole pan all by herself, and when these were baked she +carefully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> carried some of them to her mother and Aunt Alice. Grandma +had already seen the results of her granddaughter's labors.</p> + +<p>"I know just how to do them now, mother," said Edna, "and I think it is +great fun. Grandma is going to save the pan I did so I can have them to +carry home."</p> + +<p>"You might have a tea-party for the dolls this afternoon, and use some +of your cookies for refreshments."</p> + +<p>"Could Reliance come?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I should think so. I have thought of something else for you to do +this morning; you could begin a Christmas gift for Celia. You know you +always have a hard time keeping her gift a secret."</p> + +<p>"What kind of thing could I make?"</p> + +<p>"I noticed that your sister's little work bag was getting rather dingy +and I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> sure she would be delighted to have a new one."</p> + +<p>"But where will I get anything to make it of?"</p> + +<p>"No doubt grandma has something in her piece-bag; she always has all +sorts of odds and ends, and it would give her pleasure to let you have +anything that might serve the purpose. I will ask her, and we can get +the ribbons for it any time between now and Christmas."</p> + +<p>Her mother was as good as her word, and leaving the room came back in a +few minutes with a large bag whose contents she emptied on the bed. +"There," she said, "take your choice. Grandma says you are perfectly +welcome to anything you find."</p> + +<p>Edna began turning over the pieces. "You help me choose, mother," she +said presently. "I don't know just how big the piece ought to be."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>Her mother drew up her chair and began to look over the bits of gay silk +before her. "I declare," she said presently, "here is a piece of a party +frock I wore when I was about Celia's age. It was almost my first real +new party frock, for before that I always wore a simple white muslin. +This is perfectly new, and must have been left over. To think of its +being in this bag all those years. It appears to be sufficiently strong, +however." She shook it out and held it up to the light. The material was +a pale green silk with tiny bunches of flowers upon it. Edna thought it +very pretty.</p> + +<p>"I think Celia will be perfectly delighted to have a bag made of your +first party frock, mother," she said. "Do you think grandma would mind +my having it?"</p> + +<p>"I am sure she will be very much pleased. We will decide upon that, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +you can put back the rest of the pieces. There will be an abundance in +this for a nice, full bag I am sure. I will cut it out for you and show +you just how to make it."</p> + +<p>The time passed so rapidly in planning and making the bag that it was +the dinner hour before they knew it, and after dinner came an unexpected +call from Alcinda. She was a sedate-looking little girl with big blue +eyes and straight, mouse-colored hair, but upon this occasion she was +dimpling and smiling as she handed a tiny, three-cornered note to Edna. +Upon opening this Edna discovered, written in a childish hand, the +following words, "Mr. Jetty Hewlett requests the honor of Miss Edna +Conway's company to a tea-party at four o'clock this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," sighed Edna, "I'm awfully afraid I can't go, for grandma +said it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> as much as my life was worth to go out of the house +to-day."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you aren't ill, are you?" asked Alcinda.</p> + +<p>"No, but she is afraid I will be."</p> + +<p>"But you must come," persisted Alcinda, "for it is in honor of you and +Reliance, and Jetty is going to help receive."</p> + +<p>"I will go ask mother," returned Edna, and running off she returned with +Mrs. Conway.</p> + +<p>"Mayn't Edna come to Jetty's tea-party?" begged Alcinda. "We have +everything planned, and it will be perfectly dreadful if she stays away. +She won't take cold, just going across the street, and our house is as +warm as anything."</p> + +<p>Edna looked beseechingly at her mother. "Do please say yes, mother," she +begged.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>"I don't see how you could take cold going just across the street, if +you wrap up well and wear your rubbers," said her mother.</p> + +<p>"Goody! Goody!" cried Alcinda. "Here is an invitation for Reliance, too. +Be sure to come at four o'clock. I have some more invitations to deliver +so I must go."</p> + +<p>"Now I needn't have a tea-party for the dolls," said Edna when Alcinda +had gone. Her mother smiled. "You speak as if that would be a great +hardship," she remarked.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't mean that, but I would so much rather go to Alcinda's. +Shall I wear my best frock, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, I think you may."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if grandma will let Reliance go, and what she will wear," said +Edna, after a moment's thought. "I think I will go ask, mother, for I +don't want to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> better dressed than Reliance; it was really she who +saved Jetty, you know."</p> + +<p>"That is the proper feeling, dear child."</p> + +<p>Edna flew off to find Reliance who had received her invitation, and +hoped for the permission from Mrs. Willis. "I do hope she will let me +go," she said fervently. "Come with me, Edna, when I ask her, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>Edna was very ready to do this, and hunted up her grandmother. "Oh, +grandma," she cried, "we've been invited to a party over at Alcinda's. +Jetty is giving it in honor of Reliance and me. Mother says I won't take +cold just going across the street, and you are going to let Reliance go, +too, aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"What's all this?" inquired grandma.</p> + +<p>Edna repeated her news, but her grandmother did not reply for a moment. +"I am afraid Reliance will not be back in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> time to do her evening work," +she said at last.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but—" this was an unexpected objection, "couldn't she do some of +it before she goes?"</p> + +<p>"She might do some, but not all, however, we will see. Reliance, you +bustle around and see how smart you can be, and I will think what can be +done."</p> + +<p>"I can set the table," said Edna eagerly. "Would you mind if it were +done so much ahead of time for just this once?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied her grandmother very kindly.</p> + +<p>"And may I skim the milk and bring up the butter for supper? I can set +it in the pantry where it will keep cool," Reliance said.</p> + +<p>"You may do that," Mrs. Willis told her.</p> + +<p>"What else will there be to do?" asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> Edna, as the two little girls +hurried from the room.</p> + +<p>"I have to turn down the beds and light the lamps when it gets dark."</p> + +<p>"That isn't very much to do. Maybe Amanda wouldn't mind seeing to those +things for just this one time. I am going to ask her."</p> + +<p>Reliance was only too glad to have Edna take this request off her hands, +herself having a wholesome awe of Amanda, but to her relief Amanda was +in a good humor and promised to look after these extra duties, so in +good season Reliance was free to prepare for the party, while Edna went +to her mother to be dressed.</p> + +<p>"Mother," she said, "do you think it is funny to go to a party with a +bound girl? Is a bound girl the same as a Friendless? You know Margaret +McDonald is our friend, and she used to be a Friendless."</p> + +<p>"I don't think it is funny at all. Reliance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> had no home, to be sure, +till your grandmother took her, but she is a good, little girl, and I +used to know her father when I lived here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, did you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, he was quite a nice, young man. I never knew his wife, but I +am afraid he did not marry very well. Reliance will probably have to +work for her living, but that is no reason why she should not be treated +as an equal. The people about here know she comes of good stock and that +the poverty of the family was due more to misfortune than misbehavior. I +have no doubt but Reliance will make a fine woman, as her grandmother +was, and when she is grown up, she may marry some farmer of the +neighborhood, and take the place she should."</p> + +<p>This was all very interesting to Edna, and she sat looking at the +outstretched feet upon which she had just drawn her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> stockings till her +mother reminded her that time was flying. "Wake up, dearie," she said. +"Why, what a brown study you are in. Reliance will be ready long before +you are. Hurry on with your shoes, and then come let me tie your hair."</p> + +<p>At this Edna jumped and bustled around with such promptness that she was +ready by the time Reliance came to the door neatly dressed in her bright +plaid frock and scarlet hair ribbons. She was a dark-haired, dark-eyed +little girl with rosy cheeks, and though not exactly pretty, had a +pleasant, intelligent face. Edna had finally decided not to wear her +best white frock, but had on a pretty blue challis, quite suited to the +occasion, her mother told her.</p> + +<p>The two little girls set out in high feather and arrived at Alcinda's +house to find that several had reached there before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> them. Jetty, with a +huge red bow on his collar, barked a welcome, and Alcinda beamed upon +them as they entered. "I was so afraid something would happen to keep +you," she said.</p> + +<p>Esther Ann hurried forward to talk as fast as she could, as was her +habit, her words tumbling over one another in her effort and excitement. +"Wasn't it splendid that you two found Jetty? I wish we had gone that +way, but then maybe we wouldn't have found him after all. I think it is +real nice of Alcinda to ask Reliance when she is a bound girl, don't +you?" This in an aside to Edna. "I'm sure she is as good as anybody. How +long are you going to stay? Here, I'll show you where to take off your +things; you needn't go, Alcinda." And she swept the little hostess aside +while she led the way to an upper room.</p> + +<p>By this time, the latest comers had arrived,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> so there were about a +dozen in all, enough for almost any game they might choose to play. In +the first, Hide the Handkerchief, Jetty joined with great zeal, being +always the first one to find the handkerchief. "You see he does it with +his nose," said Alcinda by way of explanation, a remark which made +everyone laugh, and set the lively Esther Ann to sticking her nose into +every corner the next time the handkerchief was hidden.</p> + +<p>"You ought to put cologne on it and then maybe we could find it," she +said, and this, too, raised a laugh as she meant it should, for it took +very little to amuse them.</p> + +<p>At five o'clock a tray was brought in. Delicious cocoa and home-made +cakes were served, followed by candies, nuts and raisins. While the +girls were busy over these, Alcinda cast many glances toward the door +and once or twice whispered to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> her mother, who nodded reassuringly. It +was evident that some matter of surprise was to follow. What it was, +came to light a little later when Mr. Hewlett came in. He knew each +little girl, for even Edna was no stranger to him, so he spoke to each +by name. Then he stood up by the fireplace and said: "You have all heard +of the medals which are given for the performance of brave deeds. Well, +my little girl thinks her small dog would like to show his appreciation +of the act which saved his life the other day, and so I have prepared +two medals for the heroines of that occasion; they are not gold medals; +in fact they are not real medals and of no special value except that +they represent her, and our, gratitude to the little girls who were the +life savers." He paused and looked at Alcinda who bustled forward and +gave into his hands two tiny baskets.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>"Here, Jetty," called Mr. Hewlett, and Jetty, who had been sitting in +Mrs. Hewlett's lap, jumped down and danced over to see what was required +of him. Mr. Hewlett stooped down and gave the dog one of the small +baskets which he took in his month with much wagging of tail.</p> + +<p>"Take it, Jetty," ordered Mr. Hewlett. Jetty started off toward his +little mistress, who quickly left her place and stood by Edna's chair. +Jetty dropped the basket, not knowing exactly what was expected of him.</p> + +<p>"Bring it here, Jet," said Alcinda. Therefore, being sure of himself, +Jetty frisked over to where Alcinda was standing. "Give it to Edna," +said Alcinda, laying her hand on Edna's lap. Jetty did as he was told +and then scampered back to repeat the operation, this time it being +Reliance to whom he was directed to go.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>"Do let's see," urged Esther Ann, edging up to Edna.</p> + +<p>Edna uncovered the basket and saw a box lying there. Inside the box was +a new quarter in which a hole had been drilled; a string had been passed +through this and to the string was attached a bow of blue ribbon. +Reliance found the same in her basket, only her ribbon was red.</p> + +<p>"You must put them on and wear them," said Alcinda, "so everyone can see +how honorable you are." She didn't just know why her father and mother +smiled so broadly.</p> + +<p>The girls proudly pinned on their medals and wore them home, for very +soon came grandpa to say they must get ready to go.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to keep mine forever and ever, aren't you?" whispered +Reliance, as she started around to the kitchen door.</p> + +<p>"'Deed I am," returned Edna.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +<a name="IX" id="IX"></a>CHAPTER IX<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE ELDERFLOWERS</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Edna's</span> account of the G. R. club, to which she and most of her friends +belonged, had quite excited the ambition of the little girls at Overlea +to have a similar one.</p> + +<p>"I told my father about it," said Reba to Edna when they met at Jetty's +party, "and he thought it was a most beautiful club, didn't he, Esther +Ann, and he ought to know. He said we could have one just like it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we don't want to do that," put in Esther Ann scornfully. "We don't +want to be copy-cats. We want to have something all our ownty downty +selves, and not just like somebody else."</p> + +<p>"That's just what I think," spoke up Emma Hunt. "Not that I don't think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +yours is the best I ever heard of, and I don't see why we couldn't have +one something like it, just a little different."</p> + +<p>"There aren't so very many girls of us, for there are more old people +than children in this place," said Alcinda. "Would that make any +difference, Edna? Yours is such a big club."</p> + +<p>"It wasn't big when we began; there were only six of us to begin with."</p> + +<p>"Oh, were there? Then we could do it easily. Let me see how many are +here; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, +and there is Mattie Bond who couldn't come because she is sick; she +would make twelve."</p> + +<p>"How many are there in your club?" asked Reliance.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know just how many by now. Uncle Justus has a pretty big +school and almost every girl belongs to it," replied Edna.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>"The real big girls?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we have one very grown-up lady, an honorary member; I'll tell +you all about Miss Eloise some day. Agnes Evans was our first president, +and she is really grown up, for she is at college."</p> + +<p>"I think a little club would be nicer," Esther Ann spoke her mind.</p> + +<p>"But what shall it be and what shall we call it?" asked Alcinda.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what," proposed Edna, "you all ask your mothers what they +think and I will ask my mother what she thinks, and we can meet +somewhere to-morrow to talk it over."</p> + +<p>"I haven't any mother," came a sorrowful little voice from the corner. +Big Reliance put her arm around the younger girl. "Never mind, Letty," +she whispered; "neither have I, but we can ask somebody else's mother."</p> + +<p>"I'll lend both of you my mother,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> whispered Edna from the other side.</p> + +<p>So it was that the company of little girls went home from Jetty's party +with quite a new plan. Even Edna, who would really have no part in the +club, was much interested, and could scarcely wait to talk it over with +her mother at bedtime. She began as soon as they were upstairs together. +"Mother," she said, "do you think grandma would let Reliance come up +while I am getting ready for bed?"</p> + +<p>"Why, dearie, I don't know, I am sure. Why do you want her on this +special night?"</p> + +<p>"Because there is something we girls are going to talk over with our +mothers, and Reliance hasn't any mother, neither has Letty Osgood, and I +told them I would lend them my mother. You don't mind, do you, mother +dear?" Edna put her two hands on each of her mother's cheeks and looked +at her very earnestly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>"Why, my darling, of course not," returned Mrs. Conway, kissing her. +"You know mother is always very glad to mother any little girl who may +need her. What is this wonderful something you are to talk over?"</p> + +<p>"I think we'd better not begin until we know about Reliance though. I +wish I had asked grandma before I came up, but I wanted to speak to you +first, mother dear."</p> + +<p>"Then I will go down and ask her. Where is Reliance?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose she is in the kitchen with Amanda; I don't believe she has +gone to bed yet."</p> + +<p>Her mother left the room, and while Edna unlaced her shoes, she listened +for her return. In a few minutes she heard voices on the stair and +realized that Reliance was coming up. "We haven't said a word about it +yet," she nodded to Reliance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> who came in behind Mrs. Conway. "You begin, +Reliance."</p> + +<p>"No, you," said Reliance drawing back shyly.</p> + +<p>"Well," began Edna, addressing her mother, "you see the girls want to +get up a club something like ours, only not just like it, and they don't +want the same name either. There aren't such a lot of girls here, +because there are so many more old people than young ones in this +village, and so you see—what kind of club would be nice, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Why, dearie, I shall have to think it over."</p> + +<p>"We ought to decide very soon," said Edna, "for I should hate to go away +without knowing. Could Reliance bring Letty Osgood home with her from +school to-morrow? I lent you to her, too, and maybe by that time you +might think of something?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>"We'll ask grandma about it, dear, though I am sure she will not object. +Is that all now?"</p> + +<p>Edna thought it was, and now that she was ready to pop into bed, +Reliance left her with a happy "Good-night!" It was like sunshine in the +house to have such a dear little girl as Edna, she thought as she went +downstairs, and though Amanda reprimanded her sharply for not being in +bed, she did not answer back, for, in fact, she scarcely heard her, so +busy was she with pleasant thoughts, and so excited over the idea of the +club.</p> + +<p>The next morning, Edna and her mother did a great deal of talking about +the new club, so much, in fact, that when it was time for Reliance to +return from school, Edna was on the lookout for her, feeling that she +had so much to tell that there should be no time wasted. "Here they +come, mother," she sang out. "Reliance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> and Letty. May I bring them +right up here?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure you may."</p> + +<p>"I'm going down to tell Amanda to 'scuse Reliance for just a few +minutes." She flew downstairs to the kitchen. "'Manda," she said, +"mother is going to talk over something very important with Reliance and +Letty, so will you please not call her for a few minutes? I'll help her +set the table."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me you are making too much of Reliance," returned Amanda; +"she can't be brought up to look for nothing but ease and pleasure; she +will have to work for her living."</p> + +<p>"But this isn't anything that is going to keep her from doing that," +explained Edna, "and grandma said she could have a little time to play +while I am here, specially when I help her."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, go 'long," returned Amanda,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> "only don't keep her too long; +there's more to do than set the table."</p> + +<p>Though the permission was accorded rather ungraciously, Edna was +satisfied, and ran to welcome Letty who was just coming in the gate. "I +am so glad you could come," she said. "You are going to stay to dinner, +aren't you? Did you ask your father?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he said I might."</p> + +<p>"Good! Then come right upstairs and take off your things. Oh, girls, +mother has a lovely plan for a club, and the dearest name you ever +heard. You can come, Reliance, grandma said so, and so did Amanda. I'm +going to help set the table."</p> + +<p>She led the way up to where her mother was sitting, her face bright with +eagerness as she brought Letty forward. "This is Letty Osgood, mother, +Dr. Osgood's daughter, you know."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>Mrs. Conway drew the shy little girl nearer. "It is very nice to see +Letitia Osgood's daughter," she said. "I knew your dear mother very +well, and I am glad to have my little girl making friends with her +little girl."</p> + +<p>"Now, mother," began Edna, breaking in, "won't you please not talk much +at first about anything but the club, because Reliance has only a few +minutes to stay."</p> + +<p>Her mother smiled and nodded to Letty. "Very well, Letty," she said, +"well have a nice, little, cozy chat all to ourselves after awhile when +this impatient young person has had her subject discussed. I was +thinking, girlies, that as long as there are so many elderly and old +people in the village, some of whom are poor and some who are partial +invalids, that it would be a very sweet thing if you little girls could +form yourselves into a club which would help to make their lives a +little less sad.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> It would mean a great deal to old Miss Belinda Myers, +for instance, if one of you would drop in once in a while with a flower, +or any little thing for her. She is so crippled up with rheumatism that +she can't leave her room, and must sit there by the window all day long. +She is fond of children, too. Of course she has plenty of this world's +goods, and her old friends do not neglect her, yet I am sure that you +could give something to her by your mere presence which none of the +older persons could. Then there is poor old Nathan Keener."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but he is such an old cross patch," interrupted Edna.</p> + +<p>"So he is, but he has had enough to make him so. I wonder if any one of +us would be very amiable if she were poverty-stricken, half sick all the +time, had lost all her friends and had been cheated out of the little +which would make old age<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> comfortable? It is very easy to be smiling and +agreeable when everything goes right, but when things go wrong, it isn't +half so easy, especially when one hasn't a good disposition to begin +with."</p> + +<p>"But what in the world could we do for him?" asked Reliance. "If we +stopped to speak to him, very likely he would get after us with a +stick."</p> + +<p>"Did any of the boys and girls ever try the experiment of speaking to +him pleasantly? I am quite sure the boys do their best to annoy him in +any way they can contrive, and even some of the girls tease him slyly +and call him names, I am told."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they do," replied Reliance, doubtfully, who herself was not +entirely innocent in this regard.</p> + +<p>"Suppose you were to try the experiment of beginning by smiling when you +go by and saying, pleasantly, 'Good-morning, Mr. Keener?' Then next day, +even if he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> chased you away the first time, you might say, 'Isn't this a +lovely morning, Mr. Keener?' and you could always make a point of saying +something pleasant to him when you go by. Then some day when it is +raining or too cold for him to sit in his doorway——"</p> + +<p>"Like a great big, ugly spider," remarked Letty.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conway paid no heed to the comment, "you could leave a big apple on +the doorsill for him, and so on, till in time I will venture to say he +will learn that you wish him well and are trying to be friends. You must +keep in your mind all the time that he is a poor, neglected, friendless, +unhappy old man and that if you can succeed in bringing even a little +sunshine into his life, you will be doing a great deal."</p> + +<p>The girls were very sober for a few minutes, then Reliance said +thoughtfully, "I believe I should like to try it anyway."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>"Of course," Mrs. Conway went on, "the girls may have found other and +better ideas for a club, and a better name than I can suggest, but it +seemed to me that this might be made something like the G. R., yet would +not be exactly the same, and it could have quite a different name."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother," exclaimed Edna, "do tell the name you thought of, I think +it is so lovely."</p> + +<p>"I thought you might call yourselves 'The Elderflowers,' because your +good deeds would be directed toward your elders, and you would be +cheerful, little flowers to bring sweetness to sad lives."</p> + +<p>"I think it is the most beautiful idea," exclaimed Letty earnestly, "and +I shall be dreadfully disappointed if the girls want something +different. I begin to feel sorry for old Nathan Keener already."</p> + +<p>"That is an excellent beginning," said Mrs. Conway, with a smile.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>Here came a call from Amanda, so Reliance and Edna scampered off leaving +Letty to be entertained by Mrs. Conway.</p> + +<p>When Reliance came home from school that afternoon, she brought the +information that the girls were going to meet in Hewlett's old +blacksmith shop that afternoon, and that Edna was to be sure to come. To +her own great disappointment, she could not go herself, for Amanda +declared that she could not get along without her, and that all this +gallivanting about was a mistake, and that if Mrs. Willis was going to +have a bound girl there for her to bother with and get no good of, she +guessed it was time for younger folks to take her place. A girl that +spent half her time at school and the other half skylarking wouldn't +amount to much anyway was her opinion.</p> + +<p>So because the old servant had to be pacified and because it was a day +on which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> Reliance could really be ill spared, she did not attend the +meeting.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, dear," said Mrs. Willis, when Edna begged to have the +decree altered, "but I am afraid we really cannot spare Reliance this +afternoon. You know she has had a lot of time for play this past week; +we have been very indulgent to her because of your being here." Edna saw +that this was final and went to her mother with rather a grave face.</p> + +<p>"Mother," she said, "isn't it too bad that Reliance can't go? She says +she wouldn't mind so much if it were not for the voting, but you see if +she isn't there, she will lose her vote, and we do so want the +Elderflower plan to be the one."</p> + +<p>"Why couldn't you be her proxy?" said Mrs. Conway.</p> + +<p>"Proxy? What is proxy, mother?"</p> + +<p>"It is some one appointed in the place of another to do what would +otherwise be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> done by the first person; for instance, in this case you +could be proxy for Reliance and vote for her. She could sign a paper +which would make it very plain."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, will you write the paper and let me take it to her to +sign?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I will." She drew the writing materials to her and wrote a +few lines. "There," she said, "I think that will do."</p> + +<p>"Please read it, mother."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conway read: "I hereby appoint Edna Conway to be my proxy and to +vote upon any question which may come up before this meeting.</p> + +<p>"Signed—"</p> + +<p>"That sounds very important," said Edna, clasping her hands. "Show me +where she is to sign her name, mother. I know she will be perfectly +delighted that I can speak for her."</p> + +<p>Reliance truly was pleased, the more that the sending of such an +important<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> legal document gave her a certain position with the others. +She signed her name with a flourish, and Edna, armed with the +indisputable right to take her place, started off for Hewlett's old +blacksmith shop. This sat back some distance from the store, and was +used as a storage place for empty boxes and such things.</p> + +<p>Edna found most of the company gathered when she arrived. They were all +chattering away with little idea of what must be done first. "Here comes +Edna Conway," cried Esther Ann; "she can tell us just what to do. Come +along, Edna. What was the first thing you did when you got up a club?"</p> + +<p>"We had a president and a secretary the first thing; the president was +called <i>pro tem.</i>; she wasn't the real president till we elected her."</p> + +<p>"Then you be <i>pro tem.</i>, for you know just what to do."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>"Oh, no, I couldn't," Edna shrank from such a public office, and her +little round face took on a look of real distress at such a prospect.</p> + +<p>"Somebody's got to be then," said Esther Ann. "I will."</p> + +<p>"I will, I will," came from one and another of the girls, too eager for +prominence to care about what was expected of them.</p> + +<p>"We can't all be," remarked Milly Somers. "We're wasting time and we +ought to have had this all settled at first. I wish there were some +older person to get us started."</p> + +<p>"Everyone isn't here yet," spoke up Alcinda. "Isn't Reliance coming, +Edna?"</p> + +<p>"No, she can't. She has too much to do this afternoon, but I am her +proxy. I've got a paper that says so."</p> + +<p>The girls giggled. "Isn't she cute?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> whispered Esther Ann. "Let's see +the paper, Edna."</p> + +<p>Edna solemnly drew it from the small bag she carried, and handed it to +Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"Read it, Esther Ann, read it," clamored the girls. And Esther Ann read +it aloud.</p> + +<p>"How in the world did you know about such a thing," said Milly Somers.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I didn't think of it," she answered; "it was my mother."</p> + +<p>"She must be awfully smart," said Esther Ann admiringly. "I wish she +were here to tell us just what to do, if you won't do it."</p> + +<p>"Maybe she would come for just a little while," said Edna, feeling +assured that if her mother were there to tell of her own ideas about the +club that there would be no doubt of its being "The Elderflowers." +"Suppose I go and ask her," she added.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>"All right," agreed the girls. "Tell her if she will stay just long +enough to tell us how to get started, it is all we ask."</p> + +<p>Edna rushed back to the house and upstairs, where she breathlessly +explained her errand. "You will go? won't you, mother, just for a few +minutes," she begged. "You won't have to change your dress, or even put +a hat on if you don't want to. We need you so very, very much. Nobody +knows what to do, and they all talk at once, and giggle and say silly +things. It ought to be real serious, oughtn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Not too serious, I should say," returned her mother. "Very well, dear, +I will come." She threw on a long coat and followed the little girl +across the street to where the prospective club members waited +expectantly.</p> + +<p>It did not take long to set the ball in motion, and in less than half an +hour Esther<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> Ann was made president <i>pro tem.</i>, Milly Somers was +appointed secretary, and the business of choosing came up. There were +not very many original ideas offered. Few of the girls had any. Mrs. +Conway listened to them all, and at last explained her own plan so +clearly and with such earnestness that it was a matter of only a few +minutes before it was decided that "The Elderflower Club" should start +its existence at once.</p> + +<p>To cap the climax, Edna was elected an honorary member, "for," said the +girls, "if it hadn't been for you we should never have had a club at +all. And when you come to your grandfather's, you will always know that +you must attend the club meetings."</p> + +<p>Therefore, it was a very happy little girl who went back to report to +Reliance the happenings of this first meeting of the club.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +<a name="X" id="X"></a>CHAPTER X<br /> +<br /> +<small>WHAT BEN DID</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">The</span> members of the Elderflower Club were so eager to begin business that +they could scarcely wait till the next day. The more retiring ones, like +Alcinda, contented themselves with beginning their ministrations to +relatives or those they knew, but it was to adventurous spirits like +Esther Ann and Reliance that a difficult case such as old Nathan Keener +appealed. Reliance, following out Mrs. Conway's advice, gave a cheery +"Good-morning, Mr. Keener," as she went by his dilapidated house on her +way to school. She reported this performance to the other girls at +recess.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Reliance, you didn't dare, did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> you?" exclaimed Alcinda. "What did +he do? Did he run after you?"</p> + +<p>"No, he only frowned and grunted."</p> + +<p>"Did you walk very fast when you went by?" asked little Letty Osgood, +being very sure that she would not have loitered upon such an occasion.</p> + +<p>"No, not so very. I just walked as I always do."</p> + +<p>"Then I think you were very brave," continued Letty.</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" exclaimed Esther Ann, "that wasn't anything to do. Just wait +till you see what I am going to do."</p> + +<p>"What, Esther Ann? What?" clamored the girls.</p> + +<p>"Wait till this afternoon and you will see," was all Esther Ann would +say to satisfy their curiosity.</p> + +<p>This being Friday and Edna's last day at her grandmother's, her friends +begged that she be allowed to go with them to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> school that afternoon. +"We don't have real lessons," Reliance told her, "for Miss Fay reads to +us, and we have a sewing lesson."</p> + +<p>"I'd love to go," said Edna, "and I could take the work bag I am making +for Celia. I could finish it, I think. May I go?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't the slightest objection," Mrs. Conway assured her. So she set +off with Reliance, and felt quite at home since she knew all the girls +of her own age, and older, and, as she said, "the littler ones don't +count."</p> + +<p>Everything moved along pleasantly during the school session, and the +girls started along in a bunch toward home. "You just come with me, +Edna," said Esther Ann. "You see you are a member of the club, too, and +this will be your only chance to do a deed. The others can follow along +if they want. I'll tell you what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> I am going to do and you can take +part, if you like."</p> + +<p>The others were both timid and curious, and were quite content to obey +Esther Ann's suggestion to "follow on." Edna, it may be said, was not +inspired with that wholesome dread of old Nathan which possessed the +others, for she had not been brought up under the shadow of his +ogre-like actions, and she felt that this was an opportunity which she +could not neglect. She trotted along valiantly by Esther Ann's side, the +others keeping a safe distance behind.</p> + +<p>"Tell me what you are going to do," said Edna to her companion, as they +proceeded on their way.</p> + +<p>For answer, Esther Ann dived down into her school-bag and produced first +one then another big, red apple. "I am going to give these to Nathan. +You can give one. I mean just to walk right up to him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> and say, 'Won't +you have an apple, Mr. Keener?'"</p> + +<p>"Suppose he isn't there," returned Edna.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he'll be there; he always is when it is a bright day like this. He +sits in an old chair on that broad doorstep in front of his house, and +leans on a big, thick stick he always carries."</p> + +<p>"Who cooks for him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he cooks for himself, when he has anything to cook. He has a little +garden, but it doesn't amount to much. He has no apple trees except an +old one that is nearly dead and never has but a few little, measly, +knerly apples on it; that's why I thought he'd like these."</p> + +<p>Their walk was carrying them nearer and nearer the old man's door. +"There he is now," whispered Esther Ann. "I'll go first and you come +right up behind me. Here, take your apple." She thrust the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> fruit into +Edna's hand and hastened her own pace a little. Edna's heart began to +beat fast, for surely Nathan Keener was anything but an attractive +figure as he sat there glowering and muttering, his gaunt hands resting +on his knotted stick, and his grizzly old face wearing a wrathful look.</p> + +<p>True to her guns, Esther Arm dashed forward and held out her apple +saying in a shrill, excited voice, "Won't you have——"</p> + +<p>But she got no further, for with a snarl the old man reached out one +long, bony arm and grabbed her by the shoulder, raising his stick +threateningly, "I'll larn ye, ye little varmint," he began.</p> + +<p>Esther screamed. Edna, paralyzed with fright, looked on with affrighted +eyes, but presently found voice to quaver out, "Please don't hurt her! +Oh, please don't!"</p> + +<p>The other girls a little distance off stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> huddled together like a +flock of sheep. No one was brave enough to venture within reach of that +terrible stick, but just then along came a crowd of boys from school. +The foremost took in the situation in a glance, and in another instant +was on the platform by Esther's side.</p> + +<p>"Here, you old mut, what are you doing to my sister?" he cried, at the +same time trying to wrest the stick from the old man's grasp.</p> + +<p>But Nathan had too long wielded the stick with effect to lose it so +readily. Loosing his hold upon Esther, he swiftly shifted his weapon to +his other hand and brought down a blow on the boy's back.</p> + +<p>By this time the other boys had come up; there were cries, threats, +screams from the girls, shouts from the boys. All was in a dreadful +hub-bub when along the road approached a young man who stood for a +moment and then dashed to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> scene of battle. "Here, boys, here," he +cried, "what are you doing to that old man?"</p> + +<p>"He was going to beat my sister," spoke up the one who had first hurried +to the front.</p> + +<p>"You old scalawag," cried the young man, "what were you up to? If you +are yearning to hit somebody, take a fellow your own size." He wrenched +the stick from the man's grasp and threw it away. "Now," he said, "have +it out if you will. I'm ready." He squared off, but the old man had +neither strength nor desire to grapple with such a masterful opponent, +and he slunk back against his door.</p> + +<p>"I guess if your life was pestered by a set of young wretches like +these, you'd threaten, too," he said surlily. "I guess I'm getting too +smart for their tricks, and know enough not to take anything they offer +me. I don't have to have more'n<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> one apple full of red pepper set on my +doorsill. I guess I know who hides my loaf of bread, and puts salt in my +can of milk. I guess I cut my eyeteeth a good many years ago, and can +catch 'em at their tricks."</p> + +<p>The young man looked around at the group of boys, now rather shamefaced, +at the group of girls now gathered around Esther Ann. On the edge of +this latter group he recognized a little round face now tear-stained and +affrighted. In a moment he was by Edna's side. "Well, I'll be +everlastingly switched," he exclaimed, "Edna, my child, what are you +doing in this mix-up?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ben," returned Edna, "it was all a mistake. Nobody meant to play a +trick."</p> + +<p>"Come over here and tell me all about it," said Ben, leading her aside. +Edna poured forth her tale of woe, during the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> recital of which more +than once Ben's mouth twitched and his eyes grew merry. "It doesn't do +to be too zealous, does it?" he said at the close of the story. "Here, +old fellow, come back here." He made a dash at old Nathan who was now +retreating within his own doorway. Ben pulled him back by his +coat-tails. "We aren't through with this yet," he went on as the man +turned upon him with a few smothered words. "That isn't a pretty way to +talk. You have something of a case, I admit, but you happened to +overreach yourself this time. No, you're not going in yet. A little more +fresh air won't hurt you. Sit down there and be good and I will tell you +a pretty little story." He pushed the old man gently into his chair and +stood guard over him. "No, you don't need your stick yet; you might get +careless with it. I'll just lean it up against the house. Now, then, +those little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> girls hadn't a notion of playing you a trick; they were +trying to do you a kindness. They knew you were lonely and hadn't much +chance to run around with the boys, or run an automobile, so they +thought they would chirk you up a little by presenting you with a large, +sweet, juicy, red apple. Their little hearts were throbbing with +good-will; they had an unconquerable desire to bring a smile to your +lips and a gleam of happiness to your eye. To prove this to you, I will +now dissect this large, sweet, juicy, red apple. I will eat half and you +will eat the other. If it isn't a good apple, I'll eat my hat." He +carefully cut the apple, which Edna had given him, pared and quartered +it, stuck a piece on the end of his knife and offered it to the old man, +who pushed it away contemptuously. "Let me insist," Ben went on. "We are +not playing Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. There is no serpent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> in +sight, not so much as a worm, and if you find so much as a grain of red +pepper I'll acknowledge myself beaten."</p> + +<p>The old man muttered incoherently as Ben finished his harangue, but made +no motion to take the apple. "You don't know what you are missing," Ben +went on. "Now just for the sake of old times, let's try to be jolly and +remember when we were boys. Why, many a time you and I have raced down +this shaded street, shouting with mirth, have climbed the wall by the +orchard and stuffed our pockets with apples like these. You never could +take a joke, as I remember, but still you weren't a bad fellow, and I'll +bet you were a wonder at baseball. I shouldn't wonder if your batting +didn't beat the town. The way you swing around that stick of yours shows +there is 'life in the old land yet.'"</p> + +<p>The old man's face had relaxed a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> and he no longer muttered under +his breath. Ben winked at the boys who had drawn nearer and were +enjoying the situation to the utmost. "Now, just for old times' sake," +continued Ben, "just tell me what was the last real, good, old-fashioned +trick you ever played?" The old man cast a half-suspicious look at the +smiling young man by his side, but made no reply. "Too bad you forget," +said Ben, "but I'll bet an apple to an oyster you don't forget that last +game you played."</p> + +<p>"Who told you about it?" snapped out the old man.</p> + +<p>"Never mind. Do you suppose such a game as that will ever be forgotten? +I'm going to tell these boys all about it some day, see if I don't."</p> + +<p>Nathan wheeled around in his chair and glanced over the row of young +faces before him. Then he leaned back in his chair and sighed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>"I'll bet you wouldn't mind a good game now, but you've no use for these +boys and they haven't much for you. When's the next game, boys?" He +turned to the row of faces.</p> + +<p>"We've stopped playing baseball for this year," came in a chorus.</p> + +<p>"Don't have football up here?"</p> + +<p>"No, we haven't any team."</p> + +<p>"Too bad. I might join you on that. Well, Mr. Keener, some of these days +you and I will go to a game together; we'll get that fixed up. Which of +you boys was it who so doughtily sped to the rescue of the young +maiden?"</p> + +<p>"Jim Tabor; it was his sister the old man was after," piped up the boys.</p> + +<p>"All right, and mighty little respect I would have had for him, if he +hadn't pitched in the way he did. Step up here, Jim."</p> + +<p>Jim came forward, a little awkwardly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> the other boys snickering. "Mr. +Keener, this is Jim Taber. I want you to look at him and tell me if, +when you were a boy of his size you had seen anyone threatening your +sister with a stick, you wouldn't have pitched in and fought for her for +all you were worth. You weren't any slouch in those days when it came to +fighting, I know. That's all, Jim, no apologies necessary. Now, Mr. +Keener, there is just one thing more. I don't believe these children are +really bad, only mischievous as you used to be when you were a +youngster. The girls, I know, are all ready to be friends, bless their +dear little hearts. As for the boys, I'll venture to say we can patch up +a treaty of peace with them. If you will promise to be a little less +free with that stick and not get a grouch on you every time a boy looks +your way, they will promise to play no more tricks. If they don't +promise, I'll give every mother's son<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> of them Hail Columbia when I come +this way again," and by his looks, the boys knew he meant what he said. +They were conscious that Ben was standing up for old Nathan, and yet +that he meant to be perfectly fair to them. Ben looked up and down the +line. "Well?" he said.</p> + +<p>The boys looked at one another. "If he'll promise, we will," spoke up +Jim Taber.</p> + +<p>"It's a go," said Ben. "Now, Mr. Keener, it's up to you."</p> + +<p>Old Nathan gave a grunt which might have meant anything, but Ben chose +to interpret it his own way. "I think that is meant for assent," he +said. "The gentleman seems to be speaking a foreign language to-day, +Choctaw, I should say, or maybe Hindostanee. However, it is all right. +Now, Mr. Keener, allow me, sir." He opened the door with a flourish and +handed the old man his stick. Without a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> word, Nathan took the stick and +went in, Ben bowing and scraping and saying, "Thank you for a very good +time," then receiving no reply, not even a grunt, he added, "Not at all, +the pleasure is entirely mine." The door closed and that was the end of +it.</p> + +<p>Edna came running up. "Oh, Ben," she said, "how glad I am to see you. +Oh, wasn't it dreadful? How did you happen to come along?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Pinky Blooms, I was on my way to grandpa's, thought I would come +to take mother back to-morrow, and, as it was a fine afternoon, I +concluded, to walk up from the station. Happened by just in the nick of +time, didn't I? Funny old curmudgeon, isn't Nathan?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is terrible," responded Edna, with a remembrance of the uplifted +stick. "Are you going home with me?"</p> + +<p>"No; you trot along with the rest of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> brood; I am going to stay here +a few minutes and have a chat with the boys; I'll be along directly."</p> + +<p>So Edna left him, the boys crowding around and asking all sorts of +questions. Ben was no new figure in the town, and most of them knew him +at least by sight. Just what he said to the boys, Edna never knew, but +it is a matter of comment that from that day on there were no more +tricks played on old Nathan Keener, and though the big stick was not so +much in evidence, it was a long time before any of the Elderflowers made +any headway in winning even so much as a grunt from him. It was a great +setback to the enthusiasm of the girls, but as Reliance told Esther Ann, +she should not have tried so venturesome a thing at the very outset. +"Mrs. Conway says we should have worked up to it gradually. It's just +like training a wild animal, you have to win<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> its confidence first." But +Esther Ann declared she wanted no more of Nathan Keener, and Reliance +was perfectly welcome to try any methods she liked so long as Esther Ann +was not asked to share in the effort. It was a very exciting afternoon, +taking it all in all, and was the means of bringing some ridicule and +some censure upon the little club. One or two of the girls resigned, +saying their mothers did not approve of such proceedings. All this, +however, did not happen during Edna's Thanksgiving visit, but she heard +of it afterward, and of further matters concerning the Elderflowers.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +<a name="XI" id="XI"></a>CHAPTER XI<br /> +<br /> +<small>FAREWELLS</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Edna</span> had not finished telling her mother about the afternoon's +adventures when Ben came in. The family had gathered in the living-room, +Edna sitting on her grandfather's knee, and the others ranged around the +big fireplace. "There comes Ben now," Edna sang out, catching sight of +her cousin's figure, and running to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Halloo, young man," was grandpa's greeting. "I hear you have been +having a set-to with Nathan Keener. It isn't the first time that he has +had a fisticuffs with a member of this family. He and I used to be +continually at it when we were boys together."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but isn't he much older than you,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> grandpa?" said Edna, in +surprise. "He looks like a very, very old man."</p> + +<p>"And I don't? That's a nice compliment, missy. No, he and I are about of +an age, and went to school together in the little, old, red schoolhouse +that was burned down some years ago. It is ill health and trouble that +makes him look so old, I suppose. Poor old chap, he has lost most of the +friends who would have stood by him, for he has taken such an attitude +it is impossible to be on good terms with him."</p> + +<p>"Ben thinks he used to play baseball," spoke up Edna. "Did they play it +so many, many years ago?"</p> + +<p>Her grandfather laughed. "They certainly did, and he was tremendous at +it. Let me see, forty, fifty years ago isn't so long, and I can well +remember the time the Overlea boys beat the Boxtown boys, and it was all +because of Nat Keener's good playing. The Boxtown fellows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> thought all +they had to do was to walk in and win, but we gave them a big surprise +that day. I remember how we cheered and, after the game was over, +carried Nat around the village on our shoulders."</p> + +<p>Ben smiled and nodded as if this event came within his recollection, +too. Edna looked at him in surprise. "Why, Ben," she said, "you weren't +there."</p> + +<p>Ben laughed. "No, but I heard about it all years ago, and it came to my +mind to-day when I was having it out with Nathan. I'll venture to say he +is thinking more of those old times, at this very minute, than he is of +his troubles."</p> + +<p>"Poor old Nat," grandpa shook his head. "He was as high-spirited a young +chap as ever lived, but uncontrolled and always fighting against the +pricks. It must be pretty hard for him, pretty hard. He has grown so +morose and snappish that no one takes the trouble to do more than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> nod +to him nowadays. He wasn't a bad sort, too free and open-handed, too +fond of pleasure, maybe."</p> + +<p>"He doesn't have much chance to indulge himself there in these days," +remarked grandma.</p> + +<p>"False friends, a worthless wife and a bad son have about finished up +what he had. With good money after bad all the time there is nothing +left but that little tumbledown house he lives in."</p> + +<p>"What does he live on?" asked Ben.</p> + +<p>"Ask your grandpa," answered Mrs. Willis smiling across at her husband.</p> + +<p>"Oh, pshaw!" exclaimed Mr. Willis, "nobody counts a load of wood or a +bag of potatoes once in a while. I must stop and see if I can't draw him +out of his shell some of these days."</p> + +<p>"Talk to him about when you were boys, grandpa," said Ben; "that will +fetch him."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>Just here, Reliance came to the door to say that Ira would like to speak +to Mr. Willis, and Mrs. Barker appropriated Ben, so Edna was left to her +grandmother and her mother.</p> + +<p>"So we are going to lose our little girl to-morrow," grandma began.</p> + +<p>"You won't be left without any little girl," replied Edna cheerfully, +"for you will have Reliance."</p> + +<p>"But that isn't the same thing as having my own little granddaughter," +responded Mrs. Willis.</p> + +<p>"No," returned Edna. "When are we coming here again, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Why, my dear, I don't know. We have made grandma a good, long visit +this time."</p> + +<p>"It isn't what I call a long visit," grandma observed. "When I was a +child I spent months at a time at my grandparents."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>"I spent months at Uncle Justus', but then I was there at school," +remarked Edna. "I don't see why I couldn't come here on holidays, +mother."</p> + +<p>"You can do that sometimes, surely. We have promised you to Uncle Bert +for the Christmas holidays, but maybe you could come at Easter, if +grandma would like to have you."</p> + +<p>"Grandma would like very much to have her," said that lady.</p> + +<p>"Even if I came without mother?" questioned Edna.</p> + +<p>"Even if you came by your own little self. We shall claim her for the +Easter holidays, daughter, and you must let nothing prevent her coming. +If it is not convenient for any of the rest of you to come, just put her +on the train upon which Marcus Brown is conductor and he will see that +she gets off safely at Mayville."</p> + +<p>Edna looked a little doubtful at the idea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> of making the journey by +herself but she did not say anything.</p> + +<p>"However," grandma went on, "I don't see why Celia couldn't come with +her, or perhaps Ben could."</p> + +<p>"Well, we shall see," responded Mrs. Conway. "Well try to get her here +in some way."</p> + +<p>"Then we shall consider that quite settled," said grandma with a +satisfied air.</p> + +<p>"I've had an awfully good time," said Edna thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Even though you have been sick abed, and have had all sorts of +unpleasant adventures?" said grandma with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't so very sick," returned Edna, "and I wouldn't have minded that +except for the mustard bath."</p> + +<p>Her grandmother laughed. "Well hope that you won't need one the next +time."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mind the adventures very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> much, either, and now that they are +all over, I am awfully glad that I will have something so interesting to +tell the girls at home. I think a great deal has happened in the time I +have been here, don't you, grandma?"</p> + +<p>"From the standpoint of a little girl I suppose that is true, though it +hasn't seemed such a very exciting time to the rest of us. This is a +quiet old village and we jog along pretty much the same way year in and +year out, without very many changes."</p> + +<p>"I think it is just lovely here," replied Edna, "and I like all the +girls, too. I shall be glad to see them again. I sort of remembered some +of them, but you know I haven't been here before for ever so many years, +and I had forgotten lots of things, even about the house and the place."</p> + +<p>"Then don't stay away so long as to forget<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> anything again," her +grandmother charged her.</p> + +<p>"I'm forgetting that this is the last chance I will have to help +Reliance set the table," said Edna, jumping up.</p> + +<p>She found Reliance had already begun this task and that Amanda was +making some specially good tea-cakes in honor of this last evening. She +was in a good humor and did not object, as she did sometimes, to Edna's +being in the kitchen while supper was being prepared. "Just think," +remarked Edna, as she leaned her elbows on the table to watch Amanda, +"where I shall be to-morrow evening at this time."</p> + +<p>"And are you sorry?" asked Amanda.</p> + +<p>"No, not exactly. I am glad and sorry both. I should love to stay and +yet I want to see them all at home."</p> + +<p>"That's perfectly natural," Amanda returned, pricking the tea-cakes +daintily.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>"What do you have to do that for?" asked the little girl.</p> + +<p>"To keep 'em from blistering," Amanda told her. "There, open the oven +door, Reliance, and then bring me that bowl of cottage cheese from the +pantry. I didn't know as it would be warm enough to allow of us having +any more this week, but you see it was."</p> + +<p>"I just love cottage cheese," Edna made the remark, as she watched +Amanda pour in the yellow cream and stir it into the cheese. "I wish we +kept a cow, so we could have all the milky things you have here."</p> + +<p>"Ain't your place big enough for one?" inquired Amanda, in rather a +surprised tone.</p> + +<p>"No; it isn't just country, you know. Mrs. McDonald has a big place, and +the Evanses have a nice garden and a grove of trees. We have some trees +and some garden,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> and we have a stable, but we haven't any pasture for +cows."</p> + +<p>"You might pasture her out," Amanda suggested, scraping the contents of +the bowl into a glass dish. "Here, Reliance, take that in and set it on +the table, and then go after your milk and butter. The dark will catch +you if you don't hurry."</p> + +<p>"I'm going, too," announced Edna. "I can carry the butter, but I won't +bring the key." The two little girls laughed, for this was a standing +joke between them.</p> + +<p>They started out through the rustling leaves to the spring-house; the +leaves gave forth a queer, though pleasant odor, as they pushed their +feet through them. A big star blazed out against the pale rose of an +evening sky. Over in the cornfields, crows were calling, and a few +crickets, not yet driven to cover by the frost, chirped in the grass. +The cows were standing in the stable yard. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> had been milked, and +Ira had brought the pails to the spring-house before this. The little +white kitten which Edna had made a great pet of, followed her down the +walk, frisking away after a falling leaf, or dancing sideways in +pretended fear of its own tail. Edna picked it up but it had no desire +to stay when this, of all hours in the day, was the best to play in, so +it scrambled down from her arms and was off like a flash, darting half +way up a tree, with ears back and claws outspread.</p> + +<p>"I do hate to leave the kitten," said Edna. "I hope it won't miss me too +much. You will try to give it a little attention, even though you love +the grey one best, won't you, Reliance?"</p> + +<p>Reliance promised, and leaving the kitten to its own wild antics they +went into the spring-house, issuing forth with the various things they +had gone for. "Just think," sighed Reliance, "this is the very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> last +time you will help me bring up the things. I shall miss you awfully, +Edna. You have been so good to me."</p> + +<p>"Why, no, I haven't," answered she; "you have been good to me. I'm +coming back at Easter, Reliance, and it will be so nice, for I shall +have so many questions to ask about the girls and the club and all +that."</p> + +<p>"Are you really coming at Easter? I didn't know that."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother just now promised grandma I should."</p> + +<p>"Goody! Goody! I must tell the girls when I see them."</p> + +<p>The girls, however, found out before Reliance saw them, for knowing that +Edna was to leave in the morning, they gave her a surprise that very +evening. Supper was hardly over before Reliance, trying very hard to +smother laughter, had a whispered consultation with Mrs. Willis,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> who, +after it was over, came back to her place by the fire. In a few minutes +she said, "Edna, dear, I wish you would go up to my room and see if you +can find my other pair of glasses. Look on the bureau and the table in +my room, and, if you don't find them there, look in the other rooms."</p> + +<p>Very obediently Edna trotted off upstairs, searched high and low, looked +in this room and that, but no glasses were to be found. After much +hunting, she came down without them. She stepped slowly down the stair, +humming softly to herself. It was very quiet in the living-room, or did +she hear whispers, and subdued titters? Was Reliance or maybe Ben going +to play a trick on her? She heard a sudden "Hush! Hush!" as she reached +the door of the living-room, but she made up her mind that she would +appear perfectly unconcerned, and entered the room in a very don't-care +sort of manner. "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> couldn't find——" she began and then stopped short, +for there, ranged around the room, were twelve little girls all smiling +to see the look of surprise on her face. So that was what the trick was.</p> + +<p>"We're a surprise party," spoke up Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"And we're a good-by party, too," added Reba.</p> + +<p>"We've all brought you something," Alcinda spoke.</p> + +<p>"We are going to stay an hour," Letty added.</p> + +<p>Here Esther Ann darted forward with a bag of nuts which she plumped down +in Edna's lap. "There," she said, "you must take those along with you."</p> + +<p>Next, Reba presented a neat little book. It looked very religious, Edna +thought, but the cover was pretty and there was an attractive picture in +it.</p> + +<p>Alcinda came next with a very ornate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> vase which Edna remembered seeing +on the glass case in Mr. Hewlett's store.</p> + +<p>Letty brought the figure of a cunning cat playing with a ball; this Edna +liked very much. Some brought candy, some brought cakes, one brought a +paper doll, another a little cup and saucer, but each one had something +to contribute till Edna exclaimed: "Why, it is just like a birthday, and +these are lovely presents."</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're nothing but some little souvenirs," remarked Esther Ann +loftily. "We wanted you to have them to remember us by."</p> + +<p>"I shall never forget you, never," said Edna earnestly, "and I thank you +ever and ever so much." She gathered up her booty and piled it on the +table, then some one proposed a game, and they amused themselves till +grandma sent out for nuts, cider, apples and cakes, which feast ended +the entertainment, though it is safe to say<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> it lasted more than an +hour. At the last, the girls all crowded around Edna to kiss her +good-night and to make their farewells, and then, like a flock of birds, +they all took flight, scurrying home by the light of their lanterns, +some across the street, some down, some up.</p> + +<p>As the sound of the last merry voice died away, Edna threw herself into +her grandmother's arms. "Oh, grandma," she cried, "wasn't it a lovely +surprise? Did you know about it?"</p> + +<p>"Not so very long before. Reliance came and told me what the girls +wanted to do, and I promised to help in any way that I could."</p> + +<p>"And was that why you sent me up for the glasses? I didn't tell you +after all that I couldn't find them."</p> + +<p>"I didn't expect you to," said her grandmother, laughing. "I only told +you to go see if you could find them so as to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> get you out of the way +and keep you occupied long enough to allow the girls to come in."</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear the front door shut."</p> + +<p>"No, for they came around by way of the side door, and tip-toed in by +way of the dining-room."</p> + +<p>"Well, it was lovely," sighed Edna in full content.</p> + +<p>Although the real farewells had been said on that evening, that was not +quite the last of it, for the girls were gathered in a body by the +church the next morning when Edna drove by on her way to the train. She +was squeezed in the back seat of the carriage between her mother and her +Aunt Alice. Ben was on the front seat with his grandfather. Reliance at +the gate was waving a tearful farewell, a white kitten under one arm and +a grey one under the other. Grandma herself stood in the doorway. +"Good-by! Good-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>by!" sounded fainter and fainter from Reliance, but the +word was taken up by the girls who shouted a perfect chorus of good-bys +as the black horses trotted nimbly along and bore Edna out of sight.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +<a name="XII" id="XII"></a>CHAPTER XII<br /> +<br /> +<small>HOW ARE YOU?</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">In</span> what seemed an incredibly short time, Edna was getting out at the +station nearest her own home. Ben and his mother had parted from them an +hour before and were now on their way to their own home. Ben, however, +would return on Monday to take up his college work again.</p> + +<p>"There they are!" were the first words Edna heard as she and her mother +descended from the train. And then the boys rushed forward to hug and +kiss both herself and her mother and to make as much fuss over them as +if they had been gone a year.</p> + +<p>"Gee! but I'm glad to see you," cried Charlie. "It hasn't seemed like +home at all without you, mother."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span>"Didn't you have a good time at Mrs. Porter's?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Had a high old time," responded Frank. "Here, let me take some of those +things. You look like country travellers with all those bundles. What +you got there?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, things," returned Edna vaguely. "All sorts of things the girls gave +me to bring home."</p> + +<p>"You look like a regular old emigrant with so many boxes and bags."</p> + +<p>"We couldn't get them all in the trunk," Edna explained, "and so we had +to bring them this way. When did you get back, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Last night. We came home with father."</p> + +<p>"Then you haven't had such a very long time in which to miss us," said +Mrs. Conway, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Well, it seemed like a long time," returned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> Frank, "Nothing ever does +go right when you're away, mother."</p> + +<p>"What special thing has gone wrong this time?" asked his mother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I couldn't find anything I wanted this morning, and nobody knew +where anything was, and Celia didn't know how to fix anything, and all +that."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conway laughed. "That shows how I spoil you all. I am afraid I +missed my boys, too, and am glad to get back to them."</p> + +<p>"Where's Celia?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"She's home. We all came up together last night. Lizzie had waffles for +supper, and Frank ate ten pieces," spoke up Charlie.</p> + +<p>"Well, that was all I could get," said Frank, in an injured way. "Lizzie +said there were no more."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frank, Frank," laughed his mother. "Well, at any rate, I am glad +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> know my absence has not affected your appetite."</p> + +<p>"Tell us what you did at the Porter's," said Edna.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we just racketed around. We went to a fierce old football game, and +we did all sorts of stunts in the house. Steve and Roger have a fine +little workshop. I don't believe I like living right in the city, +though. We boys have a heap more fun at a place like this where we can +get out-of-doors. Roger and Steve say so, too."</p> + +<p>"I am glad you are so well content," observed Mrs. Conway.</p> + +<p>"There's Celia," Edna sang out, seeing some one on the porch watching +for them. It was a chill, wintry morning, and they were all glad to +hurry indoors to the warm fire. The house looked cozy and cheerful, +yellow chrysanthemums in tall vases graced the hall and library; in the +latter, an open grate fire glowed, and Edna looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> around complacently. +"It is kind of nice to get home," she remarked. "I love it at grandma's, +but I reckon we all like our own home better than other people's. How +are you, Celia? Tell me everything that has been going on at school. How +is Dorothy? Did you have a club-meeting and was it a nice one? Oh, I +must tell you about the Elderflowers, mustn't I, mother? Has Agnes gone +back to college? Have you seen Miss Eloise?"</p> + +<p>"Dear me," cried Celia, "what a lot of questions. I wonder if I can +answer them all. Let me see. I'll have to go backwards, I think. I +haven't seen Miss Eloise, but some of the girls have. She and her sister +dined at the Ramseys on Thanksgiving Day."</p> + +<p>"I know they had a good dinner, then," remarked Edna, "for I was there +myself last Thanksgiving."</p> + +<p>"Agnes has gone back to college.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> Dorothy is well. We had a nice +club-meeting, and I missed my little sister's dear, round, little face. +Dorothy has been so impatient that she can hardly wait to see you. She +has been calling me up at intervals all morning to know if you had come +yet. There is the telephone now. No doubt it is Dorothy calling."</p> + +<p>Edna flew to the 'phone and Celia heard. "Yes, this is Edna. Oh, hello, +Dorothy. I'm well, how are you? I don't know; I'll see. Oh, no, you come +over here; that will be much nicer. I have some things to show you. +What's that? Yes, indeed, I am glad to get back." Then a little tinkle +of laughter. "You are a goosey goose; I'm not going to tell you. Come +over. Yes, right away if you want to, Dorothy."</p> + +<p>She went back to her sister, and established herself in her lap, putting +one arm around her neck and stretching out her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> feet to the warmth of +the fire. "It was Dorothy," she said.</p> + +<p>"That was quite evident, my dear," returned Celia. "What was it you +wouldn't tell her?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dorothy is such a goose. She was afraid I had gotten to like some +of the Overlea girls better than I do her. Just because I wrote to her +about Reliance and Alcinda and all of them. Just as if I couldn't like +more than one girl. Don't you think it is silly, sister, for anyone to +want you to have no other friend, I mean no other best friend? Of course +I love Dorothy dearly, but I love Jennie, too, and I am very fond of +Netty Black, and, oh, lots of girls. Are you that way about Agnes, +Celia?"</p> + +<p>Celia felt a pang of self-reproach, for it must be admitted that she had +felt a little jealous of the new friends Agnes was making at college. "I +don't suppose I should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> be?" she answered after a pause. "I suppose it +is very selfish and unfair to feel that way about it. Mother says it is +very conceited of a person to think she can satisfy every need of a +friend, and that it shows only love of self, and not love of your +friend, when you want to exclude others from her friendship, and I am +sure I don't want to be either selfish or conceited, and I should hate +to be called a jealous person."</p> + +<p>"Do you think Dorothy is conceited and selfish?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think she means to be, but when she wants to deprive you of +good times with other girls, or is jealous of your friendship for them, +she is encouraging conceit and selfishness. I'm glad you asked me about +the way I feel toward Agnes, for it makes me see that I am by no means +the true friend I ought to be. If I loved her as I should, I'd want her +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> have all the good times, all the love, all the benefit she could get +from others, and I mean to fight against any other feeling but the right +one. I don't believe my little sister will be the jealous kind," she +said hugging Edna up.</p> + +<p>"If you see me getting that way, I hope you won't let me," returned Edna +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"There's Dorothy now," said Celia, putting down the plump little figure +from her lap. And Edna ran out to greet her friend.</p> + +<p>There was so much to talk about, so many things to show, that Dorothy +must needs stay to lunch. A little later, over came Margaret McDonald to +say "How do you do" and to bring some flowers from her mother's +greenhouse. Edna's tongue ran so fast and she had so much to tell that +the afternoon seemed all too short. Dorothy and Margaret, too, had their +own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> affairs to talk about, and it was dark before the two little +visitors were ready to go.</p> + +<p>The next excitement was the coming of her father, for whom Dorothy +watched and who appeared almost gladder than anyone that his wife and +little girl were at home again. "This is something like," he said as he +came in, his face wreathed in smiles.</p> + +<p>"You poor dear," said Edna, in a motherly way, "it has been a lonely +time for you, hasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty lonely, but then it teaches me how to appreciate my family when +they get back. My, my, my, what a difference it does make, to be sure. I +don't think I can stand you all skylarking off again very soon."</p> + +<p>It was all very cozy and natural after dinner to be back again in the +library, Mrs. Conway on one side the table with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> her fancy work, Mr. +Conway on the other with the evening paper, the boys reading, or +scrapping in the hall, Celia in the next room at the piano, and Edna +herself with the Children's Page of the paper spread out before her +where she lay at full length on the big rug before the fire. Somehow the +page of stories and puzzles did not absorb her as much as usual. She +wondered what Reliance was doing, if her grandmother felt lonely without +her little granddaughter, and if the white kitten missed her. She saw +the long street bordered by maples, the store and the postoffice, the +white church. Presently she got up and went over to her mother. +"Wouldn't it be nice," she said, "if one could be in two places at the +same time?"</p> + +<p>Her mother nodded. "I shouldn't wonder if you and I were in two places +at the same time, or that we had been during the last few minutes, for I +am sure while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> our bodies are here our thoughts have been in Overlea."</p> + +<p>"That is just where my thoughts have been," answered Edna. "Do you +suppose they miss us, mother?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid they do, very much," said her mother, with a soft, little +sigh. "I know if either of my daughters ever goes away to a home of her +own, I shall miss her very much when she has left me after making a +visit."</p> + +<p>Edna stood with her arm still around her mother's neck. This was rather +a new thought. Once her mother had been a little girl like her, of +course, and had stood by her mother's side just like this, and now she +was living in quite a different home. Edna tried to imagine how it would +seem to come back to this, her childhood's home, from one of her very +own, but it was entirely too difficult a matter so she gave it up and +went back to her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> paper. But in a few minutes, the pictures on the page +before her became pictures of Overlea. She was taking the spring-house +key to old Nathan Keener that he might unlock his door and let out the +white kitten. Then she was half conscious of hearing a voice say: "No, +never mind; she is all tired out; I'll carry her up." Then she was +helped to her feet, a pair of strong arms lifted her up, and she was +borne up the stairs. She hardly knew who undressed her and stowed her +away in bed. She felt a soft kiss on her cheek and then she sank into a +deep slumber. The dear little girl's Thanksgiving holidays were over.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<div class="tn"> + +<h4 class="center">Transcriber's Note:</h4> + +<p class="noi">Alternative spelling for good-bye and good-by has been retained as it +appears in the original publication.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 30007 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/30007-h/images/cover.jpg b/30007-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..65a3201 --- /dev/null +++ b/30007-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/30007-h/images/girl.jpg b/30007-h/images/girl.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c4dd21 --- /dev/null +++ b/30007-h/images/girl.jpg diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a59214d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #30007 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30007) diff --git a/old/30007-8.txt b/old/30007-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5c6c87b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/30007-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4533 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays, by +Amy E. Blanchard + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays + +Author: Amy E. Blanchard + +Release Date: September 17, 2009 [EBook #30007] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS + + + + + The "Dear Little Girl" Series + + A Dear Little Girl + A Dear Little Girl at School + A Dear Little Girl's Summer Holidays + A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays + + + + + A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S + THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS + + _Amy E. Blanchard_ + + [Illustration] + + WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO. + Racine, Wisconsin + + + Copyright 1912 by George W. Jacobs & Co. + + Printed in 1924 by + Western Printing & Lithographing Co. + Racine, Wis. + + Printed in U. S. A. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I THE INVITATION 9 + + II RELIANCE 30 + + III WHERE'S THE KEY? 50 + + IV A HEARTY DINNER 71 + + V THE RED BOOK 93 + + VI THE OLD HOUSE 113 + + VII THE MILL STREAM 134 + + VIII JETTY'S PARTY 154 + + IX THE ELDERFLOWERS 174 + + X WHAT BEN DID 196 + + XI FAREWELLS 215 + + XII HOW ARE YOU? 234 + + + + +A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE INVITATION + + +"Any news, mother?" asked Edna one Friday afternoon when she came home +from school. + +"There's a letter from grandma," replied Mrs. Conway after kissing the +lips held up to hers. "There isn't any real news in it, but there is an +invitation." + +"What kind of an invitation?" + +"A Thanksgiving kind." + +"Oh, mother, what do you mean?" + +"I mean that grandma wants us all to spend an old-fashioned Thanksgiving +with her; the kind she used to have when she was young. She says she +and grandpa are both getting old and they may not be able to have the +whole family there together again." + +"And are we going?" + +"Yes, I think so." + +"The whole family?" + +"I think perhaps you and I will go on a day or two ahead and let the +others follow. Celia and the boys can come with your father, who +probably could not get off till Wednesday afternoon. Grandma asks that I +bring my baby with me." + +"And that means me," returned Edna, hugging herself. "How long shall we +stay, mother?" + +"That depends upon several things which will have to be learned later, +so I can't tell just yet." + +Edna danced off to hunt up her brothers that she might tell them the +news. She found them in their little workshop over the stable. Charlie +was making a new box to put in his pigeon house and Frank was watching +him. They had not seen their little sister since Monday for she and her +sister Celia went to school in the city, remaining until the Friday +afternoon of each week. + +"Hello!" cried Charlie, looking up. "When did you come?" + +"Oh, we've just come, only a few minutes ago, and what do you think is +the news?" + +"The Dutch have taken Holland," returned Charlie, hammering away at his +box. "Just hand me that box of nails, Frank, won't you?" + +"That's a silly answer," said Edna with contempt. + +"Well, if it's news, how did you expect me to know it?" + +"I didn't expect you to know it, only to guess." + +"Well, I guessed," replied Charlie teasingly. "I suppose it's a foolish +sort of thing; Uncle Justus has grown another hair in his eyebrows or +your friend Dorothy has a new hat." + +"It's nothing so unimportant," Edna continued; "for it concerns you +boys, too, but if you don't want to know I'll go up to Dorothy's; she'll +be interested even if she isn't going." + +"Going? Where?" cried both boys. + +"That's for me to know and for you to find out," retorted Edna, +beginning to scramble down the ladder. Both boys darted after; Charlie +swung himself down ahead of her to the floor below and was ready to grab +her before she reached the last rung. Then there was much laughing, +scrambling, tickling and protesting till at last Edna was compelled to +give up her secret, ending triumphantly with: "And I'm going first with +mother." + +"Who said so?" questioned Charlie. + +"Mother did. We are to go two or three days ahead of anyone else." + +"Oh, well, I don't care," returned Charlie. "There wouldn't be any boys +for me to play with anyhow." + +"How many are coming for Thanksgiving?" asked Frank. + +"I don't know exactly," Edna answered, "but I suppose all the aunts and +cousins and uncles that can get there. Aunt Lucia and Uncle Bert and of +course Aunt Alice and her boys, Ben and his brother. Ben will have to +go, and I'm awfully glad; he's my favoritest cousin." + +"How about Louis?" + +"He is not any relation to grandma and grandpa Willis, is he?" + +"I don't know; I never could get relations straight. I hope he isn't any +kin to them and I am sorry he is to us, for he is a pill. You know he +is, no matter what you say. Just look how he acted last summer. You +needn't try to excuse him, for Dorothy told me all about it." + +Edna could not deny facts, for it was quite true that her cousin Louis +was not above blame in sundry instances, so she changed the subject by +saying, "I think I'll go over to Dorothy's anyhow." + +The boys did not try to detain her and she ran out along the road and up +to the old-fashioned house where her friend Dorothy Evans lived. Dorothy +was playing with her kitten out on the side porch. She had dressed the +little creature in long clothes and was walking up and down singing to +it as it lay contentedly in her arms, it's two gray paws sticking out +from the sleeves of a little red sacque belonging to one of Dorothy's +dolls. + +"Doesn't Tiddlywinks look funny?" said Dorothy by way of greeting. "And +isn't he good? I believe he likes to be dressed up, for he lies as +still as anything. Of course, if he fussed and meowed, I would take off +the things and let him go." + +Edna touched the soft silvery paws gently. "I believe he does like it," +she returned. "See, he shuts his eyes exactly as if he felt nice and +cozy. Oh, Dorothy, guess what! We are all going to grandpa Willis's next +week. We are all going for Thanksgiving, only mother and I are going +first. Isn't that lovely?" + +"Lovely for you, I suppose," replied Dorothy dejectedly, "but I shall +miss you dreadfully." + +"Oh, no, you won't, when you have Margaret and Nettie so near. Besides I +shall not be gone long, not more than a week." + +"Are there any girls there?" asked Dorothy, a little jealously. + +"Not like us. There is a little girl, mother says, that grandma has +taken in to help her and Amanda; Amanda is the woman who lives there +and cooks and churns and does all sorts of things." + +"Is it in the real country?" + +"It is real country and yet it isn't, for it is a village. Grandpa has a +farm, but just across the street is a store and the church is only a few +steps away, and there are lots of neighbors; some have big places and +some have little ones. Grandpa's isn't as big as the biggest nor as +little as the littlest." + +"Does he keep horses and cows and chickens and things?" + +"Oh, my, yes, and ducks and turkeys and sheep." + +"I should think it would be a pretty nice sort of place." + +"It is lovely and I am always crazy about going there." + +"But please don't stay too long this time," urged Dorothy. + +"I'll have to stay till mother brings me back," returned Edna +cheerfully. "I wish there were another kitten, Dorothy, so I could have +a live doll, too." + +"You might take the mother cat," Dorothy suggested; "she is very gentle +and nice." + +They went in search of Tiddlywinks' mother, but Madam Pittypat objected +to being made a baby of, for, though she was gentle enough, she squirmed +and twisted herself out of every garment they tried upon her, and, at +the first opportunity, walked off in a most dignified manner, as though +she would say: "Such a way to treat the mother of a family!" + +So the two little girls concluded that they would free Tiddlywinks and +turn him again into a kitten. They left him stretching himself and +yawning lazily, as they trudged off to see their friend, Margaret +McDonald, that they might tell her Edna's news. + +The days sped by quickly until Tuesday came, when Edna and her mother +were to start on their journey. Edna at first decided to take her doll +Ada "because she is more used to traveling," she said, but at the last +moment she changed her mind saying that Ada had been on so many journeys +that she thought someone else should have a chance and, therefore, it +was her new doll, Virginia, who was dressed for the trip. The previous +year Edna had spent Thanksgiving Day with her Uncle Justus; this year it +would be quite a different thing to sit at table with a whole company of +cousins instead of dining alone with Uncle Justus. + +It was a journey of three hours before the station of Mayville was +reached, then a drive of four miles to Overlea lay before them. But +there was grandpa himself waiting to help them off the train, to see +that their trunks were safely stowed into the big farm wagon, and at +last to tuck them snugly into the carriage which was to bear them to the +white house set in behind a stately row of maples. These had lost their +leaves, but a crimson oak still showed its red against the sky, and the +vines clambering up the porch waved out scarlet banners to welcome the +guests. + +Grandma Willis was standing on the porch to greet them as they drew up +before the door. Behind her stood Amanda and behind Amanda a little girl +about twelve or thirteen. Behind the little girl trailed a cat and three +kittens. At the sight of these Edna gave a squeal of delight. "New +kittens, grandma? How lovely! I'm so glad," she cried. + +Grandma smiled. "Well, give me a good hug and kiss first and then +Reliance can let you take one of the kittens to hug." + +"Who is Reliance? Is that what you call the mother-cat?" + +"No, her name is Tippy. Reliance is the little girl who, we hope, is +going to carry out the promise of her name." + +Edna did not understand this latter speech but she smiled encouragingly +at Reliance who smiled back at her. Then after the huggings and kissings +were given to Mrs. Willis, Reliance picked up one of the kittens and +held it out to Edna who cuddled it up to her and followed the others +into the house. + +It was a big old-fashioned place where the Willis family had lived for +many generations. In the large living-room was a huge fireplace in which +now a roaring fire crackled and leaped high. There was a small seat +close to it and on this Edna settled herself. + +"Here, here, aren't you going to stay a while?" cried grandpa who had +given over the carriage into the hands of Ira, the hired man, and who +had just come in. + +"Why, of course we are going to stay," replied Edna. + +"Then why don't you take off your things? Mother, isn't there any place +they can lay their bonnets and coats? It seems to me there should be a +bed or cupboard somewhere." + +"Now, father," protested Mrs. Willis, "you know this house is big enough +to hold the hats and coats of the entire family." + +"Didn't know but you were house-cleaning and had every place turned +upside down." + +"Now, father," Mrs. Willis continued, "you know we've been days getting +the house cleaned and that everything is in apple-pie order for +Thanksgiving." + +Grandpa gave Mrs. Conway a sly wink. "You'd think it ought to be in +apple-pie order," he said, "by the way they have been tearing up the +place. Couldn't find my papers, my sticks, my umbrella or anything when +I wanted them. I am glad you all have come so you can help me hunt for +them." + +"Why, father, how you do go on," Mrs. Willis interposed. The old +gentleman laughed. He was a great tease, as Edna well knew. + +"Where shall we go to lay off our things, mother?" asked Mrs. Conway. + +"Up to your own old room over the dining-room. Here, Reliance, take the +kitten and you, Edna, can come along with your mother." + +"There's no need for you to go up, mother," said Mrs. Conway. "I have +been there before, you know, and I think I can find the way." Then the +two smiled wisely at one another. + +But grandma would go and presently Edna found herself in a large room +which looked out upon the west. Mrs. Conway stood still and gazed +around her. "How natural it all seems," she said, "even to the pictures +upon the walls. I went from this room a bride, Edna, and when I come +back to it I feel not a day older. This is the same furniture, but this +is a new carpet, mother, and new curtains, and the little cot you have +put in for Edna, I suppose." + +"Yes, there are some things that will not last a lifetime," answered +Mrs. Willis, "and we must furbish up once in a while. I thought you +would rather have Edna here with you than elsewhere, and at such a +crowded time we have to stow away as we can. I have put another cot in +my room for one of the other children and Celia is to go in with Becky." + +While they were talking Ira brought up the trunks and Mrs. Conway +commenced the task of unpacking, so very soon they were settled and +ready for dinner, which was served in the big dining-room where was +another open fireplace not quite so large as the first, but ample +enough. Reliance waited upon the table and helped to clear away the +dishes afterward. + +"When you are through with your tasks, Reliance, you can take Edna out +and show her the chickens and pigs and things," said grandma. + +"Reliance is quite a recent addition to the family, isn't she?" said +Mrs. Conway when the little maid went out. + +"Yes," Mrs. Willis replied. "Amanda isn't as young as she was and we +thought it would be a good thing to have someone here who could save her +steps and who could be trained to take her place after a while. I think +Reliance promises to be very capable in time." + +While her mother talked to the grandparents, Edna walked softly around +the room looking at the different things, the pictures, books and +ornaments. There was a high mantel upon which stood a pair of Dresden +vases and two quaint little figures. In the middle was a china house +with a red door and vines over the windows. Edna had always admired it +and was glad to see it still there. She stood looking at it for a long +time. She liked to have her grandmother tell her its history. "That was +brought to me by my grandfather when he returned from England," Mrs. +Willis always said. "I was a little girl about six years old. Later he +brought me those two China figures. He was a naval officer and that is +his portrait you see hanging on the wall." + +"I love the little house," remarked Edna, knowing that the next word +would be: "You may play with it if you are very careful. It is one of my +oldest treasures and I should be very grieved if it were broken." + +The little house was then handed down and Edna examined it carefully. +"It is so very pretty," she said, "that I should like to live in it. I +would like to live in a house with a bright red door." + +"I used to think that same thing when I was a little girl," her +grandmother told her. + +"I think maybe you'd better put it back so I won't break it," said Edna, +carefully handing the treasure to her grandmother, "and then will you +please tell me about the pictures?" + +"The one over the mantel is called 'The Signing of the Declaration of +Independence,' and that small framed affair by the chimney is a key to +it, for it tells the names of the different men who figure in the +picture." + +"I will look at it some day and see if I can find out which is which," +said Edna. "That is Napoleon Bonaparte over there; I know him." + +"Yes; and that other is General Washington, whom, of course, you know." + +"Oh, yes, of course; and I know that little girl, the black head over +there; it is my great-great-grandmother." + +"The silhouette, you mean? Yes, that is she, and she is the same one who +did that sampler you see hanging between the windows. She was not so old +as you when she did it." + +Edna crossed the room and knelt on a chair in front of the sampler. It +was dim with age, but she could discern a border of pink flowers with +green leaves and letters worked in blue silk. She followed the letters +with the tip of her finger, tracing them on the glass and at last +spelling out the name of "Annabel Lisle, wrought in her seventh year." + +"Poor little Annabel, how hard she must have worked," sighed Edna. "I +am glad I don't have to do samplers." + +"You might be worse employed," said her grandmother, smiling. + +"Did you ever do a sampler?" asked Edna. + +"Not a sampler like this one, but I learned to work in cross stitch. Do +you remember the little stool in the living-room by the fireplace?" + +"The one with roses on it that I was sitting on?" + +"Yes; that I did when I was about your age, and the sofa pillow with the +two doves on it I did when I was about Celia's age. I was very proud of +it, I remember." + +"May I go look at them?" + +"Assuredly." + +So Edna went into the next room and carefully examined the two pieces of +work which now had a new importance in her eyes. A little girl about +her age had done them long ago. She discovered, too, a queer-looking +picture behind the door. It was of a lady leaning against an urn, a +weeping-willow tree near by. The lady held a handkerchief in her hand +and looked very sorrowful. Edna wondered why she seemed so sad. There +were some words written below but they were too faint for her to +decipher, and she determined to ask her grandmother about this picture +which she had never noticed before. While she was still looking at it, +Reliance came to the door to say, "I can go now; I've finished what I +had to do." Edna turned with alacrity and the two went out together. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +RELIANCE + + +"How long have you lived here?" Edna asked her companion when they were +outside. + +"About six months," was the reply. + +"Are you 'dopted?" came the next question. + +"No, I'm bound." + +Edna looked puzzled. "I don't know what that is. I know a girl that was +a Friendless and she was 'dopted so now she has a mother and a beautiful +home. Her name used to be Maggie Horn, but now it is Margaret McDonald. +Is your name Reliance Willis?" + +"No, it is Reliance Fairman, and it wasn't ever anything else. I was +friendless, too, till Mrs. Willis took me." + +"Oh, and did you live in a house with a lot of other Friendlesses?" + +"No, I wasn't in an orphan asylum, if that's what you mean, but I reckon +I would have had to go there or else to the almshouse." + +"Oh!" This seemed even more dreadful to Edna and she looked at her +companion with new interest, at the same time slipping her hand into the +other's to show her sympathy. "Tell me about it," she said. + +"Why, you see, my parents died. We lived about three miles from here, +and your grandmother used to know my grandmother; they went to the same +school, so when us children were left without any home or any money your +grandmother said she would take me and keep me till I was of age, so +they bound me." + +"How many children were there?" + +"Three boys and me. Two of the boys are with Mr. Lukens and the other is +in a home; he is a little chap, only six. If he'd been bigger maybe your +grandfather would have had him here, and perhaps he will come when he is +big enough to be of any use." + +"I think that would be very nice and I shall ask grandfather to be sure +to take him. Do you like it here?" + +"Oh, yes, I like it. Amanda is awful pernickity sometimes, but I just +love your grandmother and it is a heap sight better than being hungry +and cold." + +"Would you have to stay supposing you didn't like it?" Edna was +determined to get all the particulars. + +"I suppose so; I'd have to stay till I was eighteen; I'm bound to do +that." + +Edna reflected. "I suppose that is what it means by being bound; you +are just bound to stay. I wonder if anyone else was ever named +Reliance," she went on, being much interested to hear something about so +peculiar a name. + +"My grandmother was, her that your grandmother knew." + +"Oh, was she? Then you are named after your grandmother just as my +sister Celia is named Cecelia after hers. Yours is a funny name, isn't +it? I don't mean funny exactly, for I think it is quite pretty, but I +never knew of anyone named that." + +"I don't mind it when I get it all, but when my brothers called me Li I +didn't like it. Your grandmother gives me the whole name, and I am glad +she does; but she said they generally used to call my grandmother Lyley +when she was a little girl." + +"I think that is rather pretty, too, don't you?" + +"Yes, but I like the whole name better." + +"Then I will always call you by the whole name," Edna assured her. "Can +you tell stories, Reliance?" + +"Do you mean fibs or reading stories like--let's see--Cinderella and +Jack and the Beanstalk?" + +"Oh, I mean the Cinderella kind; I'd hate to think you told fibs." + +"I can tell 'em, but I guess I don't care to. I know two or three of the +other kind and Bible stories, some of them: Eli and Samuel, and David +and Goliath, and all those." + +"Do you go to school?" + +"Half the year, but I guess I won't be going very much longer. I'll soon +be going on fourteen; I'll stop when I'm fifteen." + +"Oh, shall you? Then what will you do?" + +"I'll learn to housekeep and cook, and to sew and all that. Mrs. Willis +says it is more important for me to be educated in the useful things, +that I'll get along better if I am, and I guess she is right. My mother +couldn't cook worth a cent and she just hated it, so we didn't get very +good vittles." + +"Was it your mother's mother after whom you were named?" + +"No, my father's mother. The Fairmans lived around here, but there ain't +many of them left now. My father was an only child, and he married my +mother out of town; she hadn't ever been used to the country. She used +to work in a store and that's why she couldn't cook, you see." + +Edna pondered over this information, wondering if everyone who worked in +a store must necessarily turn out a poor cook. + +"You ought just to see what's getting ready for Thanksgiving," said +Reliance, changing the subject, "I never seen such a pile of stuff. It +fair makes my mouth water to think of it; pies and cakes and doughnuts +and jellies and I don't know what all. I guess there's as many as twenty +or thirty coming, ain't there?" + +"Let me see; I shall have to count. There will be Aunt Alice and her two +boys, Ben and Willis, and Uncle Bert Willis with his five children and +Aunt Lucia; that makes ten, and then there will be all of us, papa and +mamma and us four children; that makes--let me see--" she counted +hurriedly on her fingers. "How many did I say, Reliance? Ten? Oh, yes, +and six make sixteen. Then there are the greats; great Aunt Emmeline and +her brother, Wilbur Merrifield, and his daughter, Cousin Becky. Sixteen +did I say? and three make nineteen. Oh, yes, Cousin Becky's sweetheart +that she is going to marry soon; he is coming and he will make it just +twenty. Counting grandpa and grandma there will be twenty-two, and +counting you and Amanda there will be twenty-four to eat the goodies." + +"You didn't count the two men, Ira and Jim," said Reliance; "they will +eat here, too." + +"Oh, yes, I forgot them. What a crowd, twenty-six people. If they cut a +pie in six pieces it would take over four to go around once, wouldn't +it?" + +"I suppose we would be allowed a second piece on Thanksgiving Day," +remarked Reliance, "though maybe with the other things no one would want +it." + +"How many kinds of pie will there be?" asked Edna. + +"Three at least. I heard Amanda say that she would make the fillings +to-day for pumpkin, lemon and apple; she has the crust all done. She +has made the jelly, too; it's to be served with whipped cream. Your +grandma was talking about having plum pudding, but Amanda said she +didn't see the sense of having it when it wasn't Christmas, and there +would be such lots of other things, all the nuts and apples and such +things. There is going to be chicken pie, besides the turkeys and the +oysters." + +"Dear me," sighed Edna, "I am afraid I shall eat a great deal and be +very uncomfortable. I was last year for a little while because I ate two +Thanksgiving dinners. What did you do last year, Reliance?" + +Reliance looked very sober. "We didn't have much of a Thanksgiving last +year, for it was just before my mother died and she was ill then, so us +children just had to get along the best we could. Somebody sent us in a +pie and some jelly for mother and that is about all we had to be +thankful for. I suppose it was much better than nothing. We ate all the +pie at one meal. Billy said we might as well for it wouldn't last two +days anyhow unless we had little bits of pieces, so each of us had a +whole quarter. Billy tried to trap a rabbit or shoot a squirrel or +something, but he hadn't enough shot and the rabbits didn't trap." + +Secretly Edna was rather glad to hear this, even though it meant that +the Fairmans went without meat for dinner. She walked along pondering +over these facts and wondering which were to be preferred. She could not +tell whether to be glad the squirrels and rabbits had escaped or to be +sorry that the Fairmans could not have had game for Thanksgiving. It was +rather a hard matter to settle, so finally she dismissed the subject and +gave her attention to the pigs whose pen they now had reached. Edna did +not think them very cleanly or attractive creatures, however, and was +very soon ready to leave them that she might see the chickens and ducks +which she found much more interesting. + +The short November day was already so near its end that the fowls were +thinking of going to roost, though the hour was not late, and after +watching them take their supper, which Edna helped Reliance to +distribute, the two girls went on to the garden, now robbed of most of +its vegetables. There were a few tomatoes to be found on the vines; +though celery, turnips and cabbages made a brave showing. Edna felt that +she was quite a discoverer when she came across some tiny yellow +tomatoes which the frost had not yet touched, and which she gathered in +triumph to carry back to her mother. + +"I know where there's a chestnut tree," announced Reliance suddenly. + +"Oh, do let's find it," said Edna. "I will put the tomatoes in my +handkerchief and carry them that way. We ought to gather all the +chestnuts we can, for I know mighty well after the boys come there won't +be a nut left." There was a rush down the hill to the big chestnut tree +about whose roots lay the prickly burs which the frost had opened to +show the shining brown nuts within. + +"I don't see how we are going to carry them," said Edna after a while, +when she had gathered together quite a little heap. + +"I'll show you," Reliance told her, and began tying knots in the corners +of the apron she wore. "There," she said, "that makes a very good bag, +and what we can't carry that way we can leave and come back for +to-morrow. We'd better take as many as we can, though, for to-morrow +will be such a busy day I may not be able to come, and if we don't, the +squirrels will get them all." + +"I could come alone, now that I know the way," said Edna, "or maybe +mamma would come with me." + +"I suppose we'd better be going back," said Reliance when she lifted the +improvised bag to her arm. "It is near to milking time and that means +getting ready for supper." + +"What do you do to get ready for supper?" asked Edna taking hold of one +side of the bag. + +"Oh, I set the table and go down to the spring-house for the butter and +cream. I can skim milk now, but I couldn't at first, I got it all mixed +up." + +"Do you skim all the milk?" + +"Oh, no, that we put on the table to drink is never skimmed. The skimmed +milk goes to the pigs." + +"Oh, does it? I think you feed your pigs pretty well. Are we going to +watch them milk?" + +"You can if you like; I've got to go right back." + +"You don't help with the milking then?" + +"No; Ira does it. Your grandpa says it is man's work, but Ira lets me do +a little sometimes so I will learn." + +"Aren't you afraid of the cows?" + +"No, indeed, are you?" + +"Kind of. They have such sharp horns sometimes," answered Edna by way of +excusing her fear. + +"Your grandpa's don't have; he keeps only dehorned cattle." + +"What are they?" + +"The kind that have had their horns taken off so they don't do any +damage." + +"I think maybe I wouldn't mind that kind so much," said Edna, after +considering the matter for a moment. "If you don't mind, I think I +would like to stop and see Ira milk." + +Reliance said she didn't mind in the least and, therefore, she left the +little girl at the bars of the stable yard which was quite as near as +she wished to stand to the herd of cows gathered within. + +"Want to come in and learn to milk?" asked Ira, looking up with a smile +at the little red-capped figure. + +"Oh, no, thank you," returned Edna hastily. "I'd rather watch you." She +would really have like to try her hand if there had been but one cow, +but when there were six, how could a young person be certain that one of +the number would not turn and rend her? To be sure, they were much less +fearsome without horns, but still they were too big and dreadful to be +entirely trusted. So she stood watching the milk foam into the shining +tin buckets and then she walked contentedly with Ira to where Amanda +was waiting to strain the milk and put it away in the spring-house. + +"Do you keep it out here all winter and doesn't it freeze?" asked Edna. + +"In winter we keep it in the pantry up at the house. If it should turn +cold suddenly now, we'd have to bring it in," Amanda told her, as she +carefully lifted the earthen crocks into place. "There comes Reliance +for the cream and butter," she went on. "Reliance, I'll carry up the +milk and you come along with the rest. Don't tarry down here, and be +sure you lock the spring-house door and fetch in the key." Then she went +out leaving the two little girls behind. + +Reliance carefully attended to her duties, Edna watching her admiringly. +It must be a fine thing to be so big a girl as this, one who could be +trusted to do work like a grown-up woman. "Let me carry something," she +offered, when Reliance stepped up the stone steps and outside, carrying +the butter in one hand and the pitcher of cream in the other. + +"If you would lock the door and wouldn't mind taking the key along, I +wouldn't have to set down these things," Reliance said. + +Edna did as she was asked, standing tip-toe in order to turn the big key +in the heavy door. + +"When we get to the house you can hang the key on its nail behind the +kitchen door," Reliance told her. "It is always kept there." + +Edna swung the big key on her finger by its string and trotted along by +the side of Reliance, asking many questions, and delighting to hear +Reliance enlarge upon the all-important subject of the Thanksgiving +festivities. + +"We've got to get up good and early," Reliance remarked, "for there's +a heap to be done, even if we are ahead with the baking. I expect to +be up before daylight, myself, and I reckon Ira will be milking by +candlelight," she added, as she entered the kitchen door. Mrs. Conway +was in the kitchen talking to Amanda, and Edna hastened to show her +little hoard of tomatoes. "We gathered a whole lot of chestnuts, too," +she told her mother. "They were all on the ground down the hill behind +the barn." + +"I know the very tree," Mrs. Conway told her. "We must roast some in the +ashes this evening. Come along, supper is ready and you must get +yourself freshened up." + +Edna followed along and, in the prospect of supper and then of roasting +chestnuts, she forgot all about the spring-house key. This, by the way, +was lying on the door-mat where she had dropped it. A little later on, +it was picked up by Reliance and was slipped into the pocket of her +gingham apron. "I won't remind her that she dropped it. Likely as not +she forgot all about it," said Reliance to herself. "I ought not to have +trusted it to as little a girl as she is." + +It was not till after she was in bed that Edna remembered that she had +ever had the key. Where had she put it? She had no recollection of it +after she had swung it by its string upon her finger on the way to the +house. "It must be on the kitchen table," she told herself. "I opened my +handkerchief there to show mother the tomatoes." She sat up in bed +wondering if she would better get up and go down, but she finally +decided to wait till her mother should have come to bed and then confide +in her. + +However, try as she would, she could not keep awake. It had been an +exciting and fatiguing day and she was in the land of dreams in a few +minutes, not even having visions of keys, spring-houses or Thanksgiving +dinners, but of the mother cat and her three kittens who were climbing +chestnut trees and throwing down chestnuts to her. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +WHERE'S THE KEY? + + +Very, very early in the morning Edna was awake. She was not used to +farmyard sounds and could not tell if it were a lusty rooster, an +insistent guinea-fowl or a gobbling turkey whose voice first reached +her. But whichever it was, she was quite broad awake while it was yet +dark. She lay still for a few minutes, with an uncertain feeling of +something not very pleasant overshadowing her, then she remembered the +key. "Oh, dear," she sighed, "if they can't get into the spring-house +there will be no cream for breakfast and no butter, either. The key must +be found." + +She got up and softly crept to the window. A bright star hung low in the +sky and there was the faintest hint of light along the eastern horizon. +Presently Edna saw a lighted lantern bobbing around down by the stable +and concluded that Ira must be up and that it was morning, or at least +what meant morning to farmers. She stood watching the light grow in the +east and finally decided that she would dress and be all ready by the +time it was light enough to hunt for the lost key. + +By now she could see well enough to find her clothes, but, fearing lest +she should waken her mother, she determined to go to the bathroom at the +end of the hall rather than use the wash-stand in the room where she +was, so she gathered up her clothing in her arms, and went down the +entry, made her toilet and crept down stairs. There was a light burning +in the lower hallway, but it was dark all through the rest of the house +and she was obliged to feel her way through the rooms. There was a +noise of some one stirring in the pantry. She opened the door of the +kitchen gently and peeped in. A lamp was burning on the table, but no +key lay there. Edna tip-toed in quietly and felt on the nail where the +key should hang, thrusting aside a gingham apron belonging to Reliance +which hung just above its place, but the nail was empty and she was +forced to believe she had dropped the key somewhere between the +spring-house and the kitchen. She tip-toed out of the kitchen, turned +the key of the outside door and closed it after her as noiselessly as +possible, and in another moment was outside in the chill November air. +It was rather fearsome to make one's way down dim paths where some wild +creature might still be lurking after a night's raid from the woods near +by, and she imagined all sorts of things. First, something stole softly +by her and was off like a shot through the tall weeds growing beyond the +fence; it was only a rabbit who was more frightened at Edna than she at +it. Next, the bushes parted and a small white figure crept stealthily +forth. The child's heart stood still and she stopped short. Then came a +plaintive meow and she discovered one of the three kittens out on an +adventuring tour. She picked up the little creature which purred +contentedly as she snuggled it to her, continuing her way. + +The garden left behind, there was the lane to be passed through, and +here some real cause for fear in Edna's opinion, for the cows that Ira +had just finished milking were coming through the bars he had let down. +They stumbled along clumsily, following one another over the rail, and +ambled on to another set of bars where they stood till Ira should let +them through. At first, Edna did not realize that they were not making +for the spot where she stood and she took to her heels, fleeing +frantically back to the garden, banging the gate behind her and standing +still waiting till the cows were through and the bars up again. Seeing +the cows safely shut out from the lane she ventured forth again and +followed Ira's lantern to the barn. Here she stood looking around and +presently the beams from the lantern fell upon her little figure with +the white kitten still clasped in her arms. + +Ira looked up in surprise. "Hello!" he cried. "What's took you up so +airly? Why, I jest got through milkin', and, doggone it, it ain't +skeerce light yit." + +"I know," said Edna, "but I had to get up early, you see, so as to find +the key before breakfast." + +"Key? What key?" + +"The key of the spring-house. Reliance gave it to me to carry and I was +to have hung it up on a nail behind the kitchen door, and I forgot all +about it till I was in bed. You see if it isn't found nobody can have +any milk or cream for breakfast." + +"Oh, I guess we could manage," returned Ira reassuringly. "Didn't drop +it indoors, did you?" + +"I don't think so. I looked in the kitchen as I came out and I didn't +find it there. If it had been picked up, it would be on the nail, I +should think." + +"Most likely it would; it would be there sure if 'Mandy found it; she +don't let nothin' stay out of place very long, I kin tell ye." + +"As long as I didn't find it in the kitchen I thought I would come here +because I saw you had a lantern, and it really isn't quite light enough +to see very plainly, is it?" + +"No, it ain't. Sun don't rise till somewheres around seven this time o' +year. Well, you come with me and we'll work our way long the path from +the spring-house and if we don't find the key we will go inside and +inquire. I alwuz find it don't do no harm to ask questions, and that +there key is bound to be somewheres betwixt this and the house." + +He swung his lantern so its rays would shed a broad light along the way, +and Edna pattered along just behind him, trying very hard to keep up +with his long strides. When at last they reached the spring-house, he +slackened his pace and began carefully to look to the right and to the +left. + +"You come right straight along, did you?" he questioned. "Didn't go +cavortin' off nowheres pickin' weeds or chasin' cats, did you?" + +"No, we came as straight as could be. Reliance had the butter and cream +and we didn't stop once." + +"Then I guess you likely dropped it inside, for I've sarched careful and +I can't find it. Maybe when it comes real bright daylight you could look +again, but I should advise askin' at the house next thing you do." + +He led the way into the kitchen where Amanda was briskly stirring about. +"Well," she began, "what's wanting? Well, I declare if there ain't Edna. +What's got you up so early, missy? I guess you're like the rest of us, +couldn't sleep for thinking of all that's to do for Thanksgiving." + +"You ain't picked up the spring-house key nowheres about, have you?" +asked Ira. + +"Why, no. You had it?" + +"No, I ain't, but sissy there says 'Liance gave it to her to carry and +she ain't no notion of what she done with it, thought mebbe she might +ha' drapped it in here. She got so worried over it she riz from her bed +and come out to hunt it up, says she was afraid nobody couldn't get no +breakfast because of her losing of it." + +"I guess we won't suffer for breakfast," said Amanda, looking down +kindly at the little girl. "I don't carry back the milk nights this time +of year. Any that's left I just set in the pantry and there is what was +left from supper this blessed minute; butter, too, and cream, plenty for +breakfast. You just rest your mind on that score." + +"But," said Edna, "you will want a whole lot of things for the +Thanksgiving cooking and what will you do with them all locked up?" + +Ira laughed. "'Twouldn't be such an awful job to lift the door from its +hinges, and if a body was right spry he could climb in at the window +after he'd prised it open and the things could be handed out. Besides +we've got all the morning's milk and there'll be the night's milk and +to-morrow's milk, so I don't see that we shan't get along first-rate. +There is more than one way out of that trouble, ain't there, 'Mandy?" + +"I should say so. Wait till the sun's real high and I guess we'll find +the key fast enough," she said to Edna. "Now, you stay right here and +don't go running about in the cold; you'll be down sick traipsing about +in the wet grass, and then where will your Thanksgiving be?" + +Thus warned, Edna was content to stay in the kitchen into which the +morning light was beginning to creep and which was already warm from the +big stove. In a few minutes, Reliance appeared from the next room where +she had been setting the table. She was much astonished to learn that +Edna had been down before her. "What in the world did you get up so soon +for?" she asked. + +"To find the key," Edna answered, and then told her all about the +search, ending up with, "You haven't seen anything of it, have you, +Reliance?" + +Reliance's face broadened into a smile, as for answer she went behind +the kitchen door and produced the key from its nail, holding it up to +view. + +"Why, where in the world did you get it?" inquired Edna in a tone of +surprise. "It wasn't on the nail when I looked there for it a little +while ago." + +"You dropped it on the door-mat last evening," Reliance told her. "I +found it there and slipped it into the pocket of my apron, and this +morning when I went to get my apron, there it was so I just hung it up +where it belonged." + +"Well, I'm sure," said Amanda, "that's easily explained." + +"Who'd ha' thought it," said Ira. "Well, that let's us out of another +hunt. I won't have to wrastle with the door after all, will I?" + +So, after all, Edna's early rising was unnecessary, but she did not feel +sorry that she had had such an experience, and was content to sit and +watch Amanda mould her biscuits and to help Reliance finish setting the +table. Amanda insisted upon giving her a drink of buttermilk from the +spring-house to which she despatched Reliance, advising Edna not to go +this time. "You've had one tramp," she said, "and moreover you'll be +starved by breakfast time if you don't have something to stay you." + +The sausages were sizzling in the pan, and the griddle was ready for the +buckwheat cakes when Mrs. Conway appeared. "Well, you did steal a march +on us," she said to her little daughter. "How long have you been up? I +didn't hear a sound. You must have been a veritable mouse to be so +quiet." + +"I've been up since before daylight," Edna told her. "I took my things +into the bathroom so as not to disturb you; it was lovely and warm in +there." Then again she repeated her story of the lost key. + +"Reliance had the joke on her," said Amanda, "for she had the key all +the time." + +"Why didn't you tell me you had found it?" asked Edna a little +reproachfully as she turned to Reliance, who had by this time returned +from the spring-house. + +"I thought you would forget all about it, and I didn't think it was +worth while to mention. Besides," she added, "I ought to have carried +the key myself anyway." + +"You're right there," remarked Amanda. "It is your especial charge and +you oughtn't to have let anyone else fetch it in. Moreover, you'd ought +to have hung it up the minute you found it, and there it would have been +when it was looked for." + +"Oh, don't scold her," begged Edna. "It was all my fault, really." + +Amanda smiled. "I don't see it just that way. Folks had ought to learn +when they're young that in this house there's a place for everything, +and everything should be in its place. I rather guess, though, that that +special key won't get lost again right away." + +Edna felt that she had brought this lecture upon Reliance and felt +rather badly to have done so, but the prospect of buckwheat cakes soon +drove her self-reproach away and she went in to say good morning to her +grandparents, well satisfied with the world in general and content to +look ahead rather than at what was now past and gone, and which could +not be altered. + +Before the day had far advanced, came the first of the arrivals, Aunt +Alice Barker and her two boys, Ben and Willis. Ben and Edna were great +chums, though he was the older of the two boys. Ben was alert, full of +fun and ready to joke on every occasion, while Willis was rather shy and +had not much to say to his little cousin, whom, by the way, he did not +know so very well. + +Edna would fain have spent the morning in the kitchen from which issued +delectable odors, but Amanda had declared she wanted all the room there +was, that she had scatted out the cats and dogs and she would have to +scat out children, too, if they came bothering around. Therefore, to +avoid this catastrophe, Edna took herself to a different part of the +house, and was standing at one of the front windows when the carriage +drove up. + +"Oh, grandpa," she sang out, "here come Aunt Alice and her boys! Hurry! +Hurry! or they will get here before we can be there to meet them." + +Her grandfather threw down his newspaper and laid aside his spectacles. +"Well, well," he said, "it takes the young eyes to find out who is +coming. I didn't suppose Allie would be here till afternoon. What team +have they. Why didn't they let us know so we could send for them!" + +He followed Edna, who was already at the front door tugging at the bolt, +then in another moment the two were out on the porch while yet the +carriage was some yards away. Ben caught sight of them. "Hello!" he +cried out. "Here we are, bag and baggage. Didn't expect us so soon, did +you grandpa?" + +"No, son, we didn't. How did you come to steal a march on us in this +way?" + +"The express was behind time so we caught it at the junction, instead of +having to wait for the train we expected to take. It didn't seem worth +while to telephone; in fact we didn't have time, so we just got this +team from Mayville and here we are. How are you Pinky Blooms?" He darted +at Edna, tousled her hair, picked her up and slung her over his shoulder +as if she were a bag of meal, and dropped her on the top step of the +porch, she laughing and protesting the while. + +"Oh, Ben," she panted, "you are perfectly dreadful." + +"Why, is that you, Edna?" said Ben in pretended surprise. "I thought you +were my valise; it is too bad I made the mistake and dumped you down so +unceremoniously." + +Edna knew perfectly well how to take this so she picked herself up +laughing, and started after Ben who leaped over the railing of the porch +thus making his escape. By this time Mrs. Willis and Mrs. Conway had +come out and the whole company went indoors, Ben the last to come, +peeping in through a crack of the door, and then slinking in with a +pretense of being afraid of Edna. An hour later, these two were tramping +over the place, hand in hand, making all sorts of discoveries, leaving +Willis deep in a book and the older people chatting cozily before the +open fire. + +Aunt Emmeline, Uncle Wilbur and Becky were the next to come, Becky being +in a pout because her sweetheart had failed to make the train, and Aunt +Emmeline fussing and arguing with her. + +"You know, Becky, that he is coming, and I don't see what difference a +couple of hours will make," she said as she gave her hand, to her +sister, Mrs. Willis. "I am just telling Becky, Cecelia, that she is very +foolish to make such a fuss because Howard is detained; he missed the +train, you see, and can't arrive till the next comes in." She passed on +into the house still talking, while Edna made her escape upstairs. She +had not noticed the little girl, and Edna felt rather slighted. + +However, this was all forgotten a little later when her own brothers and +sister as well as her father were to be welcomed. You would suppose Edna +had been parted from them for at least a year, so joyous were her +greetings, and so much did she have to tell. She had scarcely unburdened +herself of all her happenings, before in swarmed Uncle Bert and his +family. There was so many of these that for a little while they seemed +to fill the entire house, for, first appeared Aunt Lucia and after her +the nurse carrying the baby, then Uncle Bert with little Herbert in his +arms, and then Lulie and Allen and Ted. Cousin Becky's sweetheart, +Howard Colby, came on the last train and ended the list of guests. What +a houseful it was, to be sure, and what long, long tables in the +dining-room. Reliance was not able to wait on everybody, and so Amanda's +niece Fanny, took a hand, thus everyone was served. + +Edna was rather shy of those cousins whom she had not seen for two or +three years, and after supper preferred to stay close to her sister +Celia and Ben, though her brothers were soon hob-nobbing with Allen and +Ted, and were planning expeditions for the morrow. Ben told such a funny +story about the lady by the willow tree, that Edna could never look at +the picture again without laughing, but he had scarcely finished it +before some one called out: "Bedtime for little folks!" and all the +younger ones trooped off upstairs, grandma herself leading the way to +see that each one was tucked in comfortably. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A HEARTY DINNER + + +It would be quite a task if one were to try to compute the number of +buckwheat cakes consumed at the long tables the next morning, and there +might have been more but that Charlie stopped Frank in the act of +helping himself to a further supply by saying: "Look here, son, if you +keep on eating cakes you won't give your Thanksgiving dinner any show at +all. I'm thinking about that turkey." + +This remark was passed down the table and had the effect of bringing the +breakfast to a conclusion. The boys scampered off out of doors to scour +the place for nuts or to dive into unfrequented woodsy places, while the +girls gathered around the crowing baby, in high good-humor with herself +and the world at large. Then the nurse bore baby off and Edna turned to +her mother for advice. + +"What can I do, mother?" she asked. + +"Why, let me see. Your Aunt Alice and I are going to help your grandma +to arrange the tables, after a while. We shall want a lot of decorations +besides the roses your Uncle Bert brought. Suppose you little girls +constitute yourselves an order of flower girls with Celia at your head, +and go out to find whatever may do for the tables." + +"There are some chrysanthemums, little yellow ones, and there are a few +white ones, too; I saw them yesterday down by the fence." + +"They will do nicely; we will have those and anything else that will be +pretty for the table or the rooms." + +"Shall we ask Lulie to go with us?" whispered Edna. + +"Certainly I would. She isn't quite so old as you, but she is the only +other little girl here, and it would be very rude and unkind to leave +her out." + +"You ask her," continued Edna in a low tone. + +For answer Mrs. Conway smiled over at Lulie. "Don't you want to be a +flower girl?" she asked; "Celia, I propose that you take these two +little girls in tow and go on an expedition to gather flowers to deck +the tables and the house, I know you will enjoy it." + +"Indeed I shall," replied Celia. "Come on, girls, let's see what we can +find." And the three sallied forth to discover what might be of use. + +An hour later they came back laden with small branches of scarlet oak, +with graceful weeds, with the little buttony chrysanthemums, and with +actually a few late roses which had braved the frost and were showing +pale faces in a sheltered corner when the girls came upon them. By this +time, the three cousins were well acquainted, the two younger the best +friends possible, so that when dinner was really ready they were quite +happy at being allowed to sit side by side. + +It would fill a whole chapter if I were to tell you about all the good +things on that table. Grandpa carved a huge brown turkey at one end, +while Uncle Bert carved an equally huge and brown one at the other end. +Grandma served the flakiest of noble chicken-pies at her side of the +table, while Aunt Alice served an oyster-pie of the same proportions and +quite as delicious. The boys, not in the least disturbed by the memory +of the buckwheat cakes, were ready with full-sized appetites, while the +girls, after their scramble in search of decorations, had no reason to +complain of not being hungry. To Cousin Becky's lot fell one of the +wishbones, and to Edna's joy she had the other. Cousin Becky put hers up +over the front door after dinner, and it was the strangest thing in the +world that Mr. Howard Colby should be the first to come in afterward. +Edna decided to save hers till it was entirely dry. + +"What are you going to do with it then?" asked Lulie. + +"I haven't quite decided. I shall take it home, and maybe I'll pull it +with Dorothy or maybe I will make a pen-wiper of it for a Christmas +gift. I might give it to Ben." + +"I never heard of wishbone pen-wipers," said Lulie. "Are they very hard +to make?" + +"Not so very, if you have anyone to help you with the sealing-wax head. +Celia could help me with that. You make a head, you know, and then the +wishbone has two legs and you dress it up so it is a pen-wiper." This +was not a very clear description, but Lulie was satisfied, especially as +at that moment Ben came to them and said that everyone was going to play +games, in order that their dinners might properly digest. + +"Everybody?" inquired Lulie. "The grandparents, too?" + +"Of course," Ben told her. "We are going to begin with something easy, +like forfeits, and work up to the real snappy ones after." + +"What are the snappy ones?" asked Edna. + +"Oh, things like Hide-and-Seek and lively things that will keep us on +the jump." + +The two little girls followed Ben into the next room and before long +everyone was trying to escape from grandpa who was as eager for a game +of Blind Man's Buff as anybody, and who at last caught Becky, who in +turn caught Howard Colby because he didn't try to get out of her way. +This ended that game, but everybody was so warmed up to the fun that +when it was proposed to carry on a game of Hide and Seek out of doors +all agreed, and Edna was so convulsed with laughter to see her +dignified, great-uncle Wilbur crouching behind a wood-pile and peeping +fearfully over the top that she forgot to hide herself properly and was +discovered by Ben in a moment. + +"You're no good at all at hiding," Ben told her. "Anybody could have +found you with half an eye." + +"Oh, I don't care," replied Edna; "I'll have just as much fun finding +out some one else," and she it was who made straight for Uncle Wilbur's +wood-pile to which he had returned with the fond belief of its serving +as good a turn a second time. + +It was not so very long before the older persons declared that they had +had enough of it. The men returned to the house to have a smoke and the +ladies to chat around the fire. As for the children, it was quite too +much to expect them to go in while there was a twinkle of daylight left, +and, as Amanda expressed it, "They took the place." The girls did not +roam far from the house but the boys wandered much further afield, +bringing caps and pockets full of nuts, and clothes full of burs and +stick-tights, even Ben brought back a hoard of persimmons touched by the +frost and as sweet as honey. + +He poured these out on a flat stone near which Edna was standing. "Come +here, Edna," he said, "let's divvy up. I'll give you half; you can take +what you don't eat to your mother and I'll take what I don't eat to my +mother." + +Edna squatted down by the stone and began delicately to nibble at the +fruit which still bore its soft purple bloom. "I don't believe I shall +eat very many," she said, "for my dinner is still lasting, and there +will be supper before I am ready for it. We are not going to have a +real, regular set-the-table supper, because grandma thinks Amanda and +Reliance should have some holiday, too, but we are going to have +sandwiches and cakes and nuts and apples and cider and a whole lot of +things; something like a party you know. Aren't you going to eat any of +your persimmons, Ben?" + +"No, that coming supper party sounds too seductive; I'll wait so that I +can do it justice." + +"What did you see out in the woods?" asked Edna. + +"Foxy grape-vines and bare trees," he answered promptly. + +"Do you mean b-e-a-r trees or b-a-r-e trees?" + +"Which ever you like; I've no doubt there were both kinds." + +"Oh, Ben," Edna glanced around fearfully, "do you really think there are +bears around here?" + +"I know there are, sometimes." He drew down his mouth in a way which +made Edna suspect a joke. + +"When is the sometimes?" she asked suspiciously. + +"When they have a circus at Mayville." + +"Oh, you Ben Barker, you are the worst," cried Edna roguishly pulling +his nose. + +"Here, here," he exclaimed, "look out, it might come off like the fox's +tail." + +"What fox?" + +"Don't you know the story of 'Reynard, the Fox'? It is in one of those +big, red books that lie on that claw-footed table in the living-room." + +"Here, in this house?" + +"Yea, verily. You don't mean to say you have never read those books! +Why, there is not a year since I was eight years old that I haven't +pored over them. Every time I have been here, and that is at least once +a year, I go for those books, I'd advise you to make their +acquaintance." + +"You tell me the story; then I won't have to read it." + +"No, my child, I shall not allow you to neglect your opportunities +through any weakness on my part. Read it for yourself, and thereafter, +the red book will be one of your prized memories of 'Overlea.'" + +"Then tell me again about the lady and the willow tree," begged Edna; +"that was so funny." + +Ben laughed. "I am afraid I don't remember that so well as I do the fox +story, but maybe I will think of some more about her. Come, it is time +to go in. They may be eating those chicken or turkey sandwiches this +very minute." + +Hanging on his arm, Edna skipped along to the house to find that it was +quite too early to think of sandwiches, though the lamps were lighted in +all but the living-room where a cheerful fire made the place light +enough. Around the fire sat grandma, Aunt Emmeline, Aunt Alice and Mrs. +Conway. Aunt Lucia was upstairs with the babies. Uncle Wilbur was taking +a nap, and grandpa and Uncle Bert were out looking after the stock, as +Ira and the other man had been allowed a holiday. Over in the corner of +the sofa sat Cousin Becky and her lover talking in low tones. + +"Dear me," said grandma, as the children all trooped in, "we must have +a light; these little folks may not like to sit in the dark." + +"This is the best kind of light," declared Ben, "and the very time for +telling tales. Let's all sit around the fire and have a good time. We'll +begin with the oldest and so on down to the youngest If we don't have +time to go all the way down the line, we'll stop when we're hungry. +How's that, grandma? Do you like the plan?" + +"It is just as the others say, my dear," she answered. + +"It's a lovely plan, Ben," said Mrs. Conway. "You will have to begin, +mother, and Aunt Emmeline can come next." + +"Oh, dear," protested that lady, "I never was one for telling tales; you +will have to count me out." + +"I am sure if I can, you can," grandma assured her. "What shall it be +about, children?" + +"Oh, about when you were a little girl," cried Edna. + +"About the time the horse ran away with you," spoke up the boys. + +"About your first ball please," begged Celia. + +Grandma laughed. "Just listen to them. They have heard all those things +dozens of times. I'll tell you what we will do. I will tell about the +runaway horse, that belongs to the time when I was a little girl, and +Emmeline shall tell about her first ball, and I can remind her if she +forgets anything. I remember her first ball even better than my first, +for it was at hers I met your grandfather." + +This was all so satisfactory that there was not a murmur of dissent, and +grandma began: "It was when I was about ten years old that I went one +day with my father to the nearest village. He was driving a pair of +spirited horses, and on our way home a parcel we were bringing home, +fell out of the buggy. My father stopped the horses and ran back to pick +up the parcel, but before he could get to the buggy, the horses took +fright at a piece of paper blowing along the road in front of them and +off they started, full tilt, down the road. In vain my father cried, +'Hey, there! Whoa, Barney! Whoa Pet!' on they went faster and faster. I +managed to hold on to the reins but my young hands were not strong +enough to control the wild creatures, and I thought every minute would +be my last, for up hill and down dale we went at such a pace I had never +known. Over a stump would jounce the buggy, and I would nearly pitch +out. Around the last curve they went with a swing which I thought would +land me on my back or my head, but I managed to keep my seat and at +last saw the open gate of our own lane before me. Would the horses go +through without hitting a gate post? Would they run into a fence or over +a pile of stones at one side? My heart was in my mouth. I jerked the +reins in a vain attempt to guide them, but on they went, pell-mell, +making straight for the open gate. Presently I saw some one rush from +the house and then another person come flying from the stables. Just +before we reached the gate, it was flung to with a bang. The horses +pranced, swung a little to one side and stopped short, and I heard some +one say, 'So, Barney, so Pet!' I didn't know what happened next but the +first thing I knew I was lying on the lounge in the sitting-room, my +mother bending over me, and holding a bottle of salts to my nose, 'Oh, +dear, oh, dear,' my mother was crying, 'another minute and the child +might have been killed.'" + +"Who was it shut the gate?" asked Allen eagerly. + +"Amanda's mother, who was living with us at that time." + +"And who caught the horses?" queried Ted. + +"Jim Doughty, who was our hired man." + +"Weren't you nearly frightened to death?" Lulie put the question. + +"Very nearly, and so was my father. He was as pale as a ghost when he +got home. He had to walk all the way, and said he thought he should +never get there. The country wasn't as thickly settled as it is now, and +there were no houses between us and the spot where the horses took +fright." + +"Where is the place you lived?" asked Allen. + +"About five miles from here." + +"I should like to see it," said the boy musingly. "I suppose those +horses are dead. I'd like to see horses that could run like that." + +"They would be somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty-five or seventy +years old by this time," said grandma with a smile, "and the oldest +horse I ever knew was forty." + +"Gee! but that was old," remarked Frank. "Whose was it, grandma? Yours?" + +"No, my grandfather's. Her name was Dolly, and she took my grandparents +to church every Sunday for many years, up to a little while before she +died. Now, Emmeline, let's hear about the ball." + +"It was just a ball," began Aunt Emmeline. + +"The County Ball," put in grandma. "They always have one every year at +Fair time. Emmeline was sixteen and I was eighteen. Now go on, +Emmeline." + +"I wore white tarlatan trimmed with forget-me-nots," said Aunt Emmeline, +"and I danced my first dance with Steve Hardesty." She paused and gave a +little sigh. "He took me into supper, too, poor Steve." Grandma leaned +over and laid her hand softly on her sister's. "It is such a long time, +such a very long time ago," she said softly. + +Aunt Emmeline smiled a little sadly. "Yes, a long time," she repeated. +"You wore, what was it you wore, Cecelia?" + +"I wore pink tarlatan trimmed with rosebuds and a wreath of them in my +hair. The skirt was caught up with bunches of the little buds and green +leaves, and I thought it the prettiest dress I ever saw." + +"It was a great ball," Aunt Emmeline went on, brightening. "I danced +every set, and so did you, Cecelia." + +"And how everyone did talk because I danced so many with Ben Willis whom +I had met for the first time that night. He would see me home, you +remember, although Uncle Phil and Cousin Dick were both there to look +after us; we were staying at our uncle's, my dears. It was during the +early days of the war, and there was much talk of what would happen next +and who would be going off to join the army, you remember." + +"It was not till two years after, that Steve went," said Aunt Emmeline +wistfully. + +"Tell us about Steve," spoke up Frank. "Did he become a soldier?" + +Celia shook her head warningly at her little brother, for she knew Aunt +Emmeline's story, and of how her young lover was killed in battle, but +Aunt Emmeline did not hesitate to answer. "Yes, he went, but he never +came back." + +Silence fell upon the little group for a moment till Aunt Emmeline +herself broke it by saying, "Do you remember, Cecelia, how angry you +were with Polly Parker because she copied your dress, and how you were +going to have yours trimmed with daisies, and changed all that at the +last moment? I can see you now, ripping off those inoffensive daisies +and flinging them on the floor." + +Grandma laughed. "Well, after all, hers wasn't a bit like mine, for it +was a different shade of pink and wasn't made the same way. Yes, I was +furious, I remember, because it wasn't the first time Polly had copied +my things; she had a way of doing it." + +"Here comes grandpa," announced Herbert who did not find all this talk +of dress and balls very interesting. + +The entrance of grandpa and Uncle Bert broke up the party by the fire, +for soon the sandwiches and other things were brought in, then came +songs and games till, before anyone realized it, bedtime came and +Thanksgiving Day was over. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE RED BOOK + + +Whether it was the search for the key in the chill of the early morning, +or whether it was that she ate too heartily of grandma's good things, +certain it was that when Edna waked up the morning after Thanksgiving, +she felt very listless and miserable. Her father was already up and +dressed, and her mother was making her toilet when the little girl +turned over and watched her with heavy eyes. + +"Well, little girl," said Mrs. Conway, "it seems to me that it is time +for you to get up." + +Edna gave a long sigh, closed her eyes, but presently found the courage +to make an effort towards rising. She threw aside the covers, slipped +her feet into her red worsted slippers, and then sat on the side of her +cot in so dejected an attitude that her mother noticed it. "What," she +said, "are you so very sleepy still? I suspect you are tired out from +yesterday's doings." + +"My head aches and there are cold creeps running up and down my back," +Edna told her. + +Her mother came nearer, and laid her cool hand on the throbbing temples. +"Your head is hot," she declared. "I am afraid you have taken cold. +Cuddle back under the covers and I will bring or send your breakfast up +to you." + +"I don't think I want any breakfast," said Edna, snuggling down with a +grateful feeling for the warmth and quiet. + +"Not want any breakfast? Then you certainly aren't well. When waffles +and fried chicken cannot tempt you, I know something is wrong." + +Mrs. Conway went on with the finishing touches to her dress and hair +while Edna dozed, but half conscious of what was going on around her. +She did not hear her mother leave the room, and did not know how long it +was before she heard Celia's voice saying: "Mother says you'd better try +to drink this." + +"This" was a cup of hot milk of which Edna tried to take a few sips and +then lay back on her pillow. "I don't want it," she said. + +"Poor little sister," said Celia commiseratingly. "It is too bad you +don't feel well. Is there anything I can do for you?" + +"No, thank you," replied Edna weakly. + +"Mother is coming up in a minute," Celia went on. "Uncle Bert and all of +them are going this morning, but as soon as they are off she will come +up to see how you are." + +"Is everyone going?" asked Edna languidly. + +"No, not this morning. Uncle Bert and his family take the morning train +because they have the furthest to go, and Aunt Lucia wants to get home +with the children before dark. Uncle Wilbur, Aunt Emmeline and all those +are going on the afternoon train. Father thinks he must get back to-day, +too." + +Edna made no answer, but closed her eyes again drowsily. + +"I'll set the milk down here," Celia went on, "and maybe you will feel +like drinking some more of it after a little while." + +She set the cup on a chair by Edna's bedside and stole softly out of the +room, leaving her sister to fall into another doze from which she was +awakened by hearing a timid voice say: "Excuse me. I hope you are not +asleep, but I want to say good-bye," and turning over, Edna saw her +little Cousin Lulie. + +"Oh, are you going?" came from the little girl in bed. + +"Yes, we are all ready. I am so sorry you are sick. I like you so much +and I wish you would come to our house some day." + +Edna was too polite not to make some effort of appreciation, so she sat +up and held out her little hot hand. "Oh, thank you," she answered; "I +should love to come, and I wish you could come to see us. Ask Uncle Bert +to bring you real soon." + +"Mother said I had better not kiss you," remarked Lulie honestly, "for I +might take your cold, but I have folded up a kiss in this piece of paper +and I will put it here so you can get it when I am gone." + +Edna smiled at this and liked Lulie all the better for the fancy. "I +won't forget it," she said earnestly. "I will send you one when I get +well, but you'd better not take a feverish one with you. Good-bye, and +say good-bye to all the others." + +"They would have come, too," Lulie informed her, "but mother thought one +of us was enough when you had a headache, and that I could bring all the +good-byes for the others. Now I must go. Get well soon." And she was off +leaving Edna with a consciousness of it's being a wise decree which +prevented more visitors, for her headache was so much the worse for +having had but one. + +She lay very still wishing the noises below would cease, the running +back and forth, the shutting of doors, the calling of the boys to one +another and the crying of the baby. But last of all she heard the +carriage wheels on the gravel, and then it was suddenly silent. The boys +had all gone off to play, and the only sounds were occasional footsteps +on the stair, the stirring of the kitchen fire, and outside, the distant +"Caw! Caw!" of the crows in the trees. For a long time she was very +quiet. Once her mother came to the door and peeped in, but, seeing no +movement, believed the child asleep, but later she came in and Edna +opened her eyes to see her standing by her bedside. + +"Poor little lass," said her mother, "you're not feeling well at all, +are you? I am afraid you have a little fever. I will give you something +that I hope will make you feel better." + +"Not any nasty medicine," begged Edna. + +"No, only some tiny tablets that you can swallow right down with a +little water." She went to the bureau and found the little phial she was +in search of. After shaking out a few pellets in her hand, she brought +them to Edna with a glass of water and the child took the dose +obediently, for she knew these small tablets of old. + +"Now," Mrs. Conway went on, "I will cover you up warm, and you must try +to get to sleep. Grandma is trying to keep the house quiet and Ben has +taken off the boys. I am going to tidy up the room and stay here with +you for awhile. There, now; you will be more comfortable that way," and +under her mother's loving touches Edna felt happier already and in a +short time fell into a sound sleep from which she awakened feeling +brighter. Her mother was sitting by the window crocheting where the sun +was streaming in. + +Edna sat up and pushed back the hair from her face. Her mother noticed +the movement. "Well, dearie," she said, "you have had a nice nap and I +hope you feel ever so much better." + +"Yes, I think I do," said the child a little doubtfully. + +"That wasn't a very enthusiastic voice. You can't be sure about it?" + +"Yes, I can. I do feel a great deal better." + +"And as if you would like a little something to eat?" + +"Why--what could I eat?" + +"How would some milk toast and a soft-boiled egg do?" + +"I like milk toast pretty well, but I don't believe I want the egg." + +"Not when it will be freshly laid this morning?" + +"I couldn't have it fried, I suppose?" + +"Better not. I'll tell you what I will do; I will go down and ask +grandma what she thinks would be best for you. Would you like to sit up +in bed? I can put something over your shoulders and prop you up with +pillows, or how would you like to get into my bed? There is more room +and you can look out of the window. I will bundle you up and carry you +over." + +"I'd like that," returned Edna in a satisfied tone; it was always a +treat to get into mother's bed. + +Mrs. Conway turned down the covers of her own bed, slipped Edna into her +flannel wrapper, threw a shawl around her and carried her across the +room to deposit her in the big bed. "There," she said, "you can keep +your wrapper on till you get quite warm. Let me put this pillow behind +your back. That's it. Now, then, how do you like the change?" + +"Oh, I like it," Edna assured her. "And my head is much better." + +"I think you'd better stay in bed, however, for we want to break up that +cold. There is no better way to do it than to keep you in bed for to-day +at least. Now I will go down and interview grandma." + +She left the room, and Edna heard her talking to some one in the entry. +Then the door opened and grandma herself came in. "Good morning, dear +child," she said. "I wanted to come up before, but it seemed best to +keep you quiet. I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better, but +you must be careful not to take more cold. Would you like to have Serena +to keep you company?" + +"Oh, I should like her very much," returned Edna. + +Her grandmother left the room returning presently with an old-fashioned +doll which had been hers when she was a little girl. The doll was +dressed in the fashion of sixty years ago and was quite a different +creature from Edna's Virginia. She always liked Serena in spite of her +black corkscrew curls and staring blue eyes. Whenever she visited +Overlea, Serena was given to her to play with, as a special privilege. +Her grandma knew that Edna was careful, but she would not have brought +out this relic of her childhood for everyone. "I will put this little +shawl around her before you take her, for she has been in a cooler room, +and it might chill you to touch her," said grandma, as she wound a small +worsted shawl over Serena's blue silk frock. "I will put her on the bed +there right by you and then I will go down to see if Amanda has anything +that is fit for a little invalid to eat." She kissed the top of Edna's +head and went out leaving her to Serena's company. + +It was not long before Edna heard some one coming slowly up the stair, +then there was a pause before the door, next a knock and second pause +before Edna's "Come in" was answered by Reliance who carefully bore a +tray on which stood several covered dishes. + +"I asked Mrs. Willis to please let me bring this up," said Reliance. "I +am so sorry you are sick, I am dreadfully afraid you took cold hunting +that key." + +"Oh, I don't suppose it was that," Edna tried to reassure her. "I might +have taken cold yesterday, for I got so warm running when we were +playing Hide-and-Seek. Oh, how lovely, Reliance, you have brought up +grandma's dear little dishes that were given her when she was a little +girl. I love those little dishes with the flowers on them." + +"You're to eat this first," said Reliance, uncovering a small tureen in +which some delicious chicken broth was steaming. "There is toast to go +with it. Then if you feel as if you wanted any more, there is a little +piece of cold turkey and some jelly." + +But in spite of her belief that she could eat every bit of what was +before her, Edna could do no more than manage the broth and one piece +of toast, Reliance watching her solicitously while she ate. "You're not +very peckish, are you?" she said. "Well, anyhow I am glad this didn't +come on before you had your Thanksgiving; it would have been dreadful if +it had happened yesterday." + +"I am glad, too," returned Edna. "What time is it, Reliance?" + +"It's most dinner time. As soon as the boys come in, it will be ready. +I'll take back the tray, but I have to go awful careful, for I would +sooner break my leg than these dishes." She bore off the tray as Edna +snuggled back against her pillows, holding one of Serena's kid hands in +hers in order that she might feel less alone. She was not left long to +Serena's sole company, however, for first came her father to say +good-bye, then Aunt Emmeline stopped at the door, and behind her, Cousin +Becky and Uncle Wilbur, all ready with sympathy and good wishes. A +little later, she heard the carriage drive off which should take all +these to the train. There was silence for a time which finally was +interrupted by a tap at the door. + +"Come in," called Edna. + +The door opened, and in walked Ben with a large red book under his arm. +"Hello, you little old scalawag," he said. "What in the world did you go +and do this for?" + +"I couldn't help it," said Edna apologetically. + +"You poor, little, old kitten, of course you couldn't. Well, I have +brought you up Mr. Fox, and I wanted to tell you that the lady by the +willow has had another accident; she dropped her last chocolate +marshmallow and the dog stepped on it. Of course, that wasn't as bad as +the first, but when you have only one handkerchief it is pretty hard to +have to cry it twice full of tears. Fortunately, hers has had a chance +to dry between whiles." + +Edna smiled. It was good to have Ben come in with his nonsense. "Hasn't +she found her eyelash yet?" + +"No, and it was a wet one which is awfully hard to find unless it is +raining; it is hard enough then, goodness knows. How did you stand all +the racket this morning? If a noisy noise annoys an oyster, how much of +a noisy noise does it take to annoy Pinky Blooms? That sounds like a +problem in mental arithmetic, but it isn't. Shall I read to you a +little?" + +"Oh, please." + +"About Reynard, the Fox, shall it be?" + +"Oh, yes. I do so want to know how he lost his tail." + +"Then, here goes," said Ben, as he opened the big, red book. Edna +settled herself back against the pillows and Ben began the story, while +Edna was so interested that she forgot all about her headache. He +finished the tale before he put the book down. "How do you like it?" he +asked. + +"It is perfectly fine. Are there other stories in that book?" + +"Yes, some mighty good ones. Here, do you want to see the pictures? They +are funny and old-fashioned, but they are pretty good for all that." He +laid the book across Edna's knees and showed her the illustrations +relating to Reynard, the Fox, all of which interested her vastly. + +"I am so glad I know about this book," she said as she came to the last +page. "I always thought it was only for grown-ups, and never even looked +at it. Will you read me some more to-morrow?" + +"Sorry I can't, ducky dear, for I am off by the morning train to a +football game which I can't miss." + +"Oh, I forgot about that. Are the boys going, too?" + +"Yes, and Celia. We are all going back together. There is something on +at the Evanses Saturday night, and Celia wouldn't miss that." + +"Neither would you," said Edna slyly. + +"You're a mean, horrid, little girl," said Ben in a high, little voice. +"I'm just going to take my book and go home, so I am." + +"It isn't your book; it is grandma's." + +"I don't care if it is; I'm not going to play with you, and I will slap +your doll real hard." + +"Do you mean Serena? She isn't my doll; she is grandma's. Her name is +Serena, don't you remember? I've known her ever since I was a little, +little thing." + +"And what are you now but a little, little thing, I should like to +know." + +"I'm bigger than Lulie Willis, but I'm not big enough to go to Agnes's +party Saturday night." She spoke somewhat soberly, for she did want to +be there. + +"Oh, never mind," said Ben, with an air of comforting her, "I shall be +there and I am as big as two of you." + +"I don't see how that makes it any better," said Edna, after searching +her mind for a reason why it should be of any comfort to her. + +"Oh, yes it does," returned Ben, "for if I were only as big as you I +shouldn't be there either." + +"As if that helped it." + +"Oh, yes it does, for, you see, they will have a lot of good things and +I can eat enough for you and me both, I am sure," he added triumphantly. +"That is an excellent argument. If a thing can be done for two persons +instead of one, it makes all the difference in the world." + +Edna put her head back against the pillows. Ben was too much for her +when he took that stand. + +"There," said the lad contritely, "I'm making your head worse by my +foolishness. Are you tired? Is there anything I can do for you? Would +you like one of the kittens?" + +"Oh, yes, Ben, I would. They are so comforting and cozy. I am glad you +thought of that." + +"Shall I leave the red book or take it down?" + +"Leave it, please; I might like to look at it after a while." + +So Ben went off, returning directly with one of the kittens which he +deposited on the bed and which presently cuddled close to the child. +Then Ben left her, Serena by her side and the kitten purring contentedly +in her arms. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE OLD HOUSE + + +Although Edna was much better the next day, it was thought prudent to +keep her indoors. All the guests departed with the exception of her +mother, her Aunt Alice and her own self, the house resumed its ordinary +quiet and seemed rather an empty place after its throng of Thanksgiving +visitors. + +"You'd better make up your mind to stay another week, daughter," said +grandma to Edna's mother. "This child isn't fit to be out, and won't be +for two or three days." + +"Oh, I think she will be able to go by Monday," replied Mrs. Conway. "I +shouldn't like to keep her out of school so long." + +"Her health is of much more importance than school," grandma went on. +"She is always well up in her studies, isn't she? You remember that I +didn't have the usual visit last summer, and as Alice is going to stay +we could all have a nice cozy time together." + +"But how would things go on at home without me?" + +"Plenty well enough. I am sure Lizzie can take care of Henry and the +boys." + +"I am not so sure about the boys, though I suppose Henry could get along +very well, and Celia is in town all through the week." + +"Why couldn't Charlie and Frank stay with the Porter boys till we get +back?" piped up Edna from her stool by the fire. "You know, mother, that +Mrs. Porter has asked and asked them, for her boys have already stayed +weeks with us in the summer." + +"Ye-es, I know," returned Mrs. Conway, a little doubtfully. + +"I am sure that is an excellent plan," said grandma, beaming at Edna +over her knitting. "Edna will be all the better for a week here, and +indeed for a longer time." + +"Oh, we couldn't stay longer than next Saturday at the very outside," +put in Mrs. Conway hastily. "I'd love to stay, mother dear, but you know +a housekeeper cannot be too long away, especially when she has not +arranged beforehand to do so." + +Grandma nodded at Edna. "We'll consider it settled that you are to stay +for another week. Let's have it all arranged, daughter. Call up long +distance and let Henry know." + +"I promised him, anyhow, that I would let him know to-day how Edna was +getting along. He was afraid when he went away that she might be in for +a serious illness. I shall be glad to let him know she is better." + +"And he will be so glad to hear that, he won't mind your telling him you +will stay longer," remarked grandma with a little laugh. + +Mrs. Conway went to the telephone and soon it was settled that they were +to remain. "I don't know what Uncle Justus will say," Mrs. Conway +observed when she reëntered the room. "He will think I am a very +injudicious mother to keep you out of school so long." + +"Not if you tell him I was sick," returned Edna, who secretly rather +enjoyed the prospect of making such an announcement. Like most children, +she liked the importance which an illness gave to her small self. + +Saturday was an indoors day spent with Serena, Virginia and the big, +red book. Sunday, too, Edna was shut in except for the few minutes she +was allowed to walk up and down the porch in the sun. She was well +wrapped up for this event, and was charged not to put foot on the damp +ground. + +It had been rather a lonesome morning, with everyone at church except +Amanda, but the little girl stood it pretty well. She read aloud to an +audience consisting of the two dolls and the three kittens, she sang +hymns, in rather a husky voice to be sure, and she stood at the window a +long time watching the people pass by on their way to and from church. + +In the afternoon, her grandfather took his two daughters to see some +relative, Reliance went off to Sunday school, and Edna was left alone +with her grandmother who told her stories and sang, to the accompaniment +of the melodeon she had used when a little girl. Edna enjoyed this +performance very much, but after a while grandma was tired of an +instrument that skipped notes and wheezed like an old horse, so they +went back to the big chair by the open fire. Grandma continued the +singing, rocking Edna in her arms till the child fell fast asleep, the +drowsy hum of the tea-kettle, hanging on the crane, helping to make a +lullaby. When she woke up it was nearly dark. She heard her mother's +voice in the hall and realized that the long Sabbath day was nearly +over. + +This was the last shut-in day, for the weather was clear and bracing, +and, well wrapped up, Edna was able to enjoy it. Reliance always joined +her when the work was done in the afternoon, and she led her to the +acquaintance of two or three other little girls: Alcinda Hewlett, the +daughter of the postmaster, Reba Manning, the minister's daughter, and +Esther Ann Taber who lived just across the way. These three were +playing with Reliance and Edna in front of Esther Ann's one day when +suddenly Esther spoke up: "I know where there is an empty house and +anyone can go into it who wants to." + +"Where is it?" asked Reba, with interest. + +"Down past old Sam Titus's. Don't you know that brown house back there +by the orchard?" + +"Oh, but it is haunted," cried Alcinda. + +"Nonsense, it couldn't be," put in Reba. "My father says there aren't +such things as haunted houses, and he ought to know." + +The word of such high authority as the minister could not be gainsaid, +though the suggestion gave the girls rather a creepy feeling. + +"I'll dare you all to go in there with me," spoke up Esther Ann. + +"Oh, Esther Ann, dast we?" said Alcinda. + +"Why not? Nobody lives there, and I don't believe anyone owns it, for +there is never a person goes in or out, even to do spring cleaning. I +heard my mother say that two old ladies lived there, sisters, and they +didn't speak to one another for years; that was long ago and since they +died nobody knows who the place belongs to, for it isn't ever lived in." + +"Like that place where we go to gather chestnuts," spoke up Reba. +"Anybody can go there and get all they want. My father said I could go, +and that it was all right, and he knows." + +"Of course he does," agreed Esther Ann. "Come, who is going with me?" + +"I'd as soon go as not," Reliance was the first to speak. + +"How do you get in?" asked Alcinda, a little doubtfully. + +"Walk in, goosey. Just open the door and walk in." + +"Isn't the door locked?" + +"The back door isn't, I tried it one day," replied Esther Ann. + +"Why didn't you go in then?" asked Alcinda. + +"Well, I was all by myself, and--and--I thought it would be nicer to +have some one with me; it always is when you want to explore." + +This seemed a perfectly reasonable answer, and the others were +reassured, moreover, to a company of five, nothing was likely to happen, +they thought, and the spirit of adventure was high in the breast of more +than one. + +"We'd better start right along," suggested Reliance, "for I have to be +back, and Edna mustn't stay out after dark." + +"Then, come along, all that want to go," cried Esther Ann, taking the +lead. + +Off they started down the wide street bordered by maples, now shorn of +their leaves, but furnishing a carpet of yellow underfoot, past the +church, the store, the schoolhouse and on to the old brown house sitting +back behind an orchard of gnarled, crooked apple trees. The place was +all grown up with weeds, though here and there were signs of a former +garden. Up the rotting pillars of the porch a woodbine still clambered, +and around the door, lilac bushes kept their green. + +Though she had come thus far without mishap, Alcinda's courage suddenly +failed her and she turned and ran. + +"'Fraid cat! 'Fraid cat!" called Esther Ann after her. + +This had the effect of arresting Alcinda in her flight and she stood +still. + +"Come on," cried Esther Ann. + +"I don't want to," called back Alcinda. "I'll wait out here for you." + +"You don't know what you're missing," Esther Ann called back, trying +once more to persuade her. + +"I'll wait for you here," repeated Alcinda taking up her position on the +horse block by the gate. + +"All right," responded Esther Ann, and opened the door which gave easily +as she turned the knob. + +The four little girls found themselves in a dingy kitchen whose +belongings remained as they had been left years before. Cobwebs hung +from the ceiling; dust was everywhere. The stove rusty and falling to +pieces, still held one or two pots and pans. There was crockery on the +dresser, and a lamp on the table. + +Esther Ann led the way to the next room. "I don't think this one is a +bit interesting," she made the remark as she penetrated further. + +"Do you think we ought to go?" whispered Edna to Reliance, as these two +lagged a little in the rear. + +"Why not? Anyone can come in if it belongs to no one, and they say it +doesn't belong to a soul. Nobody lives here and why haven't we a right +as well as the rest of the world?" + +This argument satisfied Edna and she followed along through the deserted +rooms, catching sight of a moth-eaten cover here, a bunch of withered +flowers there. Books, long untouched, lay half open on a table in one +room, the bed was still unmade in another, and everything was confusion. + +"Isn't it lovely and spooky?" said Esther Ann, tingling with excitement. +"I'm going to see what is in those bureau drawers." + +She darted toward an old-fashioned bureau which stood in the room, +flopped down on her knees, and drew out the lower drawer. "Oh, girls," +she cried, "look here." + +The others gathered around her to see boxes in which were the treasures +of a forgotten owner,--strings of beads, half-worn white kid gloves, a +fan with ivory sticks, combs, and ornaments of various kinds. + +"Let's each take something home to her mother," proposed Esther Ann. "I +speak for the fan." + +"Oh, Esther, do you dare?" asked Reba. + +"Why not? They don't belong to anyone," came back the old argument. + +"Some one else will most likely take them if we don't," remarked +Reliance conclusively. + +This satisfied the less venturesome, and they all sat down on the floor +to make a selection. Reba chose a quaint, silver buckle, Reliance +selected a mother-of-pearl card-case, Edna decided upon a +tortoise-shell comb. + +"Wasn't it lovely that we should find them?" said Esther Ann +enthusiastically. "It will be so nice to be able to take home presents. +I am glad no one else found them before we did." + +"I wonder how long the back door has been opened," said Reba. "Has it +always been?" + +"I don't know. I never tried it till the other day," Esther Ann told +her. + +After rummaging a little further and discovering frocks and coats of +unfamiliar cut hanging in the closets and wardrobes, and coming upon +mouldy slippers, and queer-looking hats in other places, they concluded +they must go. Alcinda had wearied of waiting and had gone off long +before, therefore, the four, after shutting the door behind them, took +their way through the leaf-strewn path to the gate, then up the street +to their respective homes. + +"Don't you think Mrs. Willis will be pleased with the card-case?" asked +Reliance, as they were entering the gate at Overlea. + +"I'm sure she will. She can use it when she goes to the city to see +Uncle Bert, and I know mother will like this comb," returned Edna. + +Reliance had no time to present her gift at that moment for Amanda +called her to come at once to attend to her duties, remarking that she +was late, but Edna hunted up her mother who was upstairs. "Oh, mother, +mother," she cried, entering the room where her mother was, "see what I +have for you. Isn't it pretty?" + +Her mother looked up from the letter she was writing. "What is it, dear? +Why, Edna, what a beautiful comb. Where did you get it?" + +"I found it," replied Edna in an assured tone. "We all found lovely +things." Then she launched forth upon an account of the afternoon's +adventures. + +Her mother listened attentively, and when the child had finished her +tale, she drew her close to her side, kissing the little, eager face, +and saying, "Dear child, I am afraid you have made a mistake. The things +were not for you little girls to take." + +"But mother, they didn't belong to anyone. They have been there for +years and years, and nobody wants them." + +"They would have to belong to some one, dear child. We will ask grandma +about the house and whose property it is. Let us go find her." + +They hunted up Mrs. Willis who listened interestedly to what they had to +tell. "The old Topham house," she said when they had finished. "It +belonged to two sisters, Miss Nancy and Miss Tabitha Topham. These two +lived together for years, but finally they quarreled and each vowed that +she would never speak to the other. They died within a few weeks of one +another and there were no nearer heirs than distant cousins who have +never troubled themselves to look after the place. Old Nathan Holcomb +was the nearest neighbor and he used to keep things pretty well secured, +but since his death the place has been going to rack and ruin more and +more each year. There is some fine, old furniture there and it is a +wonder everything in the house has not been stolen before now, but as +the place has the reputation of being haunted it has been more or less +avoided. I never heard of its being open to the public and I shall speak +to some one who will see that it is made secure. Even if it is not +valued by the present owners, it should not be left for tramps or any +chance vagrant to make use of." + +Edna looked down at the comb which she still held in her hand. "What +must I do about this?" she asked. + +"You must take it back to-morrow and restore it to its place," her +mother told her. "I am perfectly sure that not one of you little girls +dreamed that she had no right to take the things, but nevertheless they +were not yours, and I am very certain that the other mothers will say +the same thing." + +"Reliance has a lovely card-case," said Edna, regretfully. "She was +going to give it to you, grandma." + +Mrs. Willis smiled. "I appreciate the spirit, but she must not be +allowed to keep it, my dear." + +Edna's face sobered. She felt much crestfallen. She wondered what Reba's +father would say. + +She did not have long to wait to find this out for after supper came two +young callers who sidled in with rather shamefaced expressions. "Suppose +you take Reba and Esther Ann into the dining-room for a little while," +suggested grandma encouragingly. "Little folks like to chatter about +their own affairs, I well know." + +Edna shot her grandma a grateful look and soon was closeted with the +little girls. "Oh, Edna, what did your mother say?" began Esther Ann. + +"She said I must take back the comb, because I had no right to take it." + +"That's just what my mother said," returned Esther Ann. + +"My father said it's dishonest," put in Reba, "I mean dishonest to keep +it. He knew we didn't mean to steal." + +"Oh, Reba, don't say such a dreadful word," said Edna in distress. + +"It would be stealing, you know, if we were to keep the things," +continued Reba bluntly. "My father says you couldn't call it by any +other name, and that to break into a house is burglary." + +This sounded even more dreadful, though Esther Ann relieved the speech +of its effect by saying: "But we didn't break in; we just opened the +door and walked in. There wouldn't have been anyone to answer if we had +knocked." + +"That makes me feel kind of shivery," remarked Edna. "I would rather not +go back, but I suppose we shall have to." + +"Yes, we shall have to," Reba made the statement determinedly. + +Therefore, it was with anything but an adventurous spirit that the four +little girls went on their errand the next afternoon. There was no +poking into nooks and corners this time, but straight to the bureau went +they. Solemnly was each article returned to the box from which it was +taken. Silently they tip-toed down the dusty stairs and through the +silent rooms to the outer air where each drew a sigh of relief. Esther +Ann was the first to speak. "There, that's done," she said. "I don't +ever want to go there again." + +"Nor I." + +"Nor I." + +"Nor I," chanted the other three. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE MILL STREAM + + +On their way home from the old house, the four girls saw Alcinda +approaching. "Don't let's say anything to her about where we've been," +said Esther Ann. + +"No, don't let's," returned Reba; "you know she didn't want to go there +in the first place." + +"It was only because she was scared to," rejoined Esther Ann. + +"Well, anyhow, don't let's say anything about it," continued Reba. +"Don't you say so, girls?" She looked over her shoulder at Edna and +Reliance who were walking behind. + +"I don't see any reason why we should," said Reliance. "Of course, if +she should ask questions, we wouldn't tell her a story." + +"Oh, no, we wouldn't do that," agreed the other girls. + +But Alcinda had no thought of old houses or anything else at this time +but her little dog, Jetty, a handsome, black Pommeranian to whom she was +devoted and of whom she was very proud. "Oh, girls," she exclaimed as +she came up, "have you seen or heard anything of Jetty? We haven't seen +him since morning, and I am so afraid he has been stolen." + +"Oh, wouldn't that be dreadful?" said Edna sympathetically. + +"I don't see who would steal him," said Esther Ann, practically. +"Everyone knows he belongs to you, and there aren't many strangers that +come through the village." + +"There are a few. There was a tramp at our back door only a few days +ago." + +"But you didn't lose Jet a few days ago; it was only to-day that you +missed him." + +"I think it's more likely he is shut up somewhere," decided Reba. "Where +have you looked, Alcinda?" + +"Oh, pretty near everywhere I could think of, and I have asked everybody +who might have seen him." + +"Maybe he has gone off with some other dogs," suggested Reliance. "Dogs +will do that, and sometimes they don't come back for two or three days. +Mr. Prendergast had a dog that did that way. He lives near where we used +to, you know, and he had a collie named Rob Roy that would go off now +and then, and the other dogs would bring him back after a while. He +would come in looking so ashamed, while they stood off to see how he +would be treated." + +"Jetty never did run away before," said Alcinda, doubtfully, although +Reliance's words were comforting. + +"When did you see him last and what was he doing?" asked Esther Ann. + +"Mother heard him barking at a wagon that was going by. He doesn't bark +at everyone, but there are some people he can't bear." + +"What people?" inquired Esther Ann, trying to get a clue. + +"He doesn't like the butcher boy nor the man that drives the mill wagon, +nor the man that brings the laundry. He always runs out and barks at +them." + +"Have you asked any of them about him?" + +"No, not yet." + +"Then I'll tell you what let's do, girls," proposed Esther Ann. "Two of +us can go around by the mill, two of us can go to the butcher's and +Alcinda can go to the laundry place." + +"All right," exclaimed Alcinda hopefully. "It would be lovely if you all +would do that." + +"I speak to go to the butcher's," spoke up Esther Ann. She was always +ready to arrange affairs for everyone. "Reliance, you and Edna can go to +the mill; it isn't such a very great way, and Reba can go with me." + +The girls all accepted this arrangement and set off in the three +different directions. + +"Do you like going to the mill?" asked Edna when she and Reliance were +fairly on their way. + +"Oh, yes, much better than going to the butcher's. Although it is quite +a little further, it is a much prettier walk. I always did like mill +ponds, didn't you, Edna?" + +"Why, I don't know much about them, but I should think I would like +them. Do we turn off here?" + +"Yes, this road leads straight to the mill; you can see it presently +through the trees." + +"It isn't so very far, is it?" + +"No, but it is a little further to the mill pond. I wonder if the miller +is there." + +"Isn't he always there?" + +"He is always there in the morning, but not always in the afternoon. No, +the mill is shut down." + +"How do you know?" + +"I don't hear it, and see there, the wheel isn't moving." + +"Oh!" Edna thought that Reliance was very clever to know all this before +they had even reached the mill which now loomed up before them, a grey +stone structure in a little nest of trees which climbed the hill behind +it, and spread along the sides of the stream, flowing on to join the +river. + +"It is very pretty here, isn't it?" said Edna admiringly. "What do they +call the stream, Reliance?" + +"Black Creek. The mill pond and dam and sluice and all those are higher +up. Do you want to go see them?" + +"Why, yes, if we can't do anything about finding Jetty." + +"I thought we might go around by the miller's house on our way back; it +isn't much further, and we could ask there." + +This seemed a wise thing to do, Edna thought, and she cheerfully +followed Reliance to where the mill pond lay calm and smooth before +them. "It must be lovely here in summer," remarked Edna +enthusiastically. + +"It is one of the prettiest places anywhere about. We come here +sometimes for our picnics, all of us school children and the teacher. +Would you dare go across, Edna?" + +Edna looked around but saw no bridge. "How could we get across?" she +asked. "I don't see any way but to swim." + +Reliance laughed. "There," she said, pointing to the heavy beam which +stretched from shore to shore and below which the water was slowly +trickling, "that's the bridge we children always use." + +Edna drew back in dismay. "Oh, how can you? I wouldn't dare. It is so +near the water and suppose you should fall in. I would be sure to get +dizzy, and over I would go." + +"Oh, pooh, I don't get dizzy," returned Reliance. "I will show you how +easy it is," and in another minute she was standing on the beam, Edna +shivering and with a queer sensation under her knees. "Oh, do come back, +Reliance," she cried; "I am so afraid you will fall in." + +But Reliance did not hear her, or if she did hear, she paid no heed, but +stood looking earnestly at a point beyond her in the water. "Edna, +Edna," she presently called. "You will have to come. I really believe it +is Jetty out there in the water." + +Edna wrung her hands. "Oh, I can't, I can't," she wept. + +"You must help me try to get him in. I'll come back for you." + +Edna shrank away from the shore, divided between her fear of crossing +and her desire to help in the rescue. Reliance lost no time in reaching +her. "You will have to come," she cried excitedly. "He is nearer the +other side. I must go over and try to find a board or two, and you must +stay on the beam and watch so as to see which way he heads. Poor little +fellow, I wonder how long he has been in there. Come, Edna, you can put +your arms around my waist and I will go ahead; you mustn't look at the +water, but just step along after me; I won't let you fall." + +Terrible as this effort promised to be, Edna decided that she must make +it if they would save Jetty, and she followed Reliance, who, +encouraging, coaxing, and leading the way step by step, managed to get +the child safely across. "Isn't there any other way of getting back?" +quavered Edna when they were over. + +"I think there is a little bridge further down, but never mind that now, +Edna; you stay there and watch, while I get a board and put it out +toward him. I shouldn't wonder if I could find one somewhere about." + +Fearfully, Edna crouched on the beam, which seemed but a few inches from +the water. She kept her eyes fixed on the water that she might not lose +sight of the little black head now not so very far away. "Jetty, Jetty," +she called, "we'll get you out. Nice doggie. Please don't drown before +Reliance comes." + +The little dog renewed his struggles and began to swim toward her, Edna +continuing her encouraging talk. + +Presently Reliance came down the bank up which she had scrambled; she +was dragging a board behind her and finding some difficulty in doing so. +"Is he still there?" she panted. + +"Yes, and trying to swim over to me." + +"Don't let him, don't let him. Come over on the bank; it will be easier +to get him from there. There's another board up there. I will go get it +if you will hold on to this one." Edna hesitated to cross the few feet +between her and the shore. "Quick, quick," insisted Reliance. "He might +drift to the dam and get caught there. We must get him before he reaches +it. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl." + +Edna obeyed and in another moment was running along the bank toward +Reliance, forgetting everything but her eagerness to save the little +dog, who, seeing both girls, turned and feebly swam to where they were +standing. His strength was almost spent, and he had hard work to keep +from being borne along by the current which was swifter in the center of +the pond. + +"I'll have to shove out the board so he can reach it," said Reliance +excitedly. "Here, take this pole and try to keep the board from drifting +toward the dam while I go get the other board." And she thrust the +forked pole into Edna's hands and then sprang up the bank, while Edna +crouched down, as near the water as possible, in order to make best use +of her pole. + +It was not easy to keep the board from drifting out, but along the +shallows it was quiet water and it did not go so very far, and before +long, the little dog was able to reach it, crawling upon it and +shivering while he wagged his tail feebly as Edna continued to cheer +him. It was harder work now that the board was heavier by reason of the +added weight, and once or twice Edna was afraid that after all her +efforts would be in vain. It would be dreadful to abandon Jetty when he +was so near to land, and she wished he would attempt to swim to her. But +the little creature was too exhausted to make further effort now that he +had reached footing, though he whined a little when the board drifted +out. + +Just as she was afraid it would go beyond her reach, Reliance came +scrambling back, breathless from her exercise. "I had such a time," she +panted. "Oh, Edna, he is really safe, and it is really poor little +Jetty. How glad Alcinda will be. Here, don't let the board go." She +snatched the pole from Edna's hands. "I'll hold on to it while you push +out the other board. I can wade in and get him if I can't do anything +else." + +But once so near shore as the second board brought him, Jetty was not +afraid to swim the remaining distance, having gathered up a little added +strength, and after coaxing, ordering and cajoling, the girls were +rewarded by seeing the little creature creep to the edge of the board, +take to the water again and paddle ashore, crouching at their feet in an +ecstasy of joy. + +"He is so sopping wet I am afraid he will take cold," said Reliance. "I +am going to wrap him up in my sweater and carry him." + +"But won't you take cold," said Edna anxiously. + +"No, for I am too warm with struggling up that bank and down again. We +can walk fast." + +At first Jetty did not even have power to shake himself, but before many +minutes, his dripping coat was freed of many drops of water, which +freely sprinkled the girls, who laughing ran at a safe distance, and +then Reliance wrapped him up in her jersey and carried him away from the +scene of his late disaster. + +"How do you suppose he got in the water?" asked Edna as they trudged +along. + +"I think someone threw him in." + +"Oh, Reliance, do you really?" + +"Yes, I do. We go right by the miller's house and I am going to stop +there and ask them what they know about it all." + +"Do you think the miller did it?" + +"Oh, no, he wouldn't do such a wicked thing; he is a very nice man, but +he might have seen Jetty about the place and we may be able to find out +something." + +To Edna's satisfaction a small footbridge was discovered a short +distance below and on this they crossed, reaching the miller's house +just after. The miller himself was just going in the gate. Reliance +marched up to him and without wasting words, said: "Do you know how this +little dog happened to get into the mill pond?" + +The miller paused and looked down at the black nose peeping from its +scarlet wrapping. + +"That little dog? I saw him around the mill this morning. A man that has +been driving for me said he found it along the road. Is it your dog?" + +"No, it belongs to Alcinda Hewlett." + +"Bob Hewlett's daughter?" + +"Yes, her father keeps the store and is the postmaster." + +"Humph!" The miller stroked his chin and looked speculatively at the +little dog. + +"How do you suppose he got so far from home?" ventured Edna. + +"Shouldn't wonder if he was brought in my wagon in an empty sack. Bad +man, bad man, that Jeb Wilkins." + +"Jetty always barked at him," said Edna. + +"I guess that accounts for it. Jeb got mad and thought he'd pay the +little creature back. Barked at him, did he? Well, I don't blame the +dog. I did some pretty tall growling myself before I discharged the man. +He's gone now for good, or bad, whichever you like." + +"Do you think he threw the dog in the water?" asked Reliance coming +directly to the point. + +"That's just what I do think. I shouldn't wonder if he meant to steal +him at first, and sell him, for it is a valuable dog, they tell me, but +the dog got out, and I was keeping an eye on Jeb so he couldn't make way +with the beast. I meant to take him home and advertise for his owner, +but when I came to look for him, the dog was gone, though Jeb was there. +Said, as innocent as you please, when I made inquiries, that some people +drove by and took the dog back to town where he belonged." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Edna, her eyes and mouth round with surprise and +disapproval. + +"Just what he said. Made it up out of whole cloth, of course, and +meantime had taken his spite out on me and the poor little dog by +throwing him overboard. How did you happen upon him?" + +Reliance gave an account of the rescue and received approving nods. +"Smart girls, you two," he commented. + +"Oh, I wasn't smart at all," piped up Edna. "It was all Reliance. I +couldn't have done a thing without her." + +"Well," said Mr. Millikin with a smile, "you did your part, and that's +enough said. I was just going to unhitch, but there is my buggy all +ready, and I guess the quickest way to get you back to the village is to +take you there behind Dolly." + +"Oh, but we can walk, thank you," protested Reliance. + +"It's pretty much of a walk, and the sooner you get there the more +pleased several people will be, I for one, because I don't want Bob +Hewlett's little girl to mourn for her pet any longer than she need, and +again, because I am in a way responsible for what has happened. I'll go +get the buggy right off. You wait here; it won't take a minute." So +presently they were driving along toward home, Reliance with a horse +blanket around her which Mr. Millikin fished out from under the seat +and insisted upon her putting around her shoulders. + +To say that Alcinda was overjoyed at the sight of her little pet which +she had given up for lost, would be speaking mildly. "I'll never forget +you two girls, never," she cried. "I shall thank you forever and ever, +and you, too, Mr. Millikin." + +"Me? I'm partly to blame, for I ought to have discharged that +good-for-nothing scoundrel long ago, but he was a good driver, and I was +waiting to fill his place. Well, it's all come out right, after all. I +hope your little dog will be none the worse for the experience. I'll pay +his doctor's bills if he gets sick." After which speech, the miller +drove off, and the rescuers darted across the street to their home, +where the tardiness of their appearance was entirely forgiven after they +had told their story. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +JETTY'S PARTY + + +Grandma was so concerned lest Edna had taken fresh cold by reason of +this latest adventure that she insisted upon putting the little girl +through a course of treatment to prevent possible evil results. "After +dabbling in that cold water and getting her feet wet it will be a wonder +if she isn't laid up," said grandma, coming into the room just as Edna +was going to bed. "She must have her feet in mustard water, and Amanda +is making a hot lemonade for her." + +So Edna's feet were thrust into the hot bath, and she was made to sip +the hot drink, then was bundled into bed with charges not to allow her +arms out from under the covers. It was rather a warm and unpleasant +experience, and the worst of it was that grandma said the next morning +that she mustn't think of going out-of-doors that day. + +"Oh, dear," sighed the little girl, when she was alone with her mother, +"don't you think grandma is very particular? Did she used to do so when +you were a little girl?" + +"She did indeed, and when she was a little girl it was even worse, for +instead of lemonade to drink, she was made to take a very bitter dose of +herb tea, or a dreadful mess called composition which had every sort of +nauseous thing in it you can think of. Little folks nowadays get off +very easily, it seems to me." + +"I didn't mind the hot lemonade a bit, but I shall never forget the +smell of that mustard water," said Edna after a pause. + +Her mother laughed. "You must be thankful that it is no more than +that." + +"What am I going to do to-day?" inquired the little girl. "I was going +to do ever so many nice things out-of-doors and now I can't." + +"Then we must think up some nice things to do indoors." + +"What kind of things?" + +"I shall have to put on my thinking cap in order to find that out. +Meanwhile, suppose you run down to grandma with this tumbler; it had +your lemonade in it and should go down to be washed." + +Edna ran off to her grandma, coming back presently with a much brighter +countenance than she took away. "Grandma is going to let me help with +the turtle cakes," she said eagerly. "That's a very nice thing, don't +you think?" + +"I think that is very nice indeed." + +"Amanda is mixing them now, and when they are cut out, I am going to +help with the turtles. Good-bye, mother; I will bring you one of my +turtles as soon as they are baked." + +These turtle cakes were much prized by the Conway children. When grandma +sent a box from the farm there was always a supply of these famous +cookies. Grandma had promised that Edna should take some home with her +when she went on Saturday morning. She watched Amanda roll them out, cut +them in rounds and place them in the pans; then came Edna's part in the +preparation. Amanda showed her how to put first a big fat raisin in the +center of the cake, then a current for the turtle's head, four cloves +were then stuck in, part way under the raisin, thus making the feet, and +for the tail, another clove with the sharp end out. Amanda could do them +much faster than Edna, but the child was greatly pleased to have +completed a whole pan all by herself, and when these were baked she +carefully carried some of them to her mother and Aunt Alice. Grandma +had already seen the results of her granddaughter's labors. + +"I know just how to do them now, mother," said Edna, "and I think it is +great fun. Grandma is going to save the pan I did so I can have them to +carry home." + +"You might have a tea-party for the dolls this afternoon, and use some +of your cookies for refreshments." + +"Could Reliance come?" + +"Why, I should think so. I have thought of something else for you to do +this morning; you could begin a Christmas gift for Celia. You know you +always have a hard time keeping her gift a secret." + +"What kind of thing could I make?" + +"I noticed that your sister's little work bag was getting rather dingy +and I am sure she would be delighted to have a new one." + +"But where will I get anything to make it of?" + +"No doubt grandma has something in her piece-bag; she always has all +sorts of odds and ends, and it would give her pleasure to let you have +anything that might serve the purpose. I will ask her, and we can get +the ribbons for it any time between now and Christmas." + +Her mother was as good as her word, and leaving the room came back in a +few minutes with a large bag whose contents she emptied on the bed. +"There," she said, "take your choice. Grandma says you are perfectly +welcome to anything you find." + +Edna began turning over the pieces. "You help me choose, mother," she +said presently. "I don't know just how big the piece ought to be." + +Her mother drew up her chair and began to look over the bits of gay silk +before her. "I declare," she said presently, "here is a piece of a party +frock I wore when I was about Celia's age. It was almost my first real +new party frock, for before that I always wore a simple white muslin. +This is perfectly new, and must have been left over. To think of its +being in this bag all those years. It appears to be sufficiently strong, +however." She shook it out and held it up to the light. The material was +a pale green silk with tiny bunches of flowers upon it. Edna thought it +very pretty. + +"I think Celia will be perfectly delighted to have a bag made of your +first party frock, mother," she said. "Do you think grandma would mind +my having it?" + +"I am sure she will be very much pleased. We will decide upon that, and +you can put back the rest of the pieces. There will be an abundance in +this for a nice, full bag I am sure. I will cut it out for you and show +you just how to make it." + +The time passed so rapidly in planning and making the bag that it was +the dinner hour before they knew it, and after dinner came an unexpected +call from Alcinda. She was a sedate-looking little girl with big blue +eyes and straight, mouse-colored hair, but upon this occasion she was +dimpling and smiling as she handed a tiny, three-cornered note to Edna. +Upon opening this Edna discovered, written in a childish hand, the +following words, "Mr. Jetty Hewlett requests the honor of Miss Edna +Conway's company to a tea-party at four o'clock this afternoon." + +"Oh, dear," sighed Edna, "I'm awfully afraid I can't go, for grandma +said it was as much as my life was worth to go out of the house +to-day." + +"Oh, but you aren't ill, are you?" asked Alcinda. + +"No, but she is afraid I will be." + +"But you must come," persisted Alcinda, "for it is in honor of you and +Reliance, and Jetty is going to help receive." + +"I will go ask mother," returned Edna, and running off she returned with +Mrs. Conway. + +"Mayn't Edna come to Jetty's tea-party?" begged Alcinda. "We have +everything planned, and it will be perfectly dreadful if she stays away. +She won't take cold, just going across the street, and our house is as +warm as anything." + +Edna looked beseechingly at her mother. "Do please say yes, mother," she +begged. + +"I don't see how you could take cold going just across the street, if +you wrap up well and wear your rubbers," said her mother. + +"Goody! Goody!" cried Alcinda. "Here is an invitation for Reliance, too. +Be sure to come at four o'clock. I have some more invitations to deliver +so I must go." + +"Now I needn't have a tea-party for the dolls," said Edna when Alcinda +had gone. Her mother smiled. "You speak as if that would be a great +hardship," she remarked. + +"No, I don't mean that, but I would so much rather go to Alcinda's. +Shall I wear my best frock, mother?" + +"Why, yes, I think you may." + +"I wonder if grandma will let Reliance go, and what she will wear," said +Edna, after a moment's thought. "I think I will go ask, mother, for I +don't want to be better dressed than Reliance; it was really she who +saved Jetty, you know." + +"That is the proper feeling, dear child." + +Edna flew off to find Reliance who had received her invitation, and +hoped for the permission from Mrs. Willis. "I do hope she will let me +go," she said fervently. "Come with me, Edna, when I ask her, won't +you?" + +Edna was very ready to do this, and hunted up her grandmother. "Oh, +grandma," she cried, "we've been invited to a party over at Alcinda's. +Jetty is giving it in honor of Reliance and me. Mother says I won't take +cold just going across the street, and you are going to let Reliance go, +too, aren't you?" + +"What's all this?" inquired grandma. + +Edna repeated her news, but her grandmother did not reply for a moment. +"I am afraid Reliance will not be back in time to do her evening work," +she said at last. + +"Oh, but--" this was an unexpected objection, "couldn't she do some of +it before she goes?" + +"She might do some, but not all, however, we will see. Reliance, you +bustle around and see how smart you can be, and I will think what can be +done." + +"I can set the table," said Edna eagerly. "Would you mind if it were +done so much ahead of time for just this once?" + +"No," replied her grandmother very kindly. + +"And may I skim the milk and bring up the butter for supper? I can set +it in the pantry where it will keep cool," Reliance said. + +"You may do that," Mrs. Willis told her. + +"What else will there be to do?" asked Edna, as the two little girls +hurried from the room. + +"I have to turn down the beds and light the lamps when it gets dark." + +"That isn't very much to do. Maybe Amanda wouldn't mind seeing to those +things for just this one time. I am going to ask her." + +Reliance was only too glad to have Edna take this request off her hands, +herself having a wholesome awe of Amanda, but to her relief Amanda was +in a good humor and promised to look after these extra duties, so in +good season Reliance was free to prepare for the party, while Edna went +to her mother to be dressed. + +"Mother," she said, "do you think it is funny to go to a party with a +bound girl? Is a bound girl the same as a Friendless? You know Margaret +McDonald is our friend, and she used to be a Friendless." + +"I don't think it is funny at all. Reliance had no home, to be sure, +till your grandmother took her, but she is a good, little girl, and I +used to know her father when I lived here." + +"Oh, mother, did you?" + +"Oh, yes, he was quite a nice, young man. I never knew his wife, but I +am afraid he did not marry very well. Reliance will probably have to +work for her living, but that is no reason why she should not be treated +as an equal. The people about here know she comes of good stock and that +the poverty of the family was due more to misfortune than misbehavior. I +have no doubt but Reliance will make a fine woman, as her grandmother +was, and when she is grown up, she may marry some farmer of the +neighborhood, and take the place she should." + +This was all very interesting to Edna, and she sat looking at the +outstretched feet upon which she had just drawn her stockings till her +mother reminded her that time was flying. "Wake up, dearie," she said. +"Why, what a brown study you are in. Reliance will be ready long before +you are. Hurry on with your shoes, and then come let me tie your hair." + +At this Edna jumped and bustled around with such promptness that she was +ready by the time Reliance came to the door neatly dressed in her bright +plaid frock and scarlet hair ribbons. She was a dark-haired, dark-eyed +little girl with rosy cheeks, and though not exactly pretty, had a +pleasant, intelligent face. Edna had finally decided not to wear her +best white frock, but had on a pretty blue challis, quite suited to the +occasion, her mother told her. + +The two little girls set out in high feather and arrived at Alcinda's +house to find that several had reached there before them. Jetty, with a +huge red bow on his collar, barked a welcome, and Alcinda beamed upon +them as they entered. "I was so afraid something would happen to keep +you," she said. + +Esther Ann hurried forward to talk as fast as she could, as was her +habit, her words tumbling over one another in her effort and excitement. +"Wasn't it splendid that you two found Jetty? I wish we had gone that +way, but then maybe we wouldn't have found him after all. I think it is +real nice of Alcinda to ask Reliance when she is a bound girl, don't +you?" This in an aside to Edna. "I'm sure she is as good as anybody. How +long are you going to stay? Here, I'll show you where to take off your +things; you needn't go, Alcinda." And she swept the little hostess aside +while she led the way to an upper room. + +By this time, the latest comers had arrived, so there were about a +dozen in all, enough for almost any game they might choose to play. In +the first, Hide the Handkerchief, Jetty joined with great zeal, being +always the first one to find the handkerchief. "You see he does it with +his nose," said Alcinda by way of explanation, a remark which made +everyone laugh, and set the lively Esther Ann to sticking her nose into +every corner the next time the handkerchief was hidden. + +"You ought to put cologne on it and then maybe we could find it," she +said, and this, too, raised a laugh as she meant it should, for it took +very little to amuse them. + +At five o'clock a tray was brought in. Delicious cocoa and home-made +cakes were served, followed by candies, nuts and raisins. While the +girls were busy over these, Alcinda cast many glances toward the door +and once or twice whispered to her mother, who nodded reassuringly. It +was evident that some matter of surprise was to follow. What it was, +came to light a little later when Mr. Hewlett came in. He knew each +little girl, for even Edna was no stranger to him, so he spoke to each +by name. Then he stood up by the fireplace and said: "You have all heard +of the medals which are given for the performance of brave deeds. Well, +my little girl thinks her small dog would like to show his appreciation +of the act which saved his life the other day, and so I have prepared +two medals for the heroines of that occasion; they are not gold medals; +in fact they are not real medals and of no special value except that +they represent her, and our, gratitude to the little girls who were the +life savers." He paused and looked at Alcinda who bustled forward and +gave into his hands two tiny baskets. + +"Here, Jetty," called Mr. Hewlett, and Jetty, who had been sitting in +Mrs. Hewlett's lap, jumped down and danced over to see what was required +of him. Mr. Hewlett stooped down and gave the dog one of the small +baskets which he took in his month with much wagging of tail. + +"Take it, Jetty," ordered Mr. Hewlett. Jetty started off toward his +little mistress, who quickly left her place and stood by Edna's chair. +Jetty dropped the basket, not knowing exactly what was expected of him. + +"Bring it here, Jet," said Alcinda. Therefore, being sure of himself, +Jetty frisked over to where Alcinda was standing. "Give it to Edna," +said Alcinda, laying her hand on Edna's lap. Jetty did as he was told +and then scampered back to repeat the operation, this time it being +Reliance to whom he was directed to go. + +"Do let's see," urged Esther Ann, edging up to Edna. + +Edna uncovered the basket and saw a box lying there. Inside the box was +a new quarter in which a hole had been drilled; a string had been passed +through this and to the string was attached a bow of blue ribbon. +Reliance found the same in her basket, only her ribbon was red. + +"You must put them on and wear them," said Alcinda, "so everyone can see +how honorable you are." She didn't just know why her father and mother +smiled so broadly. + +The girls proudly pinned on their medals and wore them home, for very +soon came grandpa to say they must get ready to go. + +"I'm going to keep mine forever and ever, aren't you?" whispered +Reliance, as she started around to the kitchen door. + +"'Deed I am," returned Edna. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE ELDERFLOWERS + + +Edna's account of the G. R. club, to which she and most of her friends +belonged, had quite excited the ambition of the little girls at Overlea +to have a similar one. + +"I told my father about it," said Reba to Edna when they met at Jetty's +party, "and he thought it was a most beautiful club, didn't he, Esther +Ann, and he ought to know. He said we could have one just like it." + +"Oh, we don't want to do that," put in Esther Ann scornfully. "We don't +want to be copy-cats. We want to have something all our ownty downty +selves, and not just like somebody else." + +"That's just what I think," spoke up Emma Hunt. "Not that I don't think +yours is the best I ever heard of, and I don't see why we couldn't have +one something like it, just a little different." + +"There aren't so very many girls of us, for there are more old people +than children in this place," said Alcinda. "Would that make any +difference, Edna? Yours is such a big club." + +"It wasn't big when we began; there were only six of us to begin with." + +"Oh, were there? Then we could do it easily. Let me see how many are +here; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, +and there is Mattie Bond who couldn't come because she is sick; she +would make twelve." + +"How many are there in your club?" asked Reliance. + +"Oh, I don't know just how many by now. Uncle Justus has a pretty big +school and almost every girl belongs to it," replied Edna. + +"The real big girls?" + +"Yes, and we have one very grown-up lady, an honorary member; I'll tell +you all about Miss Eloise some day. Agnes Evans was our first president, +and she is really grown up, for she is at college." + +"I think a little club would be nicer," Esther Ann spoke her mind. + +"But what shall it be and what shall we call it?" asked Alcinda. + +"I'll tell you what," proposed Edna, "you all ask your mothers what they +think and I will ask my mother what she thinks, and we can meet +somewhere to-morrow to talk it over." + +"I haven't any mother," came a sorrowful little voice from the corner. +Big Reliance put her arm around the younger girl. "Never mind, Letty," +she whispered; "neither have I, but we can ask somebody else's mother." + +"I'll lend both of you my mother," whispered Edna from the other side. + +So it was that the company of little girls went home from Jetty's party +with quite a new plan. Even Edna, who would really have no part in the +club, was much interested, and could scarcely wait to talk it over with +her mother at bedtime. She began as soon as they were upstairs together. +"Mother," she said, "do you think grandma would let Reliance come up +while I am getting ready for bed?" + +"Why, dearie, I don't know, I am sure. Why do you want her on this +special night?" + +"Because there is something we girls are going to talk over with our +mothers, and Reliance hasn't any mother, neither has Letty Osgood, and I +told them I would lend them my mother. You don't mind, do you, mother +dear?" Edna put her two hands on each of her mother's cheeks and looked +at her very earnestly. + +"Why, my darling, of course not," returned Mrs. Conway, kissing her. +"You know mother is always very glad to mother any little girl who may +need her. What is this wonderful something you are to talk over?" + +"I think we'd better not begin until we know about Reliance though. I +wish I had asked grandma before I came up, but I wanted to speak to you +first, mother dear." + +"Then I will go down and ask her. Where is Reliance?" + +"I suppose she is in the kitchen with Amanda; I don't believe she has +gone to bed yet." + +Her mother left the room, and while Edna unlaced her shoes, she listened +for her return. In a few minutes she heard voices on the stair and +realized that Reliance was coming up. "We haven't said a word about it +yet," she nodded to Reliance who came in behind Mrs. Conway. "You begin, +Reliance." + +"No, you," said Reliance drawing back shyly. + +"Well," began Edna, addressing her mother, "you see the girls want to +get up a club something like ours, only not just like it, and they don't +want the same name either. There aren't such a lot of girls here, +because there are so many more old people than young ones in this +village, and so you see--what kind of club would be nice, mother?" + +"Why, dearie, I shall have to think it over." + +"We ought to decide very soon," said Edna, "for I should hate to go away +without knowing. Could Reliance bring Letty Osgood home with her from +school to-morrow? I lent you to her, too, and maybe by that time you +might think of something?" + +"We'll ask grandma about it, dear, though I am sure she will not object. +Is that all now?" + +Edna thought it was, and now that she was ready to pop into bed, +Reliance left her with a happy "Good-night!" It was like sunshine in the +house to have such a dear little girl as Edna, she thought as she went +downstairs, and though Amanda reprimanded her sharply for not being in +bed, she did not answer back, for, in fact, she scarcely heard her, so +busy was she with pleasant thoughts, and so excited over the idea of the +club. + +The next morning, Edna and her mother did a great deal of talking about +the new club, so much, in fact, that when it was time for Reliance to +return from school, Edna was on the lookout for her, feeling that she +had so much to tell that there should be no time wasted. "Here they +come, mother," she sang out. "Reliance and Letty. May I bring them +right up here?" + +"To be sure you may." + +"I'm going down to tell Amanda to 'scuse Reliance for just a few +minutes." She flew downstairs to the kitchen. "'Manda," she said, +"mother is going to talk over something very important with Reliance and +Letty, so will you please not call her for a few minutes? I'll help her +set the table." + +"It seems to me you are making too much of Reliance," returned Amanda; +"she can't be brought up to look for nothing but ease and pleasure; she +will have to work for her living." + +"But this isn't anything that is going to keep her from doing that," +explained Edna, "and grandma said she could have a little time to play +while I am here, specially when I help her." + +"Oh, well, go 'long," returned Amanda, "only don't keep her too long; +there's more to do than set the table." + +Though the permission was accorded rather ungraciously, Edna was +satisfied, and ran to welcome Letty who was just coming in the gate. "I +am so glad you could come," she said. "You are going to stay to dinner, +aren't you? Did you ask your father?" + +"Yes, and he said I might." + +"Good! Then come right upstairs and take off your things. Oh, girls, +mother has a lovely plan for a club, and the dearest name you ever +heard. You can come, Reliance, grandma said so, and so did Amanda. I'm +going to help set the table." + +She led the way up to where her mother was sitting, her face bright with +eagerness as she brought Letty forward. "This is Letty Osgood, mother, +Dr. Osgood's daughter, you know." + +Mrs. Conway drew the shy little girl nearer. "It is very nice to see +Letitia Osgood's daughter," she said. "I knew your dear mother very +well, and I am glad to have my little girl making friends with her +little girl." + +"Now, mother," began Edna, breaking in, "won't you please not talk much +at first about anything but the club, because Reliance has only a few +minutes to stay." + +Her mother smiled and nodded to Letty. "Very well, Letty," she said, +"well have a nice, little, cozy chat all to ourselves after awhile when +this impatient young person has had her subject discussed. I was +thinking, girlies, that as long as there are so many elderly and old +people in the village, some of whom are poor and some who are partial +invalids, that it would be a very sweet thing if you little girls could +form yourselves into a club which would help to make their lives a +little less sad. It would mean a great deal to old Miss Belinda Myers, +for instance, if one of you would drop in once in a while with a flower, +or any little thing for her. She is so crippled up with rheumatism that +she can't leave her room, and must sit there by the window all day long. +She is fond of children, too. Of course she has plenty of this world's +goods, and her old friends do not neglect her, yet I am sure that you +could give something to her by your mere presence which none of the +older persons could. Then there is poor old Nathan Keener." + +"Oh, but he is such an old cross patch," interrupted Edna. + +"So he is, but he has had enough to make him so. I wonder if any one of +us would be very amiable if she were poverty-stricken, half sick all the +time, had lost all her friends and had been cheated out of the little +which would make old age comfortable? It is very easy to be smiling and +agreeable when everything goes right, but when things go wrong, it isn't +half so easy, especially when one hasn't a good disposition to begin +with." + +"But what in the world could we do for him?" asked Reliance. "If we +stopped to speak to him, very likely he would get after us with a +stick." + +"Did any of the boys and girls ever try the experiment of speaking to +him pleasantly? I am quite sure the boys do their best to annoy him in +any way they can contrive, and even some of the girls tease him slyly +and call him names, I am told." + +"Yes, they do," replied Reliance, doubtfully, who herself was not +entirely innocent in this regard. + +"Suppose you were to try the experiment of beginning by smiling when you +go by and saying, pleasantly, 'Good-morning, Mr. Keener?' Then next day, +even if he chased you away the first time, you might say, 'Isn't this a +lovely morning, Mr. Keener?' and you could always make a point of saying +something pleasant to him when you go by. Then some day when it is +raining or too cold for him to sit in his doorway----" + +"Like a great big, ugly spider," remarked Letty. + +Mrs. Conway paid no heed to the comment, "you could leave a big apple on +the doorsill for him, and so on, till in time I will venture to say he +will learn that you wish him well and are trying to be friends. You must +keep in your mind all the time that he is a poor, neglected, friendless, +unhappy old man and that if you can succeed in bringing even a little +sunshine into his life, you will be doing a great deal." + +The girls were very sober for a few minutes, then Reliance said +thoughtfully, "I believe I should like to try it anyway." + +"Of course," Mrs. Conway went on, "the girls may have found other and +better ideas for a club, and a better name than I can suggest, but it +seemed to me that this might be made something like the G. R., yet would +not be exactly the same, and it could have quite a different name." + +"Oh, mother," exclaimed Edna, "do tell the name you thought of, I think +it is so lovely." + +"I thought you might call yourselves 'The Elderflowers,' because your +good deeds would be directed toward your elders, and you would be +cheerful, little flowers to bring sweetness to sad lives." + +"I think it is the most beautiful idea," exclaimed Letty earnestly, "and +I shall be dreadfully disappointed if the girls want something +different. I begin to feel sorry for old Nathan Keener already." + +"That is an excellent beginning," said Mrs. Conway, with a smile. + +Here came a call from Amanda, so Reliance and Edna scampered off leaving +Letty to be entertained by Mrs. Conway. + +When Reliance came home from school that afternoon, she brought the +information that the girls were going to meet in Hewlett's old +blacksmith shop that afternoon, and that Edna was to be sure to come. To +her own great disappointment, she could not go herself, for Amanda +declared that she could not get along without her, and that all this +gallivanting about was a mistake, and that if Mrs. Willis was going to +have a bound girl there for her to bother with and get no good of, she +guessed it was time for younger folks to take her place. A girl that +spent half her time at school and the other half skylarking wouldn't +amount to much anyway was her opinion. + +So because the old servant had to be pacified and because it was a day +on which Reliance could really be ill spared, she did not attend the +meeting. + +"I am sorry, dear," said Mrs. Willis, when Edna begged to have the +decree altered, "but I am afraid we really cannot spare Reliance this +afternoon. You know she has had a lot of time for play this past week; +we have been very indulgent to her because of your being here." Edna saw +that this was final and went to her mother with rather a grave face. + +"Mother," she said, "isn't it too bad that Reliance can't go? She says +she wouldn't mind so much if it were not for the voting, but you see if +she isn't there, she will lose her vote, and we do so want the +Elderflower plan to be the one." + +"Why couldn't you be her proxy?" said Mrs. Conway. + +"Proxy? What is proxy, mother?" + +"It is some one appointed in the place of another to do what would +otherwise be done by the first person; for instance, in this case you +could be proxy for Reliance and vote for her. She could sign a paper +which would make it very plain." + +"Oh, mother, will you write the paper and let me take it to her to +sign?" + +"Certainly I will." She drew the writing materials to her and wrote a +few lines. "There," she said, "I think that will do." + +"Please read it, mother." + +Mrs. Conway read: "I hereby appoint Edna Conway to be my proxy and to +vote upon any question which may come up before this meeting. + +"Signed--" + +"That sounds very important," said Edna, clasping her hands. "Show me +where she is to sign her name, mother. I know she will be perfectly +delighted that I can speak for her." + +Reliance truly was pleased, the more that the sending of such an +important legal document gave her a certain position with the others. +She signed her name with a flourish, and Edna, armed with the +indisputable right to take her place, started off for Hewlett's old +blacksmith shop. This sat back some distance from the store, and was +used as a storage place for empty boxes and such things. + +Edna found most of the company gathered when she arrived. They were all +chattering away with little idea of what must be done first. "Here comes +Edna Conway," cried Esther Ann; "she can tell us just what to do. Come +along, Edna. What was the first thing you did when you got up a club?" + +"We had a president and a secretary the first thing; the president was +called _pro tem._; she wasn't the real president till we elected her." + +"Then you be _pro tem._, for you know just what to do." + +"Oh, no, I couldn't," Edna shrank from such a public office, and her +little round face took on a look of real distress at such a prospect. + +"Somebody's got to be then," said Esther Ann. "I will." + +"I will, I will," came from one and another of the girls, too eager for +prominence to care about what was expected of them. + +"We can't all be," remarked Milly Somers. "We're wasting time and we +ought to have had this all settled at first. I wish there were some +older person to get us started." + +"Everyone isn't here yet," spoke up Alcinda. "Isn't Reliance coming, +Edna?" + +"No, she can't. She has too much to do this afternoon, but I am her +proxy. I've got a paper that says so." + +The girls giggled. "Isn't she cute?" whispered Esther Ann. "Let's see +the paper, Edna." + +Edna solemnly drew it from the small bag she carried, and handed it to +Esther Ann. + +"Read it, Esther Ann, read it," clamored the girls. And Esther Ann read +it aloud. + +"How in the world did you know about such a thing," said Milly Somers. + +"Oh, I didn't think of it," she answered; "it was my mother." + +"She must be awfully smart," said Esther Ann admiringly. "I wish she +were here to tell us just what to do, if you won't do it." + +"Maybe she would come for just a little while," said Edna, feeling +assured that if her mother were there to tell of her own ideas about the +club that there would be no doubt of its being "The Elderflowers." +"Suppose I go and ask her," she added. + +"All right," agreed the girls. "Tell her if she will stay just long +enough to tell us how to get started, it is all we ask." + +Edna rushed back to the house and upstairs, where she breathlessly +explained her errand. "You will go? won't you, mother, just for a few +minutes," she begged. "You won't have to change your dress, or even put +a hat on if you don't want to. We need you so very, very much. Nobody +knows what to do, and they all talk at once, and giggle and say silly +things. It ought to be real serious, oughtn't it?" + +"Not too serious, I should say," returned her mother. "Very well, dear, +I will come." She threw on a long coat and followed the little girl +across the street to where the prospective club members waited +expectantly. + +It did not take long to set the ball in motion, and in less than half an +hour Esther Ann was made president _pro tem._, Milly Somers was +appointed secretary, and the business of choosing came up. There were +not very many original ideas offered. Few of the girls had any. Mrs. +Conway listened to them all, and at last explained her own plan so +clearly and with such earnestness that it was a matter of only a few +minutes before it was decided that "The Elderflower Club" should start +its existence at once. + +To cap the climax, Edna was elected an honorary member, "for," said the +girls, "if it hadn't been for you we should never have had a club at +all. And when you come to your grandfather's, you will always know that +you must attend the club meetings." + +Therefore, it was a very happy little girl who went back to report to +Reliance the happenings of this first meeting of the club. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +WHAT BEN DID + + +The members of the Elderflower Club were so eager to begin business that +they could scarcely wait till the next day. The more retiring ones, like +Alcinda, contented themselves with beginning their ministrations to +relatives or those they knew, but it was to adventurous spirits like +Esther Ann and Reliance that a difficult case such as old Nathan Keener +appealed. Reliance, following out Mrs. Conway's advice, gave a cheery +"Good-morning, Mr. Keener," as she went by his dilapidated house on her +way to school. She reported this performance to the other girls at +recess. + +"Oh, Reliance, you didn't dare, did you?" exclaimed Alcinda. "What did +he do? Did he run after you?" + +"No, he only frowned and grunted." + +"Did you walk very fast when you went by?" asked little Letty Osgood, +being very sure that she would not have loitered upon such an occasion. + +"No, not so very. I just walked as I always do." + +"Then I think you were very brave," continued Letty. + +"Pooh!" exclaimed Esther Ann, "that wasn't anything to do. Just wait +till you see what I am going to do." + +"What, Esther Ann? What?" clamored the girls. + +"Wait till this afternoon and you will see," was all Esther Ann would +say to satisfy their curiosity. + +This being Friday and Edna's last day at her grandmother's, her friends +begged that she be allowed to go with them to school that afternoon. +"We don't have real lessons," Reliance told her, "for Miss Fay reads to +us, and we have a sewing lesson." + +"I'd love to go," said Edna, "and I could take the work bag I am making +for Celia. I could finish it, I think. May I go?" + +"I haven't the slightest objection," Mrs. Conway assured her. So she set +off with Reliance, and felt quite at home since she knew all the girls +of her own age, and older, and, as she said, "the littler ones don't +count." + +Everything moved along pleasantly during the school session, and the +girls started along in a bunch toward home. "You just come with me, +Edna," said Esther Ann. "You see you are a member of the club, too, and +this will be your only chance to do a deed. The others can follow along +if they want. I'll tell you what I am going to do and you can take +part, if you like." + +The others were both timid and curious, and were quite content to obey +Esther Ann's suggestion to "follow on." Edna, it may be said, was not +inspired with that wholesome dread of old Nathan which possessed the +others, for she had not been brought up under the shadow of his +ogre-like actions, and she felt that this was an opportunity which she +could not neglect. She trotted along valiantly by Esther Ann's side, the +others keeping a safe distance behind. + +"Tell me what you are going to do," said Edna to her companion, as they +proceeded on their way. + +For answer, Esther Ann dived down into her school-bag and produced first +one then another big, red apple. "I am going to give these to Nathan. +You can give one. I mean just to walk right up to him and say, 'Won't +you have an apple, Mr. Keener?'" + +"Suppose he isn't there," returned Edna. + +"Oh, he'll be there; he always is when it is a bright day like this. He +sits in an old chair on that broad doorstep in front of his house, and +leans on a big, thick stick he always carries." + +"Who cooks for him?" + +"Oh, he cooks for himself, when he has anything to cook. He has a little +garden, but it doesn't amount to much. He has no apple trees except an +old one that is nearly dead and never has but a few little, measly, +knerly apples on it; that's why I thought he'd like these." + +Their walk was carrying them nearer and nearer the old man's door. +"There he is now," whispered Esther Ann. "I'll go first and you come +right up behind me. Here, take your apple." She thrust the fruit into +Edna's hand and hastened her own pace a little. Edna's heart began to +beat fast, for surely Nathan Keener was anything but an attractive +figure as he sat there glowering and muttering, his gaunt hands resting +on his knotted stick, and his grizzly old face wearing a wrathful look. + +True to her guns, Esther Arm dashed forward and held out her apple +saying in a shrill, excited voice, "Won't you have----" + +But she got no further, for with a snarl the old man reached out one +long, bony arm and grabbed her by the shoulder, raising his stick +threateningly, "I'll larn ye, ye little varmint," he began. + +Esther screamed. Edna, paralyzed with fright, looked on with affrighted +eyes, but presently found voice to quaver out, "Please don't hurt her! +Oh, please don't!" + +The other girls a little distance off stood huddled together like a +flock of sheep. No one was brave enough to venture within reach of that +terrible stick, but just then along came a crowd of boys from school. +The foremost took in the situation in a glance, and in another instant +was on the platform by Esther's side. + +"Here, you old mut, what are you doing to my sister?" he cried, at the +same time trying to wrest the stick from the old man's grasp. + +But Nathan had too long wielded the stick with effect to lose it so +readily. Loosing his hold upon Esther, he swiftly shifted his weapon to +his other hand and brought down a blow on the boy's back. + +By this time the other boys had come up; there were cries, threats, +screams from the girls, shouts from the boys. All was in a dreadful +hub-bub when along the road approached a young man who stood for a +moment and then dashed to the scene of battle. "Here, boys, here," he +cried, "what are you doing to that old man?" + +"He was going to beat my sister," spoke up the one who had first hurried +to the front. + +"You old scalawag," cried the young man, "what were you up to? If you +are yearning to hit somebody, take a fellow your own size." He wrenched +the stick from the man's grasp and threw it away. "Now," he said, "have +it out if you will. I'm ready." He squared off, but the old man had +neither strength nor desire to grapple with such a masterful opponent, +and he slunk back against his door. + +"I guess if your life was pestered by a set of young wretches like +these, you'd threaten, too," he said surlily. "I guess I'm getting too +smart for their tricks, and know enough not to take anything they offer +me. I don't have to have more'n one apple full of red pepper set on my +doorsill. I guess I know who hides my loaf of bread, and puts salt in my +can of milk. I guess I cut my eyeteeth a good many years ago, and can +catch 'em at their tricks." + +The young man looked around at the group of boys, now rather shamefaced, +at the group of girls now gathered around Esther Ann. On the edge of +this latter group he recognized a little round face now tear-stained and +affrighted. In a moment he was by Edna's side. "Well, I'll be +everlastingly switched," he exclaimed, "Edna, my child, what are you +doing in this mix-up?" + +"Oh, Ben," returned Edna, "it was all a mistake. Nobody meant to play a +trick." + +"Come over here and tell me all about it," said Ben, leading her aside. +Edna poured forth her tale of woe, during the recital of which more +than once Ben's mouth twitched and his eyes grew merry. "It doesn't do +to be too zealous, does it?" he said at the close of the story. "Here, +old fellow, come back here." He made a dash at old Nathan who was now +retreating within his own doorway. Ben pulled him back by his +coat-tails. "We aren't through with this yet," he went on as the man +turned upon him with a few smothered words. "That isn't a pretty way to +talk. You have something of a case, I admit, but you happened to +overreach yourself this time. No, you're not going in yet. A little more +fresh air won't hurt you. Sit down there and be good and I will tell you +a pretty little story." He pushed the old man gently into his chair and +stood guard over him. "No, you don't need your stick yet; you might get +careless with it. I'll just lean it up against the house. Now, then, +those little girls hadn't a notion of playing you a trick; they were +trying to do you a kindness. They knew you were lonely and hadn't much +chance to run around with the boys, or run an automobile, so they +thought they would chirk you up a little by presenting you with a large, +sweet, juicy, red apple. Their little hearts were throbbing with +good-will; they had an unconquerable desire to bring a smile to your +lips and a gleam of happiness to your eye. To prove this to you, I will +now dissect this large, sweet, juicy, red apple. I will eat half and you +will eat the other. If it isn't a good apple, I'll eat my hat." He +carefully cut the apple, which Edna had given him, pared and quartered +it, stuck a piece on the end of his knife and offered it to the old man, +who pushed it away contemptuously. "Let me insist," Ben went on. "We are +not playing Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. There is no serpent in +sight, not so much as a worm, and if you find so much as a grain of red +pepper I'll acknowledge myself beaten." + +The old man muttered incoherently as Ben finished his harangue, but made +no motion to take the apple. "You don't know what you are missing," Ben +went on. "Now just for the sake of old times, let's try to be jolly and +remember when we were boys. Why, many a time you and I have raced down +this shaded street, shouting with mirth, have climbed the wall by the +orchard and stuffed our pockets with apples like these. You never could +take a joke, as I remember, but still you weren't a bad fellow, and I'll +bet you were a wonder at baseball. I shouldn't wonder if your batting +didn't beat the town. The way you swing around that stick of yours shows +there is 'life in the old land yet.'" + +The old man's face had relaxed a little and he no longer muttered under +his breath. Ben winked at the boys who had drawn nearer and were +enjoying the situation to the utmost. "Now, just for old times' sake," +continued Ben, "just tell me what was the last real, good, old-fashioned +trick you ever played?" The old man cast a half-suspicious look at the +smiling young man by his side, but made no reply. "Too bad you forget," +said Ben, "but I'll bet an apple to an oyster you don't forget that last +game you played." + +"Who told you about it?" snapped out the old man. + +"Never mind. Do you suppose such a game as that will ever be forgotten? +I'm going to tell these boys all about it some day, see if I don't." + +Nathan wheeled around in his chair and glanced over the row of young +faces before him. Then he leaned back in his chair and sighed. + +"I'll bet you wouldn't mind a good game now, but you've no use for these +boys and they haven't much for you. When's the next game, boys?" He +turned to the row of faces. + +"We've stopped playing baseball for this year," came in a chorus. + +"Don't have football up here?" + +"No, we haven't any team." + +"Too bad. I might join you on that. Well, Mr. Keener, some of these days +you and I will go to a game together; we'll get that fixed up. Which of +you boys was it who so doughtily sped to the rescue of the young +maiden?" + +"Jim Tabor; it was his sister the old man was after," piped up the boys. + +"All right, and mighty little respect I would have had for him, if he +hadn't pitched in the way he did. Step up here, Jim." + +Jim came forward, a little awkwardly, the other boys snickering. "Mr. +Keener, this is Jim Taber. I want you to look at him and tell me if, +when you were a boy of his size you had seen anyone threatening your +sister with a stick, you wouldn't have pitched in and fought for her for +all you were worth. You weren't any slouch in those days when it came to +fighting, I know. That's all, Jim, no apologies necessary. Now, Mr. +Keener, there is just one thing more. I don't believe these children are +really bad, only mischievous as you used to be when you were a +youngster. The girls, I know, are all ready to be friends, bless their +dear little hearts. As for the boys, I'll venture to say we can patch up +a treaty of peace with them. If you will promise to be a little less +free with that stick and not get a grouch on you every time a boy looks +your way, they will promise to play no more tricks. If they don't +promise, I'll give every mother's son of them Hail Columbia when I come +this way again," and by his looks, the boys knew he meant what he said. +They were conscious that Ben was standing up for old Nathan, and yet +that he meant to be perfectly fair to them. Ben looked up and down the +line. "Well?" he said. + +The boys looked at one another. "If he'll promise, we will," spoke up +Jim Taber. + +"It's a go," said Ben. "Now, Mr. Keener, it's up to you." + +Old Nathan gave a grunt which might have meant anything, but Ben chose +to interpret it his own way. "I think that is meant for assent," he +said. "The gentleman seems to be speaking a foreign language to-day, +Choctaw, I should say, or maybe Hindostanee. However, it is all right. +Now, Mr. Keener, allow me, sir." He opened the door with a flourish and +handed the old man his stick. Without a word, Nathan took the stick and +went in, Ben bowing and scraping and saying, "Thank you for a very good +time," then receiving no reply, not even a grunt, he added, "Not at all, +the pleasure is entirely mine." The door closed and that was the end of +it. + +Edna came running up. "Oh, Ben," she said, "how glad I am to see you. +Oh, wasn't it dreadful? How did you happen to come along?" + +"Why, Pinky Blooms, I was on my way to grandpa's, thought I would come +to take mother back to-morrow, and, as it was a fine afternoon, I +concluded, to walk up from the station. Happened by just in the nick of +time, didn't I? Funny old curmudgeon, isn't Nathan?" + +"Oh, he is terrible," responded Edna, with a remembrance of the uplifted +stick. "Are you going home with me?" + +"No; you trot along with the rest of the brood; I am going to stay here +a few minutes and have a chat with the boys; I'll be along directly." + +So Edna left him, the boys crowding around and asking all sorts of +questions. Ben was no new figure in the town, and most of them knew him +at least by sight. Just what he said to the boys, Edna never knew, but +it is a matter of comment that from that day on there were no more +tricks played on old Nathan Keener, and though the big stick was not so +much in evidence, it was a long time before any of the Elderflowers made +any headway in winning even so much as a grunt from him. It was a great +setback to the enthusiasm of the girls, but as Reliance told Esther Ann, +she should not have tried so venturesome a thing at the very outset. +"Mrs. Conway says we should have worked up to it gradually. It's just +like training a wild animal, you have to win its confidence first." But +Esther Ann declared she wanted no more of Nathan Keener, and Reliance +was perfectly welcome to try any methods she liked so long as Esther Ann +was not asked to share in the effort. It was a very exciting afternoon, +taking it all in all, and was the means of bringing some ridicule and +some censure upon the little club. One or two of the girls resigned, +saying their mothers did not approve of such proceedings. All this, +however, did not happen during Edna's Thanksgiving visit, but she heard +of it afterward, and of further matters concerning the Elderflowers. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +FAREWELLS + + +Edna had not finished telling her mother about the afternoon's +adventures when Ben came in. The family had gathered in the living-room, +Edna sitting on her grandfather's knee, and the others ranged around the +big fireplace. "There comes Ben now," Edna sang out, catching sight of +her cousin's figure, and running to meet him. + +"Halloo, young man," was grandpa's greeting. "I hear you have been +having a set-to with Nathan Keener. It isn't the first time that he has +had a fisticuffs with a member of this family. He and I used to be +continually at it when we were boys together." + +"Oh, but isn't he much older than you, grandpa?" said Edna, in +surprise. "He looks like a very, very old man." + +"And I don't? That's a nice compliment, missy. No, he and I are about of +an age, and went to school together in the little, old, red schoolhouse +that was burned down some years ago. It is ill health and trouble that +makes him look so old, I suppose. Poor old chap, he has lost most of the +friends who would have stood by him, for he has taken such an attitude +it is impossible to be on good terms with him." + +"Ben thinks he used to play baseball," spoke up Edna. "Did they play it +so many, many years ago?" + +Her grandfather laughed. "They certainly did, and he was tremendous at +it. Let me see, forty, fifty years ago isn't so long, and I can well +remember the time the Overlea boys beat the Boxtown boys, and it was all +because of Nat Keener's good playing. The Boxtown fellows thought all +they had to do was to walk in and win, but we gave them a big surprise +that day. I remember how we cheered and, after the game was over, +carried Nat around the village on our shoulders." + +Ben smiled and nodded as if this event came within his recollection, +too. Edna looked at him in surprise. "Why, Ben," she said, "you weren't +there." + +Ben laughed. "No, but I heard about it all years ago, and it came to my +mind to-day when I was having it out with Nathan. I'll venture to say he +is thinking more of those old times, at this very minute, than he is of +his troubles." + +"Poor old Nat," grandpa shook his head. "He was as high-spirited a young +chap as ever lived, but uncontrolled and always fighting against the +pricks. It must be pretty hard for him, pretty hard. He has grown so +morose and snappish that no one takes the trouble to do more than nod +to him nowadays. He wasn't a bad sort, too free and open-handed, too +fond of pleasure, maybe." + +"He doesn't have much chance to indulge himself there in these days," +remarked grandma. + +"False friends, a worthless wife and a bad son have about finished up +what he had. With good money after bad all the time there is nothing +left but that little tumbledown house he lives in." + +"What does he live on?" asked Ben. + +"Ask your grandpa," answered Mrs. Willis smiling across at her husband. + +"Oh, pshaw!" exclaimed Mr. Willis, "nobody counts a load of wood or a +bag of potatoes once in a while. I must stop and see if I can't draw him +out of his shell some of these days." + +"Talk to him about when you were boys, grandpa," said Ben; "that will +fetch him." + +Just here, Reliance came to the door to say that Ira would like to speak +to Mr. Willis, and Mrs. Barker appropriated Ben, so Edna was left to her +grandmother and her mother. + +"So we are going to lose our little girl to-morrow," grandma began. + +"You won't be left without any little girl," replied Edna cheerfully, +"for you will have Reliance." + +"But that isn't the same thing as having my own little granddaughter," +responded Mrs. Willis. + +"No," returned Edna. "When are we coming here again, mother?" + +"Why, my dear, I don't know. We have made grandma a good, long visit +this time." + +"It isn't what I call a long visit," grandma observed. "When I was a +child I spent months at a time at my grandparents." + +"I spent months at Uncle Justus', but then I was there at school," +remarked Edna. "I don't see why I couldn't come here on holidays, +mother." + +"You can do that sometimes, surely. We have promised you to Uncle Bert +for the Christmas holidays, but maybe you could come at Easter, if +grandma would like to have you." + +"Grandma would like very much to have her," said that lady. + +"Even if I came without mother?" questioned Edna. + +"Even if you came by your own little self. We shall claim her for the +Easter holidays, daughter, and you must let nothing prevent her coming. +If it is not convenient for any of the rest of you to come, just put her +on the train upon which Marcus Brown is conductor and he will see that +she gets off safely at Mayville." + +Edna looked a little doubtful at the idea of making the journey by +herself but she did not say anything. + +"However," grandma went on, "I don't see why Celia couldn't come with +her, or perhaps Ben could." + +"Well, we shall see," responded Mrs. Conway. "Well try to get her here +in some way." + +"Then we shall consider that quite settled," said grandma with a +satisfied air. + +"I've had an awfully good time," said Edna thoughtfully. + +"Even though you have been sick abed, and have had all sorts of +unpleasant adventures?" said grandma with a smile. + +"I wasn't so very sick," returned Edna, "and I wouldn't have minded that +except for the mustard bath." + +Her grandmother laughed. "Well hope that you won't need one the next +time." + +"I didn't mind the adventures very much, either, and now that they are +all over, I am awfully glad that I will have something so interesting to +tell the girls at home. I think a great deal has happened in the time I +have been here, don't you, grandma?" + +"From the standpoint of a little girl I suppose that is true, though it +hasn't seemed such a very exciting time to the rest of us. This is a +quiet old village and we jog along pretty much the same way year in and +year out, without very many changes." + +"I think it is just lovely here," replied Edna, "and I like all the +girls, too. I shall be glad to see them again. I sort of remembered some +of them, but you know I haven't been here before for ever so many years, +and I had forgotten lots of things, even about the house and the place." + +"Then don't stay away so long as to forget anything again," her +grandmother charged her. + +"I'm forgetting that this is the last chance I will have to help +Reliance set the table," said Edna, jumping up. + +She found Reliance had already begun this task and that Amanda was +making some specially good tea-cakes in honor of this last evening. She +was in a good humor and did not object, as she did sometimes, to Edna's +being in the kitchen while supper was being prepared. "Just think," +remarked Edna, as she leaned her elbows on the table to watch Amanda, +"where I shall be to-morrow evening at this time." + +"And are you sorry?" asked Amanda. + +"No, not exactly. I am glad and sorry both. I should love to stay and +yet I want to see them all at home." + +"That's perfectly natural," Amanda returned, pricking the tea-cakes +daintily. + +"What do you have to do that for?" asked the little girl. + +"To keep 'em from blistering," Amanda told her. "There, open the oven +door, Reliance, and then bring me that bowl of cottage cheese from the +pantry. I didn't know as it would be warm enough to allow of us having +any more this week, but you see it was." + +"I just love cottage cheese," Edna made the remark, as she watched +Amanda pour in the yellow cream and stir it into the cheese. "I wish we +kept a cow, so we could have all the milky things you have here." + +"Ain't your place big enough for one?" inquired Amanda, in rather a +surprised tone. + +"No; it isn't just country, you know. Mrs. McDonald has a big place, and +the Evanses have a nice garden and a grove of trees. We have some trees +and some garden, and we have a stable, but we haven't any pasture for +cows." + +"You might pasture her out," Amanda suggested, scraping the contents of +the bowl into a glass dish. "Here, Reliance, take that in and set it on +the table, and then go after your milk and butter. The dark will catch +you if you don't hurry." + +"I'm going, too," announced Edna. "I can carry the butter, but I won't +bring the key." The two little girls laughed, for this was a standing +joke between them. + +They started out through the rustling leaves to the spring-house; the +leaves gave forth a queer, though pleasant odor, as they pushed their +feet through them. A big star blazed out against the pale rose of an +evening sky. Over in the cornfields, crows were calling, and a few +crickets, not yet driven to cover by the frost, chirped in the grass. +The cows were standing in the stable yard. They had been milked, and +Ira had brought the pails to the spring-house before this. The little +white kitten which Edna had made a great pet of, followed her down the +walk, frisking away after a falling leaf, or dancing sideways in +pretended fear of its own tail. Edna picked it up but it had no desire +to stay when this, of all hours in the day, was the best to play in, so +it scrambled down from her arms and was off like a flash, darting half +way up a tree, with ears back and claws outspread. + +"I do hate to leave the kitten," said Edna. "I hope it won't miss me too +much. You will try to give it a little attention, even though you love +the grey one best, won't you, Reliance?" + +Reliance promised, and leaving the kitten to its own wild antics they +went into the spring-house, issuing forth with the various things they +had gone for. "Just think," sighed Reliance, "this is the very last +time you will help me bring up the things. I shall miss you awfully, +Edna. You have been so good to me." + +"Why, no, I haven't," answered she; "you have been good to me. I'm +coming back at Easter, Reliance, and it will be so nice, for I shall +have so many questions to ask about the girls and the club and all +that." + +"Are you really coming at Easter? I didn't know that." + +"Yes, mother just now promised grandma I should." + +"Goody! Goody! I must tell the girls when I see them." + +The girls, however, found out before Reliance saw them, for knowing that +Edna was to leave in the morning, they gave her a surprise that very +evening. Supper was hardly over before Reliance, trying very hard to +smother laughter, had a whispered consultation with Mrs. Willis, who, +after it was over, came back to her place by the fire. In a few minutes +she said, "Edna, dear, I wish you would go up to my room and see if you +can find my other pair of glasses. Look on the bureau and the table in +my room, and, if you don't find them there, look in the other rooms." + +Very obediently Edna trotted off upstairs, searched high and low, looked +in this room and that, but no glasses were to be found. After much +hunting, she came down without them. She stepped slowly down the stair, +humming softly to herself. It was very quiet in the living-room, or did +she hear whispers, and subdued titters? Was Reliance or maybe Ben going +to play a trick on her? She heard a sudden "Hush! Hush!" as she reached +the door of the living-room, but she made up her mind that she would +appear perfectly unconcerned, and entered the room in a very don't-care +sort of manner. "I couldn't find----" she began and then stopped short, +for there, ranged around the room, were twelve little girls all smiling +to see the look of surprise on her face. So that was what the trick was. + +"We're a surprise party," spoke up Esther Ann. + +"And we're a good-by party, too," added Reba. + +"We've all brought you something," Alcinda spoke. + +"We are going to stay an hour," Letty added. + +Here Esther Ann darted forward with a bag of nuts which she plumped down +in Edna's lap. "There," she said, "you must take those along with you." + +Next, Reba presented a neat little book. It looked very religious, Edna +thought, but the cover was pretty and there was an attractive picture in +it. + +Alcinda came next with a very ornate vase which Edna remembered seeing +on the glass case in Mr. Hewlett's store. + +Letty brought the figure of a cunning cat playing with a ball; this Edna +liked very much. Some brought candy, some brought cakes, one brought a +paper doll, another a little cup and saucer, but each one had something +to contribute till Edna exclaimed: "Why, it is just like a birthday, and +these are lovely presents." + +"Oh, they're nothing but some little souvenirs," remarked Esther Ann +loftily. "We wanted you to have them to remember us by." + +"I shall never forget you, never," said Edna earnestly, "and I thank you +ever and ever so much." She gathered up her booty and piled it on the +table, then some one proposed a game, and they amused themselves till +grandma sent out for nuts, cider, apples and cakes, which feast ended +the entertainment, though it is safe to say it lasted more than an +hour. At the last, the girls all crowded around Edna to kiss her +good-night and to make their farewells, and then, like a flock of birds, +they all took flight, scurrying home by the light of their lanterns, +some across the street, some down, some up. + +As the sound of the last merry voice died away, Edna threw herself into +her grandmother's arms. "Oh, grandma," she cried, "wasn't it a lovely +surprise? Did you know about it?" + +"Not so very long before. Reliance came and told me what the girls +wanted to do, and I promised to help in any way that I could." + +"And was that why you sent me up for the glasses? I didn't tell you +after all that I couldn't find them." + +"I didn't expect you to," said her grandmother, laughing. "I only told +you to go see if you could find them so as to get you out of the way +and keep you occupied long enough to allow the girls to come in." + +"I didn't hear the front door shut." + +"No, for they came around by way of the side door, and tip-toed in by +way of the dining-room." + +"Well, it was lovely," sighed Edna in full content. + +Although the real farewells had been said on that evening, that was not +quite the last of it, for the girls were gathered in a body by the +church the next morning when Edna drove by on her way to the train. She +was squeezed in the back seat of the carriage between her mother and her +Aunt Alice. Ben was on the front seat with his grandfather. Reliance at +the gate was waving a tearful farewell, a white kitten under one arm and +a grey one under the other. Grandma herself stood in the doorway. +"Good-by! Good-by!" sounded fainter and fainter from Reliance, but the +word was taken up by the girls who shouted a perfect chorus of good-bys +as the black horses trotted nimbly along and bore Edna out of sight. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +HOW ARE YOU? + + +In what seemed an incredibly short time, Edna was getting out at the +station nearest her own home. Ben and his mother had parted from them an +hour before and were now on their way to their own home. Ben, however, +would return on Monday to take up his college work again. + +"There they are!" were the first words Edna heard as she and her mother +descended from the train. And then the boys rushed forward to hug and +kiss both herself and her mother and to make as much fuss over them as +if they had been gone a year. + +"Gee! but I'm glad to see you," cried Charlie. "It hasn't seemed like +home at all without you, mother." + +"Didn't you have a good time at Mrs. Porter's?" asked Edna. + +"Had a high old time," responded Frank. "Here, let me take some of those +things. You look like country travellers with all those bundles. What +you got there?" + +"Oh, things," returned Edna vaguely. "All sorts of things the girls gave +me to bring home." + +"You look like a regular old emigrant with so many boxes and bags." + +"We couldn't get them all in the trunk," Edna explained, "and so we had +to bring them this way. When did you get back, Frank?" + +"Last night. We came home with father." + +"Then you haven't had such a very long time in which to miss us," said +Mrs. Conway, with a smile. + +"Well, it seemed like a long time," returned Frank, "Nothing ever does +go right when you're away, mother." + +"What special thing has gone wrong this time?" asked his mother. + +"Oh, I couldn't find anything I wanted this morning, and nobody knew +where anything was, and Celia didn't know how to fix anything, and all +that." + +Mrs. Conway laughed. "That shows how I spoil you all. I am afraid I +missed my boys, too, and am glad to get back to them." + +"Where's Celia?" asked Edna. + +"She's home. We all came up together last night. Lizzie had waffles for +supper, and Frank ate ten pieces," spoke up Charlie. + +"Well, that was all I could get," said Frank, in an injured way. "Lizzie +said there were no more." + +"Oh, Frank, Frank," laughed his mother. "Well, at any rate, I am glad +to know my absence has not affected your appetite." + +"Tell us what you did at the Porter's," said Edna. + +"Oh, we just racketed around. We went to a fierce old football game, and +we did all sorts of stunts in the house. Steve and Roger have a fine +little workshop. I don't believe I like living right in the city, +though. We boys have a heap more fun at a place like this where we can +get out-of-doors. Roger and Steve say so, too." + +"I am glad you are so well content," observed Mrs. Conway. + +"There's Celia," Edna sang out, seeing some one on the porch watching +for them. It was a chill, wintry morning, and they were all glad to +hurry indoors to the warm fire. The house looked cozy and cheerful, +yellow chrysanthemums in tall vases graced the hall and library; in the +latter, an open grate fire glowed, and Edna looked around complacently. +"It is kind of nice to get home," she remarked. "I love it at grandma's, +but I reckon we all like our own home better than other people's. How +are you, Celia? Tell me everything that has been going on at school. How +is Dorothy? Did you have a club-meeting and was it a nice one? Oh, I +must tell you about the Elderflowers, mustn't I, mother? Has Agnes gone +back to college? Have you seen Miss Eloise?" + +"Dear me," cried Celia, "what a lot of questions. I wonder if I can +answer them all. Let me see. I'll have to go backwards, I think. I +haven't seen Miss Eloise, but some of the girls have. She and her sister +dined at the Ramseys on Thanksgiving Day." + +"I know they had a good dinner, then," remarked Edna, "for I was there +myself last Thanksgiving." + +"Agnes has gone back to college. Dorothy is well. We had a nice +club-meeting, and I missed my little sister's dear, round, little face. +Dorothy has been so impatient that she can hardly wait to see you. She +has been calling me up at intervals all morning to know if you had come +yet. There is the telephone now. No doubt it is Dorothy calling." + +Edna flew to the 'phone and Celia heard. "Yes, this is Edna. Oh, hello, +Dorothy. I'm well, how are you? I don't know; I'll see. Oh, no, you come +over here; that will be much nicer. I have some things to show you. +What's that? Yes, indeed, I am glad to get back." Then a little tinkle +of laughter. "You are a goosey goose; I'm not going to tell you. Come +over. Yes, right away if you want to, Dorothy." + +She went back to her sister, and established herself in her lap, putting +one arm around her neck and stretching out her feet to the warmth of +the fire. "It was Dorothy," she said. + +"That was quite evident, my dear," returned Celia. "What was it you +wouldn't tell her?" + +"Oh, Dorothy is such a goose. She was afraid I had gotten to like some +of the Overlea girls better than I do her. Just because I wrote to her +about Reliance and Alcinda and all of them. Just as if I couldn't like +more than one girl. Don't you think it is silly, sister, for anyone to +want you to have no other friend, I mean no other best friend? Of course +I love Dorothy dearly, but I love Jennie, too, and I am very fond of +Netty Black, and, oh, lots of girls. Are you that way about Agnes, +Celia?" + +Celia felt a pang of self-reproach, for it must be admitted that she had +felt a little jealous of the new friends Agnes was making at college. "I +don't suppose I should be?" she answered after a pause. "I suppose it +is very selfish and unfair to feel that way about it. Mother says it is +very conceited of a person to think she can satisfy every need of a +friend, and that it shows only love of self, and not love of your +friend, when you want to exclude others from her friendship, and I am +sure I don't want to be either selfish or conceited, and I should hate +to be called a jealous person." + +"Do you think Dorothy is conceited and selfish?" + +"I don't think she means to be, but when she wants to deprive you of +good times with other girls, or is jealous of your friendship for them, +she is encouraging conceit and selfishness. I'm glad you asked me about +the way I feel toward Agnes, for it makes me see that I am by no means +the true friend I ought to be. If I loved her as I should, I'd want her +to have all the good times, all the love, all the benefit she could get +from others, and I mean to fight against any other feeling but the right +one. I don't believe my little sister will be the jealous kind," she +said hugging Edna up. + +"If you see me getting that way, I hope you won't let me," returned Edna +earnestly. + +"There's Dorothy now," said Celia, putting down the plump little figure +from her lap. And Edna ran out to greet her friend. + +There was so much to talk about, so many things to show, that Dorothy +must needs stay to lunch. A little later, over came Margaret McDonald to +say "How do you do" and to bring some flowers from her mother's +greenhouse. Edna's tongue ran so fast and she had so much to tell that +the afternoon seemed all too short. Dorothy and Margaret, too, had their +own affairs to talk about, and it was dark before the two little +visitors were ready to go. + +The next excitement was the coming of her father, for whom Dorothy +watched and who appeared almost gladder than anyone that his wife and +little girl were at home again. "This is something like," he said as he +came in, his face wreathed in smiles. + +"You poor dear," said Edna, in a motherly way, "it has been a lonely +time for you, hasn't it?" + +"Pretty lonely, but then it teaches me how to appreciate my family when +they get back. My, my, my, what a difference it does make, to be sure. I +don't think I can stand you all skylarking off again very soon." + +It was all very cozy and natural after dinner to be back again in the +library, Mrs. Conway on one side the table with her fancy work, Mr. +Conway on the other with the evening paper, the boys reading, or +scrapping in the hall, Celia in the next room at the piano, and Edna +herself with the Children's Page of the paper spread out before her +where she lay at full length on the big rug before the fire. Somehow the +page of stories and puzzles did not absorb her as much as usual. She +wondered what Reliance was doing, if her grandmother felt lonely without +her little granddaughter, and if the white kitten missed her. She saw +the long street bordered by maples, the store and the postoffice, the +white church. Presently she got up and went over to her mother. +"Wouldn't it be nice," she said, "if one could be in two places at the +same time?" + +Her mother nodded. "I shouldn't wonder if you and I were in two places +at the same time, or that we had been during the last few minutes, for I +am sure while our bodies are here our thoughts have been in Overlea." + +"That is just where my thoughts have been," answered Edna. "Do you +suppose they miss us, mother?" + +"I am afraid they do, very much," said her mother, with a soft, little +sigh. "I know if either of my daughters ever goes away to a home of her +own, I shall miss her very much when she has left me after making a +visit." + +Edna stood with her arm still around her mother's neck. This was rather +a new thought. Once her mother had been a little girl like her, of +course, and had stood by her mother's side just like this, and now she +was living in quite a different home. Edna tried to imagine how it would +seem to come back to this, her childhood's home, from one of her very +own, but it was entirely too difficult a matter so she gave it up and +went back to her paper. But in a few minutes, the pictures on the page +before her became pictures of Overlea. She was taking the spring-house +key to old Nathan Keener that he might unlock his door and let out the +white kitten. Then she was half conscious of hearing a voice say: "No, +never mind; she is all tired out; I'll carry her up." Then she was +helped to her feet, a pair of strong arms lifted her up, and she was +borne up the stairs. She hardly knew who undressed her and stowed her +away in bed. She felt a soft kiss on her cheek and then she sank into a +deep slumber. The dear little girl's Thanksgiving holidays were over. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + +Alternative spelling for good-bye and good-by has been retained as it +appears in the original publication. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving +Holidays, by Amy E. 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Blanchard + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays + +Author: Amy E. Blanchard + +Release Date: September 17, 2009 [EBook #30007] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 362px;"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="362" height="600" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<h1>A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S<br /> +THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS</h1> + + + +<div id="box"> +<h2 class="u">The "Dear Little Girl" Series</h2> +<p class="series">A Dear Little Girl</p> +<p class="series">A Dear Little Girl at School</p> +<p class="series">A Dear Little Girl's Summer Holidays</p> +<p class="series">A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays</p> +</div> + + + + +<p class="noi center title">A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S<br /> +THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS<br /> +<br /> +<i>Amy E. Blanchard</i></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 144px;"> +<img src="images/girl.jpg" width="144" height="268" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + +<h2><span class="smcap">Whitman Publishing Co.</span><br /> +<small>Racine, Wisconsin</small></h2> + +<hr /> + +<h4><small>Copyright 1912 by George W. Jacobs & Co.</small><br /> +<br /> +Printed in 1924 by<br /> +Western Printing & Lithographing Co.<br /> +Racine, Wis.<br /> +<br /> +Printed in U. S. A. +</h4> + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><a name="contents" id="contents"></a>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table summary="Table of Contents"> +<tr> +<td class="tdr th">CHAPTER</td> +<td class="tdr2 th" colspan="2">PAGE</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">I</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Invitation</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#I">9</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">II</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Reliance</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#II">30</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">III</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Where's the Key?</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#III">50</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IV</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Hearty Dinner</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#IV">71</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">V</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Red Book</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#V">93</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VI</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Old House</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#VI">113</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VII</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Mill Stream</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#VII">134</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">VIII</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Jetty's Party</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#VIII">154</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">IX</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Elderflowers</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#IX">174</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">X</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">What Ben Did</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#X">196</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XI</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Farewells</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#XI">215</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td class="tdr">XII</td> +<td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">How Are You?</span></td> +<td class="tdr2"><a href="#XII">234</a></td> +</tr> +</table> + + + + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> +<big>A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S<br /> +THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS</big></h2> + + +<hr class="hr4" /> + +<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>CHAPTER I<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE INVITATION</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi">"<span class="smcap">Any</span> news, mother?" asked Edna one Friday afternoon when she came home +from school.</p> + +<p>"There's a letter from grandma," replied Mrs. Conway after kissing the +lips held up to hers. "There isn't any real news in it, but there is an +invitation."</p> + +<p>"What kind of an invitation?"</p> + +<p>"A Thanksgiving kind."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, what do you mean?"</p> + +<p>"I mean that grandma wants us all to spend an old-fashioned Thanksgiving +with her; the kind she used to have when she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> was young. She says she +and grandpa are both getting old and they may not be able to have the +whole family there together again."</p> + +<p>"And are we going?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I think so."</p> + +<p>"The whole family?"</p> + +<p>"I think perhaps you and I will go on a day or two ahead and let the +others follow. Celia and the boys can come with your father, who +probably could not get off till Wednesday afternoon. Grandma asks that I +bring my baby with me."</p> + +<p>"And that means me," returned Edna, hugging herself. "How long shall we +stay, mother?"</p> + +<p>"That depends upon several things which will have to be learned later, +so I can't tell just yet."</p> + +<p>Edna danced off to hunt up her brothers that she might tell them the +news. She found them in their little workshop over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> the stable. Charlie +was making a new box to put in his pigeon house and Frank was watching +him. They had not seen their little sister since Monday for she and her +sister Celia went to school in the city, remaining until the Friday +afternoon of each week.</p> + +<p>"Hello!" cried Charlie, looking up. "When did you come?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we've just come, only a few minutes ago, and what do you think is +the news?"</p> + +<p>"The Dutch have taken Holland," returned Charlie, hammering away at his +box. "Just hand me that box of nails, Frank, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"That's a silly answer," said Edna with contempt.</p> + +<p>"Well, if it's news, how did you expect me to know it?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't expect you to know it, only to guess."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span>"Well, I guessed," replied Charlie teasingly. "I suppose it's a foolish +sort of thing; Uncle Justus has grown another hair in his eyebrows or +your friend Dorothy has a new hat."</p> + +<p>"It's nothing so unimportant," Edna continued; "for it concerns you +boys, too, but if you don't want to know I'll go up to Dorothy's; she'll +be interested even if she isn't going."</p> + +<p>"Going? Where?" cried both boys.</p> + +<p>"That's for me to know and for you to find out," retorted Edna, +beginning to scramble down the ladder. Both boys darted after; Charlie +swung himself down ahead of her to the floor below and was ready to grab +her before she reached the last rung. Then there was much laughing, +scrambling, tickling and protesting till at last Edna was compelled to +give up her secret, ending triumphantly with: "And I'm going first with +mother."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span>"Who said so?" questioned Charlie.</p> + +<p>"Mother did. We are to go two or three days ahead of anyone else."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, I don't care," returned Charlie. "There wouldn't be any boys +for me to play with anyhow."</p> + +<p>"How many are coming for Thanksgiving?" asked Frank.</p> + +<p>"I don't know exactly," Edna answered, "but I suppose all the aunts and +cousins and uncles that can get there. Aunt Lucia and Uncle Bert and of +course Aunt Alice and her boys, Ben and his brother. Ben will have to +go, and I'm awfully glad; he's my favoritest cousin."</p> + +<p>"How about Louis?"</p> + +<p>"He is not any relation to grandma and grandpa Willis, is he?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; I never could get relations straight. I hope he isn't any +kin to them and I am sorry he is to us, for he is a pill. You know he +is, no matter what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> you say. Just look how he acted last summer. You +needn't try to excuse him, for Dorothy told me all about it."</p> + +<p>Edna could not deny facts, for it was quite true that her cousin Louis +was not above blame in sundry instances, so she changed the subject by +saying, "I think I'll go over to Dorothy's anyhow."</p> + +<p>The boys did not try to detain her and she ran out along the road and up +to the old-fashioned house where her friend Dorothy Evans lived. Dorothy +was playing with her kitten out on the side porch. She had dressed the +little creature in long clothes and was walking up and down singing to +it as it lay contentedly in her arms, it's two gray paws sticking out +from the sleeves of a little red sacque belonging to one of Dorothy's +dolls.</p> + +<p>"Doesn't Tiddlywinks look funny?" said Dorothy by way of greeting. "And +isn't he good? I believe he likes to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> dressed up, for he lies as +still as anything. Of course, if he fussed and meowed, I would take off +the things and let him go."</p> + +<p>Edna touched the soft silvery paws gently. "I believe he does like it," +she returned. "See, he shuts his eyes exactly as if he felt nice and +cozy. Oh, Dorothy, guess what! We are all going to grandpa Willis's next +week. We are all going for Thanksgiving, only mother and I are going +first. Isn't that lovely?"</p> + +<p>"Lovely for you, I suppose," replied Dorothy dejectedly, "but I shall +miss you dreadfully."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, you won't, when you have Margaret and Nettie so near. Besides I +shall not be gone long, not more than a week."</p> + +<p>"Are there any girls there?" asked Dorothy, a little jealously.</p> + +<p>"Not like us. There is a little girl, mother says, that grandma has +taken in to help her and Amanda; Amanda is the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> woman who lives there +and cooks and churns and does all sorts of things."</p> + +<p>"Is it in the real country?"</p> + +<p>"It is real country and yet it isn't, for it is a village. Grandpa has a +farm, but just across the street is a store and the church is only a few +steps away, and there are lots of neighbors; some have big places and +some have little ones. Grandpa's isn't as big as the biggest nor as +little as the littlest."</p> + +<p>"Does he keep horses and cows and chickens and things?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, my, yes, and ducks and turkeys and sheep."</p> + +<p>"I should think it would be a pretty nice sort of place."</p> + +<p>"It is lovely and I am always crazy about going there."</p> + +<p>"But please don't stay too long this time," urged Dorothy.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to stay till mother brings me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> back," returned Edna +cheerfully. "I wish there were another kitten, Dorothy, so I could have +a live doll, too."</p> + +<p>"You might take the mother cat," Dorothy suggested; "she is very gentle +and nice."</p> + +<p>They went in search of Tiddlywinks' mother, but Madam Pittypat objected +to being made a baby of, for, though she was gentle enough, she squirmed +and twisted herself out of every garment they tried upon her, and, at +the first opportunity, walked off in a most dignified manner, as though +she would say: "Such a way to treat the mother of a family!"</p> + +<p>So the two little girls concluded that they would free Tiddlywinks and +turn him again into a kitten. They left him stretching himself and +yawning lazily, as they trudged off to see their friend, Margaret +McDonald, that they might tell her Edna's news.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span>The days sped by quickly until Tuesday came, when Edna and her mother +were to start on their journey. Edna at first decided to take her doll +Ada "because she is more used to traveling," she said, but at the last +moment she changed her mind saying that Ada had been on so many journeys +that she thought someone else should have a chance and, therefore, it +was her new doll, Virginia, who was dressed for the trip. The previous +year Edna had spent Thanksgiving Day with her Uncle Justus; this year it +would be quite a different thing to sit at table with a whole company of +cousins instead of dining alone with Uncle Justus.</p> + +<p>It was a journey of three hours before the station of Mayville was +reached, then a drive of four miles to Overlea lay before them. But +there was grandpa himself waiting to help them off the train, to see +that their trunks were safely stowed into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> the big farm wagon, and at +last to tuck them snugly into the carriage which was to bear them to the +white house set in behind a stately row of maples. These had lost their +leaves, but a crimson oak still showed its red against the sky, and the +vines clambering up the porch waved out scarlet banners to welcome the +guests.</p> + +<p>Grandma Willis was standing on the porch to greet them as they drew up +before the door. Behind her stood Amanda and behind Amanda a little girl +about twelve or thirteen. Behind the little girl trailed a cat and three +kittens. At the sight of these Edna gave a squeal of delight. "New +kittens, grandma? How lovely! I'm so glad," she cried.</p> + +<p>Grandma smiled. "Well, give me a good hug and kiss first and then +Reliance can let you take one of the kittens to hug."</p> + +<p>"Who is Reliance? Is that what you call the mother-cat?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span>"No, her name is Tippy. Reliance is the little girl who, we hope, is +going to carry out the promise of her name."</p> + +<p>Edna did not understand this latter speech but she smiled encouragingly +at Reliance who smiled back at her. Then after the huggings and kissings +were given to Mrs. Willis, Reliance picked up one of the kittens and +held it out to Edna who cuddled it up to her and followed the others +into the house.</p> + +<p>It was a big old-fashioned place where the Willis family had lived for +many generations. In the large living-room was a huge fireplace in which +now a roaring fire crackled and leaped high. There was a small seat +close to it and on this Edna settled herself.</p> + +<p>"Here, here, aren't you going to stay a while?" cried grandpa who had +given over the carriage into the hands of Ira, the hired man, and who +had just come in.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span>"Why, of course we are going to stay," replied Edna.</p> + +<p>"Then why don't you take off your things? Mother, isn't there any place +they can lay their bonnets and coats? It seems to me there should be a +bed or cupboard somewhere."</p> + +<p>"Now, father," protested Mrs. Willis, "you know this house is big enough +to hold the hats and coats of the entire family."</p> + +<p>"Didn't know but you were house-cleaning and had every place turned +upside down."</p> + +<p>"Now, father," Mrs. Willis continued, "you know we've been days getting +the house cleaned and that everything is in apple-pie order for +Thanksgiving."</p> + +<p>Grandpa gave Mrs. Conway a sly wink. "You'd think it ought to be in +apple-pie order," he said, "by the way they have been tearing up the +place. Couldn't find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> my papers, my sticks, my umbrella or anything when +I wanted them. I am glad you all have come so you can help me hunt for +them."</p> + +<p>"Why, father, how you do go on," Mrs. Willis interposed. The old +gentleman laughed. He was a great tease, as Edna well knew.</p> + +<p>"Where shall we go to lay off our things, mother?" asked Mrs. Conway.</p> + +<p>"Up to your own old room over the dining-room. Here, Reliance, take the +kitten and you, Edna, can come along with your mother."</p> + +<p>"There's no need for you to go up, mother," said Mrs. Conway. "I have +been there before, you know, and I think I can find the way." Then the +two smiled wisely at one another.</p> + +<p>But grandma would go and presently Edna found herself in a large room +which looked out upon the west. Mrs. Conway<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> stood still and gazed +around her. "How natural it all seems," she said, "even to the pictures +upon the walls. I went from this room a bride, Edna, and when I come +back to it I feel not a day older. This is the same furniture, but this +is a new carpet, mother, and new curtains, and the little cot you have +put in for Edna, I suppose."</p> + +<p>"Yes, there are some things that will not last a lifetime," answered +Mrs. Willis, "and we must furbish up once in a while. I thought you +would rather have Edna here with you than elsewhere, and at such a +crowded time we have to stow away as we can. I have put another cot in +my room for one of the other children and Celia is to go in with Becky."</p> + +<p>While they were talking Ira brought up the trunks and Mrs. Conway +commenced the task of unpacking, so very soon they were settled and +ready for dinner, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> was served in the big dining-room where was +another open fireplace not quite so large as the first, but ample +enough. Reliance waited upon the table and helped to clear away the +dishes afterward.</p> + +<p>"When you are through with your tasks, Reliance, you can take Edna out +and show her the chickens and pigs and things," said grandma.</p> + +<p>"Reliance is quite a recent addition to the family, isn't she?" said +Mrs. Conway when the little maid went out.</p> + +<p>"Yes," Mrs. Willis replied. "Amanda isn't as young as she was and we +thought it would be a good thing to have someone here who could save her +steps and who could be trained to take her place after a while. I think +Reliance promises to be very capable in time."</p> + +<p>While her mother talked to the grandparents, Edna walked softly around +the room looking at the different things, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> pictures, books and +ornaments. There was a high mantel upon which stood a pair of Dresden +vases and two quaint little figures. In the middle was a china house +with a red door and vines over the windows. Edna had always admired it +and was glad to see it still there. She stood looking at it for a long +time. She liked to have her grandmother tell her its history. "That was +brought to me by my grandfather when he returned from England," Mrs. +Willis always said. "I was a little girl about six years old. Later he +brought me those two China figures. He was a naval officer and that is +his portrait you see hanging on the wall."</p> + +<p>"I love the little house," remarked Edna, knowing that the next word +would be: "You may play with it if you are very careful. It is one of my +oldest treasures and I should be very grieved if it were broken."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span>The little house was then handed down and Edna examined it carefully. +"It is so very pretty," she said, "that I should like to live in it. I +would like to live in a house with a bright red door."</p> + +<p>"I used to think that same thing when I was a little girl," her +grandmother told her.</p> + +<p>"I think maybe you'd better put it back so I won't break it," said Edna, +carefully handing the treasure to her grandmother, "and then will you +please tell me about the pictures?"</p> + +<p>"The one over the mantel is called 'The Signing of the Declaration of +Independence,' and that small framed affair by the chimney is a key to +it, for it tells the names of the different men who figure in the +picture."</p> + +<p>"I will look at it some day and see if I can find out which is which," +said Edna.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> "That is Napoleon Bonaparte over there; I know him."</p> + +<p>"Yes; and that other is General Washington, whom, of course, you know."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, of course; and I know that little girl, the black head over +there; it is my great-great-grandmother."</p> + +<p>"The silhouette, you mean? Yes, that is she, and she is the same one who +did that sampler you see hanging between the windows. She was not so old +as you when she did it."</p> + +<p>Edna crossed the room and knelt on a chair in front of the sampler. It +was dim with age, but she could discern a border of pink flowers with +green leaves and letters worked in blue silk. She followed the letters +with the tip of her finger, tracing them on the glass and at last +spelling out the name of "Annabel Lisle, wrought in her seventh year."</p> + +<p>"Poor little Annabel, how hard she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> must have worked," sighed Edna. "I +am glad I don't have to do samplers."</p> + +<p>"You might be worse employed," said her grandmother, smiling.</p> + +<p>"Did you ever do a sampler?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Not a sampler like this one, but I learned to work in cross stitch. Do +you remember the little stool in the living-room by the fireplace?"</p> + +<p>"The one with roses on it that I was sitting on?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; that I did when I was about your age, and the sofa pillow with the +two doves on it I did when I was about Celia's age. I was very proud of +it, I remember."</p> + +<p>"May I go look at them?"</p> + +<p>"Assuredly."</p> + +<p>So Edna went into the next room and carefully examined the two pieces of +work which now had a new importance in her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> eyes. A little girl about +her age had done them long ago. She discovered, too, a queer-looking +picture behind the door. It was of a lady leaning against an urn, a +weeping-willow tree near by. The lady held a handkerchief in her hand +and looked very sorrowful. Edna wondered why she seemed so sad. There +were some words written below but they were too faint for her to +decipher, and she determined to ask her grandmother about this picture +which she had never noticed before. While she was still looking at it, +Reliance came to the door to say, "I can go now; I've finished what I +had to do." Edna turned with alacrity and the two went out together.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> +<a name="II" id="II"></a>CHAPTER II<br /> +<br /> +<small>RELIANCE</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi">"<span class="smcap">How</span> long have you lived here?" Edna asked her companion when they were +outside.</p> + +<p>"About six months," was the reply.</p> + +<p>"Are you 'dopted?" came the next question.</p> + +<p>"No, I'm bound."</p> + +<p>Edna looked puzzled. "I don't know what that is. I know a girl that was +a Friendless and she was 'dopted so now she has a mother and a beautiful +home. Her name used to be Maggie Horn, but now it is Margaret McDonald. +Is your name Reliance Willis?"</p> + +<p>"No, it is Reliance Fairman, and it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> wasn't ever anything else. I was +friendless, too, till Mrs. Willis took me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, and did you live in a house with a lot of other Friendlesses?"</p> + +<p>"No, I wasn't in an orphan asylum, if that's what you mean, but I reckon +I would have had to go there or else to the almshouse."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" This seemed even more dreadful to Edna and she looked at her +companion with new interest, at the same time slipping her hand into the +other's to show her sympathy. "Tell me about it," she said.</p> + +<p>"Why, you see, my parents died. We lived about three miles from here, +and your grandmother used to know my grandmother; they went to the same +school, so when us children were left without any home or any money your +grandmother said she would take me and keep me till I was of age, so +they bound me."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span>"How many children were there?"</p> + +<p>"Three boys and me. Two of the boys are with Mr. Lukens and the other is +in a home; he is a little chap, only six. If he'd been bigger maybe your +grandfather would have had him here, and perhaps he will come when he is +big enough to be of any use."</p> + +<p>"I think that would be very nice and I shall ask grandfather to be sure +to take him. Do you like it here?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I like it. Amanda is awful pernickity sometimes, but I just +love your grandmother and it is a heap sight better than being hungry +and cold."</p> + +<p>"Would you have to stay supposing you didn't like it?" Edna was +determined to get all the particulars.</p> + +<p>"I suppose so; I'd have to stay till I was eighteen; I'm bound to do +that."</p> + +<p>Edna reflected. "I suppose that is what it means by being bound; you +are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> just bound to stay. I wonder if anyone else was ever named +Reliance," she went on, being much interested to hear something about so +peculiar a name.</p> + +<p>"My grandmother was, her that your grandmother knew."</p> + +<p>"Oh, was she? Then you are named after your grandmother just as my +sister Celia is named Cecelia after hers. Yours is a funny name, isn't +it? I don't mean funny exactly, for I think it is quite pretty, but I +never knew of anyone named that."</p> + +<p>"I don't mind it when I get it all, but when my brothers called me Li I +didn't like it. Your grandmother gives me the whole name, and I am glad +she does; but she said they generally used to call my grandmother Lyley +when she was a little girl."</p> + +<p>"I think that is rather pretty, too, don't you?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span>"Yes, but I like the whole name better."</p> + +<p>"Then I will always call you by the whole name," Edna assured her. "Can +you tell stories, Reliance?"</p> + +<p>"Do you mean fibs or reading stories like—let's see—Cinderella and +Jack and the Beanstalk?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I mean the Cinderella kind; I'd hate to think you told fibs."</p> + +<p>"I can tell 'em, but I guess I don't care to. I know two or three of the +other kind and Bible stories, some of them: Eli and Samuel, and David +and Goliath, and all those."</p> + +<p>"Do you go to school?"</p> + +<p>"Half the year, but I guess I won't be going very much longer. I'll soon +be going on fourteen; I'll stop when I'm fifteen."</p> + +<p>"Oh, shall you? Then what will you do?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span>"I'll learn to housekeep and cook, and to sew and all that. Mrs. Willis +says it is more important for me to be educated in the useful things, +that I'll get along better if I am, and I guess she is right. My mother +couldn't cook worth a cent and she just hated it, so we didn't get very +good vittles."</p> + +<p>"Was it your mother's mother after whom you were named?"</p> + +<p>"No, my father's mother. The Fairmans lived around here, but there ain't +many of them left now. My father was an only child, and he married my +mother out of town; she hadn't ever been used to the country. She used +to work in a store and that's why she couldn't cook, you see."</p> + +<p>Edna pondered over this information, wondering if everyone who worked in +a store must necessarily turn out a poor cook.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span>"You ought just to see what's getting ready for Thanksgiving," said +Reliance, changing the subject, "I never seen such a pile of stuff. It +fair makes my mouth water to think of it; pies and cakes and doughnuts +and jellies and I don't know what all. I guess there's as many as twenty +or thirty coming, ain't there?"</p> + +<p>"Let me see; I shall have to count. There will be Aunt Alice and her two +boys, Ben and Willis, and Uncle Bert Willis with his five children and +Aunt Lucia; that makes ten, and then there will be all of us, papa and +mamma and us four children; that makes—let me see—" she counted +hurriedly on her fingers. "How many did I say, Reliance? Ten? Oh, yes, +and six make sixteen. Then there are the greats; great Aunt Emmeline and +her brother, Wilbur Merrifield, and his daughter, Cousin Becky. Sixteen +did I say? and three make nineteen. Oh, yes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> Cousin Becky's sweetheart +that she is going to marry soon; he is coming and he will make it just +twenty. Counting grandpa and grandma there will be twenty-two, and +counting you and Amanda there will be twenty-four to eat the goodies."</p> + +<p>"You didn't count the two men, Ira and Jim," said Reliance; "they will +eat here, too."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I forgot them. What a crowd, twenty-six people. If they cut a +pie in six pieces it would take over four to go around once, wouldn't +it?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose we would be allowed a second piece on Thanksgiving Day," +remarked Reliance, "though maybe with the other things no one would want +it."</p> + +<p>"How many kinds of pie will there be?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Three at least. I heard Amanda say that she would make the fillings +to-day for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> pumpkin, lemon and apple; she has the crust all done. She +has made the jelly, too; it's to be served with whipped cream. Your +grandma was talking about having plum pudding, but Amanda said she +didn't see the sense of having it when it wasn't Christmas, and there +would be such lots of other things, all the nuts and apples and such +things. There is going to be chicken pie, besides the turkeys and the +oysters."</p> + +<p>"Dear me," sighed Edna, "I am afraid I shall eat a great deal and be +very uncomfortable. I was last year for a little while because I ate two +Thanksgiving dinners. What did you do last year, Reliance?"</p> + +<p>Reliance looked very sober. "We didn't have much of a Thanksgiving last +year, for it was just before my mother died and she was ill then, so us +children just had to get along the best we could.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> Somebody sent us in a +pie and some jelly for mother and that is about all we had to be +thankful for. I suppose it was much better than nothing. We ate all the +pie at one meal. Billy said we might as well for it wouldn't last two +days anyhow unless we had little bits of pieces, so each of us had a +whole quarter. Billy tried to trap a rabbit or shoot a squirrel or +something, but he hadn't enough shot and the rabbits didn't trap."</p> + +<p>Secretly Edna was rather glad to hear this, even though it meant that +the Fairmans went without meat for dinner. She walked along pondering +over these facts and wondering which were to be preferred. She could not +tell whether to be glad the squirrels and rabbits had escaped or to be +sorry that the Fairmans could not have had game for Thanksgiving. It was +rather a hard matter to settle, so finally she dismissed the subject and +gave her attention<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> to the pigs whose pen they now had reached. Edna did +not think them very cleanly or attractive creatures, however, and was +very soon ready to leave them that she might see the chickens and ducks +which she found much more interesting.</p> + +<p>The short November day was already so near its end that the fowls were +thinking of going to roost, though the hour was not late, and after +watching them take their supper, which Edna helped Reliance to +distribute, the two girls went on to the garden, now robbed of most of +its vegetables. There were a few tomatoes to be found on the vines; +though celery, turnips and cabbages made a brave showing. Edna felt that +she was quite a discoverer when she came across some tiny yellow +tomatoes which the frost had not yet touched, and which she gathered in +triumph to carry back to her mother.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span>"I know where there's a chestnut tree," announced Reliance suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, do let's find it," said Edna. "I will put the tomatoes in my +handkerchief and carry them that way. We ought to gather all the +chestnuts we can, for I know mighty well after the boys come there won't +be a nut left." There was a rush down the hill to the big chestnut tree +about whose roots lay the prickly burs which the frost had opened to +show the shining brown nuts within.</p> + +<p>"I don't see how we are going to carry them," said Edna after a while, +when she had gathered together quite a little heap.</p> + +<p>"I'll show you," Reliance told her, and began tying knots in the corners +of the apron she wore. "There," she said, "that makes a very good bag, +and what we can't carry that way we can leave and come back for +to-morrow. We'd better take as many as we can, though, for to-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span>morrow +will be such a busy day I may not be able to come, and if we don't, the +squirrels will get them all."</p> + +<p>"I could come alone, now that I know the way," said Edna, "or maybe +mamma would come with me."</p> + +<p>"I suppose we'd better be going back," said Reliance when she lifted the +improvised bag to her arm. "It is near to milking time and that means +getting ready for supper."</p> + +<p>"What do you do to get ready for supper?" asked Edna taking hold of one +side of the bag.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I set the table and go down to the spring-house for the butter and +cream. I can skim milk now, but I couldn't at first, I got it all mixed +up."</p> + +<p>"Do you skim all the milk?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, that we put on the table to drink is never skimmed. The skimmed +milk goes to the pigs."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span>"Oh, does it? I think you feed your pigs pretty well. Are we going to +watch them milk?"</p> + +<p>"You can if you like; I've got to go right back."</p> + +<p>"You don't help with the milking then?"</p> + +<p>"No; Ira does it. Your grandpa says it is man's work, but Ira lets me do +a little sometimes so I will learn."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you afraid of the cows?"</p> + +<p>"No, indeed, are you?"</p> + +<p>"Kind of. They have such sharp horns sometimes," answered Edna by way of +excusing her fear.</p> + +<p>"Your grandpa's don't have; he keeps only dehorned cattle."</p> + +<p>"What are they?"</p> + +<p>"The kind that have had their horns taken off so they don't do any +damage."</p> + +<p>"I think maybe I wouldn't mind that kind so much," said Edna, after +considering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> the matter for a moment. "If you don't mind, I think I +would like to stop and see Ira milk."</p> + +<p>Reliance said she didn't mind in the least and, therefore, she left the +little girl at the bars of the stable yard which was quite as near as +she wished to stand to the herd of cows gathered within.</p> + +<p>"Want to come in and learn to milk?" asked Ira, looking up with a smile +at the little red-capped figure.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, thank you," returned Edna hastily. "I'd rather watch you." She +would really have like to try her hand if there had been but one cow, +but when there were six, how could a young person be certain that one of +the number would not turn and rend her? To be sure, they were much less +fearsome without horns, but still they were too big and dreadful to be +entirely trusted. So she stood watching the milk foam into the shining +tin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> buckets and then she walked contentedly with Ira to where Amanda +was waiting to strain the milk and put it away in the spring-house.</p> + +<p>"Do you keep it out here all winter and doesn't it freeze?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"In winter we keep it in the pantry up at the house. If it should turn +cold suddenly now, we'd have to bring it in," Amanda told her, as she +carefully lifted the earthen crocks into place. "There comes Reliance +for the cream and butter," she went on. "Reliance, I'll carry up the +milk and you come along with the rest. Don't tarry down here, and be +sure you lock the spring-house door and fetch in the key." Then she went +out leaving the two little girls behind.</p> + +<p>Reliance carefully attended to her duties, Edna watching her admiringly. +It must be a fine thing to be so big a girl as this, one who could be +trusted to do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> work like a grown-up woman. "Let me carry something," she +offered, when Reliance stepped up the stone steps and outside, carrying +the butter in one hand and the pitcher of cream in the other.</p> + +<p>"If you would lock the door and wouldn't mind taking the key along, I +wouldn't have to set down these things," Reliance said.</p> + +<p>Edna did as she was asked, standing tip-toe in order to turn the big key +in the heavy door.</p> + +<p>"When we get to the house you can hang the key on its nail behind the +kitchen door," Reliance told her. "It is always kept there."</p> + +<p>Edna swung the big key on her finger by its string and trotted along by +the side of Reliance, asking many questions, and delighting to hear +Reliance enlarge upon the all-important subject of the Thanksgiving +festivities.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>"We've got to get up good and early," Reliance remarked, "for there's +a heap to be done, even if we are ahead with the baking. I expect to +be up before daylight, myself, and I reckon Ira will be milking by +candlelight," she added, as she entered the kitchen door. Mrs. Conway +was in the kitchen talking to Amanda, and Edna hastened to show her +little hoard of tomatoes. "We gathered a whole lot of chestnuts, too," +she told her mother. "They were all on the ground down the hill behind +the barn."</p> + +<p>"I know the very tree," Mrs. Conway told her. "We must roast some in the +ashes this evening. Come along, supper is ready and you must get +yourself freshened up."</p> + +<p>Edna followed along and, in the prospect of supper and then of roasting +chestnuts, she forgot all about the spring-house key. This, by the way, +was lying on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> door-mat where she had dropped it. A little later on, +it was picked up by Reliance and was slipped into the pocket of her +gingham apron. "I won't remind her that she dropped it. Likely as not +she forgot all about it," said Reliance to herself. "I ought not to have +trusted it to as little a girl as she is."</p> + +<p>It was not till after she was in bed that Edna remembered that she had +ever had the key. Where had she put it? She had no recollection of it +after she had swung it by its string upon her finger on the way to the +house. "It must be on the kitchen table," she told herself. "I opened my +handkerchief there to show mother the tomatoes." She sat up in bed +wondering if she would better get up and go down, but she finally +decided to wait till her mother should have come to bed and then confide +in her.</p> + +<p>However, try as she would, she could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> not keep awake. It had been an +exciting and fatiguing day and she was in the land of dreams in a few +minutes, not even having visions of keys, spring-houses or Thanksgiving +dinners, but of the mother cat and her three kittens who were climbing +chestnut trees and throwing down chestnuts to her.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> +<a name="III" id="III"></a>CHAPTER III<br /> +<br /> +<small>WHERE'S THE KEY?</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Very</span>, very early in the morning Edna was awake. She was not used to +farmyard sounds and could not tell if it were a lusty rooster, an +insistent guinea-fowl or a gobbling turkey whose voice first reached +her. But whichever it was, she was quite broad awake while it was yet +dark. She lay still for a few minutes, with an uncertain feeling of +something not very pleasant overshadowing her, then she remembered the +key. "Oh, dear," she sighed, "if they can't get into the spring-house +there will be no cream for breakfast and no butter, either. The key must +be found."</p> + +<p>She got up and softly crept to the window. A bright star hung low in the +sky<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> and there was the faintest hint of light along the eastern horizon. +Presently Edna saw a lighted lantern bobbing around down by the stable +and concluded that Ira must be up and that it was morning, or at least +what meant morning to farmers. She stood watching the light grow in the +east and finally decided that she would dress and be all ready by the +time it was light enough to hunt for the lost key.</p> + +<p>By now she could see well enough to find her clothes, but, fearing lest +she should waken her mother, she determined to go to the bathroom at the +end of the hall rather than use the wash-stand in the room where she +was, so she gathered up her clothing in her arms, and went down the +entry, made her toilet and crept down stairs. There was a light burning +in the lower hallway, but it was dark all through the rest of the house +and she was obliged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> to feel her way through the rooms. There was a +noise of some one stirring in the pantry. She opened the door of the +kitchen gently and peeped in. A lamp was burning on the table, but no +key lay there. Edna tip-toed in quietly and felt on the nail where the +key should hang, thrusting aside a gingham apron belonging to Reliance +which hung just above its place, but the nail was empty and she was +forced to believe she had dropped the key somewhere between the +spring-house and the kitchen. She tip-toed out of the kitchen, turned +the key of the outside door and closed it after her as noiselessly as +possible, and in another moment was outside in the chill November air. +It was rather fearsome to make one's way down dim paths where some wild +creature might still be lurking after a night's raid from the woods near +by, and she imagined all sorts of things. First, something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> stole softly +by her and was off like a shot through the tall weeds growing beyond the +fence; it was only a rabbit who was more frightened at Edna than she at +it. Next, the bushes parted and a small white figure crept stealthily +forth. The child's heart stood still and she stopped short. Then came a +plaintive meow and she discovered one of the three kittens out on an +adventuring tour. She picked up the little creature which purred +contentedly as she snuggled it to her, continuing her way.</p> + +<p>The garden left behind, there was the lane to be passed through, and +here some real cause for fear in Edna's opinion, for the cows that Ira +had just finished milking were coming through the bars he had let down. +They stumbled along clumsily, following one another over the rail, and +ambled on to another set of bars where they stood till Ira should let +them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> through. At first, Edna did not realize that they were not making +for the spot where she stood and she took to her heels, fleeing +frantically back to the garden, banging the gate behind her and standing +still waiting till the cows were through and the bars up again. Seeing +the cows safely shut out from the lane she ventured forth again and +followed Ira's lantern to the barn. Here she stood looking around and +presently the beams from the lantern fell upon her little figure with +the white kitten still clasped in her arms.</p> + +<p>Ira looked up in surprise. "Hello!" he cried. "What's took you up so +airly? Why, I jest got through milkin', and, doggone it, it ain't +skeerce light yit."</p> + +<p>"I know," said Edna, "but I had to get up early, you see, so as to find +the key before breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Key? What key?"</p> + +<p>"The key of the spring-house. Reliance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> gave it to me to carry and I was +to have hung it up on a nail behind the kitchen door, and I forgot all +about it till I was in bed. You see if it isn't found nobody can have +any milk or cream for breakfast."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess we could manage," returned Ira reassuringly. "Didn't drop +it indoors, did you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think so. I looked in the kitchen as I came out and I didn't +find it there. If it had been picked up, it would be on the nail, I +should think."</p> + +<p>"Most likely it would; it would be there sure if 'Mandy found it; she +don't let nothin' stay out of place very long, I kin tell ye."</p> + +<p>"As long as I didn't find it in the kitchen I thought I would come here +because I saw you had a lantern, and it really isn't quite light enough +to see very plainly, is it?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span>"No, it ain't. Sun don't rise till somewheres around seven this time o' +year. Well, you come with me and we'll work our way long the path from +the spring-house and if we don't find the key we will go inside and +inquire. I alwuz find it don't do no harm to ask questions, and that +there key is bound to be somewheres betwixt this and the house."</p> + +<p>He swung his lantern so its rays would shed a broad light along the way, +and Edna pattered along just behind him, trying very hard to keep up +with his long strides. When at last they reached the spring-house, he +slackened his pace and began carefully to look to the right and to the +left.</p> + +<p>"You come right straight along, did you?" he questioned. "Didn't go +cavortin' off nowheres pickin' weeds or chasin' cats, did you?"</p> + +<p>"No, we came as straight as could be.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> Reliance had the butter and cream +and we didn't stop once."</p> + +<p>"Then I guess you likely dropped it inside, for I've sarched careful and +I can't find it. Maybe when it comes real bright daylight you could look +again, but I should advise askin' at the house next thing you do."</p> + +<p>He led the way into the kitchen where Amanda was briskly stirring about. +"Well," she began, "what's wanting? Well, I declare if there ain't Edna. +What's got you up so early, missy? I guess you're like the rest of us, +couldn't sleep for thinking of all that's to do for Thanksgiving."</p> + +<p>"You ain't picked up the spring-house key nowheres about, have you?" +asked Ira.</p> + +<p>"Why, no. You had it?"</p> + +<p>"No, I ain't, but sissy there says 'Liance gave it to her to carry and +she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> ain't no notion of what she done with it, thought mebbe she might +ha' drapped it in here. She got so worried over it she riz from her bed +and come out to hunt it up, says she was afraid nobody couldn't get no +breakfast because of her losing of it."</p> + +<p>"I guess we won't suffer for breakfast," said Amanda, looking down +kindly at the little girl. "I don't carry back the milk nights this time +of year. Any that's left I just set in the pantry and there is what was +left from supper this blessed minute; butter, too, and cream, plenty for +breakfast. You just rest your mind on that score."</p> + +<p>"But," said Edna, "you will want a whole lot of things for the +Thanksgiving cooking and what will you do with them all locked up?"</p> + +<p>Ira laughed. "'Twouldn't be such an awful job to lift the door from its +hinges,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> and if a body was right spry he could climb in at the window +after he'd prised it open and the things could be handed out. Besides +we've got all the morning's milk and there'll be the night's milk and +to-morrow's milk, so I don't see that we shan't get along first-rate. +There is more than one way out of that trouble, ain't there, 'Mandy?"</p> + +<p>"I should say so. Wait till the sun's real high and I guess we'll find +the key fast enough," she said to Edna. "Now, you stay right here and +don't go running about in the cold; you'll be down sick traipsing about +in the wet grass, and then where will your Thanksgiving be?"</p> + +<p>Thus warned, Edna was content to stay in the kitchen into which the +morning light was beginning to creep and which was already warm from the +big stove. In a few minutes, Reliance appeared from the next room where +she had been setting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> the table. She was much astonished to learn that +Edna had been down before her. "What in the world did you get up so soon +for?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"To find the key," Edna answered, and then told her all about the +search, ending up with, "You haven't seen anything of it, have you, +Reliance?"</p> + +<p>Reliance's face broadened into a smile, as for answer she went behind +the kitchen door and produced the key from its nail, holding it up to +view.</p> + +<p>"Why, where in the world did you get it?" inquired Edna in a tone of +surprise. "It wasn't on the nail when I looked there for it a little +while ago."</p> + +<p>"You dropped it on the door-mat last evening," Reliance told her. "I +found it there and slipped it into the pocket of my apron, and this +morning when I went to get my apron, there it was so I just hung it up +where it belonged."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span>"Well, I'm sure," said Amanda, "that's easily explained."</p> + +<p>"Who'd ha' thought it," said Ira. "Well, that let's us out of another +hunt. I won't have to wrastle with the door after all, will I?"</p> + +<p>So, after all, Edna's early rising was unnecessary, but she did not feel +sorry that she had had such an experience, and was content to sit and +watch Amanda mould her biscuits and to help Reliance finish setting the +table. Amanda insisted upon giving her a drink of buttermilk from the +spring-house to which she despatched Reliance, advising Edna not to go +this time. "You've had one tramp," she said, "and moreover you'll be +starved by breakfast time if you don't have something to stay you."</p> + +<p>The sausages were sizzling in the pan, and the griddle was ready for the +buckwheat cakes when Mrs. Conway appeared.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> "Well, you did steal a march +on us," she said to her little daughter. "How long have you been up? I +didn't hear a sound. You must have been a veritable mouse to be so +quiet."</p> + +<p>"I've been up since before daylight," Edna told her. "I took my things +into the bathroom so as not to disturb you; it was lovely and warm in +there." Then again she repeated her story of the lost key.</p> + +<p>"Reliance had the joke on her," said Amanda, "for she had the key all +the time."</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you tell me you had found it?" asked Edna a little +reproachfully as she turned to Reliance, who had by this time returned +from the spring-house.</p> + +<p>"I thought you would forget all about it, and I didn't think it was +worth while to mention. Besides," she added, "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> ought to have carried +the key myself anyway."</p> + +<p>"You're right there," remarked Amanda. "It is your especial charge and +you oughtn't to have let anyone else fetch it in. Moreover, you'd ought +to have hung it up the minute you found it, and there it would have been +when it was looked for."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't scold her," begged Edna. "It was all my fault, really."</p> + +<p>Amanda smiled. "I don't see it just that way. Folks had ought to learn +when they're young that in this house there's a place for everything, +and everything should be in its place. I rather guess, though, that that +special key won't get lost again right away."</p> + +<p>Edna felt that she had brought this lecture upon Reliance and felt +rather badly to have done so, but the prospect of buckwheat cakes soon +drove her self-reproach<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> away and she went in to say good morning to her +grandparents, well satisfied with the world in general and content to +look ahead rather than at what was now past and gone, and which could +not be altered.</p> + +<p>Before the day had far advanced, came the first of the arrivals, Aunt +Alice Barker and her two boys, Ben and Willis. Ben and Edna were great +chums, though he was the older of the two boys. Ben was alert, full of +fun and ready to joke on every occasion, while Willis was rather shy and +had not much to say to his little cousin, whom, by the way, he did not +know so very well.</p> + +<p>Edna would fain have spent the morning in the kitchen from which issued +delectable odors, but Amanda had declared she wanted all the room there +was, that she had scatted out the cats and dogs and she would have to +scat out children, too, if they came bothering around.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> Therefore, to +avoid this catastrophe, Edna took herself to a different part of the +house, and was standing at one of the front windows when the carriage +drove up.</p> + +<p>"Oh, grandpa," she sang out, "here come Aunt Alice and her boys! Hurry! +Hurry! or they will get here before we can be there to meet them."</p> + +<p>Her grandfather threw down his newspaper and laid aside his spectacles. +"Well, well," he said, "it takes the young eyes to find out who is +coming. I didn't suppose Allie would be here till afternoon. What team +have they. Why didn't they let us know so we could send for them!"</p> + +<p>He followed Edna, who was already at the front door tugging at the bolt, +then in another moment the two were out on the porch while yet the +carriage was some yards away. Ben caught sight of them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> "Hello!" he +cried out. "Here we are, bag and baggage. Didn't expect us so soon, did +you grandpa?"</p> + +<p>"No, son, we didn't. How did you come to steal a march on us in this +way?"</p> + +<p>"The express was behind time so we caught it at the junction, instead of +having to wait for the train we expected to take. It didn't seem worth +while to telephone; in fact we didn't have time, so we just got this +team from Mayville and here we are. How are you Pinky Blooms?" He darted +at Edna, tousled her hair, picked her up and slung her over his shoulder +as if she were a bag of meal, and dropped her on the top step of the +porch, she laughing and protesting the while.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ben," she panted, "you are perfectly dreadful."</p> + +<p>"Why, is that you, Edna?" said Ben in pretended surprise. "I thought you +were my valise; it is too bad I made the mistake<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> and dumped you down so +unceremoniously."</p> + +<p>Edna knew perfectly well how to take this so she picked herself up +laughing, and started after Ben who leaped over the railing of the porch +thus making his escape. By this time Mrs. Willis and Mrs. Conway had +come out and the whole company went indoors, Ben the last to come, +peeping in through a crack of the door, and then slinking in with a +pretense of being afraid of Edna. An hour later, these two were tramping +over the place, hand in hand, making all sorts of discoveries, leaving +Willis deep in a book and the older people chatting cozily before the +open fire.</p> + +<p>Aunt Emmeline, Uncle Wilbur and Becky were the next to come, Becky being +in a pout because her sweetheart had failed to make the train, and Aunt +Emmeline fussing and arguing with her.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>"You know, Becky, that he is coming, and I don't see what difference a +couple of hours will make," she said as she gave her hand, to her +sister, Mrs. Willis. "I am just telling Becky, Cecelia, that she is very +foolish to make such a fuss because Howard is detained; he missed the +train, you see, and can't arrive till the next comes in." She passed on +into the house still talking, while Edna made her escape upstairs. She +had not noticed the little girl, and Edna felt rather slighted.</p> + +<p>However, this was all forgotten a little later when her own brothers and +sister as well as her father were to be welcomed. You would suppose Edna +had been parted from them for at least a year, so joyous were her +greetings, and so much did she have to tell. She had scarcely unburdened +herself of all her happenings, before in swarmed Uncle Bert and his +family. There was so many of these that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> for a little while they seemed +to fill the entire house, for, first appeared Aunt Lucia and after her +the nurse carrying the baby, then Uncle Bert with little Herbert in his +arms, and then Lulie and Allen and Ted. Cousin Becky's sweetheart, +Howard Colby, came on the last train and ended the list of guests. What +a houseful it was, to be sure, and what long, long tables in the +dining-room. Reliance was not able to wait on everybody, and so Amanda's +niece Fanny, took a hand, thus everyone was served.</p> + +<p>Edna was rather shy of those cousins whom she had not seen for two or +three years, and after supper preferred to stay close to her sister +Celia and Ben, though her brothers were soon hob-nobbing with Allen and +Ted, and were planning expeditions for the morrow. Ben told such a funny +story about the lady by the willow tree, that Edna could never look at +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> picture again without laughing, but he had scarcely finished it +before some one called out: "Bedtime for little folks!" and all the +younger ones trooped off upstairs, grandma herself leading the way to +see that each one was tucked in comfortably.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +<a name="IV" id="IV"></a>CHAPTER IV<br /> +<br /> +<small>A HEARTY DINNER</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">It</span> would be quite a task if one were to try to compute the number of +buckwheat cakes consumed at the long tables the next morning, and there +might have been more but that Charlie stopped Frank in the act of +helping himself to a further supply by saying: "Look here, son, if you +keep on eating cakes you won't give your Thanksgiving dinner any show at +all. I'm thinking about that turkey."</p> + +<p>This remark was passed down the table and had the effect of bringing the +breakfast to a conclusion. The boys scampered off out of doors to scour +the place for nuts or to dive into unfrequented woodsy places, while the +girls gathered around the crowing baby, in high good-humor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> with herself +and the world at large. Then the nurse bore baby off and Edna turned to +her mother for advice.</p> + +<p>"What can I do, mother?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"Why, let me see. Your Aunt Alice and I are going to help your grandma +to arrange the tables, after a while. We shall want a lot of decorations +besides the roses your Uncle Bert brought. Suppose you little girls +constitute yourselves an order of flower girls with Celia at your head, +and go out to find whatever may do for the tables."</p> + +<p>"There are some chrysanthemums, little yellow ones, and there are a few +white ones, too; I saw them yesterday down by the fence."</p> + +<p>"They will do nicely; we will have those and anything else that will be +pretty for the table or the rooms."</p> + +<p>"Shall we ask Lulie to go with us?" whispered Edna.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span>"Certainly I would. She isn't quite so old as you, but she is the only +other little girl here, and it would be very rude and unkind to leave +her out."</p> + +<p>"You ask her," continued Edna in a low tone.</p> + +<p>For answer Mrs. Conway smiled over at Lulie. "Don't you want to be a +flower girl?" she asked; "Celia, I propose that you take these two +little girls in tow and go on an expedition to gather flowers to deck +the tables and the house, I know you will enjoy it."</p> + +<p>"Indeed I shall," replied Celia. "Come on, girls, let's see what we can +find." And the three sallied forth to discover what might be of use.</p> + +<p>An hour later they came back laden with small branches of scarlet oak, +with graceful weeds, with the little buttony chrysanthemums, and with +actually a few late roses which had braved the frost and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> were showing +pale faces in a sheltered corner when the girls came upon them. By this +time, the three cousins were well acquainted, the two younger the best +friends possible, so that when dinner was really ready they were quite +happy at being allowed to sit side by side.</p> + +<p>It would fill a whole chapter if I were to tell you about all the good +things on that table. Grandpa carved a huge brown turkey at one end, +while Uncle Bert carved an equally huge and brown one at the other end. +Grandma served the flakiest of noble chicken-pies at her side of the +table, while Aunt Alice served an oyster-pie of the same proportions and +quite as delicious. The boys, not in the least disturbed by the memory +of the buckwheat cakes, were ready with full-sized appetites, while the +girls, after their scramble in search of decorations, had no reason to +complain of not being hungry.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> To Cousin Becky's lot fell one of the +wishbones, and to Edna's joy she had the other. Cousin Becky put hers up +over the front door after dinner, and it was the strangest thing in the +world that Mr. Howard Colby should be the first to come in afterward. +Edna decided to save hers till it was entirely dry.</p> + +<p>"What are you going to do with it then?" asked Lulie.</p> + +<p>"I haven't quite decided. I shall take it home, and maybe I'll pull it +with Dorothy or maybe I will make a pen-wiper of it for a Christmas +gift. I might give it to Ben."</p> + +<p>"I never heard of wishbone pen-wipers," said Lulie. "Are they very hard +to make?"</p> + +<p>"Not so very, if you have anyone to help you with the sealing-wax head. +Celia could help me with that. You make a head, you know, and then the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> +wishbone has two legs and you dress it up so it is a pen-wiper." This +was not a very clear description, but Lulie was satisfied, especially as +at that moment Ben came to them and said that everyone was going to play +games, in order that their dinners might properly digest.</p> + +<p>"Everybody?" inquired Lulie. "The grandparents, too?"</p> + +<p>"Of course," Ben told her. "We are going to begin with something easy, +like forfeits, and work up to the real snappy ones after."</p> + +<p>"What are the snappy ones?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Oh, things like Hide-and-Seek and lively things that will keep us on +the jump."</p> + +<p>The two little girls followed Ben into the next room and before long +everyone was trying to escape from grandpa who was as eager for a game +of Blind Man's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> Buff as anybody, and who at last caught Becky, who in +turn caught Howard Colby because he didn't try to get out of her way. +This ended that game, but everybody was so warmed up to the fun that +when it was proposed to carry on a game of Hide and Seek out of doors +all agreed, and Edna was so convulsed with laughter to see her +dignified, great-uncle Wilbur crouching behind a wood-pile and peeping +fearfully over the top that she forgot to hide herself properly and was +discovered by Ben in a moment.</p> + +<p>"You're no good at all at hiding," Ben told her. "Anybody could have +found you with half an eye."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't care," replied Edna; "I'll have just as much fun finding +out some one else," and she it was who made straight for Uncle Wilbur's +wood-pile to which he had returned with the fond belief of its serving +as good a turn a second time.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span>It was not so very long before the older persons declared that they had +had enough of it. The men returned to the house to have a smoke and the +ladies to chat around the fire. As for the children, it was quite too +much to expect them to go in while there was a twinkle of daylight left, +and, as Amanda expressed it, "They took the place." The girls did not +roam far from the house but the boys wandered much further afield, +bringing caps and pockets full of nuts, and clothes full of burs and +stick-tights, even Ben brought back a hoard of persimmons touched by the +frost and as sweet as honey.</p> + +<p>He poured these out on a flat stone near which Edna was standing. "Come +here, Edna," he said, "let's divvy up. I'll give you half; you can take +what you don't eat to your mother and I'll take what I don't eat to my +mother."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span>Edna squatted down by the stone and began delicately to nibble at the +fruit which still bore its soft purple bloom. "I don't believe I shall +eat very many," she said, "for my dinner is still lasting, and there +will be supper before I am ready for it. We are not going to have a +real, regular set-the-table supper, because grandma thinks Amanda and +Reliance should have some holiday, too, but we are going to have +sandwiches and cakes and nuts and apples and cider and a whole lot of +things; something like a party you know. Aren't you going to eat any of +your persimmons, Ben?"</p> + +<p>"No, that coming supper party sounds too seductive; I'll wait so that I +can do it justice."</p> + +<p>"What did you see out in the woods?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Foxy grape-vines and bare trees," he answered promptly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span>"Do you mean b-e-a-r trees or b-a-r-e trees?"</p> + +<p>"Which ever you like; I've no doubt there were both kinds."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ben," Edna glanced around fearfully, "do you really think there are +bears around here?"</p> + +<p>"I know there are, sometimes." He drew down his mouth in a way which +made Edna suspect a joke.</p> + +<p>"When is the sometimes?" she asked suspiciously.</p> + +<p>"When they have a circus at Mayville."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you Ben Barker, you are the worst," cried Edna roguishly pulling +his nose.</p> + +<p>"Here, here," he exclaimed, "look out, it might come off like the fox's +tail."</p> + +<p>"What fox?"</p> + +<p>"Don't you know the story of 'Reynard, the Fox'? It is in one of those +big,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> red books that lie on that claw-footed table in the living-room."</p> + +<p>"Here, in this house?"</p> + +<p>"Yea, verily. You don't mean to say you have never read those books! +Why, there is not a year since I was eight years old that I haven't +pored over them. Every time I have been here, and that is at least once +a year, I go for those books, I'd advise you to make their +acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"You tell me the story; then I won't have to read it."</p> + +<p>"No, my child, I shall not allow you to neglect your opportunities +through any weakness on my part. Read it for yourself, and thereafter, +the red book will be one of your prized memories of 'Overlea.'"</p> + +<p>"Then tell me again about the lady and the willow tree," begged Edna; +"that was so funny."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span>Ben laughed. "I am afraid I don't remember that so well as I do the fox +story, but maybe I will think of some more about her. Come, it is time +to go in. They may be eating those chicken or turkey sandwiches this +very minute."</p> + +<p>Hanging on his arm, Edna skipped along to the house to find that it was +quite too early to think of sandwiches, though the lamps were lighted in +all but the living-room where a cheerful fire made the place light +enough. Around the fire sat grandma, Aunt Emmeline, Aunt Alice and Mrs. +Conway. Aunt Lucia was upstairs with the babies. Uncle Wilbur was taking +a nap, and grandpa and Uncle Bert were out looking after the stock, as +Ira and the other man had been allowed a holiday. Over in the corner of +the sofa sat Cousin Becky and her lover talking in low tones.</p> + +<p>"Dear me," said grandma, as the children<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> all trooped in, "we must have +a light; these little folks may not like to sit in the dark."</p> + +<p>"This is the best kind of light," declared Ben, "and the very time for +telling tales. Let's all sit around the fire and have a good time. We'll +begin with the oldest and so on down to the youngest If we don't have +time to go all the way down the line, we'll stop when we're hungry. +How's that, grandma? Do you like the plan?"</p> + +<p>"It is just as the others say, my dear," she answered.</p> + +<p>"It's a lovely plan, Ben," said Mrs. Conway. "You will have to begin, +mother, and Aunt Emmeline can come next."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," protested that lady, "I never was one for telling tales; you +will have to count me out."</p> + +<p>"I am sure if I can, you can," grandma<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> assured her. "What shall it be +about, children?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, about when you were a little girl," cried Edna.</p> + +<p>"About the time the horse ran away with you," spoke up the boys.</p> + +<p>"About your first ball please," begged Celia.</p> + +<p>Grandma laughed. "Just listen to them. They have heard all those things +dozens of times. I'll tell you what we will do. I will tell about the +runaway horse, that belongs to the time when I was a little girl, and +Emmeline shall tell about her first ball, and I can remind her if she +forgets anything. I remember her first ball even better than my first, +for it was at hers I met your grandfather."</p> + +<p>This was all so satisfactory that there was not a murmur of dissent, and +grandma began: "It was when I was about ten years old that I went one +day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> with my father to the nearest village. He was driving a pair of +spirited horses, and on our way home a parcel we were bringing home, +fell out of the buggy. My father stopped the horses and ran back to pick +up the parcel, but before he could get to the buggy, the horses took +fright at a piece of paper blowing along the road in front of them and +off they started, full tilt, down the road. In vain my father cried, +'Hey, there! Whoa, Barney! Whoa Pet!' on they went faster and faster. I +managed to hold on to the reins but my young hands were not strong +enough to control the wild creatures, and I thought every minute would +be my last, for up hill and down dale we went at such a pace I had never +known. Over a stump would jounce the buggy, and I would nearly pitch +out. Around the last curve they went with a swing which I thought would +land me on my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> back or my head, but I managed to keep my seat and at +last saw the open gate of our own lane before me. Would the horses go +through without hitting a gate post? Would they run into a fence or over +a pile of stones at one side? My heart was in my mouth. I jerked the +reins in a vain attempt to guide them, but on they went, pell-mell, +making straight for the open gate. Presently I saw some one rush from +the house and then another person come flying from the stables. Just +before we reached the gate, it was flung to with a bang. The horses +pranced, swung a little to one side and stopped short, and I heard some +one say, 'So, Barney, so Pet!' I didn't know what happened next but the +first thing I knew I was lying on the lounge in the sitting-room, my +mother bending over me, and holding a bottle of salts to my nose, 'Oh, +dear, oh, dear,' my mother was crying,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> 'another minute and the child +might have been killed.'"</p> + +<p>"Who was it shut the gate?" asked Allen eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Amanda's mother, who was living with us at that time."</p> + +<p>"And who caught the horses?" queried Ted.</p> + +<p>"Jim Doughty, who was our hired man."</p> + +<p>"Weren't you nearly frightened to death?" Lulie put the question.</p> + +<p>"Very nearly, and so was my father. He was as pale as a ghost when he +got home. He had to walk all the way, and said he thought he should +never get there. The country wasn't as thickly settled as it is now, and +there were no houses between us and the spot where the horses took +fright."</p> + +<p>"Where is the place you lived?" asked Allen.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span>"About five miles from here."</p> + +<p>"I should like to see it," said the boy musingly. "I suppose those +horses are dead. I'd like to see horses that could run like that."</p> + +<p>"They would be somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty-five or seventy +years old by this time," said grandma with a smile, "and the oldest +horse I ever knew was forty."</p> + +<p>"Gee! but that was old," remarked Frank. "Whose was it, grandma? Yours?"</p> + +<p>"No, my grandfather's. Her name was Dolly, and she took my grandparents +to church every Sunday for many years, up to a little while before she +died. Now, Emmeline, let's hear about the ball."</p> + +<p>"It was just a ball," began Aunt Emmeline.</p> + +<p>"The County Ball," put in grandma. "They always have one every year at +Fair<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> time. Emmeline was sixteen and I was eighteen. Now go on, +Emmeline."</p> + +<p>"I wore white tarlatan trimmed with forget-me-nots," said Aunt Emmeline, +"and I danced my first dance with Steve Hardesty." She paused and gave a +little sigh. "He took me into supper, too, poor Steve." Grandma leaned +over and laid her hand softly on her sister's. "It is such a long time, +such a very long time ago," she said softly.</p> + +<p>Aunt Emmeline smiled a little sadly. "Yes, a long time," she repeated. +"You wore, what was it you wore, Cecelia?"</p> + +<p>"I wore pink tarlatan trimmed with rosebuds and a wreath of them in my +hair. The skirt was caught up with bunches of the little buds and green +leaves, and I thought it the prettiest dress I ever saw."</p> + +<p>"It was a great ball," Aunt Emmeline went on, brightening. "I danced +every set, and so did you, Cecelia."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span>"And how everyone did talk because I danced so many with Ben Willis whom +I had met for the first time that night. He would see me home, you +remember, although Uncle Phil and Cousin Dick were both there to look +after us; we were staying at our uncle's, my dears. It was during the +early days of the war, and there was much talk of what would happen next +and who would be going off to join the army, you remember."</p> + +<p>"It was not till two years after, that Steve went," said Aunt Emmeline +wistfully.</p> + +<p>"Tell us about Steve," spoke up Frank. "Did he become a soldier?"</p> + +<p>Celia shook her head warningly at her little brother, for she knew Aunt +Emmeline's story, and of how her young lover was killed in battle, but +Aunt Emmeline did not hesitate to answer. "Yes, he went, but he never +came back."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span>Silence fell upon the little group for a moment till Aunt Emmeline +herself broke it by saying, "Do you remember, Cecelia, how angry you +were with Polly Parker because she copied your dress, and how you were +going to have yours trimmed with daisies, and changed all that at the +last moment? I can see you now, ripping off those inoffensive daisies +and flinging them on the floor."</p> + +<p>Grandma laughed. "Well, after all, hers wasn't a bit like mine, for it +was a different shade of pink and wasn't made the same way. Yes, I was +furious, I remember, because it wasn't the first time Polly had copied +my things; she had a way of doing it."</p> + +<p>"Here comes grandpa," announced Herbert who did not find all this talk +of dress and balls very interesting.</p> + +<p>The entrance of grandpa and Uncle Bert broke up the party by the fire, +for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> soon the sandwiches and other things were brought in, then came +songs and games till, before anyone realized it, bedtime came and +Thanksgiving Day was over.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> +<a name="V" id="V"></a>CHAPTER V<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE RED BOOK</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Whether</span> it was the search for the key in the chill of the early morning, +or whether it was that she ate too heartily of grandma's good things, +certain it was that when Edna waked up the morning after Thanksgiving, +she felt very listless and miserable. Her father was already up and +dressed, and her mother was making her toilet when the little girl +turned over and watched her with heavy eyes.</p> + +<p>"Well, little girl," said Mrs. Conway, "it seems to me that it is time +for you to get up."</p> + +<p>Edna gave a long sigh, closed her eyes, but presently found the courage +to make an effort towards rising. She threw aside the covers, slipped +her feet into her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> red worsted slippers, and then sat on the side of her +cot in so dejected an attitude that her mother noticed it. "What," she +said, "are you so very sleepy still? I suspect you are tired out from +yesterday's doings."</p> + +<p>"My head aches and there are cold creeps running up and down my back," +Edna told her.</p> + +<p>Her mother came nearer, and laid her cool hand on the throbbing temples. +"Your head is hot," she declared. "I am afraid you have taken cold. +Cuddle back under the covers and I will bring or send your breakfast up +to you."</p> + +<p>"I don't think I want any breakfast," said Edna, snuggling down with a +grateful feeling for the warmth and quiet.</p> + +<p>"Not want any breakfast? Then you certainly aren't well. When waffles +and fried chicken cannot tempt you, I know something is wrong."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span>Mrs. Conway went on with the finishing touches to her dress and hair +while Edna dozed, but half conscious of what was going on around her. +She did not hear her mother leave the room, and did not know how long it +was before she heard Celia's voice saying: "Mother says you'd better try +to drink this."</p> + +<p>"This" was a cup of hot milk of which Edna tried to take a few sips and +then lay back on her pillow. "I don't want it," she said.</p> + +<p>"Poor little sister," said Celia commiseratingly. "It is too bad you +don't feel well. Is there anything I can do for you?"</p> + +<p>"No, thank you," replied Edna weakly.</p> + +<p>"Mother is coming up in a minute," Celia went on. "Uncle Bert and all of +them are going this morning, but as soon as they are off she will come +up to see how you are."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span>"Is everyone going?" asked Edna languidly.</p> + +<p>"No, not this morning. Uncle Bert and his family take the morning train +because they have the furthest to go, and Aunt Lucia wants to get home +with the children before dark. Uncle Wilbur, Aunt Emmeline and all those +are going on the afternoon train. Father thinks he must get back to-day, +too."</p> + +<p>Edna made no answer, but closed her eyes again drowsily.</p> + +<p>"I'll set the milk down here," Celia went on, "and maybe you will feel +like drinking some more of it after a little while."</p> + +<p>She set the cup on a chair by Edna's bedside and stole softly out of the +room, leaving her sister to fall into another doze from which she was +awakened by hearing a timid voice say: "Excuse me. I hope you are not +asleep, but I want to say good-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span>bye," and turning over, Edna saw her +little Cousin Lulie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, are you going?" came from the little girl in bed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, we are all ready. I am so sorry you are sick. I like you so much +and I wish you would come to our house some day."</p> + +<p>Edna was too polite not to make some effort of appreciation, so she sat +up and held out her little hot hand. "Oh, thank you," she answered; "I +should love to come, and I wish you could come to see us. Ask Uncle Bert +to bring you real soon."</p> + +<p>"Mother said I had better not kiss you," remarked Lulie honestly, "for I +might take your cold, but I have folded up a kiss in this piece of paper +and I will put it here so you can get it when I am gone."</p> + +<p>Edna smiled at this and liked Lulie all the better for the fancy. "I +won't forget<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> it," she said earnestly. "I will send you one when I get +well, but you'd better not take a feverish one with you. Good-bye, and +say good-bye to all the others."</p> + +<p>"They would have come, too," Lulie informed her, "but mother thought one +of us was enough when you had a headache, and that I could bring all the +good-byes for the others. Now I must go. Get well soon." And she was off +leaving Edna with a consciousness of it's being a wise decree which +prevented more visitors, for her headache was so much the worse for +having had but one.</p> + +<p>She lay very still wishing the noises below would cease, the running +back and forth, the shutting of doors, the calling of the boys to one +another and the crying of the baby. But last of all she heard the +carriage wheels on the gravel, and then it was suddenly silent. The boys +had all gone off to play, and the only sounds<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> were occasional footsteps +on the stair, the stirring of the kitchen fire, and outside, the distant +"Caw! Caw!" of the crows in the trees. For a long time she was very +quiet. Once her mother came to the door and peeped in, but, seeing no +movement, believed the child asleep, but later she came in and Edna +opened her eyes to see her standing by her bedside.</p> + +<p>"Poor little lass," said her mother, "you're not feeling well at all, +are you? I am afraid you have a little fever. I will give you something +that I hope will make you feel better."</p> + +<p>"Not any nasty medicine," begged Edna.</p> + +<p>"No, only some tiny tablets that you can swallow right down with a +little water." She went to the bureau and found the little phial she was +in search of. After shaking out a few pellets in her hand, she brought +them to Edna with a glass of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> water and the child took the dose +obediently, for she knew these small tablets of old.</p> + +<p>"Now," Mrs. Conway went on, "I will cover you up warm, and you must try +to get to sleep. Grandma is trying to keep the house quiet and Ben has +taken off the boys. I am going to tidy up the room and stay here with +you for awhile. There, now; you will be more comfortable that way," and +under her mother's loving touches Edna felt happier already and in a +short time fell into a sound sleep from which she awakened feeling +brighter. Her mother was sitting by the window crocheting where the sun +was streaming in.</p> + +<p>Edna sat up and pushed back the hair from her face. Her mother noticed +the movement. "Well, dearie," she said, "you have had a nice nap and I +hope you feel ever so much better."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span>"Yes, I think I do," said the child a little doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"That wasn't a very enthusiastic voice. You can't be sure about it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I can. I do feel a great deal better."</p> + +<p>"And as if you would like a little something to eat?"</p> + +<p>"Why—what could I eat?"</p> + +<p>"How would some milk toast and a soft-boiled egg do?"</p> + +<p>"I like milk toast pretty well, but I don't believe I want the egg."</p> + +<p>"Not when it will be freshly laid this morning?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't have it fried, I suppose?"</p> + +<p>"Better not. I'll tell you what I will do; I will go down and ask +grandma what she thinks would be best for you. Would you like to sit up +in bed? I can put something over your shoulders and prop you up with +pillows, or how would you like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> to get into my bed? There is more room +and you can look out of the window. I will bundle you up and carry you +over."</p> + +<p>"I'd like that," returned Edna in a satisfied tone; it was always a +treat to get into mother's bed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conway turned down the covers of her own bed, slipped Edna into her +flannel wrapper, threw a shawl around her and carried her across the +room to deposit her in the big bed. "There," she said, "you can keep +your wrapper on till you get quite warm. Let me put this pillow behind +your back. That's it. Now, then, how do you like the change?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I like it," Edna assured her. "And my head is much better."</p> + +<p>"I think you'd better stay in bed, however, for we want to break up that +cold. There is no better way to do it than to keep you in bed for to-day +at least. Now I will go down and interview grandma."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span>She left the room, and Edna heard her talking to some one in the entry. +Then the door opened and grandma herself came in. "Good morning, dear +child," she said. "I wanted to come up before, but it seemed best to +keep you quiet. I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better, but +you must be careful not to take more cold. Would you like to have Serena +to keep you company?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I should like her very much," returned Edna.</p> + +<p>Her grandmother left the room returning presently with an old-fashioned +doll which had been hers when she was a little girl. The doll was +dressed in the fashion of sixty years ago and was quite a different +creature from Edna's Virginia. She always liked Serena in spite of her +black corkscrew curls and staring blue eyes. Whenever she visited +Overlea, Serena was given to her to play with, as a special<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> privilege. +Her grandma knew that Edna was careful, but she would not have brought +out this relic of her childhood for everyone. "I will put this little +shawl around her before you take her, for she has been in a cooler room, +and it might chill you to touch her," said grandma, as she wound a small +worsted shawl over Serena's blue silk frock. "I will put her on the bed +there right by you and then I will go down to see if Amanda has anything +that is fit for a little invalid to eat." She kissed the top of Edna's +head and went out leaving her to Serena's company.</p> + +<p>It was not long before Edna heard some one coming slowly up the stair, +then there was a pause before the door, next a knock and second pause +before Edna's "Come in" was answered by Reliance who carefully bore a +tray on which stood several covered dishes.</p> + +<p>"I asked Mrs. Willis to please let me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> bring this up," said Reliance. "I +am so sorry you are sick, I am dreadfully afraid you took cold hunting +that key."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't suppose it was that," Edna tried to reassure her. "I might +have taken cold yesterday, for I got so warm running when we were +playing Hide-and-Seek. Oh, how lovely, Reliance, you have brought up +grandma's dear little dishes that were given her when she was a little +girl. I love those little dishes with the flowers on them."</p> + +<p>"You're to eat this first," said Reliance, uncovering a small tureen in +which some delicious chicken broth was steaming. "There is toast to go +with it. Then if you feel as if you wanted any more, there is a little +piece of cold turkey and some jelly."</p> + +<p>But in spite of her belief that she could eat every bit of what was +before her, Edna could do no more than manage the broth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> and one piece +of toast, Reliance watching her solicitously while she ate. "You're not +very peckish, are you?" she said. "Well, anyhow I am glad this didn't +come on before you had your Thanksgiving; it would have been dreadful if +it had happened yesterday."</p> + +<p>"I am glad, too," returned Edna. "What time is it, Reliance?"</p> + +<p>"It's most dinner time. As soon as the boys come in, it will be ready. +I'll take back the tray, but I have to go awful careful, for I would +sooner break my leg than these dishes." She bore off the tray as Edna +snuggled back against her pillows, holding one of Serena's kid hands in +hers in order that she might feel less alone. She was not left long to +Serena's sole company, however, for first came her father to say +good-bye, then Aunt Emmeline stopped at the door, and behind her, Cousin +Becky and Uncle Wilbur, all<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> ready with sympathy and good wishes. A +little later, she heard the carriage drive off which should take all +these to the train. There was silence for a time which finally was +interrupted by a tap at the door.</p> + +<p>"Come in," called Edna.</p> + +<p>The door opened, and in walked Ben with a large red book under his arm. +"Hello, you little old scalawag," he said. "What in the world did you go +and do this for?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't help it," said Edna apologetically.</p> + +<p>"You poor, little, old kitten, of course you couldn't. Well, I have +brought you up Mr. Fox, and I wanted to tell you that the lady by the +willow has had another accident; she dropped her last chocolate +marshmallow and the dog stepped on it. Of course, that wasn't as bad as +the first, but when you have only one handkerchief it is pretty hard to +have to cry it twice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> full of tears. Fortunately, hers has had a chance +to dry between whiles."</p> + +<p>Edna smiled. It was good to have Ben come in with his nonsense. "Hasn't +she found her eyelash yet?"</p> + +<p>"No, and it was a wet one which is awfully hard to find unless it is +raining; it is hard enough then, goodness knows. How did you stand all +the racket this morning? If a noisy noise annoys an oyster, how much of +a noisy noise does it take to annoy Pinky Blooms? That sounds like a +problem in mental arithmetic, but it isn't. Shall I read to you a +little?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, please."</p> + +<p>"About Reynard, the Fox, shall it be?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes. I do so want to know how he lost his tail."</p> + +<p>"Then, here goes," said Ben, as he opened the big, red book. Edna +settled herself back against the pillows and Ben<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> began the story, while +Edna was so interested that she forgot all about her headache. He +finished the tale before he put the book down. "How do you like it?" he +asked.</p> + +<p>"It is perfectly fine. Are there other stories in that book?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, some mighty good ones. Here, do you want to see the pictures? They +are funny and old-fashioned, but they are pretty good for all that." He +laid the book across Edna's knees and showed her the illustrations +relating to Reynard, the Fox, all of which interested her vastly.</p> + +<p>"I am so glad I know about this book," she said as she came to the last +page. "I always thought it was only for grown-ups, and never even looked +at it. Will you read me some more to-morrow?"</p> + +<p>"Sorry I can't, ducky dear, for I am off by the morning train to a +football game which I can't miss."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span>"Oh, I forgot about that. Are the boys going, too?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and Celia. We are all going back together. There is something on +at the Evanses Saturday night, and Celia wouldn't miss that."</p> + +<p>"Neither would you," said Edna slyly.</p> + +<p>"You're a mean, horrid, little girl," said Ben in a high, little voice. +"I'm just going to take my book and go home, so I am."</p> + +<p>"It isn't your book; it is grandma's."</p> + +<p>"I don't care if it is; I'm not going to play with you, and I will slap +your doll real hard."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean Serena? She isn't my doll; she is grandma's. Her name is +Serena, don't you remember? I've known her ever since I was a little, +little thing."</p> + +<p>"And what are you now but a little, little thing, I should like to +know."</p> + +<p>"I'm bigger than Lulie Willis, but I'm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> not big enough to go to Agnes's +party Saturday night." She spoke somewhat soberly, for she did want to +be there.</p> + +<p>"Oh, never mind," said Ben, with an air of comforting her, "I shall be +there and I am as big as two of you."</p> + +<p>"I don't see how that makes it any better," said Edna, after searching +her mind for a reason why it should be of any comfort to her.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes it does," returned Ben, "for if I were only as big as you I +shouldn't be there either."</p> + +<p>"As if that helped it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes it does, for, you see, they will have a lot of good things and +I can eat enough for you and me both, I am sure," he added triumphantly. +"That is an excellent argument. If a thing can be done for two persons +instead of one, it makes all the difference in the world."</p> + +<p>Edna put her head back against the pillows.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> Ben was too much for her +when he took that stand.</p> + +<p>"There," said the lad contritely, "I'm making your head worse by my +foolishness. Are you tired? Is there anything I can do for you? Would +you like one of the kittens?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Ben, I would. They are so comforting and cozy. I am glad you +thought of that."</p> + +<p>"Shall I leave the red book or take it down?"</p> + +<p>"Leave it, please; I might like to look at it after a while."</p> + +<p>So Ben went off, returning directly with one of the kittens which he +deposited on the bed and which presently cuddled close to the child. +Then Ben left her, Serena by her side and the kitten purring contentedly +in her arms.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>CHAPTER VI<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE OLD HOUSE</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Although</span> Edna was much better the next day, it was thought prudent to +keep her indoors. All the guests departed with the exception of her +mother, her Aunt Alice and her own self, the house resumed its ordinary +quiet and seemed rather an empty place after its throng of Thanksgiving +visitors.</p> + +<p>"You'd better make up your mind to stay another week, daughter," said +grandma to Edna's mother. "This child isn't fit to be out, and won't be +for two or three days."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I think she will be able to go by Monday," replied Mrs. Conway. "I +shouldn't like to keep her out of school so long."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span>"Her health is of much more importance than school," grandma went on. +"She is always well up in her studies, isn't she? You remember that I +didn't have the usual visit last summer, and as Alice is going to stay +we could all have a nice cozy time together."</p> + +<p>"But how would things go on at home without me?"</p> + +<p>"Plenty well enough. I am sure Lizzie can take care of Henry and the +boys."</p> + +<p>"I am not so sure about the boys, though I suppose Henry could get along +very well, and Celia is in town all through the week."</p> + +<p>"Why couldn't Charlie and Frank stay with the Porter boys till we get +back?" piped up Edna from her stool by the fire. "You know, mother, that +Mrs. Porter has asked and asked them, for her boys have already stayed +weeks with us in the summer."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span>"Ye-es, I know," returned Mrs. Conway, a little doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"I am sure that is an excellent plan," said grandma, beaming at Edna +over her knitting. "Edna will be all the better for a week here, and +indeed for a longer time."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we couldn't stay longer than next Saturday at the very outside," +put in Mrs. Conway hastily. "I'd love to stay, mother dear, but you know +a housekeeper cannot be too long away, especially when she has not +arranged beforehand to do so."</p> + +<p>Grandma nodded at Edna. "We'll consider it settled that you are to stay +for another week. Let's have it all arranged, daughter. Call up long +distance and let Henry know."</p> + +<p>"I promised him, anyhow, that I would let him know to-day how Edna was +getting along. He was afraid when he went<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> away that she might be in for +a serious illness. I shall be glad to let him know she is better."</p> + +<p>"And he will be so glad to hear that, he won't mind your telling him you +will stay longer," remarked grandma with a little laugh.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conway went to the telephone and soon it was settled that they were +to remain. "I don't know what Uncle Justus will say," Mrs. Conway +observed when she reëntered the room. "He will think I am a very +injudicious mother to keep you out of school so long."</p> + +<p>"Not if you tell him I was sick," returned Edna, who secretly rather +enjoyed the prospect of making such an announcement. Like most children, +she liked the importance which an illness gave to her small self.</p> + +<p>Saturday was an indoors day spent with Serena, Virginia and the big, +red<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> book. Sunday, too, Edna was shut in except for the few minutes she +was allowed to walk up and down the porch in the sun. She was well +wrapped up for this event, and was charged not to put foot on the damp +ground.</p> + +<p>It had been rather a lonesome morning, with everyone at church except +Amanda, but the little girl stood it pretty well. She read aloud to an +audience consisting of the two dolls and the three kittens, she sang +hymns, in rather a husky voice to be sure, and she stood at the window a +long time watching the people pass by on their way to and from church.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon, her grandfather took his two daughters to see some +relative, Reliance went off to Sunday school, and Edna was left alone +with her grandmother who told her stories and sang, to the accompaniment +of the melodeon she had used when a little girl. Edna enjoyed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> this +performance very much, but after a while grandma was tired of an +instrument that skipped notes and wheezed like an old horse, so they +went back to the big chair by the open fire. Grandma continued the +singing, rocking Edna in her arms till the child fell fast asleep, the +drowsy hum of the tea-kettle, hanging on the crane, helping to make a +lullaby. When she woke up it was nearly dark. She heard her mother's +voice in the hall and realized that the long Sabbath day was nearly +over.</p> + +<p>This was the last shut-in day, for the weather was clear and bracing, +and, well wrapped up, Edna was able to enjoy it. Reliance always joined +her when the work was done in the afternoon, and she led her to the +acquaintance of two or three other little girls: Alcinda Hewlett, the +daughter of the postmaster, Reba Manning, the minister's daughter, and +Esther Ann Taber<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> who lived just across the way. These three were +playing with Reliance and Edna in front of Esther Ann's one day when +suddenly Esther spoke up: "I know where there is an empty house and +anyone can go into it who wants to."</p> + +<p>"Where is it?" asked Reba, with interest.</p> + +<p>"Down past old Sam Titus's. Don't you know that brown house back there +by the orchard?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, but it is haunted," cried Alcinda.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, it couldn't be," put in Reba. "My father says there aren't +such things as haunted houses, and he ought to know."</p> + +<p>The word of such high authority as the minister could not be gainsaid, +though the suggestion gave the girls rather a creepy feeling.</p> + +<p>"I'll dare you all to go in there with me," spoke up Esther Ann.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span>"Oh, Esther Ann, dast we?" said Alcinda.</p> + +<p>"Why not? Nobody lives there, and I don't believe anyone owns it, for +there is never a person goes in or out, even to do spring cleaning. I +heard my mother say that two old ladies lived there, sisters, and they +didn't speak to one another for years; that was long ago and since they +died nobody knows who the place belongs to, for it isn't ever lived in."</p> + +<p>"Like that place where we go to gather chestnuts," spoke up Reba. +"Anybody can go there and get all they want. My father said I could go, +and that it was all right, and he knows."</p> + +<p>"Of course he does," agreed Esther Ann. "Come, who is going with me?"</p> + +<p>"I'd as soon go as not," Reliance was the first to speak.</p> + +<p>"How do you get in?" asked Alcinda, a little doubtfully.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>"Walk in, goosey. Just open the door and walk in."</p> + +<p>"Isn't the door locked?"</p> + +<p>"The back door isn't, I tried it one day," replied Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"Why didn't you go in then?" asked Alcinda.</p> + +<p>"Well, I was all by myself, and—and—I thought it would be nicer to +have some one with me; it always is when you want to explore."</p> + +<p>This seemed a perfectly reasonable answer, and the others were +reassured, moreover, to a company of five, nothing was likely to happen, +they thought, and the spirit of adventure was high in the breast of more +than one.</p> + +<p>"We'd better start right along," suggested Reliance, "for I have to be +back, and Edna mustn't stay out after dark."</p> + +<p>"Then, come along, all that want to go," cried Esther Ann, taking the +lead.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span>Off they started down the wide street bordered by maples, now shorn of +their leaves, but furnishing a carpet of yellow underfoot, past the +church, the store, the schoolhouse and on to the old brown house sitting +back behind an orchard of gnarled, crooked apple trees. The place was +all grown up with weeds, though here and there were signs of a former +garden. Up the rotting pillars of the porch a woodbine still clambered, +and around the door, lilac bushes kept their green.</p> + +<p>Though she had come thus far without mishap, Alcinda's courage suddenly +failed her and she turned and ran.</p> + +<p>"'Fraid cat! 'Fraid cat!" called Esther Ann after her.</p> + +<p>This had the effect of arresting Alcinda in her flight and she stood +still.</p> + +<p>"Come on," cried Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"I don't want to," called back Alcinda. "I'll wait out here for you."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span>"You don't know what you're missing," Esther Ann called back, trying +once more to persuade her.</p> + +<p>"I'll wait for you here," repeated Alcinda taking up her position on the +horse block by the gate.</p> + +<p>"All right," responded Esther Ann, and opened the door which gave easily +as she turned the knob.</p> + +<p>The four little girls found themselves in a dingy kitchen whose +belongings remained as they had been left years before. Cobwebs hung +from the ceiling; dust was everywhere. The stove rusty and falling to +pieces, still held one or two pots and pans. There was crockery on the +dresser, and a lamp on the table.</p> + +<p>Esther Ann led the way to the next room. "I don't think this one is a +bit interesting," she made the remark as she penetrated further.</p> + +<p>"Do you think we ought to go?" whispered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> Edna to Reliance, as these two +lagged a little in the rear.</p> + +<p>"Why not? Anyone can come in if it belongs to no one, and they say it +doesn't belong to a soul. Nobody lives here and why haven't we a right +as well as the rest of the world?"</p> + +<p>This argument satisfied Edna and she followed along through the deserted +rooms, catching sight of a moth-eaten cover here, a bunch of withered +flowers there. Books, long untouched, lay half open on a table in one +room, the bed was still unmade in another, and everything was confusion.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it lovely and spooky?" said Esther Ann, tingling with excitement. +"I'm going to see what is in those bureau drawers."</p> + +<p>She darted toward an old-fashioned bureau which stood in the room, +flopped down on her knees, and drew out the lower<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> drawer. "Oh, girls," +she cried, "look here."</p> + +<p>The others gathered around her to see boxes in which were the treasures +of a forgotten owner,—strings of beads, half-worn white kid gloves, a +fan with ivory sticks, combs, and ornaments of various kinds.</p> + +<p>"Let's each take something home to her mother," proposed Esther Ann. "I +speak for the fan."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Esther, do you dare?" asked Reba.</p> + +<p>"Why not? They don't belong to anyone," came back the old argument.</p> + +<p>"Some one else will most likely take them if we don't," remarked +Reliance conclusively.</p> + +<p>This satisfied the less venturesome, and they all sat down on the floor +to make a selection. Reba chose a quaint, silver buckle, Reliance +selected a mother-of-pearl<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> card-case, Edna decided upon a +tortoise-shell comb.</p> + +<p>"Wasn't it lovely that we should find them?" said Esther Ann +enthusiastically. "It will be so nice to be able to take home presents. +I am glad no one else found them before we did."</p> + +<p>"I wonder how long the back door has been opened," said Reba. "Has it +always been?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. I never tried it till the other day," Esther Ann told +her.</p> + +<p>After rummaging a little further and discovering frocks and coats of +unfamiliar cut hanging in the closets and wardrobes, and coming upon +mouldy slippers, and queer-looking hats in other places, they concluded +they must go. Alcinda had wearied of waiting and had gone off long +before, therefore, the four, after shutting the door behind them, took +their way through the leaf-strewn path to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> gate, then up the street +to their respective homes.</p> + +<p>"Don't you think Mrs. Willis will be pleased with the card-case?" asked +Reliance, as they were entering the gate at Overlea.</p> + +<p>"I'm sure she will. She can use it when she goes to the city to see +Uncle Bert, and I know mother will like this comb," returned Edna.</p> + +<p>Reliance had no time to present her gift at that moment for Amanda +called her to come at once to attend to her duties, remarking that she +was late, but Edna hunted up her mother who was upstairs. "Oh, mother, +mother," she cried, entering the room where her mother was, "see what I +have for you. Isn't it pretty?"</p> + +<p>Her mother looked up from the letter she was writing. "What is it, dear? +Why, Edna, what a beautiful comb. Where did you get it?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span>"I found it," replied Edna in an assured tone. "We all found lovely +things." Then she launched forth upon an account of the afternoon's +adventures.</p> + +<p>Her mother listened attentively, and when the child had finished her +tale, she drew her close to her side, kissing the little, eager face, +and saying, "Dear child, I am afraid you have made a mistake. The things +were not for you little girls to take."</p> + +<p>"But mother, they didn't belong to anyone. They have been there for +years and years, and nobody wants them."</p> + +<p>"They would have to belong to some one, dear child. We will ask grandma +about the house and whose property it is. Let us go find her."</p> + +<p>They hunted up Mrs. Willis who listened interestedly to what they had to +tell. "The old Topham house," she said when they had finished. "It +belonged to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> two sisters, Miss Nancy and Miss Tabitha Topham. These two +lived together for years, but finally they quarreled and each vowed that +she would never speak to the other. They died within a few weeks of one +another and there were no nearer heirs than distant cousins who have +never troubled themselves to look after the place. Old Nathan Holcomb +was the nearest neighbor and he used to keep things pretty well secured, +but since his death the place has been going to rack and ruin more and +more each year. There is some fine, old furniture there and it is a +wonder everything in the house has not been stolen before now, but as +the place has the reputation of being haunted it has been more or less +avoided. I never heard of its being open to the public and I shall speak +to some one who will see that it is made secure. Even if it is not +valued by the present owners, it should not be left<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> for tramps or any +chance vagrant to make use of."</p> + +<p>Edna looked down at the comb which she still held in her hand. "What +must I do about this?" she asked.</p> + +<p>"You must take it back to-morrow and restore it to its place," her +mother told her. "I am perfectly sure that not one of you little girls +dreamed that she had no right to take the things, but nevertheless they +were not yours, and I am very certain that the other mothers will say +the same thing."</p> + +<p>"Reliance has a lovely card-case," said Edna, regretfully. "She was +going to give it to you, grandma."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Willis smiled. "I appreciate the spirit, but she must not be +allowed to keep it, my dear."</p> + +<p>Edna's face sobered. She felt much crestfallen. She wondered what Reba's +father would say.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span>She did not have long to wait to find this out for after supper came two +young callers who sidled in with rather shamefaced expressions. "Suppose +you take Reba and Esther Ann into the dining-room for a little while," +suggested grandma encouragingly. "Little folks like to chatter about +their own affairs, I well know."</p> + +<p>Edna shot her grandma a grateful look and soon was closeted with the +little girls. "Oh, Edna, what did your mother say?" began Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"She said I must take back the comb, because I had no right to take it."</p> + +<p>"That's just what my mother said," returned Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"My father said it's dishonest," put in Reba, "I mean dishonest to keep +it. He knew we didn't mean to steal."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Reba, don't say such a dreadful word," said Edna in distress.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span>"It would be stealing, you know, if we were to keep the things," +continued Reba bluntly. "My father says you couldn't call it by any +other name, and that to break into a house is burglary."</p> + +<p>This sounded even more dreadful, though Esther Ann relieved the speech +of its effect by saying: "But we didn't break in; we just opened the +door and walked in. There wouldn't have been anyone to answer if we had +knocked."</p> + +<p>"That makes me feel kind of shivery," remarked Edna. "I would rather not +go back, but I suppose we shall have to."</p> + +<p>"Yes, we shall have to," Reba made the statement determinedly.</p> + +<p>Therefore, it was with anything but an adventurous spirit that the four +little girls went on their errand the next afternoon. There was no +poking into nooks and corners this time, but straight to the bureau went +they. Solemnly was each<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> article returned to the box from which it was +taken. Silently they tip-toed down the dusty stairs and through the +silent rooms to the outer air where each drew a sigh of relief. Esther +Ann was the first to speak. "There, that's done," she said. "I don't +ever want to go there again."</p> + +<p>"Nor I."</p> + +<p>"Nor I."</p> + +<p>"Nor I," chanted the other three.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> +<a name="VII" id="VII"></a>CHAPTER VII<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE MILL STREAM</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">On</span> their way home from the old house, the four girls saw Alcinda +approaching. "Don't let's say anything to her about where we've been," +said Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"No, don't let's," returned Reba; "you know she didn't want to go there +in the first place."</p> + +<p>"It was only because she was scared to," rejoined Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow, don't let's say anything about it," continued Reba. +"Don't you say so, girls?" She looked over her shoulder at Edna and +Reliance who were walking behind.</p> + +<p>"I don't see any reason why we should," said Reliance. "Of course, if +she should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> ask questions, we wouldn't tell her a story."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, we wouldn't do that," agreed the other girls.</p> + +<p>But Alcinda had no thought of old houses or anything else at this time +but her little dog, Jetty, a handsome, black Pommeranian to whom she was +devoted and of whom she was very proud. "Oh, girls," she exclaimed as +she came up, "have you seen or heard anything of Jetty? We haven't seen +him since morning, and I am so afraid he has been stolen."</p> + +<p>"Oh, wouldn't that be dreadful?" said Edna sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"I don't see who would steal him," said Esther Ann, practically. +"Everyone knows he belongs to you, and there aren't many strangers that +come through the village."</p> + +<p>"There are a few. There was a tramp<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> at our back door only a few days +ago."</p> + +<p>"But you didn't lose Jet a few days ago; it was only to-day that you +missed him."</p> + +<p>"I think it's more likely he is shut up somewhere," decided Reba. "Where +have you looked, Alcinda?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, pretty near everywhere I could think of, and I have asked everybody +who might have seen him."</p> + +<p>"Maybe he has gone off with some other dogs," suggested Reliance. "Dogs +will do that, and sometimes they don't come back for two or three days. +Mr. Prendergast had a dog that did that way. He lives near where we used +to, you know, and he had a collie named Rob Roy that would go off now +and then, and the other dogs would bring him back after a while. He +would come in looking so ashamed, while they stood off to see how he +would be treated."</p> + +<p>"Jetty never did run away before,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> said Alcinda, doubtfully, although +Reliance's words were comforting.</p> + +<p>"When did you see him last and what was he doing?" asked Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"Mother heard him barking at a wagon that was going by. He doesn't bark +at everyone, but there are some people he can't bear."</p> + +<p>"What people?" inquired Esther Ann, trying to get a clue.</p> + +<p>"He doesn't like the butcher boy nor the man that drives the mill wagon, +nor the man that brings the laundry. He always runs out and barks at +them."</p> + +<p>"Have you asked any of them about him?"</p> + +<p>"No, not yet."</p> + +<p>"Then I'll tell you what let's do, girls," proposed Esther Ann. "Two of +us can go around by the mill, two of us can go to the butcher's and +Alcinda can go to the laundry place."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span>"All right," exclaimed Alcinda hopefully. "It would be lovely if you all +would do that."</p> + +<p>"I speak to go to the butcher's," spoke up Esther Ann. She was always +ready to arrange affairs for everyone. "Reliance, you and Edna can go to +the mill; it isn't such a very great way, and Reba can go with me."</p> + +<p>The girls all accepted this arrangement and set off in the three +different directions.</p> + +<p>"Do you like going to the mill?" asked Edna when she and Reliance were +fairly on their way.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, much better than going to the butcher's. Although it is quite +a little further, it is a much prettier walk. I always did like mill +ponds, didn't you, Edna?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I don't know much about them, but I should think I would like +them. Do we turn off here?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span>"Yes, this road leads straight to the mill; you can see it presently +through the trees."</p> + +<p>"It isn't so very far, is it?"</p> + +<p>"No, but it is a little further to the mill pond. I wonder if the miller +is there."</p> + +<p>"Isn't he always there?"</p> + +<p>"He is always there in the morning, but not always in the afternoon. No, +the mill is shut down."</p> + +<p>"How do you know?"</p> + +<p>"I don't hear it, and see there, the wheel isn't moving."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" Edna thought that Reliance was very clever to know all this before +they had even reached the mill which now loomed up before them, a grey +stone structure in a little nest of trees which climbed the hill behind +it, and spread along the sides of the stream, flowing on to join the +river.</p> + +<p>"It is very pretty here, isn't it?" said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> Edna admiringly. "What do they +call the stream, Reliance?"</p> + +<p>"Black Creek. The mill pond and dam and sluice and all those are higher +up. Do you want to go see them?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, if we can't do anything about finding Jetty."</p> + +<p>"I thought we might go around by the miller's house on our way back; it +isn't much further, and we could ask there."</p> + +<p>This seemed a wise thing to do, Edna thought, and she cheerfully +followed Reliance to where the mill pond lay calm and smooth before +them. "It must be lovely here in summer," remarked Edna +enthusiastically.</p> + +<p>"It is one of the prettiest places anywhere about. We come here +sometimes for our picnics, all of us school children and the teacher. +Would you dare go across, Edna?"</p> + +<p>Edna looked around but saw no bridge.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> "How could we get across?" she +asked. "I don't see any way but to swim."</p> + +<p>Reliance laughed. "There," she said, pointing to the heavy beam which +stretched from shore to shore and below which the water was slowly +trickling, "that's the bridge we children always use."</p> + +<p>Edna drew back in dismay. "Oh, how can you? I wouldn't dare. It is so +near the water and suppose you should fall in. I would be sure to get +dizzy, and over I would go."</p> + +<p>"Oh, pooh, I don't get dizzy," returned Reliance. "I will show you how +easy it is," and in another minute she was standing on the beam, Edna +shivering and with a queer sensation under her knees. "Oh, do come back, +Reliance," she cried; "I am so afraid you will fall in."</p> + +<p>But Reliance did not hear her, or if she did hear, she paid no heed, but +stood looking<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> earnestly at a point beyond her in the water. "Edna, +Edna," she presently called. "You will have to come. I really believe it +is Jetty out there in the water."</p> + +<p>Edna wrung her hands. "Oh, I can't, I can't," she wept.</p> + +<p>"You must help me try to get him in. I'll come back for you."</p> + +<p>Edna shrank away from the shore, divided between her fear of crossing +and her desire to help in the rescue. Reliance lost no time in reaching +her. "You will have to come," she cried excitedly. "He is nearer the +other side. I must go over and try to find a board or two, and you must +stay on the beam and watch so as to see which way he heads. Poor little +fellow, I wonder how long he has been in there. Come, Edna, you can put +your arms around my waist and I will go ahead; you mustn't look at the +water, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> just step along after me; I won't let you fall."</p> + +<p>Terrible as this effort promised to be, Edna decided that she must make +it if they would save Jetty, and she followed Reliance, who, +encouraging, coaxing, and leading the way step by step, managed to get +the child safely across. "Isn't there any other way of getting back?" +quavered Edna when they were over.</p> + +<p>"I think there is a little bridge further down, but never mind that now, +Edna; you stay there and watch, while I get a board and put it out +toward him. I shouldn't wonder if I could find one somewhere about."</p> + +<p>Fearfully, Edna crouched on the beam, which seemed but a few inches from +the water. She kept her eyes fixed on the water that she might not lose +sight of the little black head now not so very far away. "Jetty, Jetty," +she called, "we'll<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> get you out. Nice doggie. Please don't drown before +Reliance comes."</p> + +<p>The little dog renewed his struggles and began to swim toward her, Edna +continuing her encouraging talk.</p> + +<p>Presently Reliance came down the bank up which she had scrambled; she +was dragging a board behind her and finding some difficulty in doing so. +"Is he still there?" she panted.</p> + +<p>"Yes, and trying to swim over to me."</p> + +<p>"Don't let him, don't let him. Come over on the bank; it will be easier +to get him from there. There's another board up there. I will go get it +if you will hold on to this one." Edna hesitated to cross the few feet +between her and the shore. "Quick, quick," insisted Reliance. "He might +drift to the dam and get caught there. We must get him before he reaches +it. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span>Edna obeyed and in another moment was running along the bank toward +Reliance, forgetting everything but her eagerness to save the little +dog, who, seeing both girls, turned and feebly swam to where they were +standing. His strength was almost spent, and he had hard work to keep +from being borne along by the current which was swifter in the center of +the pond.</p> + +<p>"I'll have to shove out the board so he can reach it," said Reliance +excitedly. "Here, take this pole and try to keep the board from drifting +toward the dam while I go get the other board." And she thrust the +forked pole into Edna's hands and then sprang up the bank, while Edna +crouched down, as near the water as possible, in order to make best use +of her pole.</p> + +<p>It was not easy to keep the board from drifting out, but along the +shallows it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span> quiet water and it did not go so very far, and before +long, the little dog was able to reach it, crawling upon it and +shivering while he wagged his tail feebly as Edna continued to cheer +him. It was harder work now that the board was heavier by reason of the +added weight, and once or twice Edna was afraid that after all her +efforts would be in vain. It would be dreadful to abandon Jetty when he +was so near to land, and she wished he would attempt to swim to her. But +the little creature was too exhausted to make further effort now that he +had reached footing, though he whined a little when the board drifted +out.</p> + +<p>Just as she was afraid it would go beyond her reach, Reliance came +scrambling back, breathless from her exercise. "I had such a time," she +panted. "Oh, Edna, he is really safe, and it is really poor little +Jetty. How glad Alcinda will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> be. Here, don't let the board go." She +snatched the pole from Edna's hands. "I'll hold on to it while you push +out the other board. I can wade in and get him if I can't do anything +else."</p> + +<p>But once so near shore as the second board brought him, Jetty was not +afraid to swim the remaining distance, having gathered up a little added +strength, and after coaxing, ordering and cajoling, the girls were +rewarded by seeing the little creature creep to the edge of the board, +take to the water again and paddle ashore, crouching at their feet in an +ecstasy of joy.</p> + +<p>"He is so sopping wet I am afraid he will take cold," said Reliance. "I +am going to wrap him up in my sweater and carry him."</p> + +<p>"But won't you take cold," said Edna anxiously.</p> + +<p>"No, for I am too warm with struggling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> up that bank and down again. We +can walk fast."</p> + +<p>At first Jetty did not even have power to shake himself, but before many +minutes, his dripping coat was freed of many drops of water, which +freely sprinkled the girls, who laughing ran at a safe distance, and +then Reliance wrapped him up in her jersey and carried him away from the +scene of his late disaster.</p> + +<p>"How do you suppose he got in the water?" asked Edna as they trudged +along.</p> + +<p>"I think someone threw him in."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Reliance, do you really?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do. We go right by the miller's house and I am going to stop +there and ask them what they know about it all."</p> + +<p>"Do you think the miller did it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, he wouldn't do such a wicked thing; he is a very nice man, but +he might<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span> have seen Jetty about the place and we may be able to find out +something."</p> + +<p>To Edna's satisfaction a small footbridge was discovered a short +distance below and on this they crossed, reaching the miller's house +just after. The miller himself was just going in the gate. Reliance +marched up to him and without wasting words, said: "Do you know how this +little dog happened to get into the mill pond?"</p> + +<p>The miller paused and looked down at the black nose peeping from its +scarlet wrapping.</p> + +<p>"That little dog? I saw him around the mill this morning. A man that has +been driving for me said he found it along the road. Is it your dog?"</p> + +<p>"No, it belongs to Alcinda Hewlett."</p> + +<p>"Bob Hewlett's daughter?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, her father keeps the store and is the postmaster."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span>"Humph!" The miller stroked his chin and looked speculatively at the +little dog.</p> + +<p>"How do you suppose he got so far from home?" ventured Edna.</p> + +<p>"Shouldn't wonder if he was brought in my wagon in an empty sack. Bad +man, bad man, that Jeb Wilkins."</p> + +<p>"Jetty always barked at him," said Edna.</p> + +<p>"I guess that accounts for it. Jeb got mad and thought he'd pay the +little creature back. Barked at him, did he? Well, I don't blame the +dog. I did some pretty tall growling myself before I discharged the man. +He's gone now for good, or bad, whichever you like."</p> + +<p>"Do you think he threw the dog in the water?" asked Reliance coming +directly to the point.</p> + +<p>"That's just what I do think. I shouldn't wonder if he meant to steal +him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> at first, and sell him, for it is a valuable dog, they tell me, but +the dog got out, and I was keeping an eye on Jeb so he couldn't make way +with the beast. I meant to take him home and advertise for his owner, +but when I came to look for him, the dog was gone, though Jeb was there. +Said, as innocent as you please, when I made inquiries, that some people +drove by and took the dog back to town where he belonged."</p> + +<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Edna, her eyes and mouth round with surprise and +disapproval.</p> + +<p>"Just what he said. Made it up out of whole cloth, of course, and +meantime had taken his spite out on me and the poor little dog by +throwing him overboard. How did you happen upon him?"</p> + +<p>Reliance gave an account of the rescue and received approving nods. +"Smart girls, you two," he commented.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span>"Oh, I wasn't smart at all," piped up Edna. "It was all Reliance. I +couldn't have done a thing without her."</p> + +<p>"Well," said Mr. Millikin with a smile, "you did your part, and that's +enough said. I was just going to unhitch, but there is my buggy all +ready, and I guess the quickest way to get you back to the village is to +take you there behind Dolly."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but we can walk, thank you," protested Reliance.</p> + +<p>"It's pretty much of a walk, and the sooner you get there the more +pleased several people will be, I for one, because I don't want Bob +Hewlett's little girl to mourn for her pet any longer than she need, and +again, because I am in a way responsible for what has happened. I'll go +get the buggy right off. You wait here; it won't take a minute." So +presently they were driving along toward home, Reliance with a horse +blanket<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> around her which Mr. Millikin fished out from under the seat +and insisted upon her putting around her shoulders.</p> + +<p>To say that Alcinda was overjoyed at the sight of her little pet which +she had given up for lost, would be speaking mildly. "I'll never forget +you two girls, never," she cried. "I shall thank you forever and ever, +and you, too, Mr. Millikin."</p> + +<p>"Me? I'm partly to blame, for I ought to have discharged that +good-for-nothing scoundrel long ago, but he was a good driver, and I was +waiting to fill his place. Well, it's all come out right, after all. I +hope your little dog will be none the worse for the experience. I'll pay +his doctor's bills if he gets sick." After which speech, the miller +drove off, and the rescuers darted across the street to their home, +where the tardiness of their appearance was entirely forgiven after they +had told their story.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII<br /> +<br /> +<small>JETTY'S PARTY</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Grandma</span> was so concerned lest Edna had taken fresh cold by reason of +this latest adventure that she insisted upon putting the little girl +through a course of treatment to prevent possible evil results. "After +dabbling in that cold water and getting her feet wet it will be a wonder +if she isn't laid up," said grandma, coming into the room just as Edna +was going to bed. "She must have her feet in mustard water, and Amanda +is making a hot lemonade for her."</p> + +<p>So Edna's feet were thrust into the hot bath, and she was made to sip +the hot drink, then was bundled into bed with charges not to allow her +arms out from under the covers. It was rather a warm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> and unpleasant +experience, and the worst of it was that grandma said the next morning +that she mustn't think of going out-of-doors that day.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," sighed the little girl, when she was alone with her mother, +"don't you think grandma is very particular? Did she used to do so when +you were a little girl?"</p> + +<p>"She did indeed, and when she was a little girl it was even worse, for +instead of lemonade to drink, she was made to take a very bitter dose of +herb tea, or a dreadful mess called composition which had every sort of +nauseous thing in it you can think of. Little folks nowadays get off +very easily, it seems to me."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mind the hot lemonade a bit, but I shall never forget the +smell of that mustard water," said Edna after a pause.</p> + +<p>Her mother laughed. "You must be thankful that it is no more than +that."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span>"What am I going to do to-day?" inquired the little girl. "I was going +to do ever so many nice things out-of-doors and now I can't."</p> + +<p>"Then we must think up some nice things to do indoors."</p> + +<p>"What kind of things?"</p> + +<p>"I shall have to put on my thinking cap in order to find that out. +Meanwhile, suppose you run down to grandma with this tumbler; it had +your lemonade in it and should go down to be washed."</p> + +<p>Edna ran off to her grandma, coming back presently with a much brighter +countenance than she took away. "Grandma is going to let me help with +the turtle cakes," she said eagerly. "That's a very nice thing, don't +you think?"</p> + +<p>"I think that is very nice indeed."</p> + +<p>"Amanda is mixing them now, and when they are cut out, I am going to +help with the turtles. Good-bye, mother; I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> will bring you one of my +turtles as soon as they are baked."</p> + +<p>These turtle cakes were much prized by the Conway children. When grandma +sent a box from the farm there was always a supply of these famous +cookies. Grandma had promised that Edna should take some home with her +when she went on Saturday morning. She watched Amanda roll them out, cut +them in rounds and place them in the pans; then came Edna's part in the +preparation. Amanda showed her how to put first a big fat raisin in the +center of the cake, then a current for the turtle's head, four cloves +were then stuck in, part way under the raisin, thus making the feet, and +for the tail, another clove with the sharp end out. Amanda could do them +much faster than Edna, but the child was greatly pleased to have +completed a whole pan all by herself, and when these were baked she +carefully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> carried some of them to her mother and Aunt Alice. Grandma +had already seen the results of her granddaughter's labors.</p> + +<p>"I know just how to do them now, mother," said Edna, "and I think it is +great fun. Grandma is going to save the pan I did so I can have them to +carry home."</p> + +<p>"You might have a tea-party for the dolls this afternoon, and use some +of your cookies for refreshments."</p> + +<p>"Could Reliance come?"</p> + +<p>"Why, I should think so. I have thought of something else for you to do +this morning; you could begin a Christmas gift for Celia. You know you +always have a hard time keeping her gift a secret."</p> + +<p>"What kind of thing could I make?"</p> + +<p>"I noticed that your sister's little work bag was getting rather dingy +and I am<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> sure she would be delighted to have a new one."</p> + +<p>"But where will I get anything to make it of?"</p> + +<p>"No doubt grandma has something in her piece-bag; she always has all +sorts of odds and ends, and it would give her pleasure to let you have +anything that might serve the purpose. I will ask her, and we can get +the ribbons for it any time between now and Christmas."</p> + +<p>Her mother was as good as her word, and leaving the room came back in a +few minutes with a large bag whose contents she emptied on the bed. +"There," she said, "take your choice. Grandma says you are perfectly +welcome to anything you find."</p> + +<p>Edna began turning over the pieces. "You help me choose, mother," she +said presently. "I don't know just how big the piece ought to be."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>Her mother drew up her chair and began to look over the bits of gay silk +before her. "I declare," she said presently, "here is a piece of a party +frock I wore when I was about Celia's age. It was almost my first real +new party frock, for before that I always wore a simple white muslin. +This is perfectly new, and must have been left over. To think of its +being in this bag all those years. It appears to be sufficiently strong, +however." She shook it out and held it up to the light. The material was +a pale green silk with tiny bunches of flowers upon it. Edna thought it +very pretty.</p> + +<p>"I think Celia will be perfectly delighted to have a bag made of your +first party frock, mother," she said. "Do you think grandma would mind +my having it?"</p> + +<p>"I am sure she will be very much pleased. We will decide upon that, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> +you can put back the rest of the pieces. There will be an abundance in +this for a nice, full bag I am sure. I will cut it out for you and show +you just how to make it."</p> + +<p>The time passed so rapidly in planning and making the bag that it was +the dinner hour before they knew it, and after dinner came an unexpected +call from Alcinda. She was a sedate-looking little girl with big blue +eyes and straight, mouse-colored hair, but upon this occasion she was +dimpling and smiling as she handed a tiny, three-cornered note to Edna. +Upon opening this Edna discovered, written in a childish hand, the +following words, "Mr. Jetty Hewlett requests the honor of Miss Edna +Conway's company to a tea-party at four o'clock this afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear," sighed Edna, "I'm awfully afraid I can't go, for grandma +said it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> as much as my life was worth to go out of the house +to-day."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but you aren't ill, are you?" asked Alcinda.</p> + +<p>"No, but she is afraid I will be."</p> + +<p>"But you must come," persisted Alcinda, "for it is in honor of you and +Reliance, and Jetty is going to help receive."</p> + +<p>"I will go ask mother," returned Edna, and running off she returned with +Mrs. Conway.</p> + +<p>"Mayn't Edna come to Jetty's tea-party?" begged Alcinda. "We have +everything planned, and it will be perfectly dreadful if she stays away. +She won't take cold, just going across the street, and our house is as +warm as anything."</p> + +<p>Edna looked beseechingly at her mother. "Do please say yes, mother," she +begged.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>"I don't see how you could take cold going just across the street, if +you wrap up well and wear your rubbers," said her mother.</p> + +<p>"Goody! Goody!" cried Alcinda. "Here is an invitation for Reliance, too. +Be sure to come at four o'clock. I have some more invitations to deliver +so I must go."</p> + +<p>"Now I needn't have a tea-party for the dolls," said Edna when Alcinda +had gone. Her mother smiled. "You speak as if that would be a great +hardship," she remarked.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't mean that, but I would so much rather go to Alcinda's. +Shall I wear my best frock, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Why, yes, I think you may."</p> + +<p>"I wonder if grandma will let Reliance go, and what she will wear," said +Edna, after a moment's thought. "I think I will go ask, mother, for I +don't want to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> better dressed than Reliance; it was really she who +saved Jetty, you know."</p> + +<p>"That is the proper feeling, dear child."</p> + +<p>Edna flew off to find Reliance who had received her invitation, and +hoped for the permission from Mrs. Willis. "I do hope she will let me +go," she said fervently. "Come with me, Edna, when I ask her, won't +you?"</p> + +<p>Edna was very ready to do this, and hunted up her grandmother. "Oh, +grandma," she cried, "we've been invited to a party over at Alcinda's. +Jetty is giving it in honor of Reliance and me. Mother says I won't take +cold just going across the street, and you are going to let Reliance go, +too, aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"What's all this?" inquired grandma.</p> + +<p>Edna repeated her news, but her grandmother did not reply for a moment. +"I am afraid Reliance will not be back in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> time to do her evening work," +she said at last.</p> + +<p>"Oh, but—" this was an unexpected objection, "couldn't she do some of +it before she goes?"</p> + +<p>"She might do some, but not all, however, we will see. Reliance, you +bustle around and see how smart you can be, and I will think what can be +done."</p> + +<p>"I can set the table," said Edna eagerly. "Would you mind if it were +done so much ahead of time for just this once?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied her grandmother very kindly.</p> + +<p>"And may I skim the milk and bring up the butter for supper? I can set +it in the pantry where it will keep cool," Reliance said.</p> + +<p>"You may do that," Mrs. Willis told her.</p> + +<p>"What else will there be to do?" asked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> Edna, as the two little girls +hurried from the room.</p> + +<p>"I have to turn down the beds and light the lamps when it gets dark."</p> + +<p>"That isn't very much to do. Maybe Amanda wouldn't mind seeing to those +things for just this one time. I am going to ask her."</p> + +<p>Reliance was only too glad to have Edna take this request off her hands, +herself having a wholesome awe of Amanda, but to her relief Amanda was +in a good humor and promised to look after these extra duties, so in +good season Reliance was free to prepare for the party, while Edna went +to her mother to be dressed.</p> + +<p>"Mother," she said, "do you think it is funny to go to a party with a +bound girl? Is a bound girl the same as a Friendless? You know Margaret +McDonald is our friend, and she used to be a Friendless."</p> + +<p>"I don't think it is funny at all. Reliance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span> had no home, to be sure, +till your grandmother took her, but she is a good, little girl, and I +used to know her father when I lived here."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, did you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, he was quite a nice, young man. I never knew his wife, but I +am afraid he did not marry very well. Reliance will probably have to +work for her living, but that is no reason why she should not be treated +as an equal. The people about here know she comes of good stock and that +the poverty of the family was due more to misfortune than misbehavior. I +have no doubt but Reliance will make a fine woman, as her grandmother +was, and when she is grown up, she may marry some farmer of the +neighborhood, and take the place she should."</p> + +<p>This was all very interesting to Edna, and she sat looking at the +outstretched feet upon which she had just drawn her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> stockings till her +mother reminded her that time was flying. "Wake up, dearie," she said. +"Why, what a brown study you are in. Reliance will be ready long before +you are. Hurry on with your shoes, and then come let me tie your hair."</p> + +<p>At this Edna jumped and bustled around with such promptness that she was +ready by the time Reliance came to the door neatly dressed in her bright +plaid frock and scarlet hair ribbons. She was a dark-haired, dark-eyed +little girl with rosy cheeks, and though not exactly pretty, had a +pleasant, intelligent face. Edna had finally decided not to wear her +best white frock, but had on a pretty blue challis, quite suited to the +occasion, her mother told her.</p> + +<p>The two little girls set out in high feather and arrived at Alcinda's +house to find that several had reached there before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> them. Jetty, with a +huge red bow on his collar, barked a welcome, and Alcinda beamed upon +them as they entered. "I was so afraid something would happen to keep +you," she said.</p> + +<p>Esther Ann hurried forward to talk as fast as she could, as was her +habit, her words tumbling over one another in her effort and excitement. +"Wasn't it splendid that you two found Jetty? I wish we had gone that +way, but then maybe we wouldn't have found him after all. I think it is +real nice of Alcinda to ask Reliance when she is a bound girl, don't +you?" This in an aside to Edna. "I'm sure she is as good as anybody. How +long are you going to stay? Here, I'll show you where to take off your +things; you needn't go, Alcinda." And she swept the little hostess aside +while she led the way to an upper room.</p> + +<p>By this time, the latest comers had arrived,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> so there were about a +dozen in all, enough for almost any game they might choose to play. In +the first, Hide the Handkerchief, Jetty joined with great zeal, being +always the first one to find the handkerchief. "You see he does it with +his nose," said Alcinda by way of explanation, a remark which made +everyone laugh, and set the lively Esther Ann to sticking her nose into +every corner the next time the handkerchief was hidden.</p> + +<p>"You ought to put cologne on it and then maybe we could find it," she +said, and this, too, raised a laugh as she meant it should, for it took +very little to amuse them.</p> + +<p>At five o'clock a tray was brought in. Delicious cocoa and home-made +cakes were served, followed by candies, nuts and raisins. While the +girls were busy over these, Alcinda cast many glances toward the door +and once or twice whispered to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> her mother, who nodded reassuringly. It +was evident that some matter of surprise was to follow. What it was, +came to light a little later when Mr. Hewlett came in. He knew each +little girl, for even Edna was no stranger to him, so he spoke to each +by name. Then he stood up by the fireplace and said: "You have all heard +of the medals which are given for the performance of brave deeds. Well, +my little girl thinks her small dog would like to show his appreciation +of the act which saved his life the other day, and so I have prepared +two medals for the heroines of that occasion; they are not gold medals; +in fact they are not real medals and of no special value except that +they represent her, and our, gratitude to the little girls who were the +life savers." He paused and looked at Alcinda who bustled forward and +gave into his hands two tiny baskets.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span>"Here, Jetty," called Mr. Hewlett, and Jetty, who had been sitting in +Mrs. Hewlett's lap, jumped down and danced over to see what was required +of him. Mr. Hewlett stooped down and gave the dog one of the small +baskets which he took in his month with much wagging of tail.</p> + +<p>"Take it, Jetty," ordered Mr. Hewlett. Jetty started off toward his +little mistress, who quickly left her place and stood by Edna's chair. +Jetty dropped the basket, not knowing exactly what was expected of him.</p> + +<p>"Bring it here, Jet," said Alcinda. Therefore, being sure of himself, +Jetty frisked over to where Alcinda was standing. "Give it to Edna," +said Alcinda, laying her hand on Edna's lap. Jetty did as he was told +and then scampered back to repeat the operation, this time it being +Reliance to whom he was directed to go.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span>"Do let's see," urged Esther Ann, edging up to Edna.</p> + +<p>Edna uncovered the basket and saw a box lying there. Inside the box was +a new quarter in which a hole had been drilled; a string had been passed +through this and to the string was attached a bow of blue ribbon. +Reliance found the same in her basket, only her ribbon was red.</p> + +<p>"You must put them on and wear them," said Alcinda, "so everyone can see +how honorable you are." She didn't just know why her father and mother +smiled so broadly.</p> + +<p>The girls proudly pinned on their medals and wore them home, for very +soon came grandpa to say they must get ready to go.</p> + +<p>"I'm going to keep mine forever and ever, aren't you?" whispered +Reliance, as she started around to the kitchen door.</p> + +<p>"'Deed I am," returned Edna.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> +<a name="IX" id="IX"></a>CHAPTER IX<br /> +<br /> +<small>THE ELDERFLOWERS</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Edna's</span> account of the G. R. club, to which she and most of her friends +belonged, had quite excited the ambition of the little girls at Overlea +to have a similar one.</p> + +<p>"I told my father about it," said Reba to Edna when they met at Jetty's +party, "and he thought it was a most beautiful club, didn't he, Esther +Ann, and he ought to know. He said we could have one just like it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we don't want to do that," put in Esther Ann scornfully. "We don't +want to be copy-cats. We want to have something all our ownty downty +selves, and not just like somebody else."</p> + +<p>"That's just what I think," spoke up Emma Hunt. "Not that I don't think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span> +yours is the best I ever heard of, and I don't see why we couldn't have +one something like it, just a little different."</p> + +<p>"There aren't so very many girls of us, for there are more old people +than children in this place," said Alcinda. "Would that make any +difference, Edna? Yours is such a big club."</p> + +<p>"It wasn't big when we began; there were only six of us to begin with."</p> + +<p>"Oh, were there? Then we could do it easily. Let me see how many are +here; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, +and there is Mattie Bond who couldn't come because she is sick; she +would make twelve."</p> + +<p>"How many are there in your club?" asked Reliance.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't know just how many by now. Uncle Justus has a pretty big +school and almost every girl belongs to it," replied Edna.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span>"The real big girls?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and we have one very grown-up lady, an honorary member; I'll tell +you all about Miss Eloise some day. Agnes Evans was our first president, +and she is really grown up, for she is at college."</p> + +<p>"I think a little club would be nicer," Esther Ann spoke her mind.</p> + +<p>"But what shall it be and what shall we call it?" asked Alcinda.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you what," proposed Edna, "you all ask your mothers what they +think and I will ask my mother what she thinks, and we can meet +somewhere to-morrow to talk it over."</p> + +<p>"I haven't any mother," came a sorrowful little voice from the corner. +Big Reliance put her arm around the younger girl. "Never mind, Letty," +she whispered; "neither have I, but we can ask somebody else's mother."</p> + +<p>"I'll lend both of you my mother,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> whispered Edna from the other side.</p> + +<p>So it was that the company of little girls went home from Jetty's party +with quite a new plan. Even Edna, who would really have no part in the +club, was much interested, and could scarcely wait to talk it over with +her mother at bedtime. She began as soon as they were upstairs together. +"Mother," she said, "do you think grandma would let Reliance come up +while I am getting ready for bed?"</p> + +<p>"Why, dearie, I don't know, I am sure. Why do you want her on this +special night?"</p> + +<p>"Because there is something we girls are going to talk over with our +mothers, and Reliance hasn't any mother, neither has Letty Osgood, and I +told them I would lend them my mother. You don't mind, do you, mother +dear?" Edna put her two hands on each of her mother's cheeks and looked +at her very earnestly.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span>"Why, my darling, of course not," returned Mrs. Conway, kissing her. +"You know mother is always very glad to mother any little girl who may +need her. What is this wonderful something you are to talk over?"</p> + +<p>"I think we'd better not begin until we know about Reliance though. I +wish I had asked grandma before I came up, but I wanted to speak to you +first, mother dear."</p> + +<p>"Then I will go down and ask her. Where is Reliance?"</p> + +<p>"I suppose she is in the kitchen with Amanda; I don't believe she has +gone to bed yet."</p> + +<p>Her mother left the room, and while Edna unlaced her shoes, she listened +for her return. In a few minutes she heard voices on the stair and +realized that Reliance was coming up. "We haven't said a word about it +yet," she nodded to Reliance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> who came in behind Mrs. Conway. "You begin, +Reliance."</p> + +<p>"No, you," said Reliance drawing back shyly.</p> + +<p>"Well," began Edna, addressing her mother, "you see the girls want to +get up a club something like ours, only not just like it, and they don't +want the same name either. There aren't such a lot of girls here, +because there are so many more old people than young ones in this +village, and so you see—what kind of club would be nice, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Why, dearie, I shall have to think it over."</p> + +<p>"We ought to decide very soon," said Edna, "for I should hate to go away +without knowing. Could Reliance bring Letty Osgood home with her from +school to-morrow? I lent you to her, too, and maybe by that time you +might think of something?"</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span>"We'll ask grandma about it, dear, though I am sure she will not object. +Is that all now?"</p> + +<p>Edna thought it was, and now that she was ready to pop into bed, +Reliance left her with a happy "Good-night!" It was like sunshine in the +house to have such a dear little girl as Edna, she thought as she went +downstairs, and though Amanda reprimanded her sharply for not being in +bed, she did not answer back, for, in fact, she scarcely heard her, so +busy was she with pleasant thoughts, and so excited over the idea of the +club.</p> + +<p>The next morning, Edna and her mother did a great deal of talking about +the new club, so much, in fact, that when it was time for Reliance to +return from school, Edna was on the lookout for her, feeling that she +had so much to tell that there should be no time wasted. "Here they +come, mother," she sang out. "Reliance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span> and Letty. May I bring them +right up here?"</p> + +<p>"To be sure you may."</p> + +<p>"I'm going down to tell Amanda to 'scuse Reliance for just a few +minutes." She flew downstairs to the kitchen. "'Manda," she said, +"mother is going to talk over something very important with Reliance and +Letty, so will you please not call her for a few minutes? I'll help her +set the table."</p> + +<p>"It seems to me you are making too much of Reliance," returned Amanda; +"she can't be brought up to look for nothing but ease and pleasure; she +will have to work for her living."</p> + +<p>"But this isn't anything that is going to keep her from doing that," +explained Edna, "and grandma said she could have a little time to play +while I am here, specially when I help her."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, go 'long," returned Amanda,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span> "only don't keep her too long; +there's more to do than set the table."</p> + +<p>Though the permission was accorded rather ungraciously, Edna was +satisfied, and ran to welcome Letty who was just coming in the gate. "I +am so glad you could come," she said. "You are going to stay to dinner, +aren't you? Did you ask your father?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and he said I might."</p> + +<p>"Good! Then come right upstairs and take off your things. Oh, girls, +mother has a lovely plan for a club, and the dearest name you ever +heard. You can come, Reliance, grandma said so, and so did Amanda. I'm +going to help set the table."</p> + +<p>She led the way up to where her mother was sitting, her face bright with +eagerness as she brought Letty forward. "This is Letty Osgood, mother, +Dr. Osgood's daughter, you know."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>Mrs. Conway drew the shy little girl nearer. "It is very nice to see +Letitia Osgood's daughter," she said. "I knew your dear mother very +well, and I am glad to have my little girl making friends with her +little girl."</p> + +<p>"Now, mother," began Edna, breaking in, "won't you please not talk much +at first about anything but the club, because Reliance has only a few +minutes to stay."</p> + +<p>Her mother smiled and nodded to Letty. "Very well, Letty," she said, +"well have a nice, little, cozy chat all to ourselves after awhile when +this impatient young person has had her subject discussed. I was +thinking, girlies, that as long as there are so many elderly and old +people in the village, some of whom are poor and some who are partial +invalids, that it would be a very sweet thing if you little girls could +form yourselves into a club which would help to make their lives a +little less sad.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> It would mean a great deal to old Miss Belinda Myers, +for instance, if one of you would drop in once in a while with a flower, +or any little thing for her. She is so crippled up with rheumatism that +she can't leave her room, and must sit there by the window all day long. +She is fond of children, too. Of course she has plenty of this world's +goods, and her old friends do not neglect her, yet I am sure that you +could give something to her by your mere presence which none of the +older persons could. Then there is poor old Nathan Keener."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but he is such an old cross patch," interrupted Edna.</p> + +<p>"So he is, but he has had enough to make him so. I wonder if any one of +us would be very amiable if she were poverty-stricken, half sick all the +time, had lost all her friends and had been cheated out of the little +which would make old age<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span> comfortable? It is very easy to be smiling and +agreeable when everything goes right, but when things go wrong, it isn't +half so easy, especially when one hasn't a good disposition to begin +with."</p> + +<p>"But what in the world could we do for him?" asked Reliance. "If we +stopped to speak to him, very likely he would get after us with a +stick."</p> + +<p>"Did any of the boys and girls ever try the experiment of speaking to +him pleasantly? I am quite sure the boys do their best to annoy him in +any way they can contrive, and even some of the girls tease him slyly +and call him names, I am told."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they do," replied Reliance, doubtfully, who herself was not +entirely innocent in this regard.</p> + +<p>"Suppose you were to try the experiment of beginning by smiling when you +go by and saying, pleasantly, 'Good-morning, Mr. Keener?' Then next day, +even if he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> chased you away the first time, you might say, 'Isn't this a +lovely morning, Mr. Keener?' and you could always make a point of saying +something pleasant to him when you go by. Then some day when it is +raining or too cold for him to sit in his doorway——"</p> + +<p>"Like a great big, ugly spider," remarked Letty.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conway paid no heed to the comment, "you could leave a big apple on +the doorsill for him, and so on, till in time I will venture to say he +will learn that you wish him well and are trying to be friends. You must +keep in your mind all the time that he is a poor, neglected, friendless, +unhappy old man and that if you can succeed in bringing even a little +sunshine into his life, you will be doing a great deal."</p> + +<p>The girls were very sober for a few minutes, then Reliance said +thoughtfully, "I believe I should like to try it anyway."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span>"Of course," Mrs. Conway went on, "the girls may have found other and +better ideas for a club, and a better name than I can suggest, but it +seemed to me that this might be made something like the G. R., yet would +not be exactly the same, and it could have quite a different name."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother," exclaimed Edna, "do tell the name you thought of, I think +it is so lovely."</p> + +<p>"I thought you might call yourselves 'The Elderflowers,' because your +good deeds would be directed toward your elders, and you would be +cheerful, little flowers to bring sweetness to sad lives."</p> + +<p>"I think it is the most beautiful idea," exclaimed Letty earnestly, "and +I shall be dreadfully disappointed if the girls want something +different. I begin to feel sorry for old Nathan Keener already."</p> + +<p>"That is an excellent beginning," said Mrs. Conway, with a smile.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span>Here came a call from Amanda, so Reliance and Edna scampered off leaving +Letty to be entertained by Mrs. Conway.</p> + +<p>When Reliance came home from school that afternoon, she brought the +information that the girls were going to meet in Hewlett's old +blacksmith shop that afternoon, and that Edna was to be sure to come. To +her own great disappointment, she could not go herself, for Amanda +declared that she could not get along without her, and that all this +gallivanting about was a mistake, and that if Mrs. Willis was going to +have a bound girl there for her to bother with and get no good of, she +guessed it was time for younger folks to take her place. A girl that +spent half her time at school and the other half skylarking wouldn't +amount to much anyway was her opinion.</p> + +<p>So because the old servant had to be pacified and because it was a day +on which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> Reliance could really be ill spared, she did not attend the +meeting.</p> + +<p>"I am sorry, dear," said Mrs. Willis, when Edna begged to have the +decree altered, "but I am afraid we really cannot spare Reliance this +afternoon. You know she has had a lot of time for play this past week; +we have been very indulgent to her because of your being here." Edna saw +that this was final and went to her mother with rather a grave face.</p> + +<p>"Mother," she said, "isn't it too bad that Reliance can't go? She says +she wouldn't mind so much if it were not for the voting, but you see if +she isn't there, she will lose her vote, and we do so want the +Elderflower plan to be the one."</p> + +<p>"Why couldn't you be her proxy?" said Mrs. Conway.</p> + +<p>"Proxy? What is proxy, mother?"</p> + +<p>"It is some one appointed in the place of another to do what would +otherwise be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> done by the first person; for instance, in this case you +could be proxy for Reliance and vote for her. She could sign a paper +which would make it very plain."</p> + +<p>"Oh, mother, will you write the paper and let me take it to her to +sign?"</p> + +<p>"Certainly I will." She drew the writing materials to her and wrote a +few lines. "There," she said, "I think that will do."</p> + +<p>"Please read it, mother."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conway read: "I hereby appoint Edna Conway to be my proxy and to +vote upon any question which may come up before this meeting.</p> + +<p>"Signed—"</p> + +<p>"That sounds very important," said Edna, clasping her hands. "Show me +where she is to sign her name, mother. I know she will be perfectly +delighted that I can speak for her."</p> + +<p>Reliance truly was pleased, the more that the sending of such an +important<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> legal document gave her a certain position with the others. +She signed her name with a flourish, and Edna, armed with the +indisputable right to take her place, started off for Hewlett's old +blacksmith shop. This sat back some distance from the store, and was +used as a storage place for empty boxes and such things.</p> + +<p>Edna found most of the company gathered when she arrived. They were all +chattering away with little idea of what must be done first. "Here comes +Edna Conway," cried Esther Ann; "she can tell us just what to do. Come +along, Edna. What was the first thing you did when you got up a club?"</p> + +<p>"We had a president and a secretary the first thing; the president was +called <i>pro tem.</i>; she wasn't the real president till we elected her."</p> + +<p>"Then you be <i>pro tem.</i>, for you know just what to do."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span>"Oh, no, I couldn't," Edna shrank from such a public office, and her +little round face took on a look of real distress at such a prospect.</p> + +<p>"Somebody's got to be then," said Esther Ann. "I will."</p> + +<p>"I will, I will," came from one and another of the girls, too eager for +prominence to care about what was expected of them.</p> + +<p>"We can't all be," remarked Milly Somers. "We're wasting time and we +ought to have had this all settled at first. I wish there were some +older person to get us started."</p> + +<p>"Everyone isn't here yet," spoke up Alcinda. "Isn't Reliance coming, +Edna?"</p> + +<p>"No, she can't. She has too much to do this afternoon, but I am her +proxy. I've got a paper that says so."</p> + +<p>The girls giggled. "Isn't she cute?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> whispered Esther Ann. "Let's see +the paper, Edna."</p> + +<p>Edna solemnly drew it from the small bag she carried, and handed it to +Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"Read it, Esther Ann, read it," clamored the girls. And Esther Ann read +it aloud.</p> + +<p>"How in the world did you know about such a thing," said Milly Somers.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I didn't think of it," she answered; "it was my mother."</p> + +<p>"She must be awfully smart," said Esther Ann admiringly. "I wish she +were here to tell us just what to do, if you won't do it."</p> + +<p>"Maybe she would come for just a little while," said Edna, feeling +assured that if her mother were there to tell of her own ideas about the +club that there would be no doubt of its being "The Elderflowers." +"Suppose I go and ask her," she added.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span>"All right," agreed the girls. "Tell her if she will stay just long +enough to tell us how to get started, it is all we ask."</p> + +<p>Edna rushed back to the house and upstairs, where she breathlessly +explained her errand. "You will go? won't you, mother, just for a few +minutes," she begged. "You won't have to change your dress, or even put +a hat on if you don't want to. We need you so very, very much. Nobody +knows what to do, and they all talk at once, and giggle and say silly +things. It ought to be real serious, oughtn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Not too serious, I should say," returned her mother. "Very well, dear, +I will come." She threw on a long coat and followed the little girl +across the street to where the prospective club members waited +expectantly.</p> + +<p>It did not take long to set the ball in motion, and in less than half an +hour Esther<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> Ann was made president <i>pro tem.</i>, Milly Somers was +appointed secretary, and the business of choosing came up. There were +not very many original ideas offered. Few of the girls had any. Mrs. +Conway listened to them all, and at last explained her own plan so +clearly and with such earnestness that it was a matter of only a few +minutes before it was decided that "The Elderflower Club" should start +its existence at once.</p> + +<p>To cap the climax, Edna was elected an honorary member, "for," said the +girls, "if it hadn't been for you we should never have had a club at +all. And when you come to your grandfather's, you will always know that +you must attend the club meetings."</p> + +<p>Therefore, it was a very happy little girl who went back to report to +Reliance the happenings of this first meeting of the club.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> +<a name="X" id="X"></a>CHAPTER X<br /> +<br /> +<small>WHAT BEN DID</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">The</span> members of the Elderflower Club were so eager to begin business that +they could scarcely wait till the next day. The more retiring ones, like +Alcinda, contented themselves with beginning their ministrations to +relatives or those they knew, but it was to adventurous spirits like +Esther Ann and Reliance that a difficult case such as old Nathan Keener +appealed. Reliance, following out Mrs. Conway's advice, gave a cheery +"Good-morning, Mr. Keener," as she went by his dilapidated house on her +way to school. She reported this performance to the other girls at +recess.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Reliance, you didn't dare, did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> you?" exclaimed Alcinda. "What did +he do? Did he run after you?"</p> + +<p>"No, he only frowned and grunted."</p> + +<p>"Did you walk very fast when you went by?" asked little Letty Osgood, +being very sure that she would not have loitered upon such an occasion.</p> + +<p>"No, not so very. I just walked as I always do."</p> + +<p>"Then I think you were very brave," continued Letty.</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" exclaimed Esther Ann, "that wasn't anything to do. Just wait +till you see what I am going to do."</p> + +<p>"What, Esther Ann? What?" clamored the girls.</p> + +<p>"Wait till this afternoon and you will see," was all Esther Ann would +say to satisfy their curiosity.</p> + +<p>This being Friday and Edna's last day at her grandmother's, her friends +begged that she be allowed to go with them to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> school that afternoon. +"We don't have real lessons," Reliance told her, "for Miss Fay reads to +us, and we have a sewing lesson."</p> + +<p>"I'd love to go," said Edna, "and I could take the work bag I am making +for Celia. I could finish it, I think. May I go?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't the slightest objection," Mrs. Conway assured her. So she set +off with Reliance, and felt quite at home since she knew all the girls +of her own age, and older, and, as she said, "the littler ones don't +count."</p> + +<p>Everything moved along pleasantly during the school session, and the +girls started along in a bunch toward home. "You just come with me, +Edna," said Esther Ann. "You see you are a member of the club, too, and +this will be your only chance to do a deed. The others can follow along +if they want. I'll tell you what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> I am going to do and you can take +part, if you like."</p> + +<p>The others were both timid and curious, and were quite content to obey +Esther Ann's suggestion to "follow on." Edna, it may be said, was not +inspired with that wholesome dread of old Nathan which possessed the +others, for she had not been brought up under the shadow of his +ogre-like actions, and she felt that this was an opportunity which she +could not neglect. She trotted along valiantly by Esther Ann's side, the +others keeping a safe distance behind.</p> + +<p>"Tell me what you are going to do," said Edna to her companion, as they +proceeded on their way.</p> + +<p>For answer, Esther Ann dived down into her school-bag and produced first +one then another big, red apple. "I am going to give these to Nathan. +You can give one. I mean just to walk right up to him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> and say, 'Won't +you have an apple, Mr. Keener?'"</p> + +<p>"Suppose he isn't there," returned Edna.</p> + +<p>"Oh, he'll be there; he always is when it is a bright day like this. He +sits in an old chair on that broad doorstep in front of his house, and +leans on a big, thick stick he always carries."</p> + +<p>"Who cooks for him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he cooks for himself, when he has anything to cook. He has a little +garden, but it doesn't amount to much. He has no apple trees except an +old one that is nearly dead and never has but a few little, measly, +knerly apples on it; that's why I thought he'd like these."</p> + +<p>Their walk was carrying them nearer and nearer the old man's door. +"There he is now," whispered Esther Ann. "I'll go first and you come +right up behind me. Here, take your apple." She thrust the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span> fruit into +Edna's hand and hastened her own pace a little. Edna's heart began to +beat fast, for surely Nathan Keener was anything but an attractive +figure as he sat there glowering and muttering, his gaunt hands resting +on his knotted stick, and his grizzly old face wearing a wrathful look.</p> + +<p>True to her guns, Esther Arm dashed forward and held out her apple +saying in a shrill, excited voice, "Won't you have——"</p> + +<p>But she got no further, for with a snarl the old man reached out one +long, bony arm and grabbed her by the shoulder, raising his stick +threateningly, "I'll larn ye, ye little varmint," he began.</p> + +<p>Esther screamed. Edna, paralyzed with fright, looked on with affrighted +eyes, but presently found voice to quaver out, "Please don't hurt her! +Oh, please don't!"</p> + +<p>The other girls a little distance off stood<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> huddled together like a +flock of sheep. No one was brave enough to venture within reach of that +terrible stick, but just then along came a crowd of boys from school. +The foremost took in the situation in a glance, and in another instant +was on the platform by Esther's side.</p> + +<p>"Here, you old mut, what are you doing to my sister?" he cried, at the +same time trying to wrest the stick from the old man's grasp.</p> + +<p>But Nathan had too long wielded the stick with effect to lose it so +readily. Loosing his hold upon Esther, he swiftly shifted his weapon to +his other hand and brought down a blow on the boy's back.</p> + +<p>By this time the other boys had come up; there were cries, threats, +screams from the girls, shouts from the boys. All was in a dreadful +hub-bub when along the road approached a young man who stood for a +moment and then dashed to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span> scene of battle. "Here, boys, here," he +cried, "what are you doing to that old man?"</p> + +<p>"He was going to beat my sister," spoke up the one who had first hurried +to the front.</p> + +<p>"You old scalawag," cried the young man, "what were you up to? If you +are yearning to hit somebody, take a fellow your own size." He wrenched +the stick from the man's grasp and threw it away. "Now," he said, "have +it out if you will. I'm ready." He squared off, but the old man had +neither strength nor desire to grapple with such a masterful opponent, +and he slunk back against his door.</p> + +<p>"I guess if your life was pestered by a set of young wretches like +these, you'd threaten, too," he said surlily. "I guess I'm getting too +smart for their tricks, and know enough not to take anything they offer +me. I don't have to have more'n<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> one apple full of red pepper set on my +doorsill. I guess I know who hides my loaf of bread, and puts salt in my +can of milk. I guess I cut my eyeteeth a good many years ago, and can +catch 'em at their tricks."</p> + +<p>The young man looked around at the group of boys, now rather shamefaced, +at the group of girls now gathered around Esther Ann. On the edge of +this latter group he recognized a little round face now tear-stained and +affrighted. In a moment he was by Edna's side. "Well, I'll be +everlastingly switched," he exclaimed, "Edna, my child, what are you +doing in this mix-up?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Ben," returned Edna, "it was all a mistake. Nobody meant to play a +trick."</p> + +<p>"Come over here and tell me all about it," said Ben, leading her aside. +Edna poured forth her tale of woe, during the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> recital of which more +than once Ben's mouth twitched and his eyes grew merry. "It doesn't do +to be too zealous, does it?" he said at the close of the story. "Here, +old fellow, come back here." He made a dash at old Nathan who was now +retreating within his own doorway. Ben pulled him back by his +coat-tails. "We aren't through with this yet," he went on as the man +turned upon him with a few smothered words. "That isn't a pretty way to +talk. You have something of a case, I admit, but you happened to +overreach yourself this time. No, you're not going in yet. A little more +fresh air won't hurt you. Sit down there and be good and I will tell you +a pretty little story." He pushed the old man gently into his chair and +stood guard over him. "No, you don't need your stick yet; you might get +careless with it. I'll just lean it up against the house. Now, then, +those little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span> girls hadn't a notion of playing you a trick; they were +trying to do you a kindness. They knew you were lonely and hadn't much +chance to run around with the boys, or run an automobile, so they +thought they would chirk you up a little by presenting you with a large, +sweet, juicy, red apple. Their little hearts were throbbing with +good-will; they had an unconquerable desire to bring a smile to your +lips and a gleam of happiness to your eye. To prove this to you, I will +now dissect this large, sweet, juicy, red apple. I will eat half and you +will eat the other. If it isn't a good apple, I'll eat my hat." He +carefully cut the apple, which Edna had given him, pared and quartered +it, stuck a piece on the end of his knife and offered it to the old man, +who pushed it away contemptuously. "Let me insist," Ben went on. "We are +not playing Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. There is no serpent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span> in +sight, not so much as a worm, and if you find so much as a grain of red +pepper I'll acknowledge myself beaten."</p> + +<p>The old man muttered incoherently as Ben finished his harangue, but made +no motion to take the apple. "You don't know what you are missing," Ben +went on. "Now just for the sake of old times, let's try to be jolly and +remember when we were boys. Why, many a time you and I have raced down +this shaded street, shouting with mirth, have climbed the wall by the +orchard and stuffed our pockets with apples like these. You never could +take a joke, as I remember, but still you weren't a bad fellow, and I'll +bet you were a wonder at baseball. I shouldn't wonder if your batting +didn't beat the town. The way you swing around that stick of yours shows +there is 'life in the old land yet.'"</p> + +<p>The old man's face had relaxed a little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> and he no longer muttered under +his breath. Ben winked at the boys who had drawn nearer and were +enjoying the situation to the utmost. "Now, just for old times' sake," +continued Ben, "just tell me what was the last real, good, old-fashioned +trick you ever played?" The old man cast a half-suspicious look at the +smiling young man by his side, but made no reply. "Too bad you forget," +said Ben, "but I'll bet an apple to an oyster you don't forget that last +game you played."</p> + +<p>"Who told you about it?" snapped out the old man.</p> + +<p>"Never mind. Do you suppose such a game as that will ever be forgotten? +I'm going to tell these boys all about it some day, see if I don't."</p> + +<p>Nathan wheeled around in his chair and glanced over the row of young +faces before him. Then he leaned back in his chair and sighed.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span>"I'll bet you wouldn't mind a good game now, but you've no use for these +boys and they haven't much for you. When's the next game, boys?" He +turned to the row of faces.</p> + +<p>"We've stopped playing baseball for this year," came in a chorus.</p> + +<p>"Don't have football up here?"</p> + +<p>"No, we haven't any team."</p> + +<p>"Too bad. I might join you on that. Well, Mr. Keener, some of these days +you and I will go to a game together; we'll get that fixed up. Which of +you boys was it who so doughtily sped to the rescue of the young +maiden?"</p> + +<p>"Jim Tabor; it was his sister the old man was after," piped up the boys.</p> + +<p>"All right, and mighty little respect I would have had for him, if he +hadn't pitched in the way he did. Step up here, Jim."</p> + +<p>Jim came forward, a little awkwardly,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> the other boys snickering. "Mr. +Keener, this is Jim Taber. I want you to look at him and tell me if, +when you were a boy of his size you had seen anyone threatening your +sister with a stick, you wouldn't have pitched in and fought for her for +all you were worth. You weren't any slouch in those days when it came to +fighting, I know. That's all, Jim, no apologies necessary. Now, Mr. +Keener, there is just one thing more. I don't believe these children are +really bad, only mischievous as you used to be when you were a +youngster. The girls, I know, are all ready to be friends, bless their +dear little hearts. As for the boys, I'll venture to say we can patch up +a treaty of peace with them. If you will promise to be a little less +free with that stick and not get a grouch on you every time a boy looks +your way, they will promise to play no more tricks. If they don't +promise, I'll give every mother's son<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> of them Hail Columbia when I come +this way again," and by his looks, the boys knew he meant what he said. +They were conscious that Ben was standing up for old Nathan, and yet +that he meant to be perfectly fair to them. Ben looked up and down the +line. "Well?" he said.</p> + +<p>The boys looked at one another. "If he'll promise, we will," spoke up +Jim Taber.</p> + +<p>"It's a go," said Ben. "Now, Mr. Keener, it's up to you."</p> + +<p>Old Nathan gave a grunt which might have meant anything, but Ben chose +to interpret it his own way. "I think that is meant for assent," he +said. "The gentleman seems to be speaking a foreign language to-day, +Choctaw, I should say, or maybe Hindostanee. However, it is all right. +Now, Mr. Keener, allow me, sir." He opened the door with a flourish and +handed the old man his stick. Without a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> word, Nathan took the stick and +went in, Ben bowing and scraping and saying, "Thank you for a very good +time," then receiving no reply, not even a grunt, he added, "Not at all, +the pleasure is entirely mine." The door closed and that was the end of +it.</p> + +<p>Edna came running up. "Oh, Ben," she said, "how glad I am to see you. +Oh, wasn't it dreadful? How did you happen to come along?"</p> + +<p>"Why, Pinky Blooms, I was on my way to grandpa's, thought I would come +to take mother back to-morrow, and, as it was a fine afternoon, I +concluded, to walk up from the station. Happened by just in the nick of +time, didn't I? Funny old curmudgeon, isn't Nathan?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, he is terrible," responded Edna, with a remembrance of the uplifted +stick. "Are you going home with me?"</p> + +<p>"No; you trot along with the rest of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span> brood; I am going to stay here +a few minutes and have a chat with the boys; I'll be along directly."</p> + +<p>So Edna left him, the boys crowding around and asking all sorts of +questions. Ben was no new figure in the town, and most of them knew him +at least by sight. Just what he said to the boys, Edna never knew, but +it is a matter of comment that from that day on there were no more +tricks played on old Nathan Keener, and though the big stick was not so +much in evidence, it was a long time before any of the Elderflowers made +any headway in winning even so much as a grunt from him. It was a great +setback to the enthusiasm of the girls, but as Reliance told Esther Ann, +she should not have tried so venturesome a thing at the very outset. +"Mrs. Conway says we should have worked up to it gradually. It's just +like training a wild animal, you have to win<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> its confidence first." But +Esther Ann declared she wanted no more of Nathan Keener, and Reliance +was perfectly welcome to try any methods she liked so long as Esther Ann +was not asked to share in the effort. It was a very exciting afternoon, +taking it all in all, and was the means of bringing some ridicule and +some censure upon the little club. One or two of the girls resigned, +saying their mothers did not approve of such proceedings. All this, +however, did not happen during Edna's Thanksgiving visit, but she heard +of it afterward, and of further matters concerning the Elderflowers.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span> +<a name="XI" id="XI"></a>CHAPTER XI<br /> +<br /> +<small>FAREWELLS</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">Edna</span> had not finished telling her mother about the afternoon's +adventures when Ben came in. The family had gathered in the living-room, +Edna sitting on her grandfather's knee, and the others ranged around the +big fireplace. "There comes Ben now," Edna sang out, catching sight of +her cousin's figure, and running to meet him.</p> + +<p>"Halloo, young man," was grandpa's greeting. "I hear you have been +having a set-to with Nathan Keener. It isn't the first time that he has +had a fisticuffs with a member of this family. He and I used to be +continually at it when we were boys together."</p> + +<p>"Oh, but isn't he much older than you,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span> grandpa?" said Edna, in +surprise. "He looks like a very, very old man."</p> + +<p>"And I don't? That's a nice compliment, missy. No, he and I are about of +an age, and went to school together in the little, old, red schoolhouse +that was burned down some years ago. It is ill health and trouble that +makes him look so old, I suppose. Poor old chap, he has lost most of the +friends who would have stood by him, for he has taken such an attitude +it is impossible to be on good terms with him."</p> + +<p>"Ben thinks he used to play baseball," spoke up Edna. "Did they play it +so many, many years ago?"</p> + +<p>Her grandfather laughed. "They certainly did, and he was tremendous at +it. Let me see, forty, fifty years ago isn't so long, and I can well +remember the time the Overlea boys beat the Boxtown boys, and it was all +because of Nat Keener's good playing. The Boxtown fellows<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span> thought all +they had to do was to walk in and win, but we gave them a big surprise +that day. I remember how we cheered and, after the game was over, +carried Nat around the village on our shoulders."</p> + +<p>Ben smiled and nodded as if this event came within his recollection, +too. Edna looked at him in surprise. "Why, Ben," she said, "you weren't +there."</p> + +<p>Ben laughed. "No, but I heard about it all years ago, and it came to my +mind to-day when I was having it out with Nathan. I'll venture to say he +is thinking more of those old times, at this very minute, than he is of +his troubles."</p> + +<p>"Poor old Nat," grandpa shook his head. "He was as high-spirited a young +chap as ever lived, but uncontrolled and always fighting against the +pricks. It must be pretty hard for him, pretty hard. He has grown so +morose and snappish that no one takes the trouble to do more than<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span> nod +to him nowadays. He wasn't a bad sort, too free and open-handed, too +fond of pleasure, maybe."</p> + +<p>"He doesn't have much chance to indulge himself there in these days," +remarked grandma.</p> + +<p>"False friends, a worthless wife and a bad son have about finished up +what he had. With good money after bad all the time there is nothing +left but that little tumbledown house he lives in."</p> + +<p>"What does he live on?" asked Ben.</p> + +<p>"Ask your grandpa," answered Mrs. Willis smiling across at her husband.</p> + +<p>"Oh, pshaw!" exclaimed Mr. Willis, "nobody counts a load of wood or a +bag of potatoes once in a while. I must stop and see if I can't draw him +out of his shell some of these days."</p> + +<p>"Talk to him about when you were boys, grandpa," said Ben; "that will +fetch him."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>Just here, Reliance came to the door to say that Ira would like to speak +to Mr. Willis, and Mrs. Barker appropriated Ben, so Edna was left to her +grandmother and her mother.</p> + +<p>"So we are going to lose our little girl to-morrow," grandma began.</p> + +<p>"You won't be left without any little girl," replied Edna cheerfully, +"for you will have Reliance."</p> + +<p>"But that isn't the same thing as having my own little granddaughter," +responded Mrs. Willis.</p> + +<p>"No," returned Edna. "When are we coming here again, mother?"</p> + +<p>"Why, my dear, I don't know. We have made grandma a good, long visit +this time."</p> + +<p>"It isn't what I call a long visit," grandma observed. "When I was a +child I spent months at a time at my grandparents."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span>"I spent months at Uncle Justus', but then I was there at school," +remarked Edna. "I don't see why I couldn't come here on holidays, +mother."</p> + +<p>"You can do that sometimes, surely. We have promised you to Uncle Bert +for the Christmas holidays, but maybe you could come at Easter, if +grandma would like to have you."</p> + +<p>"Grandma would like very much to have her," said that lady.</p> + +<p>"Even if I came without mother?" questioned Edna.</p> + +<p>"Even if you came by your own little self. We shall claim her for the +Easter holidays, daughter, and you must let nothing prevent her coming. +If it is not convenient for any of the rest of you to come, just put her +on the train upon which Marcus Brown is conductor and he will see that +she gets off safely at Mayville."</p> + +<p>Edna looked a little doubtful at the idea<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> of making the journey by +herself but she did not say anything.</p> + +<p>"However," grandma went on, "I don't see why Celia couldn't come with +her, or perhaps Ben could."</p> + +<p>"Well, we shall see," responded Mrs. Conway. "Well try to get her here +in some way."</p> + +<p>"Then we shall consider that quite settled," said grandma with a +satisfied air.</p> + +<p>"I've had an awfully good time," said Edna thoughtfully.</p> + +<p>"Even though you have been sick abed, and have had all sorts of +unpleasant adventures?" said grandma with a smile.</p> + +<p>"I wasn't so very sick," returned Edna, "and I wouldn't have minded that +except for the mustard bath."</p> + +<p>Her grandmother laughed. "Well hope that you won't need one the next +time."</p> + +<p>"I didn't mind the adventures very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> much, either, and now that they are +all over, I am awfully glad that I will have something so interesting to +tell the girls at home. I think a great deal has happened in the time I +have been here, don't you, grandma?"</p> + +<p>"From the standpoint of a little girl I suppose that is true, though it +hasn't seemed such a very exciting time to the rest of us. This is a +quiet old village and we jog along pretty much the same way year in and +year out, without very many changes."</p> + +<p>"I think it is just lovely here," replied Edna, "and I like all the +girls, too. I shall be glad to see them again. I sort of remembered some +of them, but you know I haven't been here before for ever so many years, +and I had forgotten lots of things, even about the house and the place."</p> + +<p>"Then don't stay away so long as to forget<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> anything again," her +grandmother charged her.</p> + +<p>"I'm forgetting that this is the last chance I will have to help +Reliance set the table," said Edna, jumping up.</p> + +<p>She found Reliance had already begun this task and that Amanda was +making some specially good tea-cakes in honor of this last evening. She +was in a good humor and did not object, as she did sometimes, to Edna's +being in the kitchen while supper was being prepared. "Just think," +remarked Edna, as she leaned her elbows on the table to watch Amanda, +"where I shall be to-morrow evening at this time."</p> + +<p>"And are you sorry?" asked Amanda.</p> + +<p>"No, not exactly. I am glad and sorry both. I should love to stay and +yet I want to see them all at home."</p> + +<p>"That's perfectly natural," Amanda returned, pricking the tea-cakes +daintily.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span>"What do you have to do that for?" asked the little girl.</p> + +<p>"To keep 'em from blistering," Amanda told her. "There, open the oven +door, Reliance, and then bring me that bowl of cottage cheese from the +pantry. I didn't know as it would be warm enough to allow of us having +any more this week, but you see it was."</p> + +<p>"I just love cottage cheese," Edna made the remark, as she watched +Amanda pour in the yellow cream and stir it into the cheese. "I wish we +kept a cow, so we could have all the milky things you have here."</p> + +<p>"Ain't your place big enough for one?" inquired Amanda, in rather a +surprised tone.</p> + +<p>"No; it isn't just country, you know. Mrs. McDonald has a big place, and +the Evanses have a nice garden and a grove of trees. We have some trees +and some garden,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span> and we have a stable, but we haven't any pasture for +cows."</p> + +<p>"You might pasture her out," Amanda suggested, scraping the contents of +the bowl into a glass dish. "Here, Reliance, take that in and set it on +the table, and then go after your milk and butter. The dark will catch +you if you don't hurry."</p> + +<p>"I'm going, too," announced Edna. "I can carry the butter, but I won't +bring the key." The two little girls laughed, for this was a standing +joke between them.</p> + +<p>They started out through the rustling leaves to the spring-house; the +leaves gave forth a queer, though pleasant odor, as they pushed their +feet through them. A big star blazed out against the pale rose of an +evening sky. Over in the cornfields, crows were calling, and a few +crickets, not yet driven to cover by the frost, chirped in the grass. +The cows were standing in the stable yard. They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> had been milked, and +Ira had brought the pails to the spring-house before this. The little +white kitten which Edna had made a great pet of, followed her down the +walk, frisking away after a falling leaf, or dancing sideways in +pretended fear of its own tail. Edna picked it up but it had no desire +to stay when this, of all hours in the day, was the best to play in, so +it scrambled down from her arms and was off like a flash, darting half +way up a tree, with ears back and claws outspread.</p> + +<p>"I do hate to leave the kitten," said Edna. "I hope it won't miss me too +much. You will try to give it a little attention, even though you love +the grey one best, won't you, Reliance?"</p> + +<p>Reliance promised, and leaving the kitten to its own wild antics they +went into the spring-house, issuing forth with the various things they +had gone for. "Just think," sighed Reliance, "this is the very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> last +time you will help me bring up the things. I shall miss you awfully, +Edna. You have been so good to me."</p> + +<p>"Why, no, I haven't," answered she; "you have been good to me. I'm +coming back at Easter, Reliance, and it will be so nice, for I shall +have so many questions to ask about the girls and the club and all +that."</p> + +<p>"Are you really coming at Easter? I didn't know that."</p> + +<p>"Yes, mother just now promised grandma I should."</p> + +<p>"Goody! Goody! I must tell the girls when I see them."</p> + +<p>The girls, however, found out before Reliance saw them, for knowing that +Edna was to leave in the morning, they gave her a surprise that very +evening. Supper was hardly over before Reliance, trying very hard to +smother laughter, had a whispered consultation with Mrs. Willis,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> who, +after it was over, came back to her place by the fire. In a few minutes +she said, "Edna, dear, I wish you would go up to my room and see if you +can find my other pair of glasses. Look on the bureau and the table in +my room, and, if you don't find them there, look in the other rooms."</p> + +<p>Very obediently Edna trotted off upstairs, searched high and low, looked +in this room and that, but no glasses were to be found. After much +hunting, she came down without them. She stepped slowly down the stair, +humming softly to herself. It was very quiet in the living-room, or did +she hear whispers, and subdued titters? Was Reliance or maybe Ben going +to play a trick on her? She heard a sudden "Hush! Hush!" as she reached +the door of the living-room, but she made up her mind that she would +appear perfectly unconcerned, and entered the room in a very don't-care +sort of manner. "I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> couldn't find——" she began and then stopped short, +for there, ranged around the room, were twelve little girls all smiling +to see the look of surprise on her face. So that was what the trick was.</p> + +<p>"We're a surprise party," spoke up Esther Ann.</p> + +<p>"And we're a good-by party, too," added Reba.</p> + +<p>"We've all brought you something," Alcinda spoke.</p> + +<p>"We are going to stay an hour," Letty added.</p> + +<p>Here Esther Ann darted forward with a bag of nuts which she plumped down +in Edna's lap. "There," she said, "you must take those along with you."</p> + +<p>Next, Reba presented a neat little book. It looked very religious, Edna +thought, but the cover was pretty and there was an attractive picture in +it.</p> + +<p>Alcinda came next with a very ornate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> vase which Edna remembered seeing +on the glass case in Mr. Hewlett's store.</p> + +<p>Letty brought the figure of a cunning cat playing with a ball; this Edna +liked very much. Some brought candy, some brought cakes, one brought a +paper doll, another a little cup and saucer, but each one had something +to contribute till Edna exclaimed: "Why, it is just like a birthday, and +these are lovely presents."</p> + +<p>"Oh, they're nothing but some little souvenirs," remarked Esther Ann +loftily. "We wanted you to have them to remember us by."</p> + +<p>"I shall never forget you, never," said Edna earnestly, "and I thank you +ever and ever so much." She gathered up her booty and piled it on the +table, then some one proposed a game, and they amused themselves till +grandma sent out for nuts, cider, apples and cakes, which feast ended +the entertainment, though it is safe to say<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span> it lasted more than an +hour. At the last, the girls all crowded around Edna to kiss her +good-night and to make their farewells, and then, like a flock of birds, +they all took flight, scurrying home by the light of their lanterns, +some across the street, some down, some up.</p> + +<p>As the sound of the last merry voice died away, Edna threw herself into +her grandmother's arms. "Oh, grandma," she cried, "wasn't it a lovely +surprise? Did you know about it?"</p> + +<p>"Not so very long before. Reliance came and told me what the girls +wanted to do, and I promised to help in any way that I could."</p> + +<p>"And was that why you sent me up for the glasses? I didn't tell you +after all that I couldn't find them."</p> + +<p>"I didn't expect you to," said her grandmother, laughing. "I only told +you to go see if you could find them so as to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> get you out of the way +and keep you occupied long enough to allow the girls to come in."</p> + +<p>"I didn't hear the front door shut."</p> + +<p>"No, for they came around by way of the side door, and tip-toed in by +way of the dining-room."</p> + +<p>"Well, it was lovely," sighed Edna in full content.</p> + +<p>Although the real farewells had been said on that evening, that was not +quite the last of it, for the girls were gathered in a body by the +church the next morning when Edna drove by on her way to the train. She +was squeezed in the back seat of the carriage between her mother and her +Aunt Alice. Ben was on the front seat with his grandfather. Reliance at +the gate was waving a tearful farewell, a white kitten under one arm and +a grey one under the other. Grandma herself stood in the doorway. +"Good-by! Good-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span>by!" sounded fainter and fainter from Reliance, but the +word was taken up by the girls who shouted a perfect chorus of good-bys +as the black horses trotted nimbly along and bore Edna out of sight.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<h2><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> +<a name="XII" id="XII"></a>CHAPTER XII<br /> +<br /> +<small>HOW ARE YOU?</small></h2> + + +<p class="noi"><span class="smcap">In</span> what seemed an incredibly short time, Edna was getting out at the +station nearest her own home. Ben and his mother had parted from them an +hour before and were now on their way to their own home. Ben, however, +would return on Monday to take up his college work again.</p> + +<p>"There they are!" were the first words Edna heard as she and her mother +descended from the train. And then the boys rushed forward to hug and +kiss both herself and her mother and to make as much fuss over them as +if they had been gone a year.</p> + +<p>"Gee! but I'm glad to see you," cried Charlie. "It hasn't seemed like +home at all without you, mother."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span>"Didn't you have a good time at Mrs. Porter's?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"Had a high old time," responded Frank. "Here, let me take some of those +things. You look like country travellers with all those bundles. What +you got there?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, things," returned Edna vaguely. "All sorts of things the girls gave +me to bring home."</p> + +<p>"You look like a regular old emigrant with so many boxes and bags."</p> + +<p>"We couldn't get them all in the trunk," Edna explained, "and so we had +to bring them this way. When did you get back, Frank?"</p> + +<p>"Last night. We came home with father."</p> + +<p>"Then you haven't had such a very long time in which to miss us," said +Mrs. Conway, with a smile.</p> + +<p>"Well, it seemed like a long time," returned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span> Frank, "Nothing ever does +go right when you're away, mother."</p> + +<p>"What special thing has gone wrong this time?" asked his mother.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I couldn't find anything I wanted this morning, and nobody knew +where anything was, and Celia didn't know how to fix anything, and all +that."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Conway laughed. "That shows how I spoil you all. I am afraid I +missed my boys, too, and am glad to get back to them."</p> + +<p>"Where's Celia?" asked Edna.</p> + +<p>"She's home. We all came up together last night. Lizzie had waffles for +supper, and Frank ate ten pieces," spoke up Charlie.</p> + +<p>"Well, that was all I could get," said Frank, in an injured way. "Lizzie +said there were no more."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Frank, Frank," laughed his mother. "Well, at any rate, I am glad +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span> know my absence has not affected your appetite."</p> + +<p>"Tell us what you did at the Porter's," said Edna.</p> + +<p>"Oh, we just racketed around. We went to a fierce old football game, and +we did all sorts of stunts in the house. Steve and Roger have a fine +little workshop. I don't believe I like living right in the city, +though. We boys have a heap more fun at a place like this where we can +get out-of-doors. Roger and Steve say so, too."</p> + +<p>"I am glad you are so well content," observed Mrs. Conway.</p> + +<p>"There's Celia," Edna sang out, seeing some one on the porch watching +for them. It was a chill, wintry morning, and they were all glad to +hurry indoors to the warm fire. The house looked cozy and cheerful, +yellow chrysanthemums in tall vases graced the hall and library; in the +latter, an open grate fire glowed, and Edna looked<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span> around complacently. +"It is kind of nice to get home," she remarked. "I love it at grandma's, +but I reckon we all like our own home better than other people's. How +are you, Celia? Tell me everything that has been going on at school. How +is Dorothy? Did you have a club-meeting and was it a nice one? Oh, I +must tell you about the Elderflowers, mustn't I, mother? Has Agnes gone +back to college? Have you seen Miss Eloise?"</p> + +<p>"Dear me," cried Celia, "what a lot of questions. I wonder if I can +answer them all. Let me see. I'll have to go backwards, I think. I +haven't seen Miss Eloise, but some of the girls have. She and her sister +dined at the Ramseys on Thanksgiving Day."</p> + +<p>"I know they had a good dinner, then," remarked Edna, "for I was there +myself last Thanksgiving."</p> + +<p>"Agnes has gone back to college.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> Dorothy is well. We had a nice +club-meeting, and I missed my little sister's dear, round, little face. +Dorothy has been so impatient that she can hardly wait to see you. She +has been calling me up at intervals all morning to know if you had come +yet. There is the telephone now. No doubt it is Dorothy calling."</p> + +<p>Edna flew to the 'phone and Celia heard. "Yes, this is Edna. Oh, hello, +Dorothy. I'm well, how are you? I don't know; I'll see. Oh, no, you come +over here; that will be much nicer. I have some things to show you. +What's that? Yes, indeed, I am glad to get back." Then a little tinkle +of laughter. "You are a goosey goose; I'm not going to tell you. Come +over. Yes, right away if you want to, Dorothy."</p> + +<p>She went back to her sister, and established herself in her lap, putting +one arm around her neck and stretching out her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> feet to the warmth of +the fire. "It was Dorothy," she said.</p> + +<p>"That was quite evident, my dear," returned Celia. "What was it you +wouldn't tell her?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dorothy is such a goose. She was afraid I had gotten to like some +of the Overlea girls better than I do her. Just because I wrote to her +about Reliance and Alcinda and all of them. Just as if I couldn't like +more than one girl. Don't you think it is silly, sister, for anyone to +want you to have no other friend, I mean no other best friend? Of course +I love Dorothy dearly, but I love Jennie, too, and I am very fond of +Netty Black, and, oh, lots of girls. Are you that way about Agnes, +Celia?"</p> + +<p>Celia felt a pang of self-reproach, for it must be admitted that she had +felt a little jealous of the new friends Agnes was making at college. "I +don't suppose I should<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span> be?" she answered after a pause. "I suppose it +is very selfish and unfair to feel that way about it. Mother says it is +very conceited of a person to think she can satisfy every need of a +friend, and that it shows only love of self, and not love of your +friend, when you want to exclude others from her friendship, and I am +sure I don't want to be either selfish or conceited, and I should hate +to be called a jealous person."</p> + +<p>"Do you think Dorothy is conceited and selfish?"</p> + +<p>"I don't think she means to be, but when she wants to deprive you of +good times with other girls, or is jealous of your friendship for them, +she is encouraging conceit and selfishness. I'm glad you asked me about +the way I feel toward Agnes, for it makes me see that I am by no means +the true friend I ought to be. If I loved her as I should, I'd want her +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> have all the good times, all the love, all the benefit she could get +from others, and I mean to fight against any other feeling but the right +one. I don't believe my little sister will be the jealous kind," she +said hugging Edna up.</p> + +<p>"If you see me getting that way, I hope you won't let me," returned Edna +earnestly.</p> + +<p>"There's Dorothy now," said Celia, putting down the plump little figure +from her lap. And Edna ran out to greet her friend.</p> + +<p>There was so much to talk about, so many things to show, that Dorothy +must needs stay to lunch. A little later, over came Margaret McDonald to +say "How do you do" and to bring some flowers from her mother's +greenhouse. Edna's tongue ran so fast and she had so much to tell that +the afternoon seemed all too short. Dorothy and Margaret, too, had their +own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span> affairs to talk about, and it was dark before the two little +visitors were ready to go.</p> + +<p>The next excitement was the coming of her father, for whom Dorothy +watched and who appeared almost gladder than anyone that his wife and +little girl were at home again. "This is something like," he said as he +came in, his face wreathed in smiles.</p> + +<p>"You poor dear," said Edna, in a motherly way, "it has been a lonely +time for you, hasn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Pretty lonely, but then it teaches me how to appreciate my family when +they get back. My, my, my, what a difference it does make, to be sure. I +don't think I can stand you all skylarking off again very soon."</p> + +<p>It was all very cozy and natural after dinner to be back again in the +library, Mrs. Conway on one side the table with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span> her fancy work, Mr. +Conway on the other with the evening paper, the boys reading, or +scrapping in the hall, Celia in the next room at the piano, and Edna +herself with the Children's Page of the paper spread out before her +where she lay at full length on the big rug before the fire. Somehow the +page of stories and puzzles did not absorb her as much as usual. She +wondered what Reliance was doing, if her grandmother felt lonely without +her little granddaughter, and if the white kitten missed her. She saw +the long street bordered by maples, the store and the postoffice, the +white church. Presently she got up and went over to her mother. +"Wouldn't it be nice," she said, "if one could be in two places at the +same time?"</p> + +<p>Her mother nodded. "I shouldn't wonder if you and I were in two places +at the same time, or that we had been during the last few minutes, for I +am sure while<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> our bodies are here our thoughts have been in Overlea."</p> + +<p>"That is just where my thoughts have been," answered Edna. "Do you +suppose they miss us, mother?"</p> + +<p>"I am afraid they do, very much," said her mother, with a soft, little +sigh. "I know if either of my daughters ever goes away to a home of her +own, I shall miss her very much when she has left me after making a +visit."</p> + +<p>Edna stood with her arm still around her mother's neck. This was rather +a new thought. Once her mother had been a little girl like her, of +course, and had stood by her mother's side just like this, and now she +was living in quite a different home. Edna tried to imagine how it would +seem to come back to this, her childhood's home, from one of her very +own, but it was entirely too difficult a matter so she gave it up and +went back to her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> paper. But in a few minutes, the pictures on the page +before her became pictures of Overlea. She was taking the spring-house +key to old Nathan Keener that he might unlock his door and let out the +white kitten. Then she was half conscious of hearing a voice say: "No, +never mind; she is all tired out; I'll carry her up." Then she was +helped to her feet, a pair of strong arms lifted her up, and she was +borne up the stairs. She hardly knew who undressed her and stowed her +away in bed. She felt a soft kiss on her cheek and then she sank into a +deep slumber. The dear little girl's Thanksgiving holidays were over.</p> + +<p class="link"><a href="#contents">Back to Contents</a></p> + +<hr /> + +<div class="tn"> + +<h4 class="center">Transcriber's Note:</h4> + +<p class="noi">Alternative spelling for good-bye and good-by has been retained as it +appears in the original publication.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="hr2" /> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving +Holidays, by Amy E. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/30007-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/30007-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..65a3201 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/30007-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/old/30007-h/images/girl.jpg b/old/30007-h/images/girl.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c4dd21 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/30007-h/images/girl.jpg diff --git a/old/30007.txt b/old/30007.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0cd3217 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/30007.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4533 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays, by +Amy E. Blanchard + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays + +Author: Amy E. Blanchard + +Release Date: September 17, 2009 [EBook #30007] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS *** + + + + +Produced by Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS + + + + + The "Dear Little Girl" Series + + A Dear Little Girl + A Dear Little Girl at School + A Dear Little Girl's Summer Holidays + A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays + + + + + A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S + THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS + + _Amy E. Blanchard_ + + [Illustration] + + WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO. + Racine, Wisconsin + + + Copyright 1912 by George W. Jacobs & Co. + + Printed in 1924 by + Western Printing & Lithographing Co. + Racine, Wis. + + Printed in U. S. A. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I THE INVITATION 9 + + II RELIANCE 30 + + III WHERE'S THE KEY? 50 + + IV A HEARTY DINNER 71 + + V THE RED BOOK 93 + + VI THE OLD HOUSE 113 + + VII THE MILL STREAM 134 + + VIII JETTY'S PARTY 154 + + IX THE ELDERFLOWERS 174 + + X WHAT BEN DID 196 + + XI FAREWELLS 215 + + XII HOW ARE YOU? 234 + + + + +A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE INVITATION + + +"Any news, mother?" asked Edna one Friday afternoon when she came home +from school. + +"There's a letter from grandma," replied Mrs. Conway after kissing the +lips held up to hers. "There isn't any real news in it, but there is an +invitation." + +"What kind of an invitation?" + +"A Thanksgiving kind." + +"Oh, mother, what do you mean?" + +"I mean that grandma wants us all to spend an old-fashioned Thanksgiving +with her; the kind she used to have when she was young. She says she +and grandpa are both getting old and they may not be able to have the +whole family there together again." + +"And are we going?" + +"Yes, I think so." + +"The whole family?" + +"I think perhaps you and I will go on a day or two ahead and let the +others follow. Celia and the boys can come with your father, who +probably could not get off till Wednesday afternoon. Grandma asks that I +bring my baby with me." + +"And that means me," returned Edna, hugging herself. "How long shall we +stay, mother?" + +"That depends upon several things which will have to be learned later, +so I can't tell just yet." + +Edna danced off to hunt up her brothers that she might tell them the +news. She found them in their little workshop over the stable. Charlie +was making a new box to put in his pigeon house and Frank was watching +him. They had not seen their little sister since Monday for she and her +sister Celia went to school in the city, remaining until the Friday +afternoon of each week. + +"Hello!" cried Charlie, looking up. "When did you come?" + +"Oh, we've just come, only a few minutes ago, and what do you think is +the news?" + +"The Dutch have taken Holland," returned Charlie, hammering away at his +box. "Just hand me that box of nails, Frank, won't you?" + +"That's a silly answer," said Edna with contempt. + +"Well, if it's news, how did you expect me to know it?" + +"I didn't expect you to know it, only to guess." + +"Well, I guessed," replied Charlie teasingly. "I suppose it's a foolish +sort of thing; Uncle Justus has grown another hair in his eyebrows or +your friend Dorothy has a new hat." + +"It's nothing so unimportant," Edna continued; "for it concerns you +boys, too, but if you don't want to know I'll go up to Dorothy's; she'll +be interested even if she isn't going." + +"Going? Where?" cried both boys. + +"That's for me to know and for you to find out," retorted Edna, +beginning to scramble down the ladder. Both boys darted after; Charlie +swung himself down ahead of her to the floor below and was ready to grab +her before she reached the last rung. Then there was much laughing, +scrambling, tickling and protesting till at last Edna was compelled to +give up her secret, ending triumphantly with: "And I'm going first with +mother." + +"Who said so?" questioned Charlie. + +"Mother did. We are to go two or three days ahead of anyone else." + +"Oh, well, I don't care," returned Charlie. "There wouldn't be any boys +for me to play with anyhow." + +"How many are coming for Thanksgiving?" asked Frank. + +"I don't know exactly," Edna answered, "but I suppose all the aunts and +cousins and uncles that can get there. Aunt Lucia and Uncle Bert and of +course Aunt Alice and her boys, Ben and his brother. Ben will have to +go, and I'm awfully glad; he's my favoritest cousin." + +"How about Louis?" + +"He is not any relation to grandma and grandpa Willis, is he?" + +"I don't know; I never could get relations straight. I hope he isn't any +kin to them and I am sorry he is to us, for he is a pill. You know he +is, no matter what you say. Just look how he acted last summer. You +needn't try to excuse him, for Dorothy told me all about it." + +Edna could not deny facts, for it was quite true that her cousin Louis +was not above blame in sundry instances, so she changed the subject by +saying, "I think I'll go over to Dorothy's anyhow." + +The boys did not try to detain her and she ran out along the road and up +to the old-fashioned house where her friend Dorothy Evans lived. Dorothy +was playing with her kitten out on the side porch. She had dressed the +little creature in long clothes and was walking up and down singing to +it as it lay contentedly in her arms, it's two gray paws sticking out +from the sleeves of a little red sacque belonging to one of Dorothy's +dolls. + +"Doesn't Tiddlywinks look funny?" said Dorothy by way of greeting. "And +isn't he good? I believe he likes to be dressed up, for he lies as +still as anything. Of course, if he fussed and meowed, I would take off +the things and let him go." + +Edna touched the soft silvery paws gently. "I believe he does like it," +she returned. "See, he shuts his eyes exactly as if he felt nice and +cozy. Oh, Dorothy, guess what! We are all going to grandpa Willis's next +week. We are all going for Thanksgiving, only mother and I are going +first. Isn't that lovely?" + +"Lovely for you, I suppose," replied Dorothy dejectedly, "but I shall +miss you dreadfully." + +"Oh, no, you won't, when you have Margaret and Nettie so near. Besides I +shall not be gone long, not more than a week." + +"Are there any girls there?" asked Dorothy, a little jealously. + +"Not like us. There is a little girl, mother says, that grandma has +taken in to help her and Amanda; Amanda is the woman who lives there +and cooks and churns and does all sorts of things." + +"Is it in the real country?" + +"It is real country and yet it isn't, for it is a village. Grandpa has a +farm, but just across the street is a store and the church is only a few +steps away, and there are lots of neighbors; some have big places and +some have little ones. Grandpa's isn't as big as the biggest nor as +little as the littlest." + +"Does he keep horses and cows and chickens and things?" + +"Oh, my, yes, and ducks and turkeys and sheep." + +"I should think it would be a pretty nice sort of place." + +"It is lovely and I am always crazy about going there." + +"But please don't stay too long this time," urged Dorothy. + +"I'll have to stay till mother brings me back," returned Edna +cheerfully. "I wish there were another kitten, Dorothy, so I could have +a live doll, too." + +"You might take the mother cat," Dorothy suggested; "she is very gentle +and nice." + +They went in search of Tiddlywinks' mother, but Madam Pittypat objected +to being made a baby of, for, though she was gentle enough, she squirmed +and twisted herself out of every garment they tried upon her, and, at +the first opportunity, walked off in a most dignified manner, as though +she would say: "Such a way to treat the mother of a family!" + +So the two little girls concluded that they would free Tiddlywinks and +turn him again into a kitten. They left him stretching himself and +yawning lazily, as they trudged off to see their friend, Margaret +McDonald, that they might tell her Edna's news. + +The days sped by quickly until Tuesday came, when Edna and her mother +were to start on their journey. Edna at first decided to take her doll +Ada "because she is more used to traveling," she said, but at the last +moment she changed her mind saying that Ada had been on so many journeys +that she thought someone else should have a chance and, therefore, it +was her new doll, Virginia, who was dressed for the trip. The previous +year Edna had spent Thanksgiving Day with her Uncle Justus; this year it +would be quite a different thing to sit at table with a whole company of +cousins instead of dining alone with Uncle Justus. + +It was a journey of three hours before the station of Mayville was +reached, then a drive of four miles to Overlea lay before them. But +there was grandpa himself waiting to help them off the train, to see +that their trunks were safely stowed into the big farm wagon, and at +last to tuck them snugly into the carriage which was to bear them to the +white house set in behind a stately row of maples. These had lost their +leaves, but a crimson oak still showed its red against the sky, and the +vines clambering up the porch waved out scarlet banners to welcome the +guests. + +Grandma Willis was standing on the porch to greet them as they drew up +before the door. Behind her stood Amanda and behind Amanda a little girl +about twelve or thirteen. Behind the little girl trailed a cat and three +kittens. At the sight of these Edna gave a squeal of delight. "New +kittens, grandma? How lovely! I'm so glad," she cried. + +Grandma smiled. "Well, give me a good hug and kiss first and then +Reliance can let you take one of the kittens to hug." + +"Who is Reliance? Is that what you call the mother-cat?" + +"No, her name is Tippy. Reliance is the little girl who, we hope, is +going to carry out the promise of her name." + +Edna did not understand this latter speech but she smiled encouragingly +at Reliance who smiled back at her. Then after the huggings and kissings +were given to Mrs. Willis, Reliance picked up one of the kittens and +held it out to Edna who cuddled it up to her and followed the others +into the house. + +It was a big old-fashioned place where the Willis family had lived for +many generations. In the large living-room was a huge fireplace in which +now a roaring fire crackled and leaped high. There was a small seat +close to it and on this Edna settled herself. + +"Here, here, aren't you going to stay a while?" cried grandpa who had +given over the carriage into the hands of Ira, the hired man, and who +had just come in. + +"Why, of course we are going to stay," replied Edna. + +"Then why don't you take off your things? Mother, isn't there any place +they can lay their bonnets and coats? It seems to me there should be a +bed or cupboard somewhere." + +"Now, father," protested Mrs. Willis, "you know this house is big enough +to hold the hats and coats of the entire family." + +"Didn't know but you were house-cleaning and had every place turned +upside down." + +"Now, father," Mrs. Willis continued, "you know we've been days getting +the house cleaned and that everything is in apple-pie order for +Thanksgiving." + +Grandpa gave Mrs. Conway a sly wink. "You'd think it ought to be in +apple-pie order," he said, "by the way they have been tearing up the +place. Couldn't find my papers, my sticks, my umbrella or anything when +I wanted them. I am glad you all have come so you can help me hunt for +them." + +"Why, father, how you do go on," Mrs. Willis interposed. The old +gentleman laughed. He was a great tease, as Edna well knew. + +"Where shall we go to lay off our things, mother?" asked Mrs. Conway. + +"Up to your own old room over the dining-room. Here, Reliance, take the +kitten and you, Edna, can come along with your mother." + +"There's no need for you to go up, mother," said Mrs. Conway. "I have +been there before, you know, and I think I can find the way." Then the +two smiled wisely at one another. + +But grandma would go and presently Edna found herself in a large room +which looked out upon the west. Mrs. Conway stood still and gazed +around her. "How natural it all seems," she said, "even to the pictures +upon the walls. I went from this room a bride, Edna, and when I come +back to it I feel not a day older. This is the same furniture, but this +is a new carpet, mother, and new curtains, and the little cot you have +put in for Edna, I suppose." + +"Yes, there are some things that will not last a lifetime," answered +Mrs. Willis, "and we must furbish up once in a while. I thought you +would rather have Edna here with you than elsewhere, and at such a +crowded time we have to stow away as we can. I have put another cot in +my room for one of the other children and Celia is to go in with Becky." + +While they were talking Ira brought up the trunks and Mrs. Conway +commenced the task of unpacking, so very soon they were settled and +ready for dinner, which was served in the big dining-room where was +another open fireplace not quite so large as the first, but ample +enough. Reliance waited upon the table and helped to clear away the +dishes afterward. + +"When you are through with your tasks, Reliance, you can take Edna out +and show her the chickens and pigs and things," said grandma. + +"Reliance is quite a recent addition to the family, isn't she?" said +Mrs. Conway when the little maid went out. + +"Yes," Mrs. Willis replied. "Amanda isn't as young as she was and we +thought it would be a good thing to have someone here who could save her +steps and who could be trained to take her place after a while. I think +Reliance promises to be very capable in time." + +While her mother talked to the grandparents, Edna walked softly around +the room looking at the different things, the pictures, books and +ornaments. There was a high mantel upon which stood a pair of Dresden +vases and two quaint little figures. In the middle was a china house +with a red door and vines over the windows. Edna had always admired it +and was glad to see it still there. She stood looking at it for a long +time. She liked to have her grandmother tell her its history. "That was +brought to me by my grandfather when he returned from England," Mrs. +Willis always said. "I was a little girl about six years old. Later he +brought me those two China figures. He was a naval officer and that is +his portrait you see hanging on the wall." + +"I love the little house," remarked Edna, knowing that the next word +would be: "You may play with it if you are very careful. It is one of my +oldest treasures and I should be very grieved if it were broken." + +The little house was then handed down and Edna examined it carefully. +"It is so very pretty," she said, "that I should like to live in it. I +would like to live in a house with a bright red door." + +"I used to think that same thing when I was a little girl," her +grandmother told her. + +"I think maybe you'd better put it back so I won't break it," said Edna, +carefully handing the treasure to her grandmother, "and then will you +please tell me about the pictures?" + +"The one over the mantel is called 'The Signing of the Declaration of +Independence,' and that small framed affair by the chimney is a key to +it, for it tells the names of the different men who figure in the +picture." + +"I will look at it some day and see if I can find out which is which," +said Edna. "That is Napoleon Bonaparte over there; I know him." + +"Yes; and that other is General Washington, whom, of course, you know." + +"Oh, yes, of course; and I know that little girl, the black head over +there; it is my great-great-grandmother." + +"The silhouette, you mean? Yes, that is she, and she is the same one who +did that sampler you see hanging between the windows. She was not so old +as you when she did it." + +Edna crossed the room and knelt on a chair in front of the sampler. It +was dim with age, but she could discern a border of pink flowers with +green leaves and letters worked in blue silk. She followed the letters +with the tip of her finger, tracing them on the glass and at last +spelling out the name of "Annabel Lisle, wrought in her seventh year." + +"Poor little Annabel, how hard she must have worked," sighed Edna. "I +am glad I don't have to do samplers." + +"You might be worse employed," said her grandmother, smiling. + +"Did you ever do a sampler?" asked Edna. + +"Not a sampler like this one, but I learned to work in cross stitch. Do +you remember the little stool in the living-room by the fireplace?" + +"The one with roses on it that I was sitting on?" + +"Yes; that I did when I was about your age, and the sofa pillow with the +two doves on it I did when I was about Celia's age. I was very proud of +it, I remember." + +"May I go look at them?" + +"Assuredly." + +So Edna went into the next room and carefully examined the two pieces of +work which now had a new importance in her eyes. A little girl about +her age had done them long ago. She discovered, too, a queer-looking +picture behind the door. It was of a lady leaning against an urn, a +weeping-willow tree near by. The lady held a handkerchief in her hand +and looked very sorrowful. Edna wondered why she seemed so sad. There +were some words written below but they were too faint for her to +decipher, and she determined to ask her grandmother about this picture +which she had never noticed before. While she was still looking at it, +Reliance came to the door to say, "I can go now; I've finished what I +had to do." Edna turned with alacrity and the two went out together. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +RELIANCE + + +"How long have you lived here?" Edna asked her companion when they were +outside. + +"About six months," was the reply. + +"Are you 'dopted?" came the next question. + +"No, I'm bound." + +Edna looked puzzled. "I don't know what that is. I know a girl that was +a Friendless and she was 'dopted so now she has a mother and a beautiful +home. Her name used to be Maggie Horn, but now it is Margaret McDonald. +Is your name Reliance Willis?" + +"No, it is Reliance Fairman, and it wasn't ever anything else. I was +friendless, too, till Mrs. Willis took me." + +"Oh, and did you live in a house with a lot of other Friendlesses?" + +"No, I wasn't in an orphan asylum, if that's what you mean, but I reckon +I would have had to go there or else to the almshouse." + +"Oh!" This seemed even more dreadful to Edna and she looked at her +companion with new interest, at the same time slipping her hand into the +other's to show her sympathy. "Tell me about it," she said. + +"Why, you see, my parents died. We lived about three miles from here, +and your grandmother used to know my grandmother; they went to the same +school, so when us children were left without any home or any money your +grandmother said she would take me and keep me till I was of age, so +they bound me." + +"How many children were there?" + +"Three boys and me. Two of the boys are with Mr. Lukens and the other is +in a home; he is a little chap, only six. If he'd been bigger maybe your +grandfather would have had him here, and perhaps he will come when he is +big enough to be of any use." + +"I think that would be very nice and I shall ask grandfather to be sure +to take him. Do you like it here?" + +"Oh, yes, I like it. Amanda is awful pernickity sometimes, but I just +love your grandmother and it is a heap sight better than being hungry +and cold." + +"Would you have to stay supposing you didn't like it?" Edna was +determined to get all the particulars. + +"I suppose so; I'd have to stay till I was eighteen; I'm bound to do +that." + +Edna reflected. "I suppose that is what it means by being bound; you +are just bound to stay. I wonder if anyone else was ever named +Reliance," she went on, being much interested to hear something about so +peculiar a name. + +"My grandmother was, her that your grandmother knew." + +"Oh, was she? Then you are named after your grandmother just as my +sister Celia is named Cecelia after hers. Yours is a funny name, isn't +it? I don't mean funny exactly, for I think it is quite pretty, but I +never knew of anyone named that." + +"I don't mind it when I get it all, but when my brothers called me Li I +didn't like it. Your grandmother gives me the whole name, and I am glad +she does; but she said they generally used to call my grandmother Lyley +when she was a little girl." + +"I think that is rather pretty, too, don't you?" + +"Yes, but I like the whole name better." + +"Then I will always call you by the whole name," Edna assured her. "Can +you tell stories, Reliance?" + +"Do you mean fibs or reading stories like--let's see--Cinderella and +Jack and the Beanstalk?" + +"Oh, I mean the Cinderella kind; I'd hate to think you told fibs." + +"I can tell 'em, but I guess I don't care to. I know two or three of the +other kind and Bible stories, some of them: Eli and Samuel, and David +and Goliath, and all those." + +"Do you go to school?" + +"Half the year, but I guess I won't be going very much longer. I'll soon +be going on fourteen; I'll stop when I'm fifteen." + +"Oh, shall you? Then what will you do?" + +"I'll learn to housekeep and cook, and to sew and all that. Mrs. Willis +says it is more important for me to be educated in the useful things, +that I'll get along better if I am, and I guess she is right. My mother +couldn't cook worth a cent and she just hated it, so we didn't get very +good vittles." + +"Was it your mother's mother after whom you were named?" + +"No, my father's mother. The Fairmans lived around here, but there ain't +many of them left now. My father was an only child, and he married my +mother out of town; she hadn't ever been used to the country. She used +to work in a store and that's why she couldn't cook, you see." + +Edna pondered over this information, wondering if everyone who worked in +a store must necessarily turn out a poor cook. + +"You ought just to see what's getting ready for Thanksgiving," said +Reliance, changing the subject, "I never seen such a pile of stuff. It +fair makes my mouth water to think of it; pies and cakes and doughnuts +and jellies and I don't know what all. I guess there's as many as twenty +or thirty coming, ain't there?" + +"Let me see; I shall have to count. There will be Aunt Alice and her two +boys, Ben and Willis, and Uncle Bert Willis with his five children and +Aunt Lucia; that makes ten, and then there will be all of us, papa and +mamma and us four children; that makes--let me see--" she counted +hurriedly on her fingers. "How many did I say, Reliance? Ten? Oh, yes, +and six make sixteen. Then there are the greats; great Aunt Emmeline and +her brother, Wilbur Merrifield, and his daughter, Cousin Becky. Sixteen +did I say? and three make nineteen. Oh, yes, Cousin Becky's sweetheart +that she is going to marry soon; he is coming and he will make it just +twenty. Counting grandpa and grandma there will be twenty-two, and +counting you and Amanda there will be twenty-four to eat the goodies." + +"You didn't count the two men, Ira and Jim," said Reliance; "they will +eat here, too." + +"Oh, yes, I forgot them. What a crowd, twenty-six people. If they cut a +pie in six pieces it would take over four to go around once, wouldn't +it?" + +"I suppose we would be allowed a second piece on Thanksgiving Day," +remarked Reliance, "though maybe with the other things no one would want +it." + +"How many kinds of pie will there be?" asked Edna. + +"Three at least. I heard Amanda say that she would make the fillings +to-day for pumpkin, lemon and apple; she has the crust all done. She +has made the jelly, too; it's to be served with whipped cream. Your +grandma was talking about having plum pudding, but Amanda said she +didn't see the sense of having it when it wasn't Christmas, and there +would be such lots of other things, all the nuts and apples and such +things. There is going to be chicken pie, besides the turkeys and the +oysters." + +"Dear me," sighed Edna, "I am afraid I shall eat a great deal and be +very uncomfortable. I was last year for a little while because I ate two +Thanksgiving dinners. What did you do last year, Reliance?" + +Reliance looked very sober. "We didn't have much of a Thanksgiving last +year, for it was just before my mother died and she was ill then, so us +children just had to get along the best we could. Somebody sent us in a +pie and some jelly for mother and that is about all we had to be +thankful for. I suppose it was much better than nothing. We ate all the +pie at one meal. Billy said we might as well for it wouldn't last two +days anyhow unless we had little bits of pieces, so each of us had a +whole quarter. Billy tried to trap a rabbit or shoot a squirrel or +something, but he hadn't enough shot and the rabbits didn't trap." + +Secretly Edna was rather glad to hear this, even though it meant that +the Fairmans went without meat for dinner. She walked along pondering +over these facts and wondering which were to be preferred. She could not +tell whether to be glad the squirrels and rabbits had escaped or to be +sorry that the Fairmans could not have had game for Thanksgiving. It was +rather a hard matter to settle, so finally she dismissed the subject and +gave her attention to the pigs whose pen they now had reached. Edna did +not think them very cleanly or attractive creatures, however, and was +very soon ready to leave them that she might see the chickens and ducks +which she found much more interesting. + +The short November day was already so near its end that the fowls were +thinking of going to roost, though the hour was not late, and after +watching them take their supper, which Edna helped Reliance to +distribute, the two girls went on to the garden, now robbed of most of +its vegetables. There were a few tomatoes to be found on the vines; +though celery, turnips and cabbages made a brave showing. Edna felt that +she was quite a discoverer when she came across some tiny yellow +tomatoes which the frost had not yet touched, and which she gathered in +triumph to carry back to her mother. + +"I know where there's a chestnut tree," announced Reliance suddenly. + +"Oh, do let's find it," said Edna. "I will put the tomatoes in my +handkerchief and carry them that way. We ought to gather all the +chestnuts we can, for I know mighty well after the boys come there won't +be a nut left." There was a rush down the hill to the big chestnut tree +about whose roots lay the prickly burs which the frost had opened to +show the shining brown nuts within. + +"I don't see how we are going to carry them," said Edna after a while, +when she had gathered together quite a little heap. + +"I'll show you," Reliance told her, and began tying knots in the corners +of the apron she wore. "There," she said, "that makes a very good bag, +and what we can't carry that way we can leave and come back for +to-morrow. We'd better take as many as we can, though, for to-morrow +will be such a busy day I may not be able to come, and if we don't, the +squirrels will get them all." + +"I could come alone, now that I know the way," said Edna, "or maybe +mamma would come with me." + +"I suppose we'd better be going back," said Reliance when she lifted the +improvised bag to her arm. "It is near to milking time and that means +getting ready for supper." + +"What do you do to get ready for supper?" asked Edna taking hold of one +side of the bag. + +"Oh, I set the table and go down to the spring-house for the butter and +cream. I can skim milk now, but I couldn't at first, I got it all mixed +up." + +"Do you skim all the milk?" + +"Oh, no, that we put on the table to drink is never skimmed. The skimmed +milk goes to the pigs." + +"Oh, does it? I think you feed your pigs pretty well. Are we going to +watch them milk?" + +"You can if you like; I've got to go right back." + +"You don't help with the milking then?" + +"No; Ira does it. Your grandpa says it is man's work, but Ira lets me do +a little sometimes so I will learn." + +"Aren't you afraid of the cows?" + +"No, indeed, are you?" + +"Kind of. They have such sharp horns sometimes," answered Edna by way of +excusing her fear. + +"Your grandpa's don't have; he keeps only dehorned cattle." + +"What are they?" + +"The kind that have had their horns taken off so they don't do any +damage." + +"I think maybe I wouldn't mind that kind so much," said Edna, after +considering the matter for a moment. "If you don't mind, I think I +would like to stop and see Ira milk." + +Reliance said she didn't mind in the least and, therefore, she left the +little girl at the bars of the stable yard which was quite as near as +she wished to stand to the herd of cows gathered within. + +"Want to come in and learn to milk?" asked Ira, looking up with a smile +at the little red-capped figure. + +"Oh, no, thank you," returned Edna hastily. "I'd rather watch you." She +would really have like to try her hand if there had been but one cow, +but when there were six, how could a young person be certain that one of +the number would not turn and rend her? To be sure, they were much less +fearsome without horns, but still they were too big and dreadful to be +entirely trusted. So she stood watching the milk foam into the shining +tin buckets and then she walked contentedly with Ira to where Amanda +was waiting to strain the milk and put it away in the spring-house. + +"Do you keep it out here all winter and doesn't it freeze?" asked Edna. + +"In winter we keep it in the pantry up at the house. If it should turn +cold suddenly now, we'd have to bring it in," Amanda told her, as she +carefully lifted the earthen crocks into place. "There comes Reliance +for the cream and butter," she went on. "Reliance, I'll carry up the +milk and you come along with the rest. Don't tarry down here, and be +sure you lock the spring-house door and fetch in the key." Then she went +out leaving the two little girls behind. + +Reliance carefully attended to her duties, Edna watching her admiringly. +It must be a fine thing to be so big a girl as this, one who could be +trusted to do work like a grown-up woman. "Let me carry something," she +offered, when Reliance stepped up the stone steps and outside, carrying +the butter in one hand and the pitcher of cream in the other. + +"If you would lock the door and wouldn't mind taking the key along, I +wouldn't have to set down these things," Reliance said. + +Edna did as she was asked, standing tip-toe in order to turn the big key +in the heavy door. + +"When we get to the house you can hang the key on its nail behind the +kitchen door," Reliance told her. "It is always kept there." + +Edna swung the big key on her finger by its string and trotted along by +the side of Reliance, asking many questions, and delighting to hear +Reliance enlarge upon the all-important subject of the Thanksgiving +festivities. + +"We've got to get up good and early," Reliance remarked, "for there's +a heap to be done, even if we are ahead with the baking. I expect to +be up before daylight, myself, and I reckon Ira will be milking by +candlelight," she added, as she entered the kitchen door. Mrs. Conway +was in the kitchen talking to Amanda, and Edna hastened to show her +little hoard of tomatoes. "We gathered a whole lot of chestnuts, too," +she told her mother. "They were all on the ground down the hill behind +the barn." + +"I know the very tree," Mrs. Conway told her. "We must roast some in the +ashes this evening. Come along, supper is ready and you must get +yourself freshened up." + +Edna followed along and, in the prospect of supper and then of roasting +chestnuts, she forgot all about the spring-house key. This, by the way, +was lying on the door-mat where she had dropped it. A little later on, +it was picked up by Reliance and was slipped into the pocket of her +gingham apron. "I won't remind her that she dropped it. Likely as not +she forgot all about it," said Reliance to herself. "I ought not to have +trusted it to as little a girl as she is." + +It was not till after she was in bed that Edna remembered that she had +ever had the key. Where had she put it? She had no recollection of it +after she had swung it by its string upon her finger on the way to the +house. "It must be on the kitchen table," she told herself. "I opened my +handkerchief there to show mother the tomatoes." She sat up in bed +wondering if she would better get up and go down, but she finally +decided to wait till her mother should have come to bed and then confide +in her. + +However, try as she would, she could not keep awake. It had been an +exciting and fatiguing day and she was in the land of dreams in a few +minutes, not even having visions of keys, spring-houses or Thanksgiving +dinners, but of the mother cat and her three kittens who were climbing +chestnut trees and throwing down chestnuts to her. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +WHERE'S THE KEY? + + +Very, very early in the morning Edna was awake. She was not used to +farmyard sounds and could not tell if it were a lusty rooster, an +insistent guinea-fowl or a gobbling turkey whose voice first reached +her. But whichever it was, she was quite broad awake while it was yet +dark. She lay still for a few minutes, with an uncertain feeling of +something not very pleasant overshadowing her, then she remembered the +key. "Oh, dear," she sighed, "if they can't get into the spring-house +there will be no cream for breakfast and no butter, either. The key must +be found." + +She got up and softly crept to the window. A bright star hung low in the +sky and there was the faintest hint of light along the eastern horizon. +Presently Edna saw a lighted lantern bobbing around down by the stable +and concluded that Ira must be up and that it was morning, or at least +what meant morning to farmers. She stood watching the light grow in the +east and finally decided that she would dress and be all ready by the +time it was light enough to hunt for the lost key. + +By now she could see well enough to find her clothes, but, fearing lest +she should waken her mother, she determined to go to the bathroom at the +end of the hall rather than use the wash-stand in the room where she +was, so she gathered up her clothing in her arms, and went down the +entry, made her toilet and crept down stairs. There was a light burning +in the lower hallway, but it was dark all through the rest of the house +and she was obliged to feel her way through the rooms. There was a +noise of some one stirring in the pantry. She opened the door of the +kitchen gently and peeped in. A lamp was burning on the table, but no +key lay there. Edna tip-toed in quietly and felt on the nail where the +key should hang, thrusting aside a gingham apron belonging to Reliance +which hung just above its place, but the nail was empty and she was +forced to believe she had dropped the key somewhere between the +spring-house and the kitchen. She tip-toed out of the kitchen, turned +the key of the outside door and closed it after her as noiselessly as +possible, and in another moment was outside in the chill November air. +It was rather fearsome to make one's way down dim paths where some wild +creature might still be lurking after a night's raid from the woods near +by, and she imagined all sorts of things. First, something stole softly +by her and was off like a shot through the tall weeds growing beyond the +fence; it was only a rabbit who was more frightened at Edna than she at +it. Next, the bushes parted and a small white figure crept stealthily +forth. The child's heart stood still and she stopped short. Then came a +plaintive meow and she discovered one of the three kittens out on an +adventuring tour. She picked up the little creature which purred +contentedly as she snuggled it to her, continuing her way. + +The garden left behind, there was the lane to be passed through, and +here some real cause for fear in Edna's opinion, for the cows that Ira +had just finished milking were coming through the bars he had let down. +They stumbled along clumsily, following one another over the rail, and +ambled on to another set of bars where they stood till Ira should let +them through. At first, Edna did not realize that they were not making +for the spot where she stood and she took to her heels, fleeing +frantically back to the garden, banging the gate behind her and standing +still waiting till the cows were through and the bars up again. Seeing +the cows safely shut out from the lane she ventured forth again and +followed Ira's lantern to the barn. Here she stood looking around and +presently the beams from the lantern fell upon her little figure with +the white kitten still clasped in her arms. + +Ira looked up in surprise. "Hello!" he cried. "What's took you up so +airly? Why, I jest got through milkin', and, doggone it, it ain't +skeerce light yit." + +"I know," said Edna, "but I had to get up early, you see, so as to find +the key before breakfast." + +"Key? What key?" + +"The key of the spring-house. Reliance gave it to me to carry and I was +to have hung it up on a nail behind the kitchen door, and I forgot all +about it till I was in bed. You see if it isn't found nobody can have +any milk or cream for breakfast." + +"Oh, I guess we could manage," returned Ira reassuringly. "Didn't drop +it indoors, did you?" + +"I don't think so. I looked in the kitchen as I came out and I didn't +find it there. If it had been picked up, it would be on the nail, I +should think." + +"Most likely it would; it would be there sure if 'Mandy found it; she +don't let nothin' stay out of place very long, I kin tell ye." + +"As long as I didn't find it in the kitchen I thought I would come here +because I saw you had a lantern, and it really isn't quite light enough +to see very plainly, is it?" + +"No, it ain't. Sun don't rise till somewheres around seven this time o' +year. Well, you come with me and we'll work our way long the path from +the spring-house and if we don't find the key we will go inside and +inquire. I alwuz find it don't do no harm to ask questions, and that +there key is bound to be somewheres betwixt this and the house." + +He swung his lantern so its rays would shed a broad light along the way, +and Edna pattered along just behind him, trying very hard to keep up +with his long strides. When at last they reached the spring-house, he +slackened his pace and began carefully to look to the right and to the +left. + +"You come right straight along, did you?" he questioned. "Didn't go +cavortin' off nowheres pickin' weeds or chasin' cats, did you?" + +"No, we came as straight as could be. Reliance had the butter and cream +and we didn't stop once." + +"Then I guess you likely dropped it inside, for I've sarched careful and +I can't find it. Maybe when it comes real bright daylight you could look +again, but I should advise askin' at the house next thing you do." + +He led the way into the kitchen where Amanda was briskly stirring about. +"Well," she began, "what's wanting? Well, I declare if there ain't Edna. +What's got you up so early, missy? I guess you're like the rest of us, +couldn't sleep for thinking of all that's to do for Thanksgiving." + +"You ain't picked up the spring-house key nowheres about, have you?" +asked Ira. + +"Why, no. You had it?" + +"No, I ain't, but sissy there says 'Liance gave it to her to carry and +she ain't no notion of what she done with it, thought mebbe she might +ha' drapped it in here. She got so worried over it she riz from her bed +and come out to hunt it up, says she was afraid nobody couldn't get no +breakfast because of her losing of it." + +"I guess we won't suffer for breakfast," said Amanda, looking down +kindly at the little girl. "I don't carry back the milk nights this time +of year. Any that's left I just set in the pantry and there is what was +left from supper this blessed minute; butter, too, and cream, plenty for +breakfast. You just rest your mind on that score." + +"But," said Edna, "you will want a whole lot of things for the +Thanksgiving cooking and what will you do with them all locked up?" + +Ira laughed. "'Twouldn't be such an awful job to lift the door from its +hinges, and if a body was right spry he could climb in at the window +after he'd prised it open and the things could be handed out. Besides +we've got all the morning's milk and there'll be the night's milk and +to-morrow's milk, so I don't see that we shan't get along first-rate. +There is more than one way out of that trouble, ain't there, 'Mandy?" + +"I should say so. Wait till the sun's real high and I guess we'll find +the key fast enough," she said to Edna. "Now, you stay right here and +don't go running about in the cold; you'll be down sick traipsing about +in the wet grass, and then where will your Thanksgiving be?" + +Thus warned, Edna was content to stay in the kitchen into which the +morning light was beginning to creep and which was already warm from the +big stove. In a few minutes, Reliance appeared from the next room where +she had been setting the table. She was much astonished to learn that +Edna had been down before her. "What in the world did you get up so soon +for?" she asked. + +"To find the key," Edna answered, and then told her all about the +search, ending up with, "You haven't seen anything of it, have you, +Reliance?" + +Reliance's face broadened into a smile, as for answer she went behind +the kitchen door and produced the key from its nail, holding it up to +view. + +"Why, where in the world did you get it?" inquired Edna in a tone of +surprise. "It wasn't on the nail when I looked there for it a little +while ago." + +"You dropped it on the door-mat last evening," Reliance told her. "I +found it there and slipped it into the pocket of my apron, and this +morning when I went to get my apron, there it was so I just hung it up +where it belonged." + +"Well, I'm sure," said Amanda, "that's easily explained." + +"Who'd ha' thought it," said Ira. "Well, that let's us out of another +hunt. I won't have to wrastle with the door after all, will I?" + +So, after all, Edna's early rising was unnecessary, but she did not feel +sorry that she had had such an experience, and was content to sit and +watch Amanda mould her biscuits and to help Reliance finish setting the +table. Amanda insisted upon giving her a drink of buttermilk from the +spring-house to which she despatched Reliance, advising Edna not to go +this time. "You've had one tramp," she said, "and moreover you'll be +starved by breakfast time if you don't have something to stay you." + +The sausages were sizzling in the pan, and the griddle was ready for the +buckwheat cakes when Mrs. Conway appeared. "Well, you did steal a march +on us," she said to her little daughter. "How long have you been up? I +didn't hear a sound. You must have been a veritable mouse to be so +quiet." + +"I've been up since before daylight," Edna told her. "I took my things +into the bathroom so as not to disturb you; it was lovely and warm in +there." Then again she repeated her story of the lost key. + +"Reliance had the joke on her," said Amanda, "for she had the key all +the time." + +"Why didn't you tell me you had found it?" asked Edna a little +reproachfully as she turned to Reliance, who had by this time returned +from the spring-house. + +"I thought you would forget all about it, and I didn't think it was +worth while to mention. Besides," she added, "I ought to have carried +the key myself anyway." + +"You're right there," remarked Amanda. "It is your especial charge and +you oughtn't to have let anyone else fetch it in. Moreover, you'd ought +to have hung it up the minute you found it, and there it would have been +when it was looked for." + +"Oh, don't scold her," begged Edna. "It was all my fault, really." + +Amanda smiled. "I don't see it just that way. Folks had ought to learn +when they're young that in this house there's a place for everything, +and everything should be in its place. I rather guess, though, that that +special key won't get lost again right away." + +Edna felt that she had brought this lecture upon Reliance and felt +rather badly to have done so, but the prospect of buckwheat cakes soon +drove her self-reproach away and she went in to say good morning to her +grandparents, well satisfied with the world in general and content to +look ahead rather than at what was now past and gone, and which could +not be altered. + +Before the day had far advanced, came the first of the arrivals, Aunt +Alice Barker and her two boys, Ben and Willis. Ben and Edna were great +chums, though he was the older of the two boys. Ben was alert, full of +fun and ready to joke on every occasion, while Willis was rather shy and +had not much to say to his little cousin, whom, by the way, he did not +know so very well. + +Edna would fain have spent the morning in the kitchen from which issued +delectable odors, but Amanda had declared she wanted all the room there +was, that she had scatted out the cats and dogs and she would have to +scat out children, too, if they came bothering around. Therefore, to +avoid this catastrophe, Edna took herself to a different part of the +house, and was standing at one of the front windows when the carriage +drove up. + +"Oh, grandpa," she sang out, "here come Aunt Alice and her boys! Hurry! +Hurry! or they will get here before we can be there to meet them." + +Her grandfather threw down his newspaper and laid aside his spectacles. +"Well, well," he said, "it takes the young eyes to find out who is +coming. I didn't suppose Allie would be here till afternoon. What team +have they. Why didn't they let us know so we could send for them!" + +He followed Edna, who was already at the front door tugging at the bolt, +then in another moment the two were out on the porch while yet the +carriage was some yards away. Ben caught sight of them. "Hello!" he +cried out. "Here we are, bag and baggage. Didn't expect us so soon, did +you grandpa?" + +"No, son, we didn't. How did you come to steal a march on us in this +way?" + +"The express was behind time so we caught it at the junction, instead of +having to wait for the train we expected to take. It didn't seem worth +while to telephone; in fact we didn't have time, so we just got this +team from Mayville and here we are. How are you Pinky Blooms?" He darted +at Edna, tousled her hair, picked her up and slung her over his shoulder +as if she were a bag of meal, and dropped her on the top step of the +porch, she laughing and protesting the while. + +"Oh, Ben," she panted, "you are perfectly dreadful." + +"Why, is that you, Edna?" said Ben in pretended surprise. "I thought you +were my valise; it is too bad I made the mistake and dumped you down so +unceremoniously." + +Edna knew perfectly well how to take this so she picked herself up +laughing, and started after Ben who leaped over the railing of the porch +thus making his escape. By this time Mrs. Willis and Mrs. Conway had +come out and the whole company went indoors, Ben the last to come, +peeping in through a crack of the door, and then slinking in with a +pretense of being afraid of Edna. An hour later, these two were tramping +over the place, hand in hand, making all sorts of discoveries, leaving +Willis deep in a book and the older people chatting cozily before the +open fire. + +Aunt Emmeline, Uncle Wilbur and Becky were the next to come, Becky being +in a pout because her sweetheart had failed to make the train, and Aunt +Emmeline fussing and arguing with her. + +"You know, Becky, that he is coming, and I don't see what difference a +couple of hours will make," she said as she gave her hand, to her +sister, Mrs. Willis. "I am just telling Becky, Cecelia, that she is very +foolish to make such a fuss because Howard is detained; he missed the +train, you see, and can't arrive till the next comes in." She passed on +into the house still talking, while Edna made her escape upstairs. She +had not noticed the little girl, and Edna felt rather slighted. + +However, this was all forgotten a little later when her own brothers and +sister as well as her father were to be welcomed. You would suppose Edna +had been parted from them for at least a year, so joyous were her +greetings, and so much did she have to tell. She had scarcely unburdened +herself of all her happenings, before in swarmed Uncle Bert and his +family. There was so many of these that for a little while they seemed +to fill the entire house, for, first appeared Aunt Lucia and after her +the nurse carrying the baby, then Uncle Bert with little Herbert in his +arms, and then Lulie and Allen and Ted. Cousin Becky's sweetheart, +Howard Colby, came on the last train and ended the list of guests. What +a houseful it was, to be sure, and what long, long tables in the +dining-room. Reliance was not able to wait on everybody, and so Amanda's +niece Fanny, took a hand, thus everyone was served. + +Edna was rather shy of those cousins whom she had not seen for two or +three years, and after supper preferred to stay close to her sister +Celia and Ben, though her brothers were soon hob-nobbing with Allen and +Ted, and were planning expeditions for the morrow. Ben told such a funny +story about the lady by the willow tree, that Edna could never look at +the picture again without laughing, but he had scarcely finished it +before some one called out: "Bedtime for little folks!" and all the +younger ones trooped off upstairs, grandma herself leading the way to +see that each one was tucked in comfortably. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +A HEARTY DINNER + + +It would be quite a task if one were to try to compute the number of +buckwheat cakes consumed at the long tables the next morning, and there +might have been more but that Charlie stopped Frank in the act of +helping himself to a further supply by saying: "Look here, son, if you +keep on eating cakes you won't give your Thanksgiving dinner any show at +all. I'm thinking about that turkey." + +This remark was passed down the table and had the effect of bringing the +breakfast to a conclusion. The boys scampered off out of doors to scour +the place for nuts or to dive into unfrequented woodsy places, while the +girls gathered around the crowing baby, in high good-humor with herself +and the world at large. Then the nurse bore baby off and Edna turned to +her mother for advice. + +"What can I do, mother?" she asked. + +"Why, let me see. Your Aunt Alice and I are going to help your grandma +to arrange the tables, after a while. We shall want a lot of decorations +besides the roses your Uncle Bert brought. Suppose you little girls +constitute yourselves an order of flower girls with Celia at your head, +and go out to find whatever may do for the tables." + +"There are some chrysanthemums, little yellow ones, and there are a few +white ones, too; I saw them yesterday down by the fence." + +"They will do nicely; we will have those and anything else that will be +pretty for the table or the rooms." + +"Shall we ask Lulie to go with us?" whispered Edna. + +"Certainly I would. She isn't quite so old as you, but she is the only +other little girl here, and it would be very rude and unkind to leave +her out." + +"You ask her," continued Edna in a low tone. + +For answer Mrs. Conway smiled over at Lulie. "Don't you want to be a +flower girl?" she asked; "Celia, I propose that you take these two +little girls in tow and go on an expedition to gather flowers to deck +the tables and the house, I know you will enjoy it." + +"Indeed I shall," replied Celia. "Come on, girls, let's see what we can +find." And the three sallied forth to discover what might be of use. + +An hour later they came back laden with small branches of scarlet oak, +with graceful weeds, with the little buttony chrysanthemums, and with +actually a few late roses which had braved the frost and were showing +pale faces in a sheltered corner when the girls came upon them. By this +time, the three cousins were well acquainted, the two younger the best +friends possible, so that when dinner was really ready they were quite +happy at being allowed to sit side by side. + +It would fill a whole chapter if I were to tell you about all the good +things on that table. Grandpa carved a huge brown turkey at one end, +while Uncle Bert carved an equally huge and brown one at the other end. +Grandma served the flakiest of noble chicken-pies at her side of the +table, while Aunt Alice served an oyster-pie of the same proportions and +quite as delicious. The boys, not in the least disturbed by the memory +of the buckwheat cakes, were ready with full-sized appetites, while the +girls, after their scramble in search of decorations, had no reason to +complain of not being hungry. To Cousin Becky's lot fell one of the +wishbones, and to Edna's joy she had the other. Cousin Becky put hers up +over the front door after dinner, and it was the strangest thing in the +world that Mr. Howard Colby should be the first to come in afterward. +Edna decided to save hers till it was entirely dry. + +"What are you going to do with it then?" asked Lulie. + +"I haven't quite decided. I shall take it home, and maybe I'll pull it +with Dorothy or maybe I will make a pen-wiper of it for a Christmas +gift. I might give it to Ben." + +"I never heard of wishbone pen-wipers," said Lulie. "Are they very hard +to make?" + +"Not so very, if you have anyone to help you with the sealing-wax head. +Celia could help me with that. You make a head, you know, and then the +wishbone has two legs and you dress it up so it is a pen-wiper." This +was not a very clear description, but Lulie was satisfied, especially as +at that moment Ben came to them and said that everyone was going to play +games, in order that their dinners might properly digest. + +"Everybody?" inquired Lulie. "The grandparents, too?" + +"Of course," Ben told her. "We are going to begin with something easy, +like forfeits, and work up to the real snappy ones after." + +"What are the snappy ones?" asked Edna. + +"Oh, things like Hide-and-Seek and lively things that will keep us on +the jump." + +The two little girls followed Ben into the next room and before long +everyone was trying to escape from grandpa who was as eager for a game +of Blind Man's Buff as anybody, and who at last caught Becky, who in +turn caught Howard Colby because he didn't try to get out of her way. +This ended that game, but everybody was so warmed up to the fun that +when it was proposed to carry on a game of Hide and Seek out of doors +all agreed, and Edna was so convulsed with laughter to see her +dignified, great-uncle Wilbur crouching behind a wood-pile and peeping +fearfully over the top that she forgot to hide herself properly and was +discovered by Ben in a moment. + +"You're no good at all at hiding," Ben told her. "Anybody could have +found you with half an eye." + +"Oh, I don't care," replied Edna; "I'll have just as much fun finding +out some one else," and she it was who made straight for Uncle Wilbur's +wood-pile to which he had returned with the fond belief of its serving +as good a turn a second time. + +It was not so very long before the older persons declared that they had +had enough of it. The men returned to the house to have a smoke and the +ladies to chat around the fire. As for the children, it was quite too +much to expect them to go in while there was a twinkle of daylight left, +and, as Amanda expressed it, "They took the place." The girls did not +roam far from the house but the boys wandered much further afield, +bringing caps and pockets full of nuts, and clothes full of burs and +stick-tights, even Ben brought back a hoard of persimmons touched by the +frost and as sweet as honey. + +He poured these out on a flat stone near which Edna was standing. "Come +here, Edna," he said, "let's divvy up. I'll give you half; you can take +what you don't eat to your mother and I'll take what I don't eat to my +mother." + +Edna squatted down by the stone and began delicately to nibble at the +fruit which still bore its soft purple bloom. "I don't believe I shall +eat very many," she said, "for my dinner is still lasting, and there +will be supper before I am ready for it. We are not going to have a +real, regular set-the-table supper, because grandma thinks Amanda and +Reliance should have some holiday, too, but we are going to have +sandwiches and cakes and nuts and apples and cider and a whole lot of +things; something like a party you know. Aren't you going to eat any of +your persimmons, Ben?" + +"No, that coming supper party sounds too seductive; I'll wait so that I +can do it justice." + +"What did you see out in the woods?" asked Edna. + +"Foxy grape-vines and bare trees," he answered promptly. + +"Do you mean b-e-a-r trees or b-a-r-e trees?" + +"Which ever you like; I've no doubt there were both kinds." + +"Oh, Ben," Edna glanced around fearfully, "do you really think there are +bears around here?" + +"I know there are, sometimes." He drew down his mouth in a way which +made Edna suspect a joke. + +"When is the sometimes?" she asked suspiciously. + +"When they have a circus at Mayville." + +"Oh, you Ben Barker, you are the worst," cried Edna roguishly pulling +his nose. + +"Here, here," he exclaimed, "look out, it might come off like the fox's +tail." + +"What fox?" + +"Don't you know the story of 'Reynard, the Fox'? It is in one of those +big, red books that lie on that claw-footed table in the living-room." + +"Here, in this house?" + +"Yea, verily. You don't mean to say you have never read those books! +Why, there is not a year since I was eight years old that I haven't +pored over them. Every time I have been here, and that is at least once +a year, I go for those books, I'd advise you to make their +acquaintance." + +"You tell me the story; then I won't have to read it." + +"No, my child, I shall not allow you to neglect your opportunities +through any weakness on my part. Read it for yourself, and thereafter, +the red book will be one of your prized memories of 'Overlea.'" + +"Then tell me again about the lady and the willow tree," begged Edna; +"that was so funny." + +Ben laughed. "I am afraid I don't remember that so well as I do the fox +story, but maybe I will think of some more about her. Come, it is time +to go in. They may be eating those chicken or turkey sandwiches this +very minute." + +Hanging on his arm, Edna skipped along to the house to find that it was +quite too early to think of sandwiches, though the lamps were lighted in +all but the living-room where a cheerful fire made the place light +enough. Around the fire sat grandma, Aunt Emmeline, Aunt Alice and Mrs. +Conway. Aunt Lucia was upstairs with the babies. Uncle Wilbur was taking +a nap, and grandpa and Uncle Bert were out looking after the stock, as +Ira and the other man had been allowed a holiday. Over in the corner of +the sofa sat Cousin Becky and her lover talking in low tones. + +"Dear me," said grandma, as the children all trooped in, "we must have +a light; these little folks may not like to sit in the dark." + +"This is the best kind of light," declared Ben, "and the very time for +telling tales. Let's all sit around the fire and have a good time. We'll +begin with the oldest and so on down to the youngest If we don't have +time to go all the way down the line, we'll stop when we're hungry. +How's that, grandma? Do you like the plan?" + +"It is just as the others say, my dear," she answered. + +"It's a lovely plan, Ben," said Mrs. Conway. "You will have to begin, +mother, and Aunt Emmeline can come next." + +"Oh, dear," protested that lady, "I never was one for telling tales; you +will have to count me out." + +"I am sure if I can, you can," grandma assured her. "What shall it be +about, children?" + +"Oh, about when you were a little girl," cried Edna. + +"About the time the horse ran away with you," spoke up the boys. + +"About your first ball please," begged Celia. + +Grandma laughed. "Just listen to them. They have heard all those things +dozens of times. I'll tell you what we will do. I will tell about the +runaway horse, that belongs to the time when I was a little girl, and +Emmeline shall tell about her first ball, and I can remind her if she +forgets anything. I remember her first ball even better than my first, +for it was at hers I met your grandfather." + +This was all so satisfactory that there was not a murmur of dissent, and +grandma began: "It was when I was about ten years old that I went one +day with my father to the nearest village. He was driving a pair of +spirited horses, and on our way home a parcel we were bringing home, +fell out of the buggy. My father stopped the horses and ran back to pick +up the parcel, but before he could get to the buggy, the horses took +fright at a piece of paper blowing along the road in front of them and +off they started, full tilt, down the road. In vain my father cried, +'Hey, there! Whoa, Barney! Whoa Pet!' on they went faster and faster. I +managed to hold on to the reins but my young hands were not strong +enough to control the wild creatures, and I thought every minute would +be my last, for up hill and down dale we went at such a pace I had never +known. Over a stump would jounce the buggy, and I would nearly pitch +out. Around the last curve they went with a swing which I thought would +land me on my back or my head, but I managed to keep my seat and at +last saw the open gate of our own lane before me. Would the horses go +through without hitting a gate post? Would they run into a fence or over +a pile of stones at one side? My heart was in my mouth. I jerked the +reins in a vain attempt to guide them, but on they went, pell-mell, +making straight for the open gate. Presently I saw some one rush from +the house and then another person come flying from the stables. Just +before we reached the gate, it was flung to with a bang. The horses +pranced, swung a little to one side and stopped short, and I heard some +one say, 'So, Barney, so Pet!' I didn't know what happened next but the +first thing I knew I was lying on the lounge in the sitting-room, my +mother bending over me, and holding a bottle of salts to my nose, 'Oh, +dear, oh, dear,' my mother was crying, 'another minute and the child +might have been killed.'" + +"Who was it shut the gate?" asked Allen eagerly. + +"Amanda's mother, who was living with us at that time." + +"And who caught the horses?" queried Ted. + +"Jim Doughty, who was our hired man." + +"Weren't you nearly frightened to death?" Lulie put the question. + +"Very nearly, and so was my father. He was as pale as a ghost when he +got home. He had to walk all the way, and said he thought he should +never get there. The country wasn't as thickly settled as it is now, and +there were no houses between us and the spot where the horses took +fright." + +"Where is the place you lived?" asked Allen. + +"About five miles from here." + +"I should like to see it," said the boy musingly. "I suppose those +horses are dead. I'd like to see horses that could run like that." + +"They would be somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty-five or seventy +years old by this time," said grandma with a smile, "and the oldest +horse I ever knew was forty." + +"Gee! but that was old," remarked Frank. "Whose was it, grandma? Yours?" + +"No, my grandfather's. Her name was Dolly, and she took my grandparents +to church every Sunday for many years, up to a little while before she +died. Now, Emmeline, let's hear about the ball." + +"It was just a ball," began Aunt Emmeline. + +"The County Ball," put in grandma. "They always have one every year at +Fair time. Emmeline was sixteen and I was eighteen. Now go on, +Emmeline." + +"I wore white tarlatan trimmed with forget-me-nots," said Aunt Emmeline, +"and I danced my first dance with Steve Hardesty." She paused and gave a +little sigh. "He took me into supper, too, poor Steve." Grandma leaned +over and laid her hand softly on her sister's. "It is such a long time, +such a very long time ago," she said softly. + +Aunt Emmeline smiled a little sadly. "Yes, a long time," she repeated. +"You wore, what was it you wore, Cecelia?" + +"I wore pink tarlatan trimmed with rosebuds and a wreath of them in my +hair. The skirt was caught up with bunches of the little buds and green +leaves, and I thought it the prettiest dress I ever saw." + +"It was a great ball," Aunt Emmeline went on, brightening. "I danced +every set, and so did you, Cecelia." + +"And how everyone did talk because I danced so many with Ben Willis whom +I had met for the first time that night. He would see me home, you +remember, although Uncle Phil and Cousin Dick were both there to look +after us; we were staying at our uncle's, my dears. It was during the +early days of the war, and there was much talk of what would happen next +and who would be going off to join the army, you remember." + +"It was not till two years after, that Steve went," said Aunt Emmeline +wistfully. + +"Tell us about Steve," spoke up Frank. "Did he become a soldier?" + +Celia shook her head warningly at her little brother, for she knew Aunt +Emmeline's story, and of how her young lover was killed in battle, but +Aunt Emmeline did not hesitate to answer. "Yes, he went, but he never +came back." + +Silence fell upon the little group for a moment till Aunt Emmeline +herself broke it by saying, "Do you remember, Cecelia, how angry you +were with Polly Parker because she copied your dress, and how you were +going to have yours trimmed with daisies, and changed all that at the +last moment? I can see you now, ripping off those inoffensive daisies +and flinging them on the floor." + +Grandma laughed. "Well, after all, hers wasn't a bit like mine, for it +was a different shade of pink and wasn't made the same way. Yes, I was +furious, I remember, because it wasn't the first time Polly had copied +my things; she had a way of doing it." + +"Here comes grandpa," announced Herbert who did not find all this talk +of dress and balls very interesting. + +The entrance of grandpa and Uncle Bert broke up the party by the fire, +for soon the sandwiches and other things were brought in, then came +songs and games till, before anyone realized it, bedtime came and +Thanksgiving Day was over. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE RED BOOK + + +Whether it was the search for the key in the chill of the early morning, +or whether it was that she ate too heartily of grandma's good things, +certain it was that when Edna waked up the morning after Thanksgiving, +she felt very listless and miserable. Her father was already up and +dressed, and her mother was making her toilet when the little girl +turned over and watched her with heavy eyes. + +"Well, little girl," said Mrs. Conway, "it seems to me that it is time +for you to get up." + +Edna gave a long sigh, closed her eyes, but presently found the courage +to make an effort towards rising. She threw aside the covers, slipped +her feet into her red worsted slippers, and then sat on the side of her +cot in so dejected an attitude that her mother noticed it. "What," she +said, "are you so very sleepy still? I suspect you are tired out from +yesterday's doings." + +"My head aches and there are cold creeps running up and down my back," +Edna told her. + +Her mother came nearer, and laid her cool hand on the throbbing temples. +"Your head is hot," she declared. "I am afraid you have taken cold. +Cuddle back under the covers and I will bring or send your breakfast up +to you." + +"I don't think I want any breakfast," said Edna, snuggling down with a +grateful feeling for the warmth and quiet. + +"Not want any breakfast? Then you certainly aren't well. When waffles +and fried chicken cannot tempt you, I know something is wrong." + +Mrs. Conway went on with the finishing touches to her dress and hair +while Edna dozed, but half conscious of what was going on around her. +She did not hear her mother leave the room, and did not know how long it +was before she heard Celia's voice saying: "Mother says you'd better try +to drink this." + +"This" was a cup of hot milk of which Edna tried to take a few sips and +then lay back on her pillow. "I don't want it," she said. + +"Poor little sister," said Celia commiseratingly. "It is too bad you +don't feel well. Is there anything I can do for you?" + +"No, thank you," replied Edna weakly. + +"Mother is coming up in a minute," Celia went on. "Uncle Bert and all of +them are going this morning, but as soon as they are off she will come +up to see how you are." + +"Is everyone going?" asked Edna languidly. + +"No, not this morning. Uncle Bert and his family take the morning train +because they have the furthest to go, and Aunt Lucia wants to get home +with the children before dark. Uncle Wilbur, Aunt Emmeline and all those +are going on the afternoon train. Father thinks he must get back to-day, +too." + +Edna made no answer, but closed her eyes again drowsily. + +"I'll set the milk down here," Celia went on, "and maybe you will feel +like drinking some more of it after a little while." + +She set the cup on a chair by Edna's bedside and stole softly out of the +room, leaving her sister to fall into another doze from which she was +awakened by hearing a timid voice say: "Excuse me. I hope you are not +asleep, but I want to say good-bye," and turning over, Edna saw her +little Cousin Lulie. + +"Oh, are you going?" came from the little girl in bed. + +"Yes, we are all ready. I am so sorry you are sick. I like you so much +and I wish you would come to our house some day." + +Edna was too polite not to make some effort of appreciation, so she sat +up and held out her little hot hand. "Oh, thank you," she answered; "I +should love to come, and I wish you could come to see us. Ask Uncle Bert +to bring you real soon." + +"Mother said I had better not kiss you," remarked Lulie honestly, "for I +might take your cold, but I have folded up a kiss in this piece of paper +and I will put it here so you can get it when I am gone." + +Edna smiled at this and liked Lulie all the better for the fancy. "I +won't forget it," she said earnestly. "I will send you one when I get +well, but you'd better not take a feverish one with you. Good-bye, and +say good-bye to all the others." + +"They would have come, too," Lulie informed her, "but mother thought one +of us was enough when you had a headache, and that I could bring all the +good-byes for the others. Now I must go. Get well soon." And she was off +leaving Edna with a consciousness of it's being a wise decree which +prevented more visitors, for her headache was so much the worse for +having had but one. + +She lay very still wishing the noises below would cease, the running +back and forth, the shutting of doors, the calling of the boys to one +another and the crying of the baby. But last of all she heard the +carriage wheels on the gravel, and then it was suddenly silent. The boys +had all gone off to play, and the only sounds were occasional footsteps +on the stair, the stirring of the kitchen fire, and outside, the distant +"Caw! Caw!" of the crows in the trees. For a long time she was very +quiet. Once her mother came to the door and peeped in, but, seeing no +movement, believed the child asleep, but later she came in and Edna +opened her eyes to see her standing by her bedside. + +"Poor little lass," said her mother, "you're not feeling well at all, +are you? I am afraid you have a little fever. I will give you something +that I hope will make you feel better." + +"Not any nasty medicine," begged Edna. + +"No, only some tiny tablets that you can swallow right down with a +little water." She went to the bureau and found the little phial she was +in search of. After shaking out a few pellets in her hand, she brought +them to Edna with a glass of water and the child took the dose +obediently, for she knew these small tablets of old. + +"Now," Mrs. Conway went on, "I will cover you up warm, and you must try +to get to sleep. Grandma is trying to keep the house quiet and Ben has +taken off the boys. I am going to tidy up the room and stay here with +you for awhile. There, now; you will be more comfortable that way," and +under her mother's loving touches Edna felt happier already and in a +short time fell into a sound sleep from which she awakened feeling +brighter. Her mother was sitting by the window crocheting where the sun +was streaming in. + +Edna sat up and pushed back the hair from her face. Her mother noticed +the movement. "Well, dearie," she said, "you have had a nice nap and I +hope you feel ever so much better." + +"Yes, I think I do," said the child a little doubtfully. + +"That wasn't a very enthusiastic voice. You can't be sure about it?" + +"Yes, I can. I do feel a great deal better." + +"And as if you would like a little something to eat?" + +"Why--what could I eat?" + +"How would some milk toast and a soft-boiled egg do?" + +"I like milk toast pretty well, but I don't believe I want the egg." + +"Not when it will be freshly laid this morning?" + +"I couldn't have it fried, I suppose?" + +"Better not. I'll tell you what I will do; I will go down and ask +grandma what she thinks would be best for you. Would you like to sit up +in bed? I can put something over your shoulders and prop you up with +pillows, or how would you like to get into my bed? There is more room +and you can look out of the window. I will bundle you up and carry you +over." + +"I'd like that," returned Edna in a satisfied tone; it was always a +treat to get into mother's bed. + +Mrs. Conway turned down the covers of her own bed, slipped Edna into her +flannel wrapper, threw a shawl around her and carried her across the +room to deposit her in the big bed. "There," she said, "you can keep +your wrapper on till you get quite warm. Let me put this pillow behind +your back. That's it. Now, then, how do you like the change?" + +"Oh, I like it," Edna assured her. "And my head is much better." + +"I think you'd better stay in bed, however, for we want to break up that +cold. There is no better way to do it than to keep you in bed for to-day +at least. Now I will go down and interview grandma." + +She left the room, and Edna heard her talking to some one in the entry. +Then the door opened and grandma herself came in. "Good morning, dear +child," she said. "I wanted to come up before, but it seemed best to +keep you quiet. I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better, but +you must be careful not to take more cold. Would you like to have Serena +to keep you company?" + +"Oh, I should like her very much," returned Edna. + +Her grandmother left the room returning presently with an old-fashioned +doll which had been hers when she was a little girl. The doll was +dressed in the fashion of sixty years ago and was quite a different +creature from Edna's Virginia. She always liked Serena in spite of her +black corkscrew curls and staring blue eyes. Whenever she visited +Overlea, Serena was given to her to play with, as a special privilege. +Her grandma knew that Edna was careful, but she would not have brought +out this relic of her childhood for everyone. "I will put this little +shawl around her before you take her, for she has been in a cooler room, +and it might chill you to touch her," said grandma, as she wound a small +worsted shawl over Serena's blue silk frock. "I will put her on the bed +there right by you and then I will go down to see if Amanda has anything +that is fit for a little invalid to eat." She kissed the top of Edna's +head and went out leaving her to Serena's company. + +It was not long before Edna heard some one coming slowly up the stair, +then there was a pause before the door, next a knock and second pause +before Edna's "Come in" was answered by Reliance who carefully bore a +tray on which stood several covered dishes. + +"I asked Mrs. Willis to please let me bring this up," said Reliance. "I +am so sorry you are sick, I am dreadfully afraid you took cold hunting +that key." + +"Oh, I don't suppose it was that," Edna tried to reassure her. "I might +have taken cold yesterday, for I got so warm running when we were +playing Hide-and-Seek. Oh, how lovely, Reliance, you have brought up +grandma's dear little dishes that were given her when she was a little +girl. I love those little dishes with the flowers on them." + +"You're to eat this first," said Reliance, uncovering a small tureen in +which some delicious chicken broth was steaming. "There is toast to go +with it. Then if you feel as if you wanted any more, there is a little +piece of cold turkey and some jelly." + +But in spite of her belief that she could eat every bit of what was +before her, Edna could do no more than manage the broth and one piece +of toast, Reliance watching her solicitously while she ate. "You're not +very peckish, are you?" she said. "Well, anyhow I am glad this didn't +come on before you had your Thanksgiving; it would have been dreadful if +it had happened yesterday." + +"I am glad, too," returned Edna. "What time is it, Reliance?" + +"It's most dinner time. As soon as the boys come in, it will be ready. +I'll take back the tray, but I have to go awful careful, for I would +sooner break my leg than these dishes." She bore off the tray as Edna +snuggled back against her pillows, holding one of Serena's kid hands in +hers in order that she might feel less alone. She was not left long to +Serena's sole company, however, for first came her father to say +good-bye, then Aunt Emmeline stopped at the door, and behind her, Cousin +Becky and Uncle Wilbur, all ready with sympathy and good wishes. A +little later, she heard the carriage drive off which should take all +these to the train. There was silence for a time which finally was +interrupted by a tap at the door. + +"Come in," called Edna. + +The door opened, and in walked Ben with a large red book under his arm. +"Hello, you little old scalawag," he said. "What in the world did you go +and do this for?" + +"I couldn't help it," said Edna apologetically. + +"You poor, little, old kitten, of course you couldn't. Well, I have +brought you up Mr. Fox, and I wanted to tell you that the lady by the +willow has had another accident; she dropped her last chocolate +marshmallow and the dog stepped on it. Of course, that wasn't as bad as +the first, but when you have only one handkerchief it is pretty hard to +have to cry it twice full of tears. Fortunately, hers has had a chance +to dry between whiles." + +Edna smiled. It was good to have Ben come in with his nonsense. "Hasn't +she found her eyelash yet?" + +"No, and it was a wet one which is awfully hard to find unless it is +raining; it is hard enough then, goodness knows. How did you stand all +the racket this morning? If a noisy noise annoys an oyster, how much of +a noisy noise does it take to annoy Pinky Blooms? That sounds like a +problem in mental arithmetic, but it isn't. Shall I read to you a +little?" + +"Oh, please." + +"About Reynard, the Fox, shall it be?" + +"Oh, yes. I do so want to know how he lost his tail." + +"Then, here goes," said Ben, as he opened the big, red book. Edna +settled herself back against the pillows and Ben began the story, while +Edna was so interested that she forgot all about her headache. He +finished the tale before he put the book down. "How do you like it?" he +asked. + +"It is perfectly fine. Are there other stories in that book?" + +"Yes, some mighty good ones. Here, do you want to see the pictures? They +are funny and old-fashioned, but they are pretty good for all that." He +laid the book across Edna's knees and showed her the illustrations +relating to Reynard, the Fox, all of which interested her vastly. + +"I am so glad I know about this book," she said as she came to the last +page. "I always thought it was only for grown-ups, and never even looked +at it. Will you read me some more to-morrow?" + +"Sorry I can't, ducky dear, for I am off by the morning train to a +football game which I can't miss." + +"Oh, I forgot about that. Are the boys going, too?" + +"Yes, and Celia. We are all going back together. There is something on +at the Evanses Saturday night, and Celia wouldn't miss that." + +"Neither would you," said Edna slyly. + +"You're a mean, horrid, little girl," said Ben in a high, little voice. +"I'm just going to take my book and go home, so I am." + +"It isn't your book; it is grandma's." + +"I don't care if it is; I'm not going to play with you, and I will slap +your doll real hard." + +"Do you mean Serena? She isn't my doll; she is grandma's. Her name is +Serena, don't you remember? I've known her ever since I was a little, +little thing." + +"And what are you now but a little, little thing, I should like to +know." + +"I'm bigger than Lulie Willis, but I'm not big enough to go to Agnes's +party Saturday night." She spoke somewhat soberly, for she did want to +be there. + +"Oh, never mind," said Ben, with an air of comforting her, "I shall be +there and I am as big as two of you." + +"I don't see how that makes it any better," said Edna, after searching +her mind for a reason why it should be of any comfort to her. + +"Oh, yes it does," returned Ben, "for if I were only as big as you I +shouldn't be there either." + +"As if that helped it." + +"Oh, yes it does, for, you see, they will have a lot of good things and +I can eat enough for you and me both, I am sure," he added triumphantly. +"That is an excellent argument. If a thing can be done for two persons +instead of one, it makes all the difference in the world." + +Edna put her head back against the pillows. Ben was too much for her +when he took that stand. + +"There," said the lad contritely, "I'm making your head worse by my +foolishness. Are you tired? Is there anything I can do for you? Would +you like one of the kittens?" + +"Oh, yes, Ben, I would. They are so comforting and cozy. I am glad you +thought of that." + +"Shall I leave the red book or take it down?" + +"Leave it, please; I might like to look at it after a while." + +So Ben went off, returning directly with one of the kittens which he +deposited on the bed and which presently cuddled close to the child. +Then Ben left her, Serena by her side and the kitten purring contentedly +in her arms. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE OLD HOUSE + + +Although Edna was much better the next day, it was thought prudent to +keep her indoors. All the guests departed with the exception of her +mother, her Aunt Alice and her own self, the house resumed its ordinary +quiet and seemed rather an empty place after its throng of Thanksgiving +visitors. + +"You'd better make up your mind to stay another week, daughter," said +grandma to Edna's mother. "This child isn't fit to be out, and won't be +for two or three days." + +"Oh, I think she will be able to go by Monday," replied Mrs. Conway. "I +shouldn't like to keep her out of school so long." + +"Her health is of much more importance than school," grandma went on. +"She is always well up in her studies, isn't she? You remember that I +didn't have the usual visit last summer, and as Alice is going to stay +we could all have a nice cozy time together." + +"But how would things go on at home without me?" + +"Plenty well enough. I am sure Lizzie can take care of Henry and the +boys." + +"I am not so sure about the boys, though I suppose Henry could get along +very well, and Celia is in town all through the week." + +"Why couldn't Charlie and Frank stay with the Porter boys till we get +back?" piped up Edna from her stool by the fire. "You know, mother, that +Mrs. Porter has asked and asked them, for her boys have already stayed +weeks with us in the summer." + +"Ye-es, I know," returned Mrs. Conway, a little doubtfully. + +"I am sure that is an excellent plan," said grandma, beaming at Edna +over her knitting. "Edna will be all the better for a week here, and +indeed for a longer time." + +"Oh, we couldn't stay longer than next Saturday at the very outside," +put in Mrs. Conway hastily. "I'd love to stay, mother dear, but you know +a housekeeper cannot be too long away, especially when she has not +arranged beforehand to do so." + +Grandma nodded at Edna. "We'll consider it settled that you are to stay +for another week. Let's have it all arranged, daughter. Call up long +distance and let Henry know." + +"I promised him, anyhow, that I would let him know to-day how Edna was +getting along. He was afraid when he went away that she might be in for +a serious illness. I shall be glad to let him know she is better." + +"And he will be so glad to hear that, he won't mind your telling him you +will stay longer," remarked grandma with a little laugh. + +Mrs. Conway went to the telephone and soon it was settled that they were +to remain. "I don't know what Uncle Justus will say," Mrs. Conway +observed when she reentered the room. "He will think I am a very +injudicious mother to keep you out of school so long." + +"Not if you tell him I was sick," returned Edna, who secretly rather +enjoyed the prospect of making such an announcement. Like most children, +she liked the importance which an illness gave to her small self. + +Saturday was an indoors day spent with Serena, Virginia and the big, +red book. Sunday, too, Edna was shut in except for the few minutes she +was allowed to walk up and down the porch in the sun. She was well +wrapped up for this event, and was charged not to put foot on the damp +ground. + +It had been rather a lonesome morning, with everyone at church except +Amanda, but the little girl stood it pretty well. She read aloud to an +audience consisting of the two dolls and the three kittens, she sang +hymns, in rather a husky voice to be sure, and she stood at the window a +long time watching the people pass by on their way to and from church. + +In the afternoon, her grandfather took his two daughters to see some +relative, Reliance went off to Sunday school, and Edna was left alone +with her grandmother who told her stories and sang, to the accompaniment +of the melodeon she had used when a little girl. Edna enjoyed this +performance very much, but after a while grandma was tired of an +instrument that skipped notes and wheezed like an old horse, so they +went back to the big chair by the open fire. Grandma continued the +singing, rocking Edna in her arms till the child fell fast asleep, the +drowsy hum of the tea-kettle, hanging on the crane, helping to make a +lullaby. When she woke up it was nearly dark. She heard her mother's +voice in the hall and realized that the long Sabbath day was nearly +over. + +This was the last shut-in day, for the weather was clear and bracing, +and, well wrapped up, Edna was able to enjoy it. Reliance always joined +her when the work was done in the afternoon, and she led her to the +acquaintance of two or three other little girls: Alcinda Hewlett, the +daughter of the postmaster, Reba Manning, the minister's daughter, and +Esther Ann Taber who lived just across the way. These three were +playing with Reliance and Edna in front of Esther Ann's one day when +suddenly Esther spoke up: "I know where there is an empty house and +anyone can go into it who wants to." + +"Where is it?" asked Reba, with interest. + +"Down past old Sam Titus's. Don't you know that brown house back there +by the orchard?" + +"Oh, but it is haunted," cried Alcinda. + +"Nonsense, it couldn't be," put in Reba. "My father says there aren't +such things as haunted houses, and he ought to know." + +The word of such high authority as the minister could not be gainsaid, +though the suggestion gave the girls rather a creepy feeling. + +"I'll dare you all to go in there with me," spoke up Esther Ann. + +"Oh, Esther Ann, dast we?" said Alcinda. + +"Why not? Nobody lives there, and I don't believe anyone owns it, for +there is never a person goes in or out, even to do spring cleaning. I +heard my mother say that two old ladies lived there, sisters, and they +didn't speak to one another for years; that was long ago and since they +died nobody knows who the place belongs to, for it isn't ever lived in." + +"Like that place where we go to gather chestnuts," spoke up Reba. +"Anybody can go there and get all they want. My father said I could go, +and that it was all right, and he knows." + +"Of course he does," agreed Esther Ann. "Come, who is going with me?" + +"I'd as soon go as not," Reliance was the first to speak. + +"How do you get in?" asked Alcinda, a little doubtfully. + +"Walk in, goosey. Just open the door and walk in." + +"Isn't the door locked?" + +"The back door isn't, I tried it one day," replied Esther Ann. + +"Why didn't you go in then?" asked Alcinda. + +"Well, I was all by myself, and--and--I thought it would be nicer to +have some one with me; it always is when you want to explore." + +This seemed a perfectly reasonable answer, and the others were +reassured, moreover, to a company of five, nothing was likely to happen, +they thought, and the spirit of adventure was high in the breast of more +than one. + +"We'd better start right along," suggested Reliance, "for I have to be +back, and Edna mustn't stay out after dark." + +"Then, come along, all that want to go," cried Esther Ann, taking the +lead. + +Off they started down the wide street bordered by maples, now shorn of +their leaves, but furnishing a carpet of yellow underfoot, past the +church, the store, the schoolhouse and on to the old brown house sitting +back behind an orchard of gnarled, crooked apple trees. The place was +all grown up with weeds, though here and there were signs of a former +garden. Up the rotting pillars of the porch a woodbine still clambered, +and around the door, lilac bushes kept their green. + +Though she had come thus far without mishap, Alcinda's courage suddenly +failed her and she turned and ran. + +"'Fraid cat! 'Fraid cat!" called Esther Ann after her. + +This had the effect of arresting Alcinda in her flight and she stood +still. + +"Come on," cried Esther Ann. + +"I don't want to," called back Alcinda. "I'll wait out here for you." + +"You don't know what you're missing," Esther Ann called back, trying +once more to persuade her. + +"I'll wait for you here," repeated Alcinda taking up her position on the +horse block by the gate. + +"All right," responded Esther Ann, and opened the door which gave easily +as she turned the knob. + +The four little girls found themselves in a dingy kitchen whose +belongings remained as they had been left years before. Cobwebs hung +from the ceiling; dust was everywhere. The stove rusty and falling to +pieces, still held one or two pots and pans. There was crockery on the +dresser, and a lamp on the table. + +Esther Ann led the way to the next room. "I don't think this one is a +bit interesting," she made the remark as she penetrated further. + +"Do you think we ought to go?" whispered Edna to Reliance, as these two +lagged a little in the rear. + +"Why not? Anyone can come in if it belongs to no one, and they say it +doesn't belong to a soul. Nobody lives here and why haven't we a right +as well as the rest of the world?" + +This argument satisfied Edna and she followed along through the deserted +rooms, catching sight of a moth-eaten cover here, a bunch of withered +flowers there. Books, long untouched, lay half open on a table in one +room, the bed was still unmade in another, and everything was confusion. + +"Isn't it lovely and spooky?" said Esther Ann, tingling with excitement. +"I'm going to see what is in those bureau drawers." + +She darted toward an old-fashioned bureau which stood in the room, +flopped down on her knees, and drew out the lower drawer. "Oh, girls," +she cried, "look here." + +The others gathered around her to see boxes in which were the treasures +of a forgotten owner,--strings of beads, half-worn white kid gloves, a +fan with ivory sticks, combs, and ornaments of various kinds. + +"Let's each take something home to her mother," proposed Esther Ann. "I +speak for the fan." + +"Oh, Esther, do you dare?" asked Reba. + +"Why not? They don't belong to anyone," came back the old argument. + +"Some one else will most likely take them if we don't," remarked +Reliance conclusively. + +This satisfied the less venturesome, and they all sat down on the floor +to make a selection. Reba chose a quaint, silver buckle, Reliance +selected a mother-of-pearl card-case, Edna decided upon a +tortoise-shell comb. + +"Wasn't it lovely that we should find them?" said Esther Ann +enthusiastically. "It will be so nice to be able to take home presents. +I am glad no one else found them before we did." + +"I wonder how long the back door has been opened," said Reba. "Has it +always been?" + +"I don't know. I never tried it till the other day," Esther Ann told +her. + +After rummaging a little further and discovering frocks and coats of +unfamiliar cut hanging in the closets and wardrobes, and coming upon +mouldy slippers, and queer-looking hats in other places, they concluded +they must go. Alcinda had wearied of waiting and had gone off long +before, therefore, the four, after shutting the door behind them, took +their way through the leaf-strewn path to the gate, then up the street +to their respective homes. + +"Don't you think Mrs. Willis will be pleased with the card-case?" asked +Reliance, as they were entering the gate at Overlea. + +"I'm sure she will. She can use it when she goes to the city to see +Uncle Bert, and I know mother will like this comb," returned Edna. + +Reliance had no time to present her gift at that moment for Amanda +called her to come at once to attend to her duties, remarking that she +was late, but Edna hunted up her mother who was upstairs. "Oh, mother, +mother," she cried, entering the room where her mother was, "see what I +have for you. Isn't it pretty?" + +Her mother looked up from the letter she was writing. "What is it, dear? +Why, Edna, what a beautiful comb. Where did you get it?" + +"I found it," replied Edna in an assured tone. "We all found lovely +things." Then she launched forth upon an account of the afternoon's +adventures. + +Her mother listened attentively, and when the child had finished her +tale, she drew her close to her side, kissing the little, eager face, +and saying, "Dear child, I am afraid you have made a mistake. The things +were not for you little girls to take." + +"But mother, they didn't belong to anyone. They have been there for +years and years, and nobody wants them." + +"They would have to belong to some one, dear child. We will ask grandma +about the house and whose property it is. Let us go find her." + +They hunted up Mrs. Willis who listened interestedly to what they had to +tell. "The old Topham house," she said when they had finished. "It +belonged to two sisters, Miss Nancy and Miss Tabitha Topham. These two +lived together for years, but finally they quarreled and each vowed that +she would never speak to the other. They died within a few weeks of one +another and there were no nearer heirs than distant cousins who have +never troubled themselves to look after the place. Old Nathan Holcomb +was the nearest neighbor and he used to keep things pretty well secured, +but since his death the place has been going to rack and ruin more and +more each year. There is some fine, old furniture there and it is a +wonder everything in the house has not been stolen before now, but as +the place has the reputation of being haunted it has been more or less +avoided. I never heard of its being open to the public and I shall speak +to some one who will see that it is made secure. Even if it is not +valued by the present owners, it should not be left for tramps or any +chance vagrant to make use of." + +Edna looked down at the comb which she still held in her hand. "What +must I do about this?" she asked. + +"You must take it back to-morrow and restore it to its place," her +mother told her. "I am perfectly sure that not one of you little girls +dreamed that she had no right to take the things, but nevertheless they +were not yours, and I am very certain that the other mothers will say +the same thing." + +"Reliance has a lovely card-case," said Edna, regretfully. "She was +going to give it to you, grandma." + +Mrs. Willis smiled. "I appreciate the spirit, but she must not be +allowed to keep it, my dear." + +Edna's face sobered. She felt much crestfallen. She wondered what Reba's +father would say. + +She did not have long to wait to find this out for after supper came two +young callers who sidled in with rather shamefaced expressions. "Suppose +you take Reba and Esther Ann into the dining-room for a little while," +suggested grandma encouragingly. "Little folks like to chatter about +their own affairs, I well know." + +Edna shot her grandma a grateful look and soon was closeted with the +little girls. "Oh, Edna, what did your mother say?" began Esther Ann. + +"She said I must take back the comb, because I had no right to take it." + +"That's just what my mother said," returned Esther Ann. + +"My father said it's dishonest," put in Reba, "I mean dishonest to keep +it. He knew we didn't mean to steal." + +"Oh, Reba, don't say such a dreadful word," said Edna in distress. + +"It would be stealing, you know, if we were to keep the things," +continued Reba bluntly. "My father says you couldn't call it by any +other name, and that to break into a house is burglary." + +This sounded even more dreadful, though Esther Ann relieved the speech +of its effect by saying: "But we didn't break in; we just opened the +door and walked in. There wouldn't have been anyone to answer if we had +knocked." + +"That makes me feel kind of shivery," remarked Edna. "I would rather not +go back, but I suppose we shall have to." + +"Yes, we shall have to," Reba made the statement determinedly. + +Therefore, it was with anything but an adventurous spirit that the four +little girls went on their errand the next afternoon. There was no +poking into nooks and corners this time, but straight to the bureau went +they. Solemnly was each article returned to the box from which it was +taken. Silently they tip-toed down the dusty stairs and through the +silent rooms to the outer air where each drew a sigh of relief. Esther +Ann was the first to speak. "There, that's done," she said. "I don't +ever want to go there again." + +"Nor I." + +"Nor I." + +"Nor I," chanted the other three. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE MILL STREAM + + +On their way home from the old house, the four girls saw Alcinda +approaching. "Don't let's say anything to her about where we've been," +said Esther Ann. + +"No, don't let's," returned Reba; "you know she didn't want to go there +in the first place." + +"It was only because she was scared to," rejoined Esther Ann. + +"Well, anyhow, don't let's say anything about it," continued Reba. +"Don't you say so, girls?" She looked over her shoulder at Edna and +Reliance who were walking behind. + +"I don't see any reason why we should," said Reliance. "Of course, if +she should ask questions, we wouldn't tell her a story." + +"Oh, no, we wouldn't do that," agreed the other girls. + +But Alcinda had no thought of old houses or anything else at this time +but her little dog, Jetty, a handsome, black Pommeranian to whom she was +devoted and of whom she was very proud. "Oh, girls," she exclaimed as +she came up, "have you seen or heard anything of Jetty? We haven't seen +him since morning, and I am so afraid he has been stolen." + +"Oh, wouldn't that be dreadful?" said Edna sympathetically. + +"I don't see who would steal him," said Esther Ann, practically. +"Everyone knows he belongs to you, and there aren't many strangers that +come through the village." + +"There are a few. There was a tramp at our back door only a few days +ago." + +"But you didn't lose Jet a few days ago; it was only to-day that you +missed him." + +"I think it's more likely he is shut up somewhere," decided Reba. "Where +have you looked, Alcinda?" + +"Oh, pretty near everywhere I could think of, and I have asked everybody +who might have seen him." + +"Maybe he has gone off with some other dogs," suggested Reliance. "Dogs +will do that, and sometimes they don't come back for two or three days. +Mr. Prendergast had a dog that did that way. He lives near where we used +to, you know, and he had a collie named Rob Roy that would go off now +and then, and the other dogs would bring him back after a while. He +would come in looking so ashamed, while they stood off to see how he +would be treated." + +"Jetty never did run away before," said Alcinda, doubtfully, although +Reliance's words were comforting. + +"When did you see him last and what was he doing?" asked Esther Ann. + +"Mother heard him barking at a wagon that was going by. He doesn't bark +at everyone, but there are some people he can't bear." + +"What people?" inquired Esther Ann, trying to get a clue. + +"He doesn't like the butcher boy nor the man that drives the mill wagon, +nor the man that brings the laundry. He always runs out and barks at +them." + +"Have you asked any of them about him?" + +"No, not yet." + +"Then I'll tell you what let's do, girls," proposed Esther Ann. "Two of +us can go around by the mill, two of us can go to the butcher's and +Alcinda can go to the laundry place." + +"All right," exclaimed Alcinda hopefully. "It would be lovely if you all +would do that." + +"I speak to go to the butcher's," spoke up Esther Ann. She was always +ready to arrange affairs for everyone. "Reliance, you and Edna can go to +the mill; it isn't such a very great way, and Reba can go with me." + +The girls all accepted this arrangement and set off in the three +different directions. + +"Do you like going to the mill?" asked Edna when she and Reliance were +fairly on their way. + +"Oh, yes, much better than going to the butcher's. Although it is quite +a little further, it is a much prettier walk. I always did like mill +ponds, didn't you, Edna?" + +"Why, I don't know much about them, but I should think I would like +them. Do we turn off here?" + +"Yes, this road leads straight to the mill; you can see it presently +through the trees." + +"It isn't so very far, is it?" + +"No, but it is a little further to the mill pond. I wonder if the miller +is there." + +"Isn't he always there?" + +"He is always there in the morning, but not always in the afternoon. No, +the mill is shut down." + +"How do you know?" + +"I don't hear it, and see there, the wheel isn't moving." + +"Oh!" Edna thought that Reliance was very clever to know all this before +they had even reached the mill which now loomed up before them, a grey +stone structure in a little nest of trees which climbed the hill behind +it, and spread along the sides of the stream, flowing on to join the +river. + +"It is very pretty here, isn't it?" said Edna admiringly. "What do they +call the stream, Reliance?" + +"Black Creek. The mill pond and dam and sluice and all those are higher +up. Do you want to go see them?" + +"Why, yes, if we can't do anything about finding Jetty." + +"I thought we might go around by the miller's house on our way back; it +isn't much further, and we could ask there." + +This seemed a wise thing to do, Edna thought, and she cheerfully +followed Reliance to where the mill pond lay calm and smooth before +them. "It must be lovely here in summer," remarked Edna +enthusiastically. + +"It is one of the prettiest places anywhere about. We come here +sometimes for our picnics, all of us school children and the teacher. +Would you dare go across, Edna?" + +Edna looked around but saw no bridge. "How could we get across?" she +asked. "I don't see any way but to swim." + +Reliance laughed. "There," she said, pointing to the heavy beam which +stretched from shore to shore and below which the water was slowly +trickling, "that's the bridge we children always use." + +Edna drew back in dismay. "Oh, how can you? I wouldn't dare. It is so +near the water and suppose you should fall in. I would be sure to get +dizzy, and over I would go." + +"Oh, pooh, I don't get dizzy," returned Reliance. "I will show you how +easy it is," and in another minute she was standing on the beam, Edna +shivering and with a queer sensation under her knees. "Oh, do come back, +Reliance," she cried; "I am so afraid you will fall in." + +But Reliance did not hear her, or if she did hear, she paid no heed, but +stood looking earnestly at a point beyond her in the water. "Edna, +Edna," she presently called. "You will have to come. I really believe it +is Jetty out there in the water." + +Edna wrung her hands. "Oh, I can't, I can't," she wept. + +"You must help me try to get him in. I'll come back for you." + +Edna shrank away from the shore, divided between her fear of crossing +and her desire to help in the rescue. Reliance lost no time in reaching +her. "You will have to come," she cried excitedly. "He is nearer the +other side. I must go over and try to find a board or two, and you must +stay on the beam and watch so as to see which way he heads. Poor little +fellow, I wonder how long he has been in there. Come, Edna, you can put +your arms around my waist and I will go ahead; you mustn't look at the +water, but just step along after me; I won't let you fall." + +Terrible as this effort promised to be, Edna decided that she must make +it if they would save Jetty, and she followed Reliance, who, +encouraging, coaxing, and leading the way step by step, managed to get +the child safely across. "Isn't there any other way of getting back?" +quavered Edna when they were over. + +"I think there is a little bridge further down, but never mind that now, +Edna; you stay there and watch, while I get a board and put it out +toward him. I shouldn't wonder if I could find one somewhere about." + +Fearfully, Edna crouched on the beam, which seemed but a few inches from +the water. She kept her eyes fixed on the water that she might not lose +sight of the little black head now not so very far away. "Jetty, Jetty," +she called, "we'll get you out. Nice doggie. Please don't drown before +Reliance comes." + +The little dog renewed his struggles and began to swim toward her, Edna +continuing her encouraging talk. + +Presently Reliance came down the bank up which she had scrambled; she +was dragging a board behind her and finding some difficulty in doing so. +"Is he still there?" she panted. + +"Yes, and trying to swim over to me." + +"Don't let him, don't let him. Come over on the bank; it will be easier +to get him from there. There's another board up there. I will go get it +if you will hold on to this one." Edna hesitated to cross the few feet +between her and the shore. "Quick, quick," insisted Reliance. "He might +drift to the dam and get caught there. We must get him before he reaches +it. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl." + +Edna obeyed and in another moment was running along the bank toward +Reliance, forgetting everything but her eagerness to save the little +dog, who, seeing both girls, turned and feebly swam to where they were +standing. His strength was almost spent, and he had hard work to keep +from being borne along by the current which was swifter in the center of +the pond. + +"I'll have to shove out the board so he can reach it," said Reliance +excitedly. "Here, take this pole and try to keep the board from drifting +toward the dam while I go get the other board." And she thrust the +forked pole into Edna's hands and then sprang up the bank, while Edna +crouched down, as near the water as possible, in order to make best use +of her pole. + +It was not easy to keep the board from drifting out, but along the +shallows it was quiet water and it did not go so very far, and before +long, the little dog was able to reach it, crawling upon it and +shivering while he wagged his tail feebly as Edna continued to cheer +him. It was harder work now that the board was heavier by reason of the +added weight, and once or twice Edna was afraid that after all her +efforts would be in vain. It would be dreadful to abandon Jetty when he +was so near to land, and she wished he would attempt to swim to her. But +the little creature was too exhausted to make further effort now that he +had reached footing, though he whined a little when the board drifted +out. + +Just as she was afraid it would go beyond her reach, Reliance came +scrambling back, breathless from her exercise. "I had such a time," she +panted. "Oh, Edna, he is really safe, and it is really poor little +Jetty. How glad Alcinda will be. Here, don't let the board go." She +snatched the pole from Edna's hands. "I'll hold on to it while you push +out the other board. I can wade in and get him if I can't do anything +else." + +But once so near shore as the second board brought him, Jetty was not +afraid to swim the remaining distance, having gathered up a little added +strength, and after coaxing, ordering and cajoling, the girls were +rewarded by seeing the little creature creep to the edge of the board, +take to the water again and paddle ashore, crouching at their feet in an +ecstasy of joy. + +"He is so sopping wet I am afraid he will take cold," said Reliance. "I +am going to wrap him up in my sweater and carry him." + +"But won't you take cold," said Edna anxiously. + +"No, for I am too warm with struggling up that bank and down again. We +can walk fast." + +At first Jetty did not even have power to shake himself, but before many +minutes, his dripping coat was freed of many drops of water, which +freely sprinkled the girls, who laughing ran at a safe distance, and +then Reliance wrapped him up in her jersey and carried him away from the +scene of his late disaster. + +"How do you suppose he got in the water?" asked Edna as they trudged +along. + +"I think someone threw him in." + +"Oh, Reliance, do you really?" + +"Yes, I do. We go right by the miller's house and I am going to stop +there and ask them what they know about it all." + +"Do you think the miller did it?" + +"Oh, no, he wouldn't do such a wicked thing; he is a very nice man, but +he might have seen Jetty about the place and we may be able to find out +something." + +To Edna's satisfaction a small footbridge was discovered a short +distance below and on this they crossed, reaching the miller's house +just after. The miller himself was just going in the gate. Reliance +marched up to him and without wasting words, said: "Do you know how this +little dog happened to get into the mill pond?" + +The miller paused and looked down at the black nose peeping from its +scarlet wrapping. + +"That little dog? I saw him around the mill this morning. A man that has +been driving for me said he found it along the road. Is it your dog?" + +"No, it belongs to Alcinda Hewlett." + +"Bob Hewlett's daughter?" + +"Yes, her father keeps the store and is the postmaster." + +"Humph!" The miller stroked his chin and looked speculatively at the +little dog. + +"How do you suppose he got so far from home?" ventured Edna. + +"Shouldn't wonder if he was brought in my wagon in an empty sack. Bad +man, bad man, that Jeb Wilkins." + +"Jetty always barked at him," said Edna. + +"I guess that accounts for it. Jeb got mad and thought he'd pay the +little creature back. Barked at him, did he? Well, I don't blame the +dog. I did some pretty tall growling myself before I discharged the man. +He's gone now for good, or bad, whichever you like." + +"Do you think he threw the dog in the water?" asked Reliance coming +directly to the point. + +"That's just what I do think. I shouldn't wonder if he meant to steal +him at first, and sell him, for it is a valuable dog, they tell me, but +the dog got out, and I was keeping an eye on Jeb so he couldn't make way +with the beast. I meant to take him home and advertise for his owner, +but when I came to look for him, the dog was gone, though Jeb was there. +Said, as innocent as you please, when I made inquiries, that some people +drove by and took the dog back to town where he belonged." + +"Oh!" exclaimed Edna, her eyes and mouth round with surprise and +disapproval. + +"Just what he said. Made it up out of whole cloth, of course, and +meantime had taken his spite out on me and the poor little dog by +throwing him overboard. How did you happen upon him?" + +Reliance gave an account of the rescue and received approving nods. +"Smart girls, you two," he commented. + +"Oh, I wasn't smart at all," piped up Edna. "It was all Reliance. I +couldn't have done a thing without her." + +"Well," said Mr. Millikin with a smile, "you did your part, and that's +enough said. I was just going to unhitch, but there is my buggy all +ready, and I guess the quickest way to get you back to the village is to +take you there behind Dolly." + +"Oh, but we can walk, thank you," protested Reliance. + +"It's pretty much of a walk, and the sooner you get there the more +pleased several people will be, I for one, because I don't want Bob +Hewlett's little girl to mourn for her pet any longer than she need, and +again, because I am in a way responsible for what has happened. I'll go +get the buggy right off. You wait here; it won't take a minute." So +presently they were driving along toward home, Reliance with a horse +blanket around her which Mr. Millikin fished out from under the seat +and insisted upon her putting around her shoulders. + +To say that Alcinda was overjoyed at the sight of her little pet which +she had given up for lost, would be speaking mildly. "I'll never forget +you two girls, never," she cried. "I shall thank you forever and ever, +and you, too, Mr. Millikin." + +"Me? I'm partly to blame, for I ought to have discharged that +good-for-nothing scoundrel long ago, but he was a good driver, and I was +waiting to fill his place. Well, it's all come out right, after all. I +hope your little dog will be none the worse for the experience. I'll pay +his doctor's bills if he gets sick." After which speech, the miller +drove off, and the rescuers darted across the street to their home, +where the tardiness of their appearance was entirely forgiven after they +had told their story. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +JETTY'S PARTY + + +Grandma was so concerned lest Edna had taken fresh cold by reason of +this latest adventure that she insisted upon putting the little girl +through a course of treatment to prevent possible evil results. "After +dabbling in that cold water and getting her feet wet it will be a wonder +if she isn't laid up," said grandma, coming into the room just as Edna +was going to bed. "She must have her feet in mustard water, and Amanda +is making a hot lemonade for her." + +So Edna's feet were thrust into the hot bath, and she was made to sip +the hot drink, then was bundled into bed with charges not to allow her +arms out from under the covers. It was rather a warm and unpleasant +experience, and the worst of it was that grandma said the next morning +that she mustn't think of going out-of-doors that day. + +"Oh, dear," sighed the little girl, when she was alone with her mother, +"don't you think grandma is very particular? Did she used to do so when +you were a little girl?" + +"She did indeed, and when she was a little girl it was even worse, for +instead of lemonade to drink, she was made to take a very bitter dose of +herb tea, or a dreadful mess called composition which had every sort of +nauseous thing in it you can think of. Little folks nowadays get off +very easily, it seems to me." + +"I didn't mind the hot lemonade a bit, but I shall never forget the +smell of that mustard water," said Edna after a pause. + +Her mother laughed. "You must be thankful that it is no more than +that." + +"What am I going to do to-day?" inquired the little girl. "I was going +to do ever so many nice things out-of-doors and now I can't." + +"Then we must think up some nice things to do indoors." + +"What kind of things?" + +"I shall have to put on my thinking cap in order to find that out. +Meanwhile, suppose you run down to grandma with this tumbler; it had +your lemonade in it and should go down to be washed." + +Edna ran off to her grandma, coming back presently with a much brighter +countenance than she took away. "Grandma is going to let me help with +the turtle cakes," she said eagerly. "That's a very nice thing, don't +you think?" + +"I think that is very nice indeed." + +"Amanda is mixing them now, and when they are cut out, I am going to +help with the turtles. Good-bye, mother; I will bring you one of my +turtles as soon as they are baked." + +These turtle cakes were much prized by the Conway children. When grandma +sent a box from the farm there was always a supply of these famous +cookies. Grandma had promised that Edna should take some home with her +when she went on Saturday morning. She watched Amanda roll them out, cut +them in rounds and place them in the pans; then came Edna's part in the +preparation. Amanda showed her how to put first a big fat raisin in the +center of the cake, then a current for the turtle's head, four cloves +were then stuck in, part way under the raisin, thus making the feet, and +for the tail, another clove with the sharp end out. Amanda could do them +much faster than Edna, but the child was greatly pleased to have +completed a whole pan all by herself, and when these were baked she +carefully carried some of them to her mother and Aunt Alice. Grandma +had already seen the results of her granddaughter's labors. + +"I know just how to do them now, mother," said Edna, "and I think it is +great fun. Grandma is going to save the pan I did so I can have them to +carry home." + +"You might have a tea-party for the dolls this afternoon, and use some +of your cookies for refreshments." + +"Could Reliance come?" + +"Why, I should think so. I have thought of something else for you to do +this morning; you could begin a Christmas gift for Celia. You know you +always have a hard time keeping her gift a secret." + +"What kind of thing could I make?" + +"I noticed that your sister's little work bag was getting rather dingy +and I am sure she would be delighted to have a new one." + +"But where will I get anything to make it of?" + +"No doubt grandma has something in her piece-bag; she always has all +sorts of odds and ends, and it would give her pleasure to let you have +anything that might serve the purpose. I will ask her, and we can get +the ribbons for it any time between now and Christmas." + +Her mother was as good as her word, and leaving the room came back in a +few minutes with a large bag whose contents she emptied on the bed. +"There," she said, "take your choice. Grandma says you are perfectly +welcome to anything you find." + +Edna began turning over the pieces. "You help me choose, mother," she +said presently. "I don't know just how big the piece ought to be." + +Her mother drew up her chair and began to look over the bits of gay silk +before her. "I declare," she said presently, "here is a piece of a party +frock I wore when I was about Celia's age. It was almost my first real +new party frock, for before that I always wore a simple white muslin. +This is perfectly new, and must have been left over. To think of its +being in this bag all those years. It appears to be sufficiently strong, +however." She shook it out and held it up to the light. The material was +a pale green silk with tiny bunches of flowers upon it. Edna thought it +very pretty. + +"I think Celia will be perfectly delighted to have a bag made of your +first party frock, mother," she said. "Do you think grandma would mind +my having it?" + +"I am sure she will be very much pleased. We will decide upon that, and +you can put back the rest of the pieces. There will be an abundance in +this for a nice, full bag I am sure. I will cut it out for you and show +you just how to make it." + +The time passed so rapidly in planning and making the bag that it was +the dinner hour before they knew it, and after dinner came an unexpected +call from Alcinda. She was a sedate-looking little girl with big blue +eyes and straight, mouse-colored hair, but upon this occasion she was +dimpling and smiling as she handed a tiny, three-cornered note to Edna. +Upon opening this Edna discovered, written in a childish hand, the +following words, "Mr. Jetty Hewlett requests the honor of Miss Edna +Conway's company to a tea-party at four o'clock this afternoon." + +"Oh, dear," sighed Edna, "I'm awfully afraid I can't go, for grandma +said it was as much as my life was worth to go out of the house +to-day." + +"Oh, but you aren't ill, are you?" asked Alcinda. + +"No, but she is afraid I will be." + +"But you must come," persisted Alcinda, "for it is in honor of you and +Reliance, and Jetty is going to help receive." + +"I will go ask mother," returned Edna, and running off she returned with +Mrs. Conway. + +"Mayn't Edna come to Jetty's tea-party?" begged Alcinda. "We have +everything planned, and it will be perfectly dreadful if she stays away. +She won't take cold, just going across the street, and our house is as +warm as anything." + +Edna looked beseechingly at her mother. "Do please say yes, mother," she +begged. + +"I don't see how you could take cold going just across the street, if +you wrap up well and wear your rubbers," said her mother. + +"Goody! Goody!" cried Alcinda. "Here is an invitation for Reliance, too. +Be sure to come at four o'clock. I have some more invitations to deliver +so I must go." + +"Now I needn't have a tea-party for the dolls," said Edna when Alcinda +had gone. Her mother smiled. "You speak as if that would be a great +hardship," she remarked. + +"No, I don't mean that, but I would so much rather go to Alcinda's. +Shall I wear my best frock, mother?" + +"Why, yes, I think you may." + +"I wonder if grandma will let Reliance go, and what she will wear," said +Edna, after a moment's thought. "I think I will go ask, mother, for I +don't want to be better dressed than Reliance; it was really she who +saved Jetty, you know." + +"That is the proper feeling, dear child." + +Edna flew off to find Reliance who had received her invitation, and +hoped for the permission from Mrs. Willis. "I do hope she will let me +go," she said fervently. "Come with me, Edna, when I ask her, won't +you?" + +Edna was very ready to do this, and hunted up her grandmother. "Oh, +grandma," she cried, "we've been invited to a party over at Alcinda's. +Jetty is giving it in honor of Reliance and me. Mother says I won't take +cold just going across the street, and you are going to let Reliance go, +too, aren't you?" + +"What's all this?" inquired grandma. + +Edna repeated her news, but her grandmother did not reply for a moment. +"I am afraid Reliance will not be back in time to do her evening work," +she said at last. + +"Oh, but--" this was an unexpected objection, "couldn't she do some of +it before she goes?" + +"She might do some, but not all, however, we will see. Reliance, you +bustle around and see how smart you can be, and I will think what can be +done." + +"I can set the table," said Edna eagerly. "Would you mind if it were +done so much ahead of time for just this once?" + +"No," replied her grandmother very kindly. + +"And may I skim the milk and bring up the butter for supper? I can set +it in the pantry where it will keep cool," Reliance said. + +"You may do that," Mrs. Willis told her. + +"What else will there be to do?" asked Edna, as the two little girls +hurried from the room. + +"I have to turn down the beds and light the lamps when it gets dark." + +"That isn't very much to do. Maybe Amanda wouldn't mind seeing to those +things for just this one time. I am going to ask her." + +Reliance was only too glad to have Edna take this request off her hands, +herself having a wholesome awe of Amanda, but to her relief Amanda was +in a good humor and promised to look after these extra duties, so in +good season Reliance was free to prepare for the party, while Edna went +to her mother to be dressed. + +"Mother," she said, "do you think it is funny to go to a party with a +bound girl? Is a bound girl the same as a Friendless? You know Margaret +McDonald is our friend, and she used to be a Friendless." + +"I don't think it is funny at all. Reliance had no home, to be sure, +till your grandmother took her, but she is a good, little girl, and I +used to know her father when I lived here." + +"Oh, mother, did you?" + +"Oh, yes, he was quite a nice, young man. I never knew his wife, but I +am afraid he did not marry very well. Reliance will probably have to +work for her living, but that is no reason why she should not be treated +as an equal. The people about here know she comes of good stock and that +the poverty of the family was due more to misfortune than misbehavior. I +have no doubt but Reliance will make a fine woman, as her grandmother +was, and when she is grown up, she may marry some farmer of the +neighborhood, and take the place she should." + +This was all very interesting to Edna, and she sat looking at the +outstretched feet upon which she had just drawn her stockings till her +mother reminded her that time was flying. "Wake up, dearie," she said. +"Why, what a brown study you are in. Reliance will be ready long before +you are. Hurry on with your shoes, and then come let me tie your hair." + +At this Edna jumped and bustled around with such promptness that she was +ready by the time Reliance came to the door neatly dressed in her bright +plaid frock and scarlet hair ribbons. She was a dark-haired, dark-eyed +little girl with rosy cheeks, and though not exactly pretty, had a +pleasant, intelligent face. Edna had finally decided not to wear her +best white frock, but had on a pretty blue challis, quite suited to the +occasion, her mother told her. + +The two little girls set out in high feather and arrived at Alcinda's +house to find that several had reached there before them. Jetty, with a +huge red bow on his collar, barked a welcome, and Alcinda beamed upon +them as they entered. "I was so afraid something would happen to keep +you," she said. + +Esther Ann hurried forward to talk as fast as she could, as was her +habit, her words tumbling over one another in her effort and excitement. +"Wasn't it splendid that you two found Jetty? I wish we had gone that +way, but then maybe we wouldn't have found him after all. I think it is +real nice of Alcinda to ask Reliance when she is a bound girl, don't +you?" This in an aside to Edna. "I'm sure she is as good as anybody. How +long are you going to stay? Here, I'll show you where to take off your +things; you needn't go, Alcinda." And she swept the little hostess aside +while she led the way to an upper room. + +By this time, the latest comers had arrived, so there were about a +dozen in all, enough for almost any game they might choose to play. In +the first, Hide the Handkerchief, Jetty joined with great zeal, being +always the first one to find the handkerchief. "You see he does it with +his nose," said Alcinda by way of explanation, a remark which made +everyone laugh, and set the lively Esther Ann to sticking her nose into +every corner the next time the handkerchief was hidden. + +"You ought to put cologne on it and then maybe we could find it," she +said, and this, too, raised a laugh as she meant it should, for it took +very little to amuse them. + +At five o'clock a tray was brought in. Delicious cocoa and home-made +cakes were served, followed by candies, nuts and raisins. While the +girls were busy over these, Alcinda cast many glances toward the door +and once or twice whispered to her mother, who nodded reassuringly. It +was evident that some matter of surprise was to follow. What it was, +came to light a little later when Mr. Hewlett came in. He knew each +little girl, for even Edna was no stranger to him, so he spoke to each +by name. Then he stood up by the fireplace and said: "You have all heard +of the medals which are given for the performance of brave deeds. Well, +my little girl thinks her small dog would like to show his appreciation +of the act which saved his life the other day, and so I have prepared +two medals for the heroines of that occasion; they are not gold medals; +in fact they are not real medals and of no special value except that +they represent her, and our, gratitude to the little girls who were the +life savers." He paused and looked at Alcinda who bustled forward and +gave into his hands two tiny baskets. + +"Here, Jetty," called Mr. Hewlett, and Jetty, who had been sitting in +Mrs. Hewlett's lap, jumped down and danced over to see what was required +of him. Mr. Hewlett stooped down and gave the dog one of the small +baskets which he took in his month with much wagging of tail. + +"Take it, Jetty," ordered Mr. Hewlett. Jetty started off toward his +little mistress, who quickly left her place and stood by Edna's chair. +Jetty dropped the basket, not knowing exactly what was expected of him. + +"Bring it here, Jet," said Alcinda. Therefore, being sure of himself, +Jetty frisked over to where Alcinda was standing. "Give it to Edna," +said Alcinda, laying her hand on Edna's lap. Jetty did as he was told +and then scampered back to repeat the operation, this time it being +Reliance to whom he was directed to go. + +"Do let's see," urged Esther Ann, edging up to Edna. + +Edna uncovered the basket and saw a box lying there. Inside the box was +a new quarter in which a hole had been drilled; a string had been passed +through this and to the string was attached a bow of blue ribbon. +Reliance found the same in her basket, only her ribbon was red. + +"You must put them on and wear them," said Alcinda, "so everyone can see +how honorable you are." She didn't just know why her father and mother +smiled so broadly. + +The girls proudly pinned on their medals and wore them home, for very +soon came grandpa to say they must get ready to go. + +"I'm going to keep mine forever and ever, aren't you?" whispered +Reliance, as she started around to the kitchen door. + +"'Deed I am," returned Edna. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE ELDERFLOWERS + + +Edna's account of the G. R. club, to which she and most of her friends +belonged, had quite excited the ambition of the little girls at Overlea +to have a similar one. + +"I told my father about it," said Reba to Edna when they met at Jetty's +party, "and he thought it was a most beautiful club, didn't he, Esther +Ann, and he ought to know. He said we could have one just like it." + +"Oh, we don't want to do that," put in Esther Ann scornfully. "We don't +want to be copy-cats. We want to have something all our ownty downty +selves, and not just like somebody else." + +"That's just what I think," spoke up Emma Hunt. "Not that I don't think +yours is the best I ever heard of, and I don't see why we couldn't have +one something like it, just a little different." + +"There aren't so very many girls of us, for there are more old people +than children in this place," said Alcinda. "Would that make any +difference, Edna? Yours is such a big club." + +"It wasn't big when we began; there were only six of us to begin with." + +"Oh, were there? Then we could do it easily. Let me see how many are +here; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, +and there is Mattie Bond who couldn't come because she is sick; she +would make twelve." + +"How many are there in your club?" asked Reliance. + +"Oh, I don't know just how many by now. Uncle Justus has a pretty big +school and almost every girl belongs to it," replied Edna. + +"The real big girls?" + +"Yes, and we have one very grown-up lady, an honorary member; I'll tell +you all about Miss Eloise some day. Agnes Evans was our first president, +and she is really grown up, for she is at college." + +"I think a little club would be nicer," Esther Ann spoke her mind. + +"But what shall it be and what shall we call it?" asked Alcinda. + +"I'll tell you what," proposed Edna, "you all ask your mothers what they +think and I will ask my mother what she thinks, and we can meet +somewhere to-morrow to talk it over." + +"I haven't any mother," came a sorrowful little voice from the corner. +Big Reliance put her arm around the younger girl. "Never mind, Letty," +she whispered; "neither have I, but we can ask somebody else's mother." + +"I'll lend both of you my mother," whispered Edna from the other side. + +So it was that the company of little girls went home from Jetty's party +with quite a new plan. Even Edna, who would really have no part in the +club, was much interested, and could scarcely wait to talk it over with +her mother at bedtime. She began as soon as they were upstairs together. +"Mother," she said, "do you think grandma would let Reliance come up +while I am getting ready for bed?" + +"Why, dearie, I don't know, I am sure. Why do you want her on this +special night?" + +"Because there is something we girls are going to talk over with our +mothers, and Reliance hasn't any mother, neither has Letty Osgood, and I +told them I would lend them my mother. You don't mind, do you, mother +dear?" Edna put her two hands on each of her mother's cheeks and looked +at her very earnestly. + +"Why, my darling, of course not," returned Mrs. Conway, kissing her. +"You know mother is always very glad to mother any little girl who may +need her. What is this wonderful something you are to talk over?" + +"I think we'd better not begin until we know about Reliance though. I +wish I had asked grandma before I came up, but I wanted to speak to you +first, mother dear." + +"Then I will go down and ask her. Where is Reliance?" + +"I suppose she is in the kitchen with Amanda; I don't believe she has +gone to bed yet." + +Her mother left the room, and while Edna unlaced her shoes, she listened +for her return. In a few minutes she heard voices on the stair and +realized that Reliance was coming up. "We haven't said a word about it +yet," she nodded to Reliance who came in behind Mrs. Conway. "You begin, +Reliance." + +"No, you," said Reliance drawing back shyly. + +"Well," began Edna, addressing her mother, "you see the girls want to +get up a club something like ours, only not just like it, and they don't +want the same name either. There aren't such a lot of girls here, +because there are so many more old people than young ones in this +village, and so you see--what kind of club would be nice, mother?" + +"Why, dearie, I shall have to think it over." + +"We ought to decide very soon," said Edna, "for I should hate to go away +without knowing. Could Reliance bring Letty Osgood home with her from +school to-morrow? I lent you to her, too, and maybe by that time you +might think of something?" + +"We'll ask grandma about it, dear, though I am sure she will not object. +Is that all now?" + +Edna thought it was, and now that she was ready to pop into bed, +Reliance left her with a happy "Good-night!" It was like sunshine in the +house to have such a dear little girl as Edna, she thought as she went +downstairs, and though Amanda reprimanded her sharply for not being in +bed, she did not answer back, for, in fact, she scarcely heard her, so +busy was she with pleasant thoughts, and so excited over the idea of the +club. + +The next morning, Edna and her mother did a great deal of talking about +the new club, so much, in fact, that when it was time for Reliance to +return from school, Edna was on the lookout for her, feeling that she +had so much to tell that there should be no time wasted. "Here they +come, mother," she sang out. "Reliance and Letty. May I bring them +right up here?" + +"To be sure you may." + +"I'm going down to tell Amanda to 'scuse Reliance for just a few +minutes." She flew downstairs to the kitchen. "'Manda," she said, +"mother is going to talk over something very important with Reliance and +Letty, so will you please not call her for a few minutes? I'll help her +set the table." + +"It seems to me you are making too much of Reliance," returned Amanda; +"she can't be brought up to look for nothing but ease and pleasure; she +will have to work for her living." + +"But this isn't anything that is going to keep her from doing that," +explained Edna, "and grandma said she could have a little time to play +while I am here, specially when I help her." + +"Oh, well, go 'long," returned Amanda, "only don't keep her too long; +there's more to do than set the table." + +Though the permission was accorded rather ungraciously, Edna was +satisfied, and ran to welcome Letty who was just coming in the gate. "I +am so glad you could come," she said. "You are going to stay to dinner, +aren't you? Did you ask your father?" + +"Yes, and he said I might." + +"Good! Then come right upstairs and take off your things. Oh, girls, +mother has a lovely plan for a club, and the dearest name you ever +heard. You can come, Reliance, grandma said so, and so did Amanda. I'm +going to help set the table." + +She led the way up to where her mother was sitting, her face bright with +eagerness as she brought Letty forward. "This is Letty Osgood, mother, +Dr. Osgood's daughter, you know." + +Mrs. Conway drew the shy little girl nearer. "It is very nice to see +Letitia Osgood's daughter," she said. "I knew your dear mother very +well, and I am glad to have my little girl making friends with her +little girl." + +"Now, mother," began Edna, breaking in, "won't you please not talk much +at first about anything but the club, because Reliance has only a few +minutes to stay." + +Her mother smiled and nodded to Letty. "Very well, Letty," she said, +"well have a nice, little, cozy chat all to ourselves after awhile when +this impatient young person has had her subject discussed. I was +thinking, girlies, that as long as there are so many elderly and old +people in the village, some of whom are poor and some who are partial +invalids, that it would be a very sweet thing if you little girls could +form yourselves into a club which would help to make their lives a +little less sad. It would mean a great deal to old Miss Belinda Myers, +for instance, if one of you would drop in once in a while with a flower, +or any little thing for her. She is so crippled up with rheumatism that +she can't leave her room, and must sit there by the window all day long. +She is fond of children, too. Of course she has plenty of this world's +goods, and her old friends do not neglect her, yet I am sure that you +could give something to her by your mere presence which none of the +older persons could. Then there is poor old Nathan Keener." + +"Oh, but he is such an old cross patch," interrupted Edna. + +"So he is, but he has had enough to make him so. I wonder if any one of +us would be very amiable if she were poverty-stricken, half sick all the +time, had lost all her friends and had been cheated out of the little +which would make old age comfortable? It is very easy to be smiling and +agreeable when everything goes right, but when things go wrong, it isn't +half so easy, especially when one hasn't a good disposition to begin +with." + +"But what in the world could we do for him?" asked Reliance. "If we +stopped to speak to him, very likely he would get after us with a +stick." + +"Did any of the boys and girls ever try the experiment of speaking to +him pleasantly? I am quite sure the boys do their best to annoy him in +any way they can contrive, and even some of the girls tease him slyly +and call him names, I am told." + +"Yes, they do," replied Reliance, doubtfully, who herself was not +entirely innocent in this regard. + +"Suppose you were to try the experiment of beginning by smiling when you +go by and saying, pleasantly, 'Good-morning, Mr. Keener?' Then next day, +even if he chased you away the first time, you might say, 'Isn't this a +lovely morning, Mr. Keener?' and you could always make a point of saying +something pleasant to him when you go by. Then some day when it is +raining or too cold for him to sit in his doorway----" + +"Like a great big, ugly spider," remarked Letty. + +Mrs. Conway paid no heed to the comment, "you could leave a big apple on +the doorsill for him, and so on, till in time I will venture to say he +will learn that you wish him well and are trying to be friends. You must +keep in your mind all the time that he is a poor, neglected, friendless, +unhappy old man and that if you can succeed in bringing even a little +sunshine into his life, you will be doing a great deal." + +The girls were very sober for a few minutes, then Reliance said +thoughtfully, "I believe I should like to try it anyway." + +"Of course," Mrs. Conway went on, "the girls may have found other and +better ideas for a club, and a better name than I can suggest, but it +seemed to me that this might be made something like the G. R., yet would +not be exactly the same, and it could have quite a different name." + +"Oh, mother," exclaimed Edna, "do tell the name you thought of, I think +it is so lovely." + +"I thought you might call yourselves 'The Elderflowers,' because your +good deeds would be directed toward your elders, and you would be +cheerful, little flowers to bring sweetness to sad lives." + +"I think it is the most beautiful idea," exclaimed Letty earnestly, "and +I shall be dreadfully disappointed if the girls want something +different. I begin to feel sorry for old Nathan Keener already." + +"That is an excellent beginning," said Mrs. Conway, with a smile. + +Here came a call from Amanda, so Reliance and Edna scampered off leaving +Letty to be entertained by Mrs. Conway. + +When Reliance came home from school that afternoon, she brought the +information that the girls were going to meet in Hewlett's old +blacksmith shop that afternoon, and that Edna was to be sure to come. To +her own great disappointment, she could not go herself, for Amanda +declared that she could not get along without her, and that all this +gallivanting about was a mistake, and that if Mrs. Willis was going to +have a bound girl there for her to bother with and get no good of, she +guessed it was time for younger folks to take her place. A girl that +spent half her time at school and the other half skylarking wouldn't +amount to much anyway was her opinion. + +So because the old servant had to be pacified and because it was a day +on which Reliance could really be ill spared, she did not attend the +meeting. + +"I am sorry, dear," said Mrs. Willis, when Edna begged to have the +decree altered, "but I am afraid we really cannot spare Reliance this +afternoon. You know she has had a lot of time for play this past week; +we have been very indulgent to her because of your being here." Edna saw +that this was final and went to her mother with rather a grave face. + +"Mother," she said, "isn't it too bad that Reliance can't go? She says +she wouldn't mind so much if it were not for the voting, but you see if +she isn't there, she will lose her vote, and we do so want the +Elderflower plan to be the one." + +"Why couldn't you be her proxy?" said Mrs. Conway. + +"Proxy? What is proxy, mother?" + +"It is some one appointed in the place of another to do what would +otherwise be done by the first person; for instance, in this case you +could be proxy for Reliance and vote for her. She could sign a paper +which would make it very plain." + +"Oh, mother, will you write the paper and let me take it to her to +sign?" + +"Certainly I will." She drew the writing materials to her and wrote a +few lines. "There," she said, "I think that will do." + +"Please read it, mother." + +Mrs. Conway read: "I hereby appoint Edna Conway to be my proxy and to +vote upon any question which may come up before this meeting. + +"Signed--" + +"That sounds very important," said Edna, clasping her hands. "Show me +where she is to sign her name, mother. I know she will be perfectly +delighted that I can speak for her." + +Reliance truly was pleased, the more that the sending of such an +important legal document gave her a certain position with the others. +She signed her name with a flourish, and Edna, armed with the +indisputable right to take her place, started off for Hewlett's old +blacksmith shop. This sat back some distance from the store, and was +used as a storage place for empty boxes and such things. + +Edna found most of the company gathered when she arrived. They were all +chattering away with little idea of what must be done first. "Here comes +Edna Conway," cried Esther Ann; "she can tell us just what to do. Come +along, Edna. What was the first thing you did when you got up a club?" + +"We had a president and a secretary the first thing; the president was +called _pro tem._; she wasn't the real president till we elected her." + +"Then you be _pro tem._, for you know just what to do." + +"Oh, no, I couldn't," Edna shrank from such a public office, and her +little round face took on a look of real distress at such a prospect. + +"Somebody's got to be then," said Esther Ann. "I will." + +"I will, I will," came from one and another of the girls, too eager for +prominence to care about what was expected of them. + +"We can't all be," remarked Milly Somers. "We're wasting time and we +ought to have had this all settled at first. I wish there were some +older person to get us started." + +"Everyone isn't here yet," spoke up Alcinda. "Isn't Reliance coming, +Edna?" + +"No, she can't. She has too much to do this afternoon, but I am her +proxy. I've got a paper that says so." + +The girls giggled. "Isn't she cute?" whispered Esther Ann. "Let's see +the paper, Edna." + +Edna solemnly drew it from the small bag she carried, and handed it to +Esther Ann. + +"Read it, Esther Ann, read it," clamored the girls. And Esther Ann read +it aloud. + +"How in the world did you know about such a thing," said Milly Somers. + +"Oh, I didn't think of it," she answered; "it was my mother." + +"She must be awfully smart," said Esther Ann admiringly. "I wish she +were here to tell us just what to do, if you won't do it." + +"Maybe she would come for just a little while," said Edna, feeling +assured that if her mother were there to tell of her own ideas about the +club that there would be no doubt of its being "The Elderflowers." +"Suppose I go and ask her," she added. + +"All right," agreed the girls. "Tell her if she will stay just long +enough to tell us how to get started, it is all we ask." + +Edna rushed back to the house and upstairs, where she breathlessly +explained her errand. "You will go? won't you, mother, just for a few +minutes," she begged. "You won't have to change your dress, or even put +a hat on if you don't want to. We need you so very, very much. Nobody +knows what to do, and they all talk at once, and giggle and say silly +things. It ought to be real serious, oughtn't it?" + +"Not too serious, I should say," returned her mother. "Very well, dear, +I will come." She threw on a long coat and followed the little girl +across the street to where the prospective club members waited +expectantly. + +It did not take long to set the ball in motion, and in less than half an +hour Esther Ann was made president _pro tem._, Milly Somers was +appointed secretary, and the business of choosing came up. There were +not very many original ideas offered. Few of the girls had any. Mrs. +Conway listened to them all, and at last explained her own plan so +clearly and with such earnestness that it was a matter of only a few +minutes before it was decided that "The Elderflower Club" should start +its existence at once. + +To cap the climax, Edna was elected an honorary member, "for," said the +girls, "if it hadn't been for you we should never have had a club at +all. And when you come to your grandfather's, you will always know that +you must attend the club meetings." + +Therefore, it was a very happy little girl who went back to report to +Reliance the happenings of this first meeting of the club. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +WHAT BEN DID + + +The members of the Elderflower Club were so eager to begin business that +they could scarcely wait till the next day. The more retiring ones, like +Alcinda, contented themselves with beginning their ministrations to +relatives or those they knew, but it was to adventurous spirits like +Esther Ann and Reliance that a difficult case such as old Nathan Keener +appealed. Reliance, following out Mrs. Conway's advice, gave a cheery +"Good-morning, Mr. Keener," as she went by his dilapidated house on her +way to school. She reported this performance to the other girls at +recess. + +"Oh, Reliance, you didn't dare, did you?" exclaimed Alcinda. "What did +he do? Did he run after you?" + +"No, he only frowned and grunted." + +"Did you walk very fast when you went by?" asked little Letty Osgood, +being very sure that she would not have loitered upon such an occasion. + +"No, not so very. I just walked as I always do." + +"Then I think you were very brave," continued Letty. + +"Pooh!" exclaimed Esther Ann, "that wasn't anything to do. Just wait +till you see what I am going to do." + +"What, Esther Ann? What?" clamored the girls. + +"Wait till this afternoon and you will see," was all Esther Ann would +say to satisfy their curiosity. + +This being Friday and Edna's last day at her grandmother's, her friends +begged that she be allowed to go with them to school that afternoon. +"We don't have real lessons," Reliance told her, "for Miss Fay reads to +us, and we have a sewing lesson." + +"I'd love to go," said Edna, "and I could take the work bag I am making +for Celia. I could finish it, I think. May I go?" + +"I haven't the slightest objection," Mrs. Conway assured her. So she set +off with Reliance, and felt quite at home since she knew all the girls +of her own age, and older, and, as she said, "the littler ones don't +count." + +Everything moved along pleasantly during the school session, and the +girls started along in a bunch toward home. "You just come with me, +Edna," said Esther Ann. "You see you are a member of the club, too, and +this will be your only chance to do a deed. The others can follow along +if they want. I'll tell you what I am going to do and you can take +part, if you like." + +The others were both timid and curious, and were quite content to obey +Esther Ann's suggestion to "follow on." Edna, it may be said, was not +inspired with that wholesome dread of old Nathan which possessed the +others, for she had not been brought up under the shadow of his +ogre-like actions, and she felt that this was an opportunity which she +could not neglect. She trotted along valiantly by Esther Ann's side, the +others keeping a safe distance behind. + +"Tell me what you are going to do," said Edna to her companion, as they +proceeded on their way. + +For answer, Esther Ann dived down into her school-bag and produced first +one then another big, red apple. "I am going to give these to Nathan. +You can give one. I mean just to walk right up to him and say, 'Won't +you have an apple, Mr. Keener?'" + +"Suppose he isn't there," returned Edna. + +"Oh, he'll be there; he always is when it is a bright day like this. He +sits in an old chair on that broad doorstep in front of his house, and +leans on a big, thick stick he always carries." + +"Who cooks for him?" + +"Oh, he cooks for himself, when he has anything to cook. He has a little +garden, but it doesn't amount to much. He has no apple trees except an +old one that is nearly dead and never has but a few little, measly, +knerly apples on it; that's why I thought he'd like these." + +Their walk was carrying them nearer and nearer the old man's door. +"There he is now," whispered Esther Ann. "I'll go first and you come +right up behind me. Here, take your apple." She thrust the fruit into +Edna's hand and hastened her own pace a little. Edna's heart began to +beat fast, for surely Nathan Keener was anything but an attractive +figure as he sat there glowering and muttering, his gaunt hands resting +on his knotted stick, and his grizzly old face wearing a wrathful look. + +True to her guns, Esther Arm dashed forward and held out her apple +saying in a shrill, excited voice, "Won't you have----" + +But she got no further, for with a snarl the old man reached out one +long, bony arm and grabbed her by the shoulder, raising his stick +threateningly, "I'll larn ye, ye little varmint," he began. + +Esther screamed. Edna, paralyzed with fright, looked on with affrighted +eyes, but presently found voice to quaver out, "Please don't hurt her! +Oh, please don't!" + +The other girls a little distance off stood huddled together like a +flock of sheep. No one was brave enough to venture within reach of that +terrible stick, but just then along came a crowd of boys from school. +The foremost took in the situation in a glance, and in another instant +was on the platform by Esther's side. + +"Here, you old mut, what are you doing to my sister?" he cried, at the +same time trying to wrest the stick from the old man's grasp. + +But Nathan had too long wielded the stick with effect to lose it so +readily. Loosing his hold upon Esther, he swiftly shifted his weapon to +his other hand and brought down a blow on the boy's back. + +By this time the other boys had come up; there were cries, threats, +screams from the girls, shouts from the boys. All was in a dreadful +hub-bub when along the road approached a young man who stood for a +moment and then dashed to the scene of battle. "Here, boys, here," he +cried, "what are you doing to that old man?" + +"He was going to beat my sister," spoke up the one who had first hurried +to the front. + +"You old scalawag," cried the young man, "what were you up to? If you +are yearning to hit somebody, take a fellow your own size." He wrenched +the stick from the man's grasp and threw it away. "Now," he said, "have +it out if you will. I'm ready." He squared off, but the old man had +neither strength nor desire to grapple with such a masterful opponent, +and he slunk back against his door. + +"I guess if your life was pestered by a set of young wretches like +these, you'd threaten, too," he said surlily. "I guess I'm getting too +smart for their tricks, and know enough not to take anything they offer +me. I don't have to have more'n one apple full of red pepper set on my +doorsill. I guess I know who hides my loaf of bread, and puts salt in my +can of milk. I guess I cut my eyeteeth a good many years ago, and can +catch 'em at their tricks." + +The young man looked around at the group of boys, now rather shamefaced, +at the group of girls now gathered around Esther Ann. On the edge of +this latter group he recognized a little round face now tear-stained and +affrighted. In a moment he was by Edna's side. "Well, I'll be +everlastingly switched," he exclaimed, "Edna, my child, what are you +doing in this mix-up?" + +"Oh, Ben," returned Edna, "it was all a mistake. Nobody meant to play a +trick." + +"Come over here and tell me all about it," said Ben, leading her aside. +Edna poured forth her tale of woe, during the recital of which more +than once Ben's mouth twitched and his eyes grew merry. "It doesn't do +to be too zealous, does it?" he said at the close of the story. "Here, +old fellow, come back here." He made a dash at old Nathan who was now +retreating within his own doorway. Ben pulled him back by his +coat-tails. "We aren't through with this yet," he went on as the man +turned upon him with a few smothered words. "That isn't a pretty way to +talk. You have something of a case, I admit, but you happened to +overreach yourself this time. No, you're not going in yet. A little more +fresh air won't hurt you. Sit down there and be good and I will tell you +a pretty little story." He pushed the old man gently into his chair and +stood guard over him. "No, you don't need your stick yet; you might get +careless with it. I'll just lean it up against the house. Now, then, +those little girls hadn't a notion of playing you a trick; they were +trying to do you a kindness. They knew you were lonely and hadn't much +chance to run around with the boys, or run an automobile, so they +thought they would chirk you up a little by presenting you with a large, +sweet, juicy, red apple. Their little hearts were throbbing with +good-will; they had an unconquerable desire to bring a smile to your +lips and a gleam of happiness to your eye. To prove this to you, I will +now dissect this large, sweet, juicy, red apple. I will eat half and you +will eat the other. If it isn't a good apple, I'll eat my hat." He +carefully cut the apple, which Edna had given him, pared and quartered +it, stuck a piece on the end of his knife and offered it to the old man, +who pushed it away contemptuously. "Let me insist," Ben went on. "We are +not playing Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. There is no serpent in +sight, not so much as a worm, and if you find so much as a grain of red +pepper I'll acknowledge myself beaten." + +The old man muttered incoherently as Ben finished his harangue, but made +no motion to take the apple. "You don't know what you are missing," Ben +went on. "Now just for the sake of old times, let's try to be jolly and +remember when we were boys. Why, many a time you and I have raced down +this shaded street, shouting with mirth, have climbed the wall by the +orchard and stuffed our pockets with apples like these. You never could +take a joke, as I remember, but still you weren't a bad fellow, and I'll +bet you were a wonder at baseball. I shouldn't wonder if your batting +didn't beat the town. The way you swing around that stick of yours shows +there is 'life in the old land yet.'" + +The old man's face had relaxed a little and he no longer muttered under +his breath. Ben winked at the boys who had drawn nearer and were +enjoying the situation to the utmost. "Now, just for old times' sake," +continued Ben, "just tell me what was the last real, good, old-fashioned +trick you ever played?" The old man cast a half-suspicious look at the +smiling young man by his side, but made no reply. "Too bad you forget," +said Ben, "but I'll bet an apple to an oyster you don't forget that last +game you played." + +"Who told you about it?" snapped out the old man. + +"Never mind. Do you suppose such a game as that will ever be forgotten? +I'm going to tell these boys all about it some day, see if I don't." + +Nathan wheeled around in his chair and glanced over the row of young +faces before him. Then he leaned back in his chair and sighed. + +"I'll bet you wouldn't mind a good game now, but you've no use for these +boys and they haven't much for you. When's the next game, boys?" He +turned to the row of faces. + +"We've stopped playing baseball for this year," came in a chorus. + +"Don't have football up here?" + +"No, we haven't any team." + +"Too bad. I might join you on that. Well, Mr. Keener, some of these days +you and I will go to a game together; we'll get that fixed up. Which of +you boys was it who so doughtily sped to the rescue of the young +maiden?" + +"Jim Tabor; it was his sister the old man was after," piped up the boys. + +"All right, and mighty little respect I would have had for him, if he +hadn't pitched in the way he did. Step up here, Jim." + +Jim came forward, a little awkwardly, the other boys snickering. "Mr. +Keener, this is Jim Taber. I want you to look at him and tell me if, +when you were a boy of his size you had seen anyone threatening your +sister with a stick, you wouldn't have pitched in and fought for her for +all you were worth. You weren't any slouch in those days when it came to +fighting, I know. That's all, Jim, no apologies necessary. Now, Mr. +Keener, there is just one thing more. I don't believe these children are +really bad, only mischievous as you used to be when you were a +youngster. The girls, I know, are all ready to be friends, bless their +dear little hearts. As for the boys, I'll venture to say we can patch up +a treaty of peace with them. If you will promise to be a little less +free with that stick and not get a grouch on you every time a boy looks +your way, they will promise to play no more tricks. If they don't +promise, I'll give every mother's son of them Hail Columbia when I come +this way again," and by his looks, the boys knew he meant what he said. +They were conscious that Ben was standing up for old Nathan, and yet +that he meant to be perfectly fair to them. Ben looked up and down the +line. "Well?" he said. + +The boys looked at one another. "If he'll promise, we will," spoke up +Jim Taber. + +"It's a go," said Ben. "Now, Mr. Keener, it's up to you." + +Old Nathan gave a grunt which might have meant anything, but Ben chose +to interpret it his own way. "I think that is meant for assent," he +said. "The gentleman seems to be speaking a foreign language to-day, +Choctaw, I should say, or maybe Hindostanee. However, it is all right. +Now, Mr. Keener, allow me, sir." He opened the door with a flourish and +handed the old man his stick. Without a word, Nathan took the stick and +went in, Ben bowing and scraping and saying, "Thank you for a very good +time," then receiving no reply, not even a grunt, he added, "Not at all, +the pleasure is entirely mine." The door closed and that was the end of +it. + +Edna came running up. "Oh, Ben," she said, "how glad I am to see you. +Oh, wasn't it dreadful? How did you happen to come along?" + +"Why, Pinky Blooms, I was on my way to grandpa's, thought I would come +to take mother back to-morrow, and, as it was a fine afternoon, I +concluded, to walk up from the station. Happened by just in the nick of +time, didn't I? Funny old curmudgeon, isn't Nathan?" + +"Oh, he is terrible," responded Edna, with a remembrance of the uplifted +stick. "Are you going home with me?" + +"No; you trot along with the rest of the brood; I am going to stay here +a few minutes and have a chat with the boys; I'll be along directly." + +So Edna left him, the boys crowding around and asking all sorts of +questions. Ben was no new figure in the town, and most of them knew him +at least by sight. Just what he said to the boys, Edna never knew, but +it is a matter of comment that from that day on there were no more +tricks played on old Nathan Keener, and though the big stick was not so +much in evidence, it was a long time before any of the Elderflowers made +any headway in winning even so much as a grunt from him. It was a great +setback to the enthusiasm of the girls, but as Reliance told Esther Ann, +she should not have tried so venturesome a thing at the very outset. +"Mrs. Conway says we should have worked up to it gradually. It's just +like training a wild animal, you have to win its confidence first." But +Esther Ann declared she wanted no more of Nathan Keener, and Reliance +was perfectly welcome to try any methods she liked so long as Esther Ann +was not asked to share in the effort. It was a very exciting afternoon, +taking it all in all, and was the means of bringing some ridicule and +some censure upon the little club. One or two of the girls resigned, +saying their mothers did not approve of such proceedings. All this, +however, did not happen during Edna's Thanksgiving visit, but she heard +of it afterward, and of further matters concerning the Elderflowers. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +FAREWELLS + + +Edna had not finished telling her mother about the afternoon's +adventures when Ben came in. The family had gathered in the living-room, +Edna sitting on her grandfather's knee, and the others ranged around the +big fireplace. "There comes Ben now," Edna sang out, catching sight of +her cousin's figure, and running to meet him. + +"Halloo, young man," was grandpa's greeting. "I hear you have been +having a set-to with Nathan Keener. It isn't the first time that he has +had a fisticuffs with a member of this family. He and I used to be +continually at it when we were boys together." + +"Oh, but isn't he much older than you, grandpa?" said Edna, in +surprise. "He looks like a very, very old man." + +"And I don't? That's a nice compliment, missy. No, he and I are about of +an age, and went to school together in the little, old, red schoolhouse +that was burned down some years ago. It is ill health and trouble that +makes him look so old, I suppose. Poor old chap, he has lost most of the +friends who would have stood by him, for he has taken such an attitude +it is impossible to be on good terms with him." + +"Ben thinks he used to play baseball," spoke up Edna. "Did they play it +so many, many years ago?" + +Her grandfather laughed. "They certainly did, and he was tremendous at +it. Let me see, forty, fifty years ago isn't so long, and I can well +remember the time the Overlea boys beat the Boxtown boys, and it was all +because of Nat Keener's good playing. The Boxtown fellows thought all +they had to do was to walk in and win, but we gave them a big surprise +that day. I remember how we cheered and, after the game was over, +carried Nat around the village on our shoulders." + +Ben smiled and nodded as if this event came within his recollection, +too. Edna looked at him in surprise. "Why, Ben," she said, "you weren't +there." + +Ben laughed. "No, but I heard about it all years ago, and it came to my +mind to-day when I was having it out with Nathan. I'll venture to say he +is thinking more of those old times, at this very minute, than he is of +his troubles." + +"Poor old Nat," grandpa shook his head. "He was as high-spirited a young +chap as ever lived, but uncontrolled and always fighting against the +pricks. It must be pretty hard for him, pretty hard. He has grown so +morose and snappish that no one takes the trouble to do more than nod +to him nowadays. He wasn't a bad sort, too free and open-handed, too +fond of pleasure, maybe." + +"He doesn't have much chance to indulge himself there in these days," +remarked grandma. + +"False friends, a worthless wife and a bad son have about finished up +what he had. With good money after bad all the time there is nothing +left but that little tumbledown house he lives in." + +"What does he live on?" asked Ben. + +"Ask your grandpa," answered Mrs. Willis smiling across at her husband. + +"Oh, pshaw!" exclaimed Mr. Willis, "nobody counts a load of wood or a +bag of potatoes once in a while. I must stop and see if I can't draw him +out of his shell some of these days." + +"Talk to him about when you were boys, grandpa," said Ben; "that will +fetch him." + +Just here, Reliance came to the door to say that Ira would like to speak +to Mr. Willis, and Mrs. Barker appropriated Ben, so Edna was left to her +grandmother and her mother. + +"So we are going to lose our little girl to-morrow," grandma began. + +"You won't be left without any little girl," replied Edna cheerfully, +"for you will have Reliance." + +"But that isn't the same thing as having my own little granddaughter," +responded Mrs. Willis. + +"No," returned Edna. "When are we coming here again, mother?" + +"Why, my dear, I don't know. We have made grandma a good, long visit +this time." + +"It isn't what I call a long visit," grandma observed. "When I was a +child I spent months at a time at my grandparents." + +"I spent months at Uncle Justus', but then I was there at school," +remarked Edna. "I don't see why I couldn't come here on holidays, +mother." + +"You can do that sometimes, surely. We have promised you to Uncle Bert +for the Christmas holidays, but maybe you could come at Easter, if +grandma would like to have you." + +"Grandma would like very much to have her," said that lady. + +"Even if I came without mother?" questioned Edna. + +"Even if you came by your own little self. We shall claim her for the +Easter holidays, daughter, and you must let nothing prevent her coming. +If it is not convenient for any of the rest of you to come, just put her +on the train upon which Marcus Brown is conductor and he will see that +she gets off safely at Mayville." + +Edna looked a little doubtful at the idea of making the journey by +herself but she did not say anything. + +"However," grandma went on, "I don't see why Celia couldn't come with +her, or perhaps Ben could." + +"Well, we shall see," responded Mrs. Conway. "Well try to get her here +in some way." + +"Then we shall consider that quite settled," said grandma with a +satisfied air. + +"I've had an awfully good time," said Edna thoughtfully. + +"Even though you have been sick abed, and have had all sorts of +unpleasant adventures?" said grandma with a smile. + +"I wasn't so very sick," returned Edna, "and I wouldn't have minded that +except for the mustard bath." + +Her grandmother laughed. "Well hope that you won't need one the next +time." + +"I didn't mind the adventures very much, either, and now that they are +all over, I am awfully glad that I will have something so interesting to +tell the girls at home. I think a great deal has happened in the time I +have been here, don't you, grandma?" + +"From the standpoint of a little girl I suppose that is true, though it +hasn't seemed such a very exciting time to the rest of us. This is a +quiet old village and we jog along pretty much the same way year in and +year out, without very many changes." + +"I think it is just lovely here," replied Edna, "and I like all the +girls, too. I shall be glad to see them again. I sort of remembered some +of them, but you know I haven't been here before for ever so many years, +and I had forgotten lots of things, even about the house and the place." + +"Then don't stay away so long as to forget anything again," her +grandmother charged her. + +"I'm forgetting that this is the last chance I will have to help +Reliance set the table," said Edna, jumping up. + +She found Reliance had already begun this task and that Amanda was +making some specially good tea-cakes in honor of this last evening. She +was in a good humor and did not object, as she did sometimes, to Edna's +being in the kitchen while supper was being prepared. "Just think," +remarked Edna, as she leaned her elbows on the table to watch Amanda, +"where I shall be to-morrow evening at this time." + +"And are you sorry?" asked Amanda. + +"No, not exactly. I am glad and sorry both. I should love to stay and +yet I want to see them all at home." + +"That's perfectly natural," Amanda returned, pricking the tea-cakes +daintily. + +"What do you have to do that for?" asked the little girl. + +"To keep 'em from blistering," Amanda told her. "There, open the oven +door, Reliance, and then bring me that bowl of cottage cheese from the +pantry. I didn't know as it would be warm enough to allow of us having +any more this week, but you see it was." + +"I just love cottage cheese," Edna made the remark, as she watched +Amanda pour in the yellow cream and stir it into the cheese. "I wish we +kept a cow, so we could have all the milky things you have here." + +"Ain't your place big enough for one?" inquired Amanda, in rather a +surprised tone. + +"No; it isn't just country, you know. Mrs. McDonald has a big place, and +the Evanses have a nice garden and a grove of trees. We have some trees +and some garden, and we have a stable, but we haven't any pasture for +cows." + +"You might pasture her out," Amanda suggested, scraping the contents of +the bowl into a glass dish. "Here, Reliance, take that in and set it on +the table, and then go after your milk and butter. The dark will catch +you if you don't hurry." + +"I'm going, too," announced Edna. "I can carry the butter, but I won't +bring the key." The two little girls laughed, for this was a standing +joke between them. + +They started out through the rustling leaves to the spring-house; the +leaves gave forth a queer, though pleasant odor, as they pushed their +feet through them. A big star blazed out against the pale rose of an +evening sky. Over in the cornfields, crows were calling, and a few +crickets, not yet driven to cover by the frost, chirped in the grass. +The cows were standing in the stable yard. They had been milked, and +Ira had brought the pails to the spring-house before this. The little +white kitten which Edna had made a great pet of, followed her down the +walk, frisking away after a falling leaf, or dancing sideways in +pretended fear of its own tail. Edna picked it up but it had no desire +to stay when this, of all hours in the day, was the best to play in, so +it scrambled down from her arms and was off like a flash, darting half +way up a tree, with ears back and claws outspread. + +"I do hate to leave the kitten," said Edna. "I hope it won't miss me too +much. You will try to give it a little attention, even though you love +the grey one best, won't you, Reliance?" + +Reliance promised, and leaving the kitten to its own wild antics they +went into the spring-house, issuing forth with the various things they +had gone for. "Just think," sighed Reliance, "this is the very last +time you will help me bring up the things. I shall miss you awfully, +Edna. You have been so good to me." + +"Why, no, I haven't," answered she; "you have been good to me. I'm +coming back at Easter, Reliance, and it will be so nice, for I shall +have so many questions to ask about the girls and the club and all +that." + +"Are you really coming at Easter? I didn't know that." + +"Yes, mother just now promised grandma I should." + +"Goody! Goody! I must tell the girls when I see them." + +The girls, however, found out before Reliance saw them, for knowing that +Edna was to leave in the morning, they gave her a surprise that very +evening. Supper was hardly over before Reliance, trying very hard to +smother laughter, had a whispered consultation with Mrs. Willis, who, +after it was over, came back to her place by the fire. In a few minutes +she said, "Edna, dear, I wish you would go up to my room and see if you +can find my other pair of glasses. Look on the bureau and the table in +my room, and, if you don't find them there, look in the other rooms." + +Very obediently Edna trotted off upstairs, searched high and low, looked +in this room and that, but no glasses were to be found. After much +hunting, she came down without them. She stepped slowly down the stair, +humming softly to herself. It was very quiet in the living-room, or did +she hear whispers, and subdued titters? Was Reliance or maybe Ben going +to play a trick on her? She heard a sudden "Hush! Hush!" as she reached +the door of the living-room, but she made up her mind that she would +appear perfectly unconcerned, and entered the room in a very don't-care +sort of manner. "I couldn't find----" she began and then stopped short, +for there, ranged around the room, were twelve little girls all smiling +to see the look of surprise on her face. So that was what the trick was. + +"We're a surprise party," spoke up Esther Ann. + +"And we're a good-by party, too," added Reba. + +"We've all brought you something," Alcinda spoke. + +"We are going to stay an hour," Letty added. + +Here Esther Ann darted forward with a bag of nuts which she plumped down +in Edna's lap. "There," she said, "you must take those along with you." + +Next, Reba presented a neat little book. It looked very religious, Edna +thought, but the cover was pretty and there was an attractive picture in +it. + +Alcinda came next with a very ornate vase which Edna remembered seeing +on the glass case in Mr. Hewlett's store. + +Letty brought the figure of a cunning cat playing with a ball; this Edna +liked very much. Some brought candy, some brought cakes, one brought a +paper doll, another a little cup and saucer, but each one had something +to contribute till Edna exclaimed: "Why, it is just like a birthday, and +these are lovely presents." + +"Oh, they're nothing but some little souvenirs," remarked Esther Ann +loftily. "We wanted you to have them to remember us by." + +"I shall never forget you, never," said Edna earnestly, "and I thank you +ever and ever so much." She gathered up her booty and piled it on the +table, then some one proposed a game, and they amused themselves till +grandma sent out for nuts, cider, apples and cakes, which feast ended +the entertainment, though it is safe to say it lasted more than an +hour. At the last, the girls all crowded around Edna to kiss her +good-night and to make their farewells, and then, like a flock of birds, +they all took flight, scurrying home by the light of their lanterns, +some across the street, some down, some up. + +As the sound of the last merry voice died away, Edna threw herself into +her grandmother's arms. "Oh, grandma," she cried, "wasn't it a lovely +surprise? Did you know about it?" + +"Not so very long before. Reliance came and told me what the girls +wanted to do, and I promised to help in any way that I could." + +"And was that why you sent me up for the glasses? I didn't tell you +after all that I couldn't find them." + +"I didn't expect you to," said her grandmother, laughing. "I only told +you to go see if you could find them so as to get you out of the way +and keep you occupied long enough to allow the girls to come in." + +"I didn't hear the front door shut." + +"No, for they came around by way of the side door, and tip-toed in by +way of the dining-room." + +"Well, it was lovely," sighed Edna in full content. + +Although the real farewells had been said on that evening, that was not +quite the last of it, for the girls were gathered in a body by the +church the next morning when Edna drove by on her way to the train. She +was squeezed in the back seat of the carriage between her mother and her +Aunt Alice. Ben was on the front seat with his grandfather. Reliance at +the gate was waving a tearful farewell, a white kitten under one arm and +a grey one under the other. Grandma herself stood in the doorway. +"Good-by! Good-by!" sounded fainter and fainter from Reliance, but the +word was taken up by the girls who shouted a perfect chorus of good-bys +as the black horses trotted nimbly along and bore Edna out of sight. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +HOW ARE YOU? + + +In what seemed an incredibly short time, Edna was getting out at the +station nearest her own home. Ben and his mother had parted from them an +hour before and were now on their way to their own home. Ben, however, +would return on Monday to take up his college work again. + +"There they are!" were the first words Edna heard as she and her mother +descended from the train. And then the boys rushed forward to hug and +kiss both herself and her mother and to make as much fuss over them as +if they had been gone a year. + +"Gee! but I'm glad to see you," cried Charlie. "It hasn't seemed like +home at all without you, mother." + +"Didn't you have a good time at Mrs. Porter's?" asked Edna. + +"Had a high old time," responded Frank. "Here, let me take some of those +things. You look like country travellers with all those bundles. What +you got there?" + +"Oh, things," returned Edna vaguely. "All sorts of things the girls gave +me to bring home." + +"You look like a regular old emigrant with so many boxes and bags." + +"We couldn't get them all in the trunk," Edna explained, "and so we had +to bring them this way. When did you get back, Frank?" + +"Last night. We came home with father." + +"Then you haven't had such a very long time in which to miss us," said +Mrs. Conway, with a smile. + +"Well, it seemed like a long time," returned Frank, "Nothing ever does +go right when you're away, mother." + +"What special thing has gone wrong this time?" asked his mother. + +"Oh, I couldn't find anything I wanted this morning, and nobody knew +where anything was, and Celia didn't know how to fix anything, and all +that." + +Mrs. Conway laughed. "That shows how I spoil you all. I am afraid I +missed my boys, too, and am glad to get back to them." + +"Where's Celia?" asked Edna. + +"She's home. We all came up together last night. Lizzie had waffles for +supper, and Frank ate ten pieces," spoke up Charlie. + +"Well, that was all I could get," said Frank, in an injured way. "Lizzie +said there were no more." + +"Oh, Frank, Frank," laughed his mother. "Well, at any rate, I am glad +to know my absence has not affected your appetite." + +"Tell us what you did at the Porter's," said Edna. + +"Oh, we just racketed around. We went to a fierce old football game, and +we did all sorts of stunts in the house. Steve and Roger have a fine +little workshop. I don't believe I like living right in the city, +though. We boys have a heap more fun at a place like this where we can +get out-of-doors. Roger and Steve say so, too." + +"I am glad you are so well content," observed Mrs. Conway. + +"There's Celia," Edna sang out, seeing some one on the porch watching +for them. It was a chill, wintry morning, and they were all glad to +hurry indoors to the warm fire. The house looked cozy and cheerful, +yellow chrysanthemums in tall vases graced the hall and library; in the +latter, an open grate fire glowed, and Edna looked around complacently. +"It is kind of nice to get home," she remarked. "I love it at grandma's, +but I reckon we all like our own home better than other people's. How +are you, Celia? Tell me everything that has been going on at school. How +is Dorothy? Did you have a club-meeting and was it a nice one? Oh, I +must tell you about the Elderflowers, mustn't I, mother? Has Agnes gone +back to college? Have you seen Miss Eloise?" + +"Dear me," cried Celia, "what a lot of questions. I wonder if I can +answer them all. Let me see. I'll have to go backwards, I think. I +haven't seen Miss Eloise, but some of the girls have. She and her sister +dined at the Ramseys on Thanksgiving Day." + +"I know they had a good dinner, then," remarked Edna, "for I was there +myself last Thanksgiving." + +"Agnes has gone back to college. Dorothy is well. We had a nice +club-meeting, and I missed my little sister's dear, round, little face. +Dorothy has been so impatient that she can hardly wait to see you. She +has been calling me up at intervals all morning to know if you had come +yet. There is the telephone now. No doubt it is Dorothy calling." + +Edna flew to the 'phone and Celia heard. "Yes, this is Edna. Oh, hello, +Dorothy. I'm well, how are you? I don't know; I'll see. Oh, no, you come +over here; that will be much nicer. I have some things to show you. +What's that? Yes, indeed, I am glad to get back." Then a little tinkle +of laughter. "You are a goosey goose; I'm not going to tell you. Come +over. Yes, right away if you want to, Dorothy." + +She went back to her sister, and established herself in her lap, putting +one arm around her neck and stretching out her feet to the warmth of +the fire. "It was Dorothy," she said. + +"That was quite evident, my dear," returned Celia. "What was it you +wouldn't tell her?" + +"Oh, Dorothy is such a goose. She was afraid I had gotten to like some +of the Overlea girls better than I do her. Just because I wrote to her +about Reliance and Alcinda and all of them. Just as if I couldn't like +more than one girl. Don't you think it is silly, sister, for anyone to +want you to have no other friend, I mean no other best friend? Of course +I love Dorothy dearly, but I love Jennie, too, and I am very fond of +Netty Black, and, oh, lots of girls. Are you that way about Agnes, +Celia?" + +Celia felt a pang of self-reproach, for it must be admitted that she had +felt a little jealous of the new friends Agnes was making at college. "I +don't suppose I should be?" she answered after a pause. "I suppose it +is very selfish and unfair to feel that way about it. Mother says it is +very conceited of a person to think she can satisfy every need of a +friend, and that it shows only love of self, and not love of your +friend, when you want to exclude others from her friendship, and I am +sure I don't want to be either selfish or conceited, and I should hate +to be called a jealous person." + +"Do you think Dorothy is conceited and selfish?" + +"I don't think she means to be, but when she wants to deprive you of +good times with other girls, or is jealous of your friendship for them, +she is encouraging conceit and selfishness. I'm glad you asked me about +the way I feel toward Agnes, for it makes me see that I am by no means +the true friend I ought to be. If I loved her as I should, I'd want her +to have all the good times, all the love, all the benefit she could get +from others, and I mean to fight against any other feeling but the right +one. I don't believe my little sister will be the jealous kind," she +said hugging Edna up. + +"If you see me getting that way, I hope you won't let me," returned Edna +earnestly. + +"There's Dorothy now," said Celia, putting down the plump little figure +from her lap. And Edna ran out to greet her friend. + +There was so much to talk about, so many things to show, that Dorothy +must needs stay to lunch. A little later, over came Margaret McDonald to +say "How do you do" and to bring some flowers from her mother's +greenhouse. Edna's tongue ran so fast and she had so much to tell that +the afternoon seemed all too short. Dorothy and Margaret, too, had their +own affairs to talk about, and it was dark before the two little +visitors were ready to go. + +The next excitement was the coming of her father, for whom Dorothy +watched and who appeared almost gladder than anyone that his wife and +little girl were at home again. "This is something like," he said as he +came in, his face wreathed in smiles. + +"You poor dear," said Edna, in a motherly way, "it has been a lonely +time for you, hasn't it?" + +"Pretty lonely, but then it teaches me how to appreciate my family when +they get back. My, my, my, what a difference it does make, to be sure. I +don't think I can stand you all skylarking off again very soon." + +It was all very cozy and natural after dinner to be back again in the +library, Mrs. Conway on one side the table with her fancy work, Mr. +Conway on the other with the evening paper, the boys reading, or +scrapping in the hall, Celia in the next room at the piano, and Edna +herself with the Children's Page of the paper spread out before her +where she lay at full length on the big rug before the fire. Somehow the +page of stories and puzzles did not absorb her as much as usual. She +wondered what Reliance was doing, if her grandmother felt lonely without +her little granddaughter, and if the white kitten missed her. She saw +the long street bordered by maples, the store and the postoffice, the +white church. Presently she got up and went over to her mother. +"Wouldn't it be nice," she said, "if one could be in two places at the +same time?" + +Her mother nodded. "I shouldn't wonder if you and I were in two places +at the same time, or that we had been during the last few minutes, for I +am sure while our bodies are here our thoughts have been in Overlea." + +"That is just where my thoughts have been," answered Edna. "Do you +suppose they miss us, mother?" + +"I am afraid they do, very much," said her mother, with a soft, little +sigh. "I know if either of my daughters ever goes away to a home of her +own, I shall miss her very much when she has left me after making a +visit." + +Edna stood with her arm still around her mother's neck. This was rather +a new thought. Once her mother had been a little girl like her, of +course, and had stood by her mother's side just like this, and now she +was living in quite a different home. Edna tried to imagine how it would +seem to come back to this, her childhood's home, from one of her very +own, but it was entirely too difficult a matter so she gave it up and +went back to her paper. But in a few minutes, the pictures on the page +before her became pictures of Overlea. She was taking the spring-house +key to old Nathan Keener that he might unlock his door and let out the +white kitten. Then she was half conscious of hearing a voice say: "No, +never mind; she is all tired out; I'll carry her up." Then she was +helped to her feet, a pair of strong arms lifted her up, and she was +borne up the stairs. She hardly knew who undressed her and stowed her +away in bed. She felt a soft kiss on her cheek and then she sank into a +deep slumber. The dear little girl's Thanksgiving holidays were over. + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + +Alternative spelling for good-bye and good-by has been retained as it +appears in the original publication. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving +Holidays, by Amy E. 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