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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/30881-8.txt b/30881-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7141afc --- /dev/null +++ b/30881-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8677 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Two Little Women, by Carolyn Wells + +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: Two Little Women + +Author: Carolyn Wells + +Release Date: January 7, 2010 [EBook #30881] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO LITTLE WOMEN *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire + + + + + + + + +Two Little Women + + +Carolyn Wells + + + + +BY THE SAME AUTHOR + + * * * * * + +PATTY SERIES + + PATTY FAIRFIELD + PATTY AT HOME + PATTY IN THE CITY + PATTY'S SUMMER DAYS + PATTY IN PARIS + PATTY'S FRIENDS + PATTY'S PLEASURE TRIP + PATTY'S SUCCESS + PATTY'S MOTOR CAR + PATTY'S BUTTERFLY DAYS + PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON + PATTY'S SUITORS + PATTY'S ROMANCE + + +MARJORIE SERIES + + MARJORIE'S VACATION + MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS + MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND + MARJORIE IN COMMAND + MARJORIE'S MAYTIME + MARJORIE AT SEACOTE + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO SATISFY THE BOYS' +APPETITES.--_Page_ 199] + + + + +TWO LITTLE WOMEN + + +BY +CAROLYN WELLS + +AUTHOR OF +THE PATTY BOOKS, +THE MARJORIE BOOKS, ETC. + + +ILLUSTRATIONS BY +E. C. CASWELL + + +GROSSET & DUNLAP +PUBLISHERS +NEW YORK + + +COPYRIGHT, 1915 +BY DODD, MEAD & COMPANY + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I THE GIRL NEXT DOOR 1 + II DOTTY ROSE AND DOLLY FAYRE 15 + III THE NEW ROOMS 29 + IV THE BIRTHDAY MORNING 43 + V THE DOUBLE PARTY 57 + VI ROLLER SKATING 71 + VII TWO BIG BROTHERS 87 + VIII CROSSTREES CAMP 103 + IX DOLLY'S ESCAPE 118 + X HIDDEN TREASURE 133 + XI A THRILLING EXPERIENCE 150 + XII WHO WAS THE TALL PHANTOM? 167 + XIII THAT LUNCHEON 186 + XIV THE CAKE CONTEST 201 + XV WHO WON THE PRIZE? 215 + XVI A WALK IN THE WOODS 231 + XVII SURFWOOD 250 +XVIII DOLL OVERBOARD! 260 + XIX SPENDING THE PRIZE MONEY 276 + XX GOOD-BYE, SUMMER! 288 + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE GIRL NEXT DOOR + + +Summit Avenue was the prettiest street in Berwick. Spacious and +comfortable-looking homes stood on either side of it, each in its +setting of lawn and shade trees. Most of these showed no dividing fences +or hedges, and boundaries were indiscernible in the green velvety sward +that swept in a gentle slope to the sidewalk. + +Of two neighbouring houses, the side windows faced each other across two +hundred feet of intervening turf. The windows of one house were duly +fitted with window-screens, holland shades and clean, fresh white +curtains; for it was May, and Berwick ladies were rarely dilatory with +their "Spring-cleaning." But the other house showed no window dressings, +and the sashes were flung open to the sunny breeze, which, entering, +found rugless floors and pictureless walls. + +But at the open front doors other things were entering; beds, chairs, +tables, boxes and barrels, all the contents of the great moving vans +that stood out at the curb. Strong men carried incredibly heavy burdens +of furniture, or carefully manoeuvred glass cabinets or potted palms. + +From behind the lace curtains of the other house people were watching. +This was in no way a breach of good manners, for in Berwick the +unwritten law of neighbours' rights freely permitted the inspection of +the arriving household gods of a new family. But etiquette demanded that +the observers discreetly veil themselves behind the sheltering films of +their own curtains. + +And so the Fayres, mother and two daughters, watched with interest the +coming of the Roses. + +"Rose! what a funny name," commented Dolly Fayre, the younger of the +sisters; "do you s'pose they name the children Moss, and Tea and things +like that?" + +"Yes, and Killarney and Sunburst and Prince Camille de Rohan," said +Trudy, who had been studying Florists' catalogues of late. + +"Their library furniture is mission; there goes the table," and Mrs. +Fayre noted details with a housekeeper's eye. "And here comes the piano. +I can't bear to see men move a piano; I always think it's going to fall +on them." + +"I'm tired of seeing furniture go in, anyway," and Dolly jumped up from +her kneeling position. "I'd rather see the people. Do you s'pose +there's anybody 'bout my age, Mums?" + +"I don't know, Dolly. Your father only said their name was Rose, and not +another word about them." + +"There's a little girl, anyway," asserted Trudy; "they took in a big +doll's carriage some time ago." + +Trudy was nineteen and Dolly not quite fifteen, so the girls, while +chummy as sisters, had few interests in common. Dolly wandered away, +leaving the other two to continue their appraisal of the new neighbours. +She went to her own room, which also looked out toward the Roses' house. +Idly glancing that way from her window, she saw a girl's face in a +window next door. She seemed about Dolly's age, and she had a pretty +bright face with a mop of curly black hair. + +She wore a red dress and a red hair-ribbon, and she made a vivid +picture, framed in the open window. + +Dolly looked through the scrim of her bedroom curtain, and then to see +better, moved the curtain aside, and watched the black-haired girl. + +Dolly, herself, could not be seen, because of the dark wire window +screen, and she looked at the stranger with increasing interest. + +At last the new girl put one foot over the window sill and then the +other, and sat with her feet crossed and kicking against the side of the +house. It was a first floor window, and there was little danger of her +falling out, but she stretched out her arms and held the window frame on +either side. + +Dolly judged the girl must be about her own age, for she looked so, and +too, her dress came nearly but not quite to her shoetops, which was the +prescribed length of Dolly's own. + +It was a pleasant outlook. If this new neighbour should be a nice girl, +Dolly foresaw lots of good times. For most of her girl friends lived at +some distance; the nearest, several blocks away. And to have a chum next +door would be fine! + +But was she a nice girl? Dolly had been punctiliously brought up, and a +girl who sat in a window, and swung her feet over the sill, was a bit +unconventional in Berwick. + +Dolly was seized with a strong desire to meet this girl, to see her +nearer by and to talk with her. But Dolly was timid. Beside her careful +education in deportment, she was naturally shy and reticent. She was +sure she never could make any advances to become acquainted with this +new girl, and yet, she did want to know her. + +She went back to her mother and sister. + +"There's an awful big picture," Trudy was saying; "it's all burlapped +up, so you can't tell what it is. It's easy to judge people from their +pictures." + +Trudy had graduated the year before from a large and fine girls' school +and she knew all about pictures. + +"I think you can tell more by chairs," Mrs. Fayre said; "their easy +chairs are very good ones. I think they're very nice people." + +"Have you seen the girl in the window?" asked Dolly. "She's just about +my size." + +"So she is," said Mrs. Fayre, glancing at Dolly, and then returning to +her study of the chairs. + +"When can I go to see her, Mother?" + +"Oh, Trudy and I will call there in a fortnight or so, and after that +you can go to see the little girl or I'll ask her mother to bring her +over here. You children needn't be formal." + +"But can't I go over there to-day?" + +"Mercy, no, child! Not the day they arrive! They'd think we were crazy!" + +Dolly went out on the side verandah. The black-haired girl still sat in +the window. She was frankly staring, and so, every time Dolly caught her +eye, the straightforward gaze was so disconcerting that Dolly looked +away quickly and pretended to be engrossed in something else. + +But at last with a determined effort to overcome her timidity, she +concluded she would look over at the girl and smile. It couldn't be +wrong merely to smile at a new girl, if it was the very day she arrived. +They couldn't think her "crazy" for that. But to conclude to do this and +to do it, were two very different matters for Dolly Fayre. + +Half a dozen times she almost raised her eyes, her smile all ready to +break out, and then, it would seem too much to dare, and with a deep +blush, she would turn again toward her own house. + +But it was nearing luncheon time, and Dolly made a last desperate effort +to screw her courage to the sticking point. With a determined jerk she +wheeled around and smiled broadly at the new girl. + +To her amazement, the pretty face scowled at her! Definitely and +distinctly scowled! Dolly could scarcely believe her eyes. Why should +this stranger scowl at her, when she didn't know her at all? + +Dolly quickly looked away, and pondered over the matter. She felt less +shy now, because she was angry. Then the bell rang for luncheon. + +Dolly started for the house, but unable to resist a final impulse, she +glanced again at the girl in the window. + +The girl shook her head at her! It was a quick, saucy, sideways shake, +as if Dolly had asked her something and she had refused. The pretty face +looked pettish, and the black eyes snapped as she vigorously shook her +curly head. + +"Pooh!" said Dolly to herself; "wait till you're asked, miss! I don't +want anything of you!" + +Dolly went into the house and at the lunch table, she told her mother +and Trudy of the girl's actions. + +"I thought she looked saucy," said Trudy, and the subject was dropped. + + * * * * * + +In the meantime the girl next door had drawn in her feet and jumped down +from the window. + +"What a funny lunch!" she exclaimed, as she ran into the dining-room. +"Looks good, though," and she sat down on a packing-box, and took the +plate her mother offered. + +"Yes, it's a sort of picnic," said Mrs. Rose; "everything's cold, but it +does taste good!" + +The dining-room was unfurnished; though the table and chairs were in it, +they were still burlapped, and the barrels of dishes were not yet +unpacked. Mrs. Rose and her sister, Mrs. Bayliss, sat on packing-boxes +too, and made merry at their own discomfort. + +"Seems 'sif we'd never get straightened out," said Mrs. Rose, taking +another sandwich on her plate, "but I s'pose we will. It's always like +this when you move. Thank goodness, George is coming home early,--he's +such a help." + +"Yes, he is," agreed Mrs. Bayliss; "what lovely fresh radishes! I'll +take some more. Do you know any one at all in Berwick, Molly?" + +"No one at all. George liked the place, and he bought this house from an +agent. But I shan't hasten to make acquaintances. I believe in going +slow in such matters. The neighbours will probably call after a few +weeks, and then we'll see what they're like. The people next door have +lovely curtains. I think you can judge a lot by curtains. And their +whole place has a well-kept air. Perhaps they'll prove pleasant +neighbours. Their name is Fayre." + +"I saw the little girl out on the verandah," said Dotty Rose, between +two bites of her sandwich. "She has yellow hair and blue eyes. But I +don't like her." + +"Why, Dotty, how you talk!" exclaimed her aunt; "how can you like her or +dislike her, when you don't know her?" + +"She's a prig; I can see that, Aunt Clara. I can tell by the way she +walks and moves around. She hasn't any _go_ to her." + +"Well, you've go enough for the whole neighbourhood! Probably you'll +find she's a nice, well-behaved little girl." + +"All right, have it just as you like, Aunt Clara. When are you going to +fix my room, Mother?" + +"As soon as your things come; not till to-morrow, most likely. If we can +get beds to sleep on to-night, that's all I'll ask." + +"I think it's fun," and Dotty danced around on one toe; "I'd like to +live this way, always,--nothing in its place and all higgledy-piggledy!" + +"I believe you would," returned her mother, laughing. "Now, if you've +finished your lunch, dearie, run away and play, for you only bother +around here." + +Dotty ran away but she didn't play. She went from one room to another, +trying to learn the details of her new home; but ever and anon her +glance would stray to the house next door, and she would wonder what the +yellow-haired girl was doing. + +Dotty had been allowed to choose her own room from two that her mother +designated. One was on the side of the house that faced the Fayres', the +other wasn't. Dotty hesitated between them. She went in one and then the +other. + +"If I _should_ like that prim-faced thing," she said to her Aunt Clara, +"I'd rather have this room, that looks toward their house. But if I +_don't_ like her,--and I'm just about sure I _won't_,--I'd rather have +my room on the other side." + +"Oh, you'll like her, after you know her," said Aunt Clara, carelessly. +"But don't mind that, take the room you think pleasanter." + +So Dotty considered them both again. The room not facing the Fayres' was +without doubt the more attractive of the two, though not much so. It had +a large bay window, which was delightful; but then on the other hand the +other room had an open fireplace, and Dotty loved a wood fire. + +She stood in the room with the fireplace, looking toward the next house. +It was Saturday afternoon, and as she watched she saw the yellow-haired +girl and two ladies come out and get in a motor car. + +"I don't like her!" Dotty declared again, though as there was no one +else present, she talked to herself. "She walks like a prig, she gets in +the car like a prig and she sits down on the seat like a prig! I don't +like her, and I'm going to take the other room!" + +So, when her own furniture arrived it was put in the room with the bay +window and which did not overlook the Fayre house. The house that she +could see from her newly chosen room, was so hemmed in by trees as to +be almost invisible. + +Dotty spent a pleasant afternoon, after her furniture was in place, +arranging her little trinkets and pictures, and putting away things in +her cupboards and bureau drawers. + +But every little while some errand seemed to call her across the hall, +and she couldn't help looking out to see if "that girl" had returned +yet. + +The next day was Sunday, and Mr. Rose was at home. + +"Well, Chick-a-dotty, you'll have a nice playmate in that little girl +next door," he said, as his daughter followed him round the house +looking after various matters. + +"'Deed I won't, Daddy; she's horrid!" + +"Why, why! what sort of talk is this? Do you know her?" + +"No, but I've seen her, and she isn't nice a bit." + +"Oh, I guess she is. I came out in the train last night with a man I +know, and he knows the Fayres and he says they're about the nicest +people in Berwick." + +"Pooh! I don't think so. She's a prim old thing, and doesn't know B from +broomstick." + +"There, there, Dotty Doodle, don't be hasty in your judgment. Give the +little lady a chance." + +Later, Dotty and her father walked round the outdoors part of their new +domain. + +"Isn't it pretty, Daddy!" exclaimed Dotty; "I'm so glad there are a lot +of flower-beds and nice big shrubs, and lovely blue spruce trees and +lots of things that look like a farm." + +The Roses had always lived in the city, and to Dotty's eyes the two +acres of ground seemed like a large estate. It was attractively laid out +and in good cultivation, and Mr. Rose looked forward with pleasure to +the restful life of a suburban town after his city habits. + +"There's that girl now!" and Dotty suddenly spied her neighbour walking +with _her_ father around _their_ lawn. + +"So it is. I shall speak to him; it's only right, as we are next-door +neighbours, and we men needn't be so formal as the ladies of the +houses." + +"I don't want to speak to her," and Dotty drew back. "_Don't_ do it, +Daddy, _please_ don't!" + +"Nonsense, child! of course I shall. Don't be so foolish." + +"But I don't want to; she'll think I'm crazy to meet her, and I'm not! I +don't want to, Father." + +"What a silly! Well, if you don't want to see the girl now, run away. +I'm certainly going to chat with Mr. Fayre, and get acquainted." + + * * * * * + +Now the other pair of neighbours had, not unnaturally, been talking +about the newcomers. + +"You see, Father," said Dolly as she took her usual Sunday morning +stroll around the place with him, "that new girl isn't nice at all. When +I smiled at her, she scowled and shook her head at me." + +"Oh, Dolly, I imagine she's all right. Mr. Forrest told me about them. +He knows them and he says they're charming people." + +"Well, they may be, but I don't want to meet her. Don't walk over that +way." + +"Yes, I shall. Mr. Rose seems to be coming this way, and I shall do the +neighbourly thing and have a chat with him." + +"Why, Father, you don't know him." + +"That doesn't matter between next-door neighbours, at least between the +men of the houses. Come along, and scrape acquaintance with the little +girl. I think she looks pretty." + +Dolly started, then a sudden fit of shyness seized her, and she stood +stock-still. + +"I can't," she murmured; "oh, Father, please don't ask me to!" + +"All right, dear; don't if you don't want to. Run back to the house. I'm +going to speak to Mr. Rose." + +And that's how it happened that as the two men neared each other, with +greeting smiles, the two girls, started simultaneously, and ran like +frightened rabbits away from each other, and to their respective homes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +DOTTY ROSE AND DOLLY FAYRE + + +A few days passed without communication between the two houses. + +Mr. Fayre expressed a decided approval of his new neighbour, and advised +his wife to call on Mrs. Rose. Mrs. Fayre said she would do so as soon +as the proper time came. + +"I'm not going," said Dolly. "I don't like that girl, and I never +shall." + +"Why, Dorinda," said her father, who only used her full name when he was +serious, "I've never known you to act so before. I've thought you were a +nice, sweet-tempered little girl, and here you are acting like a +cantankerous catamaran!" + +"What is the matter with you, Doll?" asked Trudy; "you are unreasonable +about the little Rose girl." + +"Let her alone," said Dolly's mother; "she'll get over it." + +"I'll never get over it," declared Dolly; "I don't want to know a girl +as big as I am, who plays with dolls." + +"How do you know she plays with dolls?" + +"Well, a dolls' carriage went in there the day they moved in." + +"Perhaps it's one she used to have, and she has kept it, for old +associations." + +"Maybe. Anyhow, I don't like her. She made faces at me." + +"Really?" and her mother smiled. + +"Well, she scowled at me, and shook her head like a--like a--" + +"Like a little girl shaking her head," said Mr. Fayre, to help her out. + +But Dolly didn't smile. She was a queer nature, was Dolly. Usually sunny +and happy-hearted, she liked almost everything and everybody, but if she +did take a dislike, it became a prejudice, and very hard to remove. + +Dolly was pretty, with the bluest of blue eyes and the pinkest of pink +cheeks and the yellowest of yellow hair. She was inclined to be plump, +and Trudy was always beseeching her not to eat so much candy and sweet +desserts. But Dolly loved these things and had small concern about her +increasing weight. She didn't care much for outdoor play, and would +rather sit in the hammock and read a story-book than run after tennis +balls. + +Her mother called her a dreamer, and often came upon her, sitting in the +twilight, her thoughts far away in a fairyland of her own imagination, +enjoying wonderful adventures and thrilling scenes. + +Dolly was in the grammar school and next year would be in the high +school. She didn't like study, particularly, except history and +literature, but she studied conscientiously and always knew her lessons. + +This morning, she kissed her mother good-bye, and started off for +school. She wore a blue and white gingham, and a fawn-coloured coat. +Swinging her bag of books, she marched past the Rose house, and though +she didn't look at her, she could see the Rose girl on the front steps. + +"I wonder if she'll go to our school," thought Dolly; and for a moment +the impulse seized her to stop and "scrape acquaintance." Then she +remembered that shaking head, and fearing a rebuff, she walked on by. + +"Do you know that new girl next door to you?" Celia Ferris asked her as +she entered the school yard. + +"No; do you?" and Dolly looked indifferent. + +"No, I don't; but my mother knows a lady, who knows them and she says +Dorothy,--that's her name,--is a wonder." + +"A wonder! How?" + +"Oh, she's so smart and so clever, and she can do everything so well." + +This was enough for Dolly Fayre. To think that disagreeable new +neighbour of hers, must be a paragon of all the virtues! + +But Dolly was never unjust. She knew she had no real reason to dislike +Dorothy Rose, so she only said, "I haven't met her yet. My mother is +going to call there this week, and then I s'pose I'll get acquainted +with her." + +"How funny," said Celia, who was chummy by nature. "I should think you'd +go in and play with her without waiting for your mother to call,--and +all that. Anybody'd think you were as old as Trudy." + +"Oh, I could do that if I wanted to, but I don't want to." + +"Well, I think I'll go to see her, anyway. If she's so smart it would be +nice to have her in the Closing Day exercises. I s'pose she'll come to +school here." + +"Of course, you can do as you like, Celia, but I think it's too late to +get any new girls in now." + +Dolly went on to the schoolroom, her heart full of resentment at this +"smart" interloper. It was a little bit a feeling of jealousy, for Dolly +Fayre was head and front of everything that went on at the Berwick +Grammar School, and it jarred a little to think of having a wonder-girl +come in with a lot of new ideas and plans and mix everything all up at +the last minute. + +But don't get any mistaken idea that Dolly Fayre was a mean-minded or +small-natured girl. On the contrary, she was generosity itself in all +her dealings with her schoolmates. Every one liked her, and with good +reason, for she never quarrelled, and was always happy and smiling. + +But the Rose girl had acted queer from the first, and Dolly couldn't +admit the desirability of bringing her into their already arranged +"Closing Exercises." These were so important as to be almost sacred +rites, and as usual Dolly was at the head of all the committees, and her +word was law. + +She went home from school that afternoon, thinking about it, and her +pretty face looked very sober as she went in the house and put her +school-books neatly away in their place. + +"There's some lemonade and cookies on the sideboard," said her mother as +Dolly went through the hall. + +"All right, Mumsie," and somehow, after these refreshments had been +absorbed, Dolly felt better, and life seemed to have a brighter outlook. + +She took an unfinished story-book and picked up her white kitten, and +went out to the side verandah, her favourite spot of a warm afternoon. + +"You see, Flossy," she whispered, addressing the kitten, "I want you +with me, 'cause I'm buffled to-day." Dolly was in the habit of making up +words, if she couldn't think of any to suit her, and just at the moment +_buffled_ seemed to her to mean a general state of being ruffled, and +buffeted and rebuffed and generally huffy. + +"And you well know, Floss, that when I feel mixy-up, there's nothing so +comforting and soothing as a nice little, soft little, cuddly little +kitty-cat." + +Flossy blinked her eyes, and purred gently, and was just as comforting +as she could be, which is saying a good deal. + +There was a big, wide swing on the side verandah, one of those cushioned +settee affairs that are so cosy to snuggle into, and read. + +And it was without a glance at the house next door, that Dolly snuggled +herself in among the red cushions and opened her book, while Flossy +cuddled in the hollow of her arm; and concluding that she would be +quite as comforting asleep as awake, the kitten promptly fell into a +doze. + +Meantime there were arrivals at the Rose house. + +Eugenia, the eleven year old girl, had been staying with a cousin until +the house should be put in order, and now she had come to the new home. + +She was a black-haired witch, and of exceeding vivacious and volatile +disposition. + +"OO!--ee!" she exclaimed; "isn't it great! Take me everywhere, Dot! Show +me all the rooms and all the outdoorses and everything! I didn't know it +was such a big house. Which is my room?" + +Even as she talked, Eugenia was flying upstairs, only to turn right +around and fly down again. She danced from room to room, sometimes +followed or preceded by Dotty and sometimes not. Her own room delighted +her. It faced the Fayres' house, being the one Dorothy had rejected in +favour of the other. + +"Where's Blot?" asked Dotty; "didn't you bring him?" + +"Oh, yes; he's down with Thomas. He's crazy. He barked all the way +here." + +But Dotty was already flying down stairs to find her beloved puppy. + +"Here he is, Miss Dorothy," and the chauffeur, Thomas, gave the black +poodle into her arms. + +"Oh, you blessed Blotty-boy! Oh, you cunnin' Blotsy-wotsy! Does him love +hims Dotty?" + +The love was manifested by some moist caresses and then Blot was all for +a scamper. Dotty took him out on the lawn and set him down, herself all +ready for a romp. + +Now only a minute before, Flossy, the white kitten, had waked from her +nap, and seeing that Dolly was absorbed in her story-book, inferred that +kitten comfort was not at the moment needed, and decided to go after a +very yellow butterfly out on the Fayre lawn. + +Stealthily across the grass, Flossy went butterflywards, on tippy-toe. +Each white paw was daintily lifted and softly set down on the thick +turf, as her progress continued. From the Rose lawn Blot spied the +advancing Flossy. He didn't then know her name, but he had liberal ideas +on the subject of introductions, and he made a wild dash toward the +oncoming kitten. + +When Floss saw the small black whirlwind hurling itself at her, she was +either too brave or too frightened to retreat, so she put her white back +up as high as possible and stood her ground. She expressed her opinion +of the performance in a series of sputtering yowls that drew Dolly's +attention from her book to the impending battle. + +She sprang out of the swing, and rushed toward Flossy just as the two +belligerents met in the grassy arena. + +Dorothy Rose, on her side of the lawn was shaking with laughter, and +this sight was the last straw to Dorinda Fayre's overburdened soul. + +"Don't you let your dog eat up my cat!" she cried out, angrily, to the +black-haired girl opposite. + +"Don't you let your cat eat up my dog, then!" was the immediate +response, delivered with enthusiasm equalling Dolly's own. + +"Cats don't eat dogs!" + +"Neither do dogs eat cats!" + +"Well, these will eat each other! Oh! look, we _must_ get them apart!" + +The battle was of the pitched variety, whatever that may mean. But it is +a phrase used to describe the most intense and desperate battles of +history, and surely this was one of them. Dolly Fayre had no idea that +gentle little Flossy had so much fight in her small white body, and +Dotty Rose never dreamed that Blot was such a fire-eater under his curly +black coat. + +Really alarmed for their pets, the two girls went nearer to the agile +warriors, who now looked like an indistinct moving-picture film that was +going too fast. + +"Come here, Blot!" Dotty cried, in most commanding tones. + +"Come here, Flossy!" Dolly called, in coaxing accents. + +Insubordination ensued on both sides. + +"We'll have to grab them!" declared Dotty Rose; dancing about the war +zone. + +"We can't!" wailed Dolly Fayre, wringing her hands as she edged away +from the seat of battle. + +"Well, I just guess we will!" and Dotty Rose seized Blot by the scruff +of his black neck and shook him loose from the white kitten. + +With a little cry of rejoicing, Dolly Fayre picked up Flossy and plumped +herself down on the grass to make sure the kitten was intact. + +Dotty sat down too, and felt of Blot's small and well-hidden bones. + +As neither animal gave any cry of pain and as each glared at its late +opponent, the respective owners of the combatants drew sighs of relief +and held on tightly to their pets, lest a fresh attack should begin. + +Now it stands to reason that after a scene like that just described, +the two girls couldn't get up and walk off home without a word. + +So they sat on the grass and looked at each other. + +And when the troubled blue eyes of Dolly Fayre saw the big brown eyes of +Dotty Rose twinkle and saw her red lips smile, she discovered that the +scowl she had objected to was not permanent, and she smiled back. + +But somehow, they could think of nothing to say. The smile broke the ice +a little, but Dolly Fayre was timid, and Dotty Rose was absorbed in +looking at the other's blue eyes and yellow hair. + +But it was Dotty who spoke first. "Well," she said, "how do you like +me?" + +It was an unfortunate question. For Dolly Fayre hadn't a single definite +notion regarding Dotty Rose except that she didn't like her. However, it +would hardly do to tell her that, so she said, slowly: "I don't know +yet; how do you like me?" + +"Well, I think you're awfully pretty, to begin with." + +"So do I you," put in Dolly, glad to find a favourable report that she +could make truthfully. + +"Aren't we different," went on the other thoughtfully; "you're so blonde +and I'm so dark." + +"Yes; I just hate my hair,--towhead, Bert calls me." + +"Who's Bert?" + +"He's my brother; he's away at school. He's seventeen years old." Dolly +spoke proudly, as if she had said, "he's captain of the Fleet." + +"Why, I've got a brother away at school, too." + +"Have you? What's his name?" + +"Bob; of course it's Robert, but we always call him Bob. He's eighteen." + +"What else have you got?" + +Dotty knew the question referred to family connections, and answered: "A +little sister, Genie, 'leven years old." + +"That all?" + +"Yep. 'Cept Aunt Clara, who lives with us, she's a widow. And of course, +Mother and Dad." + +"I've got a grown-up sister, Trudy. She's in s'ciety now, and she's +awful pretty." + +"Look like you?" + +"Some. But she's all fluffy-haired and dimply-smiled, you know." + +"What funny words you use." + +"Do I? Well, I only do when I can't think of the real ones. Are you +going to the Grammar School?" + +"Mother says it's too late to begin this year. Here it is May,--and it +closes in June. So she says for me to wait till next year." + +This was comforting. If the girl didn't go to school this year she +couldn't make any bother with the Closing Exercises. Beside, maybe she +was not such a dislikable girl as she had seemed at first. Dolly sat and +regarded her. At last she said: "Then the doll-carriage belongs to your +little sister." + +"To Genie, yes. How did you know she had one?" + +"Saw it come with your things, the day you moved in." + +"How old are you?" + +"Fourteen, but I'll be fifteen next month,--June." + +"Why, so will I! Isn't that funny! What day is your birthday?" + +"The tenth." + +"Mine's the twentieth. We're almost twins. And our names are quite +alike, too. Mine's Dorothy, really, but they all call me Dotty." + +"And mine's Dorinda, but I'm called Dolly." + +"And we both have brothers at school, and we each have a sister." + +"But mine is a big sister and yours is a little sister." + +"Yes, but we have as many differences as we have likenesses. You're so +fair, and--why, your name is Fayre!" + +Dolly laughed. "Yes, and you're so rosy and your name is Rose!" + +"Dotty Rose and Dolly Fayre! We ought to be friends. Shall we?" + +Dolly hesitated. She was too honest to pretend to a liking she didn't +quite feel. She looked squarely at Dotty Rose, and said, +straightforwardly, "What made you scowl at me that first day you came?" + +"I didn't!" and Dotty Rose opened her brown eyes in astonishment. + +"Yes, you did; and you shook your head at me when I smiled to you. You +were sitting in a window, with your legs hanging out." + +"Sitting where! Oh, I remember! Why, I didn't scowl at _you_, it was +because Aunt Clara called me to come in out of that window. And I didn't +want to, so I scowled. I've a fearful temper. And then, she told me +again to come in, and I shook my head. I wasn't shaking it at _you_! +Why, I didn't know you then!" + +Dolly drew a long breath. "Then that's all right! I thought you scowled +because I smiled at you, and it made me mad. All right, I'll be friends +with you. I'd like to. I think you're real nice." + +"So do I you!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE NEW ROOMS + + +In the cushioned swing on the Fayres' verandah the two girls sat. + +An artist would have stopped to admire the picture. Dorinda, her pink +and white face framed in its golden halo of curlilocks, her light blue +frock, neat and smooth, was calmly and daintily nibbling at a piece of +cake, catching the crumbs carefully as they fell. + +Beside her, Dorothy was rapidly munching her cake as she talked, and +letting the crumbs fall where they might. Her black hair framed her rosy +cheeks and her eyes snapped and sparkled as she gesticulated with both +hands. It was Dorothy's habit to emphasise her remarks with expressive +little motions, and her father often said that if her hands were tied +behind her, she couldn't say a word! + +Her pink lawn dress was rather tumbled by reason of her wriggling and +jumping about, but Dorothy's frocks were rarely unrumpled after she had +had them on ten minutes. + +"We've been friends more than a week now," she said, as she finished +her cake in one large bite and brushed a few stray bits out of her lap. +"And I think you're just fine! I'm _so_ glad we came to live in Berwick. +I like you better than any girl I ever knew." Dotty spread her hands +wide as if embracing all the girls who had figured in her previous +existence. "Do you like me as much as that?" + +As she spoke, she touched her toes to the floor and sent the swing up in +the air with a mad jump. + +"Oh!" gasped Dolly, as her cake flew out of her hand; "how--how sudden +you are!" + +"Never mind! _Do_ you like me as much as I like you?" + +"I don't know," and Dolly looked thoughtful; "I like you, of course, but +I wish you'd sit stiller." + +"Can't; I'm always jumpy. But you _do_ like me, don't you, Dollyrinda?" + +"Yes, but I can't hop into a liking the way you do. We're awfully +different, you know." + +"'Course we are! That's what makes us like each other. Just think, +Dolly, we'll be fifteen soon. Don't you think we ought to be called by +our full names and not Dolly and Dotty any more?" + +"I don't know. Why?" + +"Oh, 'cause we're too big for baby names. I'm going to stop wearing +hair-ribbons." + +"You are! How ever will you keep your hair back? And you've such a lot +of it." + +"I know. So've you. Why, I'll just braid it, and let the end flutter. +But Mother says she won't let me till I'm sixteen. Well, we'll see. Do +you want to grow up, Doll?" + +"I don't know." + +"You don't know anything! I never saw such a girl! Well, what are you +going to do when you're fifteen?" + +"I haven't thought about it. Do I have to do anything different from +when I'm fourteen?" + +"You don't _have_ to! But don't you _want_ to? What do you want to be +when you're grown up?" + +"Oh, _then_! Why, then I'm going to be an opera singer." + +"Can you sing?" + +"Not much yet. But Trudy says I have a nice voice and I'm going to +learn." + +"Pooh! I don't believe you'll ever sing in opera. I'm going to be an +actress." + +"Huh! Can you act?" + +"Not yet; but I'm going to learn." Dotty smiled as she realised that +their ambitions were at least equally promising. "Wouldn't it be fun if +we did both get to be famous! Me an actress and you a singeress. But I +may change my mind about mine. I do sometimes. Last winter I was crazy +to be a trained nurse; but Mother wouldn't let me." + +"Will she let you be an actress?" + +"I haven't asked her yet. There's no hurry. I couldn't begin to study +for it till I'm out of school. What are you going to get for your +birthday?" + +"I haven't decided yet. Mother said I could have my bedroom all done +over or have a gold watch." + +"Oh, have the room things. And I'll do the same! Do you know, when we +moved into our house, I took a room on the other side, but I'm going to +move across so I can be on this side toward you. And Mother is going to +have the room done up for me, and I'm to choose the things. So you do +that too, and we'll have 'em alike!" + +Dotty had jumped out of the swing in her excitement, and stood at one +side, her foot on the step, pushing it sideways. + +"Don't do that, Dot, you'll break the swing." + +"Well, will you? Will you choose the room fixings 'stead of the watch?" + +"I don't know; I'll have to think." + +"Fiddlesticks! Don't think! Jump at it, and say yes!" + +"I believe I'd rather, anyway; it would be fun to have our things alike. +I'll ask Mother." + +"But she said you could have your choice." + +"Yes, but of course, I'll talk it over with her. And Dotty, we don't +want the same coloured things, you know." + +"Why don't we?" + +"Why, because we're so different. What colour do you want?" + +"Oh, I've got it all picked out. I'm going to have rose and grey. It's +all the rage. Rose pink, you know, and French grey." + +"Well, I don't want that. I want pale green and white." + +"You do! Why rose and grey is ever so much more fashionable." + +"I don't care. I know what I want. Now, see here,-- But do come and sit +down! Don't climb over the back of the swing!" + +Dotty jumped down from the back of the swing, and came around and seated +herself beside Dolly. For nearly five minutes she sat quietly while they +discussed the colours. + +"But, don't you see," said Dolly at last, "it will be nicer for us to +have our own colours and have the things alike. We can have just the +same shape furniture and everything, only each stick to our own colour." + +Dotty was persuaded, and they agreed that the two mothers could easily +be brought to see the beauty of their plans. + +And so it was. A neighbourly friendliness already existed between the +households, and as the two birthdays fell so near together, it seemed +fitting that the girls should have their gifts alike. + +So the paperhanger was visited and Dolly chose a lovely paper of striped +pattern, but all white; to be crowned with a border design of hanging +vines and leaves in shades of green. + +Dotty's paper was the same stripe, in soft greys; and her border was a +design of pink roses and rosebuds. + +Dolly's woodwork was to be painted white and Dotty's light grey. + +The two sets of furniture were exactly alike, except that one was +enamelled grey and one white. + +Each room had a bay window, and the window seats were cushioned in green +or rose, and the numerous pillows that graced them were of harmonious +colouring. + +The parents of the girls agreed that a fifteenth birthday was a +memorable occasion, and one not likely to occur again, so they made the +furnishings of the two rooms complete to the smallest detail. + +Each had a large rug of plain velvet carpeting; Dotty's rose pink and +Dolly's moss green. Window curtains of Rajah silk fell over dainty white +ones, and pretty light-shades of green and pink, respectively, gave the +rooms a soft glow at night. + +Trudy contributed wonderful _filet_ embroidered covers for +dressing-tables and stands, and dainty white couch pillows, with +monograms and ruffles. + +Dotty's Aunt Clara gave each of the girls a picture, which they were +allowed to choose for themselves. They took a whole afternoon for this, +and at last Dolly made up her mind to take "Sir Galahad," and Dotty +chose, after long deliberation, a stunning photograph of the "Winged +Victory." + +These, framed alike in dark, polished wood, were hung in similar +positions in the two rooms. + +Altogether, the rooms were delightful. It was hard to say which was +prettier, but each best suited its happy owner. + +There was quite a discussion as to when they would take possession, for +everything was in readiness by Dolly's birthday, which was on the tenth. + +"I'll tell you!" cried Dotty, with a sudden inspiration; "let's average +up! Dolly's birthday is the tenth and mine the twentieth. Let's +celebrate both on the fifteenth, that's half way between, and as we're +fifteen anyway, it makes it just right!" + +This was agreed to as a fine scheme, and then Mrs. Fayre electrified the +girls by proposing that they have a little party by way of further +celebration. + +"Together, of course," she said, smiling; "not in either house, but an +outdoor party, on the lawn, half-way between." + +"Oh, Mumsie!" and Dolly clasped her hands in ecstatic joy at the +prospect. + +"Oh, Mrs. Fayre!" and Dotty flung her hands above her head, and danced +up and down the room where these plans were being talked over. + +They were in the Fayre house, having just come down from an inspection +of Dolly's room, and these inspections were of almost daily occurrence +and usually participated in by several members of both families. + +"Good idea!" said Mrs. Rose. "It will let Dotty get acquainted with the +young people here, and that's what I want. But let me make the party, +Mrs. Fayre, and you and Dolly invite the guests as we know so few people +as yet." + +"No; the party must be half and half as to responsibility and expense. +If our two D's are to be so friendly, we must share and share alike in +their doings." + +So it was agreed, and as there was but a week in which to get ready, +plans were hurried through. + +They decided to ask thirty of the Berwick young people, fifteen girls +and fifteen boys. + +"I wish Bob could be home!" sighed Dotty; and Dolly echoed the wish for +her own brother. But the boys of the two families were deep in school +exams and could not think of coming home for a party. + +Of course the Fayres decided on the invitation list, but everything else +was mutually arranged. + +It was to be entirely a lawn party; first because that seemed +pleasanter, and too, because then, it could take place on the adjoining +lawns and so be the party of both. + +"Only,--if it rains!" said Dolly, with an anxious face. + +"It won't rain!" declared Dotty; "it _can't_ rain on our double +birthday! It will be the beautifullest, clearest, sunshiniest day in the +world! I know it will!" + +The girls decided to sleep in their new rooms for the first time the +night before the party. + +"For," said Dolly, shaking her head sagely, "the night after the party, +we'll be so tired and thinky about it, that we can't enjoy our rooms so +much." + +"All right," agreed Dotty, "I don't care. I'm crazy to get into mine; +the sooner the better, I say." + +The two girls had a birthday present for each other, and though they +didn't know it, the two mothers had planned these so they should be +alike. + +But they did know that the mothers had these gifts in readiness, and +that they would see them when they awoke on the birthday morning. + +By common consent the real birthdays were ignored, and the fifteenth of +June accepted as the right anniversary for both. + +Very formal were the rites preparatory to the occupancy of the new +rooms. + +Dotty had planned them and after some discussion Dolly had agreed. + +"You come over and wish me good-night in my room," Dotty said, "and then +I'll go over and wish you good-night in yours. And then, I'll go home +again, and when we're all ready for bed, we'll put out our lights and +stick our heads out of our windows and holler good-night across." + +"Somebody might hear us," objected Dolly. + +"Pooh! they won't. And what if they did? Neighbours have got a right to +say good-night to each other, I guess." + +"But that's disturbing the peace, or something like that." + +"Huh! the Peace must be awful easy disturbed! Well, you've got to do it, +anyhow." + +"I haven't got to, either! Not just 'cause _you_ say so!" + +Dotty was beginning to learn that mild-mannered Dolly had a will of her +own, and she said, placatingly: "Well, what do you want to do, then?" + +"Let's do something like this. When we're all ready to hop into bed, +let's turn our lights up and down three times in succession; that'll +mean good-night." + +"Oh, yes, I see; now, listen! we'll do it separately. You flash first +and then I will; and after three flashes, we'll leave the lights out and +jump into bed at the same minute!" + +So it was settled, and the eventful occasion duly arrived. + +The girls' bedtime hour was nine o'clock, but some time before that they +were in their new rooms, enjoying their beauty and freshness. + +At quarter before nine, Dolly appeared at the Rose house, and said +solemnly, "I've come over to wish Dorothy good-night." + +"Come in," said Mrs. Rose, trying not to smile at the ceremonial visit. +"You'll find her in her room; go right up." + +Dolly went up, and found Dotty waiting for her. + +"_Isn't_ it pretty!" Dolly exclaimed, seeing, as if for the first time +the beauties of the room. The bed was turned down, and a lovely new +nightdress, with a rose-coloured ribbon run through its lace edge, lay +in readiness for the sleeper. + +"Oh, it's _lovely_!" returned Dotty; "I can hardly wait to go to bed! Go +on, say your piece." + +Dolly stood a minute, her hands clasped, her eyes wandering about with a +thoughtful far away gaze. + +"It's all gone," she said at last; "I can't remember it, only a line: + + "Sleep sweetly in this quiet room, oh, thou, whoe'er thou art; + Nor let a troublous something or other disturb thy peaceful heart. + +"Honest, that's all I can remember." + +"Well, that's enough. Thank you, sweet friend and playmate, now go I +with thee!" + +Grabbing Dolly by the arm, Dotty flew downstairs and across the lawn to +the other house; Dolly running by her side. + +Up to Dolly's new room they went. + +"Lovely!" exclaimed Dotty, as she saw almost the counterpart of her own +room, even to the new nightdress,--only Dolly's had a white ribbon. + +"You might have had green," said Dotty, doubtfully. + +"No, I don't like coloured ribbons in my underclothes. They're all right +for you," Dolly added politely, "but I never did like them." + +"Now I'll say _my_ piece;" and Dotty bowed to her audience of one. "I +haven't forgotten it, but it's very short. + + "Early to bed and early to rise + Makes a girl healthy and wealthy and wise. + +"Thank you, sweet friend and playmate, now go I with thee." + +"No; _you_ don't say that! You've _been_ with me. Now, I go home and we +both get ready for bed. When you're all ready, put out your light and--" + +"Yes, I know." + +Dotty scampered downstairs and over home, and fairly flew up to her +room. + +In less than twenty minutes Dotty was all ready for bed; she put out +her light, and throwing a dressing-gown over her nightdress, she sat in +the window, watching the light in Dolly's room. + +She waited and waited, but the light behind the pulled-down shade +remained. + +"H'm!" said Dotty to herself, yawning, "she is the _slowest_ thing! I +could have undressed twice in this time!" + +But at last, Dolly's light went out, and her shade was slowly raised. + +Then, according to their plan, Dotty flashed her light on and off again. +Dolly's light repeated this manoeuvre. Then Dotty did it again, and +then Dolly did. The third time the flashes came and went, and then all +ceremonies over, the two girls went to their new pretty, inviting beds, +and were very soon asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE BIRTHDAY MORNING + + +Dotty Rose woke early next morning, and, wide-awake on the instant, +sprang from her bed and flew to the window. But she could see nothing of +Dolly. The white shades were down and there was no sign of any one +stirring. Dotty turned back and began anew to look at her pretty +belongings. On the dressing-table she spied something she had not seen +there the night before. It was a lovely picture of Dolly in a beautiful +silver frame. Dotty laughed outright, for that was exactly what she had +given Dolly! A silver frame with her own picture in it. The two mothers +had been in the secret, and had seen to it that the frames were alike, +but neither of the girls knew that her gift was to be duplicated. + +It was a perfect likeness, showing Dolly at her best; a dreamy +expression on her sweet face, and her soft hair in little waves at her +temples, and drawn back by an enormous ribbon bow. + +It was almost too early to get dressed, so Dotty slipped on a +dressing-gown and bedroom slippers and dawdled about, keeping a watch +on the Fayre house, in hopes Dolly's shades would fly up. + +Soon her little sister Eugenia came bounding in. She, too, was in a +kimono and she gave a jump and landed with a spring in the middle of +Dotty's carefully arranged couch pillows. + +"Genie!" cried her sister, "get off of there!" + +"Won't!" and Genie bounced up and down on the springs of the couch. + +"Get off, I tell you!" + +"Won't, I tell you!" + +It _was_ trying, for the pretty pillows with their snowy white +embroidered covers were rumpled and tossed by Genie's mischievous play. + +"Genie Rose! You go right straight out of my room! You're a naughty +little girl and you're spoiling my birthday things!" + + "Dorothy Rose, + With a pug nose!" + +chanted Genie, with the amiable intention of teasing her sister beyond +endurance. + +And she did, for Dotty flung back: + + "Genie, Genie, + You're a meany!" + +and then she grabbed her and pulled her off the pillows and pushed her +out of the room and locked the door. + +"It's a shame!" and poor Dotty nearly cried to see the havoc naughty +little Genie had wrought. One pillow cover was torn and another had a +black mark from the sole of Genie's slipper. + +She heard a tap at the door, and her mother's voice said, "Let me in, +Dotty, dear." + +Dotty opened the door, and exclaimed: "Mother! Isn't Genie the bad +little thing! Look at my pretty pillows!" + +"Oh, what a shame! Why _do_ you two children quarrel so?" + +"We didn't quarrel. Genie did it on purpose." + +"But why can't you be loving, kind little sisters? You're always teasing +each other." + +"But I didn't tease her, Mother." + +"Well, you usually do. Now, Dotty, can't you make a birthday resolution +to be more patient with Genie? Remember she's only a little girl, while +you're getting grown up. Fifteen is almost a young lady, and you should +be kind and gentle with everybody." + +"I s'pose I ought," and Dorothy sighed; "but it's hard to have my +birthday things upset. Aren't you going to punish her, Mother?" + +"Oh, no; she didn't mean to be naughty. She was only mischievous. I'll +mend your pillow, and the soiled one can be laundered." + +Dotty's anger was always quick to come and quick to go, and she smiled +brightly, as she said, "all right. I'll forgive her this time, but she's +got to stop that kind of teasing." + +"I'll speak to her," said easy-going Mrs. Rose; "how do you like Dolly's +picture?" + +"Lovely, isn't it? Did you and Mrs. Fayre know about the frames?" + +"Yes; and we wanted them to be alike; but I had to urge you to take this +instead of that other pattern. Remember?" + +"Yes, indeed," and Dotty smiled to think how determined she had been in +the matter, but had at last yielded to her mother's judgment. + +"Oh, there's Dolly!" she cried, as she saw the shade go up in the +opposite window. "Hello. Happy Birthday!" she called out. + +Dolly returned the greeting, and the two girls waved their respective +photographs at each other, and then both began to get dressed. + +Dolly, too, had a morning visit from her sister. + +Trudy looked in on her way down to breakfast. + +"Happy Birthday, Doll!" she said; "shall I tie your hair-ribbon?" + +She stepped into the new room, and while tying the big bow, looked +around admiringly. + +"You're a lucky little kiddy to have such a lovely room. It's prettier +than mine." + +"I know it is, Trudy," and Dolly looked regretful. "I'll change with +you, if you like. I think as you're the oldest you ought to have the +prettiest room." + +"Not at all, you little goosy!" and Trudy kissed the troubled face. +"This is your fifteenth birthday, and I'm glad you have such a beautiful +gift to remember it by." + +With their arms around each other, the two girls went downstairs. + +"Whoop-de-doo! Dollykins," cried her father, throwing down his paper; +"why, you don't look a bit different from when you were fourteen! I +thought you'd be a foot taller, at least!" + +"I don't feel any taller or any older, Father; and I don't s'pose I'll +act so. But Mumsie, mayn't I stop wearing hair-ribbons? Dotty's going +to." + +"Are you sure?" and Mrs. Fayre looked quizzical, for she had discussed +this weighty matter with Mrs. Rose. + +"No, not sure; but Dotty's going to ask her mother and she thinks she +can make her say yes." + +"Well, let's wait and see what Mrs. Rose does say," and Mrs. Fayre took +her place at the breakfast table. + +"It seems funny not to have a lot of presents at your place, Doll," said +Trudy, smiling. + +"That's all right," and Dolly returned the smile; "I agreed that my room +fixings were to take the place of all other presents." + +"And then you have the party, you know," said her father. "Mr. Rose has +a delightful surprise for it, and when I come home this afternoon I'll +bring something to add to the gaiety of nations." + +"Oh, Father, what?" + +"Never you mind, curiosity-box! You'll see soon enough." + +"Will you come home early, Father?" + +"As early as I can. By five, surely." + +After breakfast, the two heroines of the occasion went out to their +respective side verandahs, and the usual morning programme was carried +out. + +Each frantically waved her hand to the other, calling, "Come over!" + +Then each vigorously shook her head, shouting: "No, you come over here!" + +"No, you!" + +"No, you!" + +Then Dolly, coaxingly, "Aw, come on,--come on over." + +Then Dotty, positively, "No, sir! it's your turn. Come on over here." + +With slight variations this dialogue was repeated every morning. Not +that either cared much which went to the other's house, but it was one +of their habits. Perhaps Dolly oftenest gave in, and on this birthday +morning, the colloquy was short before she ran across the grass and the +two friends sat in the Roses' hammock, swinging vigorously as they +talked. + +"How'd you like my present to you?" asked Dotty, with twinkling eyes. + +"Lovely!" and Dolly smiled back. "How'd you like mine to you?" + +"Beautiful! Truly, Dollyrinda, I'm awful glad to have that picture of +you." + +"So am I of you. Did you get any plate presents?" + +"No; I didn't expect any. All the family gave me things for my room, you +know. Bob sent me a dear little clock." + +"How nice; Bert sent me a pair of candlesticks,--glass ones,--they're +awfully pretty." + +"Isn't it funny we don't know each other's brothers." + +"We will soon, though. Bert is coming home in about two weeks." + +"Yes, so is Bob. As soon as school closes. Oh, here come the men to put +up the tent! Let's go and watch them." + +Dolly had been allowed to stay at home from school for the day, and the +two girls, followed by Genie, ran out on the lawn to see what was going +on. + +In order to make the party a truly joint affair, it had been decided to +set up a tent on the lawn exactly midway between the two houses, for the +party supper. It was a large tent, and gay with red trimmings and flags. +Inside, tables were set up, and the maids from both houses brought out +plates and glasses in abundance. + +"Oh, isn't it just _grand_!" exclaimed Dotty, seizing Dolly round the +waist and making her dance about the lawn. + +"Lovely; but don't rumple me so, Dotty! This is a clean frock." + +"Oh, what an old fuss you are! Always thinking about your clothes!" + +"I am not, any such thing! But what's the use of spoiling a clean dress +the minute you put it on?" + +"All right, I'll keep away from you, if you're so afraid I'll muss you +up! Proudy!" + +For some unknown reason, this epithet was the most scathing in the +girls' vocabulary, and either was quick to resent it. + +"I am not a Proudy! And you'd look nicer if you took a little better +care of your own clothes,--so there now!" + +"My clothes are all right! They're as good as yours! I wish we didn't +have a birthday together!" + +Dotty flounced away, and Dolly walked home with an exaggerated dignity. + +These little quarrels were very silly; but they often occurred between +these two who were really good friends, but who sometimes acted very +foolishly. + +Dolly went in her own house, and as she ran upstairs, she sang so very +gaily, that Mrs. Fayre looked at Trudy, and said, "Another fuss!" + +"Yes," and Trudy sighed. "I don't know as Dotty Rose is a very good +friend for Dolly; they quarrel a lot." + +"Oh, well, they get over it right away. I think it is good for Dolly to +have some one to stir her up now and then. She's naturally so meek and +mild." + +"Well, Dotty Rose stirs her up, all right!" and Trudy laughed. + +It was about half an hour later, that Genie Rose appeared before Mrs. +Fayre. + +"Where's Dolly?" she demanded. + +"Can't you speak a little more politely, Genie?" and Mrs. Fayre smiled +pleasantly at the child. + +"You ain't my mother to tell me what to say!" + +"No; but this is my house and I like to have little girls act nicely +here, especially as I know that you have better manners if you choose to +use them." + +Genie thought a moment, digging her toe into the rug, and at last said: + +"Good-morning, Mrs. Fayre. Please may I see Dolly?" + +"Why, what a little lady! Yes, indeed; you will find her in her room. Go +right up, Genie, dear." + +The child trudged upstairs, and entered Dolly's room. + +"What do you want?" and Dolly, with suspiciously bright eyes, looked up +from the book she was pretending to read. + +"You're not so awful polite, either," and Genie's big, black eyes looked +sharply at Dolly. "But never mind. I've come over to tell you that Dot's +cryin' about you." + +"Did she tell you to come?" + +"Nope. She don't know I'm here. But I think you're two sillies to spoil +your nice birthday by crying about each other." + +"I'm not crying!" + +"Well, you have been. I can see the cry-marks in your eyes. Nice blue +eyes. C'mon over and make up." + +"Get Dotty to come over here and make up." + +"She won't come." + +"Have you asked her?" + +"No, but I just know she won't. So let's don't ask her, and you come +over there." + +"You're a funny little thing, Genie! You know a lot, don't you?" + +"'Course I do. Come on, Dolly," and the child pulled at Doily's sleeve. + +"All right, I will," and the two went together over to the Rose house. + +Dotty in her room, heard Dolly's voice below stairs and came running +down. Her anger was all past, and she was more than ready to be friends +again. + +"Let's go out and see the tent," said Dolly, as the two met in the hall. + +"All right, let's," and out they went. + +"Did you fix it up, Genie?" said her mother, who had pretty much known +what was going on. + +"Yes'm, I fixed it up," and Genie ran after the black puppy, who with +judicial foresight was running away from her. + +"Tell me about the people who are coming, Dolly," said Dotty. "Who are +the nicest ones?" + +"You may not like the same ones I do; but Clara Ferris is my most +intimate friend of the lot." + +"As intimate as I am?" + +"Well, of course, I've known her so much longer, you see, she seems more +intimate." + +"But we're sort of twins, you know." + +"Only sort of; we're not really. Well, anyway, there's Celia and then +there's Maisie May." + +"Maisie May! What a funny name!" + +"Well, it's her name all the same. And the two Rawlins girls, Grace and +Ethel." + +"Are they nice?" + +"Lovely. They live on the next block below us. Their brother is coming, +too. Clayton, his name is." + +"What other boys?" + +"Oh, Reggie Stuart and Lollie Henry--" + +"Lollie! What a ridiculous name for a boy!" + +"His real name is Lorillard. He's an awfully nice boy. He plays the +cornet in school sometimes for us to march by. Then there's Joe Collins. +He's the funniest thing! Makes you laugh all the time. And a lot of +others; I can't tell you about all of them." + +"Never mind; I'll catch onto them as they come. Do you think they'll +like me, Dolly?" + +"Of course they will; why wouldn't they?" + +"I don't know; but with such a lot of them, I feel kind of shy." + +"Pooh; Dot Rose, you couldn't be shy if you tried!" + +"It isn't shy, exactly; but I'm afraid they won't think I'm nice." + +"Oh, yes, they will; don't be silly. Anyway, some of them will. And +maybe you won't like all of them. Everybody can't like everybody,--you +know." + +"No, I s'pose not. What do we do? Stand up to receive them?" + +"Of course! Did you think we sat down? Haven't you ever had a party?" + +"Not such a big one." + +"Well, I've had lots of 'em. We stand side by side, and I'll introduce +everybody to you. Of course, Mumsie and Trude will be around, and your +mother and your aunt,--won't they? Don't try to remember all their +names, 'cause you can't, and you can pick them up later." + +"What a lot you know!" and Dotty looked at Dolly with a thoughtful +admiration. + +"I know why," said Dolly, with a sudden flash of enlightenment; "it's +'cause I have an older sister. Trudy is 'out,' you know, and I'm sort of +accustomed to comp'ny; but you have a _little_ sister, so you haven't +had so much experience." + +"Yes, that's it," and Dotty comprehended. "All right, you can show me, +and I'll do whatever you say." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE DOUBLE PARTY + + +The party was from four to seven. Before the hour the girls were in +readiness and waiting on the lawn, midway between the two houses, to +receive their guests. + +Dolly Fayre wore a white organdie, all lacy with little ruffles and a +light blue sash with blue silk stockings and white slippers. + +Dotty Rose had on a lovely white voile with pink ribbons and pink +stockings. + +Both girls wore their hair in a long loose braid, with a big ribbon at +the top of the braid. + +"Didn't leave off hair-ribbons, did you?" said Dolly, smiling. + +"No, Mother wouldn't hear of it. She says we ought to wear them until +we're sixteen, anyway." + +"I don't care much, do you?" + +"No; only I'd rather leave them off. It didn't rain, you see." + +"I should say not! It's a perfect day. Did you put a pink ribbon on +Blot?" + +"Yes, he looks lovely! Oh, here's Flossy, in her blue bow. If they'll +only behave themselves!" + +The puppy and the kitten had become fairly good friends, by reason of +their two young mistresses' training; and frequently met without +fighting, though this was not to be depended on. + +"Oh, here comes somebody, Dolly! I feel as if I should run away!" + +"Nonsense, Dot! don't be silly! It's only Joe Collins. Hello, Joe; this +is my new friend, Dorothy Rose. It's her party, same as mine." + +Joe was far from bashful. "Hay-o, Dorothy," he said, gaily. "Aren't you +afraid you'll get off the line? My, but you girls are particular to +stand just so!" + +Dorothy flashed a smile at him. Somehow her shyness vanished, and she +replied, "Oh, we only stood that way, waiting for somebody to come. Now, +we can move around," and she took a few jumpy skips around the lawn. "Do +you live near here?" she went on, by way of conversation. + +"Couple o' blocks away. Hope we'll be friends." + +"'Course we will. And I've got a brother about your size; you'll like +him." + +"Is he here?" + +"No; he's away at school. Be home in about two weeks. Come and see him +then." + +"I will. Here come the Brown twins. Know 'em?" + +"No, I don't know anybody. My! Aren't they alike?" + +They certainly were, and when Dolly introduced Tod and Tad Brown, Dotty +frankly stared at them. + +"I never saw such twinsy twins before," she said; "do you know +yourselves apart?" + +"Not always," replied one of them. "But I think I'm Tod, and my brother +is Tad. Of course our Sunday names are Todhunter and Tadema, but Tod and +Tad are much better for every day use." + +Then some girls came; Clara Ferris was among the first; and then Grace +and Ethel Rawlins, and Maisie May. + +Dotty took a quick liking to the last named, for she was a bright, +pretty girl who seemed eager to be friends. + +Clayton Rawlins came too, and Lollie Henry, and then they came in such +numbers that Dotty couldn't catch all the names nor remember those she +did catch. + +The girls had laid off their hats and wraps in the Fayre house, and the +boys in the Rose house, as every means was used to have the party +equally divided. + +At first they played games. The Fayres had a tennis court, and the Roses +a croquet ground. Also, Mr. Rose had contributed as his "surprise" to +the party a set of Lawn Bowls. This was a new sport to many of them and +all liked it, and took turns at the bowling. Others wandered about the +grounds or sat in the swings and hammocks, and at five o'clock they were +called to supper. + +Little tables had been placed on the lawn and four or six young people +were seated at each. Then the good things were brought to them. Bouillon +and tiny sandwiches, ices, cakes, jellies, bon-bons, everything that +goes to make a delightful party supper. + +The two hostesses did not sit together, and Dotty found herself with +Clara Ferris, Joe Collins and one of the Brown twins. + +"How do you like Berwick?" asked Tad Brown, as he finished his bouillon. + +"Ever so much!" returned Dotty enthusiastically; "and now I'm acquainted +with so many people I shall like it better than ever." + +"Aren't you coming to school?" + +"Not this term. It's so near closing, and Mother says next year I can go +right into High School with Dolly Fayre." + +"We'll all be in High next year," said Clara. "We're all in the same +grade, you know. But I wish you would come to school now, and be in the +Closing Exercises. We need more girls." + +"What for?" + +"Oh, for the tableaux and things. We have a splendid program. Haven't +we, Tad?" + +"How do you know he's Tad?" asked Dotty, laughing. + +"I asked him," returned Clara. "It's the only way. Nobody can tell 'em +apart." + +"'Cept Mother," said Tad, grinning. "She never makes a mistake. But the +teachers can't tell. I get kept in if Tod misses his lessons, and he +gets marked if I'm late." + +"Don't you mind?" + +"No; 'cause it evens up in the long run. Tod's better-natured than I am, +but I'm prettier." + +"Why, how can you be?" cried Dotty; "you're exactly alike." + +"Oh, _I_ can see it! I'm _much_ better-looking." Tad's honest, round, +freckled face was winsome but not handsome, and the girls laughed at +this make-believe vanity. + +Dolly was at a table with the other Brown boy and Grace Rawlins and +Lollie Henry. + +"Dotty Rose is pretty, isn't she?" said Grace. + +"Awfully pretty," agreed Dolly, "and a nice girl, too. I like her lots." + +"Some looker!" declared Lollie Henry, gazing with admiration over at +Dotty, who was laughing merrily. + +"She's my sister," put in Genie, who was a restless spirit, and having +finished her supper, was roaming around among the tables talking to +different ones. + +"So she is," and Dolly patted the glossy, black curls. + +"Looks like a spitfire, though, if she should get mad," commented Tod +Brown, who was an outspoken boy. + +"Oh, I don't think so," returned Dolly; and then she remembered the few +trifling quarrels they had already had. "No," she went on, "Dotty isn't +a spitfire; but when she gets mad she just flounces off and gets over +it." + +"Just like a girl!" said Tod; "why don't you have it out, and done with +it?" + +"That's what Bert always says," and Dolly laughed. "I guess girls and +boys are different about such things." + +"I guess they are," said Grace, looking rueful. "Maisie May and I have +been 'mad' for two weeks now." + +"Oh, how silly!" exclaimed Lollie Henry. "I'm going to get you two girls +together and make you make up!" + +"Yes, let's," said Tad; "come on now; I've finished my ice cream, +haven't you, Dolly?" + +They all had, and they followed Tad, who was ringleader in this game. +The others had mostly risen from the tables, and Tad told Dolly to get +Maisie and bring her over to their group. + +Grace Rawlins looked a little uncertain. She honestly wanted to be +friends with Maisie but she was not sure she liked the way it was being +brought about. + +Dolly came back, arm in arm with Maisie. + +The two boys stood in front of Grace until the girls came up, and then +Tad, whisking aside, said, with a low bow: "Miss Maisie May, I want to +make you acquainted with Miss Grace Rawlins, the nicest girl in Berwick, +except the rest of them." + +Maisie coloured and looked half-angry, half-amused, and Tad went on: "I +see by the papers that you two girls don't know each other to speak to, +so Dolly Fayre and us two boys are a committee of three to see that you +become acquainted immediately if not sooner. You two will therefore now +greet each other with a nice, sweet kiss." + +Tad's manner was so funny and so like a kindly old gentleman, that the +girls had to laugh. + +But though Grace looked willing to obey the order, Maisie did not. + +"Don't be silly, Tad," she said; "I guess you don't know what Grace said +about me, or you wouldn't ask me to kiss her!" + +"Tell me," said Tad, with the air of an impartial judge, "and I and my +wise colleague, Mr. Lorillard Henry, will size up the case and pronounce +judgment." + +"Why, she said I was the meanest girl in Berwick, because I wouldn't +tell her the answer to an algebra example. And I couldn't, because Miss +Haskell had made us all promise not to tell the answers to anybody--she +wanted everybody to do them without help." + +"Seems to me you did the right thing," and Tad looked at Grace. + +"I didn't know that," said Grace. "I wasn't at school the day Miss +Haskell said that." + +"Then you couldn't be expected to know," said Tad; "now, it's just as I +said, a boy would fight it out with another boy, and he might punch his +head, but the matter would be understood and straightened out, and not +sulk for two weeks over it." + +"I didn't sulk," said Grace. + +"Well, you two sillies didn't speak to each other,--it's about the same +thing. _Now_ will you be good! Will you kiss and make up?" + +"I will," said Maisie May, heartily, and she flung her arms round Grace, +and gave her a most friendly kiss, which was as heartily returned. + +"Bless you, my children!" said Tad, dramatically. "Now don't let me hear +of your quarrelling again! Are you mad at anybody, Dolly?" + +"No, sir, thank you; but if I am, at any time, I'll come to you for a +peacemaker." + +"Oh, _look_ who's here!" cried Lollie, spying a strange figure walking +across the lawn. + +The group joined the others and found themselves invited to take a seat +in the rows of chairs which were lined up in front of an +interesting-looking table. + +They did so, and soon all present were seated in breathless anticipation +of what might happen. + +The tea tables had been whisked away, and at the door of the tent the +stranger stood,--a table in front of him. + +He was a magician, and the tricks he did held his young auditors +spellbound. + +Turning back his coat sleeves to prove he was concealing nothing, he +would take a large sheet of white paper, and with a swift movement +twirl it round into a cornucopia. This was, of course, empty, and +shaking it about to prove its emptiness, he then held it upright, and +invited Dolly to look into it. But he held it so high, that she had to +stand on tiptoe to peep in. However, she caught a glimpse, and it seemed +to her there were pink flowers in it. + +Then the magician asked Dotty to peep in. She peered over the edge, and +just as she exclaimed, "Why, it's full of flowers!" he overturned it on +her head, and she was showered with lovely pink rosebuds made of tissue +paper! + +"Where did they come from?" cried everybody, as they scrambled to pick +them up. "The cone was empty! Where did he get them?" + +But the magician only smiled, and went on with his other tricks. + +"Has any one a gold watch?" he asked. + +Not many of the boys had gold watches, but Lollie Henry exhibited with +pride one that his grandfather had given him on his birthday. + +"May I borrow it?" said the magician; "ah, thank you," and he took it +before Lollie had really consented. + +"Now, a silk hat. Much obliged, sir," as Mr. Fayre provided the hat. + +"Now, my young friends, we'll make an omelet. Two eggs, +somebody,--please?" + +Nobody had any eggs, and the magician seemed nonplussed. "What, no eggs +in all this well-dressed crowd? Incredible! Ah, come here, little girl!" +He caught Genie, who was running about. "Why, here is an egg in the big +bow of your hair-ribbon! And here is another in the other bow! What a +strange place to carry eggs! Did Mother send you to the store for them?" + +"No, sir," said Genie, looking in amazement at the unmistakable eggs the +man had evidently found in her ribbon. "I should think they would have +dropped out sooner!" + +"I should think so too," returned the magician; "lucky for me they +didn't, or I could not have made the nice omelet I'm about to concoct." + +He set the silk hat on the table, laid the watch and eggs beside it, and +then called for a cup of milk. + +Somehow or other Mrs. Fayre had that all ready and handed it to him with +a smile. + +"Good!" said the magician; "now we'll to work! I suppose many of you +girls know how to make an omelet, so you must look sharp and see that I +do it right. First, we'll break the eggs and whisk them up." + +He broke the eggs right into the silk hat, and stirred them with a fork +and then poured in the milk slowly, stirring all the time. + +"Something else goes to an omelet," he said, trying to think; "ah, yes, +some sort of an herb. Ah, I have it! Thyme! Well, well, Mr. Fayre, do +you raise thyme in your kitchen garden? No? What a pity! But, luckily, I +have time right here!" He took up Lollie's watch. "Ah, just, the thing!" + +He threw the watch in the hat, and began to beat it with his heavy fork. + +He looked anxiously in the hat. "Wants to be crushed," he said; "can't +get the flavour of time unless it's crushed. Ah, here we are!" and he +picked up a kitchen poker that had appeared from nowhere in particular. + +With that he beat and pounded and banged the watch, and then with a big +spoon, he dipped up spoonfuls of the mixture and let it run back into +the hat. The children could distinctly see the bits of brass or steel +wheels and springs, and even fragments of the gold case. + +Lollie looked a little sober, but said no word of fear for his watch's +safety. + +"Now, we'll cook it," said the magician, and he poured the "omelet" into +a bright, clean frying-pan. + +"Where's the fire?" he asked, holding the pan high aloft, and looking +all about. + +"There isn't any," said Mr. Fayre; "you didn't tell me to provide a +fire." + +"You should have known enough for that!" shouted the magician, as if in +anger. "Well, as we have no fire, of course, we can't make our omelet. +So take back your things." + +From the frying-pan he poured a cup of clear milk, which he gave to Mrs. +Fayre. Then he took out of the same pan two eggs, which he handed to +Genie, intact and unbroken. Then he hesitated, saying, "What else did I +borrow?" + +"A watch!" "A gold watch!" cried a dozen voices. + +"Oh, yes, to be sure!" and the magician, smiling, passed the pan to +Lollie, and there on its clean, shining surface, lay the gold watch, +absolutely unharmed. + +Such a clapping of applause! for many of the young audience had been +forced to believe that the watch was utterly ruined. + +That closed the entertainment, and soon after that the young guests went +home. + +"How do you s'pose he did it?" Dolly asked of Dotty, as they sat in the +swing, talking over the party. + +"Oh, it's easy enough," returned Dotty. "They don't really break up the +watch, you know." + +"Of course I know that! But how _do_ they do it? What becomes of the +broken eggs and all?" + +"I don't know, but I've seen magic tricks before and they always bring +everything out right somehow!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +ROLLER SKATING + + +The day after the party the two girls sat as usual in the big swing +talking things over. + +"I like that boy with the funny name," said Dotty; "the one they call +Lollie. Such a silly name for a boy!" + +"Yes; such a dignified name as Lorillard ought not to have such a silly +nickname. But he's always called Lollie. He is a nice boy, but I like +Joe Collins better." + +"Yes, he's funny and makes you laugh all the time. But those twin boys +are the nicest of all. What funny names they all have. Tod and Tad!" + +"How do you like the girls?" + +"The Rawlins girls are nice and Celia Ferris. But I like you best, +Dolly, and except for parties I don't care so much about a crowd. Let's +go roller skating." + +"Oh, no; let's sit here and swing; it's too hot to skate." + +"Pshaw! come on. You're too lazy for anything. You just sit around and +do nothing and that's what makes you so fat. Get your skates and I'll +race you around the block. Really, Doll, you ought to take more exercise +or you'll get terribly fat." + +"Well, you'd better not take so much then, for you're as thin as a +ping-wing now!" + +"What's a ping-wing?" + +"I don't know, but it's the thinnest thing there is. All right, I'll +skate around the block once or twice, and then we'll go and see if there +are any little cakes left over from yesterday." + +In a short time the two girls had their skates on and started to roll +along the smooth, wide pavements of Summit Avenue. + +"Let's do this," proposed Dotty. "Start right here in front of our +house; you go one way and I the other round the whole block and see if +we can come back and meet right straight here." + +"All right, but I know I can't go as fast as you do. You skate like a +streak of lightning." + +"Well, I'll go sort of slow for me, and you go as swift as you can, and +let's try to come together right here." + +The two girls started in opposite directions, and turned their +respective corners on their way around the block. In due time they +passed each other in the street back of their own, and Dotty nodded +approval as she saw they were about half way round. They didn't pause to +exchange any words but, waving their hands, went on their way and +rounded again on Summit Avenue. + +As they saw each other approach, they regulated their speed in a careful +attempt to meet exactly where they had started. Dotty had to curb her +speed and go a little more slowly or she would be ahead of time. But +Dolly saw that it would take a pretty strong spurt for her to reach the +goal, so when they were about ten feet apart Dolly made a special effort +and put all her strength into a last grand dash. Dotty hadn't looked for +this and as she rolled rather slowly to the appointed place Dolly came +along and with a fell swoop, unable to control her direction, she +crashed right into Dotty and the two girls went down in a heap. The +impact was so sudden and unexpected that neither had a chance to save +herself in any way and there was a tangle of waving arms and legs, and +skate-rollers as the crash occurred. + +"I've broken myself," Dolly announced calmly, though her voice sounded +dazed and queer. Dotty opened her mouth to speak but changed her mind +and gave voice to the wildest kind of a shriek. She followed this up +with several others of increasing force and volume and looked at Dolly, +wondering why she didn't yell too. But the reason was that Dolly had +fainted and the white face and closed eyes of her friend made Dotty +scream louder than ever. + +Various members of the two families ran to the scene, as well as several +neighbours. + +Mrs. Fayre and Mrs. Rose looked on somewhat helplessly at the two girls, +but Aunt Clara went at once at the rescue. She and Trudy lifted Dotty to +her feet and found she could stand. + +"Try to stop screaming, dearie," said Aunt Clara, "and tell me where +you're hurt." + +"I don't know," cried Dotty; "I don't know and I don't care! But Dolly +is dead! My Dolly, my own Dollyrinda is dead! And it's all my fault +'cause I made her go skating, and my arm hurts awful! Ow!" + +"Her arm is broken," said Mrs. Bayliss, gently lifting Dotty's right +hand, which caused more piercing shrieks. "What shall we do? Somebody +call a doctor quick!" + +Meanwhile the strong arms of a neighbour's gardener had lifted Dolly and +was carrying her toward her own home. + +"It's her leg that's bruk," he said, holding her as gently as possible. +"It's good luck she fainted; she'll come round all right, but she's bruk +a bone, the poor dear." + +It seemed ages to the anxious mothers and friends, but it was really +only a short time before doctors arrived and the two little sufferers +were put to bed and their injuries attended to. + +Sure enough Dolly's leg was broken, and Dotty had a fractured arm. + +Both houses were in a tumult of confusion as surgeons and nurses took +possession and bones were set and splints and bandages applied. + +Dolly Fayre took it quietly and seemed almost awestricken, when at last +she realised that she was in her bed to stay for several weeks. + +"But it doesn't hurt much," she said wonderingly to Trudy. "Why does it +take so long to get well?" + +"Because the bone has to knit, dear, and that is a slow process. I'm +glad it doesn't hurt, but it may at times. The worst, though, is that +you will get very tired lying still so long. But I know what a brave +little girl you are, and we will all do all we can to help and amuse +you." + +"Did Dotty break anything?" + +"Yes, she broke her left arm. That is not as bad as your breaking your +leg, for she can walk about sooner than you can. But hers is more +painful, so there's small choice in the two accidents." + +"Is she yelling like fury?" inquired Dolly, who herself lay placid and +white-faced, though her blue eyes showed the strain she had undergone. + +"Yes, she is," and Trudy smiled a little. "You two children are so +different. I wish you would yell a little and not look so patiently +miserable." + +"What's Dolly yelling about? Because she hurts so?" + +"Partly that; and partly because she's blaming herself for the whole +thing." + +"How ridiculous! She isn't a bit more to blame than I am. She proposed +skating, but it was because I ran into her that we fell down. I tried to +steer out but I couldn't." + +"Don't think about who is to blame; that doesn't matter. The only thing +to think about is to get well as quick as you can." + +"But we can't do anything to help that along; the doctors have to do +that." + +"Indeed you can help a lot. If you're patient and quiet and cheerful you +will get well sooner than if you fuss and fret and cry. That might cause +fever and inflammation and all sorts of things." + +Trudy was sitting on the edge of Dolly's bed and she smiled lovingly +down at her little sister. "I'm going to take care of you," she went on; +"Mother wants to have a trained nurse, but I think you would like it +better to have me for a nurse, wouldn't you?" + +"I'd like it better," and Dolly looked up wistfully, "but I don't want +to bother you too much, Trudy." + +"Oh, it isn't any bother, and besides, Mother will do a great deal of +the nursing. Here she comes now with your luncheon." + +Mrs. Fayre came in, bringing a dainty tray on which was a small bowl of +broth and some crackers. + +"The nurse has gone," she announced, "and I'm glad of it. It was +necessary to have her here while the doctors set the broken bones, and +she will come in every morning as long as may be necessary. But it's +much nicer to be in charge of this case myself and have full +jurisdiction over my patient." + +"Oh, ever so much nicer, Mother," and Dolly raised affectionate blue +eyes to her mother's face. "Can I sit up to eat?" + +"No, honey; you'll have to learn to eat lying down. But Mother will feed +you and we'll pretend you're one of those grand Roman ladies who always +ate their meals reclining on a couch." + +So, although not altogether a comfortable procedure, Dolly took her +first lesson in swallowing without raising her head. + +Meantime somewhat different scenes were being enacted next door. + +Dotty's more excitable nature had been thoroughly upset by the shock of +the accident, the pain of her injury and the remorse that she felt at +feeling herself responsible for the tragedy. + +Her screams were hysterical and the efforts of her mother, her aunt and +the nurse to quiet her were alike unavailing. + +"I've killed my Dolly! I've killed my Dolly!" she would cry over and +over, and though they told her that Dolly Fayre was resting quietly and +suffering very little pain, she would not believe it and insisted they +were deceiving her. + +"You only say that to quiet me!" she cried. "I know it isn't true. I +know Dolly has broken most all her bones and I know she'll never walk +again. Why, I saw her myself, all limp and dead-looking. If she lives +she'll be a cripple. Oh, my arm! my arm! I wish they'd cut it off! I'd +rather not have it at all than have it hurt like this." + +Impulsive Dotty tried to move her injured arm and then shrieked with the +pain it caused her. + +"You mustn't do that!" said Nurse Johnson somewhat severely; "if you +try to move that arm it won't heal right and you'll have to have it +broken over again and re-set." + +Dotty glared at the nurse and then screamed: "I hate you! You go right +straight out of this house! My mother can take care of me good enough +and I don't want you around." + +"There, there, Dotty dear," said Mrs. Rose; "don't talk to nurse like +that. She has been very kind to you; and it's true if you move your arm +around like that or try to do so, you'll make your injury far worse." + +"I don't care! I want to make it worse! I want to have it cut off! I +won't have a broken arm,-- I won't-- I won't!" + +"Don't mind her, nurse; she's beside herself with pain and fright." + +"Oh, that's all right, Mrs. Rose," and the white-capped nurse smiled; "I +don't blame little girls for being cantankerous when they're laid up +like this. It's awful hard on them and nobody knows it better than I do. +And I'm not going to stay long, Miss Dotty. Only a day or two till your +mother and aunt get the knack of taking care of you." + +"I shall be head nurse," said Mrs. Bayliss, smiling at Dotty, "and your +mother shall be my assistant." + +"I don't want you for my nurse, Aunt Clara, and I don't want Miss +Johnson, I just want Mother all the time." + +"Yes, Dotty, dear, Mother will be here all the time," and Mrs. Rose +gently stroked the moist dark curls back from the little brow. + +For a few moments Dotty was quieter, and then she screamed out again, +"Tell me about Dolly, tell me the truth about Dolly. Did she break both +her legs?" + +"No, dear, only one. It has been set and she is doing nicely, although +she will be in bed for a long time. You will probably get up and go to +see her long before she can come in here." + +"I want to go now!" and Dotty tried to rise; "I want to see Dolly! I +must see Dolly!" + +Gently but firmly the nurse held Dotty down on the pillows. "Lie still," +she commanded, for she saw that stern measures were necessary. + +"I can't lie still, when I don't know how Dolly is! I don't believe what +you tell me about her. But I'll believe Genie. She always tells me the +truth. Come here, Genie!" + +Dotty screamed her sister's name in a loud voice, and the little girl +came running into the sick room. + +Genie looked scared and white-faced as she saw Dotty in splints and +bandages. + +"Genie," said Dotty, and her black eyes burned like coals, "you go +straight over to Fayres and see Dolly. See for yourself and see just how +she is and come straight back and tell me." + +"Let her go," said the nurse; "that's a good idea." + +So Genie ran over to the next house and found Mrs. Fayre. + +"Please let me see Dolly," she said earnestly, "'cause if I don't Dotty +thinks she's dead, and then Dotty will die too, so please let me see +her, Mrs. Fayre. Can't I?" + +After some consideration Mrs. Fayre said Genie might go to Dolly's room +for a few moments. + +"How are you, Dolly?" said the child, marching in and standing by the +bedside with the air of a Royal Messenger. + +"I'm pretty good," and Dolly smiled wanly at her little visitor. "How's +Dotty?" + +"Dotty's awful. But she'll be better when she knows how you are. So tell +me zactly." + +"Well, tell Dotty my right leg is broken. One of the bones just above +the ankle. But tell her except for that, I'm all right and for her not +to worry about me and we'll see who can get well first. And give her my +love and--and--oh, that's all, good-bye, Genie!" + +The little girl ran out of the room and as soon as she disappeared Dolly +burst into floods of weeping. That was her way of relieving her +overburdened nerves instead of screaming hysterically like Dotty. + +Trudy tried to soothe her, but there was no staying the torrent of +tears, until at last they stopped because Dolly was exhausted. + +"There," said Mrs. Fayre brightly as she wiped Dolly's eyes, "I'm just +glad you did that! There's nothing like a good cry to straighten things +out. Now I shouldn't be one bit surprised if you could take a nice +little nap." And Dolly did so. + +Meantime Genie trotted home with her comforting news for Dotty. + +"Dolly's all right," she announced. "'Cept one leg is broked. But that's +all. Only just one bone of one leg. And she says to see who'll get well +first." + +"How did she look?" asked Dotty eagerly. + +"Like a angel," replied Genie, enthusiastically. "Her face was all white +and her eyes were so blue and her hair was all goldy and braided in two +curly braids tickling around her ears. Oh, she looked lovely! Heaps +better than you do, Dot. Your face is all red and splotchy, and your +eyes are as big as saucers and your hair looks like the dickens." + +"I don't care," said Dotty, crossly; "I don't care how I look." + +"But I care how you feel," said her mother, "and now you know that Dolly +is very much alive, I'm sure you'll let nurse bathe your face and brush +your hair and then I'm going to sing you to sleep." + + * * * * * + +As is usual in case of broken bones the first night proved a very trying +time for all concerned. + +Dolly Fayre, though an unusually patient child, felt as if she could not +bear the pain and discomfort of her strapped and splinted leg. Her +mother and Trudy, and her father too, did all they could to alleviate +her sufferings, but the uncontrollable tears welled up in the blue eyes +and rolled over the fevered cheeks of the little sufferer. + +"I try to be good, Father," she said, as Mr. Fayre bent over her, "but +it does hurt so awful." + +"Does it, you dear blessed baby? Let Daddy cuddle your head in his arm, +so, and sing to you, maybe that will help." + +But when Mr. Fayre gently put his arm under the golden head on the +pillow Dolly cried out that his coat sleeve was too scratchy. + +"Well, now, we'll just fix that! Give me one of your dressing gowns, +Mother." + +Dolly had to laugh a little when Mrs. Fayre brought a silk kimono of her +own and managed to get its loose folds draped around her stalwart +husband. + +"_Now_ I rather guess we won't scratch our poor little fevery cheeks," +and Mr. Fayre so deftly slipped his silk clad arm under Dolly's head, +that she rested in his strong clasp with a feeling of security and +comfort. + +"That's lovely, Daddy; it just seems as if I had some of your big strong +strength and my pain doesn't hurt so much." + +Then Mr. Fayre sang in soft low tones which greatly soothed the little +patient. But not for long. All through the night the paroxysms of agony +would recur and poor little Dolly cried like a baby, because she +couldn't possibly help it. + +But the Rose family had even worse times to take care of Dotty. She, +too, suffered intensely and even made it worse because she wouldn't stay +still. With a sudden jerk she would sit up in bed and then scream with +the pain occasioned by wrenching her injured arm. + +"You mustn't do that, dear," said Mr. Rose, who usually could calm Dotty +in her most wilful moments. + +"I have to!" cried the little girl; "you would, too, if your arm was all +on fire, and shooting needles into you and not set right and has to be +broken over again and all twisted up and hanging by a thread, anyway! +Ow!--ow!--OW!!" Her voice rose in a shrill screech and she rocked back +and forth in her pain and anger. + +"Now, Dotty dear," said her father, "you must realise that you make +matters a great deal worse by jumping around and moving your arm--" + +"But I can't help it! I'm going to shake it till I shake it off!" and +Dotty gave a violent shake of her shoulders and then screamed with the +added pain she brought on herself. + +She so disarranged the bandages that it was necessary to telephone for +the doctor at once to readjust them. + +"This won't do, young lady," said Dr. Milton as he looked at the havoc +she had wrought in his careful work; "if you keep up these performances +you'll have to be strapped to the bed so tightly that you can't move +either arm. How would you like that?" + +"I'd break loose somehow! you shan't strap me down!" Dotty's eyes +blazed and her black curls bobbed as she shook her head angrily at the +doctor. + +But Dr. Milton paid little heed to her words. He redressed her arm and +then said in his firm yet pleasant way: "I don't know you very well, +Miss Dotty, but I perceive you have a strong will of your own. Now are +you going to use it rightly to help yourself get well, or wrongly to +make all the trouble possible for yourself and every one else?" + +Dotty looked at him. She was not accustomed to this kind of talk, for +her parents were inclined to be over indulgent with her tantrums and her +temper. + +"I do want to get well as soon as I can," she said, "and I will try to +be good,--but you don't know how it hurts." + +"Yes, I do know," and the good doctor smiled down at her; "I know it +hurts like fury! like the very dickens and all! and I know it's just all +you can do to bear it. But if you can get through to-night, I'll promise +you it'll feel better to-morrow." + +He went away and Dotty did try to be as good as she could, but the awful +twinges of pain frequently made her forget her resolutions and to +herself and the whole household it seemed as if the night would never +end. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +TWO BIG BROTHERS + + +"Whoop-oo! Whoop-ee! Hoo-ray!! Where are you? Hey! Hi!!" + +With half a dozen steps, Bob Rose ran up the staircase of his new home +in Berwick, to Dotty's room. + +As he had been at school when the family moved he had never seen the +house before, and now, the school term over, he had come home for +vacation and his first thought was for his broken-armed sister. + +It was two weeks since the accident, but Dotty was still in bed. Her arm +was doing nicely, but she was such a nervous and excitable child that it +was thought best to keep her as quiet as possible. She was sitting up in +a nest of pillows and a rose coloured kimono was draped round her +bound-up arm. But she waved the other hand gaily as Bob dashed into the +room. + +"Well, old girl," he cried, "this is the limit! The idea of your +smashing yourself like this! Here I've played every old kind of ball and +everything else and never broke one of my two hundred and eight blessed +bones! And you just go out on lady-like roller skates and come a +cropper. Fie upon you! does it hurt much?" + +"You bet it hurts, Bob! Nothing like it did at first, but it hurts a +good deal, and it's awful uncomfortable. I can't move it, you know, and +I can't do hardly anything for myself." + +"Pooh! pshaw! of course you can do things for yourself. What a chump you +are, Dot. Why it's your left arm, you ought to be able to do everything +in creation with your right arm alone, except maybe play the piano or +clap your hands. I'll show you how to do things. Is your right arm all +right?" + +"Yes, I s'pose so, but I haven't used it any." + +"Jiminy crickets, isn't that just like a girl! Honest, Dot, I thought +you'd have more spunk. But I'll put you through, with bells on!" + +Bob Rose, just turned eighteen, was a boyish duplicate of Dotty. He had +the same snapping black eyes and his hair though short had a curly twist +to it which, though he hated it himself made a becoming frame for his +handsome face. He was overflowing with mischief and life and was devoted +to athletic or outdoor sports of all kinds. He was very fond of his +sister and the two had always been great chums, though frequently +indulging in spirited quarrels. + +"What's this place like, anyway?" he inquired, as he sat on the edge of +Dotty's bed and draped his long arm over the footboard. "You've got a +jolly room all right," and he looked round admiringly at the pretty rose +and grey effects. + +"Yes, isn't it lovely! It was my birthday present,--the furnishings, I +mean. I wrote you about it, you know. We were going to fix up a lovely +room for you, too, but after I broke my arm, Mother and Aunt Clara +didn't have time to do anything but tend to me." + +"Well, they'll catch time now. I want a room fixed up for me as good as +yours,--but not so dinky-fussy. I'll pick out the things myself. You +needn't think you own the whole shooting-match, Miss Dotty-Doodles! I +just guess Brother Bob home on his vacation will come in for his share +of attention! You won't be neglected, I'll look out for that, but just +remember that I'm here, too. What's the town like?" + +"I don't know myself much. You see we had our party and I met a lot of +the boys and girls and then the very next day I smashed myself and of +course I haven't seen any of them since." + +"But you can pretty soon now. Why, it's only your arm, your legs are all +right, you can walk, can't you? Why don't you go downstairs and have +people come to see you?" + +"I couldn't see people in a dressing-gown!" + +"Well, Mother can rig you up a basque or a polonaise or something. Or +put on a raincoat or an Indian blanket,--but for goodness' sake get out +and around. I'll stir you up--" + +"Here, here, what's going on?" and Mrs. Rose came in just in time to +hear Bob's last words. "You're not to stir Dotty up, Bob, we want to +keep her quiet." + +"Quiet nothing! She'll dry up and blow away if she doesn't get a move +on! You're going to rig her up some sort of civilian dress Mother and +get her downstairs this very day. She's not sick or going into a +decline, is she?" + +The influence of Bob's breezy chatter had wrought a change in Dotty. +During the two weeks that had just passed she had become peevish and +fretful from enforced inactivity and now the thought of getting up and +going downstairs had brought the smiles to her face and the light to her +eyes. + +Moreover, Mrs. Rose was impressed also by the determination of her big +young son and began to think that perhaps his way might be right after +all. + +"Now you've got to tend to me, Mumsie," Bob said in his wheedlesome +way, as he caressed his mother in a big bearish fashion. "You've got to +fix up a room for me, all just as I want it, and you've got to make me +chocolate cakes and all sorts of good things to eat, and you've got to +do lots of things for your prodigal son. Dotty has had her turn and now +it's mine, but while you're busy about me, I'll look after Dot, bless +her old heart!" And Bob blew a kiss from his finger tips to his pretty +sister who had already begun to take a new interest in life. + +"Hello, Aunt Clara," Bob called out as Mrs. Bayliss passed through the +hall, "come in here and help us dressmakers. Can't you rig up a costume +for Dot that will be presentable to wear downstairs?" + +"Downstairs!" exclaimed Aunt Clara; "did the doctor say she could go +down?" + +"Dr. Bob said so!" and the boy laughed. "I know all about broken arms, +and there's no use giving in to them too much. The more you do for them, +the more you may. Now Dotty is going to forget hers and have just as +good a time as if she never broke it. I say, Dot, how's that chum of +yours, you wrote me about? Is this her picture? Wow! Ain't she the +peach!" + +Bob picked up the picture of Dolly from Dotty's dressing-table and +admired it openly. "Does she really look like that?" + +"Yes," and Dotty waxed enthusiastic; "she's beautiful. Just like a pinky +rose with blue eyes." + +"She broke her leg didn't she, in your all-comers' scrap?" + +"Yes; she can't move for six weeks." + +"Well, two weeks are gone now, that's something. Can't I see her? I'd +like to sympathise." + +"Oh, yes, Bob, of course you must see her, but I don't want you to go +over there till I can go with you." + +"Oh, I'm not going to wait for that. I must have a peep at this +blue-eyed fairy for myself. Any go to her?" + +"Not much," and Dotty smiled. "Dolly's a perfect dear, but she's slow." + +"All right, we'll have to hurry her along a little. When does her +brother come home? Have you ever seen him? What's he like?" + +"He's coming day after to-morrow. No, I've never seen him, but Dolly +thinks he just about made the world." + +"Well, I'll reserve my opinion till I see the bunch. Honest, old girl, +I'm glad you're getting along as well as you are, but I'm going to do +wonders for you. It's going to be lucky for you that you've got Brother +on the job. Why, Dot, we were all going camping this summer, you know, +what about that?" + +"We haven't planned for the summer yet, Bobs," said his mother. "Perhaps +by August, if Dotty is all right, we can go somewhere for awhile." + +"You bet we will!" returned Bob. "Dotty will be all right!" + + * * * * * + +The next day but one Mrs. Rose took her big boy over to call on Dolly +Fayre. + +Though unable to leave her bed, Dolly could sit up and was allowed to +see a few visitors each day. It was her nature to be quiet, so she was a +much more tractable patient than Dotty and her broken bone had already +begun to knit and was getting along nicely. It was very monotonous to +sit or lie there day after day, but Dolly was patient and always took +things placidly. Her parents and Trudy read to her and played games with +her and entertained her in various ways and Dolly was as cheerful as any +little girl could be in such circumstances. + +It was a bitter disappointment to her that she could not take part in +the Closing Exercises of her class. But she was reconciled to her fate +and made no complaints, though deeply regretting her enforced absence +from school. Her classmates came to see her occasionally, but they were +so busy preparing for the celebration that they had little time for +social calls. + +Dotty looked forward eagerly to the homecoming of her brother Bert and +she also awaited with some curiosity the meeting with Bob Rose. + +However, she had heard so much about Bob from Dotty, that she was not +surprised when the merry-faced boy appeared at her bedside with a gay +and cheery greeting. + +"I'm Bob," he said, holding out his hand, and not waiting for his +mother's more formal introduction. + +"I'm Dolly," and the blue eyes smiled at him as a little white hand +clasped his own. + +"By Jove, you do look like your picture, only you're prettier!" +exclaimed Bob as he took the chair Mrs. Fayre offered him. + +"It's my new cap," and Dolly smiled from beneath the lacy frills and +rosebud decorations of a dainty new cap that Trudy had just made for +her. She wore a Japanese kimono of pale green silk embroidered with +white cherry blossoms, and as she sat surrounded by embroidered pillows +and lace coverlets, Bob thought he had never seen a prettier picture. + +"You look like a princess," he said. "Princess Dolly." + +"I _am_ a princess," she smiled back; "Mother and Trudy are my ladies in +waiting and do just as I bid them. How much you look like Dotty." + +"Glad you think so; I think Dot's a raving beauty. But I say, it's a +shame you two girls had to go and break each other up just when we were +going to have a perfectly good old summer time." + +"I know it; isn't it a shame. But we'll have to wait till next summer +and have the fun then." + +"'Deed we won't! You'll be outdoors by the first of August, won't you?" + +"Yes," and Dolly made a wry face, "but that's about the same as saying +the first of Eternity!" + +"Oh, not so bad as that. And anyhow I'm an inventive genius, and I'll +bet we can have some fun even before August." + +A bustle and commotion was heard downstairs just then and Dolly's face +lighted up as she heard a familiar voice. + +"Oh," she cried; "there's Bert! Come on up, Bert." + +"Sure thing!" came the reply, and in another minute Bert Fayre stood in +the doorway. + +He was a tall, slender boy of seventeen with brown hair and eyes and he +looked at Dolly with a pained expression. + +"Poor old Doll!" he said softly; "I'm _so_ sorry for you!" + +"Oh, it isn't very bad now, Bert," and Dolly smiled cheerfully. "Come on +in and meet Mrs. Rose and Bob. They're our next door neighbours." + +Bert came in and greeted the visitors with an easy grace. Then going +over to Dolly he kissed her affectionately and sat down beside her. + +The two boys silently sized each other up and each concluded that the +other seemed to be "A little bit of all right." + +They attended different schools, and soon were deep in a discussion of +their school doings. Dolly lay back among her pillows and looked at +them. She adored her brother and she decided that Dotty's brother was +also worthy of consideration. She liked Bob's breezy offhand way which +was not at all like Bert's gentle, kindly manner. But they were two +awfully nice boys and she felt sure they were going to be friends. If +only she could be up and around and have good times with them! A slight +pang of envy swept over her, as she heard Bob enthusiastically declare +that he was going to have Dot out of bed and downstairs in short order. +For no amount of enthusiasm or energy could work that miracle for Dolly, +in less than a month. But she did not show this disappointment and +chatted gaily with the boys and with Mrs. Rose and her own mother. + + * * * * * + +As the days went by the four young people became good friends. The boys +were chummy from the first and nearly every day they carried messages +back and forth for the girls. But there were long hours when the girls +were alone, and both patient Dolly and impatient Dotty deeply wished +they had never tried that roller-skate race. + +"There's no use celebrating the Fourth of July," said Bert +disconsolately, a few days before the Fourth. "We don't want a +celebration that the girls can't see." + +"Then let's have one that they can see," said Bob; "I'll tell you what +we'll do,--I've a brilliant idea." + +His idea was a brilliant one, so much so that it required the +co-operation of both families with the exception of the two girls, from +whom it was kept a secret. + +But the two D's were told that the evening of the Fourth would be a red +letter day for them and they looked forward eagerly to whatever it might +be. + +About seven o'clock on Fourth of July evening, Mrs. Fayre came into +Dolly's room with her arms full of red, white and blue material. This +proved to be a voluminous robe-like drapery which transformed Dolly +into a goddess of liberty. A liberty cap was put upon her golden head +and a silk flag was presented to her. + +"Stunning!" exclaimed Bert, who came in to view the effect. "Just you +wait, old girl, and we'll bring you something you'll like better yet!" + +So Dolly waited and in a few moments she could hear out in the hall much +giggling and many footsteps. Then Trudy came in and arranged a screen so +that the doorway from the hall was hidden. Dolly watched breathlessly +and soon heard people coming in behind the screen and recognised the +boys' voices as well as those of her father and Mr. Rose. + +"I know you're there, Bob and Bert," she called out. "Come here Bob and +see the goddess of liberty." + +"Wait a minute," said Bert, and there was more giggling and whispering. + +"Now!" said somebody and then the screen was whisked away and Dolly saw +standing before her,--Dotty! + +It really was Dotty, smiling with eagerness and dressed like Dolly in +red, white and blue. + +"Oh, Dotty!" and "Oh, Dolly!" rang out at the same moment and the two +girls stared hard at each other, for they had not seen one another's +faces since that fatal moment when they came together on their roller +skates. + +"I'm just crazy to run over there and grab you!" cried Dotty, "but I +promised I wouldn't touch you, or I might break us up all over again." + +"Well, do come over here and sit beside me, so I can be sure it's really +you. How is your arm? Does it hurt you now? Oh, what a beautiful sling!" + +Dotty's left arm was in a large sling made of dark blue studded with +silver stars and her whole dress was of red and white stripe. Her +liberty cap was just like Dolly's own, and she wore white stockings and +red slippers. + +"You poor dear," she said as she came over and sat down by Dolly's side; +"to think I can dress and go outdoors while you're still tied to your +bed." + +"But I can wave both arms about, and you can't," said Dolly as she waved +her flag above her head. + +"I think you're six of one and half a dozen of the other," said Bert. +"Now look here, Doll, we're going to push your bed up to the window so +you can see out." + +"Why?" asked Dolly; "it's almost dark now." + +"Never you mind. Little girls shouldn't ask questions. Grab that other +bed-post, Bob. Here, Dad, take hold of the head-board." + +Propelled by willing arms the bed was rolled over to the big bay window +and arranged so that Dolly had full view of the lawn between the houses. + +Then a big easy chair was arranged for Dotty and the two girls were +advised that if they would stay there they would see something worth +while. + +"Oh, it's so good to see you again," said Dotty, as the others all left +the room; "do you hurt terribly?" + +"Not so much now, but it was awful at first. Wasn't yours?" + +"Oh, terrible. Let's not talk about it. How do you like Bob?" + +"He's splendid. How do you like Bert?" + +"I think he's great. Oh, Dolly, what fun we could have if we were only +well." + +"You are. You can go outdoors." + +"Not much. This is a special dispensation to-night. And I have to have +my arm in a sling four weeks longer. It's in splints you know. I can't +do hardly anything with one hand. Bob tries to teach me, but I'm as +awkward as a cow. I'm so used to flying at everything with both hands +that I can't seem to manage." + +"It must be awful. Oh, Dot, there's a sky rocket!" + +Dotty turned quickly and looked out of the window. The skyrocket was +only the beginning of a fine display of fireworks. Mr. Rose and Mr. +Fayre had concluded that was the only sort of celebration the girls +could enjoy, so they had bought far more than their usual supply and +they made a fine showing. + +Bob had asked a number of the young people to come and see them and +Dolly and Dotty recognised many from their post of observation in the +window. + +But the mothers of the two girls would not let any of the young people +go up to Dotty's room lest the excitement be too much for her. + +After the usual quota of rockets and Roman candles there were more +elaborate pieces which flamed into fire pictures against the summer sky. + +When the fireworks were all over and the young people gone away the +girls were told that there was a little more celebration yet to come. + +Dolly's bed was pushed back to its place and Dotty was enthroned beside +it in her easy chair, when the two boys appeared, each bearing a tray of +good things. + +"This is your Fourth of July party," said Trudy, who followed. "No one +can come to it except the three Roses and the three Fayres." + +Genie came in then, and the six brothers and sisters of the two families +had a merry feast while their elders remained downstairs. + +"It's been a beautiful holiday," said Dolly, leaning back into her +pillows as she finished her ice cream. "I never dreamed I'd have any +Fourth of July celebration. The fireworks were beautiful and the party +things were lovely, but best of all is seeing Dotty again." + +"Yes," said Dotty, "I don't know how I've managed to live through the +last three weeks. But I expect I can come over to see you every day +now." + +"We'll see about that," said Mrs. Rose, coming in. "But this party must +break up now, and if it doesn't do any harm to our wounded soldiers we +may allow more of them. So say good-night, you two D's, and I'll take +_my_ little goddess of liberty home." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +CROSSTREES CAMP + + +The summer plans of the two families were decidedly changed by the +accidents to the two little girls. + +It was the custom of the Fayres to spend the summer at a hotel in the +mountains or at the seashore, for Mrs. Fayre declared she needed a +yearly rest from housekeeping duties. + +The Rose family, preferring a different sort of enjoyment, spent their +summers at their camp in the Adirondacks, for they loved the informal +out of door life and the freedom from all conventionalities. + +The doctor had said that the two girls would be entirely restored to +health and strength and quite ready to go anywhere by the first of +August, but not much before that date. So during July the question was +discussed frequently and at length as to where Dotty and Dolly would go, +for they begged and besought their parents that they might be together. + +Now Mrs. Rose was more than willing to take Dolly to camp with her +family, and Mrs. Fayre would have been very glad to have Dotty with them +at the hotel, but neither mother wanted her own little girl to go away +from her. The question seemed very difficult of decision, for the two +families could not agree upon a summer resort that would please them +both. + +But after many long talks and various suggested plans it was finally +decided that Dolly Fayre should go with the Roses for the first two +weeks of August and that Dotty Rose should spend the last two weeks of +the month with the Fayre family. + +"It is the best plan," said Mrs. Rose, "for a fortnight in camp will do +the girls lots of good and make them strong and rosy again. Then they +will better enjoy a fortnight at a big hotel." + +The two D's were enchanted at the prospect. + +"You'll just love it!" said Dotty, enthusiastically; "we'll just wear +short skirts and middy blouses, and spend all our time in the woods or +on the lake." + +Dolly wanted to go to the camp, but she had never before been away from +her mother for more than a day or two at a time, and she felt some +misgivings about being homesick. + +"Nonsense!" said Bert. "A great big girl like you homesick! Why, +Towhead, you're too big for such things. You'll have a gorgeous time in +the camp, there's more fun in a camp than in any other place on earth. I +wish they had asked me." + +"Of course they wouldn't ask you," said Dolly, "because Bob Rose won't +be there. Not at first, anyway; he's going to visit some school friend. +He's going to the camp later. But Bob, what's a camp like? Don't you +have to sleep on old dry twigs and things? I want to be with Dotty, but +I don't believe I'll like sleeping in a tent or whatever they have." + +"Ah, be a sport, Towhead. You're altogether too finicky about your +foolish comforts. Learn to rough it,--it'll be good for you. You're as +white as a sheet, and you ought to be all brown and red and freckled and +look like a real live girl instead of a wax doll. I'm going to coax Dad +to go camping next year. It's loads of fun. Maybe if Bob Rose gets up +there before you leave they'd ask me up for a couple of days." + +"Or they might ask you after I've left," said Dolly; "you boys could +have a lot of fun even if we girls weren't there." + +"You bet we could! Girls are not a necessity to a fellow's pleasure if +he has fishing and boating and swimming and such things to do." + +"Well, I can't swim and I hate to fish,--but I do like boating. What +kind of boats will they have, Bob?" + +"Oh, motor boats and canoes and rowboats and sail boats and every old +kind. Don't get drowned, Dolly, and don't break any more of your bones, +but I guess there's nothing much else that can happen to you, if you +behave yourself. But don't try to do everything Dotty suggests. She's a +hummer, that girl, and I'll bet you in camp she'll run wild. You'll have +to hold her back a little." + +Dolly's parents gave her practically the same advice. But they felt +little fear of Dolly's likelihood of rushing into madcap adventures even +if Dotty urged it. For Dolly was slow of movement and slower still in +making up her mind; while Dotty was quick as a flash in thought and +action. + +Mrs. Fayre sighed a little as she selected Dolly's wardrobe. She dearly +loved to array her pretty daughter in muslins and organdies with dainty +laces and ribbons; but camp life called for stout frocks of tweed or +gingham, heavy walking boots and no fripperies. + +"I shall put in one or two pretty dresses," Mrs. Fayre said, "in case +you are invited to a party or any such affair. And the rest of your +summer things I will have ready for you, when you come back and join us +at the seashore." + + * * * * * + +And so the first of August, Mr. and Mrs. Rose and their two daughters +with Dolly as the guest started for the Crosstrees Camp. + +It was a sad parting between Dolly and her mother and at the last Dolly +declared flatly she would not go, and throwing herself in her mother's +arms burst into tears. + +"Rubbish!" cried Rob, who was dancing about in his efforts to get Dolly +started. "I'm ashamed of you, Towhead! Brace up now, and have a nerve. +One final wrench and off you go!" + +The boy literally tore Dolly from Mrs. Fayre's arms and boosted her in +to the Roses' motor car which was waiting to take them to the station. + +"All aboard! Go ahead!" Bob called out, waving his hand to the chauffeur +and the car started off at a brisk rate. + +"You know you needn't go, Dolly, even yet, if you don't want to," and +Mrs. Rose smiled kindly at the little girl, as they flew down the +avenue. + +"I do want to go, Mrs. Rose, and I am ashamed of myself for acting so +bad, but I will brace up now. It was just saying good-bye to Mother that +somehow sort of seemed to shake my heart." + +Dolly smiled through her tears and determinedly began to chatter gaily. + +"That's the ticket!" said Mr. Rose, smiling approval at her. "That's +the brave little girl. Now when you get to Crosstrees you'll be so +delighted and interested, that you won't think of home and Mother for +two weeks, except to write a postcard now and then." + +"You won't hardly have time for that!" cried Dotty, "there's so much to +do from morning till night, and that makes you so tired that you sleep +from night till morning. Oh, Dollyrinda, we will have the most +gorgeousest times ever!" + +"It's beautiful to have Dolly with us," said Genie, her big black eyes +dancing with anticipation; "we can show her all our fav'rite places, and +all the islands and woodses and everything! But two weeks is an awful +short time." + +"We'll make it longer next year," said Mr. Rose. "If our two wounded +soldiers hadn't been wounded, we would have started a month ago." + +"Why do you call it Crosstrees camp?" asked Dolly. + +"You'll see when you get there," and Mr. Rose smiled at his little +visitor. + + * * * * * + +Sure enough when they arrived, Dolly discovered the meaning of the +strange name. The gateway was formed by two trees which had started to +grow parallel, but in some way had been bent toward one another until +their trunks crossed about ten feet above ground. The trees had gone on +growing this way, and formed an "N," covered with branches and foliage. +The party had landed from their train at a small station near one end of +a long lake. They had traversed this lake in a swift motor boat, for +their camp was at the other end. It was nearly dark when they reached +their own pier and all clambered out and climbed a flight of narrow wet +steps. + +"Hang on to the railing, Doll," said Dotty; "the steps are slippery, a +little." + +Passing under the crosstrees, to which Mr. Rose drew Dolly's attention +as the name of the camp, they came to a sort of bungalow or long, low +house. + +"Is this the camp?" said Dolly, in surprise. "I thought it was tents. +You said so, Dot." + +"There are tents, too. Only on stormy nights we sleep inside. Come on +in, Doll. Isn't it fine?" + +Dolly Fayre looked around at the bare boarded rooms, the scant furniture +and rough walls of the cabin, for it was little more than that. + +She was cold and rather hungry, but underneath these discomforts was a +far more troublesome one which she tried not to think about, but which +she felt sure was going to develop into an acute case of homesickness. + +"Run up to your rooms, girlies, and take off your things," said Mrs. +Rose, cheerily. "We'll eat inside to-night, and Maria will make us some +of her good flap-jacks for supper." + +Maria was an old coloured servant and the only one who accompanied the +Rose family to camp. Other help that might be needed they procured from +some of the natives who were glad to do odd jobs for the summer people. + +Dolly followed Dotty and Genie upstairs where there was a long row of +tiny bedrooms opening onto a narrow hall. These bedrooms had ceilings +which slanted right down to the floor, so one could not stand upright +after advancing a few feet into the room. + +"Aren't they funny rooms?" said Dotty, laughing with glee at Dolly's +blank-looking countenance. "But you'll get used to them soon. Of course +you have to bend double, except just here by the door, but that's +nothing. This one is yours, Dolly, and mine is right next and then +Genie's. Mother and Father have a room downstairs. But we won't sleep +here, we'll sleep in the open tent to-night, it's plenty warm enough. +Oh, it's _such_ fun!" + +Dolly didn't know what sleeping in an open tent meant, but she smiled in +response and soon the three girls went downstairs together. + +Mr. and Mrs. Rose were bustling around, happily engaged in unpacking and +arranging books and pictures and various trifles to make the big +living-room more homelike. + +"Looks a little bare now," said Mr. Rose, as he placed his smoking set +in position near his own particular easy chair, "but in a day or two +we'll have it looking like a little Paradise on earth. Just you wait, +Miss Dolly, till you see this desert blossom like a rose,--like a whole +Rose family, in fact!" + +"These things help a lot," and Mrs. Rose deftly arranged half a dozen +sofa pillows on a big inviting-looking couch. + +"And to-morrow we'll put up a swing, and the hammocks, won't you, +Daddy?" said Genie. + +"Course I will, chickabiddy," and Mr. Rose whistled in gay contentment +as he took books from their boxes and arranged them on the table. + +When supper was announced, Maria informed the family that she hadn't +been able to manage the flap-jacks that night. + +"But you-all sho'ly will hab 'em for breakfast, dat you will,--you +suttinly will. But you see huccum I jes' didn't hab de proper +contraptions unpacked for 'em to-night." + +"That's all right, Maria," said Mr. Rose, good-naturedly; "we don't mind +what we have to-night. To-morrow we'll get a good fair start. Sit down, +children, we'll manage to make out a supper." + +The supper was sort of a makeshift of sardines and herring and crackers, +with coffee for the older people. + +Dolly had no wish to be critical, but the viands were not tempting and +she ate very little, being conscious all the time of an ever-growing +lump in her throat. She tried hard to be merry and gay, but she couldn't +feel the enthusiasm with which the others overflowed. + +"Shall we have a fire to-night, Daddy?" asked Dotty as they left the +table. + +"Oh, not to-night. It's pretty late, and we're all tired out. We'll +leave that for to-morrow night. You see, Dolly Fayre, the curtain +doesn't really rise on the glories of Camp Crosstrees until to-morrow. +Can you wait?" + +"Yes, indeed, Mr. Rose," and Dolly smiled bravely. "Where is it that +we're going to sleep?" + +"I'll show you," said Mrs. Rose, and amid shouts of glee and peals of +laughter, Dotty and Genie ran upstairs, and returned with their arms +full of blankets and other things. + +"Grab a pillow and come on," shouted Dotty as she herself picked up a +pillow from the couch. Genie took one, too, and Dolly did also and then +the whole tribe left the house. + +They walked across some very uneven ground and Dolly would have stumbled +in the darkness had not Mrs. Rose clasped her arm firmly. + +"Here we are!" she said, and Dolly saw a large tent, but it wasn't +exactly a tent. It was a platform of boards raised not more than a foot +above the ground. It had a roof and three sides of canvas, but the front +was entirely open. On the floor were piles of balsam boughs and on these +the Roses arranged the blankets they had brought. + +"I envy you girls," said Mrs. Rose, as she tucked up the impromptu beds. +"It is Heavenly to sleep out here, but we older people dare not risk +rheumatism. You'll love it, Dolly. Perhaps you'll hear an owl or two +hooting you a lullaby." + +In less than half an hour the three girls were put to bed and Mrs. Rose +had said good-night and left them. + +Dotty and Genie had murmured sleepy good-nights and had snuggled down +into their spicy-smelling nests of branches. + +Dolly lay with wide open eyes staring out at the stars. She had never +experienced this sort of thing before, and she was frightened and +uncomfortable. Although mid-summer, the air was chilly, and she did not +like the feeling of the rather coarse blankets. Moreover she was wearing +a thick, clumsy, flannel nightgown, and the bed of branches seemed to be +full of knots and lumps. She longed for her own pretty room with its +dainty appointments and soft bed clothing. + +She looked across at Dotty and Genie. She could see them but dimly, but +she knew they were sound asleep. She felt alone, utterly alone in that +dreadful place, with the forest trees making a sad murmur and the silent +stars winking solemnly at her. She thought of her mother and father and +Trudy and Bert and she had the most dreadful wave of homesickness roll +over her. Then the tears came, hot, scalding tears that rolled down her +cheeks in ever increasing number. She made no noise, lest she waken the +other girls but the effort to stifle her sobs made her cry harder, and +she buried her face in the rough worsted of the sofa pillow and wiped +her eyes with the harsh blanket. + +"Oh, Mother," she said, to herself, "I _can't_ stay here. This is a +dreadful place. Why did you let me come? I knew I would hate a camp. How +can anybody like these awful beds? And I'm cold,--and I'm not cold +either, but I'm all shivery and I feel horrid! I'm--I'm--oh, I'm just +lonesome and homesick and I want Mother!" + +After a time Dolly stopped crying from sheer exhaustion and spent with +her sobs, she lay there gazing at the stars. She felt sure there were +bears and wolves among the trees, and soon they would come out and +attack the camp. + +Moreover, she was dreadfully hungry. She had a box of candy in her +suitcase, but that was upstairs in the bungalow. She could not get it +without disturbing Mr. and Mrs. Rose and that was not to be thought of. + +The poor child lay for a time in her misery, every moment getting more +and more homesick and with a deeper longing to get back to her mother +and never leave home again. + +At last a spirit of desperation took hold upon her. It was +characteristic of Dolly Fayre to endure patiently and bravely the +greatest trials that might come to her, but when the strain became too +great it was in her nature to rebel, suddenly and decidedly. + +And now, when it seemed that she simply could not stand the dreadfulness +another moment, she sat straight up in bed, and said clearly, "I'm going +home." + +The sound of her own voice startled her and she looked round quickly to +see if the other girls had heard her. She fully expected to see one or +both heads pop up in amazement at her speech. But neither dark head +moved, and listening to their regular breathing, she knew the two Rose +girls were still sound asleep. + +With her white face set and a desperate look in her wide open blue eyes, +she put one foot out of bed and then the other. She had on her +stockings, as Mrs. Rose had advised her to wear them all night. Silently +and swiftly she discarded the flannel nightgown, which was one of +Dotty's, and with flying fingers, which trembled with a nervous chill, +she rapidly dressed herself in the garments she had worn when she +arrived. + +Her hat and coat were at the bungalow, but she did not stop for them. +She was determined to go home that very minute, and she would let +nothing interfere. + +Fully dressed she went over and looked down at the sleeping Dotty. It +seemed awful to go away and leave her like that, but Dolly knew if she +waited till morning the Roses would not let her go. And yet she must +leave word of some sort or they would think her very rude and +ungrateful. + +She had with her a little shopping bag, which, as it contained some +money, she had put under her pillow. Luckily there was paper and pencil +in this on which she had planned to write a letter to her mother. + +So with an uncertain hand, in the dim light, she traced the words: "Dear +Dotty, I can't stay here, I've got to go back to Mother. Good-bye. +Dolly." + +This she slipped gently beneath Dotty's pillow, and then stepping softly +to the open edge of the tent she stepped down to the ground and walked +swiftly toward the lake. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +DOLLY'S ESCAPE + + +Dolly had learned as they came up the lake in the motor boat that there +was a footpath along the lake shore which led directly from the camp to +the railroad station. It was about a mile long and passed several other +camps, but Dolly felt sure that she could walk the distance, and +allowing time to rest now and then could reach the station before six +o'clock, when the first morning train went through. The dim starlight +just enabled her to make out by her little watch that it was two o'clock +when she started. She felt no fear of bears or wolves now, for her whole +mind and soul were filled with the one idea of going home. She would +have started, had the road been lined with hot ploughshares, so +indomitable was her will and so strong her resolution. She gave no +thought or heed to possible difficulties or dangers. She knew the way, +there was no chance of getting lost, and she had in her bag money enough +to buy a ticket home. She felt guilty and even ashamed at leaving her +kind friends in this manner, but that thought was swallowed up and lost +sight of in the terrible gnawing agony of her longing for home. + +So she set forth along the path at a swift, steady gait which promised +fair for the accomplishment of her design. As she walked along the stars +seemed brighter and seemed to wink at her more kindly, as if willing to +do all they could to help along a poor little homesick, mother-lonely +child. Though without hat or coat, her swift pace kept her warm enough +for a time, but at last poor little Dolly grew very weary. She had not +walked much since her illness and her newly mended leg felt the strain +and began to ache terribly. She sat down to rest on a flat stone and was +surprised to find that her leg ached worse sitting down than it had +walking. Moreover, when she stopped exercising, she became very chilly +and in addition to this she realised afresh that she was exceedingly +hungry. + +Poor little Dolly! She could scarcely have been more physically +miserable, and yet her material discomfort was as nothing to her pangs +of homesickness. She felt she could not pursue her journey, and yet it +made her shudder to think of returning to that awful camp. + +So after a time, hoping she had rested enough, she rose and plodded on +again. She kept up this means of procedure, walking until utterly +exhausted and then stopping to rest, until somehow she managed to cover +the distance to the station. + +It was half-past four when she reached the forlorn little building and +found it closed and deserted. But there was a bench outside and Dolly +sank upon this in a state bordering upon utter collapse. She fell asleep +there and was only awakened when, shortly before six, the station agent +came to unlock his office. + +"Bless my soul! who are you?" he exclaimed, and Dolly sat up blinking in +the early sunlight. + +"I'm a passenger," she said; "I want to take the early train." + +"Humph! a pretty looking passenger you are! Where's your hat?" + +"I don't always wear a hat in summer," and Dolly tossed back her golden +curls and looked at the man steadily. Her sleep had refreshed her +somewhat, and she had recovered her poise. Her determination was still +unshaken and she had every intention of going on that six o'clock train. + +But the station master was a knowing sort of man and he had before this +seen campers afflicted with a desperate desire to go back to +civilisation. + +"Didn't you come up here last night with the Roses?" he inquired +affably. + +"Yes," replied Dolly, "but I'm going back to town to-day." + +"Pshaw, now, is that so? Don't like it, hey?" The station master had a +kindly way with him, and as he threw open the door he invited Dolly to +enter the little waiting-room. "You stay here a spell," he said, "that +train ain't due for fifteen minutes." + +He disappeared into the ticket office and closed the door. Then he +called up Mr. Rose on the telephone. + +"Hello! what is it?" responded that gentleman sleepily, for he had been +roused from a sound slumber. + +"I'm Briggs, the station agent. That little yellow-haired girl you +brought with you last night is here in the station. Says she's goin' +home." + +"Dolly Fayre! At the station? Impossible!" + +"Yep. She's here. And she's just about all in. You don't want I should +let her go on the train, do you?" + +"Good gracious, no! Keep her there somehow till I can get there." + +"I'll try, but she's terrible set on goin'." + +"Keep her somehow, Briggs, if you have to lock her in. I'll be down +there inside of half an hour." + +"All right, Mr. Rose. Good-bye." Briggs hung up the receiver and +sauntered back to the waiting-room. + +"Best come over home with me, little Miss and get a bite of breakfast. +How about it? My home's just across the street and my wife'll be glad to +give you a snack." + +"Thank you," said Dolly, doubtfully, "but I don't want to miss that +train." + +"Oh, land! she's likely to be half an hour late! Come along, I'll keep +my eye out for the train." + +Dolly hesitated. She was awfully hungry, but it was five minutes of six +and the train might not be late after all. Moreover, it seemed to her +that the station man was a little too anxious. Perhaps he wished to +detain her, though she could see no reason why he should interfere with +her plans. Unless it might be because she had no hat on. Still it was +not a crime to go hatless in the summer time, though it might be +unconventional when travelling. + +"Pretty good breakfast my wife cooks," said Briggs, temptingly. + +"Perhaps I would have time just for a glass of milk," said Dolly, "but +no, I hear a locomotive whistle now!" + +"Aw, she's way up round the bend. Sound carries awful far 'mong these +hills. She won't be here for ten minutes yet. Come on." + +"What are you talking about? There's the train now!" And from the +window Dolly saw the smoke of the approaching engine. + +"Why, so 'tis!" and with a strange smile on his face, Briggs whisked the +door open, flew out and slammed it behind him and turned the big key, +making Dolly a prisoner in the little waiting-room. + +For a moment she was too amazed to do or say anything. She stood +watching the train draw nearer and stop at the little station. + +Then she realised what had happened and she flew to the door and pounded +on it with her little fists, crying, "Let me out! you awful, dreadful +man, let me out!" + +But the door did not open, and after a couple of minutes the train went +on its way. + +Then Briggs unlocked the door and came in. "Bless my soul!" he said, "if +I didn't forget you wanted to go by that train! Well, it's too late now, +so you might as well come on over to breakfast." + +"You didn't forget it, any such thing! You locked me in here on purpose! +You had no right to do it, and my father will pers--persecute you,--or +whatever you call it!" + +"Well, anyhow the train's gone, and you can't get it back, so make the +best of things and smile and come along." + +From sheer lack of anything better to do, Dolly rose and walked with +Briggs across the street to his little cottage. + +"Hello, Mother," he called out, as they entered, "I've brought a visitor +to breakfast. Got enough to go round?" + +"Yes, indeedy!" and a fat, comfortable looking woman smiled pleasantly +at Dolly; "why, you poor baby, you're all tuckered out. Here sit right +down and drink this fresh milk, it's a little warm yet. Take slow sips, +now, don't swallow it all at once. Here's a nice piece of toast." + +Dolly eagerly accepted the fresh milk and the golden-brown buttered +toast, and was glad to follow Mrs. Briggs' advice and partake slowly. + +The warm, pleasant room and the appetising food made Dolly feel +decidedly better. A poached egg came next and more toast and milk and as +both Mr. and Mrs. Briggs were kind and cheery, Dolly's spirits rose +accordingly. + +No reference was made as to why she wanted to take the train, in fact +the subject was not touched on, and Mr. Briggs was entertaining her with +a funny story when the door opened and Mr. Rose walked in. + +"Hello, Dolly-Polly," he said, cheerily; "had your breakfast? Good for +you, Mrs. Briggs, glad you gave the little lady a bite. Come along now, +Dolly, we must be on the move." + +Mr. Rose's face was so smiling and his manner so pleasant, that Dolly +jumped up from her chair and ran to his side. He put his arm round her +and kissed her cheek and then with brisk good-byes and thanks to the +hospitable Briggs, he whisked Dolly away. + +"Skip it!" he said, and taking her hand they skipped across the road and +down the long length of the pier. There was Mr. Rose's motor-boat +waiting, with Long Sam at the wheel. + +"Mornin' folkses," he said, unfolding his ungainly length as he rose to +help them in. Long Sam, it was generally agreed, had the longest length +for the narrowest width of any man in the county. He grinned at Dolly +and taking her hands helped her into the boat, while Mr. Rose followed. + +In a moment they were off, and the little boat scooted up the lake in a +hurry. The sun was well up now and it was a warm day, so the lake breeze +was most refreshing and the swift motion very exhilarating. Mr. Rose +said no word whatever concerning Dolly's informal departure from his +camp, but he was so gay and entertaining that Dolly herself forgot it. +He pointed out various houses and camps along the shore, often telling +funny stories of the people who lived there. He showed her the club +house and the casino and the picnic grounds and lots of interesting +places, which had passed unnoticed on their trip up the lake the night +before. Sometimes Long Sam put in a few words in his dry, comical way, +and Dolly found herself enjoying the morning lake ride immensely. + +Mr. Rose was in the midst of a funny story at which Dolly was shaking +with laughter as they reached the pier which belonged to Crosstrees +camp. + +"Out you hop!" exclaimed Mr. Rose, jumping out himself and in a moment +Dolly was beside him on the pier. Mrs. Rose and the two girls stood +there smiling, their arms full of bathing suits. + +"Hurry up, Doll," cried Dotty, grabbing her arm. "This is your bathhouse +right next to mine and here's your suit. Scrabble into it, quick's you +can." + +And so almost before she knew it, Dolly was shut in to her little bath +house and was hastily changing from her street suit to her +bathing-dress. + +Just as she finished arraying herself, Dotty was pounding on the door +and she immediately opened it. Mrs. Rose put a bathing cap on Dolly's +head and tied a gay kerchief over that. The rest were all in bathing +suits and with gay laughter they all joined hands and ran down the +sloping shore and into the lake. + +Dolly loved bathing and she pranced round with the rest, enjoying the +delightful feel of the cool ripples of the lake as they dashed against +her. + +The young people were not allowed to go out very far alone, but Mr. Rose +would swim out with them, one at a time, for a short distance and return +them safely to shallower water. + +"Do teach me to swim," pleaded Dolly, who took to water like a duck. So +Mr. Rose gave her her first lesson and she was so promising a pupil that +he declared she would soon learn to become expert. + +The bath over, they returned to the bath houses to dress and Dolly found +in hers, instead of her travelling suit, a serge skirt and middy blouse. +She put these on, and when she went out she found Dotty similarly +arrayed. Mrs. Rose braided the two girls' hair in long pig-tails and +tied their ribbons for them. + +"Now for a camp breakfast!" exclaimed Mr. Rose, as the group reunited. + +"I've had my breakfast," began Dolly, but Mr. Rose interrupted her, +saying, "indeed you haven't! Just wait till you see." + +In a little clearing not far from the bungalow, Dolly saw a table of +boards with seats each side and here the family gathered. + +Such a breakfast as it was! Maria's flap-jacks had materialised and of +all light, puffy, golden delicacies they were the best. Then there was +brook trout, fresh and delicious; a tempting omelet; and as a great +treat the girls were each allowed a cup of coffee. + +The trip up the lake and the invigorating bath had given Dolly a +ravenous appetite and never had food tasted so good. She didn't quite +understand why nothing was said about her running away in the night, but +it was a great relief that the subject was not touched upon, and in the +gay laughter and chatter of the Rose family, she finally forgot all +about it. + +"Now, who's for a tramp in the woods?" and Mr. Rose lighted a cigar as +he left the table. + +"Me!" cried Dolly, dancing up to her host; "when can we start?" + +"Right away quick," and Mr. Rose smiled down at her; "have you good +stout shoes?" + +"Yes, indeed," and Dolly showed her little tan boots. + +The whole family started off, each with a stout stick to help their +steps in climbing, and each with a little basket, because, as Mr. Rose +said, "you never can tell what you'll find to bring home." + +They started off briskly, Dolly and Dotty on either side of Mr. Rose and +Genie and her mother following close behind. + +"Guess we'll try the Rocky Chasm path this morning," said Mr. Rose, who +acted as guide. + +Away they went, walking briskly, but not too rapidly. Though it was a +warm day the path through the woods was cool and pleasant and +occasionally they paused to rest for a time. Presently the climbing +began and this they took by easy stages, so that when at last they +reached their goal, Dolly was not at all tired. + +"What a beautiful place!" she cried, as they found themselves on top of +a high hill looking down into a rocky chasm. + +"Don't go too near the edge," warned Mrs. Rose as her husband and the +two girls went to peer over the edge of the precipice. + +"No, indeed!" he returned, "but Dolly must see down in the chasm. Here, +Dot, you show her how." + +So Dotty lay down flat on the rocks and wriggled along until she could +see over the very edge while her father held tightly to her feet. + +"It's wonderful!" she exclaimed; "now you try it, Dolly." + +Somewhat timidly, but with full faith in Mr. Rose, Dolly lay down prone, +and cautiously edged along till she could see over the shelving rock. +She felt Mr. Rose's firm grip on her ankles, and she looked down with +wonder at the sheer straight descent of rock and down at the very bottom +of the chasm she saw a tiny brook tossing and foaming along. + +"Not yet!" she called as Mr. Rose advised her to come back. "Let me see +it a moment longer!" + +"Don't get dizzy!" called out Mrs. Rose. + +"No, indeed!" said Dolly, as at last Mr. Rose pulled her in; "I wasn't +dizzy a bit! I never saw anything so wonderful. That beautiful little +brook way down there a thousand miles below!" + +"Oh, not quite so far as that," said Mr. Rose, laughing. "Come on; let's +go down and see it from below." + +They picked up their baskets and following Mr. Rose's direction they +climbed down a rocky ravine and, sure enough, found themselves right +beside the little tumbling brook. Dolly sat on a rock and gazed upward +at the precipice, looking at the very spot where she had poked her head +over. + +"Were we really up there looking down?" she exclaimed. "I can hardly +believe it. Oh, what a lovely place this is!" + +"Yes, isn't it!" cried Dotty; "let's dig something, Daddy." + +"What can we find?" And Mr. Rose looked around. "Why, my goodness, my +basket is full already!" + +"What's in it?" cried Genie, scampering around to see. "Oh, goody! +cookies and lemonade!" + +Though Dolly had really had two breakfasts, the mountain climb had made +her ready to welcome a little light refreshment and the bottles of +lemonade and the box of cookies were rapidly disposed of by the party. + +"I see Indian Pipes," remarked Mr. Rose, and Dotty cried, "Where? +Where?" + +"Those who seek will find," said Mr. Rose, smiling, and the girls set to +work hunting. + +Dotty was the first to spy some of the graceful white blossoms under +some concealing green leaves, but a moment later Dolly found some too. +With their trowels they carefully dug up the plants and put them in +their baskets to take home. + +Genie collected some odd stones, and Mrs. Rose found a particular bit +of Eglantine that she wanted and soon the baskets were filled and the +party took up their homeward way. + +Mostly of a down-hill trend, the way home was easy, and as the baskets +were not heavy the girls danced gaily along singing songs as they went. + +"Why, goodness, gracious sakes; it's nearly two o'clock!" cried Dolly as +they entered the big living room of the bungalow and set down their +burdens. + +"It sho'ly is!" and Maria's black face appeared in the doorway. "I +suttinly thought you-all was never comin' home to dinner! I'se been +waitin' and waitin' till everything is jes' 'bout spoilt!" + +"Oh, I guess not as bad as that, Maria," and Mr. Rose smiled pleasantly +at her. "We're not much behind time, and we won't grumble if things are +cold." + +"Laws' sakes! they ain't cold! I'se dun looked out for dat. Yo' better +wash that mud off your hands and come along. Doan' waste no time now." + +The Roses were accustomed to Maria's good-natured scoldings and they ran +away to follow her advice. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HIDDEN TREASURE + + +"Take time to tidy up and put on clean blouses," called out Mrs. Rose as +the girls went to their rooms. + +But they made quick work of it, and helped each other in the matter of +hair ribbons and soon three very trim and tidy young persons in clean +white linen presented themselves, hungry for their dinner. + +Maria had a steaming chicken stew for them, with fluffy white dumplings +that showed no sign of being "spoilt"; in fact, she had not cooked them +until after the family's return. + +"Was there ever anything so good!" exclaimed Dolly as she received a +second portion of the fricassee. + +"Everything tastes good up here," said Dotty, "but Maria sure is a dandy +on stewed chicken. But go easy, Doll, for I happen to know there's an +Apple Betty to follow and just you wait till you see that!" + +But Dolly's camp appetite was quite equal to the Apple Betty also, +which was, as Dolly had predicted, a triumph in the matter of desserts. + +"I feel as if I had been to a party," Dolly said as they left the table. +"I believe I've eaten more to-day than I do in a week at home." + +"It's the air," said Mr. Rose. "Crosstrees' air is the greatest +appetiser known to man. If I could bottle it and sell it, I'd make my +everlasting fortune. Now, may I ask what you young ladies have on hand +for this afternoon?" + +"Nothing particular," said Dotty. "Why?" + +"Because I asked a few young people from the neighbouring camps to come +over here for awhile." + +"A party?" cried Genie. "Oh, Daddy, a party?" + +"Not exactly a party; only half a dozen of the Norrises and Holmeses." + +"Lovely!" cried Dotty. "I haven't seen the Norrises since last year, and +I don't know the Holmeses. Who are they?" + +"Mr. Holmes is a friend of mine and his daughter Edith is about the age +of you girls, and they have two or three guests." + +"And the Norrises, Maisie and Jack, are awfully nice," said Dotty. +"You'll like them, Doll; Maisie is something like you." + +"She isn't a bit like Dolly," put in Genie, "'cept she's fat and yellow +headed and blue eyed. But she isn't half as pretty as Dolly, so don't +you mind, Dollyrinda." + +"Oh, I don't mind," and Dolly laughed. "I don't think a blue-eyed +Towhead can be pretty anyway. I like dark eyes and dark curls best." + +"Thank you, ma'am," and Dotty dropped a curtsey. "Shall we dress up, +Mother?" + +"No; those clean blouses are all right. It's just a camp frolic, not a +formal party." + +"It's a Kidd party," observed Mr. Rose, looking mysterious. + +"A kid party?" echoed Dotty; "of course. I didn't s'pose it was a +grown-up party, Daddy, for us children." + +Mr. Rose only laughed and turned away, and the girls wandered out toward +the open tent where Dolly had gone to bed the night before. + +The hemlock-bough beds were covered now with big spreads of gay cretonne +and many cretonne pillows, and served as day couches. + +The sight of the tent recalled to Dolly's mind the events of the night +before, and she suddenly experienced a wave of embarrassment and remorse +at the way she had acted. She felt, too, that an apology was due to her +hosts and somehow it didn't seem right to talk about it to the girls for +she felt that it was to Mr. and Mrs. Rose she owed an explanation. + +"Wait here for me a minute," she said suddenly to Dolly and Genie, and +turning, she ran back to the bungalow. + +She found Mr. and Mrs. Rose in the living room, and going straight to +them she said impulsively, "I was very naughty to run away last night +and I want to apologise. You see I got homesick--" + +"Bless your heart; don't say a word about it," said Mr. Rose, in the +kindest tones; "that's part of the performance, child. Everybody gets +homesick the first night in camp. It's to be expected. Then, you see, +the next day they begin to like it and the third day you couldn't drive +them home." + +"But I was very impolite to go away like that--" + +"Never mind, Dollikins," and Mrs. Rose put her arm around her little +visitor; "it's all right, dearie; don't think of it again. I know +perfectly well how forlorn you felt and how you wanted your mother. And +I know, too, you were chilly and you felt strange and lonesome and +couldn't sleep. But that's all over now and we won't even think of it +again. If you don't sleep all right to-night and if you want to go home +to-morrow, I'll take you down myself, right straight to where your +mother is. Now put it all out of your mind and scamper back to Dotty. +The party will be coming pretty soon now." + +"Run along," and Mr. Rose patted the golden head. "You wouldn't have +been the right kind of a guest at all if you hadn't been homesick the +first night. But I'll bet you a ripe red apple that you won't want to go +home to-morrow, but if you do want to you shall. Now skip along, for if +I'm not mistaken I hear a motor boat and like as not it's that bunch +from the Holmes'." + +Dolly ran away, her heart greatly lightened by the kind attitude of her +hosts, and though she felt sorry she had run away the night before, she +did not feel so ashamed since they had so pleasantly made light of it. + +Sure enough, the party of young people were just coming along the pier, +and Edith Holmes, a bright girl of about Dolly's age, was introducing +herself and her friends. + +"I'm Edith Holmes," she said, laughing, "and these are my cousins, Guy +and Elmer. They're nice enough boys, but here's their sister Josie who +is nicer yet." + +Josie was a shy little thing, who blushed and cast down her eyes at +Edith's praise. + +"I thought the Norrises would be here," went on Edith, "and as they know +us and know you they could introduce us better. But we'll just scrape +acquaintance." + +"Oh, that's all right," said Dotty. "I'm Dotty Rose and this is my chum, +Dolly Fayre, and my little sister, Genie. I have a brother but he isn't +here." She smiled at the boys as she said this and Elmer Holmes said, +"That doesn't matter; we just love to play with girls. And anyhow here +comes Jack Norris to keep us in countenance." + +Jack and Maisie Norris came along, having walked over from the next +camp. They were acquainted with the Holmes' young people as both +families had been there all summer. + +Introductions over, they all sat along the edge of the open tent. The +floor of this, being only about a foot above ground, made a convenient +seat and those who wished had cushions to sit on or lean against. + +"Awful glad you people got up here at last," said Maisie Norris as she +twisted one of Dotty's curls round her finger. "Is your arm all well, +Dot?" + +"Yes, though it isn't awfully strong yet. I have to be a little careful. +But it was my left one, you know, so I can play croquet and tennis and +do most everything." + +"You had a gay old mixup, didn't you?" said Jack Norris, smiling at +Dolly. "You broke yourself, too, didn't you?" + +"Oh, yes; you know Dotty and I are next-door neighbours this year, and +whatever one of us does the other has to. But we're both mended now and +ready for any sort of fun." + +Then Mr. Rose came along, bringing about a dozen spades. They were small +ones, such as come with children's gardening tools, and he gave one to +each of the young people present. + +"What for?" asked Elmer Holmes, as he looked at the shining new tool. + +"I told my girls that this was to be a Kidd party," said Mr. Rose, "but +they didn't quite understand what I meant. Now I'll explain. Has each +one a spade?" + +"Yes," and the nine boys and girls held them up. + +"All right then. Now, what you want to do is to dig for Captain Kidd's +buried treasure. You have all heard that old Captain Kidd buried a lot +of treasure somewhere, but I doubt if you were aware that he buried it +in Crosstrees Camp. However, there is a tradition to that effect and so +I would like you to do your best to find it. Tradition says that the +treasure was buried somewhere near the spot where we are now. It is +hidden, I believe, not farther than fifty feet away in any direction +from this open tent, so everybody may dig wherever he chooses within +that radius, and see if he can unearth the treasure." + +"But, Daddy," said Genie, "how do we know where to dig?" + +"That you must decide for yourselves. Dig any place you like; turn up +the whole area if you choose; or, if you see a place that seems +especially hopeful, dig there. I feel sure the treasure is really buried +somewhere around and it's up to you young people to discover where it +may be." + +"We'll find it!" and Jack Norris brandished his spade in the air. "Come +on, girls and boys; let's dig down to China if necessary, but let's get +Kidd's old treasure chest." + +The young people scattered, looking about for probable places to dig. + +Dolly, a little unused to digging, began rather aimlessly to toss up the +soil near by where she stood. + +"Oh, I say," said Jack Norris, "don't start in that way. Come along with +me and let's find a place that looks promising." + +They walked away, looking eagerly at the ground about them, when Dolly +spied something white under the leaves of a vine. + +"Oh, look here!" she cried, and Jack stooped down to see what it was. +They saw a grinning skull and cross bones made of white plaster and +partly sunken in the earth. + +"Geewhillikens! we've struck it!" cried Jack, "or rather you have! I +felt sure from that twinkle in Mr. Rose's eye that there was some way of +knowing where to dig. This is it, of course. The treasure is buried +here! Let's dig for it!" + +Carefully setting aside the little skull, which was only a papier-maché +toy, they both began to dig desperately. + +"The ground is soft! It has lately been dug, you see, to plant the box +here. How lucky you saw that white thing under the leaves." + +"You would have seen it if I hadn't," said Dolly, not wanting to take +all the credit to herself. "It's buried pretty deep, isn't it?" + +"Yes, sort of. Don't you dig any more, if you're tired; I'll dig the +rest of the way." + +Dolly paused a few moments, and Jack went on digging. At last he said, +as he straightened himself up and wiped his brow with his handkerchief, +"Do you know, I believe we're hoaxed! I believe that skull was there to +fool us!" + +"Oh, I'll bet it was!" and Dolly's eyes danced as she realised the +situation. "Maybe there are other skulls in other places!" + +"I shouldn't wonder. Let's go and see." + +"Let's fill up this hole first and put the skull back to fool somebody +else." + +"All right," and Jack hastily tossed the dirt back into the hole, and +replaced the little white skull. + +"Somebody is coming this way! Let's hide," and Dolly and Jack quickly +whisked themselves behind a clump of trees. + +Guy Holmes and Maisie Norris came along and they spied the white skull +which Jack had left placed rather more conspicuously than he had found +it. + +"Oh, look at that!" cried Guy, and Maisie exclaimed, "This is the right +place, of course! We've struck it at last! That pirate flag was just to +fool us. Hooray! let's dig!" + +Dolly and Jack could scarcely keep from laughing aloud as they saw the +newcomers digging desperately in the very spot they had dug themselves. + +At last Jack beckoned to Dolly and they softly glided away without +letting the others know of their presence. + +"Now we want to find where it really is," whispered Jack as soon as they +were out of hearing of the others. "I say, this is a great game! and +we've learned something from those people. The spot marked with a pirate +flag is not the right one! When we find that, there is no use of +digging." + +The pair went on, prospecting for a likely place to dig. There were so +many trees and shrubs, that often there would be no view of any of the +other seekers. And then again they would come across groups of two or +three, or perhaps one alone digging desperately or looking disappointed +at a failure. + +Gay greetings were exchanged or words of sympathy and commiseration and +each went on his chosen way. + +"Do you know," said Jack at last, "I shouldn't be surprised if the real +place isn't marked at all. Hullo, what's this?" Right at his feet lay a +toy bowie-knife. Though made of pasteboard, it was a ferocious-looking +affair and the spot where it was had not been disturbed. + +"I don't believe that's the right place," said Jack, who had grown +suspicious of misleading clues. "Anyway, Dolly, let's leave that, and +come back to it if we don't find anything more hopeful." + +So they wandered on and next they came to the pirate flag. This black +and white emblem was planted above a much dug up space and they laughed +as they concluded that several trials had been made there. + +Soon they came upon Dotty and Josie Holmes who were hastily digging at a +spot which had been marked by two stakes. They had pulled up the stakes, +but as yet had not found any treasure. + +"Bet it isn't there," said Jack, looking closely at the two stakes. + +"Why?" demanded Dotty. + +"Dunno. Somehow it doesn't seem 'sif it is. Come on, Dolly, let's try +again." + +"Go on," said Dotty; "I think this is the place. Josie and I feel +certain of it. Go on, you two, and good luck to you." + +Shouldering their spades, Jack and Dolly trudged on. + +"Let's think it out," said Jack, seating himself on a flat rock, while +Dolly did likewise. "I believe we can think out where Mr. Rose would +have been likely to put the thing. Now I don't believe it would be very +close to where he started us. These nearby digging places are all +frauds. Let's go to the limit of the space he said, and try all 'round +the edge." + +"How can you tell?" And Dolly looked at him with a puzzled expression. + +"Why, he said fifty feet, you know, and I can pace off what ought to be +about fifty feet and then we'll walk all the way round." + +They did this, and as they walked round the circle which Jack declared +was about the boundary of the fifty-foot radius, they soon came upon a +good-sized iron key. + +"This is it!" cried Jack; "we've struck it! This is the key to the +chest, and the chest is buried here!" + +"Good work!" and Guy Holmes and Maisie Norris appeared just in time to +hear Jack's exclamation. "Come on, let's all dig!" + +"No," said Dolly, sitting down on the ground; "I can't dig any more; I'm +too tired. Maisie and I will sit here while you boys do the digging." + +"All right," the boys agreed, and they fell to work with a will. + +They had thrown out but a few spadefulls of dirt, when they struck +something hard. + +"Hooray! hurroo!" cried Guy; "we've got it! We've struck the treasure!" + +"Sure we have!" and Jack flung out the dirt excitedly. "Easy there now, +old fellow! Look out! It's the chest, sure enough!" + +The two girls jumped up and ran to look, as the boys uncovered one +corner of what seemed to be an old brass-bound chest. + +"It is; it is!" cried Dolly. "We've found it. Hooray, everybody! We've +found the treasure!" + +As her voice rang out the others left their digging and all congregated +about the lucky finders. + +Other spades were set to work and in a short time willing hands lifted +the old chest from the hole and set it up on the solid earth. + +"It's locked!" cried somebody, as several tried to open it at once. + +"Of course it is," said Dolly; "don't you remember, Jack, it was the key +that first showed us where it was. What did you do with that key?" + +"I don't know," and Jack Norris began looking around. + +"I know," said Dolly, laughing; "you left it on the ground and you +spaded out the dirt all over it. Now you'll have to dig for the key!" + +"That's just what I did do! If I'm not the chump!" and Jack began to dig +in the heap of dirt they had thrown up out of the hole. + +"Toss it back in the hole," cried Guy, and in a jiffy the dirt was flung +back where it came from and the key was discovered. + +"Don't let's open the box here," said Dolly; "I think we ought to take +it to Mr. Rose first." + +"I think so, too," agreed Jack Norris, and the boys carried the big box, +while Dolly and the girls followed with the key. + +"Here you are, Captain Kidd," cried Jack as they met Mr. Rose already +coming to meet them. + +"Found it, did you?" said that gentleman, smiling at the band of +treasure seekers. "Bring it along and we'll open it." + +They all followed him to the bungalow veranda, and there the treasure +chest was unlocked. + +It contained a little souvenir for everybody present and there were +exclamations of delight over the pretty trinkets that were found tied up +in dainty tissue paper parcels that did not look at all as if they had +been prepared by Captain Kidd or his pirate crew! + +Dolly's gift was a pretty writing tablet, well furnished, and upon +which, she declared, she should write a long letter home telling of the +treasure hunt and its success. + +Later on a jolly picnic supper was served to the young people and before +this was finished the sun had set and the stars were beginning to show +above the tall trees. + +"Now for a real camp-fire," said Mr. Rose, leading the way to the open +tent. "Come on, boys, and help me fetch wood." + +The boys followed their host and under direction of Mrs. Rose and Dotty +the open tent was transformed into a cosy and inviting place. Hemlock +and spruce boughs were thrown about and partly covered with Indian +blankets and many cushions and pillows and mats of woven rattan. + +Mrs. Rose and the girls arranged themselves comfortably in this spicy +nest and when the boys returned with arms full of fagots and brush, Mr. +Rose superintended the building of a glorious fire right in front of the +open tent. + +Then the party all gathered together and sang songs and told stories and +cracked jokes in merry mood. + +The blazing fire cast grotesque shadows all about and the merry +crackling blaze was a joy of itself. + +Boxes of marshmallows made their appearance and faces took on a rosy +glow as the young people toasted the white lumps of delight on the ends +of long forks provided by Maria. + +"I never had such a good time in my life," exclaimed Dolly, her eyes +dancing and her cheeks rosy as she scampered around the fire. + +"Do you like camping?" asked Jack Norris, looking admiringly at the +pretty laughing face. + +"I just love it!" Dolly cried, and everybody wondered why all the Rose +family chuckled with glee. + +"Haven't you ever been up here before?" asked Jack. + +"No; I never saw a camp-fire before. I had no idea these things were +such fun. This has been the most beautiful day in my life!" And Dolly +looked roguishly up into the face of Mr. Rose who chanced to be passing +by. "And I thank you for it," she added, slipping her hand into his. + +Mr. Rose gave her little hand a warm welcoming grasp as he answered, +"I'm awfully glad you're enjoying it and you are very welcome to Camp +Crosstrees!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A THRILLING EXPERIENCE + + +After that the days just fairly flew. Dolly changed her mind completely +and concluded that camp life was one of the jolliest things in the +world. + +Talking things over with Dotty, she explained her lonesomeness and +homesickness that first night. + +"Yes, I understand," and Dotty wagged her head sagaciously. "Most +everybody doesn't like camp at first and we didn't have any fun that +first night, but, you see, we all knew the fun was coming next days and +you didn't." + +"It was partly that," said Dolly, honestly, "and partly 'cause I felt +that I _must_ see Mother. You see, I've never been away from her all +night before, and it was so queer sleeping outdoors, and I was sort of +cold, and--" + +"I know! You were hungry! There's nothing makes anybody as homesick as +being hungry. Supper was skinny that night, I remember, and I was hungry +too, only I went to sleep and forgot all about it. Come on, Doll, let's +go over to the Norrises." + +"All right," and having informed Mrs. Rose of their intention the two +girls set off for the Norris camp, which was but a short distance away. + +To their disappointment, when they reached there, they learned that Mrs. +Norris had taken both Maisie and Jack to town with her to do some +shopping, and they would not be back before six o'clock. + +It was Sarah, the nurse girl, who told them this, as she sat on the +verandah taking care of Gladys, the two-year-old Norris baby. + +"Let's stay a few minutes and play with the kiddy," said Dolly, patting +the little fat hand of the smiling child. + +"All right," agreed Dotty; "let's take her in the swing." + +The two girls with Gladys between them sat in the wide porch swing and +Sarah said diffidently, "Would you two young ladies mind keeping the +baby for half an hour, while I run down the road a piece to see my +sister? She's awful sick." + +"Go ahead, Sarah," said Dolly, good-naturedly. "We'll take care of +Gladys. She won't cry, will she?" + +"That she won't. She's the best baby in the world. There's a couple of +crackers you can give her if she's hungry, or the cook will give you a +cup of milk for her. I won't be gone long." + +"Don't stay more than half an hour, Sarah," said Dotty; "I'd just as +lieve keep the baby but I don't know as Mrs. Norris would like it to +have you go away from the child." + +"Oh, pshaw!" said Dolly; "the baby is all right with us. Stay as long as +you want to, Sarah; I just love to take care of babies." + +So Sarah went away and the two girls proceeded to give Gladys the time +of her life. They soon tired of the swing and took the baby out into the +woods, where they crowned her with leaves and called her Queen of the +May. + +The child laughed and crowed, and as her language was limited she called +both the girls Doddy, and beamed on them both impartially. Herself she +called Daddy, being unable to achieve her own name. + +"Two Doddies take Daddy saily-bye!" she cried, waving her fat hands +toward the lake. + +"Oh, no," said Dolly; "Daddy go saily-bye when Jack comes home." + +"No! no wait for Dak! Daddy 'ant to go saily _now_! Daddy go in boat! +Two Doddy go in boat and sail Daddy far, far away!" The two little arms +waved as if indicating a journey round the world, and the baby face +beamed so coaxingly that Dolly couldn't resist it. + +"We'll go down to the shore," she said, "and Gladys can paddle her hands +in the water; that will be nice." + +"Ess!" and the baby danced with glee as the three went down to the lake. + +There was a short bit of fairly good beach at the Norrises' place, and +here the children sat down to play. A sail boat, a row boat and a canoe +were tied there and soon Gladys renewed her plea to go sailing. + +The girls tried to divert her mind, for they were not willing to take +the responsibility of taking the little girl out on the water. + +"Maybe we might take her out in the row boat," suggested Dotty, but +Dolly said, "No, I'd rather not. I can row well enough, but you can't do +much with your weak arm and suppose anything should happen to this +blessed child! No, siree, Dot; I'm not going to take any such risk." + +"I think you're silly. We could row around near shore and it would +please the baby a heap. She's going to cry if you don't." + +Dotty's prediction seemed in imminent danger of being fulfilled, but +Dolly sprang up and began a frolicking song and dance intended to divert +the baby's attention. + +But for a few moments only Gladys was pleased with this entertainment. +With the persistency of her kind, she returned again and again to the +subject of her greatly desired water trip. + +Still being denied, she set up a first class crying act. It scarcely +seemed possible that so many tears could come from those two blue eyes! +She didn't scream or howl, but she cried desperately, continuously, and +with heartbroken sobs until the two caretakers were filled with +consternation. + +No effort to divert her was successful. In no game or play would she +show any interest, and as the little face grew red from the continued +sobbing, Dotty exclaimed, "That child will have a fit, if she doesn't +get what she wants! Now look here, Doll; we won't go in a boat, but +let's put the baby in the canoe and just pull her back and forth gently +by the rope. It's tied fast to the post." + +Dolly looked doubtful, but as the baby sensed Dotty's words a heavenly +smile broke over her face and she exclaimed, "Ess, ess! Daddy go +saily-bye all aloney!" + +Dolly still hesitated, but Dotty picked up the eager child and plumped +her down in the middle of the canoe, which was partly drawn up on the +shelving beach. A little push set it afloat and grasping the rope +firmly, Dotty gently pushed and pulled the canoe back and forth, while +the baby squealed with delight. + +"That can't do any harm," said Dotty, pleased with the success of her +scheme, and Dolly agreed that Gladys was safe enough as long as she sat +still. + +"Even if she should spill out, she'd only get wet," said Dotty; "the +water isn't six inches deep where she is. And you _will_ sit still, +won't you, baby?" + +"Ess, Daddy sit still," and the baby folded her hands and sat motionless +in the canoe, only swaying slightly with the motion as Dotty slowly +pulled her in shore and then let her drift back again. + +"It's like a new-fashioned cradle," said Dolly; "I'll hold the rope for +awhile, Dot." + +"All right, take it; it hurts your hand a little after awhile." + +So Dolly pulled the rope and the two girls sitting on the beach chatted +away while the baby floated back and forth. + +"Let me take it now," said Dotty after a time; "you must be tired." + +"No, I'm not a bit tired, and I can use two hands while you can use only +one. You oughtn't to use that left flapper of yours much while it's +weak, Dot." + +"Pooh, it isn't weak! It's as strong as anything. Give me that rope!" + +"No, sir, I won't do it," and there was a good-natured scuffle for the +possession of the rope as the four hands grabbed at it and each pair +tried to get the other pair off. + +"Let go, you!" cried Dotty, pulling at Dolly's hands. + +"Let go yourself!" Dolly replied, laughingly, and then,--they never knew +quite how it happened, but somehow their scramble had pulled the rope +loose from the post, and as they twisted each other's hands, the rope +slipped away from them and slid away under the water. + +The lake was full of cross currents and even before they realised what +had happened the canoe was several feet from shore. To Gladys it seemed +like some new game and she clapped her hands and shouted in glee, "Daddy +saily all aloney,--far, far away!" She waved her baby arms and rocked +back and forth in joy. + +Dotty and Dolly were for a moment paralysed with fright. Then Dotty, +grabbing Dolly's arm, said, "_Don't_ stand there like that! We must _do_ +something! That baby will drown! Let's holler for help." + +Dotty tried to scream, but her heart was beating so wildly and her +nerves pulsing so rapidly she could make scarcely any sound, and her +wail of agony died away in a whisper. + +"I can't yell, either," said Dolly, hoarsely, as she trembled like a +leaf. "But we must _do_ something! _Don't_ go to pieces, Dotty--" + +"Go to pieces nothing! You're going to faint yourself. Now stop it, +Dollyrinda," and Dotty gave her a shake. "We've got to save that child, +no matter how we do it!-- Sit still, baby, won't you?" she called to +Gladys. + +But the child bounced about in her new-found freedom and grasping each +side of the canoe with her little hands began to rock it as hard as her +baby strength would allow. + +"Oh!" breathed Dolly, who was watching with staring eyes; "sit still, +little Gladys; don't rock the boat, dearie." + +"Ess; rock-a-by-baby, in a saily boat!" and again Gladys swayed the +little craft from side to side. + +"We must make her stop that first of all," and Dotty wrung her hands as +she stepped down to the water's edge and even into the water as she +called to the baby. "Gladys, sit very still, and Doddy come out there in +another boat. Sit _very_ still." + +Gladys did sit still, and the canoe floated steadily on the smooth lake. +But it drifted farther and farther from land and now about twenty feet +of water separated the baby from the shore. + +"We've got to get in the row boat and go out there," said Dotty, who was +already untying the rope. + +"Yes, it's the only thing to do," agreed Dolly; "but you can't row, Dot, +and I can. So I'll take the boat, and you run for help. I don't know +whether you'd better go to the Norrises; I don't think there's anybody +there but the cook, or whether you'd better make straight for home and +get your father to come." + +"I'll do both! I can run, if I can't row!" and Dotty flew off like a +deer up the hill toward the Norris camp. + +Dolly stepped into the boat and shipped the oars. It was a large +flat-bottomed boat and the oars were heavy. Dolly knew how to row but +she was not expert at it, and, too, she dreaded to turn around with her +back to the baby. "Though," she thought to herself, in an agony of +conflicting ideas, "I've got to row out there, and I can't do it and +keep watch of Gladys both." + +She pulled a few strokes, twisting her head between each to get a +glimpse of the baby who was now sitting quietly in the canoe, drifting +out toward the middle of the lake. + +Not a motor boat or craft of any kind that might lend assistance was in +sight. They were at the extreme upper end of the lake and most of the +camps were farther down. Vainly Dolly scanned the water for a boat of +any kind, but saw none. Bravely she pulled at the big oars, but she was +not an athletic girl, and having been laid up so long with a broken leg +her muscles were weak. + +She pulled as hard as she could, in a straight line toward the canoe, +but though she succeeded in lessening the distance between them she +could not get very near the baby, for the canoe drifted steadily away. + +At last, by almost superhuman efforts, she came within a few feet of the +child, and then fearing to bump into the canoe and upset it, she turned +around and tried to back water gently. But the big oars were ungainly +and the task was not easy. + +Moreover, Gladys was overjoyed at seeing Dolly in the other boat and she +expressed her joy by leaning over the side of the canoe. + +Dolly's heart seemed to stop beating as she saw the wobbly little boat +careen with the laughing baby leaning far over the edge. She knew she +must not alarm the child and so in a desperate endeavour to speak +naturally, she called out, "Sit up straight, baby; see how straight you +can sit!" + +"So straight!" and Gladys emphasised her straightness by putting both +arms up in the air. + +"Yes, dear. Now fold your arms and sit straight." + +Gladys obeyed and folded her chubby arms and sat motionless right in the +middle of the canoe. + +Dolly's heart bounded with thankfulness as with aching arms she pushed +her way nearer the drifting canoe. She was moving stern first and tried +to manoeuvre to try to come up sideways against the canoe. Then if she +could lift the baby safely into her own flat-bottomed boat she would be +content to drift about until help came. + +How many times she tried! But just as her boat would near the other, a +chance current or a puff of wind would take the canoe just out of her +reach. Paddling now with one oar she came very near the unsteady little +craft, so near that Gladys suddenly decided to jump into Dolly's boat. + +The child scrambled to her knees and leaned over the side of the canoe +till she was almost in the water. + +"Sit down!" screamed Dolly frantically, forgetting the danger of +suddenness. + +Gladys was startled and instead of sitting down leaned farther over the +edge, and the canoe capsized! + +Dolly's face blanched, her oars dropped from her hands and every muscle +in her body went limp. Then the impulse came to jump in the water after +the child. Seizing the row-lock, she was about to plunge, blindly, +heedlessly, but obeying the irresistible impulse, when something white +appeared on the water, right at her very side. It was Gladys's white +dress, and Dolly made a grab for it just as it was again about to sink +from sight. + +She held on firmly, though it seemed as if her strength was ebbing +rapidly away. + +She strove with all her might to pull the baby into her own boat, but +she could not lift the heavy child over the edge. How glad she was now +that she was in the big flat-bottomed boat, which was in little if any +danger of upsetting. + +Not knowing whether the baby was dead or alive, she hung on to the +precious burden, still trying to lift her over the edge, but unable to +do so. It was all she could do to keep her grasp on the wet clothing and +keep the child's head above water as the eddies tossed her boat around +on the rough surface of the lake. The waves were choppy and every time +she would nearly succeed in lifting the baby in, a sudden lurch would +almost make her lose her grip. + +It was when at last she almost felt the little form slipping from her +grasp that she heard the chug-chug of a motor boat and a cheery, loud +voice sang out, "Hang on, Dolly; hang on! All right, we're coming!" + +Dolly didn't dare look up, but with her last ounce of strength she hung +on to the baby's white dress, which she had already torn to ribbons in +her clutches. She heard the swift oncoming of the motor boat and feared +lest its waves might even yet wash the little form away that she held so +insecurely. She refused to lift her eyes as the sound of the engine grew +louder and she felt a sickening fear of the first waves that might reach +her from the motor boat. + +To her dismay she felt her hold loosening. Her muscles were powerless +longer to stand the strain of the baby's weight. She heard the motor and +she felt, or imagined she did, the first of the rhythmic waves that +would, she felt certain, as they grew stronger, tear the child from her +grasp. In desperation she bunched up a portion of the little white dress +and leaning her head down clinched it firmly in her teeth. + +But even as she did so, she knew she could not hold it there. The wet +cloth choked her, and the water dashed in her face and blinded her. A +sickening conviction came to her that it was all over and in another +instant little Gladys would fall away from her helpless hands, and +drown. + +But to her ears there came a sound of a human voice. Not a shout, not +even a loud call, but a calm, pleasant voice close to her, that said: +"All right Dolly! Let go. You have saved Gladys!" + +Mechanically obeying, though scarcely knowing what she did, Dolly opened +her teeth and as the baby slid from her numbed fingers the child was +grasped by strong arms, and Mr. Rose's face appeared to Dolly's view. He +had swum from the motor boat, and now holding Gladys in one arm he hung +on to the row boat with the other. + +"Take her in," he said, as he lifted the child over the edge into the +boat. + +The reaction brought back Dolly's lost nerve. Gladly she received the +little form in her arms and in another moment Mr. Rose had himself +scrambled, big and dripping, into the boat also. + +"You little trump!" he exclaimed; "you brick! you heroine! Let me take +the baby. Why, she's all right!" + +Gladys, though she had been partly unconscious, while in the water, was +really unharmed and as Mr. Rose held her to him she opened her eyes and +smiled. + +Swiftly the motor boat came and took the three on board, and dragging +the row boat behind them, they made quickly for the shore. + +"Well, I swan!" exclaimed Long Sam, who was at the wheel, "if you Dolly +ain't the rippenest little mortal! However you managed to keep a grip on +that there kid is more'n I can tell!" + +"I'm sure I can't tell you," and Dolly smiled, out of sheer happiness at +Gladys' safety. + +They reached the shore in a few moments and Mrs. Rose was there with a +big blanket in which to wrap the baby while they carried her up to the +house. Sarah the nurse was there, and soon Gladys, warmed and fed and +arrayed in dry clothes, was pronounced by all to be none the worse for +her thrilling experience. + +Dolly, however, was exhausted. Mrs. Rose, after leaving the baby to the +nurse, hurried Dolly home and put her to bed. + +"Yes, my dear," she said as Dolly objected; "you have an ordeal to go +through with as heroine of this occasion. When Mrs. Norris comes home, +she will come over here to give you a medal for bravery and heroism and +general life-saving attributes. So you must go to bed now and get rested +up to receive her thanks. You're going to have a cup of hot broth and a +good rest and perhaps a nap, and you'll wake up just as bright and happy +as ever." + +And Mrs. Rose's treatment was just what Dolly needed. She slept an hour +or more and then awoke to find Dotty's black eyes gazing into her own. + +"You beautiful, splendid Dollyrinda!" she exclaimed. "You're a Red Cross +heroine and a Legion of Honour Girl and I don't know what all!" + +"Nonsense, Dot; I didn't do any more than you did. If you hadn't had the +gumption to run and get your father, Gladys would--well,--things would +have been different." + +"It was all my fault, though," and the tears came into Dotty's eyes. "I +did the wrong in putting the baby in the canoe in the first place." + +"I did that just as much as you did. We both did wrong there, I expect. +And we both did wrong in scrabbling over the rope. Oh, we did wrong all +right, but neither of us was worse than the other. What will Mrs. Norris +say to us?" + +"She's here now," said Dotty, "waiting for you to come down. She doesn't +blame us, she blames Sarah for going away and leaving the baby." + +"That isn't fair!" and Dolly sprang out of bed; "we told Sarah she could +go. Tie up my hair, please, Dotty, I want to go down and tell Mrs. +Norris all about it." + +But as it turned out, Mrs. Norris was so glad and happy that little +Gladys was safe, that she wouldn't allow the two D's to be blamed at +all. And as the girls besought her not to blame the nurse, for what had +really been their doing, they all agreed to ignore the question of blame +and dwell only on their gladness and happiness at the safety of +everybody concerned. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +WHO WAS THE TALL PHANTOM? + + +"What _is_ a phantom party?" asked Dolly. + +"Oh, it's lots of fun," Dotty replied; "everybody is rigged up in +sheets, with a head-thing made of a pillow-case, and a little white mask +over your face, so nobody knows you." + +"Can I go?" asked Genie, her black eyes dancing. + +"No," said her mother, "you're too young, dearie, this party of Edith +Holmes' is an evening party; it begins at seven o'clock and only the big +girls can go to it." + +"Oh, dear, will I ever get grown up!" and Genie sighed with envy of her +sister and Dolly. + +"But how do you know who anybody is?" went on Dolly, who had never heard +of this game before. + +"You don't! that's the fun of it. You can't tell the girls from the +boys, and you must try to make your voice different, so nobody will know +who you are. Have you plenty of sheets, Mother, to fix us up?" + +"Yes, indeed; one apiece will do you I think, if they are wide ones." + +"We'll make our own masks," said Dotty, who had attended parties of this +sort before. + +So they cut masks from white muslin, with a little frill across the +bottom and holes to fit their eyes. + +"Now we must put a piece of gauze or net behind these eye-holes," said +Dotty, out of her full experience, "for if we don't, they'd know your +eyes and mine in a minute, Dollyrinda." + +"Then how can we see where we're going?" + +"Oh, we can see through the thin stuff easily enough, but our eyes don't +show plainly to other people." + +So insets of fine white net were put in the eye-holes and the dainty +white masks were really pretty affairs. + +They had made them not exactly alike, lest duplicates should lead to +suspicion of their identity. + +When it was time to get ready for the party Mrs. Rose pinned the girls +into their sheet draperies. + +"Make us as different as possible, Mother," advised Dotty, "so they'll +never think we're us." + +Mrs. Rose pinned Dolly's sheet into the semblance of a Japanese kimono, +while she arranged Dotty's in full folds round the neck and let it hang +in a Mother Hubbard effect. + +Dolly's pillow-case headdress was bunched on either side of her head, +like rosettes over her ears, and Dotty's hung in a plain flat fold down +her back like an Italian girl's. + +The masks were adjusted and the girls were ready to start. They wore +white gloves and white shoes and looked like a pair of very lively +ghosts. + +Mr. Rose escorted them over to the Holmes Camp, or nearly there,--for it +was the plan that each phantom must sneak in as stealthily as possible, +in order to remain unknown. + +So sometime before they reached their destination, Dotty ran on ahead, +and with great manoeuvring, managed to slip in unseen and saunter +among the crowd already gathered. + +Silently, among the trees, Mr. Rose led Dolly until he saw a good +opportunity and then with a whispered "Scoot in there!" he indicated a +chance for her to make her entrance, and he himself went back home. + +It was dusk, not dark, but the light of the big camp fire made +convenient shadows to screen the entrance of the guests. + +It seemed a weird sight to Dolly as she somewhat timidly made her way +in. Twenty or thirty white-robed figures were bowing and scraping or +dancing wildly about or talking to each other in high squeaky voices and +short sentences. + +"Know me?" somebody said, stopping in front of Dolly. + +The voice seemed a little familiar, and yet Dolly couldn't quite place +it. It might be Jack Norris, or it might be one of the Holmes boys. But +in a spirit of fun she nodded her head affirmatively, with great vigour, +as if to declare that she knew the speaker perfectly well, but she would +not speak herself. + +"Who?" squeaked the high voice, hoping Dolly would speak and thus reveal +her own identity. + +But Dolly was too canny for this. Instead she joined together her thumb +and forefinger of each hand and held them up to her eyes, making circles +like eye-glass rims. Now, in sunny weather, Guy Holmes wore big glasses +with shell rims, and as this described him fairly well, it was a stroke +of triumph on Dolly's part. For it was Guy Holmes himself, and he +doubled up with laughter at the clever identification. + +But he shook his head as if Dolly were greatly mistaken in her guess, +and so she didn't know whether she had been right or not. + +When all had arrived, they danced in a circle round the fire, chanting +wild sounds that had no meaning or rhythm but were supposed to be +ghostlike wails and groans. + +Then a game was played, under the direction of Mr. Holmes, by which it +was endeavoured to learn who the different phantoms were. + +Their host led them to what was really the drying-ground for the family +laundry. A clothesline stretched on four posts formed a square, and from +the clothesline depended brown paper bags of varying sizes, from large +to tiny, each held by a slender string. + +"One at a time," Mr. Holmes explained, "our ghostly friends will go into +the square, and being blindfolded, will endeavour to hit a bag with a +stick. If the attempt is successful the ghost may return unchallenged, +but if he fail to hit a bag the others may guess from his gestures who +it is." + +The bags were not very near together, there being only three or four on +each side of the clothesline square. + +Mr. Holmes selected one of the phantoms and escorted it to the middle of +the square, placed a stick in the outstretched hand, blindfolded the +motionless figure, turned it round with a whirl and said, "Step +forward, and hit where you choose, and see if you can bring down a bag." + +The ghost was very evidently a boy, for two vigorous arms grasped the +stick and with a couple of long strides the white figure stalked +forward. + +A vigorous blow ensued, but the stick came down between two of the bags +and made no hit. + +"Now you may guess who it is," said Mr. Holmes, "as our friend ghost did +not strike anything. If you guess right, he must take off his mask, but +if not he may retain it. Only one guess allowed." + +Somebody sung out the name of Jack Norris, as the ghost was about his +height, but the white figure shook its head vigorously and glided back +among the crowd. + +The game went on. Sometimes a ghost would hit a bag and the flimsy paper +would burst and a quantity of peanuts or popcorn would scatter on the +grass, to be scrabbled for by the rollicking phantoms. + +One bag held confetti which scattered through the air in a gay shower of +colour. + +When it was Dolly's turn, she was determined that she would act as +differently as possible from her usual manner and so fool everybody. +After she was blindfolded and turned round, she took the stick and with +little mincing steps, imitated exactly the gait of Josie Holmes. She +made a wild dash with the stick, but failed to hit a bag and Maisie +Norris called out at once, "You're Josie Holmes! I know that walk!" + +Dolly shook her head vigorously and ran back to the crowd. She chanced +to stand next to a very tall ghost who gravely patted her cheek as she +stood beside him. Dolly looked up quickly, for she did not like this +familiarity from a stranger, and she was sure the phantom was too tall +to be any of the boys she knew. Of course, as the party was large, there +were many of the guests whom Dolly had never met, and she resented the +act of the stranger and drawing herself up with great dignity turned her +back upon him. + +But the tall ghost jumped around in front of her and patted her other +cheek, the while he gave a cackling, rattling, ghostly chuckle. + +To be sure Dolly's cheek was covered by her mask and the ghost wore +white cotton gloves, but she did not at all like his familiar manner and +she walked quickly away from him. + +A few moments later the tall ghost himself went to take his turn with +the stick. + +Blindfolded and whirled about, he went with short, steady steps +straight forward, and with a big whack he chanced to bring down a good +sized bag. It was filled with the feathers of a whole pillow, and great +laughter ensued as, like snowflakes, the feathers flew through the air. +His heavy stroke had sent the bag flying upward and as it burst the +feathers descended in a shower. + +Since he had broken a bag, the identity of the tall ghost was not even +guessed at, so Dolly had no chance to learn his name. + +However, everybody was laughing and sneezing, as the feathers drifted +down and flew into their mouths or tickled their ears. + +Only a few of the ghosts' names were guessed correctly, as many of them +had carefully disguised their shapes and sizes. Thin people had put on +sweaters or bulky coats to make themselves appear stout, and short +people had built up high headdresses in an effort to seem taller. + +By the time the game was over every one was in most hilarious mood, and +the few who had been guessed and so had removed their masks, were +teasing the others in efforts to make them talk. + +"I know you," said Elmer Holmes, pausing in front of Dolly. "You're +Dotty Rose!" + +"How do you know?" And Dolly spoke in low, guttural tones, way down in +her throat. + +"Oh, you needn't growl like a little bear cub! I know you, because +you're so careful of that left wing of yours. You thought nobody would +notice it, did you? But I spied it, and I _know_ you're Dot! You've got +on a couple of coats or something to make you look fatter, but you're +Dotty, all right." + +Dolly shook with laughter, for she had pretended to shield her left arm +with a gesture that was purposely copied from Dotty. + +Just then the tall ghost appeared again at Dolly's side. He laid his +hand on her shoulder and bent down a little to look in her eyes. + +Dolly drew away from him and turned to Elmer Holmes. + +"Who?" she said, in a hoarse whisper, pointing to the tall phantom. + +"That's telling," said Elmer, laughing. "Ask him yourself who he is." + +"Who?" grunted Dolly again, addressing herself to the tall one. + +"Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-Eater!" and the tall ghost grunted out the words +from one corner of his mouth and Dolly could not recognise the voice. +As the ghost spoke he patted Dolly on the head. + +Dolly disliked his manner, for none of the other boys were other than +correctly formal and polite, so she turned away from him, making a +gesture of dismissal with her hand. + +Apparently "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-Eater" was desolated, for he put his +hands to his eyes and rocked himself back and forth with wailing groans +of despair. He was funny, and Dolly had a great desire to know who he +might be, but she did not like the familiarity of his manner, and she +turned away to speak to some one else. + +"Take partners for a Virginia reel," called out Mr. Holmes, "and after +that, we will unmask for supper." + +The next moment Dolly found the tall ghost bowing before her and +evidently asking her to dance with him. + +But instinctively she felt that she preferred not to dance with a +partner who was what she called "fresh" in his manner and she shook her +head in refusal. + +"Peter" urged and begged her, in dumb show, to consent. Dolly was +tempted to do so, for his gestures were pleasantly wheedlesome, but as +she held out her hand in half consent, Peter grasped it and falling on +one knee kissed it with his hand on his heart with all the effect of a +most devoted cavalier. + +"He's too silly!" Dolly thought to herself; "I won't dance with him, for +I don't know how he would carry on. But I wonder who he is." + +So Dolly turned decidedly away from the tall suitor and found two other +ghosts bowing before her and evidently requesting her to dance. + +She looked at the two figures and having no idea who they might be, she +hesitated which to choose. + +Finally, with a white-gloved finger, she touched each in turn, "counting +out." + +"My--mother--told--me--to--take--this--one!" She mumbled, in a +monotonous singsong tone. + +And then as her final choice rested on one of the ghosts, she went away +with him to take her place in the lines that were forming for the dance. + +Dolly was at the end of the line of girls and opposite her, of course, +was her partner. Next to Dolly's partner stood the tall ghost and as +Dolly looked at him, he waved his hand at her and then lightly blew her +a kiss from the tips of his white-gloved fingers. + +"Freshy!" said Dolly to herself. "I think he's horrid! to act like +that, when he doesn't know me at all, for I know I've not met any boy up +here as tall as he is." + +The dance began and there was much gay laughter as the phantoms advanced +and retreated in their respective turns. The boys pranced awkwardly in +their unaccustomed draperies, while the girls minced around prettily and +flung their sheets in graceful whirls. + +When it came Dolly's turn, she suddenly realised that as the tall ghost +stood next to her own partner it was the obnoxious Peter with whom she +would have to go through the figures of the old-fashioned dance. + +With a very stately air she went forward as the tall ghost came to meet +her half-way. They bowed with great dignity and turned to their places +while the other couple did their part. + +Next they must join right hands and swing around and this time the tall +ghost whirled Dolly around so vigorously that he almost swung her off +her feet. + +Dolly began to be really annoyed, but she determined not to show it and +stepped gracefully up for the next figure. This was the left hand twirl, +and Peter turned her around more gently this time, but the next, when +they joined both hands, Peter swung her swiftly round twice instead of +once, his own feet clumping as if in a clog dance. + +The next time the pair merely walked round each other back to back, and +Dolly was very careful to keep as far distant as possible from the +obnoxious Peter. + +The dance would soon be over, she knew, and then he would have to unmask +and she could see who this unpleasantly forward youth might be. + +It was during the last of the grand march when it came Dolly's turn to +dance gaily down the line with her own partner, whom she did not yet +know by name, that Peter unceremoniously pushed Dolly's partner aside, +and himself taking Dolly's hand, whirled her down the long aisle between +the two lines of ghosts who clapped their hands and chanted or whistled +in time to the music. + +So rapidly did Peter whirl Dolly around that she had no choice but to +follow, and she realised suddenly that the tall ghost was a most awkward +dancer, and that unless she was very nimble herself he would tread on +her toes. + +Too angry now to think of disguising her voice, Dolly whispered to Peter +as they danced along. "You are most rude and unmannerly! I have never +met a boy so fresh and horrid! As soon as we reach the other end of the +line I command you to let me go and I wish you never to speak to me +again!" + +Dolly was thoroughly angry, but as she preferred not to let the others +know of her annoyance, she danced on with Peter toward the end of the +line, though she suddenly realised that he was guiding her so as to make +their progress as slow as possible. + +"Oh, now,--oh, now, don't get mad!" and the squeaky voiced, choked with +laughter, was almost inaudible. + +"I _am_ mad! I _hate_ you! you're not a nice boy at all, and I wonder +Edith Holmes invited you!" + +"She didn't!" was squeaked into Dolly's ear, and then, as they reached +the end of the line the audacious Peter lifted the frill of Dolly's mask +and kissed her cheek. Then with a bow, he released her and turned away +to his place in the line. + +But as Peter had taken the place of Dolly's partner, and as her partner +had apparently not resented this act, Dolly had no choice but to join +hands with Peter and march back under an arch-way formed by the clasped +hands of the other ghosts. Rather than make an unpleasant scene by +refusing, Dolly thought better to do this, as it would end the dance. So +giving her finger-tips to the horrid Peter she bent to go under the +raised hands. + +Tall Peter had to bend a great deal, and as for some reason or other he +was decidedly clumsy with his feet and forever tripping on his trailing +robe, the pair could think of nothing but their progress along the line, +and as they reached the end, the dance was over and the music stopped. + +"Now," thought Dolly to herself, "I'll see who that horrid boy is, +though of course it's no one I know, and as he said Edith didn't invite +him, he must be some intruder who hasn't any business here. But I can't +see why he picked _me_ out to annoy with his bad manners. I hope nobody +saw him." + +"Masks off!" sang out Mr. Holmes, and each ghost began to untie the +strings of his concealing disguise. It was not always easy and many had +to ask help from their neighbours before they could release themselves. + +Dolly untied her mask quickly and stood with angry eyes awaiting a +revelation of Peter's identity. + +With one hand behind his head, as he loosened his mask, the tall ghost +stepped to Dolly's side and said in a squeaky whisper, "Won't you +forgive me?" + +"No," said Dolly sternly, as she frowned at him. "You have been +unpardonable, and I have no wish to know you." + +"Aw, now, Dollydoodle," and the mask was whisked off and smiling down at +her stood--Dolly's brother, Bert! + +Dolly stared at him in utter amazement and then burst into laughter as +she realised what it all meant. + +"You goose!" she exclaimed, as the brother and sister stood choking with +laughter at the situation. + +"But how _could_ I know you?" said Dolly, "What makes you so tall?" + +"I have big blocks of wood fastened to my shoe soles," explained Bert, +"and, my, but it makes me clumsy-footed!" + +"I should think so! I don't see how you danced at all! Where _did_ you +come from? How did you get here? Oh, Bert, I'm so glad it was _you_, for +I was so mad when I thought some stranger was acting up like that." + +"It was a shame, Dollypops, to tease you, but I just couldn't help it. I +had no intention of acting up like that, but when I just patted your +hand you got so mad, that I thought it would be fun to go on. I'm glad +you _are_ such a little touch-me-not." + +"Well, I should hope I _wouldn't_ want strange boys patting me like +that! And when you kissed me, Bert, I thought I should scream, I was so +mad, but honestly I was ashamed to make a scene and let people know what +you had done." + +"You'll forgive me, sister, won't you?" and Bert's big blue eyes looked +into Dolly's, as for a moment he did feel ashamed of himself for teasing +her so. But his love of a joke was so great, that he had thoroughly +enjoyed fooling Dolly and his affectionate sister willingly forgave him. + +"Don't know yet who was your partner, do you, Dolly?" said a voice near +her, and turning, Dolly saw Bob Rose. + +"Oh, were _you_?" and Dolly turned to him, laughing. + +"I sure was! I resigned in favour of Bert at the last, because he +commanded me to." + +"When did you come up here?" and the amazed Dolly began to realise how +matters stood. + +"To-night," said Bert. "We were at Crosstrees before you girls left, but +Mrs. Rose kept us hidden and after you were gone, she togged us up in +sheets, and here we are." + +"But why did you make yourself tall, Bert? Nobody up here would know you +anyhow, except Dot and me." + +"Oh, just did it for fun. Thought I'd make an impression as the tallest +ghost in captivity. Where's Dotty? And I want to meet a few of these +other ghost girls. I'll shake you now, Dollikins, and you can have your +own partner back." Bert went away leaving Bob with Dolly, who escorted +her to supper. + +The supper was served in true camp-fire fashion. There was no table, the +ghosts, all unmasked now, sat round the big fire on camp stools or +cushions, and the boys waited on the girls in true picnic style. There +were substantial viands, as the evening air caused hearty appetites, and +Dolly settled herself comfortably on a divan improvised of evergreen +boughs and gratefully accepted a cup of hot bouillon and some sandwiches +that Bob brought. + +Edith Holmes was sitting by Dolly, and she was chuckling with laughter +as Bert told her the joke he had played on his sister. + +After supper the merry young people sang songs and glees round the fire +until it was time to go home. + +"Daddy said he'd come for us," said Dotty laughingly to Dolly, "but of +course he didn't mean it for he knew the boys would be here to take us +home." + +"I'll just remove these blocks of wood before I start," said Bert, as +he quickly tore off the clumsy and cumbersome things. + +"Now I can walk better," and he stood on his own shoe soles and at his +own height. + +"I'm awfully glad you're here again, Bob," said Edith Holmes, as they +said good-night, "and I'm glad you're here too," she added to Bert +Fayre. "Our camps are so near that we must play together a lot." + +"Nice girl," commented Bert, as the quartette walked away. "Lots of nice +people at that party." + +"Yes," agreed Bob, "girls are nice at parties, but sometimes we don't +want them around. Be sure to be up, old man, by sunrise to-morrow +morning, for we're going fishing early." + +"Can't we go?" asked Dotty. + +"No, ma'am! No girls need apply. A real fishing trip is a serious matter +and we can't be bothered with girls. When we come home to-morrow night, +if Mother says you've been good children all day, you can have some of +our fish." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THAT LUNCHEON + + +To Dolly's surprise she discovered that Bob and Bert were in earnest +regarding their preference for expeditions that did not include girls. +Nearly every day the two boys went off fishing or motor boating with a +lot of their cronies, but the girls were seldom asked. + +"They're always like that," said Dotty, carelessly. "They like to ramble +through the woods or cruise around the lake by themselves. They wear old +flannel shirts and disreputable hats, and they eat their lunch any old +way, without any frills or fuss. I don't like that sort of picnicking +myself, I like pretty table fixings even if they're only paper napkins +and pasteboard dishes. But the boys like tin pails and old frying pans +and they catch their fish and cook 'em and eat 'em like a horde of +savages." + +"All right," agreed Dolly, "we can have fun enough without them; but I +think they might take us along sometimes. Let's get up a rival picnic +some day, and see if they won't come to it." + +"They won't," said Dotty, "but we can try it, if you like. And anyway +we can have our own fun." + +So one day when all the boys of the neighbouring camps were going on a +fishing trip, the girls arranged a picnic of their own. + +The two Holmes girls, Maisie Norris, Dolly and Dotty, and three or four +others, were in the crowd and they were to go in two motor boats to +Bramble Brook, the very spot where the boys were trout fishing that day. + +Long Sam navigated one boat and the Norris's man engineered the other. + +Dolly had evolved a plan for a great joke on the boys, which, she +flattered herself, would even up with Bert for the joke he had played on +her. + +In pursuance of their plan, the girls were taking with them a most +marvellous luncheon. + +There were boxes of devilled eggs, each gold and white confection in a +case of fringed white paper. Sandwiches in tiny rolls and fancy shapes. +Dishes of salad that were pictures in themselves, and platters of cold +meats cut in appetising slices and garnished with aspic jelly in +quivering translucence. Platters of cold chicken, delicately browned and +garnished with parsley and lemon slices. Dainty baskets of little +frosted cakes and tartlets filled with tempting jam covered with +frosting. + +Oh, Dolly had planned well for her little joke, and if successful, it +would be rare sport. + +The boys had been gone for hours when the girls started, and in their +fresh linen dresses and bright hair-ribbons they were a jolly looking +crowd who filled the two motor boats as they left the Crosstrees pier. + +Mrs. Rose waved a good-bye, knowing the young people were safe, in +charge of Long Sam and old Ephraim, the tried and trusted factotum of +the Norris family. + +"In you go!" cried Long Sam as he deftly handed the girls into the +boats, and the laughing crowd settled themselves to enjoy the trip. + +It was a beautiful mid-summer day, and the heat sufficiently tempered by +the cool breezes that swept across the lake. The girls chattered and +sang and called to each other as the two boats kept close together on +their way. + +When they reached Bramble Brook they did not go to the regular landing +place, but Long Sam cleverly found a concealed nook where they could +land without danger of being seen by the boys who were already there. + +The trout stream was a long one, but all of its meanderings were well +known to Sam and Ephraim, who were old residents of the locality. + +The girls waited while the two men went to reconnoitre. + +After a time the scouts returned. + +"They're away up the brook," said Long Sam, "but all their grub and +things is stacked in the clearing, and I reckon they'll be coming along +back in about an hour to feed. They started pretty early and I reckon +they can't hold out much longer 'thout their grub. What next, ladies?" + +"You, Sam, help us unpack our hampers," said Dolly, who was directing +affairs, "and you, Ephraim, go and gather up all their foodstuff and +either hide it around there or bring it back here." + +"Yes'm," and old Ephraim trudged away, intent only on obeying orders to +the letter. + +He returned with a big basket on either arm. + +"Thought I'd better fetch it along," he said; "them chaps would hunt it +out wherever I hid it. I left 'em all their cooking things, pots and +pans, but poor fellers, they won't have nothin' to cook!" + +"Here's their coffee," cried Edith Holmes, who was peering into the +baskets. "And here's bacon and eggs, oh, what horrid looking stuff! And +loaves of dry bread! Guy and Elmer just hate plain bread. _May be_ they +won't care for our sandwiches!" + +"Let's make coffee!" said Dotty; "there's nothing so good at a camp +feast as coffee. Don't you love it, Edith?" + +"Mother doesn't let me have it, but make it all the same, the boys adore +it." + +"We can have one cup," said Dotty; "Mother allows that. But I'm going to +make it, the boys will be crazy about it. You scoot back and get the +coffee pot, Ephraim, and the big long spoon, they'll probably have one." + +Back went Ephraim on his errand, and when he returned his eyes were +greeted by the sight of the daintily spread luncheon. + +Heavy brown papers had been spread on the ground, and these were covered +with a tablecloth of white crepe paper with a design of green ferns for +a border. Real ferns were laid here and there under the dishes of good +things, and piles of white pasteboard plates and paper napkins were in +readiness. + +"What about coffee cups?" exclaimed Maisie. "I know they only have +horrid old tin things." + +"Oh, we've lots of paper drinking cups," said Dotty, "those pretty +pleated ones, they'll be lovely for coffee. Say, Sam, I want this coffee +to be just right, and I wish you'd make it. I know how, but I'm sure +yours will be better." + +Long Sam was greatly flattered at this compliment, and he proceeded to +build a fire and make the coffee with a practised hand that betokened +long experience in these arts. + +"Isn't the table lovely!" exclaimed Josie Holmes, as she brought a few +wild flowers she had found, and placed them gracefully among the ferns +that decorated the feast. + +"And thank goodness I haven't seen a spider nor an ant!" cried Nellie +North, who had been, with another girl, told off to keep the table free +of any such marauders. One venturesome grasshopper had made a spring +toward the food, but had been caught and had his energies turned in a +far different direction. + +"S'pose we have to wait an awful long time," said Edith, as she looked +longingly at the tempting dishes. + +"Never mind if we do!" said Dotty; "there's nothing that can take any +hurt. There's nothing to get cold except the coffee, and Sam will attend +to that. The glass fruit jars full of lemonade are in the brook, so that +will be lovely and cool when we want it. Oh, everything is all right; +and we've only just got to wait. So you girls may as well make up your +mind to it." + +Although the wait seemed long, after a time, Long Sam, scouting about, +heard the boys' voices in the distance. He warned the girls and they +were all quiet as mice, awaiting developments. + +The crowd of boys came nearer, laughing and shouting, as they reached +their own headquarters. + +Sam beckoned to the girls to come and peep through the bushes at the +amazed group, who had suddenly discovered that their food was missing. + +"Somebody has swiped it!" cried Elmer Holmes, angrily. "All our grub is +gone! I say, fellows, what shall we do?" + +"Do! Go after them and get it back!" cried Jack Norris, and then a +chorus of shouts went up; "the coffee pot's gone!" "All the bacon and +eggs are gone!" "And the bread, too!" + +"They sure made a clean sweep," said Bert Fayre. "Who do you s'pose did +it?" + +"Some other crowd of fishing chaps," said Bob Rose, confidently, "but it +doesn't often happen,--a thing like that. No decent fellows would do +it." + +The girls, only a few rods distant, were peeping through the bushes and +shaking with silent laughter at the discomfited boys. Such looks of +chagrin and dismay as they showed! and such belligerent determination +to hunt the marauders and duly punish them. + +"Just you wait till I get hold of the thieves!" cried Elmer Holmes, +"I'll give them what for!" + +"You won't catch them," said Bert; "they're probably miles away by this +time, and they've probably eaten up all our snacks. Wow, but I'm +hungry!" + +"So say we all of us!" chorused the boys, as they flung themselves +around in disconsolate attitudes. + +"Not a snip-jack of anything," Jack went on, peering vainly into a few +empty baskets that Sam had left behind him. "The nerve of them, to steal +our coffee and then take our coffee pot to make it in! Honest, fellows, +I never knew such a thing to happen before. I've been up here a lot of +summers and I never struck a crowd that would do such a thing as this." + +"That's so," agreed Bob Rose, "why, often a lot of strange chaps will +share their grub with you, but I never knew 'em to hook it! Must be an +awful mean crowd." + +"Well, all the same," said Bert, "what are we going to do for lunch? I +rousted out at sunup, and to be sure, I had my breakfast, but it's +forgotten in the dim past." + +"We can cook our fish," said one of the boys "but we'll miss the coffee +and potatoes and bread and such various staffs of life. We haven't such +a lot of fish anyhow." + +"No; we depended on bacon and eggs for our mainstay. I move we go home." + +"S'pose we'll have to," and Bob looked rueful, "We can't put in a whole +afternoon on empty stomachs. What do you say, shall we cook the fish, or +light right out for home?" + +"Here's a cracker they dropped," cried Bert, who spied a soda biscuit on +the ground and brushing it off, began to eat it. + +"Aw, give a starving comrade a bite," and Guy held out his hand eagerly. + +"By jiminy, here's another!" and Jack found another cracker farther +along. + +Now this was part of the plan, and it was at Dolly's directions that +Long Sam had carefully planted a few crackers at intervals to lure the +unsuspecting boys to the surprise that awaited them. + +Dolly and Dotty, with their arms around each other, were peeping through +the trees, and they shook with glee as they saw the boys eagerly hunting +for the stray crackers. + +"Funny how they came to drop 'em along," said Guy and Elmer responded, +"Must have been eating them on their way. But say, they've left a trail; +let's follow it." + +The group of boys--there were eight of them--moved slowly along toward +where the girls were hidden. The trail of crackers had been adroitly +arranged to bring them finally within sight of the appetising luncheon +so daintily set forth. + +As the boys came nearer to the little clearing, and as the sight of the +feast must in a moment burst upon their eyes, the girls scampered to +hide behind trees to watch the astonished faces. + +Nor were they disappointed. In a moment more the boys came in sight of +the luncheon and stopped suddenly. + +"By gum!" + +"Well, what do you know about that!" + +"Jiminy crickets!" + +"Ah there, my size!" + +And various other boyish exclamations gave voice to surprise and delight +on the part of the onlookers. But they paused several steps away from +the feast. + +"That's a girls' layout," said Bert Fayre, nodding his head sagaciously; +"no fellows ever set up that dinky business! But it looks good to me!" + +"Good!" exclaimed Jack; "I'd face a term in State's prison to nab that +loot! Wonder who owns it!" + +"Certainly not the people who stole our grub; so we can't claim this in +return. Oh, I smell coffee! 'M-mm!" + +Unwilling to intrude further on what was so evidently a girls' picnic, +and yet equally unable to tear themselves away from the enticing scene, +the boys stood, a comically eager crowd, looking vainly about for signs +of the picnic party. + +"Seems 'sif I must grab one sandwich," said Bob, rolling his eyes +comically toward the piled-up dishes. + +"Well, you won't," said Bert, who had no fear that Bob would be guilty +of such a thing, but he wasn't quite so sure of some of the other boys, +and so they stood like a lot of hungry tramps, a little bewildered at +the situation and greatly tantalised by the sight of the feast and the +odour of steaming coffee. + +"Nothing doing," said Bob, at last. "We can't touch other people's +property, and we might as well go on home. But if the ladies belonging +to this church sociable would show themselves, I'd sit up and beg for a +bone of that fried chicken over there." + +"Maybe we all wouldn't!" commented several, and then, at a signal from +Dolly, the girls sprang from their hiding-places and stood laughing at +the crowd of hungry boys. + +"Oh, you Dotty Rose!" cried Jack Norris, as he caught Dotty's dancing +black eyes, "I might have known you were at the head of this!" + +"No more than Dolly Fayre," cried Dotty, "and all the rest of us. Are +you hungry, boys?" + +"Are we hungry? We should smile! We've been hungry all the while!" came +in chorus from the famished tramps. + +"_Would_ you care to come to lunch with us?" said Dolly, her blue eyes +dancing as she put the question. + +"Would we care to!" and Jack grinned at her. "We're hungry enough to eat +you girls; but, alas! kind ladies, we're obliged to regret your +invitation as we're not in proper society garb." + +Suddenly the boys became aware of their flannel shirts and old hats and +general fishermanlike appearance. + +"We'll forgive that for once," cried Dotty; "we'll pretend we're a +rescue party and you're a lot of starving soldiers, so we won't mind +your tattered uniforms." + +"Rescue party!" cried Bob; "I like that! Aren't you the sly ones who +raided our commissariat department? Own up, now!" + +"What makes you think so?" And Edith Holmes looked the picture of +injured innocence. + +"Oh, yes! 'What makes us think so!' What makes us think that's our +coffee boiling in our coffee pot! Fair ladies, we invite you to lunch +with us, on our coffee and our bacon and eggs. And if you'll wait a few +minutes, we'll cook our trout for you." + +"Well, I'll tell you what," and golden-haired Dolly settled the +question; "we'll eat our luncheon now, as it's all ready, and then, if +you like, you can cook your fish afterward." + +"That suits me," said Bob, "and I'm free to confess that I can't wait +another minute to attack this Ladies'-Own-Cooking-School Lay Out! Take +seats, everybody-- I mean you girls sit down, and us chaps will wait on +you." + +"All right," laughed Dolly; "we resign in your favour. I can tell you +girls get hungry, too." + +So the girls sat around, and the boys quickly passed plates and napkins +and then the dishes of delicious food. + +Then they served themselves, and sitting down by the girls, rapidly +demolished the contents of their well-filled plates. + +"I'm not going to rub it in," said Dolly, dimpling with smiles, "but for +boys who don't want girls along on their picnics you seem to enjoy our +society fairly well." + +"It isn't our society they're enjoying," said Nellie North; "it's our +stuffed eggs and cold chicken." + +"It's both, adorable damsels," declared Bob. "Just let us appease our +hunger, and goodness knows you've enough stuff here for a regiment, and +then we'll show you how we appreciate the blessing of your society. +We'll entertain you any way you choose." + +"That we will," agreed Guy. "We'll give you a circus performance, a +concert, lecture, or song and dance, as you decree." + +But it took a long time to satisfy the boys' appetites. It seemed as if +they could never get enough of the various delicacies, and though they +pretended to make fun of what they called the fiddly-faddly frills, they +thoroughly relished the good things. + +"These eggs ought to be shaved," said Bob, as he picked the little +fringes of white tissue paper from a devilled egg. + +"No critical remarks, please," said Dolly, offering him a rolled up +sandwich tied with a narrow white ribbon. + +"Oh, my goodness! do I eat ribbon and all? I can do magical stunts for +you afterward, like the chap who pulls yards of ribbon out of his mouth, +on the stage." + +"Anybody who makes fun of our things can't have any," declared Josie. + +"Oh, I'm not making fun," and Bob took half a dozen of the tiny +sandwiches. "Why, I always have my meals tied up in ribbons. I have +sashes on my griddle-cakes and neckties on my eggs, always." + +"I like these orange-peel baskets filled with fruit salad," said Bert, +as he helped himself to another; "I think food in baskets is the only +real proper way." + +But at last, even the hungry fishermen declared they couldn't eat +another bite, and the young people left the feast and sat on the rocks +and tree stumps near by, while Long Sam and Ephraim cleared away and +packed up the things to take home. + +The boys were as good as their word, and entertained the girls by +singing college songs and giving gay imitations and stunts, and +everybody declared, as the picnic finally broke up, that it had been the +very best one of the season. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE CAKE CONTEST + + +"Oh, _do_ go in for it!" Edith Holmes was saying, as she and Maisie +Norris sat on the edge of the Rose's shack and tried to persuade Dotty +and Dolly to agree to their plan. + +"But I never made a cake in my life," Dolly objected. + +"Nor I, either," said Dotty; "I don't see how we can, Edith. You're a +regular born cook, and that's different." + +"But maybe you're a regular born cook, too," argued Edith; "you can't +tell if you never have tried." + +"Anyway, enter the contest just for fun," urged Maisie. "Everybody will +help with the bazaar, and of course you want to be in it; and I want you +to be in this contest, because all us girls are." + +"I'd just as lieve," said Dolly, "only there's no chance of our winning +the prize." + +"Well, never mind if you don't. You'll have a lot of fun, and besides +it will teach you to make cake, and that's a good thing to know. That +funny old Maria of yours will help you." + +"But would it be fair to have her help us?" + +"Oh, of course not _make_ the cake; you must do that yourselves. But she +can tell you how, or show you how, and you can practise all you like +beforehand, of course. And you might win the prize, after all." + +"What is the prize?" + +"A twenty dollar gold piece!" + +"What a grand prize! I didn't know it was such a big one." + +"Well, you see, old Mrs. Van Zandt gives it. She's a crank on Domestic +Science and girls knowing how to cook and all that. And besides there'll +be lots of entries. All the girls all round the lake will send cakes." + +"Can anybody send?" + +"Any girl under sixteen. They call it the Sweet Sixteen Cake Prize." + +"All right, let's do it," said Dotty, and Dolly said, "I'm willing, but +it seems nonsensical when we don't know a thing about making cake, and +less than a week to learn in. But we can have a try at it, anyway, and +we'll be in the fun. Hey, Dotsy?" + +"All right, then," said Maisie, delightedly; "I'll tell Miss Travers +that you two girls will join the contest. She'll be delighted. She's at +the head of that committee." + +Later the two D's conferred with Mrs. Rose about the matter. + +"I'll be glad to have you do it," that lady said. "I always like to have +you learn anything domestic. Of course you can learn to make cake in a +week, if you have any knack at all. Go down to the kitchen now, and +Maria will give you your first lessons. Ask her to show you how to make +plain cup-cake first, and if you make a little more elaborate kind every +day, by the end of the week you ought to be able to concoct almost +anything. I don't want to be discouraging, but I can hardly think you'll +take the prize, for I remember last year the cakes were really most +astonishing affairs." + +"No, we won't catch any prize," Dotty agreed; "but we want to be in the +bazaar, and the cake department is about as much fun as any. You see, +even if we don't take the prize, we sell our cakes for the biggest price +possible and that helps the bazaar along." + +"Is it for charity?" asked Dolly. + +"Yes; they hold it every year in the hotel, and all the camp people +take part. Oh, it's lots of fun; I'm so glad it's going to be while +you're here." + +The two girls ran down to the kitchen, and informed Maria of their +immediate desire to learn to make cake. + +"Bress gracious, chillun," said the surprised old coloured woman, "I'll +make all de cakes you all can eat. Don't you bodder 'bout makin' cakes +yo'self. Jes' leab dat to ole Maria." + +"But you don't understand, Cookie," said Dotty. "We want to learn, +because we're going to make a cake to send to the fair, for the prize +contest." + +"Prize contes'! What's dat?" + +"Why, they give a prize for the best cake sent in." + +"All right, den. Leab it all to me. I'll sho'ly make a cake what'll +catch dat prize. You all shoo out ob here now." + +"No, no, Maria, you don't understand," and Dolly began to explain. "We +must make the cakes ourselves. You can't do it, because you're not under +sixteen--are you?" And the laughing blue eyes looked quizzically at the +old darky. + +"Sixteen! Laws, chile, I's a mudder in Israel. I got chilluns and +grandchilluns. I ain't been sixteen since I can 'member. But, lawsy,--a +young un of sixteen can't make no cake worth eatin'!" + +"But we can, if _you_ teach us, Maria," said Dotty, with tactful +flattery. + +"Well, mebbe dat's so, if I do the most of it, and you jes' bring me the +things." + +"No, that won't do; we must do it ourselves, but you must show us how." + +At last they convinced Maria of her part in the undertaking, and with +more or less good-natured grumbling, she proceeded to enlighten the +girls in the mysteries of cake making. + +The old cook was not trammelled by definite recipes and her rules seemed +to be "a little of dis," and "a right smart lot of dat." + +But, even so, she was a good teacher, and at the end of the first +lesson, the girls had each a round cake, plain, but light and wholesome, +well-baked and delicately browned. + +These were proudly exhibited at the family luncheon, and were at once +appropriated by Bob and Bert, who immediately constituted themselves a +Court of Final Judgment, and declared their intention of eating all the +preliminary cakes that would be made during the week's lessons. + +So interested did the girls become, that every morning they spent in the +kitchen. + +Mr. Rose expressed a mock terror lest his bills for butter and eggs +should land him in the poor-house, but the cake-making went on, and more +and more elaborate confections were turned out by the rapidly +progressing cooks. + +Mrs. Rose declared that it was her opinion that doctors' bills were +imminent, if indeed the whole family would not soon be in the hospital; +but though the boys and Genie ate a fair portion of the cakes, much more +was consumed by the neighbouring young people, who formed a habit of +drifting in to Crosstrees camp afternoons to sample the morning's work. + +The days brought plum cakes and marble cakes; chocolate, cocoanut, +custard and jelly cakes. + +Once having achieved the knack of making the cake itself, the fillings +or elaborations were not difficult. + +The girls took the matter rather seriously, but as the great day drew +nearer, they began to have a glimmering hope that they might achieve the +prize after all. + +"But, oh, Dollyrinda," exclaimed Dotty, impulsively, "if my cake should +take the prize ahead of yours, I'd cry my eyes out, and if your cake +took the prize ahead of mine, I'd never speak to you again!" + +Dolly laughed. "I've been thinking about that, too, Dot, and do you +know, I think it would be nicest for us to make only one cake, and make +it together, and enter it under both our names, and then if it takes the +prize we can divide the twenty dollars." + +Dotty drew a long sigh of relief. "That is the best way, Doll; I never +thought of that. To be sure we run a double chance with two cakes, but +it would be horrid for one of them to take the prize. So let's devote +all our energies to one beautiful, splendiferous cake that will be so +perfect nobody else will have any chance at all." + +"Yes, that's what I think. Now, what kind shall it be?" + +This was the great question. The girls had proved apt pupils, for they +had a housewifely knack, and Maria was really a superior teacher. They +had learned the art of pound cake, the trick of sponge cake and had even +penetrated the mysteries of fruit cake. They had learned to make raisin +cake without having all the raisins sink to a thick mat at the bottom; +they had learned ginger-bread in all its forms, from the puffy golden +sort to the most dark spicy variety. Angel food and sunshine cake +presented no difficulties to them and layer cakes were their happy +hunting ground. + +Also they were Past Grand Masters in the matter of icing. They could +boil sugar through its seven stages of spun thread, and they even +experimented with a few confectioners' implements in the matter of fancy +decoration and borders. + +"It seems to me," said Dotty, as they held solemn conclave over the +great question, "that our trick is to invent an absolutely new +combination of flavours or ingredients. Say, cocoanut stirred into +chocolate icing, or something that's different from the regulation +'White mountain cake' or 'Variety cake.' I'm sure we can think of some +new idea that will be perfectly stunning." + +"I don't agree with you, Dot," and Dolly looked solemnly thoughtful, as +her blue eyes stared into Dotty's black ones. "Now, I think this way. A +more simple cake, but of perfect quality and with a plain but beautiful +icing, that will charm by its very simplicity." + +"That's a fine line of talk, Doll, and sounds well," put in Bert, who +was present with Bob as Advisory Board; "but I doubt if 'twill go down +with the Powers that Be. You see, after all, they're on the lookout for +novelty and elaborate messes." + +"I'm not so sure of that," and Bob shook his head. "Perhaps Dolliwop's +idea isn't so worse! It's like a beautiful big white monument being more +impressive than a lot of ginger-bread architecture." + +"Oh, we wouldn't make ginger-bread!" cried Dotty, laughing; "but I can't +see a plain cake taking a prize. I tell you, it's got to have an unusual +combination of materials. I can't get away from the idea that a novel +mixture of just the right kind of flavouring would turn the trick." + +"And I'm positive that simplicity is the note to strike for." Dolly said +this with a faraway look in her eyes, as if she saw the vision of the +beautiful cake she was planning. + +"Stick to it, Doll," cried Bob. "You've got the right idea or I'm a +loser!" + +"You boys go away, now," and Dolly's brows wrinkled in serious thought. +"This is no time for fooling and Dot and I have to decide this thing +to-day." + +Realising the gravity of the occasion, the boys went off, and the two +girls settled down to a desperate confab. Neither of them was insistent +merely because she wanted her own way, but each was eager for success, +and quite ready to settle their controversy by careful weighing of each +other's arguments. + +At last, after a long discussion, they reached their conclusions and +went down to the kitchen to construct what they had finally decided +would be the best plan for their masterpiece. + +Very carefully they worked, Dolly, slow, sure and very particular as to +measurements and combinations; Dotty, quick, beating the batter like +mad, whisking eggs and sifting sugar in a whirl of excitement. + +And when the great work was accomplished, and the marvellous result set +on the dining-room table for exhibition, the family came in to gaze in +an awed silence on the beautiful cake. + +No one was allowed to see it but the household, for of course it was +kept secret from the other contestants. + +The cake was a marvel of beauty, and it combined the best ideas of the +plans of the two girls. + +It was square in shape, instead of round, as that gave a touch of +novelty. It was only two layers, but the layers were of the most +exquisitely textured angel food, which had, after three attempts, +graciously consented to turn out "just right." + +Between the layers was a filling, which followed in a measure Dotty's +idea of novelty. It was a combination of confectioners' icing, whipped +cream, pineapple juice and a few delicate feathery flakes of freshly +grated cocoanut. This delectable mixture was novel and of charming +delicacy. + +But the icing was Dolly's triumph. The square cake, large and high, was +covered so smoothly with white icing that not a lump or a crack marred +the perfect surface of its top and sides. There were no decorations save +three lines of icing that delicately outlined the square top. The +trueness of these lines was a wonder, and only Dolly's steady hand as +she traced them with a paper cornucopia of icing could have resulted in +such an effective scheme. + +"It is perfectly wonderful!" said Mr. Rose, looking at it as an artist. +"It's like the Taj Mahal or some such World Wonder." + +"It's perfectly exquisite!" said Mrs. Rose, as she bent over to examine +it and then walked away to view it from a distance. "I never saw such +icing! How did you do it, girlies?" + +"Dolly did that," said Dotty. + +"Only because you were so excited your hand wiggled," said Dolly, who +was always placid, whatever happened. "But the filling is Dot's +invention, and it's just fine. We put some of it on another cake and I +want you all to taste it." + +So they all sampled the other cake, and tested the flavour like +connoisseurs. + +"Ripping!" exclaimed Bob. + +"Out of sight!" remarked Bert, suiting the action to the word. + +The boys were vociferous, the older people were enthusiastic; but one +and all agreed that there had never been such a cake built before and +that it would surely win the prize. + +"Are you going to send it over now?" asked Mr. Rose. + +"No," said Dotty; "we're going to take it with us when we go ourselves. +I wouldn't trust it to anybody, for it might get joggled and crack the +icing. Put it in the pantry, Dolly; I daren't touch it myself." Dotty +was quivering with excitement, but Dolly's steady hand carefully lifted +the precious cake and carried it safely to the pantry. + +Later in the afternoon, the girls made ready to go to the bazaar. They +were to serve as assistants in the cake department, for the majority of +the cakes were to be sold. The prize cake, and those having honourable +mention would be exhibited, and later sold at auction, but much cake +would be disposed of at the regular sale. + +They wore white dresses, with pale green ribbons, which was the costume +of all connected with that department of the bazaar. + +Very pretty they looked, as they came dancing downstairs for Mrs. Rose's +inspection. + +"You'll do, girlies," she commented; "your frocks are all right. We'll +be over later. I hate to have you carry that big cake, Dolly." + +"Oh, I must, Mrs. Rose; I wouldn't trust it to any one else. Bert +offered to take it, and Bob did, too. But if they should drop it or +anything, I'd never get over the disappointment. We worked so hard on +it, and it is _so_ lovely, and if we can just get it there safely, I'm +sure it will get honourable mention at least." + +"It ought to take the prize," said Mrs. Rose, enthusiastically; "but +don't get your hopes up too high, for there's nothing surer than +disappointment. Be very careful as you get in the boat, Dolly." + +"Indeed, yes, but Long Sam is such a kind old thing, I know he'll do all +he can not to joggle, but to run very steadily all the way." + +The bazaar was held in a hotel which was some distance down the lake. +But Dolly did not fear any accident while on the motor boat; she was +only apprehensive lest some one push against her as she made her way +into the building or into the cake booth. For one little crumb of broken +icing or one dent on its perfect surface would spoil, to Dolly's anxious +eye, the perfection of their cake. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +WHO WON THE PRIZE? + + +"We'd better take our sweaters," said Dolly, as she handed the two +white, fleecy garments to Dotty. "You carry them, Dot, and I'll carry +the cake; you'd be sure to drop it." + +Dotty took the two sweaters and flung them over her arm, well knowing +the precious cake would be safer in Dolly's steady hand. + +"Now we're all ready," Dolly said, as she tucked a handkerchief into her +sash folds. "Wait for me here, Dot, and I'll get the cake." + +Dolly went to the kitchen and on through to the pantry, where she had +left the cake on a shelf by the window. But it was not there. + +"Maria," she called, wondering what the old darky had done with it. + +There was no reply and Dolly called again louder. + +"Yas'm, I'se comin'," and the old cook came in at the back door of the +kitchen. "What yo' want, honey? I spec' I jes' done drapped asleep fer +a minute, settin' out dere in de sun. What is it, honey chile?" + +"Where's the cake, Maria?" + +"On de pantry shelf, whar yo' done left it. I ain't teched it, dat I +ain't." + +"But it isn't there. You must have put it someplace else." + +"No, Miss Dolly, I nebber laid a hand on dat cake. I know jes' how +choice you was of it, an' I lef it jes' whar yo' put it." + +"But it isn't there, and who would disturb it?" + +"Tain't dar! Land o' goodness! Den whar is it?" Maria's black eyes +rolled in dismay. "Somebody's done stole it!" + +"Stole it? Nonsense! Nobody would do that. Dot--_ty_!" and Dolly's loud +call brought Dotty flying. + +Mrs. Rose followed, and both stood aghast with consternation when Dolly +announced, "The cake is gone!" + +"Gone! What do you mean?" and Dotty looked around the shelves in a dazed +sort of way. + +"I mean what I say," cried Dolly impatiently. "Our cake is gone, and, as +Maria says, somebody must have stolen it." + +"Stolen it! Our cake!" and Dotty gave a wild shriek. + +"It can't be stolen," said Mrs. Rose, looking puzzled; "we've never had +anything stolen all the years we've been here." + +"Then where is it?" demanded Dolly. "Where can it be?" + +"Didn't you take it into the dining-room?" suggested Mrs. Rose, unable +to think of any other solution of the mystery. + +"No, indeed; I left it right here till we were ready to start. I had it +in the open window, because the kitchen was so hot, and of course some +tramp has come along and stolen it. Oh, Dotty, what shall we do?" + +But Dotty was beyond speech. Her staring eyes gazed at the table where +the cake had been. Vaguely she glanced round the pantry shelves, and +then flew through the kitchen to the dining-room and looked all around +there. But of course she saw no cake, for Dolly had left it in the +pantry. + +"Where are the boys?" asked Dolly, suddenly. + +"Gone to a motor boat race," said Mrs. Rose. "They went off half an hour +ago. But they wouldn't steal your cake." + +"They might do it for a joke," said Dolly. + +"No," said Mrs. Rose, decidedly; "they wouldn't do that. They were too +interested in the success of you girls, and they felt about that cake +just as we all did. No, Bob and Bert never stole the cake! Where's +Genie?" + +"Upstairs, I think," said Dotty, and going to the foot of the staircase +she called her sister. + +Genie came running down and was as greatly disturbed as the other girls +at the disappearance of the cake. + +"Of course I never touched it!" she said indignantly. "I wanted my Dotty +and my Dolly to take the prize. Do you s'pose I'd steal their lovely +cake?" + +There was no mistaking the little girl's honesty and good faith, and +Mrs. Rose said finally: "Then it _must_ have been stolen by some one +passing by, but I can't understand it. There are no tramps around here, +Long Sam is as honest as the day, and nobody else would be passing by +this window. I wish your father were here, Dotty." + +"So do I, but he couldn't do anything. The cake's gone, and it must have +been taken by somebody. What do you say if we make another, Dolly?" + +Dolly looked blank. "Make another!" she said slowly; "why it's three +o'clock now, and the fair begins at four. We couldn't do it, Dot, and +anyway we couldn't make a prize one. I wouldn't have the heart to try +again as hard as I did for that one. Would you?" + +"Yes, I would! I'd just like to fly at it and make one as good as that +or better! I know who stole that cake, Dorinda Fayre! It was some girl +who had made a cake herself and who was afraid ours would take the +prize, and so she came and stole it!" + +"Oh, Dorothy Rose! aren't you ashamed to think such a thing! And anyway, +how could any girl do that even if she was mean enough?" + +"Of course she could!" and Dotty's eyes flashed; "everybody knew about +our cake, and they knew it would take the prize, and so of course they +wanted it out of the way! Now that's just what happened, because it's +the only thing that can have happened. As Mother says, there aren't any +tramps around here. We always set cakes or pies on that window shelf and +they've never been stolen. Come on, I say, let's make another; I hate to +have any girl get ahead of me like that!" + +"Oh, Dotty, it just seems as if I couldn't make another. Why we were +three hours on that one this morning. It would be after six o'clock +before we could get another done. And I know it wouldn't be any good, +I'm too upset to make it properly. I'm all of a quiver. And besides we +haven't all the things in the house." + +"No, we've no pineapple. But let's make some other kind of a cake, +chocolate, or something." + +"Yes! I think I see a chocolate cake taking the prize! Why don't you +make ginger-bread and be done with it? That prize won't go to any common +kind of cake, like chocolate." + +"It might if it was awful good chocolate. Oh, Dolly, our cake was so +beautiful!" And Dotty's overwrought nerves gave way and she burst into +violent sobbing. + +"Well, crying won't do any good, Dot," and Dolly drew a long sigh; "I +don't blame you for crying, 'cause I know you can't help it. But I can't +seem to cry, I'm too--too flattened out." + +Dolly looked the picture of disheartened woe, but it was not her nature +to give way to tears. She felt absolutely dismayed and utterly cast +down, as if under a depression that would not lift, but she gave no +physical sign of this except by her tense, drawn face and her frequent +despairing sighs. + +"It's just awful, girlies," said Mrs. Rose, full of helpless sympathy; +"but I can't think of anything to do. I don't believe you could make +another cake successfully, you're too nervous and upset, both of you." + +Maria, however, did not take it so calmly. Her grief was more boisterous +even than Dolly's. She ran round the kitchen, throwing her apron over +her head, and wailing and moaning like a crazy woman. + +"Oh, dat cake! dat cake!" she groaned, dropping into a chair and rocking +back and forth in ecstasies of woe. "Dat hebenly cake! Sho'ly Miss Dotty +and Miss Dolly yo' could make anudder. I kin help yo', and we'll whisk +it up in a jiffy. Do make some kind, oh do, now!" + +"No, Maria," and Dolly looked positive; "we can't make another cake. +It's out of the question. Shall we go to the fair at all, Dot?" + +"Yes, of course we will! I want to find out what girl was mean enough +and smart enough to cut up this trick!" + +"Come on then. You'd better wash your face, you're all teary looking. I +s'pose we might as well go, but I don't feel a bit like it. All the +fun's gone out of it." + +Dotty ran away to bathe her reddened eyes, and Dolly gravely walked +round the kitchen, looking here and there as if the cake might have +voluntarily hidden itself somewhere. + +"It's most mysterious," said Mrs. Rose. "I never heard of anything being +stolen up in this region before. I wish Mr. Rose were here, but of +course he couldn't do anything, and I think we may feel sure that he +didn't steal the cake." + +"Where is he?" asked Dolly, smiling a little at the jest. + +"Gone over to the Norris camp, I think. I wish the boys were here; of +course they couldn't do anything, but they could help us express our +indignation." + +"Yes, they could do that, but it wouldn't do any real good. Hello, Dot, +ready?" + +The two girls started off down the path and Mrs. Rose watched them go +with a sad heart. She knew how disappointed they were, after all their +trouble to make the cake, and she couldn't imagine what had become of +it. + +"I can't believe any of the girls came and took it," she said to Maria. + +"No, ma'am, dat dey didn't! dat cake was sperrited away by ghos'es. +Dat's what it was!" And the big black eyes rolled in terrified +apprehension. "Yas'm, sho'ly fer certain, dat's what happened. It's de +work of dem sperrits!" + +Mrs. Rose went on into the house unwilling to subscribe to Maria's +theory, but equally unable to propound any of her own. + + * * * * * + +The girls reached the hotel where the fair was held and joined the gay +throngs of people that were entering. + +"Hello," said Maisie Norris as she met them. "Where's your cake?" + +Now Dolly and Dotty had made up their minds not to tell of the +catastrophe, until they could make some endeavour to find out if there +were any suspicious looks or hints to be noticed among the other young +cake makers. + +"Where's yours?" Dotty said to Maisie. + +"Oh, I left mine in the committee room. You know the committee take all +the cakes, and then those that haven't any chance at all, they send out +to the cake table to be sold. But the ones that have a chance at the +prize they keep for final decision. They've kept mine so far, but Edith +Holmes' was just sent out. It's too bad, it's a lovely chocolate cake." + +"It is too bad," agreed Dotty, "but I don't believe a chocolate cake +will take the prize, do you?" + +"No, probably not," said Maisie. "Mine's a variety cake. What sort is +yours?" + +Dotty hesitated, for she well knew they had no cake in the committee +room, but Dolly said: "We made up ours. We mixed things together that we +never heard of combining before. It was mostly Dot's invention." + +"But Dolly made the layers and did the icing," put in Dotty, unwilling +to take all the credit. + +"Sounds lovely," said Maisie, and then her attention was diverted +elsewhere and she ran away. + +No more embarrassing questions were asked, for every one assumed that +Dotty and Dolly had given their cake to the committee when they arrived. + +A dozen times during the afternoon they were asked, "Has your cake been +sent out yet?" And they truthfully answered no. + +But no hint could they glean from the words or looks of any girl to make +them suspect wrong-doing. + +"I can't keep it up any longer, Dot," said Dolly at last, in an +undertone. "I feel as if I'm telling a lie, when I let them all think we +have a cake with the committee." + +"Fiddlesticks! it's none of their business. And anyway they have just +that much more chance at the prize. Don't tell anybody, Doll, it can't +do any harm to keep it to ourselves, and if one certain person takes +the prize, I just want to see how she looks or what she says when I tell +her our cake was stolen." + +"Why, Dotty Rose! Do you mean to say you suspect anybody?" + +"I don't say that; and I won't mention any name, even to you, but just +you wait and see. They'll announce the prize winner at six o'clock and +it's after five now." + +So Dolly deferred to Dotty's wishes in the matter, and as there was much +going on and plenty of diverting incidents, the hour slipped away and +soon a whisper was passed around that the committee had made their +choice. + +Mrs. Van Zandt, the aristocratic and somewhat eccentric old lady who had +offered the prize, came over to the cake table and smiled as she began +her speech. + +"It has been rather difficult," she said; "to decide among the beautiful +and delicious cakes selected by the committee, for my final test. There +were half a dozen at the last judging, that seemed equally well made and +delightful of taste. Of course, I did not know who made the various +entries, and so I decided, entirely on the merits of the cake itself. +And considering everything, the method, the execution and the delicacy +of flavours, I adjudge the best cake submitted in this contest to be +the one that represents the joint work of Miss Dorothy Rose and Miss +Dorinda Fayre. And I'm greatly pleased to present these two young ladies +with the golden double eagle I offered as a prize, and I consider it +well earned and honestly won." + +If Dolly and Dotty had been amazed when they missed the cake from the +pantry window, they were ten times more amazed now. What could it mean? +There must be some mistake. Dotty's quick thought was that somehow their +names had been connected with some other girl's cake, but in a moment +that illusion was dispelled by the sight of their own beautiful white +cake being brought in and placed in the very centre of the cake table. + +It was positively their own cake, although a portion had been cut from +one corner for the members of the committee to taste. + +Realising that by some miracle their cake had been submitted, and had +won the prize, Dolly and Dotty suddenly became aware that they must do +their part, and together they stepped forward to receive the prize from +Mrs. Van Zandt. + +"I'm sorry it is not in two ten dollar gold pieces," she said, as she +smilingly held it out to the blushing girls; "but you must divide it +between you." + +Smiling, Dolly and Dotty held out their hands together, and together +received the gold piece, holding it between them as they bowed their +thanks. + +Then there was a hubbub of congratulations and laughter and chatter from +the girls. It seemed unnecessary to say anything about the cake having +been stolen, so the two D's smiled and beamed as they listened to +flattering words about their prize winning cake. + +Soon they were flying homeward to tell the family all about it. + +"Our cake was there, and we took the prize!" cried Dotty, as they rushed +into the living-room of the Rose bungalow. + +"How did it get there?" cried Mrs. Rose, and Mr. Rose and Genie +exclaimed in surprise, while Maria appeared in the kitchen doorway, +holding up her hands and crying out: "Dem sperrits jes' nachelley wafted +dat cake right ober to de fair place!" + +"We don't know," Dolly went on, taking up the tale. "I asked two or +three ladies of the committee, and they didn't seem to know anything +about it--about how it got there. They just said it was there, entered +in our names, and it sounded so silly to ask them to find out who +brought it, that I just didn't." + +"It _was_ our cake," declared Dotty; "and it took the prize. So that's +all right. But, however did it get there, unless it walked over itself. +You didn't take it, did you, Daddy?" + +"No," said Mr. Rose; "I did not. I would willingly have done so, but you +girls insisted on taking it yourselves." + +Just then the boys rushed in. + +"Great sport!" cried Bob, flinging his cap and sweater on a chair; +"Norris's boat is the swiftest thing ever!" + +"You bet it is! Wow, but it was a great race!" And Bert Fayre waved his +hands in enthusiasm; "Hello, girls, did your dinky white cake catch the +gold piece? Did you bamboozle the judges into thinking it was fit to +eat?" + +"Yes, we did!" cried Dolly, her blue eyes sparkling with delight; "but, +oh, Bert, what do you think! We don't know how the cake got there!" + +"Got there? Why, Bob and I took it over. We knew you girls never could +transport that masterpiece of modern architecture all that way in +safety." + +"You boys took it over?" and Dotty looked dumfounded. + +"Sure we did," said Bob; "weren't you glad?" + +"But why didn't you tell us? we almost went crazy!" + +"Crazy nothing! We left a note on the pantry shelf saying we took it. We +called to you girls but you were primping in your room and didn't +answer. Maria wasn't on deck, so I just scribbled on a paper that we'd +taken the cake and left the paper in its place." + +Bob looked injured at the thought that their kindness was not +appreciated. + +"We didn't see any note," said Dolly; "where did you leave it?" + +"Right on the pantry shelf, where we took the cake away from. You don't +seem awful grateful, for what we thought would be a boon and a blessing +to you. I can tell you we had to work pretty hard to get the old thing +over there without a smooch on it, and I didn't dare put anything over +it for fear it would stick to the icing." + +While he was talking, Dotty had flown out to the pantry and returned +with the bit of scribbled paper. "Here it is!" she cried; "it was on the +floor under the shelf!" + +"Must have blown off," said Bert, carelessly; "well, no harm done; cake +got there all right. Took prize all right. Everybody happy." + +"Yes, we are now," and Dolly grinned contentedly; "but we had a pretty +miserable afternoon." + +"Oh, pshaw, now," and Bob tweaked the black curls that clustered round +her temple; "you must have known we took it, even without the note. +Where else _could_ it have gone to?" + +"That's so," agreed Dotty; "and it's all right now. But next time you +leave an important document for me, don't leave it in an open window on +a breezy afternoon." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A WALK IN THE WOODS + + +"Only three days left of Camp Crosstrees," said Dolly, as the girls sat +in the shack one summer afternoon. "I never knew two weeks to slip away +so quickly." + +"Don't you love it?" said Dotty, looking around at the various delights +of camp life, the wooded hills and the distant mountains. "There's +nothing like it, Doll; I wish we didn't ever have to go back to town." + +"You'll have your visit with me, before we go back to Berwick. I wonder +if you will like Surfwood, Dotty?" + +"I'll love the seashore, I know; but I don't know about liking the big +hotel. Don't you have to keep dressed up all the time and all that?" + +"Why, we don't wear party clothes all the time. Of course we can't go +around in an old serge skirt and middy blouse as we do here. But +mornings we'll wear ginghams or linen frocks and late in the afternoon +dress up nice." + +"Awful bother, fixing up so. I like to go round as we do here. Nobody +cares what they wear in camp." + +"Of course it's awfully different at the hotel, but you'll like it after +you get there. I don't see why you object to dressing decently. It's +only a habit, going around in these old regimentals!" + +Dolly looked with distaste at her brown serge skirt, and her tan +stockings and shoes, the latter decidedly the worse for wear and scarred +and scratched by stones and brambles. + +"Oh, I've got plenty of good clothes; Mother's been fixing them all in +order. And I know I'll like it to be down there two weeks with you. But +I mean for a whole summer, I'd rather be up here, tramping around the +woods and dressing like Sam Scratch, than to fuss up fancy every day." + +"I wouldn't. I've had an awful good time up here on this visit, but for +a whole summer, I'd rather be at the seashore, and at a hotel where I +wear pretty white dresses and silk stockings and slippers." + +"Aren't we different!" and Dotty laughed as she looked at her golden +haired friend. "Sometimes I wonder, Doll, that we're such good friends, +when we're so awfully different. Everything I like you hate and +everything you like I hate." + +"Oh, not quite that. In lots of ways, we like the same things." + +"No, we don't. I like to go off in the woods on long tramps, and you'd +rather lie around here on a lot of balsam pillows and read a story book +or do nothing at all." + +"I expect I'm lazy." + +"No, you're not, not a bit of it. You're ready enough to work if it's +anything you like to do. Why, at a picnic, you'll do more than all the +rest put together. We're just different, that's all. You're easy-going +and good natured, and I'm a spitfire." + +"Well, I guess it's good for us to be different, and so we influence +each other, and that's good for both of us." + +"Well, I'll influence you right now to go for a ramble in the woods. +It's lovely to-day. Just the kind of a day when the breeze sings in the +trees and the birds flutter low and you can watch them." + +"All right, I'll go, if you don't go too far, nor walk too fast. We've +only three days more up here, and we won't have many more chances to go +woodsing, so come on." + +"All right, we've a good long afternoon. You go ask Maria for some +cookies and fruit, and I'll go tell Mother we're going. But don't let +Genie know. We don't want her along to-day, for she gets tired in about +an hour." + +Dolly went in search of Maria, half sorry that Genie was excluded from +the party, for unhampered by the child, Dotty was apt to walk fast and +far in her untiring energy. But Dolly could always make her stop and +rest by a reference to the weak muscles that still troubled her a little +on a long walk. The girls had entirely recovered from their broken +bones, but Dolly's was an indolent nature and disinclined to great +exertion at any time. + +Carrying their sweaters and a box of food they started off for their +tramp in the woods. + +"I want to get a whole lot of birch bark," Dolly said, as they walked +along; "let's look for particularly nice pieces and get a whole lot to +take with us down to the seashore." + +"What for?" + +"Oh, to make fancy work out of. Everybody does fancy work and they have +bazaars, something like the one where we took the cake prize. And we can +make lovely things out of birch bark for the bazaar tables." + +"All right, we'll gather a heap. What shall we do with our cake prize, +Doll, save it or spend it?" + +"I'd rather spend it. I think it would be nice if we bought something +special with it. Two things you know, just alike, to remember our first +cake by." + +"Something to wear?" + +"Maybe. A ring or a pin or something." + +"Couldn't get much of a ring for ten dollars. And we've got a lot of +little fancy pins, both of us. What do you say to a gold pencil for +each?" + +"Only they never write very well; the leads are so hard." + +"That's so. Well maybe beads, or how about a lace collar?" + +"Let's wait till we get down to Surfwood and ask Trudy. She'll tell us +something nice, and maybe we'll buy something there, or else in New York +as we go through on the way down." + +"All right. Here's some good birch bark, only it's yellowish. Let's keep +on till we find some whiter." + +The pair rambled on, happily chatting and laughing and now and then +sitting down to rest or to refresh themselves from the box of lunch +which was rapidly growing lighter. + +"We have an awful lot of bark," said Dotty, looking at the big bundles +they had collected. + +"Yes, too much. Let's chuck out the worst pieces and just keep the best. +And I'd like some more of that silvery kind. It's awful pretty combined +with this dark yellow to make things." + +"We want to get some big pieces. A portfolio of the silvery kind lined +with yellow is lovely." + +"Yes, with one corner turned back and a ribbon bow on it." + +"Yes, or tied with sweet grass. There's a big tree on ahead. We can get +some there, I'm sure." + +"All right and there's another tree out there,--that's a dandy." + +Eagerly they went on, absorbed in their fascinating quest. For the +hunting of birch bark is ever enticing and lures one on to further +treasures like a mirage. + +"We can't carry another scrap," said Dolly, at last, laughing to see +Dotty with her arms full of rolls of bark and more pieces gathered up in +her skirt. + +"No; we'll sit down and straighten this out and roll it up and finish +the cookies and throw away the box and then we'll go home." + +It was hard to throw away any of the beautiful bark, for they had +gathered only fine specimens, and the quantity they finally selected to +keep was a goodly load. + +"We'll put on our sweaters," said Dolly; "so we can carry it all. It's +no heavier than that lunch box was." + +"No heavier," agreed Dotty; "but a good deal more bunglesome and awkward +to carry." + +Each girl had a big fat roll under each arm and turning they started +gaily along in single file. + +"You go first," said Dolly, stepping back; "I'm not sure I know the way. +I declare to goodness, Dot, I don't see how you remember the way +yourself. You've got a regular guide's brain under that black mop of +yours! How do you know which way to go, when you can't see anything but +trees?" + +"Easy as pie!" Dotty called back over her shoulder. "Just follow the +nose of Dorothy Rose and away she goes!" And Dotty hopped over a big +stone, while Dolly walked around it. + +On they went, Dotty leading the way and Dolly following. + +"It's getting awfully late, I believe the sun has set," said Dolly, +shivering a little under her woollen sweater. + +"Oh, no, the sun hasn't set, but you can't see it in these thick woods. +We'll soon be out of this thick part now. We came quite a way in, +Dollypops." + +"A million miles, I should say! That's the worst of you, Dot, you never +realise that all the walk you take has got to be walked back again!" + +"'I took a walk around the block, to get some exercise,'" Dotty chanted, +imitating a popular song which was a favourite with the boys. + +"Exercise! I've had enough to last me the rest of the summer! Honest, +Dot, I've got to rest a few minutes; I can't walk another step." + +"Dollyrinda Fayre, you do give out the easiest of anybody I ever saw! +Sit down on that stone and rest, do. But you mustn't wait long, for I +guess it _is_ about sunset. I feel sort of chilly, and I don't hear the +birds much." + +"All right, Dotsy, I'm rested now," and Dolly jumped up and walked on. +She tired easily, but also a rest of a very few minutes made her ready +to walk on again. She followed Dotty in silence for some distance and +then said; "you're sure you _do_ know the way, aren't you?" + +"M--hmm," Dotty flung back over her shoulder and trudged on. + +But Dolly noticed a difference in Dotty's attitude. She walked as +quickly as before but she was not quite so alert. Also, she kept +turning her head suddenly from side to side with a gesture of an +inquisitive bird, a little uncertain which way to fly. + +"You do know the way, don't you, Dotty?" + +"'Course I do, Doll, don't be silly." + +"How do you know it?" + +"Just by instinct. I've been around these woods so much, I just kind of +know the way home, even if I can't see out. Don't you see this kind of a +trail? We just follow this and it brings us out right by our own camp." + +"Are you sure?" + +"Yes, I'm sure! What's the matter with you, Dolly?" + +"Nothing; only it seems as if we'd walked as far since we've started for +home as we did when we were going." + +"So we have, nearly. Just a little farther now and we come into that +clump of beech woods, don't you know? Where there aren't any birch +trees, hardly." + +"Yes, I know where you mean; but this doesn't look like it." + +"'Cause we haven't got there yet, that's why. You wouldn't think birch +bark would be so heavy; would you?" + +"I don't mind it. Here give me one of your bundles; I'd just as lieve +carry it as not. Give me the one out of your left wing. I know that one +must be tired." + +"'Deed I won't. You've got enough to carry. I'll throw my left hand +bundle away before I let you lug it." + +"Oh, don't throw it away! It's a shame, after we've taken such trouble +to gather it. Do let me carry it, Dotty." + +"No, sir, I won't do it! I don't mind it, anyway. Come on, Doll, let's +hurry a little. Don't you think it's getting sort of dark?" + +"Not dark, exactly, but dusky here under the trees." + +"It isn't dusk, Dolly, it's dark! I mean, it's after sunset, and the +real dark will settle down on us in a few minutes. I know more about +these woods than you do, and I know we want to get along faster. We +mustn't be in here when it gets really dark." + +"But you said you knew the way, Dot," and Dolly's tone was anxious. + +"I do, most always, but if we'd been on the right track we ought to have +been out of the woods before this. I must have got turned around +somehow." + +Dotty stopped still and turned a despairing face toward Dolly. + +"Good gracious, Dot, you don't mean we're lost!" + +"I hope not that, but honest, I don't know which way to go." + +"Why not go straight on?" + +"I'm not sure, but I think that leads us deeper into the woods." + +"Why, Dorothy Rose! You _said_ that was the way home!" + +"I know I did, and I thought it was; but don't you see, Dolly, if it +_had_ been the right way, we would be home by now?" + +"Oh, Dotty, what are we going to do?" + +Dolly's face took on a woe-begone expression, and her big blue eyes +stared at the white face of her friend. "I'm frightened, Dolly, I-- I +never was lost in the woods before." + +"Nor I, either. I've often heard of people being lost in these woods, +when they were really quite near their homes. One man was lost for three +days before they found him." + +"Oh, don't say such dreadful things! It's getting awful dark, and I'm +cold, and--and I'm scared!" + +"I'm all those things, too! oh, Dolly, I'm awfully frightened!" and +Dotty dropped her bundles of birch bark and sitting down on a stone +began to cry hysterically. + +Now Dolly Fayre was the sort to rise to an emergency, where Dotty Rose +would lose her head completely. So Dolly, though terribly frightened, +controlled herself, and sitting down, put her arm around Dotty and tried +to cheer her. + +"Brace up, Dot, it can't do a bit of good to cry you know. Now you know +more about this sort of thing than I do, what do people do when they're +lost in the woods?" + +"Hol--holler," said Dotty, weakly, between her sobs, "holler like fury, +and m-maybe somebody hears them and maybe they d-don't." + +"All right, let's holler," and Dolly gave a yell, that sounded about as +loud and carrying as the pipe or a bulfinch. + +"Who do you s'pose'll hear that?" and Dotty almost smiled through her +tears; "this is the way to holler." Dotty gave a loud scream, a long +halloo, tapping her fingers against her mouth as she did so, making a +peculiar mountain cry, known to campers. + +"All right, I'll do that, too," and Dolly set up a rival yell. + +But though both girls did their best, their screams were not very loud +and they were followed by a silence, so intense, that they shivered and +clung together in fear. The dark had fallen suddenly, and though only +about seven o'clock, in the thick woods, they could scarcely see each +other's faces. + +Appalled by the awfulness of the situation, Dolly burst into tears, and +though not as violent as Dotty's, her sobs were deep and racking ones. + +"Oh, don't, Dollyrinda, _don't_ cry so! I'll never forgive myself for +losing you in these awful woods!" + +"You didn't lose me, any more than I lost you. We both lost each other; +I mean-- I guess I mean we're both lost!" and Dolly's tears fell afresh. + +Then both girls gave way and cried desperately, till they could cry no +more, and with their stayed tears, they seemed to take a brighter +outlook. + +"If we're lost," said Dolly, philosophically; "we must make the best of +it. Are there any wild animals, that would eat us up?" + +"No, nothing of that sort. Nothing but squirrels and birds, and they +can't hurt us." + +"Then there's nothing really to be afraid of--" + +"No, I s'pose not. Only starving to death, and catching pneumonia and a +few little things like that." + +"We won't starve right off, that's certain," said Dolly, practically; +"at least I won't, I'm so fat. But you poor little picked chicken, you +may!" And Dolly patted the thin little shivering shoulders that snuggled +up against her. + +"I'm hungry now; I wish we'd saved the cookies." + +"You can't be hungry, Dot, not _really_ hungry. Now, let's plan what to +do. Shall we walk on and take our chances or shall we camp here for the +night. It isn't so very different being here under the trees or under +our own trees in camp." + +"'Tisn't very different, hey? Well I think there's all the difference in +the world! What are you going to sleep on? What are you going to cover +yourself with? Oh, you know we couldn't sleep anyway, when we're lost!" +and Dotty suddenly gave a vigorous yell which startled Dolly nearly out +of her wits. But realising what it was for, she quickly joined in, and +the two shrieked and shouted until it seemed to them that all the camps +in that region must hear them. + +But only those who have tried it, know how thoroughly one may get lost +in the Adirondack woods in a very short time, or how loudly one may +scream without being heard even by the friends who are searching for +them. + +And they were searching for the lost girls. When the two failed to +appear by half-past six, Mr. and Mrs. Rose became apprehensive for their +safety. They knew the girls had gone for a long ramble in the woods, but +it was the rule of the camp to be back for six o'clock supper, unless +due notice had been given. + +"They're lost in the woods," Mrs. Rose declared, and though hoping the +contrary, Mr. Rose agreed with her. + +They had telephoned to all the neighbouring camps and as no one had seen +the girls that afternoon they felt sure of what had happened. + +"We must make search parties," said Bob, while Bert looked thoroughly +scared at the thought of his sister's danger. "It isn't so awfully +unusual, Bert. People get lost in the woods often, don't they, Dad?" + +"Yes," replied Mr. Rose; "but it isn't often our little girls! Call up +Long Sam, Bob; tell him to bring lanterns." + +Many of the neighbours volunteered assistance and inside of an hour +there were various search parties beating the woods for the missing +girls. + +But Dotty, when thinking she was walking toward home had really been +walking in the opposite direction and the two girls were much farther +away from camp than their rescuers thought for. + +"Nothing doing," said Jack Norris, despondently, as he met Bob and Bert +in the woods. + +"Then we must keep at it," said Bert; "anything is better than giving +up." + +The various searchers separated and came together again. They screamed +and shouted; they whistled and blew horns; their dogs barked, and it +seemed as if some of these noises must reach the girls' ears and bring +response calls. + +But there was no success, and one by one the neighbours gave up and went +home. + +But Mr. Rose and the two boys, with Long Sam, kept up the search all +through the night. They built fires occasionally, but dared not leave +them, and put them out as they went on. + +At last, Long Sam seated himself dejectedly on a fallen log, his +extraordinary length of limb doubling up like a jacknife. + +"'Tain't no use," he declared. "They ain't no livin' use o' trackin' +these woods any longer. We mought strike them girls in a minute and then +again we moughtn't run across 'em in a thousand years. Lord knows I'm +willin' to keep on, but I'm jest about tuckered out. And I put it to you +Mr. Rose, wouldn't it be better to rest a bit, and then push on?" + +"Perhaps it would, Sam," and Mr. Rose's fingers worked nervously; "but I +couldn't stay still, I'd go crazy. I think I'll push on and take my +chances." + +"Yes, and get yourself lost," grumbled Sam; "so's we'd have three to +hunt 'stidden o' two!" + +"You are done up, Sam," said Bert Fayre, kindly. "You stay here, and we +three will drive ahead a little." + +"Wal, I'll jest give one more howl, and see if that ketches anythin'." + +Long Sam stood up on a log and gave a high pitched, long drawn out +shout, that seemed as if it must penetrate the farthest depths of the +forest. + +"Now one, all together, like that," he said, and the four voices, joined +in a mighty shout and then waited in breathless silence. + +"I heard 'em!" Sam cried out; "I heard 'em! Now all you keep quiet!" And +then Sam's voice rang out once more in a sharp short shriek. He listened +and then exclaimed; "Yep! I heard 'em! Come on!" And with long strides +he started anew into the blackness of the woods. + +The others eagerly followed. They had heard no sound, but their ears had +not the marvellous acuteness of the Adirondack guide, and without a +word they hastened to keep up with Long Sam's pace. + +"Sing out again!" Sam cried, several times, and at last the others could +hear the faint high shrieks of Dotty and Dolly. + +It seemed an endless journey, but at last the search party came upon the +two girls. + +"Oh, Father!" and Dotty threw herself into his arms, while Bert made a +grab for Dolly and Bob danced around the group in glee. + +"You're a nice pair!" observed Long Sam, who was no respecter of +persons, when acting in his capacity of guide. "What d'you cut up such a +trick as this for? You might 'a'knowed you'd get lost!" + +"Now Sam, don't scold," said Dolly, well knowing that the bluff chap was +really talking roughly to hide his glad emotion at the rescue. + +"You ought to be scolded all the same, but I s'pose your folks is so +glad to get you back that they'll just make the world and all of you." + +And Sam's prognostication was verified. Following Sam's lead the party +trudged through the woods, all so jubilant at the happy ending to their +search, that scolding was not even thought of. And indeed why should it +be? The girls had done nothing wrong, unless perhaps they had wandered a +little deeper into the forest than it was advisable to go without a +guide. But Dotty was positive it would never happen again. And when they +reached camp and found Mrs. Rose and Genie waiting for them and a most +appetising supper spread out by Maria, the two refugees found themselves +looked down upon as heroines and were quite willing to accept the rôle. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +SURFWOOD + + +A couple of days after their forest experience the two girls made ready +to go to the seashore. + +Secretly, Dolly was glad. She had enjoyed much of her stay at Camp +Crosstrees, but she had about concluded that "roughing it" was not +altogether to her taste. She had liked the gay parties round the camp +fires, the swift motor-boat trips and the jolly picnic feasts, but she +was not enthusiastically fond of long tramps up and down mountains and +the deprivation of many home comforts and luxuries. She said no word of +this to her kind hosts, but she welcomed the day that would take her +back to her own people and their usual summer abode. + +Also there had been really unpleasant experiences, from her lonely first +night to that last awful night in the woods, and though these things +were nobody's fault, they remained in Dolly's memory as decidedly +undesirable pictures of her mountain trip. + +Dotty Rose, all unconscious of Dolly's secret feelings, realised only +that they had had lots of gay times together and many occasions of +rollicking camp-life fun. Having spent many summers at Camp Crosstrees, +the Rose family had become attached to the place, and always looked +forward with eager anticipation to each successive trip. + +Unlike Dolly, Bert Fayre loved it all. To him, roughing it was fun, and +he cared nothing at all for the city comforts that were missing. He +tramped the woods and went fishing, swimming and boating with the same +enjoyment of these sports that Bob Rose felt, and he was more than +delighted when Mrs. Rose invited him to spend the rest of August at the +camp while the girls went for their two weeks at the seashore. + +So on the day of departure Dotty and Dolly bade good-bye to their +brothers and to Mrs. Rose and Genie, and in care of Mr. Rose started for +New York and thence down to Surfwood, a resort on the New Jersey coast, +where the Fayre family were staying at a hotel. + +"Oh, don't you just hate to leave it?" exclaimed Dotty as the motor-boat +took them swiftly down the lake. "Good-bye, you dear old woods; +good-bye, you lovely lake. I shan't see you again till next summer." + +For, as the children must begin school early in September, both +families would return to Berwick in about a fortnight. + +Dolly did not entirely share Dotty's enthusiasm, but she realised the +wonderful beauty of the scene as she looked back at the lake with its +wooded shores and hills rising to the high mountains. + +"It _is_ splendid!" she said, very honestly, as she gazed at the +beautiful landscape. "I'm afraid, Dot, that you won't have a good time +down at Surfwood. It's awfully different, you know." + +"'Course I'll have a good time, if I'm visiting you. But, you see, we +were a whole month later than usual coming up here this summer, and now +to cut two weeks off the other end makes an awfully short season for +dear old Crosstrees. Why do they call it Surfwood, Dolly; are there any +woods there?" + +"Yes, indeed; not far back from the beach there are lots of woods. But +all flat, of course; no hills like these." + +"Well, you couldn't expect mountains and seashore together. I know we'll +have lovely times there, anyway I'd rather be with you than to stay up +here." + +The girls had become inseparable friends and their stay in camp together +had strengthened the bonds and made them even more fond of each other +than they had been as neighbours. They were very different, but they +were learning to accept each other's differences, and in some ways they +frequently influenced one another's tastes or opinions. + +"Good-bye, old lake!" Dolly called out again, as the motor-boat neared +its dock. "We'll see you next summer,--you will come up here again next +summer, won't you, Dolly?" + +"We'll see when next summer comes," returned Dolly, laughing. "Perhaps +you won't like Surfwood a bit, and you won't want to go there next +summer, and if you don't, of course I won't come up here. You look +awfully well in that new suit, Dotty." + +"Hope I do, for it doesn't feel very good. Collar's too stiff." Dotty +wriggled with a feeling of discomfort that the first wearing of a new +garment often brings. The girls both wore suits of blue serge, made +similarly, but not exactly alike; Dotty's being trimmed with black satin +and collar and cuffs of fine white embroidery, while Dotty's was +enlivened by accessories of bright plaid silk and tiny gilt buttons. + +The trip was a pleasant one, and they reached New York next morning in +time for luncheon. This Mr. Rose gave them at an attractive restaurant +and the girls greatly enjoyed the novel scenes of the Metropolis. + +"I just love to eat in a restaurant, don't you?" said Dolly, as she +lingered over her elaborate and complicated dessert. + +"Yes, indeed; I love to look around and wonder who the people are. Only +they're all grownups. You don't see hardly any children or girls our +age." + +"No," said Mr. Rose, "a public restaurant is no place for kiddies, +except on such an occasion as this, when I have to feed you somewhere. +But since you're here, you may as well enjoy yourselves. Do you want +some more little cakes?" + +After due reflection, the girls concluded that they did, and the +fascinating tray of French confections was again offered for their +selection. + +At the station where they were to take the train for Surfwood, Mr. Fayre +met them. + +"Well," he exclaimed. "So I am to take the responsibility of these two +beautiful young ladies." + +"Yes," rejoined Mr. Rose; "but I'm glad to tell you that they are not +really difficult to manage. They have behaved most properly all day and +honestly I hate to give them up. I know Camp Crosstrees will seem +deserted and desolate without these two little rays of sunshine." + +After affectionate leavetakings, Mr. Rose departed and the two girls +went on with Mr. Fayre. + +He was not of such a jolly nature as Mr. Rose, nor so inclined to talk +with the children. + +He placed them in adjoining chairs in the parlour car, and after +supplying them with picture papers and candies, he seemed to consider +his responsibilities at an end, and taking his own seat, immediately +buried himself in his newspaper. + +"Not much like the Adirondacks, is it?" said Dolly, as they whirled +along through the flat landscapes of New Jersey. + +"No, of course not; you wouldn't expect it. How soon do we see the +ocean?" + +"Very soon, now. We'll get to Surfwood about six, but we'll see the +ocean long before then, there are so many beach stations." + +As they neared Surfwood, Mr. Fayre threw aside his papers and looked out +for the girls again. He was a most courteous man and politely assisted +them with their various belongings, treating them more as grown ladies +than as children. + +"There they are!" he cried, as the train stopped at the picturesque +little station and they spied a big motor car in which Mrs. Fayre and +Trudy were sitting. + +Trudy was looking lovely in her light summer costume and she warmly +welcomed the travellers as they got into the motor. + +"How brown you both are," said Mrs. Fayre, kissing the girls; "a nice +healthy tan, and very becoming! Did you hate to leave your camp, Dotty? +and I suppose you, too, Dolly, became a devotee of mountain life." + +"We did have lovely times, Mother, and I expect Dot was sorry to give it +up, but I persuaded her." + +"You'll have lovely times here, too," promised Trudy, smiling at them; +"I'll see to that." + +The car stopped at the entrance to a very large hotel. The broad +verandas were filled with people, gaily dressed, and gathered in +laughing, chatting groups. Between them and the ocean was a broad +boardwalk also filled with people. + +"Come along, girls," said Mrs. Fayre, and Dotty and Dolly followed her +across the veranda and into a large entrance hall. It was very +beautiful, with glistening white and gold decorations, a thick +moss-green velvet carpet and tall palms round the walls. Then followed a +bewildering succession of gorgeous rooms, and finally they went up in an +elevator. + +"Here we are," and Mrs. Fayre led the two girls into a large and +handsomely furnished suite. + +"This is our general sitting room," she went on, "and this is your +bedroom, right next to Trudy's." + +They entered a large room, with two brass beds and attractive +appointments of all sorts. The chairs and lounges were covered with gay +chintz and there was a long deep window seat from which, across a +balcony filled with flowers, they could see the ocean. + +"How perfectly lovely!" cried Dotty; "not much like our little rooms at +camp, Doll. Oh, I'm sure I shall be very happy here. It's awfully kind +of you, Mrs. Fayre, to invite me." + +"I'm very glad to have you, dear, and I only hope you'll enjoy it as +much as Dolly did her stay with you. We can't give you the wild, free +life of a mountain camp, but we're going to do all we can to interest +and amuse you. But I'm not sure that you will like the plan for this +evening. As your things aren't unpacked, I thought you two wouldn't dine +downstairs with us to-night, but would have a nice little dinner sent up +here and served in the sitting-room." + +"Oh, goody!" cried Dolly; "that's a lot more fun. I don't feel like +dressing up for dinner to-night and I think that's a lovely plan. Don't +you, Dot?" + +As a matter of fact, Dotty would have preferred to go downstairs, for +she was impatient to see more of the big hotel and the gay people. But +she politely acquiesced, and Mrs. Fayre bustled away, saying she would +see them again after dinner. + +"Now we'll have a lovely time, Dotsy, all to ourselves," Dolly said, as +she flew around the room arranging things to suit herself. + +A trim maid appeared to assist in any way needed, and the girls were +glad to change their travelling clothes, and, after a refreshing bath, +to don their pretty kimonos and boudoir caps, that Trudy had left in +readiness for them. + +"Trudy's a trump!" cried Dolly. "See these heavenly things she has laid +out for us! A pink silk room-gown for you and a blue one for me, with +caps to match. We share Trudy's bathroom, you see, so you can have this +glass shelf for your things and I'll take this one for mine. I guess +that's the dinner coming now, and then our trunks will come, and we can +put our things away." + +A very attractive little dinner was served in the sitting-room and the +two girls sat down to it with a feeling as if they were "Playing house." + +"We're to dine with the grownups after to-night," said Dolly; "new thing +for me, 'cause always before I've had my supper in the children's +dining-room. But Mother says, now I'm fifteen, I can always dine with +them, unless they have special company and then we'll have ours up here +like this. Isn't this salad good?" + +"Perfectly lovely. But, somehow, I feel so queer. It's such a sudden +change from the camp table and Maria's flap-jacks." + +Dolly laughed. "Yes, it is different. But I like that, Dot, the sudden +change I mean. Crosstrees was just right in every way for mountain and +camp doings. Now this seashore stunt is altogether different, but I like +this, too. And I think it's nice for us to have both kinds, one right +after the other." + +"So do I," said Dotty, as she contentedly ate her frozen pudding. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +DOLL OVERBOARD! + + +The next morning Dotty and Dolly went with the Fayre family to breakfast +in the hotel dining-room. + +Very fresh and pretty the girls looked, Dolly in a pale blue linen and +Dotty in pink linen with a black velvet belt. + +The great dining-room was large and airy, and the sunshine and sea +breeze came in at the open windows. + +The Fayres' table was pleasantly placed overlooking the ocean, and +Dotty's black eyes roved round the room in delighted appreciation of the +surroundings. + +"Oh!" she exclaimed suddenly, "there are the twin Browns! Did you know +they were here, Dolly?" + +"I thought they would be; they come here 'most every summer." And Dolly +smiled across the room at Tod and Tad, who bobbed their heads and +grinned in response. + +"I'm glad they're here," Dolly went on; "it's so nice to have some one +you know to start you getting acquainted." + +"It won't take you long to get acquainted," said Trudy, smiling, "for +all the children of your age who are here are waiting for you. I've told +several that you were coming, and I expect the Brown boys have made all +sorts of plans for your entertainment. We won't bathe to-day until after +luncheon; you can spend the morning on the beach or go for a motor ride +with me, whichever you like." + +As the girls hesitated over their decision, the Brown twins came over to +their table and greeted them gaily. + +"Thought you girls would never get here," said Tod, though really it +mattered little which of them spoke, for they were so precisely alike it +was impossible to tell them apart. + +"Jolly to see you again," said Tad; "do come out on the beach with us as +soon as you finish your breakfast, won't you?" + +"Yes," said Dolly; "I guess we won't go with you, Trude, this morning; I +want Dotty to get acquainted with the ocean." + +And so when the girls left the dining-room, they found not only the +Browns, but several other young people waiting on the veranda to escort +them down to the beach. + +There were general introductions, and as they went down the long flight +of the hotel steps, Dolly found herself walking beside a girl named +Pauline Clifton. + +Pauline was rather tall and seemed to have an air of authority. Though +not exactly pretty, she was striking-looking, with brown eyes and hair +and a complexion of rosy tan. She wore a white dress and a red sweater +and white stockings with red shoes, and she put her hand through Dolly's +arm with a decided air of possession. + +"I like you already," she said, "and I'm sure we're going to be chums. +Are you rich?" + +The question struck Dolly as funny, and she turned to look into +Pauline's face. But the brown eyes were serious, and evidently the +Clifton girl wished an answer and was prepared to rate her new friend +accordingly. + +"No," said Dolly, returning the frank gaze; "we're not rich. We live in +a small town, and we have about everything we want, but I'm sure we're +not what you'd call rich. Are you?" + +It would never have occurred to Dolly to ask this question, but it +seemed to follow naturally after the other's. + +"Oh, yes," Pauline said, "we're awfully rich. We live in New York, and +my father has a yacht and lots of motor cars and everything." + +"I should think you'd have your own summer home, then, and not come to a +hotel." + +"We have; two of them. One on Long Island and one up in the mountains. +But Father takes freaks. I haven't any mother, and he jumps around +wherever he feels like it. So he picked this place for August and here +we are. There's only me and Carroll, that's my brother. He's that boy on +ahead, with his cap on the back of his head." + +"Who looks after you; your father?" + +"Yes; but he isn't here much. We have a kind of a nurse-governess; that +is, she used to be our nurse when we were little and she has always +stayed with us. She's a funny old thing, Liza her name is, but she can +manage us better than anybody else. Father tried a French governess for +me and a German Fraülein, and Carroll has a different tutor about every +month, but Liza just stays on through it all. I know all about you from +the Brown boys. Aren't they ducks! They told us about you before you +came, and about Dotty Rose. Isn't she pretty? You're awfully pretty, +too, and you two look lovely together." + +Pauline rattled on, scarcely giving Dolly a chance to reply to her +observations. Meantime the group had come to a standstill and were +selecting a nice place on the beach to spend the morning hours. + +Dotty was enchanted with her first real experience of the seashore. + +She sat down in the sand with the rest, but quickly made her way to the +front of the group and as near as possible to the edge of the waves in +her effort to get an unobstructed view of the ocean. The surf was +rolling in and the great breakers filled her with awe and delight. + +"Come farther back, Dotty," Tad Brown called out, "or you'll get caught +by some of those swells." + +Dotty drew back just in time to escape a wetting from a big wave whose +white foam rolled up the sands to her very feet. + +"Isn't it wonderful!" she cried; "I could sit right here all day and +never take my eyes off those waves!" + +But the sight was not so novel to the others, and they talked and +laughed and threw sand at each other and built forts and watched for +passing steamers and made plans for future amusements. + +"That's the worst of the seashore," said Pauline, discontentedly; +"there's so little to do. Just walk the boardwalk or sit on the sand or +bathe; that's about all." + +"Nonsense, Polly," said her brother Carroll; "there's lots else to do. +Going motoring or walking in the woods, and there's a bowling alley at +the hotel and tennis courts--there's millions of things to do, only +you're such an old grouch you never see the fun of anything." + +Pauline paid no attention to this brotherly remark, but said to Dotty, +"Come on, let's go for a walk; I want to get acquainted with you." + +"Get acquainted here," said Dotty, laughing. "I'm too comfortable to +move." + +The Brown boys had banked up a big hill of sand behind Dotty, and she +leaned back against it, still fascinated by the wonderful blue of the +distant ocean sparkling in the sunlight and the mad onrush of the great +breakers as they dashed on the shore. + +"Then you come," said Pauline to Dolly; "let's go off by ourselves and +walk along toward the casino and the shops. + +"All right," said Dolly, who was tired of sitting on the sand and quite +ready for a walk. Moreover, she was curious to know more of Pauline. She +wasn't sure she should like a girl who asked her point blank if she +were rich, and yet Pauline didn't seem ostentatious or vulgar, but was +quick-witted and full of fun. + +The two walked away, leaving the rest of the crowd, some six or eight of +them, on the beach. + +As the morning passed, others joined the group and some went away, but +Dotty remained, still unable to tear herself away from the glorious sea. + +"I say, Dot Rose," Tod Brown exclaimed, "you _are_ stuck on that big +pond, aren't you? But there are other days coming when you can gaze at +it. Come on, now, and let's do something. I'll race you to the end of +boardwalk." + +"What's there, when you get to the end?" demanded Dotty. + +"Nothing much, but some fishermen's shacks and nets and things. Come on +and see it. The fishermen are a queer-looking bunch and not very +good-natured, but it's fun to tease them. Come on, anyhow." + +Dotty got up, somewhat cramped by long sitting, and was glad after all +for a brisk walk in the sunshine. They didn't race, but swung along at a +good pace, Dotty with her eyes still seaward. + +Nearly at the end of the boardwalk, on a bench, was a large and handsome +French doll. It was dressed as a baby, with a long white frock, a lacy +cap and a knitted pink sacque. + +"Oh, look at that!" cried Dotty. "I know whose it is; it belongs to that +little golden-haired child at the hotel." + +"That's so," said Tod. "The kiddy must have left it here. I saw her +lugging it around this morning, and it was about all she could do to +carry it. Shall we take it back to her?" + +"Yes," said Dotty; "I'd just as lieve carry it." + +"You bet you'll carry it, if either of us does. Do you s'pose I'd go +round lugging a wax infant?" + +"It isn't wax," said Dotty, picking it up; "it's light as a feather. +It's one of those celluloid things, but I never saw such a big one +before. Yes, I'll take it back to little Yellowtop. If it's left here +somebody will steal it. Shall we turn back now?" + +"No; come on to the end of the walk and let's have a look at the +fishermen." + +They went on and soon reached their destination. It was a picturesque +place, but the cabins were deserted and only a few empty boats were in +sight. The beach was littered with old fish nets and various sorts of +rubbish, while a few piers ran out into the sea. + +"Everybody's gone fishing," said Tod. "Nothing much to see here; let's +go back." + +"Let's go out to the end of that pier," said Dotty. "There's no danger, +is there?" + +"Danger? No! But nothing to see out there. Come along, though, if you +like." + +Good-naturedly, Tod went with Dotty along the old pier. Reaching the +very end, they sat down for a few moments, their feet hanging over the +edge while they clung to the uprights. + +"Oh, isn't it grand!" cried Dotty, looking down into the blue water as +it rippled against the piles at some distance below. + +"Don't fall in," warned Tod. + +"Never fear, I'm not that kind of a goose! I love it, but I'm scared to +death all the time, and I keep a good grip on this rope." + +"That's right. Oh, here comes a fishing-boat; see, 'way out there in the +distance. We'll wait for that to get in, and then we'll go." + +The two stood up, and hanging onto the ropes, leaned far over to see the +boat as it came in. + +A sudden breeze made Dotty cling closer to the upright she was leaning +against, and as Tod put out his hand to steady her, somehow or other the +big doll dropped into the water. + +"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed Dotty in dismay, "there goes the baby's +doll! What a pity. Can we get it, Tod?" + +"I don't know. If it doesn't drift the wrong way, maybe the fishermen +will pick it up as they come in. If I had a hook and line I could hook +it up." + +"Don't lean over so far, Tod; you'll fall in," and Dotty tried to hold +back the boy as he leaned over the edge of the pier. "Oh, see, there's a +fisherman or somebody, coming out of that cabin. Maybe he'll bring a +pole or something and help us get the doll. Ask him to." + +Tod shouted at the man, who had just appeared in the cabin door. It was +some distance and the boy's voice did not carry well over the breakers +between them, but finally Tod succeeded in attracting the man's +attention. + +"Bring a pole!" Tod shouted, "or fish line. Help us!" + +"Hey?" shouted the man, his hand to his ear. "What's the matter?" + +"Doll overboard!" Tod yelled back, but the breeze was off shore and the +man could not get the words. But he saw the two children as they pointed +out on the water, and then, as he saw the big doll, he very naturally +thought it was a live baby and immediately he became excited. He ran +back into the cabin and returned with a boat-hook. He jumped into a boat +and endeavoured to put out to sea through the breakers. But at every +attempt, the waves dashed him back on the shore. Determinedly, he tried +again and again, and finally succeeded in getting beyond the surf, +though he was now at some distance from the pier. He began to row +desperately, but made little headway toward the floating doll. + +"He thinks it's a live baby!" cried Tod, roaring with laughter. "Oh, +Dotty, what a joke! Keep it up! Pretend it is." + +Willingly enough, Dotty caught at the idea and began wringing her hands +and screaming frantically. + +"Oh, save her, save her!" she yelled, tearing around the pier like a mad +person, while Tod, hanging on to a post, leaned far over the water and +waved his hand frantically to the boatman. + +The fisherman redoubled his efforts and slowly drew nearer the floating +doll, whose long white dress was whirled and tossed about in the eddy. + +The boatload of fishermen which they had seen in the distance drew +nearer, and the man in the row-boat communicated to them by shouts and +signs and made them aware of the catastrophe. + +The incoming fishermen saw the baby in the water, and saw the two +children screaming and wailing on the pier, and they put forward with +all speed to make a rescue. + +Tod and Dotty were really doubled up with laughter, but pretended they +were in agonies of grief as the two boats made desperate attempts to +reach the drowning child. + +"The old idiots!" exclaimed Tod; "they might know that a live baby +wouldn't float around like that. It would have sunk long ago." + +"Of course it would," agreed Dotty. "Won't they be mad when they get +it!" + +The fishermen, having had little experience with French dolls the size +of live babies, assumed, of course, that it was a real child in the +water, and they wasted no time in marvelling as to why it should +continue to ride blithely on top of the waves. They simply put forth +every effort to reach the white object, whatever it might be, but the +perversity of wind and wave continued to thwart them. + +At last, however, very near shore, the fishermen drew near enough to +grab the doll and draw it into their boat, just as they rowed in on top +of a huge breaker and beached near the pier. + +Tod and Dotty ran swiftly to them, eager to see their chagrin and +dismay at having rescued the doll. + +The men were all out on the beach and they showed a belligerent +demeanour as the children appeared. + +"Ye little wretches," cried one big rawboned man, "what d'ye mean by +foolin' us like that?" + +His manner even more than his words were distinctly threatening, and +Dotty was scared, but Tod answered him directly. + +"We didn't fool you! We dropped the doll in the water by accident, and +we sung out there was a doll overboard and we asked a man on shore to +help us get it. If you people thought it was a live baby, that isn't our +fault!" + +"That don't go down!" and another man stepped forward and shook his fist +at the children. "Ye know right well ye fooled us a-purpose." + +"We did not!" and Dotty, her temper now aroused, stamped her foot at +him. "We told the man it was a doll, but if he couldn't hear us, we +couldn't help that." + +"Now, now, little lady, ye know better." The big brawny fisherman came +nearer to Dotty and scowled at her. "I seen you jumping around there and +play-actin' like you was wild with grief! Don't deny it, now! Ye know +well enough I say true!" + +He glowered at Dotty, and as he came nearer to her his big fierce eyes +frightened her and she quickly stepped behind Tod. + +"Don't you speak to the lady like that!" the boy cried. "If you've +anything to say, say it to me. I called to the man for help to get that +doll out of the water. It belongs to a little friend of ours and we want +to take it to her." + +"Well, ye'll never take it!" and the fierce-eyed man picked up the wet +and dripping doll, and with a mighty sweep of his long arm, he flung it +far out to sea. The deed was merely an impulse of his angry wrath at +having been fooled by the children, and he faced them with a defiant +air. + +"You had no right to do that!" cried Tod; "go right out in your boat and +get it." + +"Ha! ha!" laughed the man with a loud, boisterous chuckle. "Go out and +get it, is it? Not much I'll not go out and get it! And, what's more, +I'll report you two to the life-saving station people, and I'll have you +arrested for false pretences." + +Tod was pretty sure that this was all a bluff, but the other men +gathered about and promised the same thing. So threatening were they, +that Dotty was thoroughly scared, and Tod, though not really afraid of +arrest, began to think that these men could make things very unpleasant +for them. He knew by hearsay of the rough manners and ugly tempers of +this particular lot of fishermen. He had heard stories of their dislike +for the summer guests, who sometimes visited them out of curiosity and +looked upon them patronisingly. + +Tod realised that nothing incensed their rough natures like being made +the subject of a practical joke and this, though unpremeditatedly, he +and Dotty had done. He thought best to drop his indignant air and try to +propitiate them. + +"Oh, come now," he said; "honest Injun, as man to man, I didn't mean to +fool you. We dropped the doll in the water and I yelled for help. Now, +I'll own up that when you fellows seemed to think it was a live baby, we +did kind of help along a little but we didn't mean any harm. S'pose I +give you a dollar to forget it." + +Tod spoke in a frank and manly way, and his good-natured face ought to +have evoked a pleasant response. And it did from most of the men, but +the fierce black-eyed one, who seemed to be the leader, was possessed of +a sense of greed, and his one idea regarding the "stuck-up summer +people" was to extract money from them whenever possible. + +"A dollar," he said, with an unpleasant sneer; "not enough, young sir! +Show us ten dollars, and we'll try to forget the insult you offered us." + +"I didn't offer you an insult, and I haven't ten dollars with me, and I +wouldn't pay it to you if I had!" + +Tod was angry now, and his eyes blazed at the rude injustice of the +demand. + +But the fierce-browed man was not abashed. "You gimme ten dollars or +I'll make trouble for you! If you haven't got it, you can get it. Gimme +your word of honour--you look like a gentleman--to bring me that ten, +and I'll promise to make no trouble." + +Tod hesitated. Had he been alone, he would have refused them at once, +but he felt that he had the responsibility of Dotty's welfare, and he +paused to reflect. The men were very rude and uncontrolled, and Tod +didn't know what further menace they might offer. + +As he hesitated, the big man spoke more threateningly. "Be quick, young +man; give us your word, or we'll put you under lock and key for awhile +to think it over." + +This speech was accompanied by growls of assent from other members of +the group, and one or two stepped forward as if to carry out the +suggestion. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +SPENDING THE PRIZE MONEY + + +"Hoo--hoo!" called a gay voice, and Tod and Dotty turned to see Dolly +Fayre flying toward them. She was alone and out of breath from running, +but laughing gaily as she joined them. + +"I ran away from Tad," she cried. "He went to get some candy, and just +for fun, I scooted off. And somebody had said you came this way, Dot, so +I followed just for fun. Why, what's the matter?" + +Dolly looked in amazement at the group of angry men and at the +half-frightened, half-indignant faces of Dotty and Tod. + +"Matter enough," Tod said; "you keep out of it, Dolly. In fact, you +girls go back to the hotel and leave me to fix things up with these +men." Then he suddenly remembered his desire for an amicable settlement, +and he said pleasantly, "I guess we can come to terms after the ladies +have gone." + +"I guess we can't!" said the black-browed man, in a surly tone. "You go +back to the hotel, young man, and get that ten dollars, and I'll keep +the young ladies here safe until you come back." + +"Not much I won't!" cried Tod angrily. "Run on back, girls. Go on--beat +it!" + +"No, you don't!" and the big man stepped forward and laid his hand on +Dotty's shoulder. + +"Take your hand off that lady! Don't you dare to touch her," and Tod's +eyes blazed as he flung himself toward the big man. + +"What is it all about? What is the matter?" exclaimed Dolly, who +couldn't understand what she had supposed was a good-natured chat with +the fishermen. + +"They want us to pay ten dollars," said Dotty, indignantly, "and unless +we do, they're going to lock us up." + +"Lock us up nothing!" shouted Tod, who was unable to decide himself what +was the best thing to do. The arrival of Dolly had complicated his +dilemma, for now he had two girls to protect instead of one. He wished +Tad had come with her, for the twins were big and brawny for their years +and could have made a fair showing of rebellion against the injustice of +the fishermen. + +Dolly considered the matter gravely. She looked from Dotty and Tod to +the rude, unkempt men, and after a few moments' thought she made up her +mind. Deliberately she opened a little chatelaine bag that hung at her +belt and took from it a ten dollar gold piece. It was her share of the +cake prize, for Mr. Rose had changed the twenty dollar gold piece into +two tens for the girls. + +She looked at the big man with scorn, and holding out the gold piece, +she said in cool, haughty tones, "Here is your money; please do not +detain my friends any longer." + +"Don't you do it, Dolly," cried Tod; "it's an outrage!" + +"I know it's an outrage," Dolly said, calmly, "but I prefer to pay the +money rather than parley with these people." + +Dolly's air of superiority would have been funny, had not all concerned +been so deeply in earnest. + +"Hoity-Toity!" said the big, ugly man, "you're a fine young miss, you +are! You treat us like the dirt under your feet, do you? Well, if so +be's you pay our claim, we ain't objectin' to your manner. Be as high +and mighty as you like, but give us that there coin." + +Without a further word, Dolly dropped the gold piece into the man's +grimy, outstretched hand, and the three turned and walked away back to +civilisation. + +"I'm up and down sorry that I couldn't get you out of that mess better," +said Tod, as they went along the boardwalk. "Of course, I'll pay you +back the money, Dolly, only I felt mighty cheap to have you advance it. +But I had only three or four dollars with me, not expecting a hold-up +this morning." + +"I don't think you ought to have paid it, Doll," said Dotty. + +"'Tisn't a question of ought to," said Tod, seriously. "That's a rough, +bad gang. I've heard of them before. I don't know what's the matter with +them, but they're grouchy. All the other fishermen around here are +fairly good-natured, but this lot is noted for ugly temper and they +especially dislike and resent the summer people. I forgot all this, and +of course Dotty didn't know it. But I didn't think, and when they +supposed the baby was alive, I went ahead with the game without +realising it meant trouble." + +"Well, it's all right now," said Dolly, "and I was glad enough to give +up my ten to ransom you two captives. Of course you won't pay it back to +me, Tod, but you can each pay me a third of it and that'll square us all +up." + +"We'll each pay half," said Dotty, "there's no reason you should pay +anything, Doll. You weren't in on this game. And here's another thing, +I'm going to buy a new doll for that little girl. You see it's the same +as if I stole hers." + +"Not at all," said Tod. "She had lost her doll, anyhow. She must have +left it there on the bench, and if we hadn't picked it up, somebody +would have stolen it sooner or later." + +"We can't be sure of that," said Dotty. "And anyway I took her doll, and +I lost it for her, and it's up to me to get her another. And that's all +there is about that. I've got my gold piece with me, too, and I'm going +straight down to the shop and get the doll now." + +Dotty was determined, and so the three went to the shop. There was only +one place in Surfwood where toys and fancy goods were sold. But this +shop was stocked with a high grade of goods and Dotty had no trouble in +finding a doll nearly like the one which was now doubtless afloat on the +wide ocean. The doll cost five dollars, but Dotty persisted in buying +it, as she declared her conscience would never be easy unless she did. + +"Now let's settle this thing up," said Tod, as they emerged from the +store. "I find I have as much as five dollars with me, counting chicken +feed, and I'll pay this to you, Dolly, as my half of the ransom you put +up." + +"And here's my five," said Dotty, handing over the bill she had received +in change for the doll. + +Dolly looked dismayed. "Why, good gracious, Dot, then here am I with ten +dollars, and you with nothing of our prize money! I won't stand that for +a minute, you take this five back, and then we'll be even all round. I +rather guess if you get in a scrape like that, I've got a right to help +you out." + +"Well, I rather guess," said Tod, "that when we tell our folks about +this matter there'll be something doing. I think those men ought to be +shown up and punished." + +"Oh, no," said Dolly. "They're an awful gang. I've heard Father say so, +and I'm sure it's better to let them alone than to stir up any further +trouble." + +And as it turned out the elders concerned in the matter shared Dolly's +opinion. + +The story was told and Mr. Fayre and Mr. Brown talked over the matter +and said they would take it in charge and the children need think no +more about it, but they were directed to keep away from that locality in +the future and confine their escapades to such portions of the beach +and the boardwalk as were inhabited by civilised crowds. + +Money matters were straightened out in a way acceptable to all +concerned, by the simple method of the two fathers' remuneration of all +that had been paid out, and so Dolly, Dotty and Tod found themselves +possessed of the same finances they had before the unfortunate episode +occurred. + +"Dat not my dolly," declared the Chrysanthemum-headed baby, shaking her +yellow curls as Dotty offered her the new doll. + +"I know it," Dotty said, smiling as she knelt beside the child; "but let +me tell you. I found your dolly sitting all alone on a bench, and I was +going to bring her home to you. And then,--well, and then, do you know +that dolly went out to sea, way out to sea--and I think she's going to +Europe as fast as she can get there. And so, I've brought you this other +dolly, which is just as pretty." + +Goldenhead looked up into the smiling black eyes, and after a moment's +hesitation agreed that the new dolly was just as pretty as the departed +one, and graciously accepted it. + +Goldenhead's mother demurred at the whole transaction, but Mrs. Fayre +insisted that the child accept the new dolly and so the matter was +settled. + +"Tell me everything all about it!" cried Pauline Clifton, rushing to +meet the two D's on the hotel veranda. "Wasn't it thrilling? Such an +experience! My, I wish I had been with you! And Tod Brown was perfectly +fine, a real hero!" + +"Didn't do a thing," growled Tod, and Tad who was beside him, said, +"Wish I'd been there! then we could have sent the girls flying home and +stood up to those toughs!" + +"Aren't you splendid!" cried Pauline, but Dolly said, in her practical +way, "It wouldn't have been splendid at all, it would have been very +foolish for you two boys to think of fighting that crowd of great ugly +men! It was a case, where the only thing to do, was to submit to their +demand and come away. My father says we did just right." + +"Of course, it was the only thing to do," said Tod, "but to me it seemed +awful galling." + +"Well, we'll never go there again," said Dotty; "and it ought to be a +lesson to us not to play jokes on people." + +"A lesson that _you'll_ never learn," said Dolly, laughing; "you'll have +to have worse experiences than that, Dotty Rose, before you stop playing +jokes on people." + +"Is that so?" cried Carroll Clifton; "then you're a girl after my own +heart. I love to play jokes. Let's put our heads together and work up a +good one on somebody." + +"Well, this joke isn't on us, anyway," said Dotty, laughing. "We have +our ten dollars back again, Dolly, and I say we spend them before we get +a chance to lose them again." + +"But we're going to spend those for something special. You know they are +our cake prizes." + +"Oho!" cried Carroll, "did you girls take a prize at a cake walk?" + +"Not a cake walk, but we took a prize for making cake," Dotty exclaimed; +"and I say, Dolly, let's buy something in that shop where we bought the +doll. They have beautiful things there of all sorts." + +"Come on," said Pauline, "let's all go, and we'll help you pick out +things." + +So the two Cliftons and the two Browns and the two D's all started for +the shop. It was that sort of summer resort bazaar that holds all kinds +of fancy knick-knacks for frivolous purchasers. + +"Going to get things alike or different?" asked Tod Brown, as they went +in. + +"Different, of course," said Tad, "Dot and Dolly never like things +alike." + +"Don't you really?" said Pauline; "how funny! I thought you were such +great friends you always had everything just alike." + +"No," said Dolly, "we have everything just different. You see our tastes +are just about opposite, I expect that's why we're such friends." + +Dotty and Carroll were already studying the things at the jewellery +counter, while Dolly was slowly but surely making toward the book +department. + +"Get a picture," suggested Tad, "here are some good water colours of the +sea." + +"And here's a coloured photograph of that very fishing place where you +were at," said Pauline. + +All sorts of ridiculous suggestions were made, and the boys offered +jumping-jacks and comical toys to the two spenders. + +"Why don't you get a lot of little things, instead of one big thing?" +said Pauline; "here are some darling slipper buckles, and I think these +little flower vases are lovely." + +"No," said Dotty, decidedly, "we're each going to get one thing and +spend the whole ten dollars for it. And it must be something that we can +keep and use." + +"I've made up my mind," said Dolly, calmly; "I'm just looking around for +fun, but I know perfectly well what I'm going to get. Do you, Dotty?" + +"Yes, of course. I decided before I was in the store a minute." + +"What?" chorused the others. + +"This is mine," and Dotty went back to the jewellery counter and pointed +out a silver-gilt vanity-case. + +"Well, of all ridiculous things!" cried Tod; "you might as well have let +the fishermen keep your money!" + +"'Tisn't ridiculous at all!" Dotty retorted. "Mother told me I could get +exactly what I wanted, and I want this dreadfully. I've wanted one for a +long time. Don't you think it's pretty, Pauline?" + +"Yes," returned Pauline, carelessly. "I have two of them, one real gold +and one silver. But I hardly ever carry them." + +"Oh, well, you can have whatever you want," said Dotty, good-naturedly; +"but this is a treat to me, and I think it's lovely, though of course +not grand like yours." + +So Dotty bought the vanity-case, and then the crowd followed Dolly to +see what might be her choice. + +Straight to the bookshelves she went, and pointed to a set of fairy +stories. They were half a dozen or more volumes bound in various colours +and the set was ten dollars. + +"I've been just crazy for these books," she said, with a sigh of +satisfaction. "I would have had them for my birthday, only we had our +rooms fixed up; and the minute I spotted them I knew I should buy them." + +"What a foolishness!" exclaimed Carroll; "how can you read fairy tales?" + +"She loves them," said Dotty; "she'd rather read a fairy story than go +to a party, any day." + +Dolly laughed and dimpled, but stuck to her decision and soon the crowd +left the shop, carrying the important purchases with them. + +Back at the hotel, they were exhibited, and Mrs. Fayre and Trudy smiled +a little at the selection, but said they were glad that the girls had +bought what they wanted. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +GOOD-BYE, SUMMER! + + +Days at Surfwood passed happily and swiftly. Dolly and Dotty often +discussed the matter and always agreed that camp life and hotel life +were equally pleasant, though in opposite ways. And if Dotty sometimes +sighed for the careless freedom of the life in the woods or if Dolly +felt in her secret heart that she preferred the more formal conventions +of the big hotel, they soon forgot such thoughts in the joys of the +moment. + +There was seabathing every day and automobile trips and all sorts of +beach fun and frolic. + +The time was drawing near for them to go back to Berwick and settle down +again to the routine of home life. + +Among the last of the season's gaieties there was to be a children's +dance in the big ball-room. This was a regular summer feature and all +the guests of the hotel did their best to make the occasion attractive. + +All under sixteen were considered children, and even some of the little +tots were allowed to attend the festival. Fancy dress was not +obligatory, but many of the young people chose to wear gay costumes. + +The two Cliftons, the Brown twins and Dolly and Dotty had come to be a +clique by themselves, and were always together. + +"Let's dress alike for the silly party," said Clifford, who liked to +appear scornful of such amusements, but who was really very fond of +them. + +"All right; how shall we dress?" said Dotty, who was always ready for +dressing up. + +"A shepherdess costume is the prettiest thing you can wear," said +Pauline. "I have one with me, and it's lovely. S'pose you two girls copy +that, and then have the boys rig up something like it." + +"Mother will make us any old togs we want," said Tad, "It isn't a +masquerade, is it?" + +"Oh, no," said Dolly; "just fancy dress, you know, if you choose, and +lots of them just wear regular party clothes." + +"I'd like to be a shepherdess, all right," said Tad with a comical +simpering smile. + +"Now don't you make fun of my plan!" said Pauline; "we three girls can +be shepherdesses, and you three boys can be shepherds. Shepherd lads are +lovely, with pipes and things." + +"Clay pipes?" asked Tod. + +"No, goosy; pipes to play on. Long ones with ribbons; oh, 'twill be +lovely!" and Pauline clapped her hands. "Liza will make you a suit, +Carroll, and then the other boys can have it copied." + +There was much further discussion and the elders were called into +consultation, but finally Pauline's plan was adopted. + +Her shepherdess' frock was dainty and beautiful. The Dresden flowered +overdress was of silk, looped above a quilted satin petticoat, and a +black velvet bodice laced up over a fine white muslin chemisette. A +broad brimmed hat with roses and a be-ribboned shepherdess' crook +completed the picture. + +"It's perfectly lovely, Pauline," said Trudy, when she saw the dress, +"but we'll copy it for the girls in less expensive materials. Flowered +organdy will be very pretty for the panniers, and sateen or silkoline +will do for the skirts. The hats can be easily managed, and I'm sure we +can get the crooks down at the shop; if not, Dad will bring them from +New York." + +"You're a brick, Trudy," and Dotty flung her arms around the +kind-hearted girl. "It's awful good of you to do mine as well as +Dolly's." + +"Oh, Mother will help me, and it'll be easy as anything. I love to do +it." + +Long suffering Liza was accustomed to do as she was told, so she set to +work to evolve a shepherd costume for Carroll. She was skilful with her +needle and out of sateen and some gay ribbons she constructed a suit +that was picturesque and jaunty even if not entirely the sort a shepherd +lad might choose for daily wear. + +A soft white silk shirt with a broad open collar and a soft silk tie was +very becoming to good-looking Carroll, and the pipes, so necessary to +the character, were bought in New York by Carroll's father. + +Mrs. Brown was quite willing to have this suit copied for her twins, and +Tod and Tad, though growling at the idea of being "dressed up like Jack +Puddings," were secretly rather pleased with the becoming garb. + +"Suppose we make the caps for the boys," said Pauline, "I know just how +and I think 'twill be fun." + +The others agreed, and the day before the dance, the three girls +pre-empted a cosy corner of the big veranda and sat down to work. + +Copying a picture, it was not difficult to make the type of cap that +would harmonise with the shepherds' suits. + +Pauline cut them out and each of the girls sewed one. + +"You haven't made the head-bands big enough, Pauline," said Dolly, as +she tried an unfinished cap on her own curly head. + +"They're plenty big enough," Pauline retorted, "the boys haven't such a +mop of hair as you have." + +"I know that; but even allowing for that I don't think they could ever +get their heads into these small bands. Where are they, let's fit them +on them." + +"They've gone off for the morning. I tell you, Dolly, these bands are +all right. Don't you s'pose I know anything? Of course I measured them +before I began. Some people think they know it all!" + +Pauline was quick-tempered and Dolly was not, so the latter made no +response to the somewhat rude speech, and the girls sewed a few moments +in silence. + +Then as Dotty began to sew her cap to its band, she echoed Dolly's +words: "Why, Polly, these bands aren't big enough, that's so!" and Dotty +tried to put the cap on her own head. + +"How silly you are!" exclaimed Pauline, angrily. "Do you suppose your +head with all that hair isn't bigger than the boys' heads without any +hair to speak of? I tell you I measured these bands and they're plenty +big enough. If you girls want to be so disagreeable about it, you can +make the caps yourselves." + +"It's no use finishing these things," declared Dotty, "for the boys +can't get their heads into them! Why they're hardly big enough for a six +year old kid!" + +"I tell you they are. I guess I know. I measured one on my own brother +and his head is just as big as the Browns' heads are." + +"You've got the big-head yourself!" Dotty flashed back at her, "you +think you know everything, Pauline Clifton! I'm just _sure_ the boys +can't wear these caps, but we'll go on and finish them, since you say +they're big enough." + +"They _are_ big enough! there's no reason why we shouldn't finish them!" +and Pauline's cheeks grew red as she sewed hurriedly on the cap she +held. + +"Well, don't let's quarrel about it," said Dolly, who had not changed +her opinion, but who wanted to make peace. "If Pauline says they're all +right, Dotty, let's go on and sew them. She must know, if she measured +Carroll's head." + +"Of course I know!" and Pauline scowled at the other two girls. "If +you'd sew instead of fussing and finding fault, we could get the things +done before luncheon." + +"All right," and Dolly smiled pleasantly, shaking her head at Dotty, who +was just about to make an angry speech. "If Polly takes the +responsibility, I'm satisfied to go on, but it certainly doesn't seem to +me that any boy could get his head into that thing!" And she held up a +cap whose head band certainly did seem small. + +"I'll take the responsibility all right," and Pauline shook her head +angrily. "And when you see the boys with these caps on, you'll realise +how silly you've acted." + +The girls stitched on for a few minutes without speaking and then +Dolly's gentle voice broke the silence with some comment on some other +subject and peace was restored outwardly, though each of the three was +conscious of an angry undercurrent to their conversation. + +The caps finished, Pauline took the three of them and said she would +give them to Liza, who had the ribbon streamers for them. + +So the trio separated and as the Fayres had an engagement for that +afternoon the three girls were not together again until the next day. + +The next day was the day of the dance, but there was a tennis tournament +in the afternoon, in which all the young people took part, and so +interested were they in the games that no reference was made to the +quarrel of the day before. + +The dance was in the evening, and at dinner time Dolly and Dotty passed +the Cliftons' table on their way to their own. + +"Get dressed early and come down to the ball-room as soon as you can," +Carroll said to them as they went by. "The party is a short one, +anyway." + +The children's dance was only from eight till ten as the more grown-up +young people claimed the floor later. + +Trudy helped Dolly and Dotty into their pretty dresses and both she and +Mrs. Fayre exclaimed with admiration. + +The costumes of organdy and sateen were quite as pretty as the model of +silk and satin. Both girls wore their hair hanging in loose curls and +their broad rose-trimmed hats had long streamers of blue and pink ribbon +which tied under the chin with a bow at one side. Their long white +crooks bore bunches of ribbon and each carried a little basket of +flowers to add to the dainty effect. + +They found the others awaiting them in the ball-room, and indeed the +dancing was just about to begin as they arrived. + +It was a pretty sight. The long handsome room was specially decorated +with flowers and banners, and the gaily dressed children were laughing +and running about in glee. Many of eight or nine, were dancing in pretty +fashion, and indeed all ages under sixteen were represented. This frolic +was an annual affair and the majority of the children staying at the +hotel were allowed to attend. + +Perhaps half of them were in fancy costume and fairies and Red +Ridinghoods flitted about with Bobby Shaftos or miniature cavaliers. + +"Isn't it beautiful!" cried Dotty, at the threshold of the ball-room. +She had never seen a party just like this before and the gay sight +entranced her. + +"We can't go in," laughed Trudy, as she and her parents looked in at the +door. "The room is reserved for you kiddies, and we can only peep in at +the windows." + +Dolly and Dotty soon found their friends and crossed the room to join +the Shepherd Clan. + +Pauline looked very lovely in her elaborate costume, and the boys were +really fine as shepherd lads. + +As the two girls approached, Pauline whispered to them, with an air of +triumph, "You see the caps are plenty big enough!" and sure enough the +three boys wore their caps, set jauntily on the side of their heads; but +without a doubt the bands were amply large. + +"So you see, I _did_ know something after all," Pauline went on, and +Dolly said frankly, "You did, Polly; you were right and we were wrong." + +Dotty was not quite so smilingly gracious, but she had a strong sense of +justice and she said, "They _are_ big enough, Pauline, I was mistaken," +and then the dancing began. + +There were only simple dances as the children had not mastered the +intricacies of modern steps, and there was much fun and gay good-natured +banter. The Shepherds and Shepherdesses danced first with each other, +but later others joined them and the clan separated. + +But the last dance before supper Dolly danced with Carroll Clifton. + +At the finish they sat for a moment under some palms to rest, and +Carroll took off his cap and held it in his hand. + +As a matter of fact, Dolly had forgotten all about the cap discussion, +but suddenly her eyes fell on the inside of the cap, as Carroll held it +carelessly upside down on his knee. + +She could hardly believe her eyes, but she looked again and sure enough, +she was right! A full inch of material had been let into the band at the +back to make it larger. Dolly stared at it, and then taking the cap, as +if to admire it, she said, "I wonder if this is the one I made. You know +we girls made the shepherd caps, and I hope you're duly grateful." + +"Yes, nice cap-makers you are!" said Carroll, banteringly. "They were so +little we couldn't get them on. I told Polly and she gathered them in +last night and took them up to her room and made them bigger. I guess +she spent half the night doing it, for her light was burning pretty +late." + +Dolly said nothing, but a wave of indignation swept over her to think +Pauline should so deceive her. To think she should be so small and petty +as when she found herself in the wrong to secretly rectify her own +mistake and then triumphantly announce to the girls that the caps were +big enough after all! + +Of course they were big enough, after she had set a piece in each one! +Dolly smiled to herself to think what an undertaking it must have been, +for that alteration, and it was done neatly, meant a troublesome bit of +ripping and sewing. + +Carroll looked at her inquiringly. + +"Well," he said, "_is_ it the one you made? You seem desperately +interested in it!" + +"I don't know whether it's the one or not. But it doesn't matter, +they're all alike. Put it on, Carroll, they're all going out to supper +now, and it spoils your costume not to wear it." + +Supper was a gay feast. It was the one occasion of the year when the +children were allowed in the dining-room at night, and there were +snapping-crackers and especial varieties of cakes and ices and jellies +suited to juvenile tastes. + +After supper the young guests were supposed to say good-night and the +party was over. + +As they went upstairs, Dolly pulled Dotty back beside her, and at the +same moment whispered to Tod to let her take his cap. + +Unnoticed by any one else, Dolly showed Dotty the piecing inside, and +putting her finger on her lip, shook her head as an admonition to be +silent. Then she returned the cap to Tod, who hadn't noticed the +incident especially, and on the upper landing of the great staircase, +the children said their gay good-nights and went off to their various +apartments. + +"Now, what do you think of that?" said the fair-haired Shepherdess, not +waiting to take off her fancy costume, but pulling the black-haired +Shepherdess down to the window-seat beside her. + +This was the spot where the girls sat nearly every night to talk over +the events of the day. The wide velvet-cushioned seat with its many +pillows, was cosy and comfortable, and the view of the ocean and the +sound of the rolling waves made these evening chats very happy and +confidential. + +"But I don't understand," said Dotty, looking puzzled. "You motioned for +me not to speak a word, so I didn't. But what does it mean? Who put that +piece in Tod's cap, his mother?" + +"No; Pauline did it! She sneaked those caps away to her room last night, +and sat up till all hours piecing those pieces in. And a sweet job she +must have had of it! Why, it's about as much trouble to piece a thing +like that, as to make a whole cap!" + +"Pauline did it?" still Dotty couldn't understand. "Why, she said this +evening that the caps were all right and big enough." + +"Of course they were, after she pieced the bands out longer! She did it +herself, Dotty, and then pretended to us that they were just as we had +left them. At least she meant us to think that, for she said, 'Now don't +you see they're all right?' and she didn't tell us she had fixed them." + +"How do you know she did it? Maybe Mrs. Brown or Liza did it." + +"Carroll told me Polly did it herself. After she went to her room last +night. He says her light was burning awful late because she had to fix +the three caps." + +"The deceitful girl! If that isn't the limit! Just wait till I see her, +I'll tell her what I think of her!" + +"Now, Dotty, that's just what I don't want you to do. I knew how you'd +feel about this thing, and honest, at first I thought I wouldn't tell +you, 'cause if I hadn't, you never would have known. But we never do +have secrets from each other, and so when I found it out, I thought I +ought to tell you. But I don't want you to quarrel with Pauline about +it. Won't you let it go, Dot, and never say anything to her on the +subject?" + +"No, I won't, Dolly. She told a story, or if she didn't tell it right +out, she made us think what wasn't true, and it's just the same. She +ought to be shown up. Tod and Tad and her own brother, too, ought to +know what a mean thing she did. It's only justice, Dolly, that they +should. You're so easy-going you'd forgive anything and forget it, too! +But I can't. I've got to tell that Clifton girl what I think of her. +Oh, I never heard of such meanness! Why Dollyrinda Fayre,--you or I +would scorn to do such a thing!" + +"Of course we would, Dot, but I don't know as it's up to us to tell +Pauline Clifton what she ought to do." + +"It isn't that, Dolly; we're not her teachers, and I don't care what she +does,--to other people. But she needn't think she can do a thing like +that, and act as if we didn't know anything, when we told her she was +wrong, and then when she finds she is wrong to go and fix it up on the +sly and pretend she was right all along! No-sir-ee! I won't stand for +it. I'll show her up in all her meanness and deceit and I'll do it +before the boys, too. She ought to be made to feel cheap! The idea!" + +Dolly waited in silence until Dotty's wrath had spent itself. She had +known Dotty would act like this, but she hoped to calm her justifiable +anger. + +"Well, all right, Dot," she said at last; "then if you still persist in +quarrelling with Pauline about this thing, and if you won't agree not to +say anything to her about it, then I'm going to ask you not to, just for +my sake. I don't often ask you a favour seriously, Dotty Rose, but I do +now. If you're a friend of mine and if you really care anything about +me, won't you promise, just because _I_ ask it, not to say anything to +Pauline about those caps?" + +The two Shepherdesses faced each other in silence. Both were sitting +cross-legged in Turkish fashion on the wide divan, and as they had not +turned on their room lights, only the moonlight that streamed across the +ocean illumined the two earnest faces. + +Fair-haired Dolly was pale in her earnestness and her blue eyes looked +beseechingly at her friend. + +The black-haired Shepherdess was flushed with anger. Her crook had +fallen to the floor and she had tossed her hat beside it. Her black eyes +snapped and her curly head shook as she refused Dolly's request. But the +pleading voice kept on, until at last kindness conquered, and Dotty Rose +gave in. + +"All right, you dear old thing," she cried, as she grabbed Dolly round +the neck, "you've a Heavenly disposition, and I'm a horrid, ugly thing, +but I'll do as you say, _because_ you ask me to." + +"You're not ugly, Dotty, a bit; only you have a high temper, and your +sense of justice makes you feel like getting even with people. And I +don't say you're not right. Why, of course there is such a thing as +righteous indignation, and this may be the place for it. Only, I _do_ +want to have my way this time. You see, we're going home day after +to-morrow, and very likely we'll never see the Cliftons again, after we +leave here. They don't come here every summer like we do. And I hate to +spoil these two last days with a horrid squabble, when we six have been +so nice and chummy and pleasant all the time we've been here. You +needn't have much to do with Pauline, if you don't want to, but just for +two days, can't you just be decently polite to her, and not say anything +about this business?" + +"I can and I will," said Dotty, heartily; "but you needn't think, old +lady, that it's because I'm a meek and mild little lamb, and don't feel +like telling that girl what I think of her! No, sir! It's because,--well +first because you ask me to; and second, because I'm the guest of you +and your people, and it wouldn't be a bit nice of me to stir up an +unpleasantness that probably everybody would know about. So, unless Miss +Pauline Clifton refers to it herself, she'll never hear of that cap +subject from me!" + +"You're an old trump, Dotty, and I love you a million bushels! And I'm +glad we're going home so soon, and oh, just think! we'll start off to +school together, and we'll both go to High School, and we'll have just +the same lessons, and we'll be together every day. Dotty Rose, I'm +_glad_ I've got you for a friend!" + +"You're not half as glad as _I_ am, Dolly Fayre!" + +"We'll always be friends, whatever happens, won't we?" said Dolly; "and +we'll always tell each other everything." + +"Always and always!" said the other Shepherdess, and they sealed their +compact with a kiss. + +And the big, round-faced moon smiled at them across the night-blue +ocean, and tried to make up his mind which of the two D's he was more +fond of. + + +THE END + + + + +"_The Books you like to read at the price you like to pay._" + + * * * * * + +This Isn't All! + + * * * * * + +Look on the following pages and you will find listed a few of the +outstanding boys' and girls' books published by Grosset and Dunlap. All +are written by well known authors and cover a wide variety of +subjects--aviation, stories of sport and adventure, tales of humor and +mystery--books for every mood and every taste and every pocketbook. + + * * * * * + +_There is a Grosset & Dunlap book for every member of your family._ + + * * * * * + +CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS + + * * * * * + +Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. + + * * * * * + +THE PATTY BOOKS + +Patty is a lovable girl whose frank good nature and beauty lend charm to +her varied adventures. These stories are packed with excitement and +interest for girls. + + PATTY FAIRFIELD + PATTY AT HOME + PATTY IN THE CITY + PATTY'S SUMMER DAYS + PATTY IN PARIS + PATTY'S FRIENDS + PATTY'S PLEASURE TRIP + PATTY'S SUCCESS + PATTY'S MOTOR CAR + PATTY'S BUTTERFLY DAYS + + * * * * * + +THE MARJORIE BOOKS + +Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of +goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will +see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure. + + MARJORIE'S VACATION + MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS + MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND + MARJORIE IN COMMAND + MARJORIE'S MAYTIME + MARJORIE AT SEACOTE + + * * * * * + +THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES + +Introducing Dorinda Fayre--a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a +little slow, and Dorothy Rose--a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, +high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes. + + TWO LITTLE WOMEN + TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE + TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY + + * * * * * + +THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS + +Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, +their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories +"really true" to young readers. + + DICK AND DOLLY + DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES + + * * * * * + +FOR HER MAJESTY--THE GIRL OF TODAY + + * * * * * + +THE POLLY BREWSTER BOOKS + +By Lillian Elizabeth Roy + +Polly and Eleanor have many interesting adventures on their travels +which take them to all corners of the globe. + + POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT + POLLY AND ELEANOR + POLLY IN NEW YORK + POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD + POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE + POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE + POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA + POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST + POLLY IN ALASKA + POLLY IN THE ORIENT + POLLY IN EGYPT + POLLY'S NEW FRIEND + POLLY AND CAROLA + POLLY AND CAROLA AT RAVENSWOOD + POLLY LEARNS TO FLY + + * * * * * + +THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of The Outdoor Girls Series + + * * * * * + +Illustrated by Thelma Gooch + + * * * * * + +The Blythe Girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. +Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while +Margy, just out of business school, obtained a position as secretary and +Rose, plain-spoken and business like, took what she called a "job" in a +department store. The experiences of these girls make fascinating +reading--life in the great metropolis is thrilling and full of strange +adventures and surprises. + + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S SECRET MISSION + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S ODD DISCOVERY + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELEN + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMP + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S HIDDEN TALENT + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S WONDERFUL MISTAKE + + * * * * * + +THE POLLY SERIES + +By DOROTHY WHITEHILL + + * * * * * + +This lively series for girls is about the adventures of pretty, +resourceful Polly Pendleton, a wide awake American girl who goes to +boarding school on the Hudson River, several miles above New York. By +her pluck and genial smile she soon makes a name for herself and becomes +a leader in girl activities. + +Besides relating Polly's adventures at school these books tell of her +summer vacations and her experiences in many different scenes. Every +girl who loves action and excitement will want to follow Polly on her +many adventures. + + POLLY'S FIRST YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL + POLLY'S SUMMER VACATION + POLLY'S SENIOR YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL + POLLY SEES THE WORLD AT WAR + POLLY AND LOIS + POLLY AND BOB + POLLY'S REUNION + POLLY'S POLLY + POLLY AT PIXIE'S HAUNT + POLLY'S HOUSE PARTY + POLLY'S POLLY AT BOARDING SCHOOL + JOYFUL ADVENTURES OF POLLY + + * * * * * + +THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES + +By LAURA LEE HOPE +Author of "The Blythe Girls Books." + + * * * * * + +Every Volume Complete in Itself. + + * * * * * + +These are the adventures of a group of bright, fun-loving, up-to-date +girls who have a common bond in their fondness for outdoor life, +camping, travel and adventure. There is excitement and humor in these +stories and girls will find in them the kind of pleasant associations +that they seek to create among their own friends and chums. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT FOAMING FALLS + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ALONG THE COAST + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT SPRING HILL FARM + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT NEW MOON RANCH + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A HIKE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A CANOE TRIP + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT CEDAR RIDGE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE AIR + + * * * * * + +THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SERIES + +By GRACE BROOKS HILL + + * * * * * + +These splendid stories of the adventures of four young girls who occupy +the old corner house left to them by a rich bachelor uncle will appeal +to all young girls. They contain all the elements which delight youthful +readers--action, mystery, humor and excitement. These girls have become +the best friends of many children throughout the country. + + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS AT SCHOOL + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS UNDER CANVAS + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS IN A PLAY + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS' ODD FIND + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON A TOUR + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS GROWING UP + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SNOWBOUND + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON A HOUSEBOAT + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS AMONG THE GYPSIES + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON PALM ISLAND + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SOLVE A MYSTERY + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS FACING THE WORLD + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + * * * * * + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Two Little Women, by Carolyn Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO LITTLE WOMEN *** + +***** This file should be named 30881-8.txt or 30881-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/8/8/30881/ + +Produced by Annie McGuire + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Two Little Women + +Author: Carolyn Wells + +Release Date: January 7, 2010 [EBook #30881] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO LITTLE WOMEN *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire + + + + + +</pre> + + +<h1>Two Little Women</h1> + +<h2>Carolyn Wells</h2> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h3>BY THE SAME AUTHOR</h3> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3><span class="u">PATTY SERIES</span></h3> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY FAIRFIELD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY AT HOME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY IN THE CITY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S SUMMER DAYS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY IN PARIS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S FRIENDS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S PLEASURE TRIP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S SUCCESS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S MOTOR CAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S BUTTERFLY DAYS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S SUITORS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S ROMANCE</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<h3><span class="u">MARJORIE SERIES</span></h3> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S VACATION</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE IN COMMAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S MAYTIME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE AT SEACOTE</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 543px;"> +<img src="images/ill_001.jpg" width="543" height="700" alt="IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO SATISFY THE BOYS' APPETITES.—Page 199" title="" /> +<span class="caption">IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO SATISFY THE BOYS' APPETITES.—<i>Page</i> 199</span> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h1><span class="smcap">Two Little Women</span><br /><br /></h1> + +<h3>BY</h3> + +<h2>CAROLYN WELLS</h2> + +<h3>AUTHOR OF</h3> + +<h4>THE PATTY BOOKS,</h4> + +<h4>THE MARJORIE BOOKS, <span class="smcap">Etc</span>.<br /><br /></h4> + +<h3>ILLUSTRATIONS BY</h3> + +<h2>E. C. CASWELL<br /><br /><br /></h2> + +<h3>GROSSET & DUNLAP</h3> + +<h3>PUBLISHERS</h3> + +<h3>NEW YORK<br /><br /></h3> + +<h4><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1915</h4> + +<h4><span class="smcap">By DODD, MEAD & COMPANY</span></h4> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_I"><b>CHAPTER I. <span class="smcap">The Girl Next Door</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_II"><b>CHAPTER II. <span class="smcap">Dotty Rose And Dolly Fayre</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_III"><b>CHAPTER III. <span class="smcap">The New Rooms</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV"><b>CHAPTER IV. <span class="smcap">The Birthday Morning</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_V"><b>CHAPTER V. <span class="smcap">The Double Party</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI"><b>CHAPTER VI. <span class="smcap">Roller Skating</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII"><b>CHAPTER VII. <span class="smcap">Two Big Brothers</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII"><b>CHAPTER VIII. <span class="smcap">Crosstrees Camp</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX"><b>CHAPTER IX. <span class="smcap">Dolly's Escape</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_X"><b>CHAPTER X. <span class="smcap">Hidden Treasure</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI"><b>CHAPTER XI. <span class="smcap">A Thrilling Experience</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII"><b>CHAPTER XII. <span class="smcap">Who Was The Tall Phantom?</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII"><b>CHAPTER XIII. <span class="smcap">That Luncheon</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV"><b>CHAPTER XIV. <span class="smcap">The Cake Contest</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XV"><b>CHAPTER XV. <span class="smcap">Who Won the Prize?</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI"><b>CHAPTER XVI. <span class="smcap">A Walk in the Woods</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII"><b>CHAPTER XVII. <span class="smcap">Surfwood</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII"><b>CHAPTER XVIII. <span class="smcap">Doll Overboard!</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX"><b>CHAPTER XIX. <span class="smcap">Spending The Prize Money</span></b></a></td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XX"><b>CHAPTER XX. <span class="smcap">Good-bye, Summer!</span></b></a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2> + +<h3>THE GIRL NEXT DOOR</h3> + +<p>Summit Avenue was the prettiest street in Berwick. Spacious and +comfortable-looking homes stood on either side of it, each in its +setting of lawn and shade trees. Most of these showed no dividing fences +or hedges, and boundaries were indiscernible in the green velvety sward +that swept in a gentle slope to the sidewalk.</p> + +<p>Of two neighbouring houses, the side windows faced each other across two +hundred feet of intervening turf. The windows of one house were duly +fitted with window-screens, holland shades and clean, fresh white +curtains; for it was May, and Berwick ladies were rarely dilatory with +their "Spring-cleaning." But the other house showed no window dressings, +and the sashes were flung open to the sunny breeze, which, entering, +found rugless floors and pictureless walls.</p> + +<p>But at the open front doors other things were entering; beds, chairs, +tables, boxes and barrels, all the contents of the great moving vans +that stood out at the curb. Strong men carried incredibly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> heavy burdens +of furniture, or carefully manœuvred glass cabinets or potted palms.</p> + +<p>From behind the lace curtains of the other house people were watching. +This was in no way a breach of good manners, for in Berwick the +unwritten law of neighbours' rights freely permitted the inspection of +the arriving household gods of a new family. But etiquette demanded that +the observers discreetly veil themselves behind the sheltering films of +their own curtains.</p> + +<p>And so the Fayres, mother and two daughters, watched with interest the +coming of the Roses.</p> + +<p>"Rose! what a funny name," commented Dolly Fayre, the younger of the +sisters; "do you s'pose they name the children Moss, and Tea and things +like that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, and Killarney and Sunburst and Prince Camille de Rohan," said +Trudy, who had been studying Florists' catalogues of late.</p> + +<p>"Their library furniture is mission; there goes the table," and Mrs. +Fayre noted details with a housekeeper's eye. "And here comes the piano. +I can't bear to see men move a piano; I always think it's going to fall +on them."</p> + +<p>"I'm tired of seeing furniture go in, anyway," and Dolly jumped up from +her kneeling position. "I'd<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> rather see the people. Do you s'pose +there's anybody 'bout my age, Mums?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, Dolly. Your father only said their name was Rose, and not +another word about them."</p> + +<p>"There's a little girl, anyway," asserted Trudy; "they took in a big +doll's carriage some time ago."</p> + +<p>Trudy was nineteen and Dolly not quite fifteen, so the girls, while +chummy as sisters, had few interests in common. Dolly wandered away, +leaving the other two to continue their appraisal of the new neighbours. +She went to her own room, which also looked out toward the Roses' house. +Idly glancing that way from her window, she saw a girl's face in a +window next door. She seemed about Dolly's age, and she had a pretty +bright face with a mop of curly black hair.</p> + +<p>She wore a red dress and a red hair-ribbon, and she made a vivid +picture, framed in the open window.</p> + +<p>Dolly looked through the scrim of her bedroom curtain, and then to see +better, moved the curtain aside, and watched the black-haired girl.</p> + +<p>Dolly, herself, could not be seen, because of the dark wire window +screen, and she looked at the stranger with increasing interest.</p> + +<p>At last the new girl put one foot over the window<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> sill and then the +other, and sat with her feet crossed and kicking against the side of the +house. It was a first floor window, and there was little danger of her +falling out, but she stretched out her arms and held the window frame on +either side.</p> + +<p>Dolly judged the girl must be about her own age, for she looked so, and +too, her dress came nearly but not quite to her shoetops, which was the +prescribed length of Dolly's own.</p> + +<p>It was a pleasant outlook. If this new neighbour should be a nice girl, +Dolly foresaw lots of good times. For most of her girl friends lived at +some distance; the nearest, several blocks away. And to have a chum next +door would be fine!</p> + +<p>But was she a nice girl? Dolly had been punctiliously brought up, and a +girl who sat in a window, and swung her feet over the sill, was a bit +unconventional in Berwick.</p> + +<p>Dolly was seized with a strong desire to meet this girl, to see her +nearer by and to talk with her. But Dolly was timid. Beside her careful +education in deportment, she was naturally shy and reticent. She was +sure she never could make any advances to become acquainted with this +new girl, and yet, she did want to know her.</p> + +<p>She went back to her mother and sister.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> + +<p>"There's an awful big picture," Trudy was saying; "it's all burlapped +up, so you can't tell what it is. It's easy to judge people from their +pictures."</p> + +<p>Trudy had graduated the year before from a large and fine girls' school +and she knew all about pictures.</p> + +<p>"I think you can tell more by chairs," Mrs. Fayre said; "their easy +chairs are very good ones. I think they're very nice people."</p> + +<p>"Have you seen the girl in the window?" asked Dolly. "She's just about +my size."</p> + +<p>"So she is," said Mrs. Fayre, glancing at Dolly, and then returning to +her study of the chairs.</p> + +<p>"When can I go to see her, Mother?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Trudy and I will call there in a fortnight or so, and after that +you can go to see the little girl or I'll ask her mother to bring her +over here. You children needn't be formal."</p> + +<p>"But can't I go over there to-day?"</p> + +<p>"Mercy, no, child! Not the day they arrive! They'd think we were crazy!"</p> + +<p>Dolly went out on the side verandah. The black-haired girl still sat in +the window. She was frankly staring, and so, every time Dolly caught her +eye, the straightforward gaze was so disconcerting that Dolly looked +away quickly and pretended to be engrossed in something else.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> + +<p>But at last with a determined effort to overcome her timidity, she +concluded she would look over at the girl and smile. It couldn't be +wrong merely to smile at a new girl, if it was the very day she arrived. +They couldn't think her "crazy" for that. But to conclude to do this and +to do it, were two very different matters for Dolly Fayre.</p> + +<p>Half a dozen times she almost raised her eyes, her smile all ready to +break out, and then, it would seem too much to dare, and with a deep +blush, she would turn again toward her own house.</p> + +<p>But it was nearing luncheon time, and Dolly made a last desperate effort +to screw her courage to the sticking point. With a determined jerk she +wheeled around and smiled broadly at the new girl.</p> + +<p>To her amazement, the pretty face scowled at her! Definitely and +distinctly scowled! Dolly could scarcely believe her eyes. Why should +this stranger scowl at her, when she didn't know her at all?</p> + +<p>Dolly quickly looked away, and pondered over the matter. She felt less +shy now, because she was angry. Then the bell rang for luncheon.</p> + +<p>Dolly started for the house, but unable to resist a final impulse, she +glanced again at the girl in the window.</p> + +<p>The girl shook her head at her! It was a quick,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> saucy, sideways shake, +as if Dolly had asked her something and she had refused. The pretty face +looked pettish, and the black eyes snapped as she vigorously shook her +curly head.</p> + +<p>"Pooh!" said Dolly to herself; "wait till you're asked, miss! I don't +want anything of you!"</p> + +<p>Dolly went into the house and at the lunch table, she told her mother +and Trudy of the girl's actions.</p> + +<p>"I thought she looked saucy," said Trudy, and the subject was dropped.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>In the meantime the girl next door had drawn in her feet and jumped down +from the window.</p> + +<p>"What a funny lunch!" she exclaimed, as she ran into the dining-room. +"Looks good, though," and she sat down on a packing-box, and took the +plate her mother offered.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's a sort of picnic," said Mrs. Rose; "everything's cold, but it +does taste good!"</p> + +<p>The dining-room was unfurnished; though the table and chairs were in it, +they were still burlapped, and the barrels of dishes were not yet +unpacked. Mrs. Rose and her sister, Mrs. Bayliss, sat on packing-boxes +too, and made merry at their own discomfort.</p> + +<p>"Seems 'sif we'd never get straightened out," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> Mrs. Rose, taking +another sandwich on her plate, "but I s'pose we will. It's always like +this when you move. Thank goodness, George is coming home early,—he's +such a help."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he is," agreed Mrs. Bayliss; "what lovely fresh radishes! I'll +take some more. Do you know any one at all in Berwick, Molly?"</p> + +<p>"No one at all. George liked the place, and he bought this house from an +agent. But I shan't hasten to make acquaintances. I believe in going +slow in such matters. The neighbours will probably call after a few +weeks, and then we'll see what they're like. The people next door have +lovely curtains. I think you can judge a lot by curtains. And their +whole place has a well-kept air. Perhaps they'll prove pleasant +neighbours. Their name is Fayre."</p> + +<p>"I saw the little girl out on the verandah," said Dotty Rose, between +two bites of her sandwich. "She has yellow hair and blue eyes. But I +don't like her."</p> + +<p>"Why, Dotty, how you talk!" exclaimed her aunt; "how can you like her or +dislike her, when you don't know her?"</p> + +<p>"She's a prig; I can see that, Aunt Clara. I can tell by the way she +walks and moves around. She hasn't any <i>go</i> to her."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, you've go enough for the whole neighbourhood! Probably you'll +find she's a nice, well-behaved little girl."</p> + +<p>"All right, have it just as you like, Aunt Clara. When are you going to +fix my room, Mother?"</p> + +<p>"As soon as your things come; not till to-morrow, most likely. If we can +get beds to sleep on to-night, that's all I'll ask."</p> + +<p>"I think it's fun," and Dotty danced around on one toe; "I'd like to +live this way, always,—nothing in its place and all higgledy-piggledy!"</p> + +<p>"I believe you would," returned her mother, laughing. "Now, if you've +finished your lunch, dearie, run away and play, for you only bother +around here."</p> + +<p>Dotty ran away but she didn't play. She went from one room to another, +trying to learn the details of her new home; but ever and anon her +glance would stray to the house next door, and she would wonder what the +yellow-haired girl was doing.</p> + +<p>Dotty had been allowed to choose her own room from two that her mother +designated. One was on the side of the house that faced the Fayres', the +other wasn't. Dotty hesitated between them. She went in one and then the +other.</p> + +<p>"If I <i>should</i> like that prim-faced thing," she said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> to her Aunt Clara, +"I'd rather have this room, that looks toward their house. But if I +<i>don't</i> like her,—and I'm just about sure I <i>won't</i>,—I'd rather have +my room on the other side."</p> + +<p>"Oh, you'll like her, after you know her," said Aunt Clara, carelessly. +"But don't mind that, take the room you think pleasanter."</p> + +<p>So Dotty considered them both again. The room not facing the Fayres' was +without doubt the more attractive of the two, though not much so. It had +a large bay window, which was delightful; but then on the other hand the +other room had an open fireplace, and Dotty loved a wood fire.</p> + +<p>She stood in the room with the fireplace, looking toward the next house. +It was Saturday afternoon, and as she watched she saw the yellow-haired +girl and two ladies come out and get in a motor car.</p> + +<p>"I don't like her!" Dotty declared again, though as there was no one +else present, she talked to herself. "She walks like a prig, she gets in +the car like a prig and she sits down on the seat like a prig! I don't +like her, and I'm going to take the other room!"</p> + +<p>So, when her own furniture arrived it was put in the room with the bay +window and which did not overlook the Fayre house. The house that she +could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> see from her newly chosen room, was so hemmed in by trees as to +be almost invisible.</p> + +<p>Dotty spent a pleasant afternoon, after her furniture was in place, +arranging her little trinkets and pictures, and putting away things in +her cupboards and bureau drawers.</p> + +<p>But every little while some errand seemed to call her across the hall, +and she couldn't help looking out to see if "that girl" had returned +yet.</p> + +<p>The next day was Sunday, and Mr. Rose was at home.</p> + +<p>"Well, Chick-a-dotty, you'll have a nice playmate in that little girl +next door," he said, as his daughter followed him round the house +looking after various matters.</p> + +<p>"'Deed I won't, Daddy; she's horrid!"</p> + +<p>"Why, why! what sort of talk is this? Do you know her?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I've seen her, and she isn't nice a bit."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess she is. I came out in the train last night with a man I +know, and he knows the Fayres and he says they're about the nicest +people in Berwick."</p> + +<p>"Pooh! I don't think so. She's a prim old thing, and doesn't know B from +broomstick."</p> + +<p>"There, there, Dotty Doodle, don't be hasty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> in your judgment. Give the +little lady a chance."</p> + +<p>Later, Dotty and her father walked round the outdoors part of their new +domain.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it pretty, Daddy!" exclaimed Dotty; "I'm so glad there are a lot +of flower-beds and nice big shrubs, and lovely blue spruce trees and +lots of things that look like a farm."</p> + +<p>The Roses had always lived in the city, and to Dotty's eyes the two +acres of ground seemed like a large estate. It was attractively laid out +and in good cultivation, and Mr. Rose looked forward with pleasure to +the restful life of a suburban town after his city habits.</p> + +<p>"There's that girl now!" and Dotty suddenly spied her neighbour walking +with <i>her</i> father around <i>their</i> lawn.</p> + +<p>"So it is. I shall speak to him; it's only right, as we are next-door +neighbours, and we men needn't be so formal as the ladies of the +houses."</p> + +<p>"I don't want to speak to her," and Dotty drew back. "<i>Don't</i> do it, +Daddy, <i>please</i> don't!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, child! of course I shall. Don't be so foolish."</p> + +<p>"But I don't want to; she'll think I'm crazy to meet her, and I'm not! I +don't want to, Father."</p> + +<p>"What a silly! Well, if you don't want to see the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> girl now, run away. +I'm certainly going to chat with Mr. Fayre, and get acquainted."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Now the other pair of neighbours had, not unnaturally, been talking +about the newcomers.</p> + +<p>"You see, Father," said Dolly as she took her usual Sunday morning +stroll around the place with him, "that new girl isn't nice at all. When +I smiled at her, she scowled and shook her head at me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dolly, I imagine she's all right. Mr. Forrest told me about them. +He knows them and he says they're charming people."</p> + +<p>"Well, they may be, but I don't want to meet her. Don't walk over that +way."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I shall. Mr. Rose seems to be coming this way, and I shall do the +neighbourly thing and have a chat with him."</p> + +<p>"Why, Father, you don't know him."</p> + +<p>"That doesn't matter between next-door neighbours, at least between the +men of the houses. Come along, and scrape acquaintance with the little +girl. I think she looks pretty."</p> + +<p>Dolly started, then a sudden fit of shyness seized her, and she stood +stock-still.</p> + +<p>"I can't," she murmured; "oh, Father, please don't ask me to!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right, dear; don't if you don't want to. Run back to the house. I'm +going to speak to Mr. Rose."</p> + +<p>And that's how it happened that as the two men neared each other, with +greeting smiles, the two girls, started simultaneously, and ran like +frightened rabbits away from each other, and to their respective homes.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2> + +<h3>DOTTY ROSE AND DOLLY FAYRE</h3> + +<p>A few days passed without communication between the two houses.</p> + +<p>Mr. Fayre expressed a decided approval of his new neighbour, and advised +his wife to call on Mrs. Rose. Mrs. Fayre said she would do so as soon +as the proper time came.</p> + +<p>"I'm not going," said Dolly. "I don't like that girl, and I never +shall."</p> + +<p>"Why, Dorinda," said her father, who only used her full name when he was +serious, "I've never known you to act so before. I've thought you were a +nice, sweet-tempered little girl, and here you are acting like a +cantankerous catamaran!"</p> + +<p>"What is the matter with you, Doll?" asked Trudy; "you are unreasonable +about the little Rose girl."</p> + +<p>"Let her alone," said Dolly's mother; "she'll get over it."</p> + +<p>"I'll never get over it," declared Dolly; "I don't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> want to know a girl +as big as I am, who plays with dolls."</p> + +<p>"How do you know she plays with dolls?"</p> + +<p>"Well, a dolls' carriage went in there the day they moved in."</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it's one she used to have, and she has kept it, for old +associations."</p> + +<p>"Maybe. Anyhow, I don't like her. She made faces at me."</p> + +<p>"Really?" and her mother smiled.</p> + +<p>"Well, she scowled at me, and shook her head like a—like a—"</p> + +<p>"Like a little girl shaking her head," said Mr. Fayre, to help her out.</p> + +<p>But Dolly didn't smile. She was a queer nature, was Dolly. Usually sunny +and happy-hearted, she liked almost everything and everybody, but if she +did take a dislike, it became a prejudice, and very hard to remove.</p> + +<p>Dolly was pretty, with the bluest of blue eyes and the pinkest of pink +cheeks and the yellowest of yellow hair. She was inclined to be plump, +and Trudy was always beseeching her not to eat so much candy and sweet +desserts. But Dolly loved these things and had small concern about her +increasing weight. She didn't care much for outdoor play, and would +rather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> sit in the hammock and read a story-book than run after tennis +balls.</p> + +<p>Her mother called her a dreamer, and often came upon her, sitting in the +twilight, her thoughts far away in a fairyland of her own imagination, +enjoying wonderful adventures and thrilling scenes.</p> + +<p>Dolly was in the grammar school and next year would be in the high +school. She didn't like study, particularly, except history and +literature, but she studied conscientiously and always knew her lessons.</p> + +<p>This morning, she kissed her mother good-bye, and started off for +school. She wore a blue and white gingham, and a fawn-coloured coat. +Swinging her bag of books, she marched past the Rose house, and though +she didn't look at her, she could see the Rose girl on the front steps.</p> + +<p>"I wonder if she'll go to our school," thought Dolly; and for a moment +the impulse seized her to stop and "scrape acquaintance." Then she +remembered that shaking head, and fearing a rebuff, she walked on by.</p> + +<p>"Do you know that new girl next door to you?" Celia Ferris asked her as +she entered the school yard.</p> + +<p>"No; do you?" and Dolly looked indifferent.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't; but my mother knows a lady, who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> knows them and she says +Dorothy,—that's her name,—is a wonder."</p> + +<p>"A wonder! How?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, she's so smart and so clever, and she can do everything so well."</p> + +<p>This was enough for Dolly Fayre. To think that disagreeable new +neighbour of hers, must be a paragon of all the virtues!</p> + +<p>But Dolly was never unjust. She knew she had no real reason to dislike +Dorothy Rose, so she only said, "I haven't met her yet. My mother is +going to call there this week, and then I s'pose I'll get acquainted +with her."</p> + +<p>"How funny," said Celia, who was chummy by nature. "I should think you'd +go in and play with her without waiting for your mother to call,—and +all that. Anybody'd think you were as old as Trudy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I could do that if I wanted to, but I don't want to."</p> + +<p>"Well, I think I'll go to see her, anyway. If she's so smart it would be +nice to have her in the Closing Day exercises. I s'pose she'll come to +school here."</p> + +<p>"Of course, you can do as you like, Celia, but I think it's too late to +get any new girls in now."</p> + +<p>Dolly went on to the schoolroom, her heart full of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> resentment at this +"smart" interloper. It was a little bit a feeling of jealousy, for Dolly +Fayre was head and front of everything that went on at the Berwick +Grammar School, and it jarred a little to think of having a wonder-girl +come in with a lot of new ideas and plans and mix everything all up at +the last minute.</p> + +<p>But don't get any mistaken idea that Dolly Fayre was a mean-minded or +small-natured girl. On the contrary, she was generosity itself in all +her dealings with her schoolmates. Every one liked her, and with good +reason, for she never quarrelled, and was always happy and smiling.</p> + +<p>But the Rose girl had acted queer from the first, and Dolly couldn't +admit the desirability of bringing her into their already arranged +"Closing Exercises." These were so important as to be almost sacred +rites, and as usual Dolly was at the head of all the committees, and her +word was law.</p> + +<p>She went home from school that afternoon, thinking about it, and her +pretty face looked very sober as she went in the house and put her +school-books neatly away in their place.</p> + +<p>"There's some lemonade and cookies on the sideboard," said her mother as +Dolly went through the hall.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right, Mumsie," and somehow, after these refreshments had been +absorbed, Dolly felt better, and life seemed to have a brighter outlook.</p> + +<p>She took an unfinished story-book and picked up her white kitten, and +went out to the side verandah, her favourite spot of a warm afternoon.</p> + +<p>"You see, Flossy," she whispered, addressing the kitten, "I want you +with me, 'cause I'm buffled to-day." Dolly was in the habit of making up +words, if she couldn't think of any to suit her, and just at the moment +<i>buffled</i> seemed to her to mean a general state of being ruffled, and +buffeted and rebuffed and generally huffy.</p> + +<p>"And you well know, Floss, that when I feel mixy-up, there's nothing so +comforting and soothing as a nice little, soft little, cuddly little +kitty-cat."</p> + +<p>Flossy blinked her eyes, and purred gently, and was just as comforting +as she could be, which is saying a good deal.</p> + +<p>There was a big, wide swing on the side verandah, one of those cushioned +settee affairs that are so cosy to snuggle into, and read.</p> + +<p>And it was without a glance at the house next door, that Dolly snuggled +herself in among the red cushions and opened her book, while Flossy +cuddled in the hollow of her arm; and concluding that she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> would be +quite as comforting asleep as awake, the kitten promptly fell into a +doze.</p> + +<p>Meantime there were arrivals at the Rose house.</p> + +<p>Eugenia, the eleven year old girl, had been staying with a cousin until +the house should be put in order, and now she had come to the new home.</p> + +<p>She was a black-haired witch, and of exceeding vivacious and volatile +disposition.</p> + +<p>"OO!—ee!" she exclaimed; "isn't it great! Take me everywhere, Dot! Show +me all the rooms and all the outdoorses and everything! I didn't know it +was such a big house. Which is my room?"</p> + +<p>Even as she talked, Eugenia was flying upstairs, only to turn right +around and fly down again. She danced from room to room, sometimes +followed or preceded by Dotty and sometimes not. Her own room delighted +her. It faced the Fayres' house, being the one Dorothy had rejected in +favour of the other.</p> + +<p>"Where's Blot?" asked Dotty; "didn't you bring him?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; he's down with Thomas. He's crazy. He barked all the way +here."</p> + +<p>But Dotty was already flying down stairs to find her beloved puppy.</p> + +<p>"Here he is, Miss Dorothy," and the chauffeur,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> Thomas, gave the black +poodle into her arms.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you blessed Blotty-boy! Oh, you cunnin' Blotsy-wotsy! Does him love +hims Dotty?"</p> + +<p>The love was manifested by some moist caresses and then Blot was all for +a scamper. Dotty took him out on the lawn and set him down, herself all +ready for a romp.</p> + +<p>Now only a minute before, Flossy, the white kitten, had waked from her +nap, and seeing that Dolly was absorbed in her story-book, inferred that +kitten comfort was not at the moment needed, and decided to go after a +very yellow butterfly out on the Fayre lawn.</p> + +<p>Stealthily across the grass, Flossy went butterflywards, on tippy-toe. +Each white paw was daintily lifted and softly set down on the thick +turf, as her progress continued. From the Rose lawn Blot spied the +advancing Flossy. He didn't then know her name, but he had liberal ideas +on the subject of introductions, and he made a wild dash toward the +oncoming kitten.</p> + +<p>When Floss saw the small black whirlwind hurling itself at her, she was +either too brave or too frightened to retreat, so she put her white back +up as high as possible and stood her ground. She expressed her opinion +of the performance in a series of sputtering<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> yowls that drew Dolly's +attention from her book to the impending battle.</p> + +<p>She sprang out of the swing, and rushed toward Flossy just as the two +belligerents met in the grassy arena.</p> + +<p>Dorothy Rose, on her side of the lawn was shaking with laughter, and +this sight was the last straw to Dorinda Fayre's overburdened soul.</p> + +<p>"Don't you let your dog eat up my cat!" she cried out, angrily, to the +black-haired girl opposite.</p> + +<p>"Don't you let your cat eat up my dog, then!" was the immediate +response, delivered with enthusiasm equalling Dolly's own.</p> + +<p>"Cats don't eat dogs!"</p> + +<p>"Neither do dogs eat cats!"</p> + +<p>"Well, these will eat each other! Oh! look, we <i>must</i> get them apart!"</p> + +<p>The battle was of the pitched variety, whatever that may mean. But it is +a phrase used to describe the most intense and desperate battles of +history, and surely this was one of them. Dolly Fayre had no idea that +gentle little Flossy had so much fight in her small white body, and +Dotty Rose never dreamed that Blot was such a fire-eater under his curly +black coat.</p> + +<p>Really alarmed for their pets, the two girls went<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> nearer to the agile +warriors, who now looked like an indistinct moving-picture film that was +going too fast.</p> + +<p>"Come here, Blot!" Dotty cried, in most commanding tones.</p> + +<p>"Come here, Flossy!" Dolly called, in coaxing accents.</p> + +<p>Insubordination ensued on both sides.</p> + +<p>"We'll have to grab them!" declared Dotty Rose; dancing about the war +zone.</p> + +<p>"We can't!" wailed Dolly Fayre, wringing her hands as she edged away +from the seat of battle.</p> + +<p>"Well, I just guess we will!" and Dotty Rose seized Blot by the scruff +of his black neck and shook him loose from the white kitten.</p> + +<p>With a little cry of rejoicing, Dolly Fayre picked up Flossy and plumped +herself down on the grass to make sure the kitten was intact.</p> + +<p>Dotty sat down too, and felt of Blot's small and well-hidden bones.</p> + +<p>As neither animal gave any cry of pain and as each glared at its late +opponent, the respective owners of the combatants drew sighs of relief +and held on tightly to their pets, lest a fresh attack should begin.</p> + +<p>Now it stands to reason that after a scene like<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> that just described, +the two girls couldn't get up and walk off home without a word.</p> + +<p>So they sat on the grass and looked at each other.</p> + +<p>And when the troubled blue eyes of Dolly Fayre saw the big brown eyes of +Dotty Rose twinkle and saw her red lips smile, she discovered that the +scowl she had objected to was not permanent, and she smiled back.</p> + +<p>But somehow, they could think of nothing to say. The smile broke the ice +a little, but Dolly Fayre was timid, and Dotty Rose was absorbed in +looking at the other's blue eyes and yellow hair.</p> + +<p>But it was Dotty who spoke first. "Well," she said, "how do you like +me?"</p> + +<p>It was an unfortunate question. For Dolly Fayre hadn't a single definite +notion regarding Dotty Rose except that she didn't like her. However, it +would hardly do to tell her that, so she said, slowly: "I don't know +yet; how do you like me?"</p> + +<p>"Well, I think you're awfully pretty, to begin with."</p> + +<p>"So do I you," put in Dolly, glad to find a favourable report that she +could make truthfully.</p> + +<p>"Aren't we different," went on the other thoughtfully; "you're so blonde +and I'm so dark."</p> + +<p>"Yes; I just hate my hair,—towhead, Bert calls me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Who's Bert?"</p> + +<p>"He's my brother; he's away at school. He's seventeen years old." Dolly +spoke proudly, as if she had said, "he's captain of the Fleet."</p> + +<p>"Why, I've got a brother away at school, too."</p> + +<p>"Have you? What's his name?"</p> + +<p>"Bob; of course it's Robert, but we always call him Bob. He's eighteen."</p> + +<p>"What else have you got?"</p> + +<p>Dotty knew the question referred to family connections, and answered: "A +little sister, Genie, 'leven years old."</p> + +<p>"That all?"</p> + +<p>"Yep. 'Cept Aunt Clara, who lives with us, she's a widow. And of course, +Mother and Dad."</p> + +<p>"I've got a grown-up sister, Trudy. She's in s'ciety now, and she's +awful pretty."</p> + +<p>"Look like you?"</p> + +<p>"Some. But she's all fluffy-haired and dimply-smiled, you know."</p> + +<p>"What funny words you use."</p> + +<p>"Do I? Well, I only do when I can't think of the real ones. Are you +going to the Grammar School?"</p> + +<p>"Mother says it's too late to begin this year. Here it is May,—and it +closes in June. So she says for me to wait till next year."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p> + +<p>This was comforting. If the girl didn't go to school this year she +couldn't make any bother with the Closing Exercises. Beside, maybe she +was not such a dislikable girl as she had seemed at first. Dolly sat and +regarded her. At last she said: "Then the doll-carriage belongs to your +little sister."</p> + +<p>"To Genie, yes. How did you know she had one?"</p> + +<p>"Saw it come with your things, the day you moved in."</p> + +<p>"How old are you?"</p> + +<p>"Fourteen, but I'll be fifteen next month,—June."</p> + +<p>"Why, so will I! Isn't that funny! What day is your birthday?"</p> + +<p>"The tenth."</p> + +<p>"Mine's the twentieth. We're almost twins. And our names are quite +alike, too. Mine's Dorothy, really, but they all call me Dotty."</p> + +<p>"And mine's Dorinda, but I'm called Dolly."</p> + +<p>"And we both have brothers at school, and we each have a sister."</p> + +<p>"But mine is a big sister and yours is a little sister."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but we have as many differences as we have likenesses. You're so +fair, and—why, your name is Fayre!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dolly laughed. "Yes, and you're so rosy and your name is Rose!"</p> + +<p>"Dotty Rose and Dolly Fayre! We ought to be friends. Shall we?"</p> + +<p>Dolly hesitated. She was too honest to pretend to a liking she didn't +quite feel. She looked squarely at Dotty Rose, and said, +straightforwardly, "What made you scowl at me that first day you came?"</p> + +<p>"I didn't!" and Dotty Rose opened her brown eyes in astonishment.</p> + +<p>"Yes, you did; and you shook your head at me when I smiled to you. You +were sitting in a window, with your legs hanging out."</p> + +<p>"Sitting where! Oh, I remember! Why, I didn't scowl at <i>you</i>, it was +because Aunt Clara called me to come in out of that window. And I didn't +want to, so I scowled. I've a fearful temper. And then, she told me +again to come in, and I shook my head. I wasn't shaking it at <i>you</i>! +Why, I didn't know you then!"</p> + +<p>Dolly drew a long breath. "Then that's all right! I thought you scowled +because I smiled at you, and it made me mad. All right, I'll be friends +with you. I'd like to. I think you're real nice."</p> + +<p>"So do I you!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2> + +<h3>THE NEW ROOMS</h3> + +<p>In the cushioned swing on the Fayres' verandah the two girls sat.</p> + +<p>An artist would have stopped to admire the picture. Dorinda, her pink +and white face framed in its golden halo of curlilocks, her light blue +frock, neat and smooth, was calmly and daintily nibbling at a piece of +cake, catching the crumbs carefully as they fell.</p> + +<p>Beside her, Dorothy was rapidly munching her cake as she talked, and +letting the crumbs fall where they might. Her black hair framed her rosy +cheeks and her eyes snapped and sparkled as she gesticulated with both +hands. It was Dorothy's habit to emphasise her remarks with expressive +little motions, and her father often said that if her hands were tied +behind her, she couldn't say a word!</p> + +<p>Her pink lawn dress was rather tumbled by reason of her wriggling and +jumping about, but Dorothy's frocks were rarely unrumpled after she had +had them on ten minutes.</p> + +<p>"We've been friends more than a week now," she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> said, as she finished +her cake in one large bite and brushed a few stray bits out of her lap. +"And I think you're just fine! I'm <i>so</i> glad we came to live in Berwick. +I like you better than any girl I ever knew." Dotty spread her hands +wide as if embracing all the girls who had figured in her previous +existence. "Do you like me as much as that?"</p> + +<p>As she spoke, she touched her toes to the floor and sent the swing up in +the air with a mad jump.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" gasped Dolly, as her cake flew out of her hand; "how—how sudden +you are!"</p> + +<p>"Never mind! <i>Do</i> you like me as much as I like you?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," and Dolly looked thoughtful; "I like you, of course, but +I wish you'd sit stiller."</p> + +<p>"Can't; I'm always jumpy. But you <i>do</i> like me, don't you, Dollyrinda?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, but I can't hop into a liking the way you do. We're awfully +different, you know."</p> + +<p>"'Course we are! That's what makes us like each other. Just think, +Dolly, we'll be fifteen soon. Don't you think we ought to be called by +our full names and not Dolly and Dotty any more?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. Why?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, 'cause we're too big for baby names. I'm going to stop wearing +hair-ribbons."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You are! How ever will you keep your hair back? And you've such a lot +of it."</p> + +<p>"I know. So've you. Why, I'll just braid it, and let the end flutter. +But Mother says she won't let me till I'm sixteen. Well, we'll see. Do +you want to grow up, Doll?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know."</p> + +<p>"You don't know anything! I never saw such a girl! Well, what are you +going to do when you're fifteen?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't thought about it. Do I have to do anything different from +when I'm fourteen?"</p> + +<p>"You don't <i>have</i> to! But don't you <i>want</i> to? What do you want to be +when you're grown up?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>then</i>! Why, then I'm going to be an opera singer."</p> + +<p>"Can you sing?"</p> + +<p>"Not much yet. But Trudy says I have a nice voice and I'm going to +learn."</p> + +<p>"Pooh! I don't believe you'll ever sing in opera. I'm going to be an +actress."</p> + +<p>"Huh! Can you act?"</p> + +<p>"Not yet; but I'm going to learn." Dotty smiled as she realised that +their ambitions were at least equally promising. "Wouldn't it be fun if +we did both get to be famous! Me an actress and you a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> singeress. But I +may change my mind about mine. I do sometimes. Last winter I was crazy +to be a trained nurse; but Mother wouldn't let me."</p> + +<p>"Will she let you be an actress?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't asked her yet. There's no hurry. I couldn't begin to study +for it till I'm out of school. What are you going to get for your +birthday?"</p> + +<p>"I haven't decided yet. Mother said I could have my bedroom all done +over or have a gold watch."</p> + +<p>"Oh, have the room things. And I'll do the same! Do you know, when we +moved into our house, I took a room on the other side, but I'm going to +move across so I can be on this side toward you. And Mother is going to +have the room done up for me, and I'm to choose the things. So you do +that too, and we'll have 'em alike!"</p> + +<p>Dotty had jumped out of the swing in her excitement, and stood at one +side, her foot on the step, pushing it sideways.</p> + +<p>"Don't do that, Dot, you'll break the swing."</p> + +<p>"Well, will you? Will you choose the room fixings 'stead of the watch?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; I'll have to think."</p> + +<p>"Fiddlesticks! Don't think! Jump at it, and say yes!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I believe I'd rather, anyway; it would be fun to have our things alike. +I'll ask Mother."</p> + +<p>"But she said you could have your choice."</p> + +<p>"Yes, but of course, I'll talk it over with her. And Dotty, we don't +want the same coloured things, you know."</p> + +<p>"Why don't we?"</p> + +<p>"Why, because we're so different. What colour do you want?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've got it all picked out. I'm going to have rose and grey. It's +all the rage. Rose pink, you know, and French grey."</p> + +<p>"Well, I don't want that. I want pale green and white."</p> + +<p>"You do! Why rose and grey is ever so much more fashionable."</p> + +<p>"I don't care. I know what I want. Now, see here,— But do come and sit +down! Don't climb over the back of the swing!"</p> + +<p>Dotty jumped down from the back of the swing, and came around and seated +herself beside Dolly. For nearly five minutes she sat quietly while they +discussed the colours.</p> + +<p>"But, don't you see," said Dolly at last, "it will be nicer for us to +have our own colours and have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> the things alike. We can have just the +same shape furniture and everything, only each stick to our own colour."</p> + +<p>Dotty was persuaded, and they agreed that the two mothers could easily +be brought to see the beauty of their plans.</p> + +<p>And so it was. A neighbourly friendliness already existed between the +households, and as the two birthdays fell so near together, it seemed +fitting that the girls should have their gifts alike.</p> + +<p>So the paperhanger was visited and Dolly chose a lovely paper of striped +pattern, but all white; to be crowned with a border design of hanging +vines and leaves in shades of green.</p> + +<p>Dotty's paper was the same stripe, in soft greys; and her border was a +design of pink roses and rosebuds.</p> + +<p>Dolly's woodwork was to be painted white and Dotty's light grey.</p> + +<p>The two sets of furniture were exactly alike, except that one was +enamelled grey and one white.</p> + +<p>Each room had a bay window, and the window seats were cushioned in green +or rose, and the numerous pillows that graced them were of harmonious +colouring.</p> + +<p>The parents of the girls agreed that a fifteenth<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> birthday was a +memorable occasion, and one not likely to occur again, so they made the +furnishings of the two rooms complete to the smallest detail.</p> + +<p>Each had a large rug of plain velvet carpeting; Dotty's rose pink and +Dolly's moss green. Window curtains of Rajah silk fell over dainty white +ones, and pretty light-shades of green and pink, respectively, gave the +rooms a soft glow at night.</p> + +<p>Trudy contributed wonderful <i>filet</i> embroidered covers for +dressing-tables and stands, and dainty white couch pillows, with +monograms and ruffles.</p> + +<p>Dotty's Aunt Clara gave each of the girls a picture, which they were +allowed to choose for themselves. They took a whole afternoon for this, +and at last Dolly made up her mind to take "Sir Galahad," and Dotty +chose, after long deliberation, a stunning photograph of the "Winged +Victory."</p> + +<p>These, framed alike in dark, polished wood, were hung in similar +positions in the two rooms.</p> + +<p>Altogether, the rooms were delightful. It was hard to say which was +prettier, but each best suited its happy owner.</p> + +<p>There was quite a discussion as to when they would take possession, for +everything was in readiness by Dolly's birthday, which was on the tenth.</p> + +<p>"I'll tell you!" cried Dotty, with a sudden inspiration;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> "let's average +up! Dolly's birthday is the tenth and mine the twentieth. Let's +celebrate both on the fifteenth, that's half way between, and as we're +fifteen anyway, it makes it just right!"</p> + +<p>This was agreed to as a fine scheme, and then Mrs. Fayre electrified the +girls by proposing that they have a little party by way of further +celebration.</p> + +<p>"Together, of course," she said, smiling; "not in either house, but an +outdoor party, on the lawn, half-way between."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mumsie!" and Dolly clasped her hands in ecstatic joy at the +prospect.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Mrs. Fayre!" and Dotty flung her hands above her head, and danced +up and down the room where these plans were being talked over.</p> + +<p>They were in the Fayre house, having just come down from an inspection +of Dolly's room, and these inspections were of almost daily occurrence +and usually participated in by several members of both families.</p> + +<p>"Good idea!" said Mrs. Rose. "It will let Dotty get acquainted with the +young people here, and that's what I want. But let me make the party, +Mrs. Fayre, and you and Dolly invite the guests as we know so few people +as yet."</p> + +<p>"No; the party must be half and half as to responsibility<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> and expense. +If our two D's are to be so friendly, we must share and share alike in +their doings."</p> + +<p>So it was agreed, and as there was but a week in which to get ready, +plans were hurried through.</p> + +<p>They decided to ask thirty of the Berwick young people, fifteen girls +and fifteen boys.</p> + +<p>"I wish Bob could be home!" sighed Dotty; and Dolly echoed the wish for +her own brother. But the boys of the two families were deep in school +exams and could not think of coming home for a party.</p> + +<p>Of course the Fayres decided on the invitation list, but everything else +was mutually arranged.</p> + +<p>It was to be entirely a lawn party; first because that seemed +pleasanter, and too, because then, it could take place on the adjoining +lawns and so be the party of both.</p> + +<p>"Only,—if it rains!" said Dolly, with an anxious face.</p> + +<p>"It won't rain!" declared Dotty; "it <i>can't</i> rain on our double +birthday! It will be the beautifullest, clearest, sunshiniest day in the +world! I know it will!"</p> + +<p>The girls decided to sleep in their new rooms for the first time the +night before the party.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> + +<p>"For," said Dolly, shaking her head sagely, "the night after the party, +we'll be so tired and thinky about it, that we can't enjoy our rooms so +much."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Dotty, "I don't care. I'm crazy to get into mine; +the sooner the better, I say."</p> + +<p>The two girls had a birthday present for each other, and though they +didn't know it, the two mothers had planned these so they should be +alike.</p> + +<p>But they did know that the mothers had these gifts in readiness, and +that they would see them when they awoke on the birthday morning.</p> + +<p>By common consent the real birthdays were ignored, and the fifteenth of +June accepted as the right anniversary for both.</p> + +<p>Very formal were the rites preparatory to the occupancy of the new +rooms.</p> + +<p>Dotty had planned them and after some discussion Dolly had agreed.</p> + +<p>"You come over and wish me good-night in my room," Dotty said, "and then +I'll go over and wish you good-night in yours. And then, I'll go home +again, and when we're all ready for bed, we'll put out our lights and +stick our heads out of our windows and holler good-night across."</p> + +<p>"Somebody might hear us," objected Dolly.</p> + +<p>"Pooh! they won't. And what if they did?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> Neighbours have got a right to +say good-night to each other, I guess."</p> + +<p>"But that's disturbing the peace, or something like that."</p> + +<p>"Huh! the Peace must be awful easy disturbed! Well, you've got to do it, +anyhow."</p> + +<p>"I haven't got to, either! Not just 'cause <i>you</i> say so!"</p> + +<p>Dotty was beginning to learn that mild-mannered Dolly had a will of her +own, and she said, placatingly: "Well, what do you want to do, then?"</p> + +<p>"Let's do something like this. When we're all ready to hop into bed, +let's turn our lights up and down three times in succession; that'll +mean good-night."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, I see; now, listen! we'll do it separately. You flash first +and then I will; and after three flashes, we'll leave the lights out and +jump into bed at the same minute!"</p> + +<p>So it was settled, and the eventful occasion duly arrived.</p> + +<p>The girls' bedtime hour was nine o'clock, but some time before that they +were in their new rooms, enjoying their beauty and freshness.</p> + +<p>At quarter before nine, Dolly appeared at the Rose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> house, and said +solemnly, "I've come over to wish Dorothy good-night."</p> + +<p>"Come in," said Mrs. Rose, trying not to smile at the ceremonial visit. +"You'll find her in her room; go right up."</p> + +<p>Dolly went up, and found Dotty waiting for her.</p> + +<p>"<i>Isn't</i> it pretty!" Dolly exclaimed, seeing, as if for the first time +the beauties of the room. The bed was turned down, and a lovely new +nightdress, with a rose-coloured ribbon run through its lace edge, lay +in readiness for the sleeper.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's <i>lovely</i>!" returned Dotty; "I can hardly wait to go to bed! Go +on, say your piece."</p> + +<p>Dolly stood a minute, her hands clasped, her eyes wandering about with a +thoughtful far away gaze.</p> + +<p>"It's all gone," she said at last; "I can't remember it, only a line:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 19em;">"Sleep sweetly in this quiet room, oh, thou, whoe'er thou art;</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 19em;">Nor let a troublous something or other disturb thy peaceful heart.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>"Honest, that's all I can remember."</p> + +<p>"Well, that's enough. Thank you, sweet friend and playmate, now go I +with thee!"</p> + +<p>Grabbing Dolly by the arm, Dotty flew downstairs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> and across the lawn to +the other house; Dolly running by her side.</p> + +<p>Up to Dolly's new room they went.</p> + +<p>"Lovely!" exclaimed Dotty, as she saw almost the counterpart of her own +room, even to the new nightdress,—only Dolly's had a white ribbon.</p> + +<p>"You might have had green," said Dotty, doubtfully.</p> + +<p>"No, I don't like coloured ribbons in my underclothes. They're all right +for you," Dolly added politely, "but I never did like them."</p> + +<p>"Now I'll say <i>my</i> piece;" and Dotty bowed to her audience of one. "I +haven't forgotten it, but it's very short.</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 22em;">"Early to bed and early to rise</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 22em;">Makes a girl healthy and wealthy and wise.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>"Thank you, sweet friend and playmate, now go I with thee."</p> + +<p>"No; <i>you</i> don't say that! You've <i>been</i> with me. Now, I go home and we +both get ready for bed. When you're all ready, put out your light and—"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know."</p> + +<p>Dotty scampered downstairs and over home, and fairly flew up to her +room.</p> + +<p>In less than twenty minutes Dotty was all ready<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> for bed; she put out +her light, and throwing a dressing-gown over her nightdress, she sat in +the window, watching the light in Dolly's room.</p> + +<p>She waited and waited, but the light behind the pulled-down shade +remained.</p> + +<p>"H'm!" said Dotty to herself, yawning, "she is the <i>slowest</i> thing! I +could have undressed twice in this time!"</p> + +<p>But at last, Dolly's light went out, and her shade was slowly raised.</p> + +<p>Then, according to their plan, Dotty flashed her light on and off again. +Dolly's light repeated this manœuvre. Then Dotty did it again, and +then Dolly did. The third time the flashes came and went, and then all +ceremonies over, the two girls went to their new pretty, inviting beds, +and were very soon asleep.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2> + +<h3>THE BIRTHDAY MORNING</h3> + +<p>Dotty Rose woke early next morning, and, wide-awake on the instant, +sprang from her bed and flew to the window. But she could see nothing of +Dolly. The white shades were down and there was no sign of any one +stirring. Dotty turned back and began anew to look at her pretty +belongings. On the dressing-table she spied something she had not seen +there the night before. It was a lovely picture of Dolly in a beautiful +silver frame. Dotty laughed outright, for that was exactly what she had +given Dolly! A silver frame with her own picture in it. The two mothers +had been in the secret, and had seen to it that the frames were alike, +but neither of the girls knew that her gift was to be duplicated.</p> + +<p>It was a perfect likeness, showing Dolly at her best; a dreamy +expression on her sweet face, and her soft hair in little waves at her +temples, and drawn back by an enormous ribbon bow.</p> + +<p>It was almost too early to get dressed, so Dotty slipped on a +dressing-gown and bedroom slippers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> and dawdled about, keeping a watch +on the Fayre house, in hopes Dolly's shades would fly up.</p> + +<p>Soon her little sister Eugenia came bounding in. She, too, was in a +kimono and she gave a jump and landed with a spring in the middle of +Dotty's carefully arranged couch pillows.</p> + +<p>"Genie!" cried her sister, "get off of there!"</p> + +<p>"Won't!" and Genie bounced up and down on the springs of the couch.</p> + +<p>"Get off, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>"Won't, I tell you!"</p> + +<p>It <i>was</i> trying, for the pretty pillows with their snowy white +embroidered covers were rumpled and tossed by Genie's mischievous play.</p> + +<p>"Genie Rose! You go right straight out of my room! You're a naughty +little girl and you're spoiling my birthday things!"</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 27em;">"Dorothy Rose,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 27em;">With a pug nose!"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>chanted Genie, with the amiable intention of teasing her sister beyond +endurance.</p> + +<p>And she did, for Dotty flung back:</p> + +<p> +<span style="margin-left: 27em;">"Genie, Genie,</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 27em;">You're a meany!"</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>and then she grabbed her and pulled her off the pillows and pushed her +out of the room and locked the door.</p> + +<p>"It's a shame!" and poor Dotty nearly cried to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> see the havoc naughty +little Genie had wrought. One pillow cover was torn and another had a +black mark from the sole of Genie's slipper.</p> + +<p>She heard a tap at the door, and her mother's voice said, "Let me in, +Dotty, dear."</p> + +<p>Dotty opened the door, and exclaimed: "Mother! Isn't Genie the bad +little thing! Look at my pretty pillows!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, what a shame! Why <i>do</i> you two children quarrel so?"</p> + +<p>"We didn't quarrel. Genie did it on purpose."</p> + +<p>"But why can't you be loving, kind little sisters? You're always teasing +each other."</p> + +<p>"But I didn't tease her, Mother."</p> + +<p>"Well, you usually do. Now, Dotty, can't you make a birthday resolution +to be more patient with Genie? Remember she's only a little girl, while +you're getting grown up. Fifteen is almost a young lady, and you should +be kind and gentle with everybody."</p> + +<p>"I s'pose I ought," and Dorothy sighed; "but it's hard to have my +birthday things upset. Aren't you going to punish her, Mother?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; she didn't mean to be naughty. She was only mischievous. I'll +mend your pillow, and the soiled one can be laundered."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dotty's anger was always quick to come and quick to go, and she smiled +brightly, as she said, "all right. I'll forgive her this time, but she's +got to stop that kind of teasing."</p> + +<p>"I'll speak to her," said easy-going Mrs. Rose; "how do you like Dolly's +picture?"</p> + +<p>"Lovely, isn't it? Did you and Mrs. Fayre know about the frames?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; and we wanted them to be alike; but I had to urge you to take this +instead of that other pattern. Remember?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," and Dotty smiled to think how determined she had been in +the matter, but had at last yielded to her mother's judgment.</p> + +<p>"Oh, there's Dolly!" she cried, as she saw the shade go up in the +opposite window. "Hello. Happy Birthday!" she called out.</p> + +<p>Dolly returned the greeting, and the two girls waved their respective +photographs at each other, and then both began to get dressed.</p> + +<p>Dolly, too, had a morning visit from her sister.</p> + +<p>Trudy looked in on her way down to breakfast.</p> + +<p>"Happy Birthday, Doll!" she said; "shall I tie your hair-ribbon?"</p> + +<p>She stepped into the new room, and while tying the big bow, looked +around admiringly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You're a lucky little kiddy to have such a lovely room. It's prettier +than mine."</p> + +<p>"I know it is, Trudy," and Dolly looked regretful. "I'll change with +you, if you like. I think as you're the oldest you ought to have the +prettiest room."</p> + +<p>"Not at all, you little goosy!" and Trudy kissed the troubled face. +"This is your fifteenth birthday, and I'm glad you have such a beautiful +gift to remember it by."</p> + +<p>With their arms around each other, the two girls went downstairs.</p> + +<p>"Whoop-de-doo! Dollykins," cried her father, throwing down his paper; +"why, you don't look a bit different from when you were fourteen! I +thought you'd be a foot taller, at least!"</p> + +<p>"I don't feel any taller or any older, Father; and I don't s'pose I'll +act so. But Mumsie, mayn't I stop wearing hair-ribbons? Dotty's going +to."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?" and Mrs. Fayre looked quizzical, for she had discussed +this weighty matter with Mrs. Rose.</p> + +<p>"No, not sure; but Dotty's going to ask her mother and she thinks she +can make her say yes."</p> + +<p>"Well, let's wait and see what Mrs. Rose does say," and Mrs. Fayre took +her place at the breakfast table.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It seems funny not to have a lot of presents at your place, Doll," said +Trudy, smiling.</p> + +<p>"That's all right," and Dolly returned the smile; "I agreed that my room +fixings were to take the place of all other presents."</p> + +<p>"And then you have the party, you know," said her father. "Mr. Rose has +a delightful surprise for it, and when I come home this afternoon I'll +bring something to add to the gaiety of nations."</p> + +<p>"Oh, Father, what?"</p> + +<p>"Never you mind, curiosity-box! You'll see soon enough."</p> + +<p>"Will you come home early, Father?"</p> + +<p>"As early as I can. By five, surely."</p> + +<p>After breakfast, the two heroines of the occasion went out to their +respective side verandahs, and the usual morning programme was carried +out.</p> + +<p>Each frantically waved her hand to the other, calling, "Come over!"</p> + +<p>Then each vigorously shook her head, shouting: "No, you come over here!"</p> + +<p>"No, you!"</p> + +<p>"No, you!"</p> + +<p>Then Dolly, coaxingly, "Aw, come on,—come on over."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then Dotty, positively, "No, sir! it's your turn. Come on over here."</p> + +<p>With slight variations this dialogue was repeated every morning. Not +that either cared much which went to the other's house, but it was one +of their habits. Perhaps Dolly oftenest gave in, and on this birthday +morning, the colloquy was short before she ran across the grass and the +two friends sat in the Roses' hammock, swinging vigorously as they +talked.</p> + +<p>"How'd you like my present to you?" asked Dotty, with twinkling eyes.</p> + +<p>"Lovely!" and Dolly smiled back. "How'd you like mine to you?"</p> + +<p>"Beautiful! Truly, Dollyrinda, I'm awful glad to have that picture of +you."</p> + +<p>"So am I of you. Did you get any plate presents?"</p> + +<p>"No; I didn't expect any. All the family gave me things for my room, you +know. Bob sent me a dear little clock."</p> + +<p>"How nice; Bert sent me a pair of candlesticks,—glass ones,—they're +awfully pretty."</p> + +<p>"Isn't it funny we don't know each other's brothers."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We will soon, though. Bert is coming home in about two weeks."</p> + +<p>"Yes, so is Bob. As soon as school closes. Oh, here come the men to put +up the tent! Let's go and watch them."</p> + +<p>Dolly had been allowed to stay at home from school for the day, and the +two girls, followed by Genie, ran out on the lawn to see what was going +on.</p> + +<p>In order to make the party a truly joint affair, it had been decided to +set up a tent on the lawn exactly midway between the two houses, for the +party supper. It was a large tent, and gay with red trimmings and flags. +Inside, tables were set up, and the maids from both houses brought out +plates and glasses in abundance.</p> + +<p>"Oh, isn't it just <i>grand</i>!" exclaimed Dotty, seizing Dolly round the +waist and making her dance about the lawn.</p> + +<p>"Lovely; but don't rumple me so, Dotty! This is a clean frock."</p> + +<p>"Oh, what an old fuss you are! Always thinking about your clothes!"</p> + +<p>"I am not, any such thing! But what's the use of spoiling a clean dress +the minute you put it on?"</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll keep away from you, if you're so afraid I'll muss you +up! Proudy!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> + +<p>For some unknown reason, this epithet was the most scathing in the +girls' vocabulary, and either was quick to resent it.</p> + +<p>"I am not a Proudy! And you'd look nicer if you took a little better +care of your own clothes,—so there now!"</p> + +<p>"My clothes are all right! They're as good as yours! I wish we didn't +have a birthday together!"</p> + +<p>Dotty flounced away, and Dolly walked home with an exaggerated dignity.</p> + +<p>These little quarrels were very silly; but they often occurred between +these two who were really good friends, but who sometimes acted very +foolishly.</p> + +<p>Dolly went in her own house, and as she ran upstairs, she sang so very +gaily, that Mrs. Fayre looked at Trudy, and said, "Another fuss!"</p> + +<p>"Yes," and Trudy sighed. "I don't know as Dotty Rose is a very good +friend for Dolly; they quarrel a lot."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, they get over it right away. I think it is good for Dolly to +have some one to stir her up now and then. She's naturally so meek and +mild."</p> + +<p>"Well, Dotty Rose stirs her up, all right!" and Trudy laughed.</p> + +<p>It was about half an hour later, that Genie Rose appeared before Mrs. +Fayre.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where's Dolly?" she demanded.</p> + +<p>"Can't you speak a little more politely, Genie?" and Mrs. Fayre smiled +pleasantly at the child.</p> + +<p>"You ain't my mother to tell me what to say!"</p> + +<p>"No; but this is my house and I like to have little girls act nicely +here, especially as I know that you have better manners if you choose to +use them."</p> + +<p>Genie thought a moment, digging her toe into the rug, and at last said:</p> + +<p>"Good-morning, Mrs. Fayre. Please may I see Dolly?"</p> + +<p>"Why, what a little lady! Yes, indeed; you will find her in her room. Go +right up, Genie, dear."</p> + +<p>The child trudged upstairs, and entered Dolly's room.</p> + +<p>"What do you want?" and Dolly, with suspiciously bright eyes, looked up +from the book she was pretending to read.</p> + +<p>"You're not so awful polite, either," and Genie's big, black eyes looked +sharply at Dolly. "But never mind. I've come over to tell you that Dot's +cryin' about you."</p> + +<p>"Did she tell you to come?"</p> + +<p>"Nope. She don't know I'm here. But I think you're two sillies to spoil +your nice birthday by crying about each other."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm not crying!"</p> + +<p>"Well, you have been. I can see the cry-marks in your eyes. Nice blue +eyes. C'mon over and make up."</p> + +<p>"Get Dotty to come over here and make up."</p> + +<p>"She won't come."</p> + +<p>"Have you asked her?"</p> + +<p>"No, but I just know she won't. So let's don't ask her, and you come +over there."</p> + +<p>"You're a funny little thing, Genie! You know a lot, don't you?"</p> + +<p>"'Course I do. Come on, Dolly," and the child pulled at Doily's sleeve.</p> + +<p>"All right, I will," and the two went together over to the Rose house.</p> + +<p>Dotty in her room, heard Dolly's voice below stairs and came running +down. Her anger was all past, and she was more than ready to be friends +again.</p> + +<p>"Let's go out and see the tent," said Dolly, as the two met in the hall.</p> + +<p>"All right, let's," and out they went.</p> + +<p>"Did you fix it up, Genie?" said her mother, who had pretty much known +what was going on.</p> + +<p>"Yes'm, I fixed it up," and Genie ran after the black puppy, who with +judicial foresight was running away from her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Tell me about the people who are coming, Dolly," said Dotty. "Who are +the nicest ones?"</p> + +<p>"You may not like the same ones I do; but Clara Ferris is my most +intimate friend of the lot."</p> + +<p>"As intimate as I am?"</p> + +<p>"Well, of course, I've known her so much longer, you see, she seems more +intimate."</p> + +<p>"But we're sort of twins, you know."</p> + +<p>"Only sort of; we're not really. Well, anyway, there's Celia and then +there's Maisie May."</p> + +<p>"Maisie May! What a funny name!"</p> + +<p>"Well, it's her name all the same. And the two Rawlins girls, Grace and +Ethel."</p> + +<p>"Are they nice?"</p> + +<p>"Lovely. They live on the next block below us. Their brother is coming, +too. Clayton, his name is."</p> + +<p>"What other boys?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Reggie Stuart and Lollie Henry—"</p> + +<p>"Lollie! What a ridiculous name for a boy!"</p> + +<p>"His real name is Lorillard. He's an awfully nice boy. He plays the +cornet in school sometimes for us to march by. Then there's Joe Collins. +He's the funniest thing! Makes you laugh all the time. And a lot of +others; I can't tell you about all of them."</p> + +<p>"Never mind; I'll catch onto them as they come. Do you think they'll +like me, Dolly?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course they will; why wouldn't they?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know; but with such a lot of them, I feel kind of shy."</p> + +<p>"Pooh; Dot Rose, you couldn't be shy if you tried!"</p> + +<p>"It isn't shy, exactly; but I'm afraid they won't think I'm nice."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, they will; don't be silly. Anyway, some of them will. And +maybe you won't like all of them. Everybody can't like everybody,—you +know."</p> + +<p>"No, I s'pose not. What do we do? Stand up to receive them?"</p> + +<p>"Of course! Did you think we sat down? Haven't you ever had a party?"</p> + +<p>"Not such a big one."</p> + +<p>"Well, I've had lots of 'em. We stand side by side, and I'll introduce +everybody to you. Of course, Mumsie and Trude will be around, and your +mother and your aunt,—won't they? Don't try to remember all their +names, 'cause you can't, and you can pick them up later."</p> + +<p>"What a lot you know!" and Dotty looked at Dolly with a thoughtful +admiration.</p> + +<p>"I know why," said Dolly, with a sudden flash of enlightenment; "it's +'cause I have an older sister. Trudy is 'out,' you know, and I'm sort of +accustomed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> to comp'ny; but you have a <i>little</i> sister, so you haven't +had so much experience."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's it," and Dotty comprehended. "All right, you can show me, +and I'll do whatever you say."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2> + +<h3>THE DOUBLE PARTY</h3> + +<p>The party was from four to seven. Before the hour the girls were in +readiness and waiting on the lawn, midway between the two houses, to +receive their guests.</p> + +<p>Dolly Fayre wore a white organdie, all lacy with little ruffles and a +light blue sash with blue silk stockings and white slippers.</p> + +<p>Dotty Rose had on a lovely white voile with pink ribbons and pink +stockings.</p> + +<p>Both girls wore their hair in a long loose braid, with a big ribbon at +the top of the braid.</p> + +<p>"Didn't leave off hair-ribbons, did you?" said Dolly, smiling.</p> + +<p>"No, Mother wouldn't hear of it. She says we ought to wear them until +we're sixteen, anyway."</p> + +<p>"I don't care much, do you?"</p> + +<p>"No; only I'd rather leave them off. It didn't rain, you see."</p> + +<p>"I should say not! It's a perfect day. Did you put a pink ribbon on +Blot?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, he looks lovely! Oh, here's Flossy, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> her blue bow. If they'll +only behave themselves!"</p> + +<p>The puppy and the kitten had become fairly good friends, by reason of +their two young mistresses' training; and frequently met without +fighting, though this was not to be depended on.</p> + +<p>"Oh, here comes somebody, Dolly! I feel as if I should run away!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Dot! don't be silly! It's only Joe Collins. Hello, Joe; this +is my new friend, Dorothy Rose. It's her party, same as mine."</p> + +<p>Joe was far from bashful. "Hay-o, Dorothy," he said, gaily. "Aren't you +afraid you'll get off the line? My, but you girls are particular to +stand just so!"</p> + +<p>Dorothy flashed a smile at him. Somehow her shyness vanished, and she +replied, "Oh, we only stood that way, waiting for somebody to come. Now, +we can move around," and she took a few jumpy skips around the lawn. "Do +you live near here?" she went on, by way of conversation.</p> + +<p>"Couple o' blocks away. Hope we'll be friends."</p> + +<p>"'Course we will. And I've got a brother about your size; you'll like +him."</p> + +<p>"Is he here?"</p> + +<p>"No; he's away at school. Be home in about two weeks. Come and see him +then."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will. Here come the Brown twins. Know 'em?"</p> + +<p>"No, I don't know anybody. My! Aren't they alike?"</p> + +<p>They certainly were, and when Dolly introduced Tod and Tad Brown, Dotty +frankly stared at them.</p> + +<p>"I never saw such twinsy twins before," she said; "do you know +yourselves apart?"</p> + +<p>"Not always," replied one of them. "But I think I'm Tod, and my brother +is Tad. Of course our Sunday names are Todhunter and Tadema, but Tod and +Tad are much better for every day use."</p> + +<p>Then some girls came; Clara Ferris was among the first; and then Grace +and Ethel Rawlins, and Maisie May.</p> + +<p>Dotty took a quick liking to the last named, for she was a bright, +pretty girl who seemed eager to be friends.</p> + +<p>Clayton Rawlins came too, and Lollie Henry, and then they came in such +numbers that Dotty couldn't catch all the names nor remember those she +did catch.</p> + +<p>The girls had laid off their hats and wraps in the Fayre house, and the +boys in the Rose house, as every means was used to have the party +equally divided.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p> + +<p>At first they played games. The Fayres had a tennis court, and the Roses +a croquet ground. Also, Mr. Rose had contributed as his "surprise" to +the party a set of Lawn Bowls. This was a new sport to many of them and +all liked it, and took turns at the bowling. Others wandered about the +grounds or sat in the swings and hammocks, and at five o'clock they were +called to supper.</p> + +<p>Little tables had been placed on the lawn and four or six young people +were seated at each. Then the good things were brought to them. Bouillon +and tiny sandwiches, ices, cakes, jellies, bon-bons, everything that +goes to make a delightful party supper.</p> + +<p>The two hostesses did not sit together, and Dotty found herself with +Clara Ferris, Joe Collins and one of the Brown twins.</p> + +<p>"How do you like Berwick?" asked Tad Brown, as he finished his bouillon.</p> + +<p>"Ever so much!" returned Dotty enthusiastically; "and now I'm acquainted +with so many people I shall like it better than ever."</p> + +<p>"Aren't you coming to school?"</p> + +<p>"Not this term. It's so near closing, and Mother says next year I can go +right into High School with Dolly Fayre."</p> + +<p>"We'll all be in High next year," said Clara.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> "We're all in the same +grade, you know. But I wish you would come to school now, and be in the +Closing Exercises. We need more girls."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, for the tableaux and things. We have a splendid program. Haven't +we, Tad?"</p> + +<p>"How do you know he's Tad?" asked Dotty, laughing.</p> + +<p>"I asked him," returned Clara. "It's the only way. Nobody can tell 'em +apart."</p> + +<p>"'Cept Mother," said Tad, grinning. "She never makes a mistake. But the +teachers can't tell. I get kept in if Tod misses his lessons, and he +gets marked if I'm late."</p> + +<p>"Don't you mind?"</p> + +<p>"No; 'cause it evens up in the long run. Tod's better-natured than I am, +but I'm prettier."</p> + +<p>"Why, how can you be?" cried Dotty; "you're exactly alike."</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>I</i> can see it! I'm <i>much</i> better-looking." Tad's honest, round, +freckled face was winsome but not handsome, and the girls laughed at +this make-believe vanity.</p> + +<p>Dolly was at a table with the other Brown boy and Grace Rawlins and +Lollie Henry.</p> + +<p>"Dotty Rose is pretty, isn't she?" said Grace.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Awfully pretty," agreed Dolly, "and a nice girl, too. I like her lots."</p> + +<p>"Some looker!" declared Lollie Henry, gazing with admiration over at +Dotty, who was laughing merrily.</p> + +<p>"She's my sister," put in Genie, who was a restless spirit, and having +finished her supper, was roaming around among the tables talking to +different ones.</p> + +<p>"So she is," and Dolly patted the glossy, black curls.</p> + +<p>"Looks like a spitfire, though, if she should get mad," commented Tod +Brown, who was an outspoken boy.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't think so," returned Dolly; and then she remembered the few +trifling quarrels they had already had. "No," she went on, "Dotty isn't +a spitfire; but when she gets mad she just flounces off and gets over +it."</p> + +<p>"Just like a girl!" said Tod; "why don't you have it out, and done with +it?"</p> + +<p>"That's what Bert always says," and Dolly laughed. "I guess girls and +boys are different about such things."</p> + +<p>"I guess they are," said Grace, looking rueful. "Maisie May and I have +been 'mad' for two weeks now."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, how silly!" exclaimed Lollie Henry. "I'm going to get you two girls +together and make you make up!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, let's," said Tad; "come on now; I've finished my ice cream, +haven't you, Dolly?"</p> + +<p>They all had, and they followed Tad, who was ringleader in this game. +The others had mostly risen from the tables, and Tad told Dolly to get +Maisie and bring her over to their group.</p> + +<p>Grace Rawlins looked a little uncertain. She honestly wanted to be +friends with Maisie but she was not sure she liked the way it was being +brought about.</p> + +<p>Dolly came back, arm in arm with Maisie.</p> + +<p>The two boys stood in front of Grace until the girls came up, and then +Tad, whisking aside, said, with a low bow: "Miss Maisie May, I want to +make you acquainted with Miss Grace Rawlins, the nicest girl in Berwick, +except the rest of them."</p> + +<p>Maisie coloured and looked half-angry, half-amused, and Tad went on: "I +see by the papers that you two girls don't know each other to speak to, +so Dolly Fayre and us two boys are a committee of three to see that you +become acquainted immediately if not sooner. You two will therefore now +greet each other with a nice, sweet kiss."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> + +<p>Tad's manner was so funny and so like a kindly old gentleman, that the +girls had to laugh.</p> + +<p>But though Grace looked willing to obey the order, Maisie did not.</p> + +<p>"Don't be silly, Tad," she said; "I guess you don't know what Grace said +about me, or you wouldn't ask me to kiss her!"</p> + +<p>"Tell me," said Tad, with the air of an impartial judge, "and I and my +wise colleague, Mr. Lorillard Henry, will size up the case and pronounce +judgment."</p> + +<p>"Why, she said I was the meanest girl in Berwick, because I wouldn't +tell her the answer to an algebra example. And I couldn't, because Miss +Haskell had made us all promise not to tell the answers to anybody—she +wanted everybody to do them without help."</p> + +<p>"Seems to me you did the right thing," and Tad looked at Grace.</p> + +<p>"I didn't know that," said Grace. "I wasn't at school the day Miss +Haskell said that."</p> + +<p>"Then you couldn't be expected to know," said Tad; "now, it's just as I +said, a boy would fight it out with another boy, and he might punch his +head, but the matter would be understood and straightened out, and not +sulk for two weeks over it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I didn't sulk," said Grace.</p> + +<p>"Well, you two sillies didn't speak to each other,—it's about the same +thing. <i>Now</i> will you be good! Will you kiss and make up?"</p> + +<p>"I will," said Maisie May, heartily, and she flung her arms round Grace, +and gave her a most friendly kiss, which was as heartily returned.</p> + +<p>"Bless you, my children!" said Tad, dramatically. "Now don't let me hear +of your quarrelling again! Are you mad at anybody, Dolly?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, thank you; but if I am, at any time, I'll come to you for a +peacemaker."</p> + +<p>"Oh, <i>look</i> who's here!" cried Lollie, spying a strange figure walking +across the lawn.</p> + +<p>The group joined the others and found themselves invited to take a seat +in the rows of chairs which were lined up in front of an +interesting-looking table.</p> + +<p>They did so, and soon all present were seated in breathless anticipation +of what might happen.</p> + +<p>The tea tables had been whisked away, and at the door of the tent the +stranger stood,—a table in front of him.</p> + +<p>He was a magician, and the tricks he did held his young auditors +spellbound.</p> + +<p>Turning back his coat sleeves to prove he was concealing nothing, he +would take a large sheet of white<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> paper, and with a swift movement +twirl it round into a cornucopia. This was, of course, empty, and +shaking it about to prove its emptiness, he then held it upright, and +invited Dolly to look into it. But he held it so high, that she had to +stand on tiptoe to peep in. However, she caught a glimpse, and it seemed +to her there were pink flowers in it.</p> + +<p>Then the magician asked Dotty to peep in. She peered over the edge, and +just as she exclaimed, "Why, it's full of flowers!" he overturned it on +her head, and she was showered with lovely pink rosebuds made of tissue +paper!</p> + +<p>"Where did they come from?" cried everybody, as they scrambled to pick +them up. "The cone was empty! Where did he get them?"</p> + +<p>But the magician only smiled, and went on with his other tricks.</p> + +<p>"Has any one a gold watch?" he asked.</p> + +<p>Not many of the boys had gold watches, but Lollie Henry exhibited with +pride one that his grandfather had given him on his birthday.</p> + +<p>"May I borrow it?" said the magician; "ah, thank you," and he took it +before Lollie had really consented.</p> + +<p>"Now, a silk hat. Much obliged, sir," as Mr. Fayre provided the hat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, my young friends, we'll make an omelet. Two eggs, +somebody,—please?"</p> + +<p>Nobody had any eggs, and the magician seemed nonplussed. "What, no eggs +in all this well-dressed crowd? Incredible! Ah, come here, little girl!" +He caught Genie, who was running about. "Why, here is an egg in the big +bow of your hair-ribbon! And here is another in the other bow! What a +strange place to carry eggs! Did Mother send you to the store for them?"</p> + +<p>"No, sir," said Genie, looking in amazement at the unmistakable eggs the +man had evidently found in her ribbon. "I should think they would have +dropped out sooner!"</p> + +<p>"I should think so too," returned the magician; "lucky for me they +didn't, or I could not have made the nice omelet I'm about to concoct."</p> + +<p>He set the silk hat on the table, laid the watch and eggs beside it, and +then called for a cup of milk.</p> + +<p>Somehow or other Mrs. Fayre had that all ready and handed it to him with +a smile.</p> + +<p>"Good!" said the magician; "now we'll to work! I suppose many of you +girls know how to make an omelet, so you must look sharp and see that I +do it right. First, we'll break the eggs and whisk them up."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> + +<p>He broke the eggs right into the silk hat, and stirred them with a fork +and then poured in the milk slowly, stirring all the time.</p> + +<p>"Something else goes to an omelet," he said, trying to think; "ah, yes, +some sort of an herb. Ah, I have it! Thyme! Well, well, Mr. Fayre, do +you raise thyme in your kitchen garden? No? What a pity! But, luckily, I +have time right here!" He took up Lollie's watch. "Ah, just, the thing!"</p> + +<p>He threw the watch in the hat, and began to beat it with his heavy fork.</p> + +<p>He looked anxiously in the hat. "Wants to be crushed," he said; "can't +get the flavour of time unless it's crushed. Ah, here we are!" and he +picked up a kitchen poker that had appeared from nowhere in particular.</p> + +<p>With that he beat and pounded and banged the watch, and then with a big +spoon, he dipped up spoonfuls of the mixture and let it run back into +the hat. The children could distinctly see the bits of brass or steel +wheels and springs, and even fragments of the gold case.</p> + +<p>Lollie looked a little sober, but said no word of fear for his watch's +safety.</p> + +<p>"Now, we'll cook it," said the magician, and he poured the "omelet" into +a bright, clean frying-pan.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Where's the fire?" he asked, holding the pan high aloft, and looking +all about.</p> + +<p>"There isn't any," said Mr. Fayre; "you didn't tell me to provide a +fire."</p> + +<p>"You should have known enough for that!" shouted the magician, as if in +anger. "Well, as we have no fire, of course, we can't make our omelet. +So take back your things."</p> + +<p>From the frying-pan he poured a cup of clear milk, which he gave to Mrs. +Fayre. Then he took out of the same pan two eggs, which he handed to +Genie, intact and unbroken. Then he hesitated, saying, "What else did I +borrow?"</p> + +<p>"A watch!" "A gold watch!" cried a dozen voices.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, to be sure!" and the magician, smiling, passed the pan to +Lollie, and there on its clean, shining surface, lay the gold watch, +absolutely unharmed.</p> + +<p>Such a clapping of applause! for many of the young audience had been +forced to believe that the watch was utterly ruined.</p> + +<p>That closed the entertainment, and soon after that the young guests went +home.</p> + +<p>"How do you s'pose he did it?" Dolly asked of Dotty, as they sat in the +swing, talking over the party.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, it's easy enough," returned Dotty. "They don't really break up the +watch, you know."</p> + +<p>"Of course I know that! But how <i>do</i> they do it? What becomes of the +broken eggs and all?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but I've seen magic tricks before and they always bring +everything out right somehow!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2> + +<h3>ROLLER SKATING</h3> + +<p>The day after the party the two girls sat as usual in the big swing +talking things over.</p> + +<p>"I like that boy with the funny name," said Dotty; "the one they call +Lollie. Such a silly name for a boy!"</p> + +<p>"Yes; such a dignified name as Lorillard ought not to have such a silly +nickname. But he's always called Lollie. He is a nice boy, but I like +Joe Collins better."</p> + +<p>"Yes, he's funny and makes you laugh all the time. But those twin boys +are the nicest of all. What funny names they all have. Tod and Tad!"</p> + +<p>"How do you like the girls?"</p> + +<p>"The Rawlins girls are nice and Celia Ferris. But I like you best, +Dolly, and except for parties I don't care so much about a crowd. Let's +go roller skating."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; let's sit here and swing; it's too hot to skate."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw! come on. You're too lazy for anything.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> You just sit around and +do nothing and that's what makes you so fat. Get your skates and I'll +race you around the block. Really, Doll, you ought to take more exercise +or you'll get terribly fat."</p> + +<p>"Well, you'd better not take so much then, for you're as thin as a +ping-wing now!"</p> + +<p>"What's a ping-wing?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know, but it's the thinnest thing there is. All right, I'll +skate around the block once or twice, and then we'll go and see if there +are any little cakes left over from yesterday."</p> + +<p>In a short time the two girls had their skates on and started to roll +along the smooth, wide pavements of Summit Avenue.</p> + +<p>"Let's do this," proposed Dotty. "Start right here in front of our +house; you go one way and I the other round the whole block and see if +we can come back and meet right straight here."</p> + +<p>"All right, but I know I can't go as fast as you do. You skate like a +streak of lightning."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll go sort of slow for me, and you go as swift as you can, and +let's try to come together right here."</p> + +<p>The two girls started in opposite directions, and turned their +respective corners on their way around the block. In due time they +passed each other in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> street back of their own, and Dotty nodded +approval as she saw they were about half way round. They didn't pause to +exchange any words but, waving their hands, went on their way and +rounded again on Summit Avenue.</p> + +<p>As they saw each other approach, they regulated their speed in a careful +attempt to meet exactly where they had started. Dotty had to curb her +speed and go a little more slowly or she would be ahead of time. But +Dolly saw that it would take a pretty strong spurt for her to reach the +goal, so when they were about ten feet apart Dolly made a special effort +and put all her strength into a last grand dash. Dotty hadn't looked for +this and as she rolled rather slowly to the appointed place Dolly came +along and with a fell swoop, unable to control her direction, she +crashed right into Dotty and the two girls went down in a heap. The +impact was so sudden and unexpected that neither had a chance to save +herself in any way and there was a tangle of waving arms and legs, and +skate-rollers as the crash occurred.</p> + +<p>"I've broken myself," Dolly announced calmly, though her voice sounded +dazed and queer. Dotty opened her mouth to speak but changed her mind +and gave voice to the wildest kind of a shriek. She followed this up +with several others of increasing force<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> and volume and looked at Dolly, +wondering why she didn't yell too. But the reason was that Dolly had +fainted and the white face and closed eyes of her friend made Dotty +scream louder than ever.</p> + +<p>Various members of the two families ran to the scene, as well as several +neighbours.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fayre and Mrs. Rose looked on somewhat helplessly at the two girls, +but Aunt Clara went at once at the rescue. She and Trudy lifted Dotty to +her feet and found she could stand.</p> + +<p>"Try to stop screaming, dearie," said Aunt Clara, "and tell me where +you're hurt."</p> + +<p>"I don't know," cried Dotty; "I don't know and I don't care! But Dolly +is dead! My Dolly, my own Dollyrinda is dead! And it's all my fault +'cause I made her go skating, and my arm hurts awful! Ow!"</p> + +<p>"Her arm is broken," said Mrs. Bayliss, gently lifting Dotty's right +hand, which caused more piercing shrieks. "What shall we do? Somebody +call a doctor quick!"</p> + +<p>Meanwhile the strong arms of a neighbour's gardener had lifted Dolly and +was carrying her toward her own home.</p> + +<p>"It's her leg that's bruk," he said, holding her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> as gently as possible. +"It's good luck she fainted; she'll come round all right, but she's bruk +a bone, the poor dear."</p> + +<p>It seemed ages to the anxious mothers and friends, but it was really +only a short time before doctors arrived and the two little sufferers +were put to bed and their injuries attended to.</p> + +<p>Sure enough Dolly's leg was broken, and Dotty had a fractured arm.</p> + +<p>Both houses were in a tumult of confusion as surgeons and nurses took +possession and bones were set and splints and bandages applied.</p> + +<p>Dolly Fayre took it quietly and seemed almost awestricken, when at last +she realised that she was in her bed to stay for several weeks.</p> + +<p>"But it doesn't hurt much," she said wonderingly to Trudy. "Why does it +take so long to get well?"</p> + +<p>"Because the bone has to knit, dear, and that is a slow process. I'm +glad it doesn't hurt, but it may at times. The worst, though, is that +you will get very tired lying still so long. But I know what a brave +little girl you are, and we will all do all we can to help and amuse +you."</p> + +<p>"Did Dotty break anything?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, she broke her left arm. That is not as bad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> as your breaking your +leg, for she can walk about sooner than you can. But hers is more +painful, so there's small choice in the two accidents."</p> + +<p>"Is she yelling like fury?" inquired Dolly, who herself lay placid and +white-faced, though her blue eyes showed the strain she had undergone.</p> + +<p>"Yes, she is," and Trudy smiled a little. "You two children are so +different. I wish you would yell a little and not look so patiently +miserable."</p> + +<p>"What's Dolly yelling about? Because she hurts so?"</p> + +<p>"Partly that; and partly because she's blaming herself for the whole +thing."</p> + +<p>"How ridiculous! She isn't a bit more to blame than I am. She proposed +skating, but it was because I ran into her that we fell down. I tried to +steer out but I couldn't."</p> + +<p>"Don't think about who is to blame; that doesn't matter. The only thing +to think about is to get well as quick as you can."</p> + +<p>"But we can't do anything to help that along; the doctors have to do +that."</p> + +<p>"Indeed you can help a lot. If you're patient and quiet and cheerful you +will get well sooner than if you fuss and fret and cry. That might cause +fever and inflammation and all sorts of things."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<p>Trudy was sitting on the edge of Dolly's bed and she smiled lovingly +down at her little sister. "I'm going to take care of you," she went on; +"Mother wants to have a trained nurse, but I think you would like it +better to have me for a nurse, wouldn't you?"</p> + +<p>"I'd like it better," and Dolly looked up wistfully, "but I don't want +to bother you too much, Trudy."</p> + +<p>"Oh, it isn't any bother, and besides, Mother will do a great deal of +the nursing. Here she comes now with your luncheon."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fayre came in, bringing a dainty tray on which was a small bowl of +broth and some crackers.</p> + +<p>"The nurse has gone," she announced, "and I'm glad of it. It was +necessary to have her here while the doctors set the broken bones, and +she will come in every morning as long as may be necessary. But it's +much nicer to be in charge of this case myself and have full +jurisdiction over my patient."</p> + +<p>"Oh, ever so much nicer, Mother," and Dolly raised affectionate blue +eyes to her mother's face. "Can I sit up to eat?"</p> + +<p>"No, honey; you'll have to learn to eat lying down. But Mother will feed +you and we'll pretend you're one of those grand Roman ladies who always +ate their meals reclining on a couch."</p> + +<p>So, although not altogether a comfortable procedure,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> Dolly took her +first lesson in swallowing without raising her head.</p> + +<p>Meantime somewhat different scenes were being enacted next door.</p> + +<p>Dotty's more excitable nature had been thoroughly upset by the shock of +the accident, the pain of her injury and the remorse that she felt at +feeling herself responsible for the tragedy.</p> + +<p>Her screams were hysterical and the efforts of her mother, her aunt and +the nurse to quiet her were alike unavailing.</p> + +<p>"I've killed my Dolly! I've killed my Dolly!" she would cry over and +over, and though they told her that Dolly Fayre was resting quietly and +suffering very little pain, she would not believe it and insisted they +were deceiving her.</p> + +<p>"You only say that to quiet me!" she cried. "I know it isn't true. I +know Dolly has broken most all her bones and I know she'll never walk +again. Why, I saw her myself, all limp and dead-looking. If she lives +she'll be a cripple. Oh, my arm! my arm! I wish they'd cut it off! I'd +rather not have it at all than have it hurt like this."</p> + +<p>Impulsive Dotty tried to move her injured arm and then shrieked with the +pain it caused her.</p> + +<p>"You mustn't do that!" said Nurse Johnson<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> somewhat severely; "if you +try to move that arm it won't heal right and you'll have to have it +broken over again and re-set."</p> + +<p>Dotty glared at the nurse and then screamed: "I hate you! You go right +straight out of this house! My mother can take care of me good enough +and I don't want you around."</p> + +<p>"There, there, Dotty dear," said Mrs. Rose; "don't talk to nurse like +that. She has been very kind to you; and it's true if you move your arm +around like that or try to do so, you'll make your injury far worse."</p> + +<p>"I don't care! I want to make it worse! I want to have it cut off! I +won't have a broken arm,— I won't— I won't!"</p> + +<p>"Don't mind her, nurse; she's beside herself with pain and fright."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's all right, Mrs. Rose," and the white-capped nurse smiled; "I +don't blame little girls for being cantankerous when they're laid up +like this. It's awful hard on them and nobody knows it better than I do. +And I'm not going to stay long, Miss Dotty. Only a day or two till your +mother and aunt get the knack of taking care of you."</p> + +<p>"I shall be head nurse," said Mrs. Bayliss, smiling at Dotty, "and your +mother shall be my assistant."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't want you for my nurse, Aunt Clara, and I don't want Miss +Johnson, I just want Mother all the time."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Dotty, dear, Mother will be here all the time," and Mrs. Rose +gently stroked the moist dark curls back from the little brow.</p> + +<p>For a few moments Dotty was quieter, and then she screamed out again, +"Tell me about Dolly, tell me the truth about Dolly. Did she break both +her legs?"</p> + +<p>"No, dear, only one. It has been set and she is doing nicely, although +she will be in bed for a long time. You will probably get up and go to +see her long before she can come in here."</p> + +<p>"I want to go now!" and Dotty tried to rise; "I want to see Dolly! I +must see Dolly!"</p> + +<p>Gently but firmly the nurse held Dotty down on the pillows. "Lie still," +she commanded, for she saw that stern measures were necessary.</p> + +<p>"I can't lie still, when I don't know how Dolly is! I don't believe what +you tell me about her. But I'll believe Genie. She always tells me the +truth. Come here, Genie!"</p> + +<p>Dotty screamed her sister's name in a loud voice, and the little girl +came running into the sick room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> + +<p>Genie looked scared and white-faced as she saw Dotty in splints and +bandages.</p> + +<p>"Genie," said Dotty, and her black eyes burned like coals, "you go +straight over to Fayres and see Dolly. See for yourself and see just how +she is and come straight back and tell me."</p> + +<p>"Let her go," said the nurse; "that's a good idea."</p> + +<p>So Genie ran over to the next house and found Mrs. Fayre.</p> + +<p>"Please let me see Dolly," she said earnestly, "'cause if I don't Dotty +thinks she's dead, and then Dotty will die too, so please let me see +her, Mrs. Fayre. Can't I?"</p> + +<p>After some consideration Mrs. Fayre said Genie might go to Dolly's room +for a few moments.</p> + +<p>"How are you, Dolly?" said the child, marching in and standing by the +bedside with the air of a Royal Messenger.</p> + +<p>"I'm pretty good," and Dolly smiled wanly at her little visitor. "How's +Dotty?"</p> + +<p>"Dotty's awful. But she'll be better when she knows how you are. So tell +me zactly."</p> + +<p>"Well, tell Dotty my right leg is broken. One of the bones just above +the ankle. But tell her except<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> for that, I'm all right and for her not +to worry about me and we'll see who can get well first. And give her my +love and—and—oh, that's all, good-bye, Genie!"</p> + +<p>The little girl ran out of the room and as soon as she disappeared Dolly +burst into floods of weeping. That was her way of relieving her +overburdened nerves instead of screaming hysterically like Dotty.</p> + +<p>Trudy tried to soothe her, but there was no staying the torrent of +tears, until at last they stopped because Dolly was exhausted.</p> + +<p>"There," said Mrs. Fayre brightly as she wiped Dolly's eyes, "I'm just +glad you did that! There's nothing like a good cry to straighten things +out. Now I shouldn't be one bit surprised if you could take a nice +little nap." And Dolly did so.</p> + +<p>Meantime Genie trotted home with her comforting news for Dotty.</p> + +<p>"Dolly's all right," she announced. "'Cept one leg is broked. But that's +all. Only just one bone of one leg. And she says to see who'll get well +first."</p> + +<p>"How did she look?" asked Dotty eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Like a angel," replied Genie, enthusiastically. "Her face was all white +and her eyes were so blue and her hair was all goldy and braided in two +curly braids<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> tickling around her ears. Oh, she looked lovely! Heaps +better than you do, Dot. Your face is all red and splotchy, and your +eyes are as big as saucers and your hair looks like the dickens."</p> + +<p>"I don't care," said Dotty, crossly; "I don't care how I look."</p> + +<p>"But I care how you feel," said her mother, "and now you know that Dolly +is very much alive, I'm sure you'll let nurse bathe your face and brush +your hair and then I'm going to sing you to sleep."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>As is usual in case of broken bones the first night proved a very trying +time for all concerned.</p> + +<p>Dolly Fayre, though an unusually patient child, felt as if she could not +bear the pain and discomfort of her strapped and splinted leg. Her +mother and Trudy, and her father too, did all they could to alleviate +her sufferings, but the uncontrollable tears welled up in the blue eyes +and rolled over the fevered cheeks of the little sufferer.</p> + +<p>"I try to be good, Father," she said, as Mr. Fayre bent over her, "but +it does hurt so awful."</p> + +<p>"Does it, you dear blessed baby? Let Daddy cuddle your head in his arm, +so, and sing to you, maybe that will help."</p> + +<p>But when Mr. Fayre gently put his arm under the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> golden head on the +pillow Dolly cried out that his coat sleeve was too scratchy.</p> + +<p>"Well, now, we'll just fix that! Give me one of your dressing gowns, +Mother."</p> + +<p>Dolly had to laugh a little when Mrs. Fayre brought a silk kimono of her +own and managed to get its loose folds draped around her stalwart +husband.</p> + +<p>"<i>Now</i> I rather guess we won't scratch our poor little fevery cheeks," +and Mr. Fayre so deftly slipped his silk clad arm under Dolly's head, +that she rested in his strong clasp with a feeling of security and +comfort.</p> + +<p>"That's lovely, Daddy; it just seems as if I had some of your big strong +strength and my pain doesn't hurt so much."</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Fayre sang in soft low tones which greatly soothed the little +patient. But not for long. All through the night the paroxysms of agony +would recur and poor little Dolly cried like a baby, because she +couldn't possibly help it.</p> + +<p>But the Rose family had even worse times to take care of Dotty. She, +too, suffered intensely and even made it worse because she wouldn't stay +still. With a sudden jerk she would sit up in bed and then scream with +the pain occasioned by wrenching her injured arm.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You mustn't do that, dear," said Mr. Rose, who usually could calm Dotty +in her most wilful moments.</p> + +<p>"I have to!" cried the little girl; "you would, too, if your arm was all +on fire, and shooting needles into you and not set right and has to be +broken over again and all twisted up and hanging by a thread, anyway! +Ow!—ow!—OW!!" Her voice rose in a shrill screech and she rocked back +and forth in her pain and anger.</p> + +<p>"Now, Dotty dear," said her father, "you must realise that you make +matters a great deal worse by jumping around and moving your arm—"</p> + +<p>"But I can't help it! I'm going to shake it till I shake it off!" and +Dotty gave a violent shake of her shoulders and then screamed with the +added pain she brought on herself.</p> + +<p>She so disarranged the bandages that it was necessary to telephone for +the doctor at once to readjust them.</p> + +<p>"This won't do, young lady," said Dr. Milton as he looked at the havoc +she had wrought in his careful work; "if you keep up these performances +you'll have to be strapped to the bed so tightly that you can't move +either arm. How would you like that?"</p> + +<p>"I'd break loose somehow! you shan't strap me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> down!" Dotty's eyes +blazed and her black curls bobbed as she shook her head angrily at the +doctor.</p> + +<p>But Dr. Milton paid little heed to her words. He redressed her arm and +then said in his firm yet pleasant way: "I don't know you very well, +Miss Dotty, but I perceive you have a strong will of your own. Now are +you going to use it rightly to help yourself get well, or wrongly to +make all the trouble possible for yourself and every one else?"</p> + +<p>Dotty looked at him. She was not accustomed to this kind of talk, for +her parents were inclined to be over indulgent with her tantrums and her +temper.</p> + +<p>"I do want to get well as soon as I can," she said, "and I will try to +be good,—but you don't know how it hurts."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I do know," and the good doctor smiled down at her; "I know it +hurts like fury! like the very dickens and all! and I know it's just all +you can do to bear it. But if you can get through to-night, I'll promise +you it'll feel better to-morrow."</p> + +<p>He went away and Dotty did try to be as good as she could, but the awful +twinges of pain frequently made her forget her resolutions and to +herself and the whole household it seemed as if the night would never +end.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2> + +<h3>TWO BIG BROTHERS</h3> + +<p>"Whoop-oo! Whoop-ee! Hoo-ray!! Where are you? Hey! Hi!!"</p> + +<p>With half a dozen steps, Bob Rose ran up the staircase of his new home +in Berwick, to Dotty's room.</p> + +<p>As he had been at school when the family moved he had never seen the +house before, and now, the school term over, he had come home for +vacation and his first thought was for his broken-armed sister.</p> + +<p>It was two weeks since the accident, but Dotty was still in bed. Her arm +was doing nicely, but she was such a nervous and excitable child that it +was thought best to keep her as quiet as possible. She was sitting up in +a nest of pillows and a rose coloured kimono was draped round her +bound-up arm. But she waved the other hand gaily as Bob dashed into the +room.</p> + +<p>"Well, old girl," he cried, "this is the limit! The idea of your +smashing yourself like this! Here I've played every old kind of ball and +everything else and never broke one of my two hundred and eight blessed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> +bones! And you just go out on lady-like roller skates and come a +cropper. Fie upon you! does it hurt much?"</p> + +<p>"You bet it hurts, Bob! Nothing like it did at first, but it hurts a +good deal, and it's awful uncomfortable. I can't move it, you know, and +I can't do hardly anything for myself."</p> + +<p>"Pooh! pshaw! of course you can do things for yourself. What a chump you +are, Dot. Why it's your left arm, you ought to be able to do everything +in creation with your right arm alone, except maybe play the piano or +clap your hands. I'll show you how to do things. Is your right arm all +right?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I s'pose so, but I haven't used it any."</p> + +<p>"Jiminy crickets, isn't that just like a girl! Honest, Dot, I thought +you'd have more spunk. But I'll put you through, with bells on!"</p> + +<p>Bob Rose, just turned eighteen, was a boyish duplicate of Dotty. He had +the same snapping black eyes and his hair though short had a curly twist +to it which, though he hated it himself made a becoming frame for his +handsome face. He was overflowing with mischief and life and was devoted +to athletic or outdoor sports of all kinds. He was very fond of his +sister and the two had always been great chums, though frequently +indulging in spirited quarrels.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> + +<p>"What's this place like, anyway?" he inquired, as he sat on the edge of +Dotty's bed and draped his long arm over the footboard. "You've got a +jolly room all right," and he looked round admiringly at the pretty rose +and grey effects.</p> + +<p>"Yes, isn't it lovely! It was my birthday present,—the furnishings, I +mean. I wrote you about it, you know. We were going to fix up a lovely +room for you, too, but after I broke my arm, Mother and Aunt Clara +didn't have time to do anything but tend to me."</p> + +<p>"Well, they'll catch time now. I want a room fixed up for me as good as +yours,—but not so dinky-fussy. I'll pick out the things myself. You +needn't think you own the whole shooting-match, Miss Dotty-Doodles! I +just guess Brother Bob home on his vacation will come in for his share +of attention! You won't be neglected, I'll look out for that, but just +remember that I'm here, too. What's the town like?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know myself much. You see we had our party and I met a lot of +the boys and girls and then the very next day I smashed myself and of +course I haven't seen any of them since."</p> + +<p>"But you can pretty soon now. Why, it's only your arm, your legs are all +right, you can walk, can't<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> you? Why don't you go downstairs and have +people come to see you?"</p> + +<p>"I couldn't see people in a dressing-gown!"</p> + +<p>"Well, Mother can rig you up a basque or a polonaise or something. Or +put on a raincoat or an Indian blanket,—but for goodness' sake get out +and around. I'll stir you up—"</p> + +<p>"Here, here, what's going on?" and Mrs. Rose came in just in time to +hear Bob's last words. "You're not to stir Dotty up, Bob, we want to +keep her quiet."</p> + +<p>"Quiet nothing! She'll dry up and blow away if she doesn't get a move +on! You're going to rig her up some sort of civilian dress Mother and +get her downstairs this very day. She's not sick or going into a +decline, is she?"</p> + +<p>The influence of Bob's breezy chatter had wrought a change in Dotty. +During the two weeks that had just passed she had become peevish and +fretful from enforced inactivity and now the thought of getting up and +going downstairs had brought the smiles to her face and the light to her +eyes.</p> + +<p>Moreover, Mrs. Rose was impressed also by the determination of her big +young son and began to think that perhaps his way might be right after +all.</p> + +<p>"Now you've got to tend to me, Mumsie," Bob<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> said in his wheedlesome +way, as he caressed his mother in a big bearish fashion. "You've got to +fix up a room for me, all just as I want it, and you've got to make me +chocolate cakes and all sorts of good things to eat, and you've got to +do lots of things for your prodigal son. Dotty has had her turn and now +it's mine, but while you're busy about me, I'll look after Dot, bless +her old heart!" And Bob blew a kiss from his finger tips to his pretty +sister who had already begun to take a new interest in life.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Aunt Clara," Bob called out as Mrs. Bayliss passed through the +hall, "come in here and help us dressmakers. Can't you rig up a costume +for Dot that will be presentable to wear downstairs?"</p> + +<p>"Downstairs!" exclaimed Aunt Clara; "did the doctor say she could go +down?"</p> + +<p>"Dr. Bob said so!" and the boy laughed. "I know all about broken arms, +and there's no use giving in to them too much. The more you do for them, +the more you may. Now Dotty is going to forget hers and have just as +good a time as if she never broke it. I say, Dot, how's that chum of +yours, you wrote me about? Is this her picture? Wow! Ain't she the +peach!"</p> + +<p>Bob picked up the picture of Dolly from Dotty's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> dressing-table and +admired it openly. "Does she really look like that?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," and Dotty waxed enthusiastic; "she's beautiful. Just like a pinky +rose with blue eyes."</p> + +<p>"She broke her leg didn't she, in your all-comers' scrap?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; she can't move for six weeks."</p> + +<p>"Well, two weeks are gone now, that's something. Can't I see her? I'd +like to sympathise."</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes, Bob, of course you must see her, but I don't want you to go +over there till I can go with you."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not going to wait for that. I must have a peep at this +blue-eyed fairy for myself. Any go to her?"</p> + +<p>"Not much," and Dotty smiled. "Dolly's a perfect dear, but she's slow."</p> + +<p>"All right, we'll have to hurry her along a little. When does her +brother come home? Have you ever seen him? What's he like?"</p> + +<p>"He's coming day after to-morrow. No, I've never seen him, but Dolly +thinks he just about made the world."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll reserve my opinion till I see the bunch. Honest, old girl, +I'm glad you're getting along as well as you are, but I'm going to do +wonders for you.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> It's going to be lucky for you that you've got Brother +on the job. Why, Dot, we were all going camping this summer, you know, +what about that?"</p> + +<p>"We haven't planned for the summer yet, Bobs," said his mother. "Perhaps +by August, if Dotty is all right, we can go somewhere for awhile."</p> + +<p>"You bet we will!" returned Bob. "Dotty will be all right!"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The next day but one Mrs. Rose took her big boy over to call on Dolly +Fayre.</p> + +<p>Though unable to leave her bed, Dolly could sit up and was allowed to +see a few visitors each day. It was her nature to be quiet, so she was a +much more tractable patient than Dotty and her broken bone had already +begun to knit and was getting along nicely. It was very monotonous to +sit or lie there day after day, but Dolly was patient and always took +things placidly. Her parents and Trudy read to her and played games with +her and entertained her in various ways and Dolly was as cheerful as any +little girl could be in such circumstances.</p> + +<p>It was a bitter disappointment to her that she could not take part in +the Closing Exercises of her class. But she was reconciled to her fate +and made no complaints, though deeply regretting her enforced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> absence +from school. Her classmates came to see her occasionally, but they were +so busy preparing for the celebration that they had little time for +social calls.</p> + +<p>Dotty looked forward eagerly to the homecoming of her brother Bert and +she also awaited with some curiosity the meeting with Bob Rose.</p> + +<p>However, she had heard so much about Bob from Dotty, that she was not +surprised when the merry-faced boy appeared at her bedside with a gay +and cheery greeting.</p> + +<p>"I'm Bob," he said, holding out his hand, and not waiting for his +mother's more formal introduction.</p> + +<p>"I'm Dolly," and the blue eyes smiled at him as a little white hand +clasped his own.</p> + +<p>"By Jove, you do look like your picture, only you're prettier!" +exclaimed Bob as he took the chair Mrs. Fayre offered him.</p> + +<p>"It's my new cap," and Dolly smiled from beneath the lacy frills and +rosebud decorations of a dainty new cap that Trudy had just made for +her. She wore a Japanese kimono of pale green silk embroidered with +white cherry blossoms, and as she sat surrounded by embroidered pillows +and lace coverlets, Bob thought he had never seen a prettier picture.</p> + +<p>"You look like a princess," he said. "Princess Dolly."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I <i>am</i> a princess," she smiled back; "Mother and Trudy are my ladies in +waiting and do just as I bid them. How much you look like Dotty."</p> + +<p>"Glad you think so; I think Dot's a raving beauty. But I say, it's a +shame you two girls had to go and break each other up just when we were +going to have a perfectly good old summer time."</p> + +<p>"I know it; isn't it a shame. But we'll have to wait till next summer +and have the fun then."</p> + +<p>"'Deed we won't! You'll be outdoors by the first of August, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," and Dolly made a wry face, "but that's about the same as saying +the first of Eternity!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, not so bad as that. And anyhow I'm an inventive genius, and I'll +bet we can have some fun even before August."</p> + +<p>A bustle and commotion was heard downstairs just then and Dolly's face +lighted up as she heard a familiar voice.</p> + +<p>"Oh," she cried; "there's Bert! Come on up, Bert."</p> + +<p>"Sure thing!" came the reply, and in another minute Bert Fayre stood in +the doorway.</p> + +<p>He was a tall, slender boy of seventeen with brown hair and eyes and he +looked at Dolly with a pained expression.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Poor old Doll!" he said softly; "I'm <i>so</i> sorry for you!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, it isn't very bad now, Bert," and Dolly smiled cheerfully. "Come on +in and meet Mrs. Rose and Bob. They're our next door neighbours."</p> + +<p>Bert came in and greeted the visitors with an easy grace. Then going +over to Dolly he kissed her affectionately and sat down beside her.</p> + +<p>The two boys silently sized each other up and each concluded that the +other seemed to be "A little bit of all right."</p> + +<p>They attended different schools, and soon were deep in a discussion of +their school doings. Dolly lay back among her pillows and looked at +them. She adored her brother and she decided that Dotty's brother was +also worthy of consideration. She liked Bob's breezy offhand way which +was not at all like Bert's gentle, kindly manner. But they were two +awfully nice boys and she felt sure they were going to be friends. If +only she could be up and around and have good times with them! A slight +pang of envy swept over her, as she heard Bob enthusiastically declare +that he was going to have Dot out of bed and downstairs in short order. +For no amount of enthusiasm or energy could work that miracle for Dolly, +in less than a month. But she did not show<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> this disappointment and +chatted gaily with the boys and with Mrs. Rose and her own mother.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>As the days went by the four young people became good friends. The boys +were chummy from the first and nearly every day they carried messages +back and forth for the girls. But there were long hours when the girls +were alone, and both patient Dolly and impatient Dotty deeply wished +they had never tried that roller-skate race.</p> + +<p>"There's no use celebrating the Fourth of July," said Bert +disconsolately, a few days before the Fourth. "We don't want a +celebration that the girls can't see."</p> + +<p>"Then let's have one that they can see," said Bob; "I'll tell you what +we'll do,—I've a brilliant idea."</p> + +<p>His idea was a brilliant one, so much so that it required the +co-operation of both families with the exception of the two girls, from +whom it was kept a secret.</p> + +<p>But the two D's were told that the evening of the Fourth would be a red +letter day for them and they looked forward eagerly to whatever it might +be.</p> + +<p>About seven o'clock on Fourth of July evening, Mrs. Fayre came into +Dolly's room with her arms full of red, white and blue material. This +proved to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> be a voluminous robe-like drapery which transformed Dolly +into a goddess of liberty. A liberty cap was put upon her golden head +and a silk flag was presented to her.</p> + +<p>"Stunning!" exclaimed Bert, who came in to view the effect. "Just you +wait, old girl, and we'll bring you something you'll like better yet!"</p> + +<p>So Dolly waited and in a few moments she could hear out in the hall much +giggling and many footsteps. Then Trudy came in and arranged a screen so +that the doorway from the hall was hidden. Dolly watched breathlessly +and soon heard people coming in behind the screen and recognised the +boys' voices as well as those of her father and Mr. Rose.</p> + +<p>"I know you're there, Bob and Bert," she called out. "Come here Bob and +see the goddess of liberty."</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute," said Bert, and there was more giggling and whispering.</p> + +<p>"Now!" said somebody and then the screen was whisked away and Dolly saw +standing before her,—Dotty!</p> + +<p>It really was Dotty, smiling with eagerness and dressed like Dolly in +red, white and blue.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dotty!" and "Oh, Dolly!" rang out at the same moment and the two +girls stared hard at each<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> other, for they had not seen one another's +faces since that fatal moment when they came together on their roller +skates.</p> + +<p>"I'm just crazy to run over there and grab you!" cried Dotty, "but I +promised I wouldn't touch you, or I might break us up all over again."</p> + +<p>"Well, do come over here and sit beside me, so I can be sure it's really +you. How is your arm? Does it hurt you now? Oh, what a beautiful sling!"</p> + +<p>Dotty's left arm was in a large sling made of dark blue studded with +silver stars and her whole dress was of red and white stripe. Her +liberty cap was just like Dolly's own, and she wore white stockings and +red slippers.</p> + +<p>"You poor dear," she said as she came over and sat down by Dolly's side; +"to think I can dress and go outdoors while you're still tied to your +bed."</p> + +<p>"But I can wave both arms about, and you can't," said Dolly as she waved +her flag above her head.</p> + +<p>"I think you're six of one and half a dozen of the other," said Bert. +"Now look here, Doll, we're going to push your bed up to the window so +you can see out."</p> + +<p>"Why?" asked Dolly; "it's almost dark now."</p> + +<p>"Never you mind. Little girls shouldn't ask questions.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> Grab that other +bed-post, Bob. Here, Dad, take hold of the head-board."</p> + +<p>Propelled by willing arms the bed was rolled over to the big bay window +and arranged so that Dolly had full view of the lawn between the houses.</p> + +<p>Then a big easy chair was arranged for Dotty and the two girls were +advised that if they would stay there they would see something worth +while.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's so good to see you again," said Dotty, as the others all left +the room; "do you hurt terribly?"</p> + +<p>"Not so much now, but it was awful at first. Wasn't yours?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, terrible. Let's not talk about it. How do you like Bob?"</p> + +<p>"He's splendid. How do you like Bert?"</p> + +<p>"I think he's great. Oh, Dolly, what fun we could have if we were only +well."</p> + +<p>"You are. You can go outdoors."</p> + +<p>"Not much. This is a special dispensation to-night. And I have to have +my arm in a sling four weeks longer. It's in splints you know. I can't +do hardly anything with one hand. Bob tries to teach me, but I'm as +awkward as a cow. I'm so used to flying at everything with both hands +that I can't seem to manage."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It must be awful. Oh, Dot, there's a sky rocket!"</p> + +<p>Dotty turned quickly and looked out of the window. The skyrocket was +only the beginning of a fine display of fireworks. Mr. Rose and Mr. +Fayre had concluded that was the only sort of celebration the girls +could enjoy, so they had bought far more than their usual supply and +they made a fine showing.</p> + +<p>Bob had asked a number of the young people to come and see them and +Dolly and Dotty recognised many from their post of observation in the +window.</p> + +<p>But the mothers of the two girls would not let any of the young people +go up to Dotty's room lest the excitement be too much for her.</p> + +<p>After the usual quota of rockets and Roman candles there were more +elaborate pieces which flamed into fire pictures against the summer sky.</p> + +<p>When the fireworks were all over and the young people gone away the +girls were told that there was a little more celebration yet to come.</p> + +<p>Dolly's bed was pushed back to its place and Dotty was enthroned beside +it in her easy chair, when the two boys appeared, each bearing a tray of +good things.</p> + +<p>"This is your Fourth of July party," said Trudy,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> who followed. "No one +can come to it except the three Roses and the three Fayres."</p> + +<p>Genie came in then, and the six brothers and sisters of the two families +had a merry feast while their elders remained downstairs.</p> + +<p>"It's been a beautiful holiday," said Dolly, leaning back into her +pillows as she finished her ice cream. "I never dreamed I'd have any +Fourth of July celebration. The fireworks were beautiful and the party +things were lovely, but best of all is seeing Dotty again."</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dotty, "I don't know how I've managed to live through the +last three weeks. But I expect I can come over to see you every day +now."</p> + +<p>"We'll see about that," said Mrs. Rose, coming in. "But this party must +break up now, and if it doesn't do any harm to our wounded soldiers we +may allow more of them. So say good-night, you two D's, and I'll take +<i>my</i> little goddess of liberty home."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2> + +<h3>CROSSTREES CAMP</h3> + +<p>The summer plans of the two families were decidedly changed by the +accidents to the two little girls.</p> + +<p>It was the custom of the Fayres to spend the summer at a hotel in the +mountains or at the seashore, for Mrs. Fayre declared she needed a +yearly rest from housekeeping duties.</p> + +<p>The Rose family, preferring a different sort of enjoyment, spent their +summers at their camp in the Adirondacks, for they loved the informal +out of door life and the freedom from all conventionalities.</p> + +<p>The doctor had said that the two girls would be entirely restored to +health and strength and quite ready to go anywhere by the first of +August, but not much before that date. So during July the question was +discussed frequently and at length as to where Dotty and Dolly would go, +for they begged and besought their parents that they might be together.</p> + +<p>Now Mrs. Rose was more than willing to take Dolly to camp with her +family, and Mrs. Fayre would have been very glad to have Dotty with them +at the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> hotel, but neither mother wanted her own little girl to go away +from her. The question seemed very difficult of decision, for the two +families could not agree upon a summer resort that would please them +both.</p> + +<p>But after many long talks and various suggested plans it was finally +decided that Dolly Fayre should go with the Roses for the first two +weeks of August and that Dotty Rose should spend the last two weeks of +the month with the Fayre family.</p> + +<p>"It is the best plan," said Mrs. Rose, "for a fortnight in camp will do +the girls lots of good and make them strong and rosy again. Then they +will better enjoy a fortnight at a big hotel."</p> + +<p>The two D's were enchanted at the prospect.</p> + +<p>"You'll just love it!" said Dotty, enthusiastically; "we'll just wear +short skirts and middy blouses, and spend all our time in the woods or +on the lake."</p> + +<p>Dolly wanted to go to the camp, but she had never before been away from +her mother for more than a day or two at a time, and she felt some +misgivings about being homesick.</p> + +<p>"Nonsense!" said Bert. "A great big girl like you homesick! Why, +Towhead, you're too big for such things. You'll have a gorgeous time in +the camp, there's more fun in a camp than in any other place on earth. I +wish they had asked me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Of course they wouldn't ask you," said Dolly, "because Bob Rose won't +be there. Not at first, anyway; he's going to visit some school friend. +He's going to the camp later. But Bob, what's a camp like? Don't you +have to sleep on old dry twigs and things? I want to be with Dotty, but +I don't believe I'll like sleeping in a tent or whatever they have."</p> + +<p>"Ah, be a sport, Towhead. You're altogether too finicky about your +foolish comforts. Learn to rough it,—it'll be good for you. You're as +white as a sheet, and you ought to be all brown and red and freckled and +look like a real live girl instead of a wax doll. I'm going to coax Dad +to go camping next year. It's loads of fun. Maybe if Bob Rose gets up +there before you leave they'd ask me up for a couple of days."</p> + +<p>"Or they might ask you after I've left," said Dolly; "you boys could +have a lot of fun even if we girls weren't there."</p> + +<p>"You bet we could! Girls are not a necessity to a fellow's pleasure if +he has fishing and boating and swimming and such things to do."</p> + +<p>"Well, I can't swim and I hate to fish,—but I do like boating. What +kind of boats will they have, Bob?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, motor boats and canoes and rowboats and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> sail boats and every old +kind. Don't get drowned, Dolly, and don't break any more of your bones, +but I guess there's nothing much else that can happen to you, if you +behave yourself. But don't try to do everything Dotty suggests. She's a +hummer, that girl, and I'll bet you in camp she'll run wild. You'll have +to hold her back a little."</p> + +<p>Dolly's parents gave her practically the same advice. But they felt +little fear of Dolly's likelihood of rushing into madcap adventures even +if Dotty urged it. For Dolly was slow of movement and slower still in +making up her mind; while Dotty was quick as a flash in thought and +action.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Fayre sighed a little as she selected Dolly's wardrobe. She dearly +loved to array her pretty daughter in muslins and organdies with dainty +laces and ribbons; but camp life called for stout frocks of tweed or +gingham, heavy walking boots and no fripperies.</p> + +<p>"I shall put in one or two pretty dresses," Mrs. Fayre said, "in case +you are invited to a party or any such affair. And the rest of your +summer things I will have ready for you, when you come back and join us +at the seashore."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>And so the first of August, Mr. and Mrs. Rose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> and their two daughters +with Dolly as the guest started for the Crosstrees Camp.</p> + +<p>It was a sad parting between Dolly and her mother and at the last Dolly +declared flatly she would not go, and throwing herself in her mother's +arms burst into tears.</p> + +<p>"Rubbish!" cried Rob, who was dancing about in his efforts to get Dolly +started. "I'm ashamed of you, Towhead! Brace up now, and have a nerve. +One final wrench and off you go!"</p> + +<p>The boy literally tore Dolly from Mrs. Fayre's arms and boosted her in +to the Roses' motor car which was waiting to take them to the station.</p> + +<p>"All aboard! Go ahead!" Bob called out, waving his hand to the chauffeur +and the car started off at a brisk rate.</p> + +<p>"You know you needn't go, Dolly, even yet, if you don't want to," and +Mrs. Rose smiled kindly at the little girl, as they flew down the +avenue.</p> + +<p>"I do want to go, Mrs. Rose, and I am ashamed of myself for acting so +bad, but I will brace up now. It was just saying good-bye to Mother that +somehow sort of seemed to shake my heart."</p> + +<p>Dolly smiled through her tears and determinedly began to chatter gaily.</p> + +<p>"That's the ticket!" said Mr. Rose, smiling approval<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> at her. "That's +the brave little girl. Now when you get to Crosstrees you'll be so +delighted and interested, that you won't think of home and Mother for +two weeks, except to write a postcard now and then."</p> + +<p>"You won't hardly have time for that!" cried Dotty, "there's so much to +do from morning till night, and that makes you so tired that you sleep +from night till morning. Oh, Dollyrinda, we will have the most +gorgeousest times ever!"</p> + +<p>"It's beautiful to have Dolly with us," said Genie, her big black eyes +dancing with anticipation; "we can show her all our fav'rite places, and +all the islands and woodses and everything! But two weeks is an awful +short time."</p> + +<p>"We'll make it longer next year," said Mr. Rose. "If our two wounded +soldiers hadn't been wounded, we would have started a month ago."</p> + +<p>"Why do you call it Crosstrees camp?" asked Dolly.</p> + +<p>"You'll see when you get there," and Mr. Rose smiled at his little +visitor.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Sure enough when they arrived, Dolly discovered the meaning of the +strange name. The gateway was formed by two trees which had started to +grow<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> parallel, but in some way had been bent toward one another until +their trunks crossed about ten feet above ground. The trees had gone on +growing this way, and formed an "N," covered with branches and foliage. +The party had landed from their train at a small station near one end of +a long lake. They had traversed this lake in a swift motor boat, for +their camp was at the other end. It was nearly dark when they reached +their own pier and all clambered out and climbed a flight of narrow wet +steps.</p> + +<p>"Hang on to the railing, Doll," said Dotty; "the steps are slippery, a +little."</p> + +<p>Passing under the crosstrees, to which Mr. Rose drew Dolly's attention +as the name of the camp, they came to a sort of bungalow or long, low +house.</p> + +<p>"Is this the camp?" said Dolly, in surprise. "I thought it was tents. +You said so, Dot."</p> + +<p>"There are tents, too. Only on stormy nights we sleep inside. Come on +in, Doll. Isn't it fine?"</p> + +<p>Dolly Fayre looked around at the bare boarded rooms, the scant furniture +and rough walls of the cabin, for it was little more than that.</p> + +<p>She was cold and rather hungry, but underneath these discomforts was a +far more troublesome one which she tried not to think about, but which +she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> felt sure was going to develop into an acute case of homesickness.</p> + +<p>"Run up to your rooms, girlies, and take off your things," said Mrs. +Rose, cheerily. "We'll eat inside to-night, and Maria will make us some +of her good flap-jacks for supper."</p> + +<p>Maria was an old coloured servant and the only one who accompanied the +Rose family to camp. Other help that might be needed they procured from +some of the natives who were glad to do odd jobs for the summer people.</p> + +<p>Dolly followed Dotty and Genie upstairs where there was a long row of +tiny bedrooms opening onto a narrow hall. These bedrooms had ceilings +which slanted right down to the floor, so one could not stand upright +after advancing a few feet into the room.</p> + +<p>"Aren't they funny rooms?" said Dotty, laughing with glee at Dolly's +blank-looking countenance. "But you'll get used to them soon. Of course +you have to bend double, except just here by the door, but that's +nothing. This one is yours, Dolly, and mine is right next and then +Genie's. Mother and Father have a room downstairs. But we won't sleep +here, we'll sleep in the open tent to-night, it's plenty warm enough. +Oh, it's <i>such</i> fun!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dolly didn't know what sleeping in an open tent meant, but she smiled in +response and soon the three girls went downstairs together.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Rose were bustling around, happily engaged in unpacking and +arranging books and pictures and various trifles to make the big +living-room more homelike.</p> + +<p>"Looks a little bare now," said Mr. Rose, as he placed his smoking set +in position near his own particular easy chair, "but in a day or two +we'll have it looking like a little Paradise on earth. Just you wait, +Miss Dolly, till you see this desert blossom like a rose,—like a whole +Rose family, in fact!"</p> + +<p>"These things help a lot," and Mrs. Rose deftly arranged half a dozen +sofa pillows on a big inviting-looking couch.</p> + +<p>"And to-morrow we'll put up a swing, and the hammocks, won't you, +Daddy?" said Genie.</p> + +<p>"Course I will, chickabiddy," and Mr. Rose whistled in gay contentment +as he took books from their boxes and arranged them on the table.</p> + +<p>When supper was announced, Maria informed the family that she hadn't +been able to manage the flap-jacks that night.</p> + +<p>"But you-all sho'ly will hab 'em for breakfast,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> dat you will,—you +suttinly will. But you see huccum I jes' didn't hab de proper +contraptions unpacked for 'em to-night."</p> + +<p>"That's all right, Maria," said Mr. Rose, good-naturedly; "we don't mind +what we have to-night. To-morrow we'll get a good fair start. Sit down, +children, we'll manage to make out a supper."</p> + +<p>The supper was sort of a makeshift of sardines and herring and crackers, +with coffee for the older people.</p> + +<p>Dolly had no wish to be critical, but the viands were not tempting and +she ate very little, being conscious all the time of an ever-growing +lump in her throat. She tried hard to be merry and gay, but she couldn't +feel the enthusiasm with which the others overflowed.</p> + +<p>"Shall we have a fire to-night, Daddy?" asked Dotty as they left the +table.</p> + +<p>"Oh, not to-night. It's pretty late, and we're all tired out. We'll +leave that for to-morrow night. You see, Dolly Fayre, the curtain +doesn't really rise on the glories of Camp Crosstrees until to-morrow. +Can you wait?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed, Mr. Rose," and Dolly smiled bravely. "Where is it that +we're going to sleep?"</p> + +<p>"I'll show you," said Mrs. Rose, and amid shouts<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> of glee and peals of +laughter, Dotty and Genie ran upstairs, and returned with their arms +full of blankets and other things.</p> + +<p>"Grab a pillow and come on," shouted Dotty as she herself picked up a +pillow from the couch. Genie took one, too, and Dolly did also and then +the whole tribe left the house.</p> + +<p>They walked across some very uneven ground and Dolly would have stumbled +in the darkness had not Mrs. Rose clasped her arm firmly.</p> + +<p>"Here we are!" she said, and Dolly saw a large tent, but it wasn't +exactly a tent. It was a platform of boards raised not more than a foot +above the ground. It had a roof and three sides of canvas, but the front +was entirely open. On the floor were piles of balsam boughs and on these +the Roses arranged the blankets they had brought.</p> + +<p>"I envy you girls," said Mrs. Rose, as she tucked up the impromptu beds. +"It is Heavenly to sleep out here, but we older people dare not risk +rheumatism. You'll love it, Dolly. Perhaps you'll hear an owl or two +hooting you a lullaby."</p> + +<p>In less than half an hour the three girls were put to bed and Mrs. Rose +had said good-night and left them.</p> + +<p>Dotty and Genie had murmured sleepy good-nights<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> and had snuggled down +into their spicy-smelling nests of branches.</p> + +<p>Dolly lay with wide open eyes staring out at the stars. She had never +experienced this sort of thing before, and she was frightened and +uncomfortable. Although mid-summer, the air was chilly, and she did not +like the feeling of the rather coarse blankets. Moreover she was wearing +a thick, clumsy, flannel nightgown, and the bed of branches seemed to be +full of knots and lumps. She longed for her own pretty room with its +dainty appointments and soft bed clothing.</p> + +<p>She looked across at Dotty and Genie. She could see them but dimly, but +she knew they were sound asleep. She felt alone, utterly alone in that +dreadful place, with the forest trees making a sad murmur and the silent +stars winking solemnly at her. She thought of her mother and father and +Trudy and Bert and she had the most dreadful wave of homesickness roll +over her. Then the tears came, hot, scalding tears that rolled down her +cheeks in ever increasing number. She made no noise, lest she waken the +other girls but the effort to stifle her sobs made her cry harder, and +she buried her face in the rough worsted of the sofa pillow and wiped +her eyes with the harsh blanket.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Mother," she said, to herself, "I <i>can't</i> stay here. This is a +dreadful place. Why did you let me come? I knew I would hate a camp. How +can anybody like these awful beds? And I'm cold,—and I'm not cold +either, but I'm all shivery and I feel horrid! I'm—I'm—oh, I'm just +lonesome and homesick and I want Mother!"</p> + +<p>After a time Dolly stopped crying from sheer exhaustion and spent with +her sobs, she lay there gazing at the stars. She felt sure there were +bears and wolves among the trees, and soon they would come out and +attack the camp.</p> + +<p>Moreover, she was dreadfully hungry. She had a box of candy in her +suitcase, but that was upstairs in the bungalow. She could not get it +without disturbing Mr. and Mrs. Rose and that was not to be thought of.</p> + +<p>The poor child lay for a time in her misery, every moment getting more +and more homesick and with a deeper longing to get back to her mother +and never leave home again.</p> + +<p>At last a spirit of desperation took hold upon her. It was +characteristic of Dolly Fayre to endure patiently and bravely the +greatest trials that might come to her, but when the strain became too +great it was in her nature to rebel, suddenly and decidedly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p> + +<p>And now, when it seemed that she simply could not stand the dreadfulness +another moment, she sat straight up in bed, and said clearly, "I'm going +home."</p> + +<p>The sound of her own voice startled her and she looked round quickly to +see if the other girls had heard her. She fully expected to see one or +both heads pop up in amazement at her speech. But neither dark head +moved, and listening to their regular breathing, she knew the two Rose +girls were still sound asleep.</p> + +<p>With her white face set and a desperate look in her wide open blue eyes, +she put one foot out of bed and then the other. She had on her +stockings, as Mrs. Rose had advised her to wear them all night. Silently +and swiftly she discarded the flannel nightgown, which was one of +Dotty's, and with flying fingers, which trembled with a nervous chill, +she rapidly dressed herself in the garments she had worn when she +arrived.</p> + +<p>Her hat and coat were at the bungalow, but she did not stop for them. +She was determined to go home that very minute, and she would let +nothing interfere.</p> + +<p>Fully dressed she went over and looked down at the sleeping Dotty. It +seemed awful to go away and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> leave her like that, but Dolly knew if she +waited till morning the Roses would not let her go. And yet she must +leave word of some sort or they would think her very rude and +ungrateful.</p> + +<p>She had with her a little shopping bag, which, as it contained some +money, she had put under her pillow. Luckily there was paper and pencil +in this on which she had planned to write a letter to her mother.</p> + +<p>So with an uncertain hand, in the dim light, she traced the words: "Dear +Dotty, I can't stay here, I've got to go back to Mother. Good-bye. +Dolly."</p> + +<p>This she slipped gently beneath Dotty's pillow, and then stepping softly +to the open edge of the tent she stepped down to the ground and walked +swiftly toward the lake.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2> + +<h3>DOLLY'S ESCAPE</h3> + +<p>Dolly had learned as they came up the lake in the motor boat that there +was a footpath along the lake shore which led directly from the camp to +the railroad station. It was about a mile long and passed several other +camps, but Dolly felt sure that she could walk the distance, and +allowing time to rest now and then could reach the station before six +o'clock, when the first morning train went through. The dim starlight +just enabled her to make out by her little watch that it was two o'clock +when she started. She felt no fear of bears or wolves now, for her whole +mind and soul were filled with the one idea of going home. She would +have started, had the road been lined with hot ploughshares, so +indomitable was her will and so strong her resolution. She gave no +thought or heed to possible difficulties or dangers. She knew the way, +there was no chance of getting lost, and she had in her bag money enough +to buy a ticket home. She felt guilty and even ashamed at leaving her +kind friends in this manner, but that thought was swallowed up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> and lost +sight of in the terrible gnawing agony of her longing for home.</p> + +<p>So she set forth along the path at a swift, steady gait which promised +fair for the accomplishment of her design. As she walked along the stars +seemed brighter and seemed to wink at her more kindly, as if willing to +do all they could to help along a poor little homesick, mother-lonely +child. Though without hat or coat, her swift pace kept her warm enough +for a time, but at last poor little Dolly grew very weary. She had not +walked much since her illness and her newly mended leg felt the strain +and began to ache terribly. She sat down to rest on a flat stone and was +surprised to find that her leg ached worse sitting down than it had +walking. Moreover, when she stopped exercising, she became very chilly +and in addition to this she realised afresh that she was exceedingly +hungry.</p> + +<p>Poor little Dolly! She could scarcely have been more physically +miserable, and yet her material discomfort was as nothing to her pangs +of homesickness. She felt she could not pursue her journey, and yet it +made her shudder to think of returning to that awful camp.</p> + +<p>So after a time, hoping she had rested enough, she rose and plodded on +again. She kept up this means<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> of procedure, walking until utterly +exhausted and then stopping to rest, until somehow she managed to cover +the distance to the station.</p> + +<p>It was half-past four when she reached the forlorn little building and +found it closed and deserted. But there was a bench outside and Dolly +sank upon this in a state bordering upon utter collapse. She fell asleep +there and was only awakened when, shortly before six, the station agent +came to unlock his office.</p> + +<p>"Bless my soul! who are you?" he exclaimed, and Dolly sat up blinking in +the early sunlight.</p> + +<p>"I'm a passenger," she said; "I want to take the early train."</p> + +<p>"Humph! a pretty looking passenger you are! Where's your hat?"</p> + +<p>"I don't always wear a hat in summer," and Dolly tossed back her golden +curls and looked at the man steadily. Her sleep had refreshed her +somewhat, and she had recovered her poise. Her determination was still +unshaken and she had every intention of going on that six o'clock train.</p> + +<p>But the station master was a knowing sort of man and he had before this +seen campers afflicted with a desperate desire to go back to +civilisation.</p> + +<p>"Didn't you come up here last night with the Roses?" he inquired +affably.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Dolly, "but I'm going back to town to-day."</p> + +<p>"Pshaw, now, is that so? Don't like it, hey?" The station master had a +kindly way with him, and as he threw open the door he invited Dolly to +enter the little waiting-room. "You stay here a spell," he said, "that +train ain't due for fifteen minutes."</p> + +<p>He disappeared into the ticket office and closed the door. Then he +called up Mr. Rose on the telephone.</p> + +<p>"Hello! what is it?" responded that gentleman sleepily, for he had been +roused from a sound slumber.</p> + +<p>"I'm Briggs, the station agent. That little yellow-haired girl you +brought with you last night is here in the station. Says she's goin' +home."</p> + +<p>"Dolly Fayre! At the station? Impossible!"</p> + +<p>"Yep. She's here. And she's just about all in. You don't want I should +let her go on the train, do you?"</p> + +<p>"Good gracious, no! Keep her there somehow till I can get there."</p> + +<p>"I'll try, but she's terrible set on goin'."</p> + +<p>"Keep her somehow, Briggs, if you have to lock her in. I'll be down +there inside of half an hour."</p> + +<p>"All right, Mr. Rose. Good-bye." Briggs hung up the receiver and +sauntered back to the waiting-room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Best come over home with me, little Miss and get a bite of breakfast. +How about it? My home's just across the street and my wife'll be glad to +give you a snack."</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Dolly, doubtfully, "but I don't want to miss that +train."</p> + +<p>"Oh, land! she's likely to be half an hour late! Come along, I'll keep +my eye out for the train."</p> + +<p>Dolly hesitated. She was awfully hungry, but it was five minutes of six +and the train might not be late after all. Moreover, it seemed to her +that the station man was a little too anxious. Perhaps he wished to +detain her, though she could see no reason why he should interfere with +her plans. Unless it might be because she had no hat on. Still it was +not a crime to go hatless in the summer time, though it might be +unconventional when travelling.</p> + +<p>"Pretty good breakfast my wife cooks," said Briggs, temptingly.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps I would have time just for a glass of milk," said Dolly, "but +no, I hear a locomotive whistle now!"</p> + +<p>"Aw, she's way up round the bend. Sound carries awful far 'mong these +hills. She won't be here for ten minutes yet. Come on."</p> + +<p>"What are you talking about? There's the train<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> now!" And from the +window Dolly saw the smoke of the approaching engine.</p> + +<p>"Why, so 'tis!" and with a strange smile on his face, Briggs whisked the +door open, flew out and slammed it behind him and turned the big key, +making Dolly a prisoner in the little waiting-room.</p> + +<p>For a moment she was too amazed to do or say anything. She stood +watching the train draw nearer and stop at the little station.</p> + +<p>Then she realised what had happened and she flew to the door and pounded +on it with her little fists, crying, "Let me out! you awful, dreadful +man, let me out!"</p> + +<p>But the door did not open, and after a couple of minutes the train went +on its way.</p> + +<p>Then Briggs unlocked the door and came in. "Bless my soul!" he said, "if +I didn't forget you wanted to go by that train! Well, it's too late now, +so you might as well come on over to breakfast."</p> + +<p>"You didn't forget it, any such thing! You locked me in here on purpose! +You had no right to do it, and my father will pers—persecute you,—or +whatever you call it!"</p> + +<p>"Well, anyhow the train's gone, and you can't get it back, so make the +best of things and smile and come along."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> + +<p>From sheer lack of anything better to do, Dolly rose and walked with +Briggs across the street to his little cottage.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Mother," he called out, as they entered, "I've brought a visitor +to breakfast. Got enough to go round?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeedy!" and a fat, comfortable looking woman smiled pleasantly +at Dolly; "why, you poor baby, you're all tuckered out. Here sit right +down and drink this fresh milk, it's a little warm yet. Take slow sips, +now, don't swallow it all at once. Here's a nice piece of toast."</p> + +<p>Dolly eagerly accepted the fresh milk and the golden-brown buttered +toast, and was glad to follow Mrs. Briggs' advice and partake slowly.</p> + +<p>The warm, pleasant room and the appetising food made Dolly feel +decidedly better. A poached egg came next and more toast and milk and as +both Mr. and Mrs. Briggs were kind and cheery, Dolly's spirits rose +accordingly.</p> + +<p>No reference was made as to why she wanted to take the train, in fact +the subject was not touched on, and Mr. Briggs was entertaining her with +a funny story when the door opened and Mr. Rose walked in.</p> + +<p>"Hello, Dolly-Polly," he said, cheerily; "had your breakfast? Good for +you, Mrs. Briggs, glad you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> gave the little lady a bite. Come along now, +Dolly, we must be on the move."</p> + +<p>Mr. Rose's face was so smiling and his manner so pleasant, that Dolly +jumped up from her chair and ran to his side. He put his arm round her +and kissed her cheek and then with brisk good-byes and thanks to the +hospitable Briggs, he whisked Dolly away.</p> + +<p>"Skip it!" he said, and taking her hand they skipped across the road and +down the long length of the pier. There was Mr. Rose's motor-boat +waiting, with Long Sam at the wheel.</p> + +<p>"Mornin' folkses," he said, unfolding his ungainly length as he rose to +help them in. Long Sam, it was generally agreed, had the longest length +for the narrowest width of any man in the county. He grinned at Dolly +and taking her hands helped her into the boat, while Mr. Rose followed.</p> + +<p>In a moment they were off, and the little boat scooted up the lake in a +hurry. The sun was well up now and it was a warm day, so the lake breeze +was most refreshing and the swift motion very exhilarating. Mr. Rose +said no word whatever concerning Dolly's informal departure from his +camp, but he was so gay and entertaining that Dolly herself forgot it. +He pointed out various houses and camps along the shore, often telling +funny stories of the people who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> lived there. He showed her the club +house and the casino and the picnic grounds and lots of interesting +places, which had passed unnoticed on their trip up the lake the night +before. Sometimes Long Sam put in a few words in his dry, comical way, +and Dolly found herself enjoying the morning lake ride immensely.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rose was in the midst of a funny story at which Dolly was shaking +with laughter as they reached the pier which belonged to Crosstrees +camp.</p> + +<p>"Out you hop!" exclaimed Mr. Rose, jumping out himself and in a moment +Dolly was beside him on the pier. Mrs. Rose and the two girls stood +there smiling, their arms full of bathing suits.</p> + +<p>"Hurry up, Doll," cried Dotty, grabbing her arm. "This is your bathhouse +right next to mine and here's your suit. Scrabble into it, quick's you +can."</p> + +<p>And so almost before she knew it, Dolly was shut in to her little bath +house and was hastily changing from her street suit to her +bathing-dress.</p> + +<p>Just as she finished arraying herself, Dotty was pounding on the door +and she immediately opened it. Mrs. Rose put a bathing cap on Dolly's +head and tied a gay kerchief over that. The rest were all in bathing +suits and with gay laughter they all joined<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> hands and ran down the +sloping shore and into the lake.</p> + +<p>Dolly loved bathing and she pranced round with the rest, enjoying the +delightful feel of the cool ripples of the lake as they dashed against +her.</p> + +<p>The young people were not allowed to go out very far alone, but Mr. Rose +would swim out with them, one at a time, for a short distance and return +them safely to shallower water.</p> + +<p>"Do teach me to swim," pleaded Dolly, who took to water like a duck. So +Mr. Rose gave her her first lesson and she was so promising a pupil that +he declared she would soon learn to become expert.</p> + +<p>The bath over, they returned to the bath houses to dress and Dolly found +in hers, instead of her travelling suit, a serge skirt and middy blouse. +She put these on, and when she went out she found Dotty similarly +arrayed. Mrs. Rose braided the two girls' hair in long pig-tails and +tied their ribbons for them.</p> + +<p>"Now for a camp breakfast!" exclaimed Mr. Rose, as the group reunited.</p> + +<p>"I've had my breakfast," began Dolly, but Mr. Rose interrupted her, +saying, "indeed you haven't! Just wait till you see."</p> + +<p>In a little clearing not far from the bungalow,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> Dolly saw a table of +boards with seats each side and here the family gathered.</p> + +<p>Such a breakfast as it was! Maria's flap-jacks had materialised and of +all light, puffy, golden delicacies they were the best. Then there was +brook trout, fresh and delicious; a tempting omelet; and as a great +treat the girls were each allowed a cup of coffee.</p> + +<p>The trip up the lake and the invigorating bath had given Dolly a +ravenous appetite and never had food tasted so good. She didn't quite +understand why nothing was said about her running away in the night, but +it was a great relief that the subject was not touched upon, and in the +gay laughter and chatter of the Rose family, she finally forgot all +about it.</p> + +<p>"Now, who's for a tramp in the woods?" and Mr. Rose lighted a cigar as +he left the table.</p> + +<p>"Me!" cried Dolly, dancing up to her host; "when can we start?"</p> + +<p>"Right away quick," and Mr. Rose smiled down at her; "have you good +stout shoes?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed," and Dolly showed her little tan boots.</p> + +<p>The whole family started off, each with a stout stick to help their +steps in climbing, and each with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> a little basket, because, as Mr. Rose +said, "you never can tell what you'll find to bring home."</p> + +<p>They started off briskly, Dolly and Dotty on either side of Mr. Rose and +Genie and her mother following close behind.</p> + +<p>"Guess we'll try the Rocky Chasm path this morning," said Mr. Rose, who +acted as guide.</p> + +<p>Away they went, walking briskly, but not too rapidly. Though it was a +warm day the path through the woods was cool and pleasant and +occasionally they paused to rest for a time. Presently the climbing +began and this they took by easy stages, so that when at last they +reached their goal, Dolly was not at all tired.</p> + +<p>"What a beautiful place!" she cried, as they found themselves on top of +a high hill looking down into a rocky chasm.</p> + +<p>"Don't go too near the edge," warned Mrs. Rose as her husband and the +two girls went to peer over the edge of the precipice.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed!" he returned, "but Dolly must see down in the chasm. Here, +Dot, you show her how."</p> + +<p>So Dotty lay down flat on the rocks and wriggled along until she could +see over the very edge while her father held tightly to her feet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It's wonderful!" she exclaimed; "now you try it, Dolly."</p> + +<p>Somewhat timidly, but with full faith in Mr. Rose, Dolly lay down prone, +and cautiously edged along till she could see over the shelving rock. +She felt Mr. Rose's firm grip on her ankles, and she looked down with +wonder at the sheer straight descent of rock and down at the very bottom +of the chasm she saw a tiny brook tossing and foaming along.</p> + +<p>"Not yet!" she called as Mr. Rose advised her to come back. "Let me see +it a moment longer!"</p> + +<p>"Don't get dizzy!" called out Mrs. Rose.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed!" said Dolly, as at last Mr. Rose pulled her in; "I wasn't +dizzy a bit! I never saw anything so wonderful. That beautiful little +brook way down there a thousand miles below!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, not quite so far as that," said Mr. Rose, laughing. "Come on; let's +go down and see it from below."</p> + +<p>They picked up their baskets and following Mr. Rose's direction they +climbed down a rocky ravine and, sure enough, found themselves right +beside the little tumbling brook. Dolly sat on a rock and gazed upward +at the precipice, looking at the very spot where she had poked her head +over.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Were we really up there looking down?" she exclaimed. "I can hardly +believe it. Oh, what a lovely place this is!"</p> + +<p>"Yes, isn't it!" cried Dotty; "let's dig something, Daddy."</p> + +<p>"What can we find?" And Mr. Rose looked around. "Why, my goodness, my +basket is full already!"</p> + +<p>"What's in it?" cried Genie, scampering around to see. "Oh, goody! +cookies and lemonade!"</p> + +<p>Though Dolly had really had two breakfasts, the mountain climb had made +her ready to welcome a little light refreshment and the bottles of +lemonade and the box of cookies were rapidly disposed of by the party.</p> + +<p>"I see Indian Pipes," remarked Mr. Rose, and Dotty cried, "Where? +Where?"</p> + +<p>"Those who seek will find," said Mr. Rose, smiling, and the girls set to +work hunting.</p> + +<p>Dotty was the first to spy some of the graceful white blossoms under +some concealing green leaves, but a moment later Dolly found some too. +With their trowels they carefully dug up the plants and put them in +their baskets to take home.</p> + +<p>Genie collected some odd stones, and Mrs. Rose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> found a particular bit +of Eglantine that she wanted and soon the baskets were filled and the +party took up their homeward way.</p> + +<p>Mostly of a down-hill trend, the way home was easy, and as the baskets +were not heavy the girls danced gaily along singing songs as they went.</p> + +<p>"Why, goodness, gracious sakes; it's nearly two o'clock!" cried Dolly as +they entered the big living room of the bungalow and set down their +burdens.</p> + +<p>"It sho'ly is!" and Maria's black face appeared in the doorway. "I +suttinly thought you-all was never comin' home to dinner! I'se been +waitin' and waitin' till everything is jes' 'bout spoilt!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I guess not as bad as that, Maria," and Mr. Rose smiled pleasantly +at her. "We're not much behind time, and we won't grumble if things are +cold."</p> + +<p>"Laws' sakes! they ain't cold! I'se dun looked out for dat. Yo' better +wash that mud off your hands and come along. Doan' waste no time now."</p> + +<p>The Roses were accustomed to Maria's good-natured scoldings and they ran +away to follow her advice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X</h2> + +<h3>HIDDEN TREASURE</h3> + +<p>"Take time to tidy up and put on clean blouses," called out Mrs. Rose as +the girls went to their rooms.</p> + +<p>But they made quick work of it, and helped each other in the matter of +hair ribbons and soon three very trim and tidy young persons in clean +white linen presented themselves, hungry for their dinner.</p> + +<p>Maria had a steaming chicken stew for them, with fluffy white dumplings +that showed no sign of being "spoilt"; in fact, she had not cooked them +until after the family's return.</p> + +<p>"Was there ever anything so good!" exclaimed Dolly as she received a +second portion of the fricassee.</p> + +<p>"Everything tastes good up here," said Dotty, "but Maria sure is a dandy +on stewed chicken. But go easy, Doll, for I happen to know there's an +Apple Betty to follow and just you wait till you see that!"</p> + +<p>But Dolly's camp appetite was quite equal to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> Apple Betty also, +which was, as Dolly had predicted, a triumph in the matter of desserts.</p> + +<p>"I feel as if I had been to a party," Dolly said as they left the table. +"I believe I've eaten more to-day than I do in a week at home."</p> + +<p>"It's the air," said Mr. Rose. "Crosstrees' air is the greatest +appetiser known to man. If I could bottle it and sell it, I'd make my +everlasting fortune. Now, may I ask what you young ladies have on hand +for this afternoon?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing particular," said Dotty. "Why?"</p> + +<p>"Because I asked a few young people from the neighbouring camps to come +over here for awhile."</p> + +<p>"A party?" cried Genie. "Oh, Daddy, a party?"</p> + +<p>"Not exactly a party; only half a dozen of the Norrises and Holmeses."</p> + +<p>"Lovely!" cried Dotty. "I haven't seen the Norrises since last year, and +I don't know the Holmeses. Who are they?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. Holmes is a friend of mine and his daughter Edith is about the age +of you girls, and they have two or three guests."</p> + +<p>"And the Norrises, Maisie and Jack, are awfully nice," said Dotty. +"You'll like them, Doll; Maisie is something like you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> + +<p>"She isn't a bit like Dolly," put in Genie, "'cept she's fat and yellow +headed and blue eyed. But she isn't half as pretty as Dolly, so don't +you mind, Dollyrinda."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I don't mind," and Dolly laughed. "I don't think a blue-eyed +Towhead can be pretty anyway. I like dark eyes and dark curls best."</p> + +<p>"Thank you, ma'am," and Dotty dropped a curtsey. "Shall we dress up, +Mother?"</p> + +<p>"No; those clean blouses are all right. It's just a camp frolic, not a +formal party."</p> + +<p>"It's a Kidd party," observed Mr. Rose, looking mysterious.</p> + +<p>"A kid party?" echoed Dotty; "of course. I didn't s'pose it was a +grown-up party, Daddy, for us children."</p> + +<p>Mr. Rose only laughed and turned away, and the girls wandered out toward +the open tent where Dolly had gone to bed the night before.</p> + +<p>The hemlock-bough beds were covered now with big spreads of gay cretonne +and many cretonne pillows, and served as day couches.</p> + +<p>The sight of the tent recalled to Dolly's mind the events of the night +before, and she suddenly experienced a wave of embarrassment and remorse +at the way she had acted. She felt, too, that an apology<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> was due to her +hosts and somehow it didn't seem right to talk about it to the girls for +she felt that it was to Mr. and Mrs. Rose she owed an explanation.</p> + +<p>"Wait here for me a minute," she said suddenly to Dolly and Genie, and +turning, she ran back to the bungalow.</p> + +<p>She found Mr. and Mrs. Rose in the living room, and going straight to +them she said impulsively, "I was very naughty to run away last night +and I want to apologise. You see I got homesick—"</p> + +<p>"Bless your heart; don't say a word about it," said Mr. Rose, in the +kindest tones; "that's part of the performance, child. Everybody gets +homesick the first night in camp. It's to be expected. Then, you see, +the next day they begin to like it and the third day you couldn't drive +them home."</p> + +<p>"But I was very impolite to go away like that—"</p> + +<p>"Never mind, Dollikins," and Mrs. Rose put her arm around her little +visitor; "it's all right, dearie; don't think of it again. I know +perfectly well how forlorn you felt and how you wanted your mother. And +I know, too, you were chilly and you felt strange and lonesome and +couldn't sleep. But that's all over now and we won't even think of it +again. If you don't sleep all right to-night and if you want to go home +to-morrow, I'll take you down myself, right<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> straight to where your +mother is. Now put it all out of your mind and scamper back to Dotty. +The party will be coming pretty soon now."</p> + +<p>"Run along," and Mr. Rose patted the golden head. "You wouldn't have +been the right kind of a guest at all if you hadn't been homesick the +first night. But I'll bet you a ripe red apple that you won't want to go +home to-morrow, but if you do want to you shall. Now skip along, for if +I'm not mistaken I hear a motor boat and like as not it's that bunch +from the Holmes'."</p> + +<p>Dolly ran away, her heart greatly lightened by the kind attitude of her +hosts, and though she felt sorry she had run away the night before, she +did not feel so ashamed since they had so pleasantly made light of it.</p> + +<p>Sure enough, the party of young people were just coming along the pier, +and Edith Holmes, a bright girl of about Dolly's age, was introducing +herself and her friends.</p> + +<p>"I'm Edith Holmes," she said, laughing, "and these are my cousins, Guy +and Elmer. They're nice enough boys, but here's their sister Josie who +is nicer yet."</p> + +<p>Josie was a shy little thing, who blushed and cast down her eyes at +Edith's praise.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I thought the Norrises would be here," went on Edith, "and as they know +us and know you they could introduce us better. But we'll just scrape +acquaintance."</p> + +<p>"Oh, that's all right," said Dotty. "I'm Dotty Rose and this is my chum, +Dolly Fayre, and my little sister, Genie. I have a brother but he isn't +here." She smiled at the boys as she said this and Elmer Holmes said, +"That doesn't matter; we just love to play with girls. And anyhow here +comes Jack Norris to keep us in countenance."</p> + +<p>Jack and Maisie Norris came along, having walked over from the next +camp. They were acquainted with the Holmes' young people as both +families had been there all summer.</p> + +<p>Introductions over, they all sat along the edge of the open tent. The +floor of this, being only about a foot above ground, made a convenient +seat and those who wished had cushions to sit on or lean against.</p> + +<p>"Awful glad you people got up here at last," said Maisie Norris as she +twisted one of Dotty's curls round her finger. "Is your arm all well, +Dot?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, though it isn't awfully strong yet. I have to be a little careful. +But it was my left one, you know, so I can play croquet and tennis and +do most everything."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> + +<p>"You had a gay old mixup, didn't you?" said Jack Norris, smiling at +Dolly. "You broke yourself, too, didn't you?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes; you know Dotty and I are next-door neighbours this year, and +whatever one of us does the other has to. But we're both mended now and +ready for any sort of fun."</p> + +<p>Then Mr. Rose came along, bringing about a dozen spades. They were small +ones, such as come with children's gardening tools, and he gave one to +each of the young people present.</p> + +<p>"What for?" asked Elmer Holmes, as he looked at the shining new tool.</p> + +<p>"I told my girls that this was to be a Kidd party," said Mr. Rose, "but +they didn't quite understand what I meant. Now I'll explain. Has each +one a spade?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," and the nine boys and girls held them up.</p> + +<p>"All right then. Now, what you want to do is to dig for Captain Kidd's +buried treasure. You have all heard that old Captain Kidd buried a lot +of treasure somewhere, but I doubt if you were aware that he buried it +in Crosstrees Camp. However, there is a tradition to that effect and so +I would like you to do your best to find it. Tradition says that the +treasure was buried somewhere near the spot where we are now.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> It is +hidden, I believe, not farther than fifty feet away in any direction +from this open tent, so everybody may dig wherever he chooses within +that radius, and see if he can unearth the treasure."</p> + +<p>"But, Daddy," said Genie, "how do we know where to dig?"</p> + +<p>"That you must decide for yourselves. Dig any place you like; turn up +the whole area if you choose; or, if you see a place that seems +especially hopeful, dig there. I feel sure the treasure is really buried +somewhere around and it's up to you young people to discover where it +may be."</p> + +<p>"We'll find it!" and Jack Norris brandished his spade in the air. "Come +on, girls and boys; let's dig down to China if necessary, but let's get +Kidd's old treasure chest."</p> + +<p>The young people scattered, looking about for probable places to dig.</p> + +<p>Dolly, a little unused to digging, began rather aimlessly to toss up the +soil near by where she stood.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I say," said Jack Norris, "don't start in that way. Come along with +me and let's find a place that looks promising."</p> + +<p>They walked away, looking eagerly at the ground about them, when Dolly +spied something white under the leaves of a vine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, look here!" she cried, and Jack stooped down to see what it was. +They saw a grinning skull and cross bones made of white plaster and +partly sunken in the earth.</p> + +<p>"Geewhillikens! we've struck it!" cried Jack, "or rather you have! I +felt sure from that twinkle in Mr. Rose's eye that there was some way of +knowing where to dig. This is it, of course. The treasure is buried +here! Let's dig for it!"</p> + +<p>Carefully setting aside the little skull, which was only a papier-maché +toy, they both began to dig desperately.</p> + +<p>"The ground is soft! It has lately been dug, you see, to plant the box +here. How lucky you saw that white thing under the leaves."</p> + +<p>"You would have seen it if I hadn't," said Dolly, not wanting to take +all the credit to herself. "It's buried pretty deep, isn't it?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sort of. Don't you dig any more, if you're tired; I'll dig the +rest of the way."</p> + +<p>Dolly paused a few moments, and Jack went on digging. At last he said, +as he straightened himself up and wiped his brow with his handkerchief, +"Do you know, I believe we're hoaxed! I believe that skull was there to +fool us!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'll bet it was!" and Dolly's eyes danced as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> she realised the +situation. "Maybe there are other skulls in other places!"</p> + +<p>"I shouldn't wonder. Let's go and see."</p> + +<p>"Let's fill up this hole first and put the skull back to fool somebody +else."</p> + +<p>"All right," and Jack hastily tossed the dirt back into the hole, and +replaced the little white skull.</p> + +<p>"Somebody is coming this way! Let's hide," and Dolly and Jack quickly +whisked themselves behind a clump of trees.</p> + +<p>Guy Holmes and Maisie Norris came along and they spied the white skull +which Jack had left placed rather more conspicuously than he had found +it.</p> + +<p>"Oh, look at that!" cried Guy, and Maisie exclaimed, "This is the right +place, of course! We've struck it at last! That pirate flag was just to +fool us. Hooray! let's dig!"</p> + +<p>Dolly and Jack could scarcely keep from laughing aloud as they saw the +newcomers digging desperately in the very spot they had dug themselves.</p> + +<p>At last Jack beckoned to Dolly and they softly glided away without +letting the others know of their presence.</p> + +<p>"Now we want to find where it really is," whispered Jack as soon as they +were out of hearing of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> the others. "I say, this is a great game! and +we've learned something from those people. The spot marked with a pirate +flag is not the right one! When we find that, there is no use of +digging."</p> + +<p>The pair went on, prospecting for a likely place to dig. There were so +many trees and shrubs, that often there would be no view of any of the +other seekers. And then again they would come across groups of two or +three, or perhaps one alone digging desperately or looking disappointed +at a failure.</p> + +<p>Gay greetings were exchanged or words of sympathy and commiseration and +each went on his chosen way.</p> + +<p>"Do you know," said Jack at last, "I shouldn't be surprised if the real +place isn't marked at all. Hullo, what's this?" Right at his feet lay a +toy bowie-knife. Though made of pasteboard, it was a ferocious-looking +affair and the spot where it was had not been disturbed.</p> + +<p>"I don't believe that's the right place," said Jack, who had grown +suspicious of misleading clues. "Anyway, Dolly, let's leave that, and +come back to it if we don't find anything more hopeful."</p> + +<p>So they wandered on and next they came to the pirate flag. This black +and white emblem was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> planted above a much dug up space and they laughed +as they concluded that several trials had been made there.</p> + +<p>Soon they came upon Dotty and Josie Holmes who were hastily digging at a +spot which had been marked by two stakes. They had pulled up the stakes, +but as yet had not found any treasure.</p> + +<p>"Bet it isn't there," said Jack, looking closely at the two stakes.</p> + +<p>"Why?" demanded Dotty.</p> + +<p>"Dunno. Somehow it doesn't seem 'sif it is. Come on, Dolly, let's try +again."</p> + +<p>"Go on," said Dotty; "I think this is the place. Josie and I feel +certain of it. Go on, you two, and good luck to you."</p> + +<p>Shouldering their spades, Jack and Dolly trudged on.</p> + +<p>"Let's think it out," said Jack, seating himself on a flat rock, while +Dolly did likewise. "I believe we can think out where Mr. Rose would +have been likely to put the thing. Now I don't believe it would be very +close to where he started us. These nearby digging places are all +frauds. Let's go to the limit of the space he said, and try all 'round +the edge."</p> + +<p>"How can you tell?" And Dolly looked at him with a puzzled expression.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Why, he said fifty feet, you know, and I can pace off what ought to be +about fifty feet and then we'll walk all the way round."</p> + +<p>They did this, and as they walked round the circle which Jack declared +was about the boundary of the fifty-foot radius, they soon came upon a +good-sized iron key.</p> + +<p>"This is it!" cried Jack; "we've struck it! This is the key to the +chest, and the chest is buried here!"</p> + +<p>"Good work!" and Guy Holmes and Maisie Norris appeared just in time to +hear Jack's exclamation. "Come on, let's all dig!"</p> + +<p>"No," said Dolly, sitting down on the ground; "I can't dig any more; I'm +too tired. Maisie and I will sit here while you boys do the digging."</p> + +<p>"All right," the boys agreed, and they fell to work with a will.</p> + +<p>They had thrown out but a few spadefulls of dirt, when they struck +something hard.</p> + +<p>"Hooray! hurroo!" cried Guy; "we've got it! We've struck the treasure!"</p> + +<p>"Sure we have!" and Jack flung out the dirt excitedly. "Easy there now, +old fellow! Look out! It's the chest, sure enough!"</p> + +<p>The two girls jumped up and ran to look, as the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> boys uncovered one +corner of what seemed to be an old brass-bound chest.</p> + +<p>"It is; it is!" cried Dolly. "We've found it. Hooray, everybody! We've +found the treasure!"</p> + +<p>As her voice rang out the others left their digging and all congregated +about the lucky finders.</p> + +<p>Other spades were set to work and in a short time willing hands lifted +the old chest from the hole and set it up on the solid earth.</p> + +<p>"It's locked!" cried somebody, as several tried to open it at once.</p> + +<p>"Of course it is," said Dolly; "don't you remember, Jack, it was the key +that first showed us where it was. What did you do with that key?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know," and Jack Norris began looking around.</p> + +<p>"I know," said Dolly, laughing; "you left it on the ground and you +spaded out the dirt all over it. Now you'll have to dig for the key!"</p> + +<p>"That's just what I did do! If I'm not the chump!" and Jack began to dig +in the heap of dirt they had thrown up out of the hole.</p> + +<p>"Toss it back in the hole," cried Guy, and in a jiffy the dirt was flung +back where it came from and the key was discovered.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't let's open the box here," said Dolly; "I think we ought to take +it to Mr. Rose first."</p> + +<p>"I think so, too," agreed Jack Norris, and the boys carried the big box, +while Dolly and the girls followed with the key.</p> + +<p>"Here you are, Captain Kidd," cried Jack as they met Mr. Rose already +coming to meet them.</p> + +<p>"Found it, did you?" said that gentleman, smiling at the band of +treasure seekers. "Bring it along and we'll open it."</p> + +<p>They all followed him to the bungalow veranda, and there the treasure +chest was unlocked.</p> + +<p>It contained a little souvenir for everybody present and there were +exclamations of delight over the pretty trinkets that were found tied up +in dainty tissue paper parcels that did not look at all as if they had +been prepared by Captain Kidd or his pirate crew!</p> + +<p>Dolly's gift was a pretty writing tablet, well furnished, and upon +which, she declared, she should write a long letter home telling of the +treasure hunt and its success.</p> + +<p>Later on a jolly picnic supper was served to the young people and before +this was finished the sun had set and the stars were beginning to show +above the tall trees.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now for a real camp-fire," said Mr. Rose, leading the way to the open +tent. "Come on, boys, and help me fetch wood."</p> + +<p>The boys followed their host and under direction of Mrs. Rose and Dotty +the open tent was transformed into a cosy and inviting place. Hemlock +and spruce boughs were thrown about and partly covered with Indian +blankets and many cushions and pillows and mats of woven rattan.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rose and the girls arranged themselves comfortably in this spicy +nest and when the boys returned with arms full of fagots and brush, Mr. +Rose superintended the building of a glorious fire right in front of the +open tent.</p> + +<p>Then the party all gathered together and sang songs and told stories and +cracked jokes in merry mood.</p> + +<p>The blazing fire cast grotesque shadows all about and the merry +crackling blaze was a joy of itself.</p> + +<p>Boxes of marshmallows made their appearance and faces took on a rosy +glow as the young people toasted the white lumps of delight on the ends +of long forks provided by Maria.</p> + +<p>"I never had such a good time in my life," exclaimed Dolly, her eyes +dancing and her cheeks rosy as she scampered around the fire.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do you like camping?" asked Jack Norris, looking admiringly at the +pretty laughing face.</p> + +<p>"I just love it!" Dolly cried, and everybody wondered why all the Rose +family chuckled with glee.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you ever been up here before?" asked Jack.</p> + +<p>"No; I never saw a camp-fire before. I had no idea these things were +such fun. This has been the most beautiful day in my life!" And Dolly +looked roguishly up into the face of Mr. Rose who chanced to be passing +by. "And I thank you for it," she added, slipping her hand into his.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rose gave her little hand a warm welcoming grasp as he answered, +"I'm awfully glad you're enjoying it and you are very welcome to Camp +Crosstrees!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2> + +<h3>A THRILLING EXPERIENCE</h3> + +<p>After that the days just fairly flew. Dolly changed her mind completely +and concluded that camp life was one of the jolliest things in the +world.</p> + +<p>Talking things over with Dotty, she explained her lonesomeness and +homesickness that first night.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I understand," and Dotty wagged her head sagaciously. "Most +everybody doesn't like camp at first and we didn't have any fun that +first night, but, you see, we all knew the fun was coming next days and +you didn't."</p> + +<p>"It was partly that," said Dolly, honestly, "and partly 'cause I felt +that I <i>must</i> see Mother. You see, I've never been away from her all +night before, and it was so queer sleeping outdoors, and I was sort of +cold, and—"</p> + +<p>"I know! You were hungry! There's nothing makes anybody as homesick as +being hungry. Supper was skinny that night, I remember, and I was hungry +too, only I went to sleep and forgot all about it. Come on, Doll, let's +go over to the Norrises."</p> + +<p>"All right," and having informed Mrs. Rose of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> their intention the two +girls set off for the Norris camp, which was but a short distance away.</p> + +<p>To their disappointment, when they reached there, they learned that Mrs. +Norris had taken both Maisie and Jack to town with her to do some +shopping, and they would not be back before six o'clock.</p> + +<p>It was Sarah, the nurse girl, who told them this, as she sat on the +verandah taking care of Gladys, the two-year-old Norris baby.</p> + +<p>"Let's stay a few minutes and play with the kiddy," said Dolly, patting +the little fat hand of the smiling child.</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Dotty; "let's take her in the swing."</p> + +<p>The two girls with Gladys between them sat in the wide porch swing and +Sarah said diffidently, "Would you two young ladies mind keeping the +baby for half an hour, while I run down the road a piece to see my +sister? She's awful sick."</p> + +<p>"Go ahead, Sarah," said Dolly, good-naturedly. "We'll take care of +Gladys. She won't cry, will she?"</p> + +<p>"That she won't. She's the best baby in the world. There's a couple of +crackers you can give her if she's hungry, or the cook will give you a +cup of milk for her. I won't be gone long."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't stay more than half an hour, Sarah," said Dotty; "I'd just as +lieve keep the baby but I don't know as Mrs. Norris would like it to +have you go away from the child."</p> + +<p>"Oh, pshaw!" said Dolly; "the baby is all right with us. Stay as long as +you want to, Sarah; I just love to take care of babies."</p> + +<p>So Sarah went away and the two girls proceeded to give Gladys the time +of her life. They soon tired of the swing and took the baby out into the +woods, where they crowned her with leaves and called her Queen of the +May.</p> + +<p>The child laughed and crowed, and as her language was limited she called +both the girls Doddy, and beamed on them both impartially. Herself she +called Daddy, being unable to achieve her own name.</p> + +<p>"Two Doddies take Daddy saily-bye!" she cried, waving her fat hands +toward the lake.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," said Dolly; "Daddy go saily-bye when Jack comes home."</p> + +<p>"No! no wait for Dak! Daddy 'ant to go saily <i>now</i>! Daddy go in boat! +Two Doddy go in boat and sail Daddy far, far away!" The two little arms +waved as if indicating a journey round the world, and the baby face +beamed so coaxingly that Dolly couldn't resist it.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll go down to the shore," she said, "and Gladys can paddle her hands +in the water; that will be nice."</p> + +<p>"Ess!" and the baby danced with glee as the three went down to the lake.</p> + +<p>There was a short bit of fairly good beach at the Norrises' place, and +here the children sat down to play. A sail boat, a row boat and a canoe +were tied there and soon Gladys renewed her plea to go sailing.</p> + +<p>The girls tried to divert her mind, for they were not willing to take +the responsibility of taking the little girl out on the water.</p> + +<p>"Maybe we might take her out in the row boat," suggested Dotty, but +Dolly said, "No, I'd rather not. I can row well enough, but you can't do +much with your weak arm and suppose anything should happen to this +blessed child! No, siree, Dot; I'm not going to take any such risk."</p> + +<p>"I think you're silly. We could row around near shore and it would +please the baby a heap. She's going to cry if you don't."</p> + +<p>Dotty's prediction seemed in imminent danger of being fulfilled, but +Dolly sprang up and began a frolicking song and dance intended to divert +the baby's attention.</p> + +<p>But for a few moments only Gladys was pleased<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> with this entertainment. +With the persistency of her kind, she returned again and again to the +subject of her greatly desired water trip.</p> + +<p>Still being denied, she set up a first class crying act. It scarcely +seemed possible that so many tears could come from those two blue eyes! +She didn't scream or howl, but she cried desperately, continuously, and +with heartbroken sobs until the two caretakers were filled with +consternation.</p> + +<p>No effort to divert her was successful. In no game or play would she +show any interest, and as the little face grew red from the continued +sobbing, Dotty exclaimed, "That child will have a fit, if she doesn't +get what she wants! Now look here, Doll; we won't go in a boat, but +let's put the baby in the canoe and just pull her back and forth gently +by the rope. It's tied fast to the post."</p> + +<p>Dolly looked doubtful, but as the baby sensed Dotty's words a heavenly +smile broke over her face and she exclaimed, "Ess, ess! Daddy go +saily-bye all aloney!"</p> + +<p>Dolly still hesitated, but Dotty picked up the eager child and plumped +her down in the middle of the canoe, which was partly drawn up on the +shelving beach. A little push set it afloat and grasping the rope +firmly, Dotty gently pushed and pulled the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> canoe back and forth, while +the baby squealed with delight.</p> + +<p>"That can't do any harm," said Dotty, pleased with the success of her +scheme, and Dolly agreed that Gladys was safe enough as long as she sat +still.</p> + +<p>"Even if she should spill out, she'd only get wet," said Dotty; "the +water isn't six inches deep where she is. And you <i>will</i> sit still, +won't you, baby?"</p> + +<p>"Ess, Daddy sit still," and the baby folded her hands and sat motionless +in the canoe, only swaying slightly with the motion as Dotty slowly +pulled her in shore and then let her drift back again.</p> + +<p>"It's like a new-fashioned cradle," said Dolly; "I'll hold the rope for +awhile, Dot."</p> + +<p>"All right, take it; it hurts your hand a little after awhile."</p> + +<p>So Dolly pulled the rope and the two girls sitting on the beach chatted +away while the baby floated back and forth.</p> + +<p>"Let me take it now," said Dotty after a time; "you must be tired."</p> + +<p>"No, I'm not a bit tired, and I can use two hands while you can use only +one. You oughtn't to use that left flapper of yours much while it's +weak, Dot."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Pooh, it isn't weak! It's as strong as anything. Give me that rope!"</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I won't do it," and there was a good-natured scuffle for the +possession of the rope as the four hands grabbed at it and each pair +tried to get the other pair off.</p> + +<p>"Let go, you!" cried Dotty, pulling at Dolly's hands.</p> + +<p>"Let go yourself!" Dolly replied, laughingly, and then,—they never knew +quite how it happened, but somehow their scramble had pulled the rope +loose from the post, and as they twisted each other's hands, the rope +slipped away from them and slid away under the water.</p> + +<p>The lake was full of cross currents and even before they realised what +had happened the canoe was several feet from shore. To Gladys it seemed +like some new game and she clapped her hands and shouted in glee, "Daddy +saily all aloney,—far, far away!" She waved her baby arms and rocked +back and forth in joy.</p> + +<p>Dotty and Dolly were for a moment paralysed with fright. Then Dotty, +grabbing Dolly's arm, said, "<i>Don't</i> stand there like that! We must <i>do</i> +something! That baby will drown! Let's holler for help."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dotty tried to scream, but her heart was beating so wildly and her +nerves pulsing so rapidly she could make scarcely any sound, and her +wail of agony died away in a whisper.</p> + +<p>"I can't yell, either," said Dolly, hoarsely, as she trembled like a +leaf. "But we must <i>do</i> something! <i>Don't</i> go to pieces, Dotty—"</p> + +<p>"Go to pieces nothing! You're going to faint yourself. Now stop it, +Dollyrinda," and Dotty gave her a shake. "We've got to save that child, +no matter how we do it!— Sit still, baby, won't you?" she called to +Gladys.</p> + +<p>But the child bounced about in her new-found freedom and grasping each +side of the canoe with her little hands began to rock it as hard as her +baby strength would allow.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" breathed Dolly, who was watching with staring eyes; "sit still, +little Gladys; don't rock the boat, dearie."</p> + +<p>"Ess; rock-a-by-baby, in a saily boat!" and again Gladys swayed the +little craft from side to side.</p> + +<p>"We must make her stop that first of all," and Dotty wrung her hands as +she stepped down to the water's edge and even into the water as she +called to the baby. "Gladys, sit very still, and Doddy come out there in +another boat. Sit <i>very</i> still."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> + +<p>Gladys did sit still, and the canoe floated steadily on the smooth lake. +But it drifted farther and farther from land and now about twenty feet +of water separated the baby from the shore.</p> + +<p>"We've got to get in the row boat and go out there," said Dotty, who was +already untying the rope.</p> + +<p>"Yes, it's the only thing to do," agreed Dolly; "but you can't row, Dot, +and I can. So I'll take the boat, and you run for help. I don't know +whether you'd better go to the Norrises; I don't think there's anybody +there but the cook, or whether you'd better make straight for home and +get your father to come."</p> + +<p>"I'll do both! I can run, if I can't row!" and Dotty flew off like a +deer up the hill toward the Norris camp.</p> + +<p>Dolly stepped into the boat and shipped the oars. It was a large +flat-bottomed boat and the oars were heavy. Dolly knew how to row but +she was not expert at it, and, too, she dreaded to turn around with her +back to the baby. "Though," she thought to herself, in an agony of +conflicting ideas, "I've got to row out there, and I can't do it and +keep watch of Gladys both."</p> + +<p>She pulled a few strokes, twisting her head between<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> each to get a +glimpse of the baby who was now sitting quietly in the canoe, drifting +out toward the middle of the lake.</p> + +<p>Not a motor boat or craft of any kind that might lend assistance was in +sight. They were at the extreme upper end of the lake and most of the +camps were farther down. Vainly Dolly scanned the water for a boat of +any kind, but saw none. Bravely she pulled at the big oars, but she was +not an athletic girl, and having been laid up so long with a broken leg +her muscles were weak.</p> + +<p>She pulled as hard as she could, in a straight line toward the canoe, +but though she succeeded in lessening the distance between them she +could not get very near the baby, for the canoe drifted steadily away.</p> + +<p>At last, by almost superhuman efforts, she came within a few feet of the +child, and then fearing to bump into the canoe and upset it, she turned +around and tried to back water gently. But the big oars were ungainly +and the task was not easy.</p> + +<p>Moreover, Gladys was overjoyed at seeing Dolly in the other boat and she +expressed her joy by leaning over the side of the canoe.</p> + +<p>Dolly's heart seemed to stop beating as she saw the wobbly little boat +careen with the laughing baby<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> leaning far over the edge. She knew she +must not alarm the child and so in a desperate endeavour to speak +naturally, she called out, "Sit up straight, baby; see how straight you +can sit!"</p> + +<p>"So straight!" and Gladys emphasised her straightness by putting both +arms up in the air.</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear. Now fold your arms and sit straight."</p> + +<p>Gladys obeyed and folded her chubby arms and sat motionless right in the +middle of the canoe.</p> + +<p>Dolly's heart bounded with thankfulness as with aching arms she pushed +her way nearer the drifting canoe. She was moving stern first and tried +to manœuvre to try to come up sideways against the canoe. Then if she +could lift the baby safely into her own flat-bottomed boat she would be +content to drift about until help came.</p> + +<p>How many times she tried! But just as her boat would near the other, a +chance current or a puff of wind would take the canoe just out of her +reach. Paddling now with one oar she came very near the unsteady little +craft, so near that Gladys suddenly decided to jump into Dolly's boat.</p> + +<p>The child scrambled to her knees and leaned over the side of the canoe +till she was almost in the water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Sit down!" screamed Dolly frantically, forgetting the danger of +suddenness.</p> + +<p>Gladys was startled and instead of sitting down leaned farther over the +edge, and the canoe capsized!</p> + +<p>Dolly's face blanched, her oars dropped from her hands and every muscle +in her body went limp. Then the impulse came to jump in the water after +the child. Seizing the row-lock, she was about to plunge, blindly, +heedlessly, but obeying the irresistible impulse, when something white +appeared on the water, right at her very side. It was Gladys's white +dress, and Dolly made a grab for it just as it was again about to sink +from sight.</p> + +<p>She held on firmly, though it seemed as if her strength was ebbing +rapidly away.</p> + +<p>She strove with all her might to pull the baby into her own boat, but +she could not lift the heavy child over the edge. How glad she was now +that she was in the big flat-bottomed boat, which was in little if any +danger of upsetting.</p> + +<p>Not knowing whether the baby was dead or alive, she hung on to the +precious burden, still trying to lift her over the edge, but unable to +do so. It was all she could do to keep her grasp on the wet clothing and +keep the child's head above water as the eddies tossed her boat around +on the rough surface of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> lake. The waves were choppy and every time +she would nearly succeed in lifting the baby in, a sudden lurch would +almost make her lose her grip.</p> + +<p>It was when at last she almost felt the little form slipping from her +grasp that she heard the chug-chug of a motor boat and a cheery, loud +voice sang out, "Hang on, Dolly; hang on! All right, we're coming!"</p> + +<p>Dolly didn't dare look up, but with her last ounce of strength she hung +on to the baby's white dress, which she had already torn to ribbons in +her clutches. She heard the swift oncoming of the motor boat and feared +lest its waves might even yet wash the little form away that she held so +insecurely. She refused to lift her eyes as the sound of the engine grew +louder and she felt a sickening fear of the first waves that might reach +her from the motor boat.</p> + +<p>To her dismay she felt her hold loosening. Her muscles were powerless +longer to stand the strain of the baby's weight. She heard the motor and +she felt, or imagined she did, the first of the rhythmic waves that +would, she felt certain, as they grew stronger, tear the child from her +grasp. In desperation she bunched up a portion of the little white dress +and leaning her head down clinched it firmly in her teeth.</p> + +<p>But even as she did so, she knew she could not hold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> it there. The wet +cloth choked her, and the water dashed in her face and blinded her. A +sickening conviction came to her that it was all over and in another +instant little Gladys would fall away from her helpless hands, and +drown.</p> + +<p>But to her ears there came a sound of a human voice. Not a shout, not +even a loud call, but a calm, pleasant voice close to her, that said: +"All right Dolly! Let go. You have saved Gladys!"</p> + +<p>Mechanically obeying, though scarcely knowing what she did, Dolly opened +her teeth and as the baby slid from her numbed fingers the child was +grasped by strong arms, and Mr. Rose's face appeared to Dolly's view. He +had swum from the motor boat, and now holding Gladys in one arm he hung +on to the row boat with the other.</p> + +<p>"Take her in," he said, as he lifted the child over the edge into the +boat.</p> + +<p>The reaction brought back Dolly's lost nerve. Gladly she received the +little form in her arms and in another moment Mr. Rose had himself +scrambled, big and dripping, into the boat also.</p> + +<p>"You little trump!" he exclaimed; "you brick! you heroine! Let me take +the baby. Why, she's all right!"</p> + +<p>Gladys, though she had been partly unconscious,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> while in the water, was +really unharmed and as Mr. Rose held her to him she opened her eyes and +smiled.</p> + +<p>Swiftly the motor boat came and took the three on board, and dragging +the row boat behind them, they made quickly for the shore.</p> + +<p>"Well, I swan!" exclaimed Long Sam, who was at the wheel, "if you Dolly +ain't the rippenest little mortal! However you managed to keep a grip on +that there kid is more'n I can tell!"</p> + +<p>"I'm sure I can't tell you," and Dolly smiled, out of sheer happiness at +Gladys' safety.</p> + +<p>They reached the shore in a few moments and Mrs. Rose was there with a +big blanket in which to wrap the baby while they carried her up to the +house. Sarah the nurse was there, and soon Gladys, warmed and fed and +arrayed in dry clothes, was pronounced by all to be none the worse for +her thrilling experience.</p> + +<p>Dolly, however, was exhausted. Mrs. Rose, after leaving the baby to the +nurse, hurried Dolly home and put her to bed.</p> + +<p>"Yes, my dear," she said as Dolly objected; "you have an ordeal to go +through with as heroine of this occasion. When Mrs. Norris comes home, +she will come over here to give you a medal for bravery and heroism and +general life-saving attributes. So you must go to bed now and get rested +up to receive her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> thanks. You're going to have a cup of hot broth and a +good rest and perhaps a nap, and you'll wake up just as bright and happy +as ever."</p> + +<p>And Mrs. Rose's treatment was just what Dolly needed. She slept an hour +or more and then awoke to find Dotty's black eyes gazing into her own.</p> + +<p>"You beautiful, splendid Dollyrinda!" she exclaimed. "You're a Red Cross +heroine and a Legion of Honour Girl and I don't know what all!"</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Dot; I didn't do any more than you did. If you hadn't had the +gumption to run and get your father, Gladys would—well,—things would +have been different."</p> + +<p>"It was all my fault, though," and the tears came into Dotty's eyes. "I +did the wrong in putting the baby in the canoe in the first place."</p> + +<p>"I did that just as much as you did. We both did wrong there, I expect. +And we both did wrong in scrabbling over the rope. Oh, we did wrong all +right, but neither of us was worse than the other. What will Mrs. Norris +say to us?"</p> + +<p>"She's here now," said Dotty, "waiting for you to come down. She doesn't +blame us, she blames Sarah for going away and leaving the baby."</p> + +<p>"That isn't fair!" and Dolly sprang out of bed; "we told Sarah she could +go. Tie up my hair, please,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> Dotty, I want to go down and tell Mrs. +Norris all about it."</p> + +<p>But as it turned out, Mrs. Norris was so glad and happy that little +Gladys was safe, that she wouldn't allow the two D's to be blamed at +all. And as the girls besought her not to blame the nurse, for what had +really been their doing, they all agreed to ignore the question of blame +and dwell only on their gladness and happiness at the safety of +everybody concerned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII</h2> + +<h3>WHO WAS THE TALL PHANTOM?</h3> + +<p>"What <i>is</i> a phantom party?" asked Dolly.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it's lots of fun," Dotty replied; "everybody is rigged up in +sheets, with a head-thing made of a pillow-case, and a little white mask +over your face, so nobody knows you."</p> + +<p>"Can I go?" asked Genie, her black eyes dancing.</p> + +<p>"No," said her mother, "you're too young, dearie, this party of Edith +Holmes' is an evening party; it begins at seven o'clock and only the big +girls can go to it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, dear, will I ever get grown up!" and Genie sighed with envy of her +sister and Dolly.</p> + +<p>"But how do you know who anybody is?" went on Dolly, who had never heard +of this game before.</p> + +<p>"You don't! that's the fun of it. You can't tell the girls from the +boys, and you must try to make your voice different, so nobody will know +who you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> are. Have you plenty of sheets, Mother, to fix us up?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; one apiece will do you I think, if they are wide ones."</p> + +<p>"We'll make our own masks," said Dotty, who had attended parties of this +sort before.</p> + +<p>So they cut masks from white muslin, with a little frill across the +bottom and holes to fit their eyes.</p> + +<p>"Now we must put a piece of gauze or net behind these eye-holes," said +Dotty, out of her full experience, "for if we don't, they'd know your +eyes and mine in a minute, Dollyrinda."</p> + +<p>"Then how can we see where we're going?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, we can see through the thin stuff easily enough, but our eyes don't +show plainly to other people."</p> + +<p>So insets of fine white net were put in the eye-holes and the dainty +white masks were really pretty affairs.</p> + +<p>They had made them not exactly alike, lest duplicates should lead to +suspicion of their identity.</p> + +<p>When it was time to get ready for the party Mrs. Rose pinned the girls +into their sheet draperies.</p> + +<p>"Make us as different as possible, Mother," advised Dotty, "so they'll +never think we're us."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rose pinned Dolly's sheet into the semblance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> of a Japanese kimono, +while she arranged Dotty's in full folds round the neck and let it hang +in a Mother Hubbard effect.</p> + +<p>Dolly's pillow-case headdress was bunched on either side of her head, +like rosettes over her ears, and Dotty's hung in a plain flat fold down +her back like an Italian girl's.</p> + +<p>The masks were adjusted and the girls were ready to start. They wore +white gloves and white shoes and looked like a pair of very lively +ghosts.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rose escorted them over to the Holmes Camp, or nearly there,—for it +was the plan that each phantom must sneak in as stealthily as possible, +in order to remain unknown.</p> + +<p>So sometime before they reached their destination, Dotty ran on ahead, +and with great manœuvring, managed to slip in unseen and saunter +among the crowd already gathered.</p> + +<p>Silently, among the trees, Mr. Rose led Dolly until he saw a good +opportunity and then with a whispered "Scoot in there!" he indicated a +chance for her to make her entrance, and he himself went back home.</p> + +<p>It was dusk, not dark, but the light of the big camp fire made +convenient shadows to screen the entrance of the guests.</p> + +<p>It seemed a weird sight to Dolly as she somewhat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> timidly made her way +in. Twenty or thirty white-robed figures were bowing and scraping or +dancing wildly about or talking to each other in high squeaky voices and +short sentences.</p> + +<p>"Know me?" somebody said, stopping in front of Dolly.</p> + +<p>The voice seemed a little familiar, and yet Dolly couldn't quite place +it. It might be Jack Norris, or it might be one of the Holmes boys. But +in a spirit of fun she nodded her head affirmatively, with great vigour, +as if to declare that she knew the speaker perfectly well, but she would +not speak herself.</p> + +<p>"Who?" squeaked the high voice, hoping Dolly would speak and thus reveal +her own identity.</p> + +<p>But Dolly was too canny for this. Instead she joined together her thumb +and forefinger of each hand and held them up to her eyes, making circles +like eye-glass rims. Now, in sunny weather, Guy Holmes wore big glasses +with shell rims, and as this described him fairly well, it was a stroke +of triumph on Dolly's part. For it was Guy Holmes himself, and he +doubled up with laughter at the clever identification.</p> + +<p>But he shook his head as if Dolly were greatly mistaken in her guess, +and so she didn't know whether she had been right or not.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p> + +<p>When all had arrived, they danced in a circle round the fire, chanting +wild sounds that had no meaning or rhythm but were supposed to be +ghostlike wails and groans.</p> + +<p>Then a game was played, under the direction of Mr. Holmes, by which it +was endeavoured to learn who the different phantoms were.</p> + +<p>Their host led them to what was really the drying-ground for the family +laundry. A clothesline stretched on four posts formed a square, and from +the clothesline depended brown paper bags of varying sizes, from large +to tiny, each held by a slender string.</p> + +<p>"One at a time," Mr. Holmes explained, "our ghostly friends will go into +the square, and being blindfolded, will endeavour to hit a bag with a +stick. If the attempt is successful the ghost may return unchallenged, +but if he fail to hit a bag the others may guess from his gestures who +it is."</p> + +<p>The bags were not very near together, there being only three or four on +each side of the clothesline square.</p> + +<p>Mr. Holmes selected one of the phantoms and escorted it to the middle of +the square, placed a stick in the outstretched hand, blindfolded the +motionless figure, turned it round with a whirl and said, "Step<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> +forward, and hit where you choose, and see if you can bring down a bag."</p> + +<p>The ghost was very evidently a boy, for two vigorous arms grasped the +stick and with a couple of long strides the white figure stalked +forward.</p> + +<p>A vigorous blow ensued, but the stick came down between two of the bags +and made no hit.</p> + +<p>"Now you may guess who it is," said Mr. Holmes, "as our friend ghost did +not strike anything. If you guess right, he must take off his mask, but +if not he may retain it. Only one guess allowed."</p> + +<p>Somebody sung out the name of Jack Norris, as the ghost was about his +height, but the white figure shook its head vigorously and glided back +among the crowd.</p> + +<p>The game went on. Sometimes a ghost would hit a bag and the flimsy paper +would burst and a quantity of peanuts or popcorn would scatter on the +grass, to be scrabbled for by the rollicking phantoms.</p> + +<p>One bag held confetti which scattered through the air in a gay shower of +colour.</p> + +<p>When it was Dolly's turn, she was determined that she would act as +differently as possible from her usual manner and so fool everybody. +After she was blindfolded and turned round, she took the stick<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> and with +little mincing steps, imitated exactly the gait of Josie Holmes. She +made a wild dash with the stick, but failed to hit a bag and Maisie +Norris called out at once, "You're Josie Holmes! I know that walk!"</p> + +<p>Dolly shook her head vigorously and ran back to the crowd. She chanced +to stand next to a very tall ghost who gravely patted her cheek as she +stood beside him. Dolly looked up quickly, for she did not like this +familiarity from a stranger, and she was sure the phantom was too tall +to be any of the boys she knew. Of course, as the party was large, there +were many of the guests whom Dolly had never met, and she resented the +act of the stranger and drawing herself up with great dignity turned her +back upon him.</p> + +<p>But the tall ghost jumped around in front of her and patted her other +cheek, the while he gave a cackling, rattling, ghostly chuckle.</p> + +<p>To be sure Dolly's cheek was covered by her mask and the ghost wore +white cotton gloves, but she did not at all like his familiar manner and +she walked quickly away from him.</p> + +<p>A few moments later the tall ghost himself went to take his turn with +the stick.</p> + +<p>Blindfolded and whirled about, he went with short,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> steady steps +straight forward, and with a big whack he chanced to bring down a good +sized bag. It was filled with the feathers of a whole pillow, and great +laughter ensued as, like snowflakes, the feathers flew through the air. +His heavy stroke had sent the bag flying upward and as it burst the +feathers descended in a shower.</p> + +<p>Since he had broken a bag, the identity of the tall ghost was not even +guessed at, so Dolly had no chance to learn his name.</p> + +<p>However, everybody was laughing and sneezing, as the feathers drifted +down and flew into their mouths or tickled their ears.</p> + +<p>Only a few of the ghosts' names were guessed correctly, as many of them +had carefully disguised their shapes and sizes. Thin people had put on +sweaters or bulky coats to make themselves appear stout, and short +people had built up high headdresses in an effort to seem taller.</p> + +<p>By the time the game was over every one was in most hilarious mood, and +the few who had been guessed and so had removed their masks, were +teasing the others in efforts to make them talk.</p> + +<p>"I know you," said Elmer Holmes, pausing in front of Dolly. "You're +Dotty Rose!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How do you know?" And Dolly spoke in low, guttural tones, way down in +her throat.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you needn't growl like a little bear cub! I know you, because +you're so careful of that left wing of yours. You thought nobody would +notice it, did you? But I spied it, and I <i>know</i> you're Dot! You've got +on a couple of coats or something to make you look fatter, but you're +Dotty, all right."</p> + +<p>Dolly shook with laughter, for she had pretended to shield her left arm +with a gesture that was purposely copied from Dotty.</p> + +<p>Just then the tall ghost appeared again at Dolly's side. He laid his +hand on her shoulder and bent down a little to look in her eyes.</p> + +<p>Dolly drew away from him and turned to Elmer Holmes.</p> + +<p>"Who?" she said, in a hoarse whisper, pointing to the tall phantom.</p> + +<p>"That's telling," said Elmer, laughing. "Ask him yourself who he is."</p> + +<p>"Who?" grunted Dolly again, addressing herself to the tall one.</p> + +<p>"Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-Eater!" and the tall ghost grunted out the words +from one corner of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> mouth and Dolly could not recognise the voice. +As the ghost spoke he patted Dolly on the head.</p> + +<p>Dolly disliked his manner, for none of the other boys were other than +correctly formal and polite, so she turned away from him, making a +gesture of dismissal with her hand.</p> + +<p>Apparently "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-Eater" was desolated, for he put his +hands to his eyes and rocked himself back and forth with wailing groans +of despair. He was funny, and Dolly had a great desire to know who he +might be, but she did not like the familiarity of his manner, and she +turned away to speak to some one else.</p> + +<p>"Take partners for a Virginia reel," called out Mr. Holmes, "and after +that, we will unmask for supper."</p> + +<p>The next moment Dolly found the tall ghost bowing before her and +evidently asking her to dance with him.</p> + +<p>But instinctively she felt that she preferred not to dance with a +partner who was what she called "fresh" in his manner and she shook her +head in refusal.</p> + +<p>"Peter" urged and begged her, in dumb show, to consent. Dolly was +tempted to do so, for his gestures were pleasantly wheedlesome, but as +she held<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> out her hand in half consent, Peter grasped it and falling on +one knee kissed it with his hand on his heart with all the effect of a +most devoted cavalier.</p> + +<p>"He's too silly!" Dolly thought to herself; "I won't dance with him, for +I don't know how he would carry on. But I wonder who he is."</p> + +<p>So Dolly turned decidedly away from the tall suitor and found two other +ghosts bowing before her and evidently requesting her to dance.</p> + +<p>She looked at the two figures and having no idea who they might be, she +hesitated which to choose.</p> + +<p>Finally, with a white-gloved finger, she touched each in turn, "counting +out."</p> + +<p>"My—mother—told—me—to—take—this—one!" She mumbled, in a +monotonous singsong tone.</p> + +<p>And then as her final choice rested on one of the ghosts, she went away +with him to take her place in the lines that were forming for the dance.</p> + +<p>Dolly was at the end of the line of girls and opposite her, of course, +was her partner. Next to Dolly's partner stood the tall ghost and as +Dolly looked at him, he waved his hand at her and then lightly blew her +a kiss from the tips of his white-gloved fingers.</p> + +<p>"Freshy!" said Dolly to herself. "I think he's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> horrid! to act like +that, when he doesn't know me at all, for I know I've not met any boy up +here as tall as he is."</p> + +<p>The dance began and there was much gay laughter as the phantoms advanced +and retreated in their respective turns. The boys pranced awkwardly in +their unaccustomed draperies, while the girls minced around prettily and +flung their sheets in graceful whirls.</p> + +<p>When it came Dolly's turn, she suddenly realised that as the tall ghost +stood next to her own partner it was the obnoxious Peter with whom she +would have to go through the figures of the old-fashioned dance.</p> + +<p>With a very stately air she went forward as the tall ghost came to meet +her half-way. They bowed with great dignity and turned to their places +while the other couple did their part.</p> + +<p>Next they must join right hands and swing around and this time the tall +ghost whirled Dolly around so vigorously that he almost swung her off +her feet.</p> + +<p>Dolly began to be really annoyed, but she determined not to show it and +stepped gracefully up for the next figure. This was the left hand twirl, +and Peter turned her around more gently this time, but the next, when +they joined both hands, Peter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> swung her swiftly round twice instead of +once, his own feet clumping as if in a clog dance.</p> + +<p>The next time the pair merely walked round each other back to back, and +Dolly was very careful to keep as far distant as possible from the +obnoxious Peter.</p> + +<p>The dance would soon be over, she knew, and then he would have to unmask +and she could see who this unpleasantly forward youth might be.</p> + +<p>It was during the last of the grand march when it came Dolly's turn to +dance gaily down the line with her own partner, whom she did not yet +know by name, that Peter unceremoniously pushed Dolly's partner aside, +and himself taking Dolly's hand, whirled her down the long aisle between +the two lines of ghosts who clapped their hands and chanted or whistled +in time to the music.</p> + +<p>So rapidly did Peter whirl Dolly around that she had no choice but to +follow, and she realised suddenly that the tall ghost was a most awkward +dancer, and that unless she was very nimble herself he would tread on +her toes.</p> + +<p>Too angry now to think of disguising her voice, Dolly whispered to Peter +as they danced along. "You are most rude and unmannerly! I have never +met a boy so fresh and horrid! As soon as we reach<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> the other end of the +line I command you to let me go and I wish you never to speak to me +again!"</p> + +<p>Dolly was thoroughly angry, but as she preferred not to let the others +know of her annoyance, she danced on with Peter toward the end of the +line, though she suddenly realised that he was guiding her so as to make +their progress as slow as possible.</p> + +<p>"Oh, now,—oh, now, don't get mad!" and the squeaky voiced, choked with +laughter, was almost inaudible.</p> + +<p>"I <i>am</i> mad! I <i>hate</i> you! you're not a nice boy at all, and I wonder +Edith Holmes invited you!"</p> + +<p>"She didn't!" was squeaked into Dolly's ear, and then, as they reached +the end of the line the audacious Peter lifted the frill of Dolly's mask +and kissed her cheek. Then with a bow, he released her and turned away +to his place in the line.</p> + +<p>But as Peter had taken the place of Dolly's partner, and as her partner +had apparently not resented this act, Dolly had no choice but to join +hands with Peter and march back under an arch-way formed by the clasped +hands of the other ghosts. Rather than make an unpleasant scene by +refusing, Dolly thought better to do this, as it would end the dance. So +giving her finger-tips to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> horrid Peter she bent to go under the +raised hands.</p> + +<p>Tall Peter had to bend a great deal, and as for some reason or other he +was decidedly clumsy with his feet and forever tripping on his trailing +robe, the pair could think of nothing but their progress along the line, +and as they reached the end, the dance was over and the music stopped.</p> + +<p>"Now," thought Dolly to herself, "I'll see who that horrid boy is, +though of course it's no one I know, and as he said Edith didn't invite +him, he must be some intruder who hasn't any business here. But I can't +see why he picked <i>me</i> out to annoy with his bad manners. I hope nobody +saw him."</p> + +<p>"Masks off!" sang out Mr. Holmes, and each ghost began to untie the +strings of his concealing disguise. It was not always easy and many had +to ask help from their neighbours before they could release themselves.</p> + +<p>Dolly untied her mask quickly and stood with angry eyes awaiting a +revelation of Peter's identity.</p> + +<p>With one hand behind his head, as he loosened his mask, the tall ghost +stepped to Dolly's side and said in a squeaky whisper, "Won't you +forgive me?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Dolly sternly, as she frowned at him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> "You have been +unpardonable, and I have no wish to know you."</p> + +<p>"Aw, now, Dollydoodle," and the mask was whisked off and smiling down at +her stood—Dolly's brother, Bert!</p> + +<p>Dolly stared at him in utter amazement and then burst into laughter as +she realised what it all meant.</p> + +<p>"You goose!" she exclaimed, as the brother and sister stood choking with +laughter at the situation.</p> + +<p>"But how <i>could</i> I know you?" said Dolly, "What makes you so tall?"</p> + +<p>"I have big blocks of wood fastened to my shoe soles," explained Bert, +"and, my, but it makes me clumsy-footed!"</p> + +<p>"I should think so! I don't see how you danced at all! Where <i>did</i> you +come from? How did you get here? Oh, Bert, I'm so glad it was <i>you</i>, for +I was so mad when I thought some stranger was acting up like that."</p> + +<p>"It was a shame, Dollypops, to tease you, but I just couldn't help it. I +had no intention of acting up like that, but when I just patted your +hand you got so mad, that I thought it would be fun to go on. I'm glad +you <i>are</i> such a little touch-me-not."</p> + +<p>"Well, I should hope I <i>wouldn't</i> want strange boys patting me like +that! And when you kissed me,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> Bert, I thought I should scream, I was so +mad, but honestly I was ashamed to make a scene and let people know what +you had done."</p> + +<p>"You'll forgive me, sister, won't you?" and Bert's big blue eyes looked +into Dolly's, as for a moment he did feel ashamed of himself for teasing +her so. But his love of a joke was so great, that he had thoroughly +enjoyed fooling Dolly and his affectionate sister willingly forgave him.</p> + +<p>"Don't know yet who was your partner, do you, Dolly?" said a voice near +her, and turning, Dolly saw Bob Rose.</p> + +<p>"Oh, were <i>you</i>?" and Dolly turned to him, laughing.</p> + +<p>"I sure was! I resigned in favour of Bert at the last, because he +commanded me to."</p> + +<p>"When did you come up here?" and the amazed Dolly began to realise how +matters stood.</p> + +<p>"To-night," said Bert. "We were at Crosstrees before you girls left, but +Mrs. Rose kept us hidden and after you were gone, she togged us up in +sheets, and here we are."</p> + +<p>"But why did you make yourself tall, Bert? Nobody up here would know you +anyhow, except Dot and me."</p> + +<p>"Oh, just did it for fun. Thought I'd make an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> impression as the tallest +ghost in captivity. Where's Dotty? And I want to meet a few of these +other ghost girls. I'll shake you now, Dollikins, and you can have your +own partner back." Bert went away leaving Bob with Dolly, who escorted +her to supper.</p> + +<p>The supper was served in true camp-fire fashion. There was no table, the +ghosts, all unmasked now, sat round the big fire on camp stools or +cushions, and the boys waited on the girls in true picnic style. There +were substantial viands, as the evening air caused hearty appetites, and +Dolly settled herself comfortably on a divan improvised of evergreen +boughs and gratefully accepted a cup of hot bouillon and some sandwiches +that Bob brought.</p> + +<p>Edith Holmes was sitting by Dolly, and she was chuckling with laughter +as Bert told her the joke he had played on his sister.</p> + +<p>After supper the merry young people sang songs and glees round the fire +until it was time to go home.</p> + +<p>"Daddy said he'd come for us," said Dotty laughingly to Dolly, "but of +course he didn't mean it for he knew the boys would be here to take us +home."</p> + +<p>"I'll just remove these blocks of wood before I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> start," said Bert, as +he quickly tore off the clumsy and cumbersome things.</p> + +<p>"Now I can walk better," and he stood on his own shoe soles and at his +own height.</p> + +<p>"I'm awfully glad you're here again, Bob," said Edith Holmes, as they +said good-night, "and I'm glad you're here too," she added to Bert +Fayre. "Our camps are so near that we must play together a lot."</p> + +<p>"Nice girl," commented Bert, as the quartette walked away. "Lots of nice +people at that party."</p> + +<p>"Yes," agreed Bob, "girls are nice at parties, but sometimes we don't +want them around. Be sure to be up, old man, by sunrise to-morrow +morning, for we're going fishing early."</p> + +<p>"Can't we go?" asked Dotty.</p> + +<p>"No, ma'am! No girls need apply. A real fishing trip is a serious matter +and we can't be bothered with girls. When we come home to-morrow night, +if Mother says you've been good children all day, you can have some of +our fish."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII</h2> + +<h3>THAT LUNCHEON</h3> + +<p>To Dolly's surprise she discovered that Bob and Bert were in earnest +regarding their preference for expeditions that did not include girls. +Nearly every day the two boys went off fishing or motor boating with a +lot of their cronies, but the girls were seldom asked.</p> + +<p>"They're always like that," said Dotty, carelessly. "They like to ramble +through the woods or cruise around the lake by themselves. They wear old +flannel shirts and disreputable hats, and they eat their lunch any old +way, without any frills or fuss. I don't like that sort of picnicking +myself, I like pretty table fixings even if they're only paper napkins +and pasteboard dishes. But the boys like tin pails and old frying pans +and they catch their fish and cook 'em and eat 'em like a horde of +savages."</p> + +<p>"All right," agreed Dolly, "we can have fun enough without them; but I +think they might take us along sometimes. Let's get up a rival picnic +some day, and see if they won't come to it."</p> + +<p>"They won't," said Dotty, "but we can try it,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> if you like. And anyway +we can have our own fun."</p> + +<p>So one day when all the boys of the neighbouring camps were going on a +fishing trip, the girls arranged a picnic of their own.</p> + +<p>The two Holmes girls, Maisie Norris, Dolly and Dotty, and three or four +others, were in the crowd and they were to go in two motor boats to +Bramble Brook, the very spot where the boys were trout fishing that day.</p> + +<p>Long Sam navigated one boat and the Norris's man engineered the other.</p> + +<p>Dolly had evolved a plan for a great joke on the boys, which, she +flattered herself, would even up with Bert for the joke he had played on +her.</p> + +<p>In pursuance of their plan, the girls were taking with them a most +marvellous luncheon.</p> + +<p>There were boxes of devilled eggs, each gold and white confection in a +case of fringed white paper. Sandwiches in tiny rolls and fancy shapes. +Dishes of salad that were pictures in themselves, and platters of cold +meats cut in appetising slices and garnished with aspic jelly in +quivering translucence. Platters of cold chicken, delicately browned and +garnished with parsley and lemon slices. Dainty baskets of little +frosted cakes and tartlets filled with tempting jam covered with +frosting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> + +<p>Oh, Dolly had planned well for her little joke, and if successful, it +would be rare sport.</p> + +<p>The boys had been gone for hours when the girls started, and in their +fresh linen dresses and bright hair-ribbons they were a jolly looking +crowd who filled the two motor boats as they left the Crosstrees pier.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rose waved a good-bye, knowing the young people were safe, in +charge of Long Sam and old Ephraim, the tried and trusted factotum of +the Norris family.</p> + +<p>"In you go!" cried Long Sam as he deftly handed the girls into the +boats, and the laughing crowd settled themselves to enjoy the trip.</p> + +<p>It was a beautiful mid-summer day, and the heat sufficiently tempered by +the cool breezes that swept across the lake. The girls chattered and +sang and called to each other as the two boats kept close together on +their way.</p> + +<p>When they reached Bramble Brook they did not go to the regular landing +place, but Long Sam cleverly found a concealed nook where they could +land without danger of being seen by the boys who were already there.</p> + +<p>The trout stream was a long one, but all of its<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> meanderings were well +known to Sam and Ephraim, who were old residents of the locality.</p> + +<p>The girls waited while the two men went to reconnoitre.</p> + +<p>After a time the scouts returned.</p> + +<p>"They're away up the brook," said Long Sam, "but all their grub and +things is stacked in the clearing, and I reckon they'll be coming along +back in about an hour to feed. They started pretty early and I reckon +they can't hold out much longer 'thout their grub. What next, ladies?"</p> + +<p>"You, Sam, help us unpack our hampers," said Dolly, who was directing +affairs, "and you, Ephraim, go and gather up all their foodstuff and +either hide it around there or bring it back here."</p> + +<p>"Yes'm," and old Ephraim trudged away, intent only on obeying orders to +the letter.</p> + +<p>He returned with a big basket on either arm.</p> + +<p>"Thought I'd better fetch it along," he said; "them chaps would hunt it +out wherever I hid it. I left 'em all their cooking things, pots and +pans, but poor fellers, they won't have nothin' to cook!"</p> + +<p>"Here's their coffee," cried Edith Holmes, who was peering into the +baskets. "And here's bacon and eggs, oh, what horrid looking stuff! And +loaves<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> of dry bread! Guy and Elmer just hate plain bread. <i>May be</i> they +won't care for our sandwiches!"</p> + +<p>"Let's make coffee!" said Dotty; "there's nothing so good at a camp +feast as coffee. Don't you love it, Edith?"</p> + +<p>"Mother doesn't let me have it, but make it all the same, the boys adore +it."</p> + +<p>"We can have one cup," said Dotty; "Mother allows that. But I'm going to +make it, the boys will be crazy about it. You scoot back and get the +coffee pot, Ephraim, and the big long spoon, they'll probably have one."</p> + +<p>Back went Ephraim on his errand, and when he returned his eyes were +greeted by the sight of the daintily spread luncheon.</p> + +<p>Heavy brown papers had been spread on the ground, and these were covered +with a tablecloth of white crepe paper with a design of green ferns for +a border. Real ferns were laid here and there under the dishes of good +things, and piles of white pasteboard plates and paper napkins were in +readiness.</p> + +<p>"What about coffee cups?" exclaimed Maisie. "I know they only have +horrid old tin things."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we've lots of paper drinking cups," said Dotty, "those pretty +pleated ones, they'll be lovely for coffee. Say, Sam, I want this coffee +to be just<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> right, and I wish you'd make it. I know how, but I'm sure +yours will be better."</p> + +<p>Long Sam was greatly flattered at this compliment, and he proceeded to +build a fire and make the coffee with a practised hand that betokened +long experience in these arts.</p> + +<p>"Isn't the table lovely!" exclaimed Josie Holmes, as she brought a few +wild flowers she had found, and placed them gracefully among the ferns +that decorated the feast.</p> + +<p>"And thank goodness I haven't seen a spider nor an ant!" cried Nellie +North, who had been, with another girl, told off to keep the table free +of any such marauders. One venturesome grasshopper had made a spring +toward the food, but had been caught and had his energies turned in a +far different direction.</p> + +<p>"S'pose we have to wait an awful long time," said Edith, as she looked +longingly at the tempting dishes.</p> + +<p>"Never mind if we do!" said Dotty; "there's nothing that can take any +hurt. There's nothing to get cold except the coffee, and Sam will attend +to that. The glass fruit jars full of lemonade are in the brook, so that +will be lovely and cool when we want it. Oh, everything is all right; +and we've only just got to wait. So you girls may as well make up your +mind to it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> + +<p>Although the wait seemed long, after a time, Long Sam, scouting about, +heard the boys' voices in the distance. He warned the girls and they +were all quiet as mice, awaiting developments.</p> + +<p>The crowd of boys came nearer, laughing and shouting, as they reached +their own headquarters.</p> + +<p>Sam beckoned to the girls to come and peep through the bushes at the +amazed group, who had suddenly discovered that their food was missing.</p> + +<p>"Somebody has swiped it!" cried Elmer Holmes, angrily. "All our grub is +gone! I say, fellows, what shall we do?"</p> + +<p>"Do! Go after them and get it back!" cried Jack Norris, and then a +chorus of shouts went up; "the coffee pot's gone!" "All the bacon and +eggs are gone!" "And the bread, too!"</p> + +<p>"They sure made a clean sweep," said Bert Fayre. "Who do you s'pose did +it?"</p> + +<p>"Some other crowd of fishing chaps," said Bob Rose, confidently, "but it +doesn't often happen,—a thing like that. No decent fellows would do +it."</p> + +<p>The girls, only a few rods distant, were peeping through the bushes and +shaking with silent laughter at the discomfited boys. Such looks of +chagrin and dismay as they showed! and such belligerent determination<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> +to hunt the marauders and duly punish them.</p> + +<p>"Just you wait till I get hold of the thieves!" cried Elmer Holmes, +"I'll give them what for!"</p> + +<p>"You won't catch them," said Bert; "they're probably miles away by this +time, and they've probably eaten up all our snacks. Wow, but I'm +hungry!"</p> + +<p>"So say we all of us!" chorused the boys, as they flung themselves +around in disconsolate attitudes.</p> + +<p>"Not a snip-jack of anything," Jack went on, peering vainly into a few +empty baskets that Sam had left behind him. "The nerve of them, to steal +our coffee and then take our coffee pot to make it in! Honest, fellows, +I never knew such a thing to happen before. I've been up here a lot of +summers and I never struck a crowd that would do such a thing as this."</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed Bob Rose, "why, often a lot of strange chaps will +share their grub with you, but I never knew 'em to hook it! Must be an +awful mean crowd."</p> + +<p>"Well, all the same," said Bert, "what are we going to do for lunch? I +rousted out at sunup, and to be sure, I had my breakfast, but it's +forgotten in the dim past."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We can cook our fish," said one of the boys "but we'll miss the coffee +and potatoes and bread and such various staffs of life. We haven't such +a lot of fish anyhow."</p> + +<p>"No; we depended on bacon and eggs for our mainstay. I move we go home."</p> + +<p>"S'pose we'll have to," and Bob looked rueful, "We can't put in a whole +afternoon on empty stomachs. What do you say, shall we cook the fish, or +light right out for home?"</p> + +<p>"Here's a cracker they dropped," cried Bert, who spied a soda biscuit on +the ground and brushing it off, began to eat it.</p> + +<p>"Aw, give a starving comrade a bite," and Guy held out his hand eagerly.</p> + +<p>"By jiminy, here's another!" and Jack found another cracker farther +along.</p> + +<p>Now this was part of the plan, and it was at Dolly's directions that +Long Sam had carefully planted a few crackers at intervals to lure the +unsuspecting boys to the surprise that awaited them.</p> + +<p>Dolly and Dotty, with their arms around each other, were peeping through +the trees, and they shook with glee as they saw the boys eagerly hunting +for the stray crackers.</p> + +<p>"Funny how they came to drop 'em along," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> Guy and Elmer responded, +"Must have been eating them on their way. But say, they've left a trail; +let's follow it."</p> + +<p>The group of boys—there were eight of them—moved slowly along toward +where the girls were hidden. The trail of crackers had been adroitly +arranged to bring them finally within sight of the appetising luncheon +so daintily set forth.</p> + +<p>As the boys came nearer to the little clearing, and as the sight of the +feast must in a moment burst upon their eyes, the girls scampered to +hide behind trees to watch the astonished faces.</p> + +<p>Nor were they disappointed. In a moment more the boys came in sight of +the luncheon and stopped suddenly.</p> + +<p>"By gum!"</p> + +<p>"Well, what do you know about that!"</p> + +<p>"Jiminy crickets!"</p> + +<p>"Ah there, my size!"</p> + +<p>And various other boyish exclamations gave voice to surprise and delight +on the part of the onlookers. But they paused several steps away from +the feast.</p> + +<p>"That's a girls' layout," said Bert Fayre, nodding his head sagaciously; +"no fellows ever set up that dinky business! But it looks good to me!"</p> + +<p>"Good!" exclaimed Jack; "I'd face a term in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> State's prison to nab that +loot! Wonder who owns it!"</p> + +<p>"Certainly not the people who stole our grub; so we can't claim this in +return. Oh, I smell coffee! 'M-mm!"</p> + +<p>Unwilling to intrude further on what was so evidently a girls' picnic, +and yet equally unable to tear themselves away from the enticing scene, +the boys stood, a comically eager crowd, looking vainly about for signs +of the picnic party.</p> + +<p>"Seems 'sif I must grab one sandwich," said Bob, rolling his eyes +comically toward the piled-up dishes.</p> + +<p>"Well, you won't," said Bert, who had no fear that Bob would be guilty +of such a thing, but he wasn't quite so sure of some of the other boys, +and so they stood like a lot of hungry tramps, a little bewildered at +the situation and greatly tantalised by the sight of the feast and the +odour of steaming coffee.</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing," said Bob, at last. "We can't touch other people's +property, and we might as well go on home. But if the ladies belonging +to this church sociable would show themselves, I'd sit up and beg for a +bone of that fried chicken over there."</p> + +<p>"Maybe we all wouldn't!" commented several, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> then, at a signal from +Dolly, the girls sprang from their hiding-places and stood laughing at +the crowd of hungry boys.</p> + +<p>"Oh, you Dotty Rose!" cried Jack Norris, as he caught Dotty's dancing +black eyes, "I might have known you were at the head of this!"</p> + +<p>"No more than Dolly Fayre," cried Dotty, "and all the rest of us. Are +you hungry, boys?"</p> + +<p>"Are we hungry? We should smile! We've been hungry all the while!" came +in chorus from the famished tramps.</p> + +<p>"<i>Would</i> you care to come to lunch with us?" said Dolly, her blue eyes +dancing as she put the question.</p> + +<p>"Would we care to!" and Jack grinned at her. "We're hungry enough to eat +you girls; but, alas! kind ladies, we're obliged to regret your +invitation as we're not in proper society garb."</p> + +<p>Suddenly the boys became aware of their flannel shirts and old hats and +general fishermanlike appearance.</p> + +<p>"We'll forgive that for once," cried Dotty; "we'll pretend we're a +rescue party and you're a lot of starving soldiers, so we won't mind +your tattered uniforms."</p> + +<p>"Rescue party!" cried Bob; "I like that!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> Aren't you the sly ones who +raided our commissariat department? Own up, now!"</p> + +<p>"What makes you think so?" And Edith Holmes looked the picture of +injured innocence.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes! 'What makes us think so!' What makes us think that's our +coffee boiling in our coffee pot! Fair ladies, we invite you to lunch +with us, on our coffee and our bacon and eggs. And if you'll wait a few +minutes, we'll cook our trout for you."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll tell you what," and golden-haired Dolly settled the +question; "we'll eat our luncheon now, as it's all ready, and then, if +you like, you can cook your fish afterward."</p> + +<p>"That suits me," said Bob, "and I'm free to confess that I can't wait +another minute to attack this Ladies'-Own-Cooking-School Lay Out! Take +seats, everybody— I mean you girls sit down, and us chaps will wait on +you."</p> + +<p>"All right," laughed Dolly; "we resign in your favour. I can tell you +girls get hungry, too."</p> + +<p>So the girls sat around, and the boys quickly passed plates and napkins +and then the dishes of delicious food.</p> + +<p>Then they served themselves, and sitting down by the girls, rapidly +demolished the contents of their well-filled plates.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm not going to rub it in," said Dolly, dimpling with smiles, "but for +boys who don't want girls along on their picnics you seem to enjoy our +society fairly well."</p> + +<p>"It isn't our society they're enjoying," said Nellie North; "it's our +stuffed eggs and cold chicken."</p> + +<p>"It's both, adorable damsels," declared Bob. "Just let us appease our +hunger, and goodness knows you've enough stuff here for a regiment, and +then we'll show you how we appreciate the blessing of your society. +We'll entertain you any way you choose."</p> + +<p>"That we will," agreed Guy. "We'll give you a circus performance, a +concert, lecture, or song and dance, as you decree."</p> + +<p>But it took a long time to satisfy the boys' appetites. It seemed as if +they could never get enough of the various delicacies, and though they +pretended to make fun of what they called the fiddly-faddly frills, they +thoroughly relished the good things.</p> + +<p>"These eggs ought to be shaved," said Bob, as he picked the little +fringes of white tissue paper from a devilled egg.</p> + +<p>"No critical remarks, please," said Dolly, offering him a rolled up +sandwich tied with a narrow white ribbon.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, my goodness! do I eat ribbon and all? I can do magical stunts for +you afterward, like the chap who pulls yards of ribbon out of his mouth, +on the stage."</p> + +<p>"Anybody who makes fun of our things can't have any," declared Josie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I'm not making fun," and Bob took half a dozen of the tiny +sandwiches. "Why, I always have my meals tied up in ribbons. I have +sashes on my griddle-cakes and neckties on my eggs, always."</p> + +<p>"I like these orange-peel baskets filled with fruit salad," said Bert, +as he helped himself to another; "I think food in baskets is the only +real proper way."</p> + +<p>But at last, even the hungry fishermen declared they couldn't eat +another bite, and the young people left the feast and sat on the rocks +and tree stumps near by, while Long Sam and Ephraim cleared away and +packed up the things to take home.</p> + +<p>The boys were as good as their word, and entertained the girls by +singing college songs and giving gay imitations and stunts, and +everybody declared, as the picnic finally broke up, that it had been the +very best one of the season.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV</h2> + +<h3>THE CAKE CONTEST</h3> + +<p>"Oh, <i>do</i> go in for it!" Edith Holmes was saying, as she and Maisie +Norris sat on the edge of the Rose's shack and tried to persuade Dotty +and Dolly to agree to their plan.</p> + +<p>"But I never made a cake in my life," Dolly objected.</p> + +<p>"Nor I, either," said Dotty; "I don't see how we can, Edith. You're a +regular born cook, and that's different."</p> + +<p>"But maybe you're a regular born cook, too," argued Edith; "you can't +tell if you never have tried."</p> + +<p>"Anyway, enter the contest just for fun," urged Maisie. "Everybody will +help with the bazaar, and of course you want to be in it; and I want you +to be in this contest, because all us girls are."</p> + +<p>"I'd just as lieve," said Dolly, "only there's no chance of our winning +the prize."</p> + +<p>"Well, never mind if you don't. You'll have a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> lot of fun, and besides +it will teach you to make cake, and that's a good thing to know. That +funny old Maria of yours will help you."</p> + +<p>"But would it be fair to have her help us?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, of course not <i>make</i> the cake; you must do that yourselves. But she +can tell you how, or show you how, and you can practise all you like +beforehand, of course. And you might win the prize, after all."</p> + +<p>"What is the prize?"</p> + +<p>"A twenty dollar gold piece!"</p> + +<p>"What a grand prize! I didn't know it was such a big one."</p> + +<p>"Well, you see, old Mrs. Van Zandt gives it. She's a crank on Domestic +Science and girls knowing how to cook and all that. And besides there'll +be lots of entries. All the girls all round the lake will send cakes."</p> + +<p>"Can anybody send?"</p> + +<p>"Any girl under sixteen. They call it the Sweet Sixteen Cake Prize."</p> + +<p>"All right, let's do it," said Dotty, and Dolly said, "I'm willing, but +it seems nonsensical when we don't know a thing about making cake, and +less than a week to learn in. But we can have a try at it, anyway, and +we'll be in the fun. Hey, Dotsy?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right, then," said Maisie, delightedly; "I'll tell Miss Travers +that you two girls will join the contest. She'll be delighted. She's at +the head of that committee."</p> + +<p>Later the two D's conferred with Mrs. Rose about the matter.</p> + +<p>"I'll be glad to have you do it," that lady said. "I always like to have +you learn anything domestic. Of course you can learn to make cake in a +week, if you have any knack at all. Go down to the kitchen now, and +Maria will give you your first lessons. Ask her to show you how to make +plain cup-cake first, and if you make a little more elaborate kind every +day, by the end of the week you ought to be able to concoct almost +anything. I don't want to be discouraging, but I can hardly think you'll +take the prize, for I remember last year the cakes were really most +astonishing affairs."</p> + +<p>"No, we won't catch any prize," Dotty agreed; "but we want to be in the +bazaar, and the cake department is about as much fun as any. You see, +even if we don't take the prize, we sell our cakes for the biggest price +possible and that helps the bazaar along."</p> + +<p>"Is it for charity?" asked Dolly.</p> + +<p>"Yes; they hold it every year in the hotel, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> all the camp people +take part. Oh, it's lots of fun; I'm so glad it's going to be while +you're here."</p> + +<p>The two girls ran down to the kitchen, and informed Maria of their +immediate desire to learn to make cake.</p> + +<p>"Bress gracious, chillun," said the surprised old coloured woman, "I'll +make all de cakes you all can eat. Don't you bodder 'bout makin' cakes +yo'self. Jes' leab dat to ole Maria."</p> + +<p>"But you don't understand, Cookie," said Dotty. "We want to learn, +because we're going to make a cake to send to the fair, for the prize +contest."</p> + +<p>"Prize contes'! What's dat?"</p> + +<p>"Why, they give a prize for the best cake sent in."</p> + +<p>"All right, den. Leab it all to me. I'll sho'ly make a cake what'll +catch dat prize. You all shoo out ob here now."</p> + +<p>"No, no, Maria, you don't understand," and Dolly began to explain. "We +must make the cakes ourselves. You can't do it, because you're not under +sixteen—are you?" And the laughing blue eyes looked quizzically at the +old darky.</p> + +<p>"Sixteen! Laws, chile, I's a mudder in Israel. I got chilluns and +grandchilluns. I ain't been sixteen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> since I can 'member. But, lawsy,—a +young un of sixteen can't make no cake worth eatin'!"</p> + +<p>"But we can, if <i>you</i> teach us, Maria," said Dotty, with tactful +flattery.</p> + +<p>"Well, mebbe dat's so, if I do the most of it, and you jes' bring me the +things."</p> + +<p>"No, that won't do; we must do it ourselves, but you must show us how."</p> + +<p>At last they convinced Maria of her part in the undertaking, and with +more or less good-natured grumbling, she proceeded to enlighten the +girls in the mysteries of cake making.</p> + +<p>The old cook was not trammelled by definite recipes and her rules seemed +to be "a little of dis," and "a right smart lot of dat."</p> + +<p>But, even so, she was a good teacher, and at the end of the first +lesson, the girls had each a round cake, plain, but light and wholesome, +well-baked and delicately browned.</p> + +<p>These were proudly exhibited at the family luncheon, and were at once +appropriated by Bob and Bert, who immediately constituted themselves a +Court of Final Judgment, and declared their intention of eating all the +preliminary cakes that would be made during the week's lessons.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> + +<p>So interested did the girls become, that every morning they spent in the +kitchen.</p> + +<p>Mr. Rose expressed a mock terror lest his bills for butter and eggs +should land him in the poor-house, but the cake-making went on, and more +and more elaborate confections were turned out by the rapidly +progressing cooks.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rose declared that it was her opinion that doctors' bills were +imminent, if indeed the whole family would not soon be in the hospital; +but though the boys and Genie ate a fair portion of the cakes, much more +was consumed by the neighbouring young people, who formed a habit of +drifting in to Crosstrees camp afternoons to sample the morning's work.</p> + +<p>The days brought plum cakes and marble cakes; chocolate, cocoanut, +custard and jelly cakes.</p> + +<p>Once having achieved the knack of making the cake itself, the fillings +or elaborations were not difficult.</p> + +<p>The girls took the matter rather seriously, but as the great day drew +nearer, they began to have a glimmering hope that they might achieve the +prize after all.</p> + +<p>"But, oh, Dollyrinda," exclaimed Dotty, impulsively, "if my cake should +take the prize ahead of yours, I'd cry my eyes out, and if your cake +took<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> the prize ahead of mine, I'd never speak to you again!"</p> + +<p>Dolly laughed. "I've been thinking about that, too, Dot, and do you +know, I think it would be nicest for us to make only one cake, and make +it together, and enter it under both our names, and then if it takes the +prize we can divide the twenty dollars."</p> + +<p>Dotty drew a long sigh of relief. "That is the best way, Doll; I never +thought of that. To be sure we run a double chance with two cakes, but +it would be horrid for one of them to take the prize. So let's devote +all our energies to one beautiful, splendiferous cake that will be so +perfect nobody else will have any chance at all."</p> + +<p>"Yes, that's what I think. Now, what kind shall it be?"</p> + +<p>This was the great question. The girls had proved apt pupils, for they +had a housewifely knack, and Maria was really a superior teacher. They +had learned the art of pound cake, the trick of sponge cake and had even +penetrated the mysteries of fruit cake. They had learned to make raisin +cake without having all the raisins sink to a thick mat at the bottom; +they had learned ginger-bread in all its forms, from the puffy golden +sort to the most dark spicy variety. Angel food and sunshine cake +presented no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> difficulties to them and layer cakes were their happy +hunting ground.</p> + +<p>Also they were Past Grand Masters in the matter of icing. They could +boil sugar through its seven stages of spun thread, and they even +experimented with a few confectioners' implements in the matter of fancy +decoration and borders.</p> + +<p>"It seems to me," said Dotty, as they held solemn conclave over the +great question, "that our trick is to invent an absolutely new +combination of flavours or ingredients. Say, cocoanut stirred into +chocolate icing, or something that's different from the regulation +'White mountain cake' or 'Variety cake.' I'm sure we can think of some +new idea that will be perfectly stunning."</p> + +<p>"I don't agree with you, Dot," and Dolly looked solemnly thoughtful, as +her blue eyes stared into Dotty's black ones. "Now, I think this way. A +more simple cake, but of perfect quality and with a plain but beautiful +icing, that will charm by its very simplicity."</p> + +<p>"That's a fine line of talk, Doll, and sounds well," put in Bert, who +was present with Bob as Advisory Board; "but I doubt if 'twill go down +with the Powers that Be. You see, after all, they're on the lookout for +novelty and elaborate messes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'm not so sure of that," and Bob shook his head. "Perhaps Dolliwop's +idea isn't so worse! It's like a beautiful big white monument being more +impressive than a lot of ginger-bread architecture."</p> + +<p>"Oh, we wouldn't make ginger-bread!" cried Dotty, laughing; "but I can't +see a plain cake taking a prize. I tell you, it's got to have an unusual +combination of materials. I can't get away from the idea that a novel +mixture of just the right kind of flavouring would turn the trick."</p> + +<p>"And I'm positive that simplicity is the note to strike for." Dolly said +this with a faraway look in her eyes, as if she saw the vision of the +beautiful cake she was planning.</p> + +<p>"Stick to it, Doll," cried Bob. "You've got the right idea or I'm a +loser!"</p> + +<p>"You boys go away, now," and Dolly's brows wrinkled in serious thought. +"This is no time for fooling and Dot and I have to decide this thing +to-day."</p> + +<p>Realising the gravity of the occasion, the boys went off, and the two +girls settled down to a desperate confab. Neither of them was insistent +merely because she wanted her own way, but each was eager for success, +and quite ready to settle their controversy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> by careful weighing of each +other's arguments.</p> + +<p>At last, after a long discussion, they reached their conclusions and +went down to the kitchen to construct what they had finally decided +would be the best plan for their masterpiece.</p> + +<p>Very carefully they worked, Dolly, slow, sure and very particular as to +measurements and combinations; Dotty, quick, beating the batter like +mad, whisking eggs and sifting sugar in a whirl of excitement.</p> + +<p>And when the great work was accomplished, and the marvellous result set +on the dining-room table for exhibition, the family came in to gaze in +an awed silence on the beautiful cake.</p> + +<p>No one was allowed to see it but the household, for of course it was +kept secret from the other contestants.</p> + +<p>The cake was a marvel of beauty, and it combined the best ideas of the +plans of the two girls.</p> + +<p>It was square in shape, instead of round, as that gave a touch of +novelty. It was only two layers, but the layers were of the most +exquisitely textured angel food, which had, after three attempts, +graciously consented to turn out "just right."</p> + +<p>Between the layers was a filling, which followed in a measure Dotty's +idea of novelty. It was a combination<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> of confectioners' icing, whipped +cream, pineapple juice and a few delicate feathery flakes of freshly +grated cocoanut. This delectable mixture was novel and of charming +delicacy.</p> + +<p>But the icing was Dolly's triumph. The square cake, large and high, was +covered so smoothly with white icing that not a lump or a crack marred +the perfect surface of its top and sides. There were no decorations save +three lines of icing that delicately outlined the square top. The +trueness of these lines was a wonder, and only Dolly's steady hand as +she traced them with a paper cornucopia of icing could have resulted in +such an effective scheme.</p> + +<p>"It is perfectly wonderful!" said Mr. Rose, looking at it as an artist. +"It's like the Taj Mahal or some such World Wonder."</p> + +<p>"It's perfectly exquisite!" said Mrs. Rose, as she bent over to examine +it and then walked away to view it from a distance. "I never saw such +icing! How did you do it, girlies?"</p> + +<p>"Dolly did that," said Dotty.</p> + +<p>"Only because you were so excited your hand wiggled," said Dolly, who +was always placid, whatever happened. "But the filling is Dot's +invention, and it's just fine. We put some of it on another cake and I +want you all to taste it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> + +<p>So they all sampled the other cake, and tested the flavour like +connoisseurs.</p> + +<p>"Ripping!" exclaimed Bob.</p> + +<p>"Out of sight!" remarked Bert, suiting the action to the word.</p> + +<p>The boys were vociferous, the older people were enthusiastic; but one +and all agreed that there had never been such a cake built before and +that it would surely win the prize.</p> + +<p>"Are you going to send it over now?" asked Mr. Rose.</p> + +<p>"No," said Dotty; "we're going to take it with us when we go ourselves. +I wouldn't trust it to anybody, for it might get joggled and crack the +icing. Put it in the pantry, Dolly; I daren't touch it myself." Dotty +was quivering with excitement, but Dolly's steady hand carefully lifted +the precious cake and carried it safely to the pantry.</p> + +<p>Later in the afternoon, the girls made ready to go to the bazaar. They +were to serve as assistants in the cake department, for the majority of +the cakes were to be sold. The prize cake, and those having honourable +mention would be exhibited, and later sold at auction, but much cake +would be disposed of at the regular sale.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p>They wore white dresses, with pale green ribbons, which was the costume +of all connected with that department of the bazaar.</p> + +<p>Very pretty they looked, as they came dancing downstairs for Mrs. Rose's +inspection.</p> + +<p>"You'll do, girlies," she commented; "your frocks are all right. We'll +be over later. I hate to have you carry that big cake, Dolly."</p> + +<p>"Oh, I must, Mrs. Rose; I wouldn't trust it to any one else. Bert +offered to take it, and Bob did, too. But if they should drop it or +anything, I'd never get over the disappointment. We worked so hard on +it, and it is <i>so</i> lovely, and if we can just get it there safely, I'm +sure it will get honourable mention at least."</p> + +<p>"It ought to take the prize," said Mrs. Rose, enthusiastically; "but +don't get your hopes up too high, for there's nothing surer than +disappointment. Be very careful as you get in the boat, Dolly."</p> + +<p>"Indeed, yes, but Long Sam is such a kind old thing, I know he'll do all +he can not to joggle, but to run very steadily all the way."</p> + +<p>The bazaar was held in a hotel which was some distance down the lake. +But Dolly did not fear any accident while on the motor boat; she was +only apprehensive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> lest some one push against her as she made her way +into the building or into the cake booth. For one little crumb of broken +icing or one dent on its perfect surface would spoil, to Dolly's anxious +eye, the perfection of their cake.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV</h2> + +<h3>WHO WON THE PRIZE?</h3> + +<p>"We'd better take our sweaters," said Dolly, as she handed the two +white, fleecy garments to Dotty. "You carry them, Dot, and I'll carry +the cake; you'd be sure to drop it."</p> + +<p>Dotty took the two sweaters and flung them over her arm, well knowing +the precious cake would be safer in Dolly's steady hand.</p> + +<p>"Now we're all ready," Dolly said, as she tucked a handkerchief into her +sash folds. "Wait for me here, Dot, and I'll get the cake."</p> + +<p>Dolly went to the kitchen and on through to the pantry, where she had +left the cake on a shelf by the window. But it was not there.</p> + +<p>"Maria," she called, wondering what the old darky had done with it.</p> + +<p>There was no reply and Dolly called again louder.</p> + +<p>"Yas'm, I'se comin'," and the old cook came in at the back door of the +kitchen. "What yo' want, honey? I spec' I jes' done drapped asleep fer +a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> minute, settin' out dere in de sun. What is it, honey chile?"</p> + +<p>"Where's the cake, Maria?"</p> + +<p>"On de pantry shelf, whar yo' done left it. I ain't teched it, dat I +ain't."</p> + +<p>"But it isn't there. You must have put it someplace else."</p> + +<p>"No, Miss Dolly, I nebber laid a hand on dat cake. I know jes' how +choice you was of it, an' I lef it jes' whar yo' put it."</p> + +<p>"But it isn't there, and who would disturb it?"</p> + +<p>"Tain't dar! Land o' goodness! Den whar is it?" Maria's black eyes +rolled in dismay. "Somebody's done stole it!"</p> + +<p>"Stole it? Nonsense! Nobody would do that. Dot—<i>ty</i>!" and Dolly's loud +call brought Dotty flying.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rose followed, and both stood aghast with consternation when Dolly +announced, "The cake is gone!"</p> + +<p>"Gone! What do you mean?" and Dotty looked around the shelves in a dazed +sort of way.</p> + +<p>"I mean what I say," cried Dolly impatiently. "Our cake is gone, and, as +Maria says, somebody must have stolen it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Stolen it! Our cake!" and Dotty gave a wild shriek.</p> + +<p>"It can't be stolen," said Mrs. Rose, looking puzzled; "we've never had +anything stolen all the years we've been here."</p> + +<p>"Then where is it?" demanded Dolly. "Where can it be?"</p> + +<p>"Didn't you take it into the dining-room?" suggested Mrs. Rose, unable +to think of any other solution of the mystery.</p> + +<p>"No, indeed; I left it right here till we were ready to start. I had it +in the open window, because the kitchen was so hot, and of course some +tramp has come along and stolen it. Oh, Dotty, what shall we do?"</p> + +<p>But Dotty was beyond speech. Her staring eyes gazed at the table where +the cake had been. Vaguely she glanced round the pantry shelves, and +then flew through the kitchen to the dining-room and looked all around +there. But of course she saw no cake, for Dolly had left it in the +pantry.</p> + +<p>"Where are the boys?" asked Dolly, suddenly.</p> + +<p>"Gone to a motor boat race," said Mrs. Rose. "They went off half an hour +ago. But they wouldn't steal your cake."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> + +<p>"They might do it for a joke," said Dolly.</p> + +<p>"No," said Mrs. Rose, decidedly; "they wouldn't do that. They were too +interested in the success of you girls, and they felt about that cake +just as we all did. No, Bob and Bert never stole the cake! Where's +Genie?"</p> + +<p>"Upstairs, I think," said Dotty, and going to the foot of the staircase +she called her sister.</p> + +<p>Genie came running down and was as greatly disturbed as the other girls +at the disappearance of the cake.</p> + +<p>"Of course I never touched it!" she said indignantly. "I wanted my Dotty +and my Dolly to take the prize. Do you s'pose I'd steal their lovely +cake?"</p> + +<p>There was no mistaking the little girl's honesty and good faith, and +Mrs. Rose said finally: "Then it <i>must</i> have been stolen by some one +passing by, but I can't understand it. There are no tramps around here, +Long Sam is as honest as the day, and nobody else would be passing by +this window. I wish your father were here, Dotty."</p> + +<p>"So do I, but he couldn't do anything. The cake's gone, and it must have +been taken by somebody. What do you say if we make another, Dolly?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dolly looked blank. "Make another!" she said slowly; "why it's three +o'clock now, and the fair begins at four. We couldn't do it, Dot, and +anyway we couldn't make a prize one. I wouldn't have the heart to try +again as hard as I did for that one. Would you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I would! I'd just like to fly at it and make one as good as that +or better! I know who stole that cake, Dorinda Fayre! It was some girl +who had made a cake herself and who was afraid ours would take the +prize, and so she came and stole it!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dorothy Rose! aren't you ashamed to think such a thing! And anyway, +how could any girl do that even if she was mean enough?"</p> + +<p>"Of course she could!" and Dotty's eyes flashed; "everybody knew about +our cake, and they knew it would take the prize, and so of course they +wanted it out of the way! Now that's just what happened, because it's +the only thing that can have happened. As Mother says, there aren't any +tramps around here. We always set cakes or pies on that window shelf and +they've never been stolen. Come on, I say, let's make another; I hate to +have any girl get ahead of me like that!"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dotty, it just seems as if I couldn't make another. Why we were +three hours on that one this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> morning. It would be after six o'clock +before we could get another done. And I know it wouldn't be any good, +I'm too upset to make it properly. I'm all of a quiver. And besides we +haven't all the things in the house."</p> + +<p>"No, we've no pineapple. But let's make some other kind of a cake, +chocolate, or something."</p> + +<p>"Yes! I think I see a chocolate cake taking the prize! Why don't you +make ginger-bread and be done with it? That prize won't go to any common +kind of cake, like chocolate."</p> + +<p>"It might if it was awful good chocolate. Oh, Dolly, our cake was so +beautiful!" And Dotty's overwrought nerves gave way and she burst into +violent sobbing.</p> + +<p>"Well, crying won't do any good, Dot," and Dolly drew a long sigh; "I +don't blame you for crying, 'cause I know you can't help it. But I can't +seem to cry, I'm too—too flattened out."</p> + +<p>Dolly looked the picture of disheartened woe, but it was not her nature +to give way to tears. She felt absolutely dismayed and utterly cast +down, as if under a depression that would not lift, but she gave no +physical sign of this except by her tense, drawn face and her frequent +despairing sighs.</p> + +<p>"It's just awful, girlies," said Mrs. Rose, full of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> helpless sympathy; +"but I can't think of anything to do. I don't believe you could make +another cake successfully, you're too nervous and upset, both of you."</p> + +<p>Maria, however, did not take it so calmly. Her grief was more boisterous +even than Dolly's. She ran round the kitchen, throwing her apron over +her head, and wailing and moaning like a crazy woman.</p> + +<p>"Oh, dat cake! dat cake!" she groaned, dropping into a chair and rocking +back and forth in ecstasies of woe. "Dat hebenly cake! Sho'ly Miss Dotty +and Miss Dolly yo' could make anudder. I kin help yo', and we'll whisk +it up in a jiffy. Do make some kind, oh do, now!"</p> + +<p>"No, Maria," and Dolly looked positive; "we can't make another cake. +It's out of the question. Shall we go to the fair at all, Dot?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, of course we will! I want to find out what girl was mean enough +and smart enough to cut up this trick!"</p> + +<p>"Come on then. You'd better wash your face, you're all teary looking. I +s'pose we might as well go, but I don't feel a bit like it. All the +fun's gone out of it."</p> + +<p>Dotty ran away to bathe her reddened eyes, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> Dolly gravely walked +round the kitchen, looking here and there as if the cake might have +voluntarily hidden itself somewhere.</p> + +<p>"It's most mysterious," said Mrs. Rose. "I never heard of anything being +stolen up in this region before. I wish Mr. Rose were here, but of +course he couldn't do anything, and I think we may feel sure that he +didn't steal the cake."</p> + +<p>"Where is he?" asked Dolly, smiling a little at the jest.</p> + +<p>"Gone over to the Norris camp, I think. I wish the boys were here; of +course they couldn't do anything, but they could help us express our +indignation."</p> + +<p>"Yes, they could do that, but it wouldn't do any real good. Hello, Dot, +ready?"</p> + +<p>The two girls started off down the path and Mrs. Rose watched them go +with a sad heart. She knew how disappointed they were, after all their +trouble to make the cake, and she couldn't imagine what had become of +it.</p> + +<p>"I can't believe any of the girls came and took it," she said to Maria.</p> + +<p>"No, ma'am, dat dey didn't! dat cake was sperrited away by ghos'es. +Dat's what it was!" And the big black eyes rolled in terrified +apprehension.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> "Yas'm, sho'ly fer certain, dat's what happened. It's de +work of dem sperrits!"</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rose went on into the house unwilling to subscribe to Maria's +theory, but equally unable to propound any of her own.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The girls reached the hotel where the fair was held and joined the gay +throngs of people that were entering.</p> + +<p>"Hello," said Maisie Norris as she met them. "Where's your cake?"</p> + +<p>Now Dolly and Dotty had made up their minds not to tell of the +catastrophe, until they could make some endeavour to find out if there +were any suspicious looks or hints to be noticed among the other young +cake makers.</p> + +<p>"Where's yours?" Dotty said to Maisie.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I left mine in the committee room. You know the committee take all +the cakes, and then those that haven't any chance at all, they send out +to the cake table to be sold. But the ones that have a chance at the +prize they keep for final decision. They've kept mine so far, but Edith +Holmes' was just sent out. It's too bad, it's a lovely chocolate cake."</p> + +<p>"It is too bad," agreed Dotty, "but I don't believe a chocolate cake +will take the prize, do you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> + +<p>"No, probably not," said Maisie. "Mine's a variety cake. What sort is +yours?"</p> + +<p>Dotty hesitated, for she well knew they had no cake in the committee +room, but Dolly said: "We made up ours. We mixed things together that we +never heard of combining before. It was mostly Dot's invention."</p> + +<p>"But Dolly made the layers and did the icing," put in Dotty, unwilling +to take all the credit.</p> + +<p>"Sounds lovely," said Maisie, and then her attention was diverted +elsewhere and she ran away.</p> + +<p>No more embarrassing questions were asked, for every one assumed that +Dotty and Dolly had given their cake to the committee when they arrived.</p> + +<p>A dozen times during the afternoon they were asked, "Has your cake been +sent out yet?" And they truthfully answered no.</p> + +<p>But no hint could they glean from the words or looks of any girl to make +them suspect wrong-doing.</p> + +<p>"I can't keep it up any longer, Dot," said Dolly at last, in an +undertone. "I feel as if I'm telling a lie, when I let them all think we +have a cake with the committee."</p> + +<p>"Fiddlesticks! it's none of their business. And anyway they have just +that much more chance at the prize. Don't tell anybody, Doll, it can't +do any<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> harm to keep it to ourselves, and if one certain person takes +the prize, I just want to see how she looks or what she says when I tell +her our cake was stolen."</p> + +<p>"Why, Dotty Rose! Do you mean to say you suspect anybody?"</p> + +<p>"I don't say that; and I won't mention any name, even to you, but just +you wait and see. They'll announce the prize winner at six o'clock and +it's after five now."</p> + +<p>So Dolly deferred to Dotty's wishes in the matter, and as there was much +going on and plenty of diverting incidents, the hour slipped away and +soon a whisper was passed around that the committee had made their +choice.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Van Zandt, the aristocratic and somewhat eccentric old lady who had +offered the prize, came over to the cake table and smiled as she began +her speech.</p> + +<p>"It has been rather difficult," she said; "to decide among the beautiful +and delicious cakes selected by the committee, for my final test. There +were half a dozen at the last judging, that seemed equally well made and +delightful of taste. Of course, I did not know who made the various +entries, and so I decided, entirely on the merits of the cake itself. +And considering everything, the method, the execution and the delicacy +of flavours, I adjudge the best cake submitted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> in this contest to be +the one that represents the joint work of Miss Dorothy Rose and Miss +Dorinda Fayre. And I'm greatly pleased to present these two young ladies +with the golden double eagle I offered as a prize, and I consider it +well earned and honestly won."</p> + +<p>If Dolly and Dotty had been amazed when they missed the cake from the +pantry window, they were ten times more amazed now. What could it mean? +There must be some mistake. Dotty's quick thought was that somehow their +names had been connected with some other girl's cake, but in a moment +that illusion was dispelled by the sight of their own beautiful white +cake being brought in and placed in the very centre of the cake table.</p> + +<p>It was positively their own cake, although a portion had been cut from +one corner for the members of the committee to taste.</p> + +<p>Realising that by some miracle their cake had been submitted, and had +won the prize, Dolly and Dotty suddenly became aware that they must do +their part, and together they stepped forward to receive the prize from +Mrs. Van Zandt.</p> + +<p>"I'm sorry it is not in two ten dollar gold pieces," she said, as she +smilingly held it out to the blushing girls; "but you must divide it +between you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> + +<p>Smiling, Dolly and Dotty held out their hands together, and together +received the gold piece, holding it between them as they bowed their +thanks.</p> + +<p>Then there was a hubbub of congratulations and laughter and chatter from +the girls. It seemed unnecessary to say anything about the cake having +been stolen, so the two D's smiled and beamed as they listened to +flattering words about their prize winning cake.</p> + +<p>Soon they were flying homeward to tell the family all about it.</p> + +<p>"Our cake was there, and we took the prize!" cried Dotty, as they rushed +into the living-room of the Rose bungalow.</p> + +<p>"How did it get there?" cried Mrs. Rose, and Mr. Rose and Genie +exclaimed in surprise, while Maria appeared in the kitchen doorway, +holding up her hands and crying out: "Dem sperrits jes' nachelley wafted +dat cake right ober to de fair place!"</p> + +<p>"We don't know," Dolly went on, taking up the tale. "I asked two or +three ladies of the committee, and they didn't seem to know anything +about it—about how it got there. They just said it was there, entered +in our names, and it sounded so silly to ask them to find out who +brought it, that I just didn't."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It <i>was</i> our cake," declared Dotty; "and it took the prize. So that's +all right. But, however did it get there, unless it walked over itself. +You didn't take it, did you, Daddy?"</p> + +<p>"No," said Mr. Rose; "I did not. I would willingly have done so, but you +girls insisted on taking it yourselves."</p> + +<p>Just then the boys rushed in.</p> + +<p>"Great sport!" cried Bob, flinging his cap and sweater on a chair; +"Norris's boat is the swiftest thing ever!"</p> + +<p>"You bet it is! Wow, but it was a great race!" And Bert Fayre waved his +hands in enthusiasm; "Hello, girls, did your dinky white cake catch the +gold piece? Did you bamboozle the judges into thinking it was fit to +eat?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, we did!" cried Dolly, her blue eyes sparkling with delight; "but, +oh, Bert, what do you think! We don't know how the cake got there!"</p> + +<p>"Got there? Why, Bob and I took it over. We knew you girls never could +transport that masterpiece of modern architecture all that way in +safety."</p> + +<p>"You boys took it over?" and Dotty looked dumfounded.</p> + +<p>"Sure we did," said Bob; "weren't you glad?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> + +<p>"But why didn't you tell us? we almost went crazy!"</p> + +<p>"Crazy nothing! We left a note on the pantry shelf saying we took it. We +called to you girls but you were primping in your room and didn't +answer. Maria wasn't on deck, so I just scribbled on a paper that we'd +taken the cake and left the paper in its place."</p> + +<p>Bob looked injured at the thought that their kindness was not +appreciated.</p> + +<p>"We didn't see any note," said Dolly; "where did you leave it?"</p> + +<p>"Right on the pantry shelf, where we took the cake away from. You don't +seem awful grateful, for what we thought would be a boon and a blessing +to you. I can tell you we had to work pretty hard to get the old thing +over there without a smooch on it, and I didn't dare put anything over +it for fear it would stick to the icing."</p> + +<p>While he was talking, Dotty had flown out to the pantry and returned +with the bit of scribbled paper. "Here it is!" she cried; "it was on the +floor under the shelf!"</p> + +<p>"Must have blown off," said Bert, carelessly; "well, no harm done; cake +got there all right. Took prize all right. Everybody happy."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, we are now," and Dolly grinned contentedly; "but we had a pretty +miserable afternoon."</p> + +<p>"Oh, pshaw, now," and Bob tweaked the black curls that clustered round +her temple; "you must have known we took it, even without the note. +Where else <i>could</i> it have gone to?"</p> + +<p>"That's so," agreed Dotty; "and it's all right now. But next time you +leave an important document for me, don't leave it in an open window on +a breezy afternoon."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI</h2> + +<h3>A WALK IN THE WOODS</h3> + +<p>"Only three days left of Camp Crosstrees," said Dolly, as the girls sat +in the shack one summer afternoon. "I never knew two weeks to slip away +so quickly."</p> + +<p>"Don't you love it?" said Dotty, looking around at the various delights +of camp life, the wooded hills and the distant mountains. "There's +nothing like it, Doll; I wish we didn't ever have to go back to town."</p> + +<p>"You'll have your visit with me, before we go back to Berwick. I wonder +if you will like Surfwood, Dotty?"</p> + +<p>"I'll love the seashore, I know; but I don't know about liking the big +hotel. Don't you have to keep dressed up all the time and all that?"</p> + +<p>"Why, we don't wear party clothes all the time. Of course we can't go +around in an old serge skirt and middy blouse as we do here. But +mornings we'll wear ginghams or linen frocks and late in the afternoon +dress up nice."</p> + +<p>"Awful bother, fixing up so. I like to go round<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> as we do here. Nobody +cares what they wear in camp."</p> + +<p>"Of course it's awfully different at the hotel, but you'll like it after +you get there. I don't see why you object to dressing decently. It's +only a habit, going around in these old regimentals!"</p> + +<p>Dolly looked with distaste at her brown serge skirt, and her tan +stockings and shoes, the latter decidedly the worse for wear and scarred +and scratched by stones and brambles.</p> + +<p>"Oh, I've got plenty of good clothes; Mother's been fixing them all in +order. And I know I'll like it to be down there two weeks with you. But +I mean for a whole summer, I'd rather be up here, tramping around the +woods and dressing like Sam Scratch, than to fuss up fancy every day."</p> + +<p>"I wouldn't. I've had an awful good time up here on this visit, but for +a whole summer, I'd rather be at the seashore, and at a hotel where I +wear pretty white dresses and silk stockings and slippers."</p> + +<p>"Aren't we different!" and Dotty laughed as she looked at her golden +haired friend. "Sometimes I wonder, Doll, that we're such good friends, +when we're so awfully different. Everything I like you hate and +everything you like I hate."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, not quite that. In lots of ways, we like the same things."</p> + +<p>"No, we don't. I like to go off in the woods on long tramps, and you'd +rather lie around here on a lot of balsam pillows and read a story book +or do nothing at all."</p> + +<p>"I expect I'm lazy."</p> + +<p>"No, you're not, not a bit of it. You're ready enough to work if it's +anything you like to do. Why, at a picnic, you'll do more than all the +rest put together. We're just different, that's all. You're easy-going +and good natured, and I'm a spitfire."</p> + +<p>"Well, I guess it's good for us to be different, and so we influence +each other, and that's good for both of us."</p> + +<p>"Well, I'll influence you right now to go for a ramble in the woods. +It's lovely to-day. Just the kind of a day when the breeze sings in the +trees and the birds flutter low and you can watch them."</p> + +<p>"All right, I'll go, if you don't go too far, nor walk too fast. We've +only three days more up here, and we won't have many more chances to go +woodsing, so come on."</p> + +<p>"All right, we've a good long afternoon. You go ask Maria for some +cookies and fruit, and I'll go tell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> Mother we're going. But don't let +Genie know. We don't want her along to-day, for she gets tired in about +an hour."</p> + +<p>Dolly went in search of Maria, half sorry that Genie was excluded from +the party, for unhampered by the child, Dotty was apt to walk fast and +far in her untiring energy. But Dolly could always make her stop and +rest by a reference to the weak muscles that still troubled her a little +on a long walk. The girls had entirely recovered from their broken +bones, but Dolly's was an indolent nature and disinclined to great +exertion at any time.</p> + +<p>Carrying their sweaters and a box of food they started off for their +tramp in the woods.</p> + +<p>"I want to get a whole lot of birch bark," Dolly said, as they walked +along; "let's look for particularly nice pieces and get a whole lot to +take with us down to the seashore."</p> + +<p>"What for?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, to make fancy work out of. Everybody does fancy work and they have +bazaars, something like the one where we took the cake prize. And we can +make lovely things out of birch bark for the bazaar tables."</p> + +<p>"All right, we'll gather a heap. What shall we do with our cake prize, +Doll, save it or spend it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I'd rather spend it. I think it would be nice if we bought something +special with it. Two things you know, just alike, to remember our first +cake by."</p> + +<p>"Something to wear?"</p> + +<p>"Maybe. A ring or a pin or something."</p> + +<p>"Couldn't get much of a ring for ten dollars. And we've got a lot of +little fancy pins, both of us. What do you say to a gold pencil for +each?"</p> + +<p>"Only they never write very well; the leads are so hard."</p> + +<p>"That's so. Well maybe beads, or how about a lace collar?"</p> + +<p>"Let's wait till we get down to Surfwood and ask Trudy. She'll tell us +something nice, and maybe we'll buy something there, or else in New York +as we go through on the way down."</p> + +<p>"All right. Here's some good birch bark, only it's yellowish. Let's keep +on till we find some whiter."</p> + +<p>The pair rambled on, happily chatting and laughing and now and then +sitting down to rest or to refresh themselves from the box of lunch +which was rapidly growing lighter.</p> + +<p>"We have an awful lot of bark," said Dotty, looking at the big bundles +they had collected.</p> + +<p>"Yes, too much. Let's chuck out the worst pieces and just keep the best. +And I'd like some more of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> that silvery kind. It's awful pretty combined +with this dark yellow to make things."</p> + +<p>"We want to get some big pieces. A portfolio of the silvery kind lined +with yellow is lovely."</p> + +<p>"Yes, with one corner turned back and a ribbon bow on it."</p> + +<p>"Yes, or tied with sweet grass. There's a big tree on ahead. We can get +some there, I'm sure."</p> + +<p>"All right and there's another tree out there,—that's a dandy."</p> + +<p>Eagerly they went on, absorbed in their fascinating quest. For the +hunting of birch bark is ever enticing and lures one on to further +treasures like a mirage.</p> + +<p>"We can't carry another scrap," said Dolly, at last, laughing to see +Dotty with her arms full of rolls of bark and more pieces gathered up in +her skirt.</p> + +<p>"No; we'll sit down and straighten this out and roll it up and finish +the cookies and throw away the box and then we'll go home."</p> + +<p>It was hard to throw away any of the beautiful bark, for they had +gathered only fine specimens, and the quantity they finally selected to +keep was a goodly load.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll put on our sweaters," said Dolly; "so we can carry it all. It's +no heavier than that lunch box was."</p> + +<p>"No heavier," agreed Dotty; "but a good deal more bunglesome and awkward +to carry."</p> + +<p>Each girl had a big fat roll under each arm and turning they started +gaily along in single file.</p> + +<p>"You go first," said Dolly, stepping back; "I'm not sure I know the way. +I declare to goodness, Dot, I don't see how you remember the way +yourself. You've got a regular guide's brain under that black mop of +yours! How do you know which way to go, when you can't see anything but +trees?"</p> + +<p>"Easy as pie!" Dotty called back over her shoulder. "Just follow the +nose of Dorothy Rose and away she goes!" And Dotty hopped over a big +stone, while Dolly walked around it.</p> + +<p>On they went, Dotty leading the way and Dolly following.</p> + +<p>"It's getting awfully late, I believe the sun has set," said Dolly, +shivering a little under her woollen sweater.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no, the sun hasn't set, but you can't see it in these thick woods. +We'll soon be out of this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> thick part now. We came quite a way in, +Dollypops."</p> + +<p>"A million miles, I should say! That's the worst of you, Dot, you never +realise that all the walk you take has got to be walked back again!"</p> + +<p>"'I took a walk around the block, to get some exercise,'" Dotty chanted, +imitating a popular song which was a favourite with the boys.</p> + +<p>"Exercise! I've had enough to last me the rest of the summer! Honest, +Dot, I've got to rest a few minutes; I can't walk another step."</p> + +<p>"Dollyrinda Fayre, you do give out the easiest of anybody I ever saw! +Sit down on that stone and rest, do. But you mustn't wait long, for I +guess it <i>is</i> about sunset. I feel sort of chilly, and I don't hear the +birds much."</p> + +<p>"All right, Dotsy, I'm rested now," and Dolly jumped up and walked on. +She tired easily, but also a rest of a very few minutes made her ready +to walk on again. She followed Dotty in silence for some distance and +then said; "you're sure you <i>do</i> know the way, aren't you?"</p> + +<p>"M—hmm," Dotty flung back over her shoulder and trudged on.</p> + +<p>But Dolly noticed a difference in Dotty's attitude. She walked as +quickly as before but she was not quite<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> so alert. Also, she kept +turning her head suddenly from side to side with a gesture of an +inquisitive bird, a little uncertain which way to fly.</p> + +<p>"You do know the way, don't you, Dotty?"</p> + +<p>"'Course I do, Doll, don't be silly."</p> + +<p>"How do you know it?"</p> + +<p>"Just by instinct. I've been around these woods so much, I just kind of +know the way home, even if I can't see out. Don't you see this kind of a +trail? We just follow this and it brings us out right by our own camp."</p> + +<p>"Are you sure?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, I'm sure! What's the matter with you, Dolly?"</p> + +<p>"Nothing; only it seems as if we'd walked as far since we've started for +home as we did when we were going."</p> + +<p>"So we have, nearly. Just a little farther now and we come into that +clump of beech woods, don't you know? Where there aren't any birch +trees, hardly."</p> + +<p>"Yes, I know where you mean; but this doesn't look like it."</p> + +<p>"'Cause we haven't got there yet, that's why. You wouldn't think birch +bark would be so heavy; would you?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I don't mind it. Here give me one of your bundles; I'd just as lieve +carry it as not. Give me the one out of your left wing. I know that one +must be tired."</p> + +<p>"'Deed I won't. You've got enough to carry. I'll throw my left hand +bundle away before I let you lug it."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't throw it away! It's a shame, after we've taken such trouble +to gather it. Do let me carry it, Dotty."</p> + +<p>"No, sir, I won't do it! I don't mind it, anyway. Come on, Doll, let's +hurry a little. Don't you think it's getting sort of dark?"</p> + +<p>"Not dark, exactly, but dusky here under the trees."</p> + +<p>"It isn't dusk, Dolly, it's dark! I mean, it's after sunset, and the +real dark will settle down on us in a few minutes. I know more about +these woods than you do, and I know we want to get along faster. We +mustn't be in here when it gets really dark."</p> + +<p>"But you said you knew the way, Dot," and Dolly's tone was anxious.</p> + +<p>"I do, most always, but if we'd been on the right track we ought to have +been out of the woods before<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> this. I must have got turned around +somehow."</p> + +<p>Dotty stopped still and turned a despairing face toward Dolly.</p> + +<p>"Good gracious, Dot, you don't mean we're lost!"</p> + +<p>"I hope not that, but honest, I don't know which way to go."</p> + +<p>"Why not go straight on?"</p> + +<p>"I'm not sure, but I think that leads us deeper into the woods."</p> + +<p>"Why, Dorothy Rose! You <i>said</i> that was the way home!"</p> + +<p>"I know I did, and I thought it was; but don't you see, Dolly, if it +<i>had</i> been the right way, we would be home by now?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, Dotty, what are we going to do?"</p> + +<p>Dolly's face took on a woe-begone expression, and her big blue eyes +stared at the white face of her friend. "I'm frightened, Dolly, I— I +never was lost in the woods before."</p> + +<p>"Nor I, either. I've often heard of people being lost in these woods, +when they were really quite near their homes. One man was lost for three +days before they found him."</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't say such dreadful things! It's getting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> awful dark, and I'm +cold, and—and I'm scared!"</p> + +<p>"I'm all those things, too! oh, Dolly, I'm awfully frightened!" and +Dotty dropped her bundles of birch bark and sitting down on a stone +began to cry hysterically.</p> + +<p>Now Dolly Fayre was the sort to rise to an emergency, where Dotty Rose +would lose her head completely. So Dolly, though terribly frightened, +controlled herself, and sitting down, put her arm around Dotty and tried +to cheer her.</p> + +<p>"Brace up, Dot, it can't do a bit of good to cry you know. Now you know +more about this sort of thing than I do, what do people do when they're +lost in the woods?"</p> + +<p>"Hol—holler," said Dotty, weakly, between her sobs, "holler like fury, +and m-maybe somebody hears them and maybe they d-don't."</p> + +<p>"All right, let's holler," and Dolly gave a yell, that sounded about as +loud and carrying as the pipe or a bulfinch.</p> + +<p>"Who do you s'pose'll hear that?" and Dotty almost smiled through her +tears; "this is the way to holler." Dotty gave a loud scream, a long +halloo, tapping her fingers against her mouth as she did so, making a +peculiar mountain cry, known to campers.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> + +<p>"All right, I'll do that, too," and Dolly set up a rival yell.</p> + +<p>But though both girls did their best, their screams were not very loud +and they were followed by a silence, so intense, that they shivered and +clung together in fear. The dark had fallen suddenly, and though only +about seven o'clock, in the thick woods, they could scarcely see each +other's faces.</p> + +<p>Appalled by the awfulness of the situation, Dolly burst into tears, and +though not as violent as Dotty's, her sobs were deep and racking ones.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't, Dollyrinda, <i>don't</i> cry so! I'll never forgive myself for +losing you in these awful woods!"</p> + +<p>"You didn't lose me, any more than I lost you. We both lost each other; +I mean— I guess I mean we're both lost!" and Dolly's tears fell afresh.</p> + +<p>Then both girls gave way and cried desperately, till they could cry no +more, and with their stayed tears, they seemed to take a brighter +outlook.</p> + +<p>"If we're lost," said Dolly, philosophically; "we must make the best of +it. Are there any wild animals, that would eat us up?"</p> + +<p>"No, nothing of that sort. Nothing but squirrels and birds, and they +can't hurt us."</p> + +<p>"Then there's nothing really to be afraid of—"</p> + +<p>"No, I s'pose not. Only starving to death, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> catching pneumonia and a +few little things like that."</p> + +<p>"We won't starve right off, that's certain," said Dolly, practically; +"at least I won't, I'm so fat. But you poor little picked chicken, you +may!" And Dolly patted the thin little shivering shoulders that snuggled +up against her.</p> + +<p>"I'm hungry now; I wish we'd saved the cookies."</p> + +<p>"You can't be hungry, Dot, not <i>really</i> hungry. Now, let's plan what to +do. Shall we walk on and take our chances or shall we camp here for the +night. It isn't so very different being here under the trees or under +our own trees in camp."</p> + +<p>"'Tisn't very different, hey? Well I think there's all the difference in +the world! What are you going to sleep on? What are you going to cover +yourself with? Oh, you know we couldn't sleep anyway, when we're lost!" +and Dotty suddenly gave a vigorous yell which startled Dolly nearly out +of her wits. But realising what it was for, she quickly joined in, and +the two shrieked and shouted until it seemed to them that all the camps +in that region must hear them.</p> + +<p>But only those who have tried it, know how thoroughly one may get lost +in the Adirondack woods in a very short time, or how loudly one may +scream without being heard even by the friends who are searching for +them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> + +<p>And they were searching for the lost girls. When the two failed to +appear by half-past six, Mr. and Mrs. Rose became apprehensive for their +safety. They knew the girls had gone for a long ramble in the woods, but +it was the rule of the camp to be back for six o'clock supper, unless +due notice had been given.</p> + +<p>"They're lost in the woods," Mrs. Rose declared, and though hoping the +contrary, Mr. Rose agreed with her.</p> + +<p>They had telephoned to all the neighbouring camps and as no one had seen +the girls that afternoon they felt sure of what had happened.</p> + +<p>"We must make search parties," said Bob, while Bert looked thoroughly +scared at the thought of his sister's danger. "It isn't so awfully +unusual, Bert. People get lost in the woods often, don't they, Dad?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," replied Mr. Rose; "but it isn't often our little girls! Call up +Long Sam, Bob; tell him to bring lanterns."</p> + +<p>Many of the neighbours volunteered assistance and inside of an hour +there were various search parties beating the woods for the missing +girls.</p> + +<p>But Dotty, when thinking she was walking toward home had really been +walking in the opposite direction<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> and the two girls were much farther +away from camp than their rescuers thought for.</p> + +<p>"Nothing doing," said Jack Norris, despondently, as he met Bob and Bert +in the woods.</p> + +<p>"Then we must keep at it," said Bert; "anything is better than giving +up."</p> + +<p>The various searchers separated and came together again. They screamed +and shouted; they whistled and blew horns; their dogs barked, and it +seemed as if some of these noises must reach the girls' ears and bring +response calls.</p> + +<p>But there was no success, and one by one the neighbours gave up and went +home.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Rose and the two boys, with Long Sam, kept up the search all +through the night. They built fires occasionally, but dared not leave +them, and put them out as they went on.</p> + +<p>At last, Long Sam seated himself dejectedly on a fallen log, his +extraordinary length of limb doubling up like a jacknife.</p> + +<p>"'Tain't no use," he declared. "They ain't no livin' use o' trackin' +these woods any longer. We mought strike them girls in a minute and then +again we moughtn't run across 'em in a thousand years. Lord knows I'm +willin' to keep on, but I'm jest about tuckered out. And I put it to you +Mr. Rose,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> wouldn't it be better to rest a bit, and then push on?"</p> + +<p>"Perhaps it would, Sam," and Mr. Rose's fingers worked nervously; "but I +couldn't stay still, I'd go crazy. I think I'll push on and take my +chances."</p> + +<p>"Yes, and get yourself lost," grumbled Sam; "so's we'd have three to +hunt 'stidden o' two!"</p> + +<p>"You are done up, Sam," said Bert Fayre, kindly. "You stay here, and we +three will drive ahead a little."</p> + +<p>"Wal, I'll jest give one more howl, and see if that ketches anythin'."</p> + +<p>Long Sam stood up on a log and gave a high pitched, long drawn out +shout, that seemed as if it must penetrate the farthest depths of the +forest.</p> + +<p>"Now one, all together, like that," he said, and the four voices, joined +in a mighty shout and then waited in breathless silence.</p> + +<p>"I heard 'em!" Sam cried out; "I heard 'em! Now all you keep quiet!" And +then Sam's voice rang out once more in a sharp short shriek. He listened +and then exclaimed; "Yep! I heard 'em! Come on!" And with long strides +he started anew into the blackness of the woods.</p> + +<p>The others eagerly followed. They had heard no sound, but their ears had +not the marvellous acuteness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> of the Adirondack guide, and without a +word they hastened to keep up with Long Sam's pace.</p> + +<p>"Sing out again!" Sam cried, several times, and at last the others could +hear the faint high shrieks of Dotty and Dolly.</p> + +<p>It seemed an endless journey, but at last the search party came upon the +two girls.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Father!" and Dotty threw herself into his arms, while Bert made a +grab for Dolly and Bob danced around the group in glee.</p> + +<p>"You're a nice pair!" observed Long Sam, who was no respecter of +persons, when acting in his capacity of guide. "What d'you cut up such a +trick as this for? You might 'a'knowed you'd get lost!"</p> + +<p>"Now Sam, don't scold," said Dolly, well knowing that the bluff chap was +really talking roughly to hide his glad emotion at the rescue.</p> + +<p>"You ought to be scolded all the same, but I s'pose your folks is so +glad to get you back that they'll just make the world and all of you."</p> + +<p>And Sam's prognostication was verified. Following Sam's lead the party +trudged through the woods, all so jubilant at the happy ending to their +search, that scolding was not even thought of. And indeed why should it +be? The girls had done nothing wrong, unless perhaps they had wandered a +little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> deeper into the forest than it was advisable to go without a +guide. But Dotty was positive it would never happen again. And when they +reached camp and found Mrs. Rose and Genie waiting for them and a most +appetising supper spread out by Maria, the two refugees found themselves +looked down upon as heroines and were quite willing to accept the rôle.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII</h2> + +<h3>SURFWOOD</h3> + +<p>A couple of days after their forest experience the two girls made ready +to go to the seashore.</p> + +<p>Secretly, Dolly was glad. She had enjoyed much of her stay at Camp +Crosstrees, but she had about concluded that "roughing it" was not +altogether to her taste. She had liked the gay parties round the camp +fires, the swift motor-boat trips and the jolly picnic feasts, but she +was not enthusiastically fond of long tramps up and down mountains and +the deprivation of many home comforts and luxuries. She said no word of +this to her kind hosts, but she welcomed the day that would take her +back to her own people and their usual summer abode.</p> + +<p>Also there had been really unpleasant experiences, from her lonely first +night to that last awful night in the woods, and though these things +were nobody's fault, they remained in Dolly's memory as decidedly +undesirable pictures of her mountain trip.</p> + +<p>Dotty Rose, all unconscious of Dolly's secret feelings, realised only +that they had had lots of gay<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> times together and many occasions of +rollicking camp-life fun. Having spent many summers at Camp Crosstrees, +the Rose family had become attached to the place, and always looked +forward with eager anticipation to each successive trip.</p> + +<p>Unlike Dolly, Bert Fayre loved it all. To him, roughing it was fun, and +he cared nothing at all for the city comforts that were missing. He +tramped the woods and went fishing, swimming and boating with the same +enjoyment of these sports that Bob Rose felt, and he was more than +delighted when Mrs. Rose invited him to spend the rest of August at the +camp while the girls went for their two weeks at the seashore.</p> + +<p>So on the day of departure Dotty and Dolly bade good-bye to their +brothers and to Mrs. Rose and Genie, and in care of Mr. Rose started for +New York and thence down to Surfwood, a resort on the New Jersey coast, +where the Fayre family were staying at a hotel.</p> + +<p>"Oh, don't you just hate to leave it?" exclaimed Dotty as the motor-boat +took them swiftly down the lake. "Good-bye, you dear old woods; +good-bye, you lovely lake. I shan't see you again till next summer."</p> + +<p>For, as the children must begin school early in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> September, both +families would return to Berwick in about a fortnight.</p> + +<p>Dolly did not entirely share Dotty's enthusiasm, but she realised the +wonderful beauty of the scene as she looked back at the lake with its +wooded shores and hills rising to the high mountains.</p> + +<p>"It <i>is</i> splendid!" she said, very honestly, as she gazed at the +beautiful landscape. "I'm afraid, Dot, that you won't have a good time +down at Surfwood. It's awfully different, you know."</p> + +<p>"'Course I'll have a good time, if I'm visiting you. But, you see, we +were a whole month later than usual coming up here this summer, and now +to cut two weeks off the other end makes an awfully short season for +dear old Crosstrees. Why do they call it Surfwood, Dolly; are there any +woods there?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; not far back from the beach there are lots of woods. But +all flat, of course; no hills like these."</p> + +<p>"Well, you couldn't expect mountains and seashore together. I know we'll +have lovely times there, anyway I'd rather be with you than to stay up +here."</p> + +<p>The girls had become inseparable friends and their stay in camp together +had strengthened the bonds and made them even more fond of each other +than<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> they had been as neighbours. They were very different, but they +were learning to accept each other's differences, and in some ways they +frequently influenced one another's tastes or opinions.</p> + +<p>"Good-bye, old lake!" Dolly called out again, as the motor-boat neared +its dock. "We'll see you next summer,—you will come up here again next +summer, won't you, Dolly?"</p> + +<p>"We'll see when next summer comes," returned Dolly, laughing. "Perhaps +you won't like Surfwood a bit, and you won't want to go there next +summer, and if you don't, of course I won't come up here. You look +awfully well in that new suit, Dotty."</p> + +<p>"Hope I do, for it doesn't feel very good. Collar's too stiff." Dotty +wriggled with a feeling of discomfort that the first wearing of a new +garment often brings. The girls both wore suits of blue serge, made +similarly, but not exactly alike; Dotty's being trimmed with black satin +and collar and cuffs of fine white embroidery, while Dotty's was +enlivened by accessories of bright plaid silk and tiny gilt buttons.</p> + +<p>The trip was a pleasant one, and they reached New York next morning in +time for luncheon. This Mr. Rose gave them at an attractive restaurant +and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> the girls greatly enjoyed the novel scenes of the Metropolis.</p> + +<p>"I just love to eat in a restaurant, don't you?" said Dolly, as she +lingered over her elaborate and complicated dessert.</p> + +<p>"Yes, indeed; I love to look around and wonder who the people are. Only +they're all grownups. You don't see hardly any children or girls our +age."</p> + +<p>"No," said Mr. Rose, "a public restaurant is no place for kiddies, +except on such an occasion as this, when I have to feed you somewhere. +But since you're here, you may as well enjoy yourselves. Do you want +some more little cakes?"</p> + +<p>After due reflection, the girls concluded that they did, and the +fascinating tray of French confections was again offered for their +selection.</p> + +<p>At the station where they were to take the train for Surfwood, Mr. Fayre +met them.</p> + +<p>"Well," he exclaimed. "So I am to take the responsibility of these two +beautiful young ladies."</p> + +<p>"Yes," rejoined Mr. Rose; "but I'm glad to tell you that they are not +really difficult to manage. They have behaved most properly all day and +honestly I hate to give them up. I know Camp Crosstrees will seem +deserted and desolate without these two little rays of sunshine."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span></p> + +<p>After affectionate leavetakings, Mr. Rose departed and the two girls +went on with Mr. Fayre.</p> + +<p>He was not of such a jolly nature as Mr. Rose, nor so inclined to talk +with the children.</p> + +<p>He placed them in adjoining chairs in the parlour car, and after +supplying them with picture papers and candies, he seemed to consider +his responsibilities at an end, and taking his own seat, immediately +buried himself in his newspaper.</p> + +<p>"Not much like the Adirondacks, is it?" said Dolly, as they whirled +along through the flat landscapes of New Jersey.</p> + +<p>"No, of course not; you wouldn't expect it. How soon do we see the +ocean?"</p> + +<p>"Very soon, now. We'll get to Surfwood about six, but we'll see the +ocean long before then, there are so many beach stations."</p> + +<p>As they neared Surfwood, Mr. Fayre threw aside his papers and looked out +for the girls again. He was a most courteous man and politely assisted +them with their various belongings, treating them more as grown ladies +than as children.</p> + +<p>"There they are!" he cried, as the train stopped at the picturesque +little station and they spied a big motor car in which Mrs. Fayre and +Trudy were sitting.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p> + +<p>Trudy was looking lovely in her light summer costume and she warmly +welcomed the travellers as they got into the motor.</p> + +<p>"How brown you both are," said Mrs. Fayre, kissing the girls; "a nice +healthy tan, and very becoming! Did you hate to leave your camp, Dotty? +and I suppose you, too, Dolly, became a devotee of mountain life."</p> + +<p>"We did have lovely times, Mother, and I expect Dot was sorry to give it +up, but I persuaded her."</p> + +<p>"You'll have lovely times here, too," promised Trudy, smiling at them; +"I'll see to that."</p> + +<p>The car stopped at the entrance to a very large hotel. The broad +verandas were filled with people, gaily dressed, and gathered in +laughing, chatting groups. Between them and the ocean was a broad +boardwalk also filled with people.</p> + +<p>"Come along, girls," said Mrs. Fayre, and Dotty and Dolly followed her +across the veranda and into a large entrance hall. It was very +beautiful, with glistening white and gold decorations, a thick +moss-green velvet carpet and tall palms round the walls. Then followed a +bewildering succession of gorgeous rooms, and finally they went up in an +elevator.</p> + +<p>"Here we are," and Mrs. Fayre led the two girls into a large and +handsomely furnished suite.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This is our general sitting room," she went on, "and this is your +bedroom, right next to Trudy's."</p> + +<p>They entered a large room, with two brass beds and attractive +appointments of all sorts. The chairs and lounges were covered with gay +chintz and there was a long deep window seat from which, across a +balcony filled with flowers, they could see the ocean.</p> + +<p>"How perfectly lovely!" cried Dotty; "not much like our little rooms at +camp, Doll. Oh, I'm sure I shall be very happy here. It's awfully kind +of you, Mrs. Fayre, to invite me."</p> + +<p>"I'm very glad to have you, dear, and I only hope you'll enjoy it as +much as Dolly did her stay with you. We can't give you the wild, free +life of a mountain camp, but we're going to do all we can to interest +and amuse you. But I'm not sure that you will like the plan for this +evening. As your things aren't unpacked, I thought you two wouldn't dine +downstairs with us to-night, but would have a nice little dinner sent up +here and served in the sitting-room."</p> + +<p>"Oh, goody!" cried Dolly; "that's a lot more fun. I don't feel like +dressing up for dinner to-night and I think that's a lovely plan. Don't +you, Dot?"</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, Dotty would have preferred<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> to go downstairs, for +she was impatient to see more of the big hotel and the gay people. But +she politely acquiesced, and Mrs. Fayre bustled away, saying she would +see them again after dinner.</p> + +<p>"Now we'll have a lovely time, Dotsy, all to ourselves," Dolly said, as +she flew around the room arranging things to suit herself.</p> + +<p>A trim maid appeared to assist in any way needed, and the girls were +glad to change their travelling clothes, and, after a refreshing bath, +to don their pretty kimonos and boudoir caps, that Trudy had left in +readiness for them.</p> + +<p>"Trudy's a trump!" cried Dolly. "See these heavenly things she has laid +out for us! A pink silk room-gown for you and a blue one for me, with +caps to match. We share Trudy's bathroom, you see, so you can have this +glass shelf for your things and I'll take this one for mine. I guess +that's the dinner coming now, and then our trunks will come, and we can +put our things away."</p> + +<p>A very attractive little dinner was served in the sitting-room and the +two girls sat down to it with a feeling as if they were "Playing house."</p> + +<p>"We're to dine with the grownups after to-night," said Dolly; "new thing +for me, 'cause always before I've had my supper in the children's +dining-room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> But Mother says, now I'm fifteen, I can always dine with +them, unless they have special company and then we'll have ours up here +like this. Isn't this salad good?"</p> + +<p>"Perfectly lovely. But, somehow, I feel so queer. It's such a sudden +change from the camp table and Maria's flap-jacks."</p> + +<p>Dolly laughed. "Yes, it is different. But I like that, Dot, the sudden +change I mean. Crosstrees was just right in every way for mountain and +camp doings. Now this seashore stunt is altogether different, but I like +this, too. And I think it's nice for us to have both kinds, one right +after the other."</p> + +<p>"So do I," said Dotty, as she contentedly ate her frozen pudding.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII</h2> + +<h3>DOLL OVERBOARD!</h3> + +<p>The next morning Dotty and Dolly went with the Fayre family to breakfast +in the hotel dining-room.</p> + +<p>Very fresh and pretty the girls looked, Dolly in a pale blue linen and +Dotty in pink linen with a black velvet belt.</p> + +<p>The great dining-room was large and airy, and the sunshine and sea +breeze came in at the open windows.</p> + +<p>The Fayres' table was pleasantly placed overlooking the ocean, and +Dotty's black eyes roved round the room in delighted appreciation of the +surroundings.</p> + +<p>"Oh!" she exclaimed suddenly, "there are the twin Browns! Did you know +they were here, Dolly?"</p> + +<p>"I thought they would be; they come here 'most every summer." And Dolly +smiled across the room at Tod and Tad, who bobbed their heads and +grinned in response.</p> + +<p>"I'm glad they're here," Dolly went on; "it's so nice to have some one +you know to start you getting acquainted."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p> + +<p>"It won't take you long to get acquainted," said Trudy, smiling, "for +all the children of your age who are here are waiting for you. I've told +several that you were coming, and I expect the Brown boys have made all +sorts of plans for your entertainment. We won't bathe to-day until after +luncheon; you can spend the morning on the beach or go for a motor ride +with me, whichever you like."</p> + +<p>As the girls hesitated over their decision, the Brown twins came over to +their table and greeted them gaily.</p> + +<p>"Thought you girls would never get here," said Tod, though really it +mattered little which of them spoke, for they were so precisely alike it +was impossible to tell them apart.</p> + +<p>"Jolly to see you again," said Tad; "do come out on the beach with us as +soon as you finish your breakfast, won't you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dolly; "I guess we won't go with you, Trude, this morning; I +want Dotty to get acquainted with the ocean."</p> + +<p>And so when the girls left the dining-room, they found not only the +Browns, but several other young people waiting on the veranda to escort +them down to the beach.</p> + +<p>There were general introductions, and as they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> went down the long flight +of the hotel steps, Dolly found herself walking beside a girl named +Pauline Clifton.</p> + +<p>Pauline was rather tall and seemed to have an air of authority. Though +not exactly pretty, she was striking-looking, with brown eyes and hair +and a complexion of rosy tan. She wore a white dress and a red sweater +and white stockings with red shoes, and she put her hand through Dolly's +arm with a decided air of possession.</p> + +<p>"I like you already," she said, "and I'm sure we're going to be chums. +Are you rich?"</p> + +<p>The question struck Dolly as funny, and she turned to look into +Pauline's face. But the brown eyes were serious, and evidently the +Clifton girl wished an answer and was prepared to rate her new friend +accordingly.</p> + +<p>"No," said Dolly, returning the frank gaze; "we're not rich. We live in +a small town, and we have about everything we want, but I'm sure we're +not what you'd call rich. Are you?"</p> + +<p>It would never have occurred to Dolly to ask this question, but it +seemed to follow naturally after the other's.</p> + +<p>"Oh, yes," Pauline said, "we're awfully rich.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> We live in New York, and +my father has a yacht and lots of motor cars and everything."</p> + +<p>"I should think you'd have your own summer home, then, and not come to a +hotel."</p> + +<p>"We have; two of them. One on Long Island and one up in the mountains. +But Father takes freaks. I haven't any mother, and he jumps around +wherever he feels like it. So he picked this place for August and here +we are. There's only me and Carroll, that's my brother. He's that boy on +ahead, with his cap on the back of his head."</p> + +<p>"Who looks after you; your father?"</p> + +<p>"Yes; but he isn't here much. We have a kind of a nurse-governess; that +is, she used to be our nurse when we were little and she has always +stayed with us. She's a funny old thing, Liza her name is, but she can +manage us better than anybody else. Father tried a French governess for +me and a German Fraülein, and Carroll has a different tutor about every +month, but Liza just stays on through it all. I know all about you from +the Brown boys. Aren't they ducks! They told us about you before you +came, and about Dotty Rose. Isn't she pretty? You're awfully pretty, +too, and you two look lovely together."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> + +<p>Pauline rattled on, scarcely giving Dolly a chance to reply to her +observations. Meantime the group had come to a standstill and were +selecting a nice place on the beach to spend the morning hours.</p> + +<p>Dotty was enchanted with her first real experience of the seashore.</p> + +<p>She sat down in the sand with the rest, but quickly made her way to the +front of the group and as near as possible to the edge of the waves in +her effort to get an unobstructed view of the ocean. The surf was +rolling in and the great breakers filled her with awe and delight.</p> + +<p>"Come farther back, Dotty," Tad Brown called out, "or you'll get caught +by some of those swells."</p> + +<p>Dotty drew back just in time to escape a wetting from a big wave whose +white foam rolled up the sands to her very feet.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it wonderful!" she cried; "I could sit right here all day and +never take my eyes off those waves!"</p> + +<p>But the sight was not so novel to the others, and they talked and +laughed and threw sand at each other and built forts and watched for +passing steamers and made plans for future amusements.</p> + +<p>"That's the worst of the seashore," said Pauline,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> discontentedly; +"there's so little to do. Just walk the boardwalk or sit on the sand or +bathe; that's about all."</p> + +<p>"Nonsense, Polly," said her brother Carroll; "there's lots else to do. +Going motoring or walking in the woods, and there's a bowling alley at +the hotel and tennis courts—there's millions of things to do, only +you're such an old grouch you never see the fun of anything."</p> + +<p>Pauline paid no attention to this brotherly remark, but said to Dotty, +"Come on, let's go for a walk; I want to get acquainted with you."</p> + +<p>"Get acquainted here," said Dotty, laughing. "I'm too comfortable to +move."</p> + +<p>The Brown boys had banked up a big hill of sand behind Dotty, and she +leaned back against it, still fascinated by the wonderful blue of the +distant ocean sparkling in the sunlight and the mad onrush of the great +breakers as they dashed on the shore.</p> + +<p>"Then you come," said Pauline to Dolly; "let's go off by ourselves and +walk along toward the casino and the shops.</p> + +<p>"All right," said Dolly, who was tired of sitting on the sand and quite +ready for a walk. Moreover, she was curious to know more of Pauline. She +wasn't sure she should like a girl who asked her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> point blank if she +were rich, and yet Pauline didn't seem ostentatious or vulgar, but was +quick-witted and full of fun.</p> + +<p>The two walked away, leaving the rest of the crowd, some six or eight of +them, on the beach.</p> + +<p>As the morning passed, others joined the group and some went away, but +Dotty remained, still unable to tear herself away from the glorious sea.</p> + +<p>"I say, Dot Rose," Tod Brown exclaimed, "you <i>are</i> stuck on that big +pond, aren't you? But there are other days coming when you can gaze at +it. Come on, now, and let's do something. I'll race you to the end of +boardwalk."</p> + +<p>"What's there, when you get to the end?" demanded Dotty.</p> + +<p>"Nothing much, but some fishermen's shacks and nets and things. Come on +and see it. The fishermen are a queer-looking bunch and not very +good-natured, but it's fun to tease them. Come on, anyhow."</p> + +<p>Dotty got up, somewhat cramped by long sitting, and was glad after all +for a brisk walk in the sunshine. They didn't race, but swung along at a +good pace, Dotty with her eyes still seaward.</p> + +<p>Nearly at the end of the boardwalk, on a bench, was a large and handsome +French doll. It was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> dressed as a baby, with a long white frock, a lacy +cap and a knitted pink sacque.</p> + +<p>"Oh, look at that!" cried Dotty. "I know whose it is; it belongs to that +little golden-haired child at the hotel."</p> + +<p>"That's so," said Tod. "The kiddy must have left it here. I saw her +lugging it around this morning, and it was about all she could do to +carry it. Shall we take it back to her?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Dotty; "I'd just as lieve carry it."</p> + +<p>"You bet you'll carry it, if either of us does. Do you s'pose I'd go +round lugging a wax infant?"</p> + +<p>"It isn't wax," said Dotty, picking it up; "it's light as a feather. +It's one of those celluloid things, but I never saw such a big one +before. Yes, I'll take it back to little Yellowtop. If it's left here +somebody will steal it. Shall we turn back now?"</p> + +<p>"No; come on to the end of the walk and let's have a look at the +fishermen."</p> + +<p>They went on and soon reached their destination. It was a picturesque +place, but the cabins were deserted and only a few empty boats were in +sight. The beach was littered with old fish nets and various sorts of +rubbish, while a few piers ran out into the sea.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Everybody's gone fishing," said Tod. "Nothing much to see here; let's +go back."</p> + +<p>"Let's go out to the end of that pier," said Dotty. "There's no danger, +is there?"</p> + +<p>"Danger? No! But nothing to see out there. Come along, though, if you +like."</p> + +<p>Good-naturedly, Tod went with Dotty along the old pier. Reaching the +very end, they sat down for a few moments, their feet hanging over the +edge while they clung to the uprights.</p> + +<p>"Oh, isn't it grand!" cried Dotty, looking down into the blue water as +it rippled against the piles at some distance below.</p> + +<p>"Don't fall in," warned Tod.</p> + +<p>"Never fear, I'm not that kind of a goose! I love it, but I'm scared to +death all the time, and I keep a good grip on this rope."</p> + +<p>"That's right. Oh, here comes a fishing-boat; see, 'way out there in the +distance. We'll wait for that to get in, and then we'll go."</p> + +<p>The two stood up, and hanging onto the ropes, leaned far over to see the +boat as it came in.</p> + +<p>A sudden breeze made Dotty cling closer to the upright she was leaning +against, and as Tod put out his hand to steady her, somehow or other the +big doll dropped into the water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed Dotty in dismay, "there goes the baby's +doll! What a pity. Can we get it, Tod?"</p> + +<p>"I don't know. If it doesn't drift the wrong way, maybe the fishermen +will pick it up as they come in. If I had a hook and line I could hook +it up."</p> + +<p>"Don't lean over so far, Tod; you'll fall in," and Dotty tried to hold +back the boy as he leaned over the edge of the pier. "Oh, see, there's a +fisherman or somebody, coming out of that cabin. Maybe he'll bring a +pole or something and help us get the doll. Ask him to."</p> + +<p>Tod shouted at the man, who had just appeared in the cabin door. It was +some distance and the boy's voice did not carry well over the breakers +between them, but finally Tod succeeded in attracting the man's +attention.</p> + +<p>"Bring a pole!" Tod shouted, "or fish line. Help us!"</p> + +<p>"Hey?" shouted the man, his hand to his ear. "What's the matter?"</p> + +<p>"Doll overboard!" Tod yelled back, but the breeze was off shore and the +man could not get the words. But he saw the two children as they pointed +out on the water, and then, as he saw the big doll, he very naturally +thought it was a live baby and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> immediately he became excited. He ran +back into the cabin and returned with a boat-hook. He jumped into a boat +and endeavoured to put out to sea through the breakers. But at every +attempt, the waves dashed him back on the shore. Determinedly, he tried +again and again, and finally succeeded in getting beyond the surf, +though he was now at some distance from the pier. He began to row +desperately, but made little headway toward the floating doll.</p> + +<p>"He thinks it's a live baby!" cried Tod, roaring with laughter. "Oh, +Dotty, what a joke! Keep it up! Pretend it is."</p> + +<p>Willingly enough, Dotty caught at the idea and began wringing her hands +and screaming frantically.</p> + +<p>"Oh, save her, save her!" she yelled, tearing around the pier like a mad +person, while Tod, hanging on to a post, leaned far over the water and +waved his hand frantically to the boatman.</p> + +<p>The fisherman redoubled his efforts and slowly drew nearer the floating +doll, whose long white dress was whirled and tossed about in the eddy.</p> + +<p>The boatload of fishermen which they had seen in the distance drew +nearer, and the man in the row-boat communicated to them by shouts and +signs and made them aware of the catastrophe.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span></p> + +<p>The incoming fishermen saw the baby in the water, and saw the two +children screaming and wailing on the pier, and they put forward with +all speed to make a rescue.</p> + +<p>Tod and Dotty were really doubled up with laughter, but pretended they +were in agonies of grief as the two boats made desperate attempts to +reach the drowning child.</p> + +<p>"The old idiots!" exclaimed Tod; "they might know that a live baby +wouldn't float around like that. It would have sunk long ago."</p> + +<p>"Of course it would," agreed Dotty. "Won't they be mad when they get +it!"</p> + +<p>The fishermen, having had little experience with French dolls the size +of live babies, assumed, of course, that it was a real child in the +water, and they wasted no time in marvelling as to why it should +continue to ride blithely on top of the waves. They simply put forth +every effort to reach the white object, whatever it might be, but the +perversity of wind and wave continued to thwart them.</p> + +<p>At last, however, very near shore, the fishermen drew near enough to +grab the doll and draw it into their boat, just as they rowed in on top +of a huge breaker and beached near the pier.</p> + +<p>Tod and Dotty ran swiftly to them, eager to see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> their chagrin and +dismay at having rescued the doll.</p> + +<p>The men were all out on the beach and they showed a belligerent +demeanour as the children appeared.</p> + +<p>"Ye little wretches," cried one big rawboned man, "what d'ye mean by +foolin' us like that?"</p> + +<p>His manner even more than his words were distinctly threatening, and +Dotty was scared, but Tod answered him directly.</p> + +<p>"We didn't fool you! We dropped the doll in the water by accident, and +we sung out there was a doll overboard and we asked a man on shore to +help us get it. If you people thought it was a live baby, that isn't our +fault!"</p> + +<p>"That don't go down!" and another man stepped forward and shook his fist +at the children. "Ye know right well ye fooled us a-purpose."</p> + +<p>"We did not!" and Dotty, her temper now aroused, stamped her foot at +him. "We told the man it was a doll, but if he couldn't hear us, we +couldn't help that."</p> + +<p>"Now, now, little lady, ye know better." The big brawny fisherman came +nearer to Dotty and scowled at her. "I seen you jumping around there and +play-actin' like you was wild with grief! Don't deny it, now! Ye know +well enough I say true!"</p> + +<p>He glowered at Dotty, and as he came nearer to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> her his big fierce eyes +frightened her and she quickly stepped behind Tod.</p> + +<p>"Don't you speak to the lady like that!" the boy cried. "If you've +anything to say, say it to me. I called to the man for help to get that +doll out of the water. It belongs to a little friend of ours and we want +to take it to her."</p> + +<p>"Well, ye'll never take it!" and the fierce-eyed man picked up the wet +and dripping doll, and with a mighty sweep of his long arm, he flung it +far out to sea. The deed was merely an impulse of his angry wrath at +having been fooled by the children, and he faced them with a defiant +air.</p> + +<p>"You had no right to do that!" cried Tod; "go right out in your boat and +get it."</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed the man with a loud, boisterous chuckle. "Go out and +get it, is it? Not much I'll not go out and get it! And, what's more, +I'll report you two to the life-saving station people, and I'll have you +arrested for false pretences."</p> + +<p>Tod was pretty sure that this was all a bluff, but the other men +gathered about and promised the same thing. So threatening were they, +that Dotty was thoroughly scared, and Tod, though not really afraid of +arrest, began to think that these men could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> make things very unpleasant +for them. He knew by hearsay of the rough manners and ugly tempers of +this particular lot of fishermen. He had heard stories of their dislike +for the summer guests, who sometimes visited them out of curiosity and +looked upon them patronisingly.</p> + +<p>Tod realised that nothing incensed their rough natures like being made +the subject of a practical joke and this, though unpremeditatedly, he +and Dotty had done. He thought best to drop his indignant air and try to +propitiate them.</p> + +<p>"Oh, come now," he said; "honest Injun, as man to man, I didn't mean to +fool you. We dropped the doll in the water and I yelled for help. Now, +I'll own up that when you fellows seemed to think it was a live baby, we +did kind of help along a little but we didn't mean any harm. S'pose I +give you a dollar to forget it."</p> + +<p>Tod spoke in a frank and manly way, and his good-natured face ought to +have evoked a pleasant response. And it did from most of the men, but +the fierce black-eyed one, who seemed to be the leader, was possessed of +a sense of greed, and his one idea regarding the "stuck-up summer +people" was to extract money from them whenever possible.</p> + +<p>"A dollar," he said, with an unpleasant sneer;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> "not enough, young sir! +Show us ten dollars, and we'll try to forget the insult you offered us."</p> + +<p>"I didn't offer you an insult, and I haven't ten dollars with me, and I +wouldn't pay it to you if I had!"</p> + +<p>Tod was angry now, and his eyes blazed at the rude injustice of the +demand.</p> + +<p>But the fierce-browed man was not abashed. "You gimme ten dollars or +I'll make trouble for you! If you haven't got it, you can get it. Gimme +your word of honour—you look like a gentleman—to bring me that ten, +and I'll promise to make no trouble."</p> + +<p>Tod hesitated. Had he been alone, he would have refused them at once, +but he felt that he had the responsibility of Dotty's welfare, and he +paused to reflect. The men were very rude and uncontrolled, and Tod +didn't know what further menace they might offer.</p> + +<p>As he hesitated, the big man spoke more threateningly. "Be quick, young +man; give us your word, or we'll put you under lock and key for awhile +to think it over."</p> + +<p>This speech was accompanied by growls of assent from other members of +the group, and one or two stepped forward as if to carry out the +suggestion.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX</h2> + +<h3>SPENDING THE PRIZE MONEY</h3> + +<p>"Hoo—hoo!" called a gay voice, and Tod and Dotty turned to see Dolly +Fayre flying toward them. She was alone and out of breath from running, +but laughing gaily as she joined them.</p> + +<p>"I ran away from Tad," she cried. "He went to get some candy, and just +for fun, I scooted off. And somebody had said you came this way, Dot, so +I followed just for fun. Why, what's the matter?"</p> + +<p>Dolly looked in amazement at the group of angry men and at the +half-frightened, half-indignant faces of Dotty and Tod.</p> + +<p>"Matter enough," Tod said; "you keep out of it, Dolly. In fact, you +girls go back to the hotel and leave me to fix things up with these +men." Then he suddenly remembered his desire for an amicable settlement, +and he said pleasantly, "I guess we can come to terms after the ladies +have gone."</p> + +<p>"I guess we can't!" said the black-browed man,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> in a surly tone. "You go +back to the hotel, young man, and get that ten dollars, and I'll keep +the young ladies here safe until you come back."</p> + +<p>"Not much I won't!" cried Tod angrily. "Run on back, girls. Go on—beat +it!"</p> + +<p>"No, you don't!" and the big man stepped forward and laid his hand on +Dotty's shoulder.</p> + +<p>"Take your hand off that lady! Don't you dare to touch her," and Tod's +eyes blazed as he flung himself toward the big man.</p> + +<p>"What is it all about? What is the matter?" exclaimed Dolly, who +couldn't understand what she had supposed was a good-natured chat with +the fishermen.</p> + +<p>"They want us to pay ten dollars," said Dotty, indignantly, "and unless +we do, they're going to lock us up."</p> + +<p>"Lock us up nothing!" shouted Tod, who was unable to decide himself what +was the best thing to do. The arrival of Dolly had complicated his +dilemma, for now he had two girls to protect instead of one. He wished +Tad had come with her, for the twins were big and brawny for their years +and could have made a fair showing of rebellion against the injustice of +the fishermen.</p> + +<p>Dolly considered the matter gravely. She looked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> from Dotty and Tod to +the rude, unkempt men, and after a few moments' thought she made up her +mind. Deliberately she opened a little chatelaine bag that hung at her +belt and took from it a ten dollar gold piece. It was her share of the +cake prize, for Mr. Rose had changed the twenty dollar gold piece into +two tens for the girls.</p> + +<p>She looked at the big man with scorn, and holding out the gold piece, +she said in cool, haughty tones, "Here is your money; please do not +detain my friends any longer."</p> + +<p>"Don't you do it, Dolly," cried Tod; "it's an outrage!"</p> + +<p>"I know it's an outrage," Dolly said, calmly, "but I prefer to pay the +money rather than parley with these people."</p> + +<p>Dolly's air of superiority would have been funny, had not all concerned +been so deeply in earnest.</p> + +<p>"Hoity-Toity!" said the big, ugly man, "you're a fine young miss, you +are! You treat us like the dirt under your feet, do you? Well, if so +be's you pay our claim, we ain't objectin' to your manner. Be as high +and mighty as you like, but give us that there coin."</p> + +<p>Without a further word, Dolly dropped the gold piece into the man's +grimy, outstretched hand, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> the three turned and walked away back to +civilisation.</p> + +<p>"I'm up and down sorry that I couldn't get you out of that mess better," +said Tod, as they went along the boardwalk. "Of course, I'll pay you +back the money, Dolly, only I felt mighty cheap to have you advance it. +But I had only three or four dollars with me, not expecting a hold-up +this morning."</p> + +<p>"I don't think you ought to have paid it, Doll," said Dotty.</p> + +<p>"'Tisn't a question of ought to," said Tod, seriously. "That's a rough, +bad gang. I've heard of them before. I don't know what's the matter with +them, but they're grouchy. All the other fishermen around here are +fairly good-natured, but this lot is noted for ugly temper and they +especially dislike and resent the summer people. I forgot all this, and +of course Dotty didn't know it. But I didn't think, and when they +supposed the baby was alive, I went ahead with the game without +realising it meant trouble."</p> + +<p>"Well, it's all right now," said Dolly, "and I was glad enough to give +up my ten to ransom you two captives. Of course you won't pay it back to +me, Tod, but you can each pay me a third of it and that'll square us all +up."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p> + +<p>"We'll each pay half," said Dotty, "there's no reason you should pay +anything, Doll. You weren't in on this game. And here's another thing, +I'm going to buy a new doll for that little girl. You see it's the same +as if I stole hers."</p> + +<p>"Not at all," said Tod. "She had lost her doll, anyhow. She must have +left it there on the bench, and if we hadn't picked it up, somebody +would have stolen it sooner or later."</p> + +<p>"We can't be sure of that," said Dotty. "And anyway I took her doll, and +I lost it for her, and it's up to me to get her another. And that's all +there is about that. I've got my gold piece with me, too, and I'm going +straight down to the shop and get the doll now."</p> + +<p>Dotty was determined, and so the three went to the shop. There was only +one place in Surfwood where toys and fancy goods were sold. But this +shop was stocked with a high grade of goods and Dotty had no trouble in +finding a doll nearly like the one which was now doubtless afloat on the +wide ocean. The doll cost five dollars, but Dotty persisted in buying +it, as she declared her conscience would never be easy unless she did.</p> + +<p>"Now let's settle this thing up," said Tod, as they emerged from the +store. "I find I have as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> much as five dollars with me, counting chicken +feed, and I'll pay this to you, Dolly, as my half of the ransom you put +up."</p> + +<p>"And here's my five," said Dotty, handing over the bill she had received +in change for the doll.</p> + +<p>Dolly looked dismayed. "Why, good gracious, Dot, then here am I with ten +dollars, and you with nothing of our prize money! I won't stand that for +a minute, you take this five back, and then we'll be even all round. I +rather guess if you get in a scrape like that, I've got a right to help +you out."</p> + +<p>"Well, I rather guess," said Tod, "that when we tell our folks about +this matter there'll be something doing. I think those men ought to be +shown up and punished."</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," said Dolly. "They're an awful gang. I've heard Father say so, +and I'm sure it's better to let them alone than to stir up any further +trouble."</p> + +<p>And as it turned out the elders concerned in the matter shared Dolly's +opinion.</p> + +<p>The story was told and Mr. Fayre and Mr. Brown talked over the matter +and said they would take it in charge and the children need think no +more about it, but they were directed to keep away from that locality in +the future and confine their escapades<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> to such portions of the beach +and the boardwalk as were inhabited by civilised crowds.</p> + +<p>Money matters were straightened out in a way acceptable to all +concerned, by the simple method of the two fathers' remuneration of all +that had been paid out, and so Dolly, Dotty and Tod found themselves +possessed of the same finances they had before the unfortunate episode +occurred.</p> + +<p>"Dat not my dolly," declared the Chrysanthemum-headed baby, shaking her +yellow curls as Dotty offered her the new doll.</p> + +<p>"I know it," Dotty said, smiling as she knelt beside the child; "but let +me tell you. I found your dolly sitting all alone on a bench, and I was +going to bring her home to you. And then,—well, and then, do you know +that dolly went out to sea, way out to sea—and I think she's going to +Europe as fast as she can get there. And so, I've brought you this other +dolly, which is just as pretty."</p> + +<p>Goldenhead looked up into the smiling black eyes, and after a moment's +hesitation agreed that the new dolly was just as pretty as the departed +one, and graciously accepted it.</p> + +<p>Goldenhead's mother demurred at the whole transaction, but Mrs. Fayre +insisted that the child accept the new dolly and so the matter was +settled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Tell me everything all about it!" cried Pauline Clifton, rushing to +meet the two D's on the hotel veranda. "Wasn't it thrilling? Such an +experience! My, I wish I had been with you! And Tod Brown was perfectly +fine, a real hero!"</p> + +<p>"Didn't do a thing," growled Tod, and Tad who was beside him, said, +"Wish I'd been there! then we could have sent the girls flying home and +stood up to those toughs!"</p> + +<p>"Aren't you splendid!" cried Pauline, but Dolly said, in her practical +way, "It wouldn't have been splendid at all, it would have been very +foolish for you two boys to think of fighting that crowd of great ugly +men! It was a case, where the only thing to do, was to submit to their +demand and come away. My father says we did just right."</p> + +<p>"Of course, it was the only thing to do," said Tod, "but to me it seemed +awful galling."</p> + +<p>"Well, we'll never go there again," said Dotty; "and it ought to be a +lesson to us not to play jokes on people."</p> + +<p>"A lesson that <i>you'll</i> never learn," said Dolly, laughing; "you'll have +to have worse experiences than that, Dotty Rose, before you stop playing +jokes on people."</p> + +<p>"Is that so?" cried Carroll Clifton; "then you're<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> a girl after my own +heart. I love to play jokes. Let's put our heads together and work up a +good one on somebody."</p> + +<p>"Well, this joke isn't on us, anyway," said Dotty, laughing. "We have +our ten dollars back again, Dolly, and I say we spend them before we get +a chance to lose them again."</p> + +<p>"But we're going to spend those for something special. You know they are +our cake prizes."</p> + +<p>"Oho!" cried Carroll, "did you girls take a prize at a cake walk?"</p> + +<p>"Not a cake walk, but we took a prize for making cake," Dotty exclaimed; +"and I say, Dolly, let's buy something in that shop where we bought the +doll. They have beautiful things there of all sorts."</p> + +<p>"Come on," said Pauline, "let's all go, and we'll help you pick out +things."</p> + +<p>So the two Cliftons and the two Browns and the two D's all started for +the shop. It was that sort of summer resort bazaar that holds all kinds +of fancy knick-knacks for frivolous purchasers.</p> + +<p>"Going to get things alike or different?" asked Tod Brown, as they went +in.</p> + +<p>"Different, of course," said Tad, "Dot and Dolly never like things +alike."</p> + +<p>"Don't you really?" said Pauline; "how funny!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> I thought you were such +great friends you always had everything just alike."</p> + +<p>"No," said Dolly, "we have everything just different. You see our tastes +are just about opposite, I expect that's why we're such friends."</p> + +<p>Dotty and Carroll were already studying the things at the jewellery +counter, while Dolly was slowly but surely making toward the book +department.</p> + +<p>"Get a picture," suggested Tad, "here are some good water colours of the +sea."</p> + +<p>"And here's a coloured photograph of that very fishing place where you +were at," said Pauline.</p> + +<p>All sorts of ridiculous suggestions were made, and the boys offered +jumping-jacks and comical toys to the two spenders.</p> + +<p>"Why don't you get a lot of little things, instead of one big thing?" +said Pauline; "here are some darling slipper buckles, and I think these +little flower vases are lovely."</p> + +<p>"No," said Dotty, decidedly, "we're each going to get one thing and +spend the whole ten dollars for it. And it must be something that we can +keep and use."</p> + +<p>"I've made up my mind," said Dolly, calmly; "I'm just looking around for +fun, but I know perfectly well what I'm going to get. Do you, Dotty?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yes, of course. I decided before I was in the store a minute."</p> + +<p>"What?" chorused the others.</p> + +<p>"This is mine," and Dotty went back to the jewellery counter and pointed +out a silver-gilt vanity-case.</p> + +<p>"Well, of all ridiculous things!" cried Tod; "you might as well have let +the fishermen keep your money!"</p> + +<p>"'Tisn't ridiculous at all!" Dotty retorted. "Mother told me I could get +exactly what I wanted, and I want this dreadfully. I've wanted one for a +long time. Don't you think it's pretty, Pauline?"</p> + +<p>"Yes," returned Pauline, carelessly. "I have two of them, one real gold +and one silver. But I hardly ever carry them."</p> + +<p>"Oh, well, you can have whatever you want," said Dotty, good-naturedly; +"but this is a treat to me, and I think it's lovely, though of course +not grand like yours."</p> + +<p>So Dotty bought the vanity-case, and then the crowd followed Dolly to +see what might be her choice.</p> + +<p>Straight to the bookshelves she went, and pointed to a set of fairy +stories. They were half a dozen or more volumes bound in various colours +and the set was ten dollars.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I've been just crazy for these books," she said, with a sigh of +satisfaction. "I would have had them for my birthday, only we had our +rooms fixed up; and the minute I spotted them I knew I should buy them."</p> + +<p>"What a foolishness!" exclaimed Carroll; "how can you read fairy tales?"</p> + +<p>"She loves them," said Dotty; "she'd rather read a fairy story than go +to a party, any day."</p> + +<p>Dolly laughed and dimpled, but stuck to her decision and soon the crowd +left the shop, carrying the important purchases with them.</p> + +<p>Back at the hotel, they were exhibited, and Mrs. Fayre and Trudy smiled +a little at the selection, but said they were glad that the girls had +bought what they wanted.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span></p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX</h2> + +<h3>GOOD-BYE, SUMMER!</h3> + +<p>Days at Surfwood passed happily and swiftly. Dolly and Dotty often +discussed the matter and always agreed that camp life and hotel life +were equally pleasant, though in opposite ways. And if Dotty sometimes +sighed for the careless freedom of the life in the woods or if Dolly +felt in her secret heart that she preferred the more formal conventions +of the big hotel, they soon forgot such thoughts in the joys of the +moment.</p> + +<p>There was seabathing every day and automobile trips and all sorts of +beach fun and frolic.</p> + +<p>The time was drawing near for them to go back to Berwick and settle down +again to the routine of home life.</p> + +<p>Among the last of the season's gaieties there was to be a children's +dance in the big ball-room. This was a regular summer feature and all +the guests of the hotel did their best to make the occasion attractive.</p> + +<p>All under sixteen were considered children, and even some of the little +tots were allowed to attend<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> the festival. Fancy dress was not +obligatory, but many of the young people chose to wear gay costumes.</p> + +<p>The two Cliftons, the Brown twins and Dolly and Dotty had come to be a +clique by themselves, and were always together.</p> + +<p>"Let's dress alike for the silly party," said Clifford, who liked to +appear scornful of such amusements, but who was really very fond of +them.</p> + +<p>"All right; how shall we dress?" said Dotty, who was always ready for +dressing up.</p> + +<p>"A shepherdess costume is the prettiest thing you can wear," said +Pauline. "I have one with me, and it's lovely. S'pose you two girls copy +that, and then have the boys rig up something like it."</p> + +<p>"Mother will make us any old togs we want," said Tad, "It isn't a +masquerade, is it?"</p> + +<p>"Oh, no," said Dolly; "just fancy dress, you know, if you choose, and +lots of them just wear regular party clothes."</p> + +<p>"I'd like to be a shepherdess, all right," said Tad with a comical +simpering smile.</p> + +<p>"Now don't you make fun of my plan!" said Pauline; "we three girls can +be shepherdesses, and you three boys can be shepherds. Shepherd lads are +lovely, with pipes and things."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Clay pipes?" asked Tod.</p> + +<p>"No, goosy; pipes to play on. Long ones with ribbons; oh, 'twill be +lovely!" and Pauline clapped her hands. "Liza will make you a suit, +Carroll, and then the other boys can have it copied."</p> + +<p>There was much further discussion and the elders were called into +consultation, but finally Pauline's plan was adopted.</p> + +<p>Her shepherdess' frock was dainty and beautiful. The Dresden flowered +overdress was of silk, looped above a quilted satin petticoat, and a +black velvet bodice laced up over a fine white muslin chemisette. A +broad brimmed hat with roses and a be-ribboned shepherdess' crook +completed the picture.</p> + +<p>"It's perfectly lovely, Pauline," said Trudy, when she saw the dress, +"but we'll copy it for the girls in less expensive materials. Flowered +organdy will be very pretty for the panniers, and sateen or silkoline +will do for the skirts. The hats can be easily managed, and I'm sure we +can get the crooks down at the shop; if not, Dad will bring them from +New York."</p> + +<p>"You're a brick, Trudy," and Dotty flung her arms around the +kind-hearted girl. "It's awful good of you to do mine as well as +Dolly's."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Oh, Mother will help me, and it'll be easy as anything. I love to do +it."</p> + +<p>Long suffering Liza was accustomed to do as she was told, so she set to +work to evolve a shepherd costume for Carroll. She was skilful with her +needle and out of sateen and some gay ribbons she constructed a suit +that was picturesque and jaunty even if not entirely the sort a shepherd +lad might choose for daily wear.</p> + +<p>A soft white silk shirt with a broad open collar and a soft silk tie was +very becoming to good-looking Carroll, and the pipes, so necessary to +the character, were bought in New York by Carroll's father.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Brown was quite willing to have this suit copied for her twins, and +Tod and Tad, though growling at the idea of being "dressed up like Jack +Puddings," were secretly rather pleased with the becoming garb.</p> + +<p>"Suppose we make the caps for the boys," said Pauline, "I know just how +and I think 'twill be fun."</p> + +<p>The others agreed, and the day before the dance, the three girls +pre-empted a cosy corner of the big veranda and sat down to work.</p> + +<p>Copying a picture, it was not difficult to make the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> type of cap that +would harmonise with the shepherds' suits.</p> + +<p>Pauline cut them out and each of the girls sewed one.</p> + +<p>"You haven't made the head-bands big enough, Pauline," said Dolly, as +she tried an unfinished cap on her own curly head.</p> + +<p>"They're plenty big enough," Pauline retorted, "the boys haven't such a +mop of hair as you have."</p> + +<p>"I know that; but even allowing for that I don't think they could ever +get their heads into these small bands. Where are they, let's fit them +on them."</p> + +<p>"They've gone off for the morning. I tell you, Dolly, these bands are +all right. Don't you s'pose I know anything? Of course I measured them +before I began. Some people think they know it all!"</p> + +<p>Pauline was quick-tempered and Dolly was not, so the latter made no +response to the somewhat rude speech, and the girls sewed a few moments +in silence.</p> + +<p>Then as Dotty began to sew her cap to its band, she echoed Dolly's +words: "Why, Polly, these bands aren't big enough, that's so!" and Dotty +tried to put the cap on her own head.</p> + +<p>"How silly you are!" exclaimed Pauline, angrily. "Do you suppose your +head with all that hair isn't bigger than the boys' heads without any +hair to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> speak of? I tell you I measured these bands and they're plenty +big enough. If you girls want to be so disagreeable about it, you can +make the caps yourselves."</p> + +<p>"It's no use finishing these things," declared Dotty, "for the boys +can't get their heads into them! Why they're hardly big enough for a six +year old kid!"</p> + +<p>"I tell you they are. I guess I know. I measured one on my own brother +and his head is just as big as the Browns' heads are."</p> + +<p>"You've got the big-head yourself!" Dotty flashed back at her, "you +think you know everything, Pauline Clifton! I'm just <i>sure</i> the boys +can't wear these caps, but we'll go on and finish them, since you say +they're big enough."</p> + +<p>"They <i>are</i> big enough! there's no reason why we shouldn't finish them!" +and Pauline's cheeks grew red as she sewed hurriedly on the cap she +held.</p> + +<p>"Well, don't let's quarrel about it," said Dolly, who had not changed +her opinion, but who wanted to make peace. "If Pauline says they're all +right, Dotty, let's go on and sew them. She must know, if she measured +Carroll's head."</p> + +<p>"Of course I know!" and Pauline scowled at the other two girls. "If +you'd sew instead of fussing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> and finding fault, we could get the things +done before luncheon."</p> + +<p>"All right," and Dolly smiled pleasantly, shaking her head at Dotty, who +was just about to make an angry speech. "If Polly takes the +responsibility, I'm satisfied to go on, but it certainly doesn't seem to +me that any boy could get his head into that thing!" And she held up a +cap whose head band certainly did seem small.</p> + +<p>"I'll take the responsibility all right," and Pauline shook her head +angrily. "And when you see the boys with these caps on, you'll realise +how silly you've acted."</p> + +<p>The girls stitched on for a few minutes without speaking and then +Dolly's gentle voice broke the silence with some comment on some other +subject and peace was restored outwardly, though each of the three was +conscious of an angry undercurrent to their conversation.</p> + +<p>The caps finished, Pauline took the three of them and said she would +give them to Liza, who had the ribbon streamers for them.</p> + +<p>So the trio separated and as the Fayres had an engagement for that +afternoon the three girls were not together again until the next day.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p> + +<p>The next day was the day of the dance, but there was a tennis tournament +in the afternoon, in which all the young people took part, and so +interested were they in the games that no reference was made to the +quarrel of the day before.</p> + +<p>The dance was in the evening, and at dinner time Dolly and Dotty passed +the Cliftons' table on their way to their own.</p> + +<p>"Get dressed early and come down to the ball-room as soon as you can," +Carroll said to them as they went by. "The party is a short one, +anyway."</p> + +<p>The children's dance was only from eight till ten as the more grown-up +young people claimed the floor later.</p> + +<p>Trudy helped Dolly and Dotty into their pretty dresses and both she and +Mrs. Fayre exclaimed with admiration.</p> + +<p>The costumes of organdy and sateen were quite as pretty as the model of +silk and satin. Both girls wore their hair hanging in loose curls and +their broad rose-trimmed hats had long streamers of blue and pink ribbon +which tied under the chin with a bow at one side. Their long white +crooks bore bunches of ribbon and each carried a little basket of +flowers to add to the dainty effect.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p> + +<p>They found the others awaiting them in the ball-room, and indeed the +dancing was just about to begin as they arrived.</p> + +<p>It was a pretty sight. The long handsome room was specially decorated +with flowers and banners, and the gaily dressed children were laughing +and running about in glee. Many of eight or nine, were dancing in pretty +fashion, and indeed all ages under sixteen were represented. This frolic +was an annual affair and the majority of the children staying at the +hotel were allowed to attend.</p> + +<p>Perhaps half of them were in fancy costume and fairies and Red +Ridinghoods flitted about with Bobby Shaftos or miniature cavaliers.</p> + +<p>"Isn't it beautiful!" cried Dotty, at the threshold of the ball-room. +She had never seen a party just like this before and the gay sight +entranced her.</p> + +<p>"We can't go in," laughed Trudy, as she and her parents looked in at the +door. "The room is reserved for you kiddies, and we can only peep in at +the windows."</p> + +<p>Dolly and Dotty soon found their friends and crossed the room to join +the Shepherd Clan.</p> + +<p>Pauline looked very lovely in her elaborate costume, and the boys were +really fine as shepherd lads.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> + +<p>As the two girls approached, Pauline whispered to them, with an air of +triumph, "You see the caps are plenty big enough!" and sure enough the +three boys wore their caps, set jauntily on the side of their heads; but +without a doubt the bands were amply large.</p> + +<p>"So you see, I <i>did</i> know something after all," Pauline went on, and +Dolly said frankly, "You did, Polly; you were right and we were wrong."</p> + +<p>Dotty was not quite so smilingly gracious, but she had a strong sense of +justice and she said, "They <i>are</i> big enough, Pauline, I was mistaken," +and then the dancing began.</p> + +<p>There were only simple dances as the children had not mastered the +intricacies of modern steps, and there was much fun and gay good-natured +banter. The Shepherds and Shepherdesses danced first with each other, +but later others joined them and the clan separated.</p> + +<p>But the last dance before supper Dolly danced with Carroll Clifton.</p> + +<p>At the finish they sat for a moment under some palms to rest, and +Carroll took off his cap and held it in his hand.</p> + +<p>As a matter of fact, Dolly had forgotten all about the cap discussion, +but suddenly her eyes fell on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> inside of the cap, as Carroll held it +carelessly upside down on his knee.</p> + +<p>She could hardly believe her eyes, but she looked again and sure enough, +she was right! A full inch of material had been let into the band at the +back to make it larger. Dolly stared at it, and then taking the cap, as +if to admire it, she said, "I wonder if this is the one I made. You know +we girls made the shepherd caps, and I hope you're duly grateful."</p> + +<p>"Yes, nice cap-makers you are!" said Carroll, banteringly. "They were so +little we couldn't get them on. I told Polly and she gathered them in +last night and took them up to her room and made them bigger. I guess +she spent half the night doing it, for her light was burning pretty +late."</p> + +<p>Dolly said nothing, but a wave of indignation swept over her to think +Pauline should so deceive her. To think she should be so small and petty +as when she found herself in the wrong to secretly rectify her own +mistake and then triumphantly announce to the girls that the caps were +big enough after all!</p> + +<p>Of course they were big enough, after she had set a piece in each one! +Dolly smiled to herself to think what an undertaking it must have been, +for that alteration, and it was done neatly, meant a troublesome bit of +ripping and sewing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p> + +<p>Carroll looked at her inquiringly.</p> + +<p>"Well," he said, "<i>is</i> it the one you made? You seem desperately +interested in it!"</p> + +<p>"I don't know whether it's the one or not. But it doesn't matter, +they're all alike. Put it on, Carroll, they're all going out to supper +now, and it spoils your costume not to wear it."</p> + +<p>Supper was a gay feast. It was the one occasion of the year when the +children were allowed in the dining-room at night, and there were +snapping-crackers and especial varieties of cakes and ices and jellies +suited to juvenile tastes.</p> + +<p>After supper the young guests were supposed to say good-night and the +party was over.</p> + +<p>As they went upstairs, Dolly pulled Dotty back beside her, and at the +same moment whispered to Tod to let her take his cap.</p> + +<p>Unnoticed by any one else, Dolly showed Dotty the piecing inside, and +putting her finger on her lip, shook her head as an admonition to be +silent. Then she returned the cap to Tod, who hadn't noticed the +incident especially, and on the upper landing of the great staircase, +the children said their gay good-nights and went off to their various +apartments.</p> + +<p>"Now, what do you think of that?" said the fair-haired Shepherdess, not +waiting to take off her fancy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> costume, but pulling the black-haired +Shepherdess down to the window-seat beside her.</p> + +<p>This was the spot where the girls sat nearly every night to talk over +the events of the day. The wide velvet-cushioned seat with its many +pillows, was cosy and comfortable, and the view of the ocean and the +sound of the rolling waves made these evening chats very happy and +confidential.</p> + +<p>"But I don't understand," said Dotty, looking puzzled. "You motioned for +me not to speak a word, so I didn't. But what does it mean? Who put that +piece in Tod's cap, his mother?"</p> + +<p>"No; Pauline did it! She sneaked those caps away to her room last night, +and sat up till all hours piecing those pieces in. And a sweet job she +must have had of it! Why, it's about as much trouble to piece a thing +like that, as to make a whole cap!"</p> + +<p>"Pauline did it?" still Dotty couldn't understand. "Why, she said this +evening that the caps were all right and big enough."</p> + +<p>"Of course they were, after she pieced the bands out longer! She did it +herself, Dotty, and then pretended to us that they were just as we had +left them. At least she meant us to think that, for she said, 'Now don't +you see they're all right?' and she didn't tell us she had fixed them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p> + +<p>"How do you know she did it? Maybe Mrs. Brown or Liza did it."</p> + +<p>"Carroll told me Polly did it herself. After she went to her room last +night. He says her light was burning awful late because she had to fix +the three caps."</p> + +<p>"The deceitful girl! If that isn't the limit! Just wait till I see her, +I'll tell her what I think of her!"</p> + +<p>"Now, Dotty, that's just what I don't want you to do. I knew how you'd +feel about this thing, and honest, at first I thought I wouldn't tell +you, 'cause if I hadn't, you never would have known. But we never do +have secrets from each other, and so when I found it out, I thought I +ought to tell you. But I don't want you to quarrel with Pauline about +it. Won't you let it go, Dot, and never say anything to her on the +subject?"</p> + +<p>"No, I won't, Dolly. She told a story, or if she didn't tell it right +out, she made us think what wasn't true, and it's just the same. She +ought to be shown up. Tod and Tad and her own brother, too, ought to +know what a mean thing she did. It's only justice, Dolly, that they +should. You're so easy-going you'd forgive anything and forget it, too! +But I can't. I've got to tell that Clifton girl what I think<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> of her. +Oh, I never heard of such meanness! Why Dollyrinda Fayre,—you or I +would scorn to do such a thing!"</p> + +<p>"Of course we would, Dot, but I don't know as it's up to us to tell +Pauline Clifton what she ought to do."</p> + +<p>"It isn't that, Dolly; we're not her teachers, and I don't care what she +does,—to other people. But she needn't think she can do a thing like +that, and act as if we didn't know anything, when we told her she was +wrong, and then when she finds she is wrong to go and fix it up on the +sly and pretend she was right all along! No-sir-ee! I won't stand for +it. I'll show her up in all her meanness and deceit and I'll do it +before the boys, too. She ought to be made to feel cheap! The idea!"</p> + +<p>Dolly waited in silence until Dotty's wrath had spent itself. She had +known Dotty would act like this, but she hoped to calm her justifiable +anger.</p> + +<p>"Well, all right, Dot," she said at last; "then if you still persist in +quarrelling with Pauline about this thing, and if you won't agree not to +say anything to her about it, then I'm going to ask you not to, just for +my sake. I don't often ask you a favour seriously, Dotty Rose, but I do +now. If you're a friend of mine and if you really care anything about<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> +me, won't you promise, just because <i>I</i> ask it, not to say anything to +Pauline about those caps?"</p> + +<p>The two Shepherdesses faced each other in silence. Both were sitting +cross-legged in Turkish fashion on the wide divan, and as they had not +turned on their room lights, only the moonlight that streamed across the +ocean illumined the two earnest faces.</p> + +<p>Fair-haired Dolly was pale in her earnestness and her blue eyes looked +beseechingly at her friend.</p> + +<p>The black-haired Shepherdess was flushed with anger. Her crook had +fallen to the floor and she had tossed her hat beside it. Her black eyes +snapped and her curly head shook as she refused Dolly's request. But the +pleading voice kept on, until at last kindness conquered, and Dotty Rose +gave in.</p> + +<p>"All right, you dear old thing," she cried, as she grabbed Dolly round +the neck, "you've a Heavenly disposition, and I'm a horrid, ugly thing, +but I'll do as you say, <i>because</i> you ask me to."</p> + +<p>"You're not ugly, Dotty, a bit; only you have a high temper, and your +sense of justice makes you feel like getting even with people. And I +don't say you're not right. Why, of course there is such a thing as +righteous indignation, and this may be the place for it. Only, I <i>do</i> +want to have my way this time. You see, we're going home day after +to-morrow,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> and very likely we'll never see the Cliftons again, after we +leave here. They don't come here every summer like we do. And I hate to +spoil these two last days with a horrid squabble, when we six have been +so nice and chummy and pleasant all the time we've been here. You +needn't have much to do with Pauline, if you don't want to, but just for +two days, can't you just be decently polite to her, and not say anything +about this business?"</p> + +<p>"I can and I will," said Dotty, heartily; "but you needn't think, old +lady, that it's because I'm a meek and mild little lamb, and don't feel +like telling that girl what I think of her! No, sir! It's because,—well +first because you ask me to; and second, because I'm the guest of you +and your people, and it wouldn't be a bit nice of me to stir up an +unpleasantness that probably everybody would know about. So, unless Miss +Pauline Clifton refers to it herself, she'll never hear of that cap +subject from me!"</p> + +<p>"You're an old trump, Dotty, and I love you a million bushels! And I'm +glad we're going home so soon, and oh, just think! we'll start off to +school together, and we'll both go to High School, and we'll have just +the same lessons, and we'll be together<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> every day. Dotty Rose, I'm +<i>glad</i> I've got you for a friend!"</p> + +<p>"You're not half as glad as <i>I</i> am, Dolly Fayre!"</p> + +<p>"We'll always be friends, whatever happens, won't we?" said Dolly; "and +we'll always tell each other everything."</p> + +<p>"Always and always!" said the other Shepherdess, and they sealed their +compact with a kiss.</p> + +<p>And the big, round-faced moon smiled at them across the night-blue +ocean, and tried to make up his mind which of the two D's he was more +fond of.</p> + +<h3>THE END</h3> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center">"<i>The Books you like to read at the price you like to pay.</i>"</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h2><span class="u">This Isn't All!</span></h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Look on the following pages and you will find listed a few of the +outstanding boys' and girls' books published by Grosset and Dunlap. All +are written by well known authors and cover a wide variety of +subjects—aviation, stories of sport and adventure, tales of humor and +mystery—books for every mood and every taste and every pocketbook.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p class="center"><i>There is a Grosset & Dunlap book for every member of your family.</i></p> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> +<h2>CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS</h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> +<h4>Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>THE PATTY BOOKS</h3> + +<p>Patty is a lovable girl whose frank good nature and beauty lend charm to +her varied adventures. These stories are packed with excitement and +interest for girls.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY FAIRFIELD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY AT HOME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY IN THE CITY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S SUMMER DAYS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY IN PARIS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S FRIENDS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S PLEASURE TRIP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S SUCCESS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S MOTOR CAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>PATTY'S BUTTERFLY DAYS</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>THE MARJORIE BOOKS</h3> + +<p>Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of +goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will +see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S VACATION</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE IN COMMAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE'S MAYTIME</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>MARJORIE AT SEACOTE</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES</h3> + +<p>Introducing Dorinda Fayre—a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a +little slow, and Dorothy Rose—a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, +high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS</h3> + +<p>Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, +their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories +"really true" to young readers.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>DICK AND DOLLY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<h2>FOR HER MAJESTY—THE GIRL OF TODAY</h2> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h3>THE POLLY BREWSTER BOOKS</h3> + +<h4>By Lillian Elizabeth Roy</h4> + +<p>Polly and Eleanor have many interesting adventures on their travels +which take them to all corners of the globe.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY AND ELEANOR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY IN NEW YORK</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY IN ALASKA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY IN THE ORIENT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY IN EGYPT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S NEW FRIEND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY AND CAROLA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY AND CAROLA AT RAVENSWOOD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY LEARNS TO FLY</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<h2>THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<h4>Author of The Outdoor Girls Series</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>Illustrated by Thelma Gooch</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>The Blythe Girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. +Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while +Margy, just out of business school, obtained a position as secretary and +Rose, plain-spoken and business like, took what she called a "job" in a +department store. The experiences of these girls make fascinating +reading—life in the great metropolis is thrilling and full of strange +adventures and surprises.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S SECRET MISSION</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S ODD DISCOVERY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELEN</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S HIDDEN TALENT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S WONDERFUL MISTAKE</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<h2>THE POLLY SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By DOROTHY WHITEHILL</h3> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>This lively series for girls is about the adventures of pretty, +resourceful Polly Pendleton, a wide awake American girl who goes to +boarding school on the Hudson River, several miles above New York. By +her pluck and genial smile she soon makes a name for herself and becomes +a leader in girl activities.</p> + +<p>Besides relating Polly's adventures at school these books tell of her +summer vacations and her experiences in many different scenes. Every +girl who loves action and excitement will want to follow Polly on her +many adventures.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S FIRST YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S SUMMER VACATION</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S SENIOR YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY SEES THE WORLD AT WAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY AND LOIS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY AND BOB</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S REUNION</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S POLLY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY AT PIXIE'S HAUNT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S HOUSE PARTY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>POLLY'S POLLY AT BOARDING SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>JOYFUL ADVENTURES OF POLLY</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<h2>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By LAURA LEE HOPE</h3> + +<p class="center">Author of "The Blythe Girls Books."</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>Every Volume Complete in Itself.</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>These are the adventures of a group of bright, fun-loving, up-to-date +girls who have a common bond in their fondness for outdoor life, +camping, travel and adventure. There is excitement and humor in these +stories and girls will find in them the kind of pleasant associations +that they seek to create among their own friends and chums.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT FOAMING FALLS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ALONG THE COAST</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT SPRING HILL FARM</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT NEW MOON RANCH</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A HIKE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A CANOE TRIP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT CEDAR RIDGE</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE AIR</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 65%;' /> + +<h2>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SERIES</h2> + +<h3>By GRACE BROOKS HILL</h3> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>These splendid stories of the adventures of four young girls who occupy +the old corner house left to them by a rich bachelor uncle will appeal +to all young girls. They contain all the elements which delight youthful +readers—action, mystery, humor and excitement. These girls have become +the best friends of many children throughout the country.</p> + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS AT SCHOOL</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS UNDER CANVAS</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS IN A PLAY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS' ODD FIND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON A TOUR</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS GROWING UP</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SNOWBOUND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON A HOUSEBOAT</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS AMONG THE GYPSIES</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON PALM ISLAND</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SOLVE A MYSTERY</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'>THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS FACING THE WORLD</td></tr> +</table></div> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<h4>GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK</h4> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Two Little Women, by Carolyn Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO LITTLE WOMEN *** + +***** This file should be named 30881-h.htm or 30881-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/8/8/30881/ + +Produced by Annie McGuire + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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: Two Little Women + +Author: Carolyn Wells + +Release Date: January 7, 2010 [EBook #30881] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO LITTLE WOMEN *** + + + + +Produced by Annie McGuire + + + + + + + + +Two Little Women + + +Carolyn Wells + + + + +BY THE SAME AUTHOR + + * * * * * + +PATTY SERIES + + PATTY FAIRFIELD + PATTY AT HOME + PATTY IN THE CITY + PATTY'S SUMMER DAYS + PATTY IN PARIS + PATTY'S FRIENDS + PATTY'S PLEASURE TRIP + PATTY'S SUCCESS + PATTY'S MOTOR CAR + PATTY'S BUTTERFLY DAYS + PATTY'S SOCIAL SEASON + PATTY'S SUITORS + PATTY'S ROMANCE + + +MARJORIE SERIES + + MARJORIE'S VACATION + MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS + MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND + MARJORIE IN COMMAND + MARJORIE'S MAYTIME + MARJORIE AT SEACOTE + + * * * * * + + +[Illustration: IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO SATISFY THE BOYS' +APPETITES.--_Page_ 199] + + + + +TWO LITTLE WOMEN + + +BY +CAROLYN WELLS + +AUTHOR OF +THE PATTY BOOKS, +THE MARJORIE BOOKS, ETC. + + +ILLUSTRATIONS BY +E. C. CASWELL + + +GROSSET & DUNLAP +PUBLISHERS +NEW YORK + + +COPYRIGHT, 1915 +BY DODD, MEAD & COMPANY + + + + +CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER PAGE + + I THE GIRL NEXT DOOR 1 + II DOTTY ROSE AND DOLLY FAYRE 15 + III THE NEW ROOMS 29 + IV THE BIRTHDAY MORNING 43 + V THE DOUBLE PARTY 57 + VI ROLLER SKATING 71 + VII TWO BIG BROTHERS 87 + VIII CROSSTREES CAMP 103 + IX DOLLY'S ESCAPE 118 + X HIDDEN TREASURE 133 + XI A THRILLING EXPERIENCE 150 + XII WHO WAS THE TALL PHANTOM? 167 + XIII THAT LUNCHEON 186 + XIV THE CAKE CONTEST 201 + XV WHO WON THE PRIZE? 215 + XVI A WALK IN THE WOODS 231 + XVII SURFWOOD 250 +XVIII DOLL OVERBOARD! 260 + XIX SPENDING THE PRIZE MONEY 276 + XX GOOD-BYE, SUMMER! 288 + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE GIRL NEXT DOOR + + +Summit Avenue was the prettiest street in Berwick. Spacious and +comfortable-looking homes stood on either side of it, each in its +setting of lawn and shade trees. Most of these showed no dividing fences +or hedges, and boundaries were indiscernible in the green velvety sward +that swept in a gentle slope to the sidewalk. + +Of two neighbouring houses, the side windows faced each other across two +hundred feet of intervening turf. The windows of one house were duly +fitted with window-screens, holland shades and clean, fresh white +curtains; for it was May, and Berwick ladies were rarely dilatory with +their "Spring-cleaning." But the other house showed no window dressings, +and the sashes were flung open to the sunny breeze, which, entering, +found rugless floors and pictureless walls. + +But at the open front doors other things were entering; beds, chairs, +tables, boxes and barrels, all the contents of the great moving vans +that stood out at the curb. Strong men carried incredibly heavy burdens +of furniture, or carefully manoeuvred glass cabinets or potted palms. + +From behind the lace curtains of the other house people were watching. +This was in no way a breach of good manners, for in Berwick the +unwritten law of neighbours' rights freely permitted the inspection of +the arriving household gods of a new family. But etiquette demanded that +the observers discreetly veil themselves behind the sheltering films of +their own curtains. + +And so the Fayres, mother and two daughters, watched with interest the +coming of the Roses. + +"Rose! what a funny name," commented Dolly Fayre, the younger of the +sisters; "do you s'pose they name the children Moss, and Tea and things +like that?" + +"Yes, and Killarney and Sunburst and Prince Camille de Rohan," said +Trudy, who had been studying Florists' catalogues of late. + +"Their library furniture is mission; there goes the table," and Mrs. +Fayre noted details with a housekeeper's eye. "And here comes the piano. +I can't bear to see men move a piano; I always think it's going to fall +on them." + +"I'm tired of seeing furniture go in, anyway," and Dolly jumped up from +her kneeling position. "I'd rather see the people. Do you s'pose +there's anybody 'bout my age, Mums?" + +"I don't know, Dolly. Your father only said their name was Rose, and not +another word about them." + +"There's a little girl, anyway," asserted Trudy; "they took in a big +doll's carriage some time ago." + +Trudy was nineteen and Dolly not quite fifteen, so the girls, while +chummy as sisters, had few interests in common. Dolly wandered away, +leaving the other two to continue their appraisal of the new neighbours. +She went to her own room, which also looked out toward the Roses' house. +Idly glancing that way from her window, she saw a girl's face in a +window next door. She seemed about Dolly's age, and she had a pretty +bright face with a mop of curly black hair. + +She wore a red dress and a red hair-ribbon, and she made a vivid +picture, framed in the open window. + +Dolly looked through the scrim of her bedroom curtain, and then to see +better, moved the curtain aside, and watched the black-haired girl. + +Dolly, herself, could not be seen, because of the dark wire window +screen, and she looked at the stranger with increasing interest. + +At last the new girl put one foot over the window sill and then the +other, and sat with her feet crossed and kicking against the side of the +house. It was a first floor window, and there was little danger of her +falling out, but she stretched out her arms and held the window frame on +either side. + +Dolly judged the girl must be about her own age, for she looked so, and +too, her dress came nearly but not quite to her shoetops, which was the +prescribed length of Dolly's own. + +It was a pleasant outlook. If this new neighbour should be a nice girl, +Dolly foresaw lots of good times. For most of her girl friends lived at +some distance; the nearest, several blocks away. And to have a chum next +door would be fine! + +But was she a nice girl? Dolly had been punctiliously brought up, and a +girl who sat in a window, and swung her feet over the sill, was a bit +unconventional in Berwick. + +Dolly was seized with a strong desire to meet this girl, to see her +nearer by and to talk with her. But Dolly was timid. Beside her careful +education in deportment, she was naturally shy and reticent. She was +sure she never could make any advances to become acquainted with this +new girl, and yet, she did want to know her. + +She went back to her mother and sister. + +"There's an awful big picture," Trudy was saying; "it's all burlapped +up, so you can't tell what it is. It's easy to judge people from their +pictures." + +Trudy had graduated the year before from a large and fine girls' school +and she knew all about pictures. + +"I think you can tell more by chairs," Mrs. Fayre said; "their easy +chairs are very good ones. I think they're very nice people." + +"Have you seen the girl in the window?" asked Dolly. "She's just about +my size." + +"So she is," said Mrs. Fayre, glancing at Dolly, and then returning to +her study of the chairs. + +"When can I go to see her, Mother?" + +"Oh, Trudy and I will call there in a fortnight or so, and after that +you can go to see the little girl or I'll ask her mother to bring her +over here. You children needn't be formal." + +"But can't I go over there to-day?" + +"Mercy, no, child! Not the day they arrive! They'd think we were crazy!" + +Dolly went out on the side verandah. The black-haired girl still sat in +the window. She was frankly staring, and so, every time Dolly caught her +eye, the straightforward gaze was so disconcerting that Dolly looked +away quickly and pretended to be engrossed in something else. + +But at last with a determined effort to overcome her timidity, she +concluded she would look over at the girl and smile. It couldn't be +wrong merely to smile at a new girl, if it was the very day she arrived. +They couldn't think her "crazy" for that. But to conclude to do this and +to do it, were two very different matters for Dolly Fayre. + +Half a dozen times she almost raised her eyes, her smile all ready to +break out, and then, it would seem too much to dare, and with a deep +blush, she would turn again toward her own house. + +But it was nearing luncheon time, and Dolly made a last desperate effort +to screw her courage to the sticking point. With a determined jerk she +wheeled around and smiled broadly at the new girl. + +To her amazement, the pretty face scowled at her! Definitely and +distinctly scowled! Dolly could scarcely believe her eyes. Why should +this stranger scowl at her, when she didn't know her at all? + +Dolly quickly looked away, and pondered over the matter. She felt less +shy now, because she was angry. Then the bell rang for luncheon. + +Dolly started for the house, but unable to resist a final impulse, she +glanced again at the girl in the window. + +The girl shook her head at her! It was a quick, saucy, sideways shake, +as if Dolly had asked her something and she had refused. The pretty face +looked pettish, and the black eyes snapped as she vigorously shook her +curly head. + +"Pooh!" said Dolly to herself; "wait till you're asked, miss! I don't +want anything of you!" + +Dolly went into the house and at the lunch table, she told her mother +and Trudy of the girl's actions. + +"I thought she looked saucy," said Trudy, and the subject was dropped. + + * * * * * + +In the meantime the girl next door had drawn in her feet and jumped down +from the window. + +"What a funny lunch!" she exclaimed, as she ran into the dining-room. +"Looks good, though," and she sat down on a packing-box, and took the +plate her mother offered. + +"Yes, it's a sort of picnic," said Mrs. Rose; "everything's cold, but it +does taste good!" + +The dining-room was unfurnished; though the table and chairs were in it, +they were still burlapped, and the barrels of dishes were not yet +unpacked. Mrs. Rose and her sister, Mrs. Bayliss, sat on packing-boxes +too, and made merry at their own discomfort. + +"Seems 'sif we'd never get straightened out," said Mrs. Rose, taking +another sandwich on her plate, "but I s'pose we will. It's always like +this when you move. Thank goodness, George is coming home early,--he's +such a help." + +"Yes, he is," agreed Mrs. Bayliss; "what lovely fresh radishes! I'll +take some more. Do you know any one at all in Berwick, Molly?" + +"No one at all. George liked the place, and he bought this house from an +agent. But I shan't hasten to make acquaintances. I believe in going +slow in such matters. The neighbours will probably call after a few +weeks, and then we'll see what they're like. The people next door have +lovely curtains. I think you can judge a lot by curtains. And their +whole place has a well-kept air. Perhaps they'll prove pleasant +neighbours. Their name is Fayre." + +"I saw the little girl out on the verandah," said Dotty Rose, between +two bites of her sandwich. "She has yellow hair and blue eyes. But I +don't like her." + +"Why, Dotty, how you talk!" exclaimed her aunt; "how can you like her or +dislike her, when you don't know her?" + +"She's a prig; I can see that, Aunt Clara. I can tell by the way she +walks and moves around. She hasn't any _go_ to her." + +"Well, you've go enough for the whole neighbourhood! Probably you'll +find she's a nice, well-behaved little girl." + +"All right, have it just as you like, Aunt Clara. When are you going to +fix my room, Mother?" + +"As soon as your things come; not till to-morrow, most likely. If we can +get beds to sleep on to-night, that's all I'll ask." + +"I think it's fun," and Dotty danced around on one toe; "I'd like to +live this way, always,--nothing in its place and all higgledy-piggledy!" + +"I believe you would," returned her mother, laughing. "Now, if you've +finished your lunch, dearie, run away and play, for you only bother +around here." + +Dotty ran away but she didn't play. She went from one room to another, +trying to learn the details of her new home; but ever and anon her +glance would stray to the house next door, and she would wonder what the +yellow-haired girl was doing. + +Dotty had been allowed to choose her own room from two that her mother +designated. One was on the side of the house that faced the Fayres', the +other wasn't. Dotty hesitated between them. She went in one and then the +other. + +"If I _should_ like that prim-faced thing," she said to her Aunt Clara, +"I'd rather have this room, that looks toward their house. But if I +_don't_ like her,--and I'm just about sure I _won't_,--I'd rather have +my room on the other side." + +"Oh, you'll like her, after you know her," said Aunt Clara, carelessly. +"But don't mind that, take the room you think pleasanter." + +So Dotty considered them both again. The room not facing the Fayres' was +without doubt the more attractive of the two, though not much so. It had +a large bay window, which was delightful; but then on the other hand the +other room had an open fireplace, and Dotty loved a wood fire. + +She stood in the room with the fireplace, looking toward the next house. +It was Saturday afternoon, and as she watched she saw the yellow-haired +girl and two ladies come out and get in a motor car. + +"I don't like her!" Dotty declared again, though as there was no one +else present, she talked to herself. "She walks like a prig, she gets in +the car like a prig and she sits down on the seat like a prig! I don't +like her, and I'm going to take the other room!" + +So, when her own furniture arrived it was put in the room with the bay +window and which did not overlook the Fayre house. The house that she +could see from her newly chosen room, was so hemmed in by trees as to +be almost invisible. + +Dotty spent a pleasant afternoon, after her furniture was in place, +arranging her little trinkets and pictures, and putting away things in +her cupboards and bureau drawers. + +But every little while some errand seemed to call her across the hall, +and she couldn't help looking out to see if "that girl" had returned +yet. + +The next day was Sunday, and Mr. Rose was at home. + +"Well, Chick-a-dotty, you'll have a nice playmate in that little girl +next door," he said, as his daughter followed him round the house +looking after various matters. + +"'Deed I won't, Daddy; she's horrid!" + +"Why, why! what sort of talk is this? Do you know her?" + +"No, but I've seen her, and she isn't nice a bit." + +"Oh, I guess she is. I came out in the train last night with a man I +know, and he knows the Fayres and he says they're about the nicest +people in Berwick." + +"Pooh! I don't think so. She's a prim old thing, and doesn't know B from +broomstick." + +"There, there, Dotty Doodle, don't be hasty in your judgment. Give the +little lady a chance." + +Later, Dotty and her father walked round the outdoors part of their new +domain. + +"Isn't it pretty, Daddy!" exclaimed Dotty; "I'm so glad there are a lot +of flower-beds and nice big shrubs, and lovely blue spruce trees and +lots of things that look like a farm." + +The Roses had always lived in the city, and to Dotty's eyes the two +acres of ground seemed like a large estate. It was attractively laid out +and in good cultivation, and Mr. Rose looked forward with pleasure to +the restful life of a suburban town after his city habits. + +"There's that girl now!" and Dotty suddenly spied her neighbour walking +with _her_ father around _their_ lawn. + +"So it is. I shall speak to him; it's only right, as we are next-door +neighbours, and we men needn't be so formal as the ladies of the +houses." + +"I don't want to speak to her," and Dotty drew back. "_Don't_ do it, +Daddy, _please_ don't!" + +"Nonsense, child! of course I shall. Don't be so foolish." + +"But I don't want to; she'll think I'm crazy to meet her, and I'm not! I +don't want to, Father." + +"What a silly! Well, if you don't want to see the girl now, run away. +I'm certainly going to chat with Mr. Fayre, and get acquainted." + + * * * * * + +Now the other pair of neighbours had, not unnaturally, been talking +about the newcomers. + +"You see, Father," said Dolly as she took her usual Sunday morning +stroll around the place with him, "that new girl isn't nice at all. When +I smiled at her, she scowled and shook her head at me." + +"Oh, Dolly, I imagine she's all right. Mr. Forrest told me about them. +He knows them and he says they're charming people." + +"Well, they may be, but I don't want to meet her. Don't walk over that +way." + +"Yes, I shall. Mr. Rose seems to be coming this way, and I shall do the +neighbourly thing and have a chat with him." + +"Why, Father, you don't know him." + +"That doesn't matter between next-door neighbours, at least between the +men of the houses. Come along, and scrape acquaintance with the little +girl. I think she looks pretty." + +Dolly started, then a sudden fit of shyness seized her, and she stood +stock-still. + +"I can't," she murmured; "oh, Father, please don't ask me to!" + +"All right, dear; don't if you don't want to. Run back to the house. I'm +going to speak to Mr. Rose." + +And that's how it happened that as the two men neared each other, with +greeting smiles, the two girls, started simultaneously, and ran like +frightened rabbits away from each other, and to their respective homes. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +DOTTY ROSE AND DOLLY FAYRE + + +A few days passed without communication between the two houses. + +Mr. Fayre expressed a decided approval of his new neighbour, and advised +his wife to call on Mrs. Rose. Mrs. Fayre said she would do so as soon +as the proper time came. + +"I'm not going," said Dolly. "I don't like that girl, and I never +shall." + +"Why, Dorinda," said her father, who only used her full name when he was +serious, "I've never known you to act so before. I've thought you were a +nice, sweet-tempered little girl, and here you are acting like a +cantankerous catamaran!" + +"What is the matter with you, Doll?" asked Trudy; "you are unreasonable +about the little Rose girl." + +"Let her alone," said Dolly's mother; "she'll get over it." + +"I'll never get over it," declared Dolly; "I don't want to know a girl +as big as I am, who plays with dolls." + +"How do you know she plays with dolls?" + +"Well, a dolls' carriage went in there the day they moved in." + +"Perhaps it's one she used to have, and she has kept it, for old +associations." + +"Maybe. Anyhow, I don't like her. She made faces at me." + +"Really?" and her mother smiled. + +"Well, she scowled at me, and shook her head like a--like a--" + +"Like a little girl shaking her head," said Mr. Fayre, to help her out. + +But Dolly didn't smile. She was a queer nature, was Dolly. Usually sunny +and happy-hearted, she liked almost everything and everybody, but if she +did take a dislike, it became a prejudice, and very hard to remove. + +Dolly was pretty, with the bluest of blue eyes and the pinkest of pink +cheeks and the yellowest of yellow hair. She was inclined to be plump, +and Trudy was always beseeching her not to eat so much candy and sweet +desserts. But Dolly loved these things and had small concern about her +increasing weight. She didn't care much for outdoor play, and would +rather sit in the hammock and read a story-book than run after tennis +balls. + +Her mother called her a dreamer, and often came upon her, sitting in the +twilight, her thoughts far away in a fairyland of her own imagination, +enjoying wonderful adventures and thrilling scenes. + +Dolly was in the grammar school and next year would be in the high +school. She didn't like study, particularly, except history and +literature, but she studied conscientiously and always knew her lessons. + +This morning, she kissed her mother good-bye, and started off for +school. She wore a blue and white gingham, and a fawn-coloured coat. +Swinging her bag of books, she marched past the Rose house, and though +she didn't look at her, she could see the Rose girl on the front steps. + +"I wonder if she'll go to our school," thought Dolly; and for a moment +the impulse seized her to stop and "scrape acquaintance." Then she +remembered that shaking head, and fearing a rebuff, she walked on by. + +"Do you know that new girl next door to you?" Celia Ferris asked her as +she entered the school yard. + +"No; do you?" and Dolly looked indifferent. + +"No, I don't; but my mother knows a lady, who knows them and she says +Dorothy,--that's her name,--is a wonder." + +"A wonder! How?" + +"Oh, she's so smart and so clever, and she can do everything so well." + +This was enough for Dolly Fayre. To think that disagreeable new +neighbour of hers, must be a paragon of all the virtues! + +But Dolly was never unjust. She knew she had no real reason to dislike +Dorothy Rose, so she only said, "I haven't met her yet. My mother is +going to call there this week, and then I s'pose I'll get acquainted +with her." + +"How funny," said Celia, who was chummy by nature. "I should think you'd +go in and play with her without waiting for your mother to call,--and +all that. Anybody'd think you were as old as Trudy." + +"Oh, I could do that if I wanted to, but I don't want to." + +"Well, I think I'll go to see her, anyway. If she's so smart it would be +nice to have her in the Closing Day exercises. I s'pose she'll come to +school here." + +"Of course, you can do as you like, Celia, but I think it's too late to +get any new girls in now." + +Dolly went on to the schoolroom, her heart full of resentment at this +"smart" interloper. It was a little bit a feeling of jealousy, for Dolly +Fayre was head and front of everything that went on at the Berwick +Grammar School, and it jarred a little to think of having a wonder-girl +come in with a lot of new ideas and plans and mix everything all up at +the last minute. + +But don't get any mistaken idea that Dolly Fayre was a mean-minded or +small-natured girl. On the contrary, she was generosity itself in all +her dealings with her schoolmates. Every one liked her, and with good +reason, for she never quarrelled, and was always happy and smiling. + +But the Rose girl had acted queer from the first, and Dolly couldn't +admit the desirability of bringing her into their already arranged +"Closing Exercises." These were so important as to be almost sacred +rites, and as usual Dolly was at the head of all the committees, and her +word was law. + +She went home from school that afternoon, thinking about it, and her +pretty face looked very sober as she went in the house and put her +school-books neatly away in their place. + +"There's some lemonade and cookies on the sideboard," said her mother as +Dolly went through the hall. + +"All right, Mumsie," and somehow, after these refreshments had been +absorbed, Dolly felt better, and life seemed to have a brighter outlook. + +She took an unfinished story-book and picked up her white kitten, and +went out to the side verandah, her favourite spot of a warm afternoon. + +"You see, Flossy," she whispered, addressing the kitten, "I want you +with me, 'cause I'm buffled to-day." Dolly was in the habit of making up +words, if she couldn't think of any to suit her, and just at the moment +_buffled_ seemed to her to mean a general state of being ruffled, and +buffeted and rebuffed and generally huffy. + +"And you well know, Floss, that when I feel mixy-up, there's nothing so +comforting and soothing as a nice little, soft little, cuddly little +kitty-cat." + +Flossy blinked her eyes, and purred gently, and was just as comforting +as she could be, which is saying a good deal. + +There was a big, wide swing on the side verandah, one of those cushioned +settee affairs that are so cosy to snuggle into, and read. + +And it was without a glance at the house next door, that Dolly snuggled +herself in among the red cushions and opened her book, while Flossy +cuddled in the hollow of her arm; and concluding that she would be +quite as comforting asleep as awake, the kitten promptly fell into a +doze. + +Meantime there were arrivals at the Rose house. + +Eugenia, the eleven year old girl, had been staying with a cousin until +the house should be put in order, and now she had come to the new home. + +She was a black-haired witch, and of exceeding vivacious and volatile +disposition. + +"OO!--ee!" she exclaimed; "isn't it great! Take me everywhere, Dot! Show +me all the rooms and all the outdoorses and everything! I didn't know it +was such a big house. Which is my room?" + +Even as she talked, Eugenia was flying upstairs, only to turn right +around and fly down again. She danced from room to room, sometimes +followed or preceded by Dotty and sometimes not. Her own room delighted +her. It faced the Fayres' house, being the one Dorothy had rejected in +favour of the other. + +"Where's Blot?" asked Dotty; "didn't you bring him?" + +"Oh, yes; he's down with Thomas. He's crazy. He barked all the way +here." + +But Dotty was already flying down stairs to find her beloved puppy. + +"Here he is, Miss Dorothy," and the chauffeur, Thomas, gave the black +poodle into her arms. + +"Oh, you blessed Blotty-boy! Oh, you cunnin' Blotsy-wotsy! Does him love +hims Dotty?" + +The love was manifested by some moist caresses and then Blot was all for +a scamper. Dotty took him out on the lawn and set him down, herself all +ready for a romp. + +Now only a minute before, Flossy, the white kitten, had waked from her +nap, and seeing that Dolly was absorbed in her story-book, inferred that +kitten comfort was not at the moment needed, and decided to go after a +very yellow butterfly out on the Fayre lawn. + +Stealthily across the grass, Flossy went butterflywards, on tippy-toe. +Each white paw was daintily lifted and softly set down on the thick +turf, as her progress continued. From the Rose lawn Blot spied the +advancing Flossy. He didn't then know her name, but he had liberal ideas +on the subject of introductions, and he made a wild dash toward the +oncoming kitten. + +When Floss saw the small black whirlwind hurling itself at her, she was +either too brave or too frightened to retreat, so she put her white back +up as high as possible and stood her ground. She expressed her opinion +of the performance in a series of sputtering yowls that drew Dolly's +attention from her book to the impending battle. + +She sprang out of the swing, and rushed toward Flossy just as the two +belligerents met in the grassy arena. + +Dorothy Rose, on her side of the lawn was shaking with laughter, and +this sight was the last straw to Dorinda Fayre's overburdened soul. + +"Don't you let your dog eat up my cat!" she cried out, angrily, to the +black-haired girl opposite. + +"Don't you let your cat eat up my dog, then!" was the immediate +response, delivered with enthusiasm equalling Dolly's own. + +"Cats don't eat dogs!" + +"Neither do dogs eat cats!" + +"Well, these will eat each other! Oh! look, we _must_ get them apart!" + +The battle was of the pitched variety, whatever that may mean. But it is +a phrase used to describe the most intense and desperate battles of +history, and surely this was one of them. Dolly Fayre had no idea that +gentle little Flossy had so much fight in her small white body, and +Dotty Rose never dreamed that Blot was such a fire-eater under his curly +black coat. + +Really alarmed for their pets, the two girls went nearer to the agile +warriors, who now looked like an indistinct moving-picture film that was +going too fast. + +"Come here, Blot!" Dotty cried, in most commanding tones. + +"Come here, Flossy!" Dolly called, in coaxing accents. + +Insubordination ensued on both sides. + +"We'll have to grab them!" declared Dotty Rose; dancing about the war +zone. + +"We can't!" wailed Dolly Fayre, wringing her hands as she edged away +from the seat of battle. + +"Well, I just guess we will!" and Dotty Rose seized Blot by the scruff +of his black neck and shook him loose from the white kitten. + +With a little cry of rejoicing, Dolly Fayre picked up Flossy and plumped +herself down on the grass to make sure the kitten was intact. + +Dotty sat down too, and felt of Blot's small and well-hidden bones. + +As neither animal gave any cry of pain and as each glared at its late +opponent, the respective owners of the combatants drew sighs of relief +and held on tightly to their pets, lest a fresh attack should begin. + +Now it stands to reason that after a scene like that just described, +the two girls couldn't get up and walk off home without a word. + +So they sat on the grass and looked at each other. + +And when the troubled blue eyes of Dolly Fayre saw the big brown eyes of +Dotty Rose twinkle and saw her red lips smile, she discovered that the +scowl she had objected to was not permanent, and she smiled back. + +But somehow, they could think of nothing to say. The smile broke the ice +a little, but Dolly Fayre was timid, and Dotty Rose was absorbed in +looking at the other's blue eyes and yellow hair. + +But it was Dotty who spoke first. "Well," she said, "how do you like +me?" + +It was an unfortunate question. For Dolly Fayre hadn't a single definite +notion regarding Dotty Rose except that she didn't like her. However, it +would hardly do to tell her that, so she said, slowly: "I don't know +yet; how do you like me?" + +"Well, I think you're awfully pretty, to begin with." + +"So do I you," put in Dolly, glad to find a favourable report that she +could make truthfully. + +"Aren't we different," went on the other thoughtfully; "you're so blonde +and I'm so dark." + +"Yes; I just hate my hair,--towhead, Bert calls me." + +"Who's Bert?" + +"He's my brother; he's away at school. He's seventeen years old." Dolly +spoke proudly, as if she had said, "he's captain of the Fleet." + +"Why, I've got a brother away at school, too." + +"Have you? What's his name?" + +"Bob; of course it's Robert, but we always call him Bob. He's eighteen." + +"What else have you got?" + +Dotty knew the question referred to family connections, and answered: "A +little sister, Genie, 'leven years old." + +"That all?" + +"Yep. 'Cept Aunt Clara, who lives with us, she's a widow. And of course, +Mother and Dad." + +"I've got a grown-up sister, Trudy. She's in s'ciety now, and she's +awful pretty." + +"Look like you?" + +"Some. But she's all fluffy-haired and dimply-smiled, you know." + +"What funny words you use." + +"Do I? Well, I only do when I can't think of the real ones. Are you +going to the Grammar School?" + +"Mother says it's too late to begin this year. Here it is May,--and it +closes in June. So she says for me to wait till next year." + +This was comforting. If the girl didn't go to school this year she +couldn't make any bother with the Closing Exercises. Beside, maybe she +was not such a dislikable girl as she had seemed at first. Dolly sat and +regarded her. At last she said: "Then the doll-carriage belongs to your +little sister." + +"To Genie, yes. How did you know she had one?" + +"Saw it come with your things, the day you moved in." + +"How old are you?" + +"Fourteen, but I'll be fifteen next month,--June." + +"Why, so will I! Isn't that funny! What day is your birthday?" + +"The tenth." + +"Mine's the twentieth. We're almost twins. And our names are quite +alike, too. Mine's Dorothy, really, but they all call me Dotty." + +"And mine's Dorinda, but I'm called Dolly." + +"And we both have brothers at school, and we each have a sister." + +"But mine is a big sister and yours is a little sister." + +"Yes, but we have as many differences as we have likenesses. You're so +fair, and--why, your name is Fayre!" + +Dolly laughed. "Yes, and you're so rosy and your name is Rose!" + +"Dotty Rose and Dolly Fayre! We ought to be friends. Shall we?" + +Dolly hesitated. She was too honest to pretend to a liking she didn't +quite feel. She looked squarely at Dotty Rose, and said, +straightforwardly, "What made you scowl at me that first day you came?" + +"I didn't!" and Dotty Rose opened her brown eyes in astonishment. + +"Yes, you did; and you shook your head at me when I smiled to you. You +were sitting in a window, with your legs hanging out." + +"Sitting where! Oh, I remember! Why, I didn't scowl at _you_, it was +because Aunt Clara called me to come in out of that window. And I didn't +want to, so I scowled. I've a fearful temper. And then, she told me +again to come in, and I shook my head. I wasn't shaking it at _you_! +Why, I didn't know you then!" + +Dolly drew a long breath. "Then that's all right! I thought you scowled +because I smiled at you, and it made me mad. All right, I'll be friends +with you. I'd like to. I think you're real nice." + +"So do I you!" + + + + +CHAPTER III + +THE NEW ROOMS + + +In the cushioned swing on the Fayres' verandah the two girls sat. + +An artist would have stopped to admire the picture. Dorinda, her pink +and white face framed in its golden halo of curlilocks, her light blue +frock, neat and smooth, was calmly and daintily nibbling at a piece of +cake, catching the crumbs carefully as they fell. + +Beside her, Dorothy was rapidly munching her cake as she talked, and +letting the crumbs fall where they might. Her black hair framed her rosy +cheeks and her eyes snapped and sparkled as she gesticulated with both +hands. It was Dorothy's habit to emphasise her remarks with expressive +little motions, and her father often said that if her hands were tied +behind her, she couldn't say a word! + +Her pink lawn dress was rather tumbled by reason of her wriggling and +jumping about, but Dorothy's frocks were rarely unrumpled after she had +had them on ten minutes. + +"We've been friends more than a week now," she said, as she finished +her cake in one large bite and brushed a few stray bits out of her lap. +"And I think you're just fine! I'm _so_ glad we came to live in Berwick. +I like you better than any girl I ever knew." Dotty spread her hands +wide as if embracing all the girls who had figured in her previous +existence. "Do you like me as much as that?" + +As she spoke, she touched her toes to the floor and sent the swing up in +the air with a mad jump. + +"Oh!" gasped Dolly, as her cake flew out of her hand; "how--how sudden +you are!" + +"Never mind! _Do_ you like me as much as I like you?" + +"I don't know," and Dolly looked thoughtful; "I like you, of course, but +I wish you'd sit stiller." + +"Can't; I'm always jumpy. But you _do_ like me, don't you, Dollyrinda?" + +"Yes, but I can't hop into a liking the way you do. We're awfully +different, you know." + +"'Course we are! That's what makes us like each other. Just think, +Dolly, we'll be fifteen soon. Don't you think we ought to be called by +our full names and not Dolly and Dotty any more?" + +"I don't know. Why?" + +"Oh, 'cause we're too big for baby names. I'm going to stop wearing +hair-ribbons." + +"You are! How ever will you keep your hair back? And you've such a lot +of it." + +"I know. So've you. Why, I'll just braid it, and let the end flutter. +But Mother says she won't let me till I'm sixteen. Well, we'll see. Do +you want to grow up, Doll?" + +"I don't know." + +"You don't know anything! I never saw such a girl! Well, what are you +going to do when you're fifteen?" + +"I haven't thought about it. Do I have to do anything different from +when I'm fourteen?" + +"You don't _have_ to! But don't you _want_ to? What do you want to be +when you're grown up?" + +"Oh, _then_! Why, then I'm going to be an opera singer." + +"Can you sing?" + +"Not much yet. But Trudy says I have a nice voice and I'm going to +learn." + +"Pooh! I don't believe you'll ever sing in opera. I'm going to be an +actress." + +"Huh! Can you act?" + +"Not yet; but I'm going to learn." Dotty smiled as she realised that +their ambitions were at least equally promising. "Wouldn't it be fun if +we did both get to be famous! Me an actress and you a singeress. But I +may change my mind about mine. I do sometimes. Last winter I was crazy +to be a trained nurse; but Mother wouldn't let me." + +"Will she let you be an actress?" + +"I haven't asked her yet. There's no hurry. I couldn't begin to study +for it till I'm out of school. What are you going to get for your +birthday?" + +"I haven't decided yet. Mother said I could have my bedroom all done +over or have a gold watch." + +"Oh, have the room things. And I'll do the same! Do you know, when we +moved into our house, I took a room on the other side, but I'm going to +move across so I can be on this side toward you. And Mother is going to +have the room done up for me, and I'm to choose the things. So you do +that too, and we'll have 'em alike!" + +Dotty had jumped out of the swing in her excitement, and stood at one +side, her foot on the step, pushing it sideways. + +"Don't do that, Dot, you'll break the swing." + +"Well, will you? Will you choose the room fixings 'stead of the watch?" + +"I don't know; I'll have to think." + +"Fiddlesticks! Don't think! Jump at it, and say yes!" + +"I believe I'd rather, anyway; it would be fun to have our things alike. +I'll ask Mother." + +"But she said you could have your choice." + +"Yes, but of course, I'll talk it over with her. And Dotty, we don't +want the same coloured things, you know." + +"Why don't we?" + +"Why, because we're so different. What colour do you want?" + +"Oh, I've got it all picked out. I'm going to have rose and grey. It's +all the rage. Rose pink, you know, and French grey." + +"Well, I don't want that. I want pale green and white." + +"You do! Why rose and grey is ever so much more fashionable." + +"I don't care. I know what I want. Now, see here,-- But do come and sit +down! Don't climb over the back of the swing!" + +Dotty jumped down from the back of the swing, and came around and seated +herself beside Dolly. For nearly five minutes she sat quietly while they +discussed the colours. + +"But, don't you see," said Dolly at last, "it will be nicer for us to +have our own colours and have the things alike. We can have just the +same shape furniture and everything, only each stick to our own colour." + +Dotty was persuaded, and they agreed that the two mothers could easily +be brought to see the beauty of their plans. + +And so it was. A neighbourly friendliness already existed between the +households, and as the two birthdays fell so near together, it seemed +fitting that the girls should have their gifts alike. + +So the paperhanger was visited and Dolly chose a lovely paper of striped +pattern, but all white; to be crowned with a border design of hanging +vines and leaves in shades of green. + +Dotty's paper was the same stripe, in soft greys; and her border was a +design of pink roses and rosebuds. + +Dolly's woodwork was to be painted white and Dotty's light grey. + +The two sets of furniture were exactly alike, except that one was +enamelled grey and one white. + +Each room had a bay window, and the window seats were cushioned in green +or rose, and the numerous pillows that graced them were of harmonious +colouring. + +The parents of the girls agreed that a fifteenth birthday was a +memorable occasion, and one not likely to occur again, so they made the +furnishings of the two rooms complete to the smallest detail. + +Each had a large rug of plain velvet carpeting; Dotty's rose pink and +Dolly's moss green. Window curtains of Rajah silk fell over dainty white +ones, and pretty light-shades of green and pink, respectively, gave the +rooms a soft glow at night. + +Trudy contributed wonderful _filet_ embroidered covers for +dressing-tables and stands, and dainty white couch pillows, with +monograms and ruffles. + +Dotty's Aunt Clara gave each of the girls a picture, which they were +allowed to choose for themselves. They took a whole afternoon for this, +and at last Dolly made up her mind to take "Sir Galahad," and Dotty +chose, after long deliberation, a stunning photograph of the "Winged +Victory." + +These, framed alike in dark, polished wood, were hung in similar +positions in the two rooms. + +Altogether, the rooms were delightful. It was hard to say which was +prettier, but each best suited its happy owner. + +There was quite a discussion as to when they would take possession, for +everything was in readiness by Dolly's birthday, which was on the tenth. + +"I'll tell you!" cried Dotty, with a sudden inspiration; "let's average +up! Dolly's birthday is the tenth and mine the twentieth. Let's +celebrate both on the fifteenth, that's half way between, and as we're +fifteen anyway, it makes it just right!" + +This was agreed to as a fine scheme, and then Mrs. Fayre electrified the +girls by proposing that they have a little party by way of further +celebration. + +"Together, of course," she said, smiling; "not in either house, but an +outdoor party, on the lawn, half-way between." + +"Oh, Mumsie!" and Dolly clasped her hands in ecstatic joy at the +prospect. + +"Oh, Mrs. Fayre!" and Dotty flung her hands above her head, and danced +up and down the room where these plans were being talked over. + +They were in the Fayre house, having just come down from an inspection +of Dolly's room, and these inspections were of almost daily occurrence +and usually participated in by several members of both families. + +"Good idea!" said Mrs. Rose. "It will let Dotty get acquainted with the +young people here, and that's what I want. But let me make the party, +Mrs. Fayre, and you and Dolly invite the guests as we know so few people +as yet." + +"No; the party must be half and half as to responsibility and expense. +If our two D's are to be so friendly, we must share and share alike in +their doings." + +So it was agreed, and as there was but a week in which to get ready, +plans were hurried through. + +They decided to ask thirty of the Berwick young people, fifteen girls +and fifteen boys. + +"I wish Bob could be home!" sighed Dotty; and Dolly echoed the wish for +her own brother. But the boys of the two families were deep in school +exams and could not think of coming home for a party. + +Of course the Fayres decided on the invitation list, but everything else +was mutually arranged. + +It was to be entirely a lawn party; first because that seemed +pleasanter, and too, because then, it could take place on the adjoining +lawns and so be the party of both. + +"Only,--if it rains!" said Dolly, with an anxious face. + +"It won't rain!" declared Dotty; "it _can't_ rain on our double +birthday! It will be the beautifullest, clearest, sunshiniest day in the +world! I know it will!" + +The girls decided to sleep in their new rooms for the first time the +night before the party. + +"For," said Dolly, shaking her head sagely, "the night after the party, +we'll be so tired and thinky about it, that we can't enjoy our rooms so +much." + +"All right," agreed Dotty, "I don't care. I'm crazy to get into mine; +the sooner the better, I say." + +The two girls had a birthday present for each other, and though they +didn't know it, the two mothers had planned these so they should be +alike. + +But they did know that the mothers had these gifts in readiness, and +that they would see them when they awoke on the birthday morning. + +By common consent the real birthdays were ignored, and the fifteenth of +June accepted as the right anniversary for both. + +Very formal were the rites preparatory to the occupancy of the new +rooms. + +Dotty had planned them and after some discussion Dolly had agreed. + +"You come over and wish me good-night in my room," Dotty said, "and then +I'll go over and wish you good-night in yours. And then, I'll go home +again, and when we're all ready for bed, we'll put out our lights and +stick our heads out of our windows and holler good-night across." + +"Somebody might hear us," objected Dolly. + +"Pooh! they won't. And what if they did? Neighbours have got a right to +say good-night to each other, I guess." + +"But that's disturbing the peace, or something like that." + +"Huh! the Peace must be awful easy disturbed! Well, you've got to do it, +anyhow." + +"I haven't got to, either! Not just 'cause _you_ say so!" + +Dotty was beginning to learn that mild-mannered Dolly had a will of her +own, and she said, placatingly: "Well, what do you want to do, then?" + +"Let's do something like this. When we're all ready to hop into bed, +let's turn our lights up and down three times in succession; that'll +mean good-night." + +"Oh, yes, I see; now, listen! we'll do it separately. You flash first +and then I will; and after three flashes, we'll leave the lights out and +jump into bed at the same minute!" + +So it was settled, and the eventful occasion duly arrived. + +The girls' bedtime hour was nine o'clock, but some time before that they +were in their new rooms, enjoying their beauty and freshness. + +At quarter before nine, Dolly appeared at the Rose house, and said +solemnly, "I've come over to wish Dorothy good-night." + +"Come in," said Mrs. Rose, trying not to smile at the ceremonial visit. +"You'll find her in her room; go right up." + +Dolly went up, and found Dotty waiting for her. + +"_Isn't_ it pretty!" Dolly exclaimed, seeing, as if for the first time +the beauties of the room. The bed was turned down, and a lovely new +nightdress, with a rose-coloured ribbon run through its lace edge, lay +in readiness for the sleeper. + +"Oh, it's _lovely_!" returned Dotty; "I can hardly wait to go to bed! Go +on, say your piece." + +Dolly stood a minute, her hands clasped, her eyes wandering about with a +thoughtful far away gaze. + +"It's all gone," she said at last; "I can't remember it, only a line: + + "Sleep sweetly in this quiet room, oh, thou, whoe'er thou art; + Nor let a troublous something or other disturb thy peaceful heart. + +"Honest, that's all I can remember." + +"Well, that's enough. Thank you, sweet friend and playmate, now go I +with thee!" + +Grabbing Dolly by the arm, Dotty flew downstairs and across the lawn to +the other house; Dolly running by her side. + +Up to Dolly's new room they went. + +"Lovely!" exclaimed Dotty, as she saw almost the counterpart of her own +room, even to the new nightdress,--only Dolly's had a white ribbon. + +"You might have had green," said Dotty, doubtfully. + +"No, I don't like coloured ribbons in my underclothes. They're all right +for you," Dolly added politely, "but I never did like them." + +"Now I'll say _my_ piece;" and Dotty bowed to her audience of one. "I +haven't forgotten it, but it's very short. + + "Early to bed and early to rise + Makes a girl healthy and wealthy and wise. + +"Thank you, sweet friend and playmate, now go I with thee." + +"No; _you_ don't say that! You've _been_ with me. Now, I go home and we +both get ready for bed. When you're all ready, put out your light and--" + +"Yes, I know." + +Dotty scampered downstairs and over home, and fairly flew up to her +room. + +In less than twenty minutes Dotty was all ready for bed; she put out +her light, and throwing a dressing-gown over her nightdress, she sat in +the window, watching the light in Dolly's room. + +She waited and waited, but the light behind the pulled-down shade +remained. + +"H'm!" said Dotty to herself, yawning, "she is the _slowest_ thing! I +could have undressed twice in this time!" + +But at last, Dolly's light went out, and her shade was slowly raised. + +Then, according to their plan, Dotty flashed her light on and off again. +Dolly's light repeated this manoeuvre. Then Dotty did it again, and +then Dolly did. The third time the flashes came and went, and then all +ceremonies over, the two girls went to their new pretty, inviting beds, +and were very soon asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE BIRTHDAY MORNING + + +Dotty Rose woke early next morning, and, wide-awake on the instant, +sprang from her bed and flew to the window. But she could see nothing of +Dolly. The white shades were down and there was no sign of any one +stirring. Dotty turned back and began anew to look at her pretty +belongings. On the dressing-table she spied something she had not seen +there the night before. It was a lovely picture of Dolly in a beautiful +silver frame. Dotty laughed outright, for that was exactly what she had +given Dolly! A silver frame with her own picture in it. The two mothers +had been in the secret, and had seen to it that the frames were alike, +but neither of the girls knew that her gift was to be duplicated. + +It was a perfect likeness, showing Dolly at her best; a dreamy +expression on her sweet face, and her soft hair in little waves at her +temples, and drawn back by an enormous ribbon bow. + +It was almost too early to get dressed, so Dotty slipped on a +dressing-gown and bedroom slippers and dawdled about, keeping a watch +on the Fayre house, in hopes Dolly's shades would fly up. + +Soon her little sister Eugenia came bounding in. She, too, was in a +kimono and she gave a jump and landed with a spring in the middle of +Dotty's carefully arranged couch pillows. + +"Genie!" cried her sister, "get off of there!" + +"Won't!" and Genie bounced up and down on the springs of the couch. + +"Get off, I tell you!" + +"Won't, I tell you!" + +It _was_ trying, for the pretty pillows with their snowy white +embroidered covers were rumpled and tossed by Genie's mischievous play. + +"Genie Rose! You go right straight out of my room! You're a naughty +little girl and you're spoiling my birthday things!" + + "Dorothy Rose, + With a pug nose!" + +chanted Genie, with the amiable intention of teasing her sister beyond +endurance. + +And she did, for Dotty flung back: + + "Genie, Genie, + You're a meany!" + +and then she grabbed her and pulled her off the pillows and pushed her +out of the room and locked the door. + +"It's a shame!" and poor Dotty nearly cried to see the havoc naughty +little Genie had wrought. One pillow cover was torn and another had a +black mark from the sole of Genie's slipper. + +She heard a tap at the door, and her mother's voice said, "Let me in, +Dotty, dear." + +Dotty opened the door, and exclaimed: "Mother! Isn't Genie the bad +little thing! Look at my pretty pillows!" + +"Oh, what a shame! Why _do_ you two children quarrel so?" + +"We didn't quarrel. Genie did it on purpose." + +"But why can't you be loving, kind little sisters? You're always teasing +each other." + +"But I didn't tease her, Mother." + +"Well, you usually do. Now, Dotty, can't you make a birthday resolution +to be more patient with Genie? Remember she's only a little girl, while +you're getting grown up. Fifteen is almost a young lady, and you should +be kind and gentle with everybody." + +"I s'pose I ought," and Dorothy sighed; "but it's hard to have my +birthday things upset. Aren't you going to punish her, Mother?" + +"Oh, no; she didn't mean to be naughty. She was only mischievous. I'll +mend your pillow, and the soiled one can be laundered." + +Dotty's anger was always quick to come and quick to go, and she smiled +brightly, as she said, "all right. I'll forgive her this time, but she's +got to stop that kind of teasing." + +"I'll speak to her," said easy-going Mrs. Rose; "how do you like Dolly's +picture?" + +"Lovely, isn't it? Did you and Mrs. Fayre know about the frames?" + +"Yes; and we wanted them to be alike; but I had to urge you to take this +instead of that other pattern. Remember?" + +"Yes, indeed," and Dotty smiled to think how determined she had been in +the matter, but had at last yielded to her mother's judgment. + +"Oh, there's Dolly!" she cried, as she saw the shade go up in the +opposite window. "Hello. Happy Birthday!" she called out. + +Dolly returned the greeting, and the two girls waved their respective +photographs at each other, and then both began to get dressed. + +Dolly, too, had a morning visit from her sister. + +Trudy looked in on her way down to breakfast. + +"Happy Birthday, Doll!" she said; "shall I tie your hair-ribbon?" + +She stepped into the new room, and while tying the big bow, looked +around admiringly. + +"You're a lucky little kiddy to have such a lovely room. It's prettier +than mine." + +"I know it is, Trudy," and Dolly looked regretful. "I'll change with +you, if you like. I think as you're the oldest you ought to have the +prettiest room." + +"Not at all, you little goosy!" and Trudy kissed the troubled face. +"This is your fifteenth birthday, and I'm glad you have such a beautiful +gift to remember it by." + +With their arms around each other, the two girls went downstairs. + +"Whoop-de-doo! Dollykins," cried her father, throwing down his paper; +"why, you don't look a bit different from when you were fourteen! I +thought you'd be a foot taller, at least!" + +"I don't feel any taller or any older, Father; and I don't s'pose I'll +act so. But Mumsie, mayn't I stop wearing hair-ribbons? Dotty's going +to." + +"Are you sure?" and Mrs. Fayre looked quizzical, for she had discussed +this weighty matter with Mrs. Rose. + +"No, not sure; but Dotty's going to ask her mother and she thinks she +can make her say yes." + +"Well, let's wait and see what Mrs. Rose does say," and Mrs. Fayre took +her place at the breakfast table. + +"It seems funny not to have a lot of presents at your place, Doll," said +Trudy, smiling. + +"That's all right," and Dolly returned the smile; "I agreed that my room +fixings were to take the place of all other presents." + +"And then you have the party, you know," said her father. "Mr. Rose has +a delightful surprise for it, and when I come home this afternoon I'll +bring something to add to the gaiety of nations." + +"Oh, Father, what?" + +"Never you mind, curiosity-box! You'll see soon enough." + +"Will you come home early, Father?" + +"As early as I can. By five, surely." + +After breakfast, the two heroines of the occasion went out to their +respective side verandahs, and the usual morning programme was carried +out. + +Each frantically waved her hand to the other, calling, "Come over!" + +Then each vigorously shook her head, shouting: "No, you come over here!" + +"No, you!" + +"No, you!" + +Then Dolly, coaxingly, "Aw, come on,--come on over." + +Then Dotty, positively, "No, sir! it's your turn. Come on over here." + +With slight variations this dialogue was repeated every morning. Not +that either cared much which went to the other's house, but it was one +of their habits. Perhaps Dolly oftenest gave in, and on this birthday +morning, the colloquy was short before she ran across the grass and the +two friends sat in the Roses' hammock, swinging vigorously as they +talked. + +"How'd you like my present to you?" asked Dotty, with twinkling eyes. + +"Lovely!" and Dolly smiled back. "How'd you like mine to you?" + +"Beautiful! Truly, Dollyrinda, I'm awful glad to have that picture of +you." + +"So am I of you. Did you get any plate presents?" + +"No; I didn't expect any. All the family gave me things for my room, you +know. Bob sent me a dear little clock." + +"How nice; Bert sent me a pair of candlesticks,--glass ones,--they're +awfully pretty." + +"Isn't it funny we don't know each other's brothers." + +"We will soon, though. Bert is coming home in about two weeks." + +"Yes, so is Bob. As soon as school closes. Oh, here come the men to put +up the tent! Let's go and watch them." + +Dolly had been allowed to stay at home from school for the day, and the +two girls, followed by Genie, ran out on the lawn to see what was going +on. + +In order to make the party a truly joint affair, it had been decided to +set up a tent on the lawn exactly midway between the two houses, for the +party supper. It was a large tent, and gay with red trimmings and flags. +Inside, tables were set up, and the maids from both houses brought out +plates and glasses in abundance. + +"Oh, isn't it just _grand_!" exclaimed Dotty, seizing Dolly round the +waist and making her dance about the lawn. + +"Lovely; but don't rumple me so, Dotty! This is a clean frock." + +"Oh, what an old fuss you are! Always thinking about your clothes!" + +"I am not, any such thing! But what's the use of spoiling a clean dress +the minute you put it on?" + +"All right, I'll keep away from you, if you're so afraid I'll muss you +up! Proudy!" + +For some unknown reason, this epithet was the most scathing in the +girls' vocabulary, and either was quick to resent it. + +"I am not a Proudy! And you'd look nicer if you took a little better +care of your own clothes,--so there now!" + +"My clothes are all right! They're as good as yours! I wish we didn't +have a birthday together!" + +Dotty flounced away, and Dolly walked home with an exaggerated dignity. + +These little quarrels were very silly; but they often occurred between +these two who were really good friends, but who sometimes acted very +foolishly. + +Dolly went in her own house, and as she ran upstairs, she sang so very +gaily, that Mrs. Fayre looked at Trudy, and said, "Another fuss!" + +"Yes," and Trudy sighed. "I don't know as Dotty Rose is a very good +friend for Dolly; they quarrel a lot." + +"Oh, well, they get over it right away. I think it is good for Dolly to +have some one to stir her up now and then. She's naturally so meek and +mild." + +"Well, Dotty Rose stirs her up, all right!" and Trudy laughed. + +It was about half an hour later, that Genie Rose appeared before Mrs. +Fayre. + +"Where's Dolly?" she demanded. + +"Can't you speak a little more politely, Genie?" and Mrs. Fayre smiled +pleasantly at the child. + +"You ain't my mother to tell me what to say!" + +"No; but this is my house and I like to have little girls act nicely +here, especially as I know that you have better manners if you choose to +use them." + +Genie thought a moment, digging her toe into the rug, and at last said: + +"Good-morning, Mrs. Fayre. Please may I see Dolly?" + +"Why, what a little lady! Yes, indeed; you will find her in her room. Go +right up, Genie, dear." + +The child trudged upstairs, and entered Dolly's room. + +"What do you want?" and Dolly, with suspiciously bright eyes, looked up +from the book she was pretending to read. + +"You're not so awful polite, either," and Genie's big, black eyes looked +sharply at Dolly. "But never mind. I've come over to tell you that Dot's +cryin' about you." + +"Did she tell you to come?" + +"Nope. She don't know I'm here. But I think you're two sillies to spoil +your nice birthday by crying about each other." + +"I'm not crying!" + +"Well, you have been. I can see the cry-marks in your eyes. Nice blue +eyes. C'mon over and make up." + +"Get Dotty to come over here and make up." + +"She won't come." + +"Have you asked her?" + +"No, but I just know she won't. So let's don't ask her, and you come +over there." + +"You're a funny little thing, Genie! You know a lot, don't you?" + +"'Course I do. Come on, Dolly," and the child pulled at Doily's sleeve. + +"All right, I will," and the two went together over to the Rose house. + +Dotty in her room, heard Dolly's voice below stairs and came running +down. Her anger was all past, and she was more than ready to be friends +again. + +"Let's go out and see the tent," said Dolly, as the two met in the hall. + +"All right, let's," and out they went. + +"Did you fix it up, Genie?" said her mother, who had pretty much known +what was going on. + +"Yes'm, I fixed it up," and Genie ran after the black puppy, who with +judicial foresight was running away from her. + +"Tell me about the people who are coming, Dolly," said Dotty. "Who are +the nicest ones?" + +"You may not like the same ones I do; but Clara Ferris is my most +intimate friend of the lot." + +"As intimate as I am?" + +"Well, of course, I've known her so much longer, you see, she seems more +intimate." + +"But we're sort of twins, you know." + +"Only sort of; we're not really. Well, anyway, there's Celia and then +there's Maisie May." + +"Maisie May! What a funny name!" + +"Well, it's her name all the same. And the two Rawlins girls, Grace and +Ethel." + +"Are they nice?" + +"Lovely. They live on the next block below us. Their brother is coming, +too. Clayton, his name is." + +"What other boys?" + +"Oh, Reggie Stuart and Lollie Henry--" + +"Lollie! What a ridiculous name for a boy!" + +"His real name is Lorillard. He's an awfully nice boy. He plays the +cornet in school sometimes for us to march by. Then there's Joe Collins. +He's the funniest thing! Makes you laugh all the time. And a lot of +others; I can't tell you about all of them." + +"Never mind; I'll catch onto them as they come. Do you think they'll +like me, Dolly?" + +"Of course they will; why wouldn't they?" + +"I don't know; but with such a lot of them, I feel kind of shy." + +"Pooh; Dot Rose, you couldn't be shy if you tried!" + +"It isn't shy, exactly; but I'm afraid they won't think I'm nice." + +"Oh, yes, they will; don't be silly. Anyway, some of them will. And +maybe you won't like all of them. Everybody can't like everybody,--you +know." + +"No, I s'pose not. What do we do? Stand up to receive them?" + +"Of course! Did you think we sat down? Haven't you ever had a party?" + +"Not such a big one." + +"Well, I've had lots of 'em. We stand side by side, and I'll introduce +everybody to you. Of course, Mumsie and Trude will be around, and your +mother and your aunt,--won't they? Don't try to remember all their +names, 'cause you can't, and you can pick them up later." + +"What a lot you know!" and Dotty looked at Dolly with a thoughtful +admiration. + +"I know why," said Dolly, with a sudden flash of enlightenment; "it's +'cause I have an older sister. Trudy is 'out,' you know, and I'm sort of +accustomed to comp'ny; but you have a _little_ sister, so you haven't +had so much experience." + +"Yes, that's it," and Dotty comprehended. "All right, you can show me, +and I'll do whatever you say." + + + + +CHAPTER V + +THE DOUBLE PARTY + + +The party was from four to seven. Before the hour the girls were in +readiness and waiting on the lawn, midway between the two houses, to +receive their guests. + +Dolly Fayre wore a white organdie, all lacy with little ruffles and a +light blue sash with blue silk stockings and white slippers. + +Dotty Rose had on a lovely white voile with pink ribbons and pink +stockings. + +Both girls wore their hair in a long loose braid, with a big ribbon at +the top of the braid. + +"Didn't leave off hair-ribbons, did you?" said Dolly, smiling. + +"No, Mother wouldn't hear of it. She says we ought to wear them until +we're sixteen, anyway." + +"I don't care much, do you?" + +"No; only I'd rather leave them off. It didn't rain, you see." + +"I should say not! It's a perfect day. Did you put a pink ribbon on +Blot?" + +"Yes, he looks lovely! Oh, here's Flossy, in her blue bow. If they'll +only behave themselves!" + +The puppy and the kitten had become fairly good friends, by reason of +their two young mistresses' training; and frequently met without +fighting, though this was not to be depended on. + +"Oh, here comes somebody, Dolly! I feel as if I should run away!" + +"Nonsense, Dot! don't be silly! It's only Joe Collins. Hello, Joe; this +is my new friend, Dorothy Rose. It's her party, same as mine." + +Joe was far from bashful. "Hay-o, Dorothy," he said, gaily. "Aren't you +afraid you'll get off the line? My, but you girls are particular to +stand just so!" + +Dorothy flashed a smile at him. Somehow her shyness vanished, and she +replied, "Oh, we only stood that way, waiting for somebody to come. Now, +we can move around," and she took a few jumpy skips around the lawn. "Do +you live near here?" she went on, by way of conversation. + +"Couple o' blocks away. Hope we'll be friends." + +"'Course we will. And I've got a brother about your size; you'll like +him." + +"Is he here?" + +"No; he's away at school. Be home in about two weeks. Come and see him +then." + +"I will. Here come the Brown twins. Know 'em?" + +"No, I don't know anybody. My! Aren't they alike?" + +They certainly were, and when Dolly introduced Tod and Tad Brown, Dotty +frankly stared at them. + +"I never saw such twinsy twins before," she said; "do you know +yourselves apart?" + +"Not always," replied one of them. "But I think I'm Tod, and my brother +is Tad. Of course our Sunday names are Todhunter and Tadema, but Tod and +Tad are much better for every day use." + +Then some girls came; Clara Ferris was among the first; and then Grace +and Ethel Rawlins, and Maisie May. + +Dotty took a quick liking to the last named, for she was a bright, +pretty girl who seemed eager to be friends. + +Clayton Rawlins came too, and Lollie Henry, and then they came in such +numbers that Dotty couldn't catch all the names nor remember those she +did catch. + +The girls had laid off their hats and wraps in the Fayre house, and the +boys in the Rose house, as every means was used to have the party +equally divided. + +At first they played games. The Fayres had a tennis court, and the Roses +a croquet ground. Also, Mr. Rose had contributed as his "surprise" to +the party a set of Lawn Bowls. This was a new sport to many of them and +all liked it, and took turns at the bowling. Others wandered about the +grounds or sat in the swings and hammocks, and at five o'clock they were +called to supper. + +Little tables had been placed on the lawn and four or six young people +were seated at each. Then the good things were brought to them. Bouillon +and tiny sandwiches, ices, cakes, jellies, bon-bons, everything that +goes to make a delightful party supper. + +The two hostesses did not sit together, and Dotty found herself with +Clara Ferris, Joe Collins and one of the Brown twins. + +"How do you like Berwick?" asked Tad Brown, as he finished his bouillon. + +"Ever so much!" returned Dotty enthusiastically; "and now I'm acquainted +with so many people I shall like it better than ever." + +"Aren't you coming to school?" + +"Not this term. It's so near closing, and Mother says next year I can go +right into High School with Dolly Fayre." + +"We'll all be in High next year," said Clara. "We're all in the same +grade, you know. But I wish you would come to school now, and be in the +Closing Exercises. We need more girls." + +"What for?" + +"Oh, for the tableaux and things. We have a splendid program. Haven't +we, Tad?" + +"How do you know he's Tad?" asked Dotty, laughing. + +"I asked him," returned Clara. "It's the only way. Nobody can tell 'em +apart." + +"'Cept Mother," said Tad, grinning. "She never makes a mistake. But the +teachers can't tell. I get kept in if Tod misses his lessons, and he +gets marked if I'm late." + +"Don't you mind?" + +"No; 'cause it evens up in the long run. Tod's better-natured than I am, +but I'm prettier." + +"Why, how can you be?" cried Dotty; "you're exactly alike." + +"Oh, _I_ can see it! I'm _much_ better-looking." Tad's honest, round, +freckled face was winsome but not handsome, and the girls laughed at +this make-believe vanity. + +Dolly was at a table with the other Brown boy and Grace Rawlins and +Lollie Henry. + +"Dotty Rose is pretty, isn't she?" said Grace. + +"Awfully pretty," agreed Dolly, "and a nice girl, too. I like her lots." + +"Some looker!" declared Lollie Henry, gazing with admiration over at +Dotty, who was laughing merrily. + +"She's my sister," put in Genie, who was a restless spirit, and having +finished her supper, was roaming around among the tables talking to +different ones. + +"So she is," and Dolly patted the glossy, black curls. + +"Looks like a spitfire, though, if she should get mad," commented Tod +Brown, who was an outspoken boy. + +"Oh, I don't think so," returned Dolly; and then she remembered the few +trifling quarrels they had already had. "No," she went on, "Dotty isn't +a spitfire; but when she gets mad she just flounces off and gets over +it." + +"Just like a girl!" said Tod; "why don't you have it out, and done with +it?" + +"That's what Bert always says," and Dolly laughed. "I guess girls and +boys are different about such things." + +"I guess they are," said Grace, looking rueful. "Maisie May and I have +been 'mad' for two weeks now." + +"Oh, how silly!" exclaimed Lollie Henry. "I'm going to get you two girls +together and make you make up!" + +"Yes, let's," said Tad; "come on now; I've finished my ice cream, +haven't you, Dolly?" + +They all had, and they followed Tad, who was ringleader in this game. +The others had mostly risen from the tables, and Tad told Dolly to get +Maisie and bring her over to their group. + +Grace Rawlins looked a little uncertain. She honestly wanted to be +friends with Maisie but she was not sure she liked the way it was being +brought about. + +Dolly came back, arm in arm with Maisie. + +The two boys stood in front of Grace until the girls came up, and then +Tad, whisking aside, said, with a low bow: "Miss Maisie May, I want to +make you acquainted with Miss Grace Rawlins, the nicest girl in Berwick, +except the rest of them." + +Maisie coloured and looked half-angry, half-amused, and Tad went on: "I +see by the papers that you two girls don't know each other to speak to, +so Dolly Fayre and us two boys are a committee of three to see that you +become acquainted immediately if not sooner. You two will therefore now +greet each other with a nice, sweet kiss." + +Tad's manner was so funny and so like a kindly old gentleman, that the +girls had to laugh. + +But though Grace looked willing to obey the order, Maisie did not. + +"Don't be silly, Tad," she said; "I guess you don't know what Grace said +about me, or you wouldn't ask me to kiss her!" + +"Tell me," said Tad, with the air of an impartial judge, "and I and my +wise colleague, Mr. Lorillard Henry, will size up the case and pronounce +judgment." + +"Why, she said I was the meanest girl in Berwick, because I wouldn't +tell her the answer to an algebra example. And I couldn't, because Miss +Haskell had made us all promise not to tell the answers to anybody--she +wanted everybody to do them without help." + +"Seems to me you did the right thing," and Tad looked at Grace. + +"I didn't know that," said Grace. "I wasn't at school the day Miss +Haskell said that." + +"Then you couldn't be expected to know," said Tad; "now, it's just as I +said, a boy would fight it out with another boy, and he might punch his +head, but the matter would be understood and straightened out, and not +sulk for two weeks over it." + +"I didn't sulk," said Grace. + +"Well, you two sillies didn't speak to each other,--it's about the same +thing. _Now_ will you be good! Will you kiss and make up?" + +"I will," said Maisie May, heartily, and she flung her arms round Grace, +and gave her a most friendly kiss, which was as heartily returned. + +"Bless you, my children!" said Tad, dramatically. "Now don't let me hear +of your quarrelling again! Are you mad at anybody, Dolly?" + +"No, sir, thank you; but if I am, at any time, I'll come to you for a +peacemaker." + +"Oh, _look_ who's here!" cried Lollie, spying a strange figure walking +across the lawn. + +The group joined the others and found themselves invited to take a seat +in the rows of chairs which were lined up in front of an +interesting-looking table. + +They did so, and soon all present were seated in breathless anticipation +of what might happen. + +The tea tables had been whisked away, and at the door of the tent the +stranger stood,--a table in front of him. + +He was a magician, and the tricks he did held his young auditors +spellbound. + +Turning back his coat sleeves to prove he was concealing nothing, he +would take a large sheet of white paper, and with a swift movement +twirl it round into a cornucopia. This was, of course, empty, and +shaking it about to prove its emptiness, he then held it upright, and +invited Dolly to look into it. But he held it so high, that she had to +stand on tiptoe to peep in. However, she caught a glimpse, and it seemed +to her there were pink flowers in it. + +Then the magician asked Dotty to peep in. She peered over the edge, and +just as she exclaimed, "Why, it's full of flowers!" he overturned it on +her head, and she was showered with lovely pink rosebuds made of tissue +paper! + +"Where did they come from?" cried everybody, as they scrambled to pick +them up. "The cone was empty! Where did he get them?" + +But the magician only smiled, and went on with his other tricks. + +"Has any one a gold watch?" he asked. + +Not many of the boys had gold watches, but Lollie Henry exhibited with +pride one that his grandfather had given him on his birthday. + +"May I borrow it?" said the magician; "ah, thank you," and he took it +before Lollie had really consented. + +"Now, a silk hat. Much obliged, sir," as Mr. Fayre provided the hat. + +"Now, my young friends, we'll make an omelet. Two eggs, +somebody,--please?" + +Nobody had any eggs, and the magician seemed nonplussed. "What, no eggs +in all this well-dressed crowd? Incredible! Ah, come here, little girl!" +He caught Genie, who was running about. "Why, here is an egg in the big +bow of your hair-ribbon! And here is another in the other bow! What a +strange place to carry eggs! Did Mother send you to the store for them?" + +"No, sir," said Genie, looking in amazement at the unmistakable eggs the +man had evidently found in her ribbon. "I should think they would have +dropped out sooner!" + +"I should think so too," returned the magician; "lucky for me they +didn't, or I could not have made the nice omelet I'm about to concoct." + +He set the silk hat on the table, laid the watch and eggs beside it, and +then called for a cup of milk. + +Somehow or other Mrs. Fayre had that all ready and handed it to him with +a smile. + +"Good!" said the magician; "now we'll to work! I suppose many of you +girls know how to make an omelet, so you must look sharp and see that I +do it right. First, we'll break the eggs and whisk them up." + +He broke the eggs right into the silk hat, and stirred them with a fork +and then poured in the milk slowly, stirring all the time. + +"Something else goes to an omelet," he said, trying to think; "ah, yes, +some sort of an herb. Ah, I have it! Thyme! Well, well, Mr. Fayre, do +you raise thyme in your kitchen garden? No? What a pity! But, luckily, I +have time right here!" He took up Lollie's watch. "Ah, just, the thing!" + +He threw the watch in the hat, and began to beat it with his heavy fork. + +He looked anxiously in the hat. "Wants to be crushed," he said; "can't +get the flavour of time unless it's crushed. Ah, here we are!" and he +picked up a kitchen poker that had appeared from nowhere in particular. + +With that he beat and pounded and banged the watch, and then with a big +spoon, he dipped up spoonfuls of the mixture and let it run back into +the hat. The children could distinctly see the bits of brass or steel +wheels and springs, and even fragments of the gold case. + +Lollie looked a little sober, but said no word of fear for his watch's +safety. + +"Now, we'll cook it," said the magician, and he poured the "omelet" into +a bright, clean frying-pan. + +"Where's the fire?" he asked, holding the pan high aloft, and looking +all about. + +"There isn't any," said Mr. Fayre; "you didn't tell me to provide a +fire." + +"You should have known enough for that!" shouted the magician, as if in +anger. "Well, as we have no fire, of course, we can't make our omelet. +So take back your things." + +From the frying-pan he poured a cup of clear milk, which he gave to Mrs. +Fayre. Then he took out of the same pan two eggs, which he handed to +Genie, intact and unbroken. Then he hesitated, saying, "What else did I +borrow?" + +"A watch!" "A gold watch!" cried a dozen voices. + +"Oh, yes, to be sure!" and the magician, smiling, passed the pan to +Lollie, and there on its clean, shining surface, lay the gold watch, +absolutely unharmed. + +Such a clapping of applause! for many of the young audience had been +forced to believe that the watch was utterly ruined. + +That closed the entertainment, and soon after that the young guests went +home. + +"How do you s'pose he did it?" Dolly asked of Dotty, as they sat in the +swing, talking over the party. + +"Oh, it's easy enough," returned Dotty. "They don't really break up the +watch, you know." + +"Of course I know that! But how _do_ they do it? What becomes of the +broken eggs and all?" + +"I don't know, but I've seen magic tricks before and they always bring +everything out right somehow!" + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +ROLLER SKATING + + +The day after the party the two girls sat as usual in the big swing +talking things over. + +"I like that boy with the funny name," said Dotty; "the one they call +Lollie. Such a silly name for a boy!" + +"Yes; such a dignified name as Lorillard ought not to have such a silly +nickname. But he's always called Lollie. He is a nice boy, but I like +Joe Collins better." + +"Yes, he's funny and makes you laugh all the time. But those twin boys +are the nicest of all. What funny names they all have. Tod and Tad!" + +"How do you like the girls?" + +"The Rawlins girls are nice and Celia Ferris. But I like you best, +Dolly, and except for parties I don't care so much about a crowd. Let's +go roller skating." + +"Oh, no; let's sit here and swing; it's too hot to skate." + +"Pshaw! come on. You're too lazy for anything. You just sit around and +do nothing and that's what makes you so fat. Get your skates and I'll +race you around the block. Really, Doll, you ought to take more exercise +or you'll get terribly fat." + +"Well, you'd better not take so much then, for you're as thin as a +ping-wing now!" + +"What's a ping-wing?" + +"I don't know, but it's the thinnest thing there is. All right, I'll +skate around the block once or twice, and then we'll go and see if there +are any little cakes left over from yesterday." + +In a short time the two girls had their skates on and started to roll +along the smooth, wide pavements of Summit Avenue. + +"Let's do this," proposed Dotty. "Start right here in front of our +house; you go one way and I the other round the whole block and see if +we can come back and meet right straight here." + +"All right, but I know I can't go as fast as you do. You skate like a +streak of lightning." + +"Well, I'll go sort of slow for me, and you go as swift as you can, and +let's try to come together right here." + +The two girls started in opposite directions, and turned their +respective corners on their way around the block. In due time they +passed each other in the street back of their own, and Dotty nodded +approval as she saw they were about half way round. They didn't pause to +exchange any words but, waving their hands, went on their way and +rounded again on Summit Avenue. + +As they saw each other approach, they regulated their speed in a careful +attempt to meet exactly where they had started. Dotty had to curb her +speed and go a little more slowly or she would be ahead of time. But +Dolly saw that it would take a pretty strong spurt for her to reach the +goal, so when they were about ten feet apart Dolly made a special effort +and put all her strength into a last grand dash. Dotty hadn't looked for +this and as she rolled rather slowly to the appointed place Dolly came +along and with a fell swoop, unable to control her direction, she +crashed right into Dotty and the two girls went down in a heap. The +impact was so sudden and unexpected that neither had a chance to save +herself in any way and there was a tangle of waving arms and legs, and +skate-rollers as the crash occurred. + +"I've broken myself," Dolly announced calmly, though her voice sounded +dazed and queer. Dotty opened her mouth to speak but changed her mind +and gave voice to the wildest kind of a shriek. She followed this up +with several others of increasing force and volume and looked at Dolly, +wondering why she didn't yell too. But the reason was that Dolly had +fainted and the white face and closed eyes of her friend made Dotty +scream louder than ever. + +Various members of the two families ran to the scene, as well as several +neighbours. + +Mrs. Fayre and Mrs. Rose looked on somewhat helplessly at the two girls, +but Aunt Clara went at once at the rescue. She and Trudy lifted Dotty to +her feet and found she could stand. + +"Try to stop screaming, dearie," said Aunt Clara, "and tell me where +you're hurt." + +"I don't know," cried Dotty; "I don't know and I don't care! But Dolly +is dead! My Dolly, my own Dollyrinda is dead! And it's all my fault +'cause I made her go skating, and my arm hurts awful! Ow!" + +"Her arm is broken," said Mrs. Bayliss, gently lifting Dotty's right +hand, which caused more piercing shrieks. "What shall we do? Somebody +call a doctor quick!" + +Meanwhile the strong arms of a neighbour's gardener had lifted Dolly and +was carrying her toward her own home. + +"It's her leg that's bruk," he said, holding her as gently as possible. +"It's good luck she fainted; she'll come round all right, but she's bruk +a bone, the poor dear." + +It seemed ages to the anxious mothers and friends, but it was really +only a short time before doctors arrived and the two little sufferers +were put to bed and their injuries attended to. + +Sure enough Dolly's leg was broken, and Dotty had a fractured arm. + +Both houses were in a tumult of confusion as surgeons and nurses took +possession and bones were set and splints and bandages applied. + +Dolly Fayre took it quietly and seemed almost awestricken, when at last +she realised that she was in her bed to stay for several weeks. + +"But it doesn't hurt much," she said wonderingly to Trudy. "Why does it +take so long to get well?" + +"Because the bone has to knit, dear, and that is a slow process. I'm +glad it doesn't hurt, but it may at times. The worst, though, is that +you will get very tired lying still so long. But I know what a brave +little girl you are, and we will all do all we can to help and amuse +you." + +"Did Dotty break anything?" + +"Yes, she broke her left arm. That is not as bad as your breaking your +leg, for she can walk about sooner than you can. But hers is more +painful, so there's small choice in the two accidents." + +"Is she yelling like fury?" inquired Dolly, who herself lay placid and +white-faced, though her blue eyes showed the strain she had undergone. + +"Yes, she is," and Trudy smiled a little. "You two children are so +different. I wish you would yell a little and not look so patiently +miserable." + +"What's Dolly yelling about? Because she hurts so?" + +"Partly that; and partly because she's blaming herself for the whole +thing." + +"How ridiculous! She isn't a bit more to blame than I am. She proposed +skating, but it was because I ran into her that we fell down. I tried to +steer out but I couldn't." + +"Don't think about who is to blame; that doesn't matter. The only thing +to think about is to get well as quick as you can." + +"But we can't do anything to help that along; the doctors have to do +that." + +"Indeed you can help a lot. If you're patient and quiet and cheerful you +will get well sooner than if you fuss and fret and cry. That might cause +fever and inflammation and all sorts of things." + +Trudy was sitting on the edge of Dolly's bed and she smiled lovingly +down at her little sister. "I'm going to take care of you," she went on; +"Mother wants to have a trained nurse, but I think you would like it +better to have me for a nurse, wouldn't you?" + +"I'd like it better," and Dolly looked up wistfully, "but I don't want +to bother you too much, Trudy." + +"Oh, it isn't any bother, and besides, Mother will do a great deal of +the nursing. Here she comes now with your luncheon." + +Mrs. Fayre came in, bringing a dainty tray on which was a small bowl of +broth and some crackers. + +"The nurse has gone," she announced, "and I'm glad of it. It was +necessary to have her here while the doctors set the broken bones, and +she will come in every morning as long as may be necessary. But it's +much nicer to be in charge of this case myself and have full +jurisdiction over my patient." + +"Oh, ever so much nicer, Mother," and Dolly raised affectionate blue +eyes to her mother's face. "Can I sit up to eat?" + +"No, honey; you'll have to learn to eat lying down. But Mother will feed +you and we'll pretend you're one of those grand Roman ladies who always +ate their meals reclining on a couch." + +So, although not altogether a comfortable procedure, Dolly took her +first lesson in swallowing without raising her head. + +Meantime somewhat different scenes were being enacted next door. + +Dotty's more excitable nature had been thoroughly upset by the shock of +the accident, the pain of her injury and the remorse that she felt at +feeling herself responsible for the tragedy. + +Her screams were hysterical and the efforts of her mother, her aunt and +the nurse to quiet her were alike unavailing. + +"I've killed my Dolly! I've killed my Dolly!" she would cry over and +over, and though they told her that Dolly Fayre was resting quietly and +suffering very little pain, she would not believe it and insisted they +were deceiving her. + +"You only say that to quiet me!" she cried. "I know it isn't true. I +know Dolly has broken most all her bones and I know she'll never walk +again. Why, I saw her myself, all limp and dead-looking. If she lives +she'll be a cripple. Oh, my arm! my arm! I wish they'd cut it off! I'd +rather not have it at all than have it hurt like this." + +Impulsive Dotty tried to move her injured arm and then shrieked with the +pain it caused her. + +"You mustn't do that!" said Nurse Johnson somewhat severely; "if you +try to move that arm it won't heal right and you'll have to have it +broken over again and re-set." + +Dotty glared at the nurse and then screamed: "I hate you! You go right +straight out of this house! My mother can take care of me good enough +and I don't want you around." + +"There, there, Dotty dear," said Mrs. Rose; "don't talk to nurse like +that. She has been very kind to you; and it's true if you move your arm +around like that or try to do so, you'll make your injury far worse." + +"I don't care! I want to make it worse! I want to have it cut off! I +won't have a broken arm,-- I won't-- I won't!" + +"Don't mind her, nurse; she's beside herself with pain and fright." + +"Oh, that's all right, Mrs. Rose," and the white-capped nurse smiled; "I +don't blame little girls for being cantankerous when they're laid up +like this. It's awful hard on them and nobody knows it better than I do. +And I'm not going to stay long, Miss Dotty. Only a day or two till your +mother and aunt get the knack of taking care of you." + +"I shall be head nurse," said Mrs. Bayliss, smiling at Dotty, "and your +mother shall be my assistant." + +"I don't want you for my nurse, Aunt Clara, and I don't want Miss +Johnson, I just want Mother all the time." + +"Yes, Dotty, dear, Mother will be here all the time," and Mrs. Rose +gently stroked the moist dark curls back from the little brow. + +For a few moments Dotty was quieter, and then she screamed out again, +"Tell me about Dolly, tell me the truth about Dolly. Did she break both +her legs?" + +"No, dear, only one. It has been set and she is doing nicely, although +she will be in bed for a long time. You will probably get up and go to +see her long before she can come in here." + +"I want to go now!" and Dotty tried to rise; "I want to see Dolly! I +must see Dolly!" + +Gently but firmly the nurse held Dotty down on the pillows. "Lie still," +she commanded, for she saw that stern measures were necessary. + +"I can't lie still, when I don't know how Dolly is! I don't believe what +you tell me about her. But I'll believe Genie. She always tells me the +truth. Come here, Genie!" + +Dotty screamed her sister's name in a loud voice, and the little girl +came running into the sick room. + +Genie looked scared and white-faced as she saw Dotty in splints and +bandages. + +"Genie," said Dotty, and her black eyes burned like coals, "you go +straight over to Fayres and see Dolly. See for yourself and see just how +she is and come straight back and tell me." + +"Let her go," said the nurse; "that's a good idea." + +So Genie ran over to the next house and found Mrs. Fayre. + +"Please let me see Dolly," she said earnestly, "'cause if I don't Dotty +thinks she's dead, and then Dotty will die too, so please let me see +her, Mrs. Fayre. Can't I?" + +After some consideration Mrs. Fayre said Genie might go to Dolly's room +for a few moments. + +"How are you, Dolly?" said the child, marching in and standing by the +bedside with the air of a Royal Messenger. + +"I'm pretty good," and Dolly smiled wanly at her little visitor. "How's +Dotty?" + +"Dotty's awful. But she'll be better when she knows how you are. So tell +me zactly." + +"Well, tell Dotty my right leg is broken. One of the bones just above +the ankle. But tell her except for that, I'm all right and for her not +to worry about me and we'll see who can get well first. And give her my +love and--and--oh, that's all, good-bye, Genie!" + +The little girl ran out of the room and as soon as she disappeared Dolly +burst into floods of weeping. That was her way of relieving her +overburdened nerves instead of screaming hysterically like Dotty. + +Trudy tried to soothe her, but there was no staying the torrent of +tears, until at last they stopped because Dolly was exhausted. + +"There," said Mrs. Fayre brightly as she wiped Dolly's eyes, "I'm just +glad you did that! There's nothing like a good cry to straighten things +out. Now I shouldn't be one bit surprised if you could take a nice +little nap." And Dolly did so. + +Meantime Genie trotted home with her comforting news for Dotty. + +"Dolly's all right," she announced. "'Cept one leg is broked. But that's +all. Only just one bone of one leg. And she says to see who'll get well +first." + +"How did she look?" asked Dotty eagerly. + +"Like a angel," replied Genie, enthusiastically. "Her face was all white +and her eyes were so blue and her hair was all goldy and braided in two +curly braids tickling around her ears. Oh, she looked lovely! Heaps +better than you do, Dot. Your face is all red and splotchy, and your +eyes are as big as saucers and your hair looks like the dickens." + +"I don't care," said Dotty, crossly; "I don't care how I look." + +"But I care how you feel," said her mother, "and now you know that Dolly +is very much alive, I'm sure you'll let nurse bathe your face and brush +your hair and then I'm going to sing you to sleep." + + * * * * * + +As is usual in case of broken bones the first night proved a very trying +time for all concerned. + +Dolly Fayre, though an unusually patient child, felt as if she could not +bear the pain and discomfort of her strapped and splinted leg. Her +mother and Trudy, and her father too, did all they could to alleviate +her sufferings, but the uncontrollable tears welled up in the blue eyes +and rolled over the fevered cheeks of the little sufferer. + +"I try to be good, Father," she said, as Mr. Fayre bent over her, "but +it does hurt so awful." + +"Does it, you dear blessed baby? Let Daddy cuddle your head in his arm, +so, and sing to you, maybe that will help." + +But when Mr. Fayre gently put his arm under the golden head on the +pillow Dolly cried out that his coat sleeve was too scratchy. + +"Well, now, we'll just fix that! Give me one of your dressing gowns, +Mother." + +Dolly had to laugh a little when Mrs. Fayre brought a silk kimono of her +own and managed to get its loose folds draped around her stalwart +husband. + +"_Now_ I rather guess we won't scratch our poor little fevery cheeks," +and Mr. Fayre so deftly slipped his silk clad arm under Dolly's head, +that she rested in his strong clasp with a feeling of security and +comfort. + +"That's lovely, Daddy; it just seems as if I had some of your big strong +strength and my pain doesn't hurt so much." + +Then Mr. Fayre sang in soft low tones which greatly soothed the little +patient. But not for long. All through the night the paroxysms of agony +would recur and poor little Dolly cried like a baby, because she +couldn't possibly help it. + +But the Rose family had even worse times to take care of Dotty. She, +too, suffered intensely and even made it worse because she wouldn't stay +still. With a sudden jerk she would sit up in bed and then scream with +the pain occasioned by wrenching her injured arm. + +"You mustn't do that, dear," said Mr. Rose, who usually could calm Dotty +in her most wilful moments. + +"I have to!" cried the little girl; "you would, too, if your arm was all +on fire, and shooting needles into you and not set right and has to be +broken over again and all twisted up and hanging by a thread, anyway! +Ow!--ow!--OW!!" Her voice rose in a shrill screech and she rocked back +and forth in her pain and anger. + +"Now, Dotty dear," said her father, "you must realise that you make +matters a great deal worse by jumping around and moving your arm--" + +"But I can't help it! I'm going to shake it till I shake it off!" and +Dotty gave a violent shake of her shoulders and then screamed with the +added pain she brought on herself. + +She so disarranged the bandages that it was necessary to telephone for +the doctor at once to readjust them. + +"This won't do, young lady," said Dr. Milton as he looked at the havoc +she had wrought in his careful work; "if you keep up these performances +you'll have to be strapped to the bed so tightly that you can't move +either arm. How would you like that?" + +"I'd break loose somehow! you shan't strap me down!" Dotty's eyes +blazed and her black curls bobbed as she shook her head angrily at the +doctor. + +But Dr. Milton paid little heed to her words. He redressed her arm and +then said in his firm yet pleasant way: "I don't know you very well, +Miss Dotty, but I perceive you have a strong will of your own. Now are +you going to use it rightly to help yourself get well, or wrongly to +make all the trouble possible for yourself and every one else?" + +Dotty looked at him. She was not accustomed to this kind of talk, for +her parents were inclined to be over indulgent with her tantrums and her +temper. + +"I do want to get well as soon as I can," she said, "and I will try to +be good,--but you don't know how it hurts." + +"Yes, I do know," and the good doctor smiled down at her; "I know it +hurts like fury! like the very dickens and all! and I know it's just all +you can do to bear it. But if you can get through to-night, I'll promise +you it'll feel better to-morrow." + +He went away and Dotty did try to be as good as she could, but the awful +twinges of pain frequently made her forget her resolutions and to +herself and the whole household it seemed as if the night would never +end. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +TWO BIG BROTHERS + + +"Whoop-oo! Whoop-ee! Hoo-ray!! Where are you? Hey! Hi!!" + +With half a dozen steps, Bob Rose ran up the staircase of his new home +in Berwick, to Dotty's room. + +As he had been at school when the family moved he had never seen the +house before, and now, the school term over, he had come home for +vacation and his first thought was for his broken-armed sister. + +It was two weeks since the accident, but Dotty was still in bed. Her arm +was doing nicely, but she was such a nervous and excitable child that it +was thought best to keep her as quiet as possible. She was sitting up in +a nest of pillows and a rose coloured kimono was draped round her +bound-up arm. But she waved the other hand gaily as Bob dashed into the +room. + +"Well, old girl," he cried, "this is the limit! The idea of your +smashing yourself like this! Here I've played every old kind of ball and +everything else and never broke one of my two hundred and eight blessed +bones! And you just go out on lady-like roller skates and come a +cropper. Fie upon you! does it hurt much?" + +"You bet it hurts, Bob! Nothing like it did at first, but it hurts a +good deal, and it's awful uncomfortable. I can't move it, you know, and +I can't do hardly anything for myself." + +"Pooh! pshaw! of course you can do things for yourself. What a chump you +are, Dot. Why it's your left arm, you ought to be able to do everything +in creation with your right arm alone, except maybe play the piano or +clap your hands. I'll show you how to do things. Is your right arm all +right?" + +"Yes, I s'pose so, but I haven't used it any." + +"Jiminy crickets, isn't that just like a girl! Honest, Dot, I thought +you'd have more spunk. But I'll put you through, with bells on!" + +Bob Rose, just turned eighteen, was a boyish duplicate of Dotty. He had +the same snapping black eyes and his hair though short had a curly twist +to it which, though he hated it himself made a becoming frame for his +handsome face. He was overflowing with mischief and life and was devoted +to athletic or outdoor sports of all kinds. He was very fond of his +sister and the two had always been great chums, though frequently +indulging in spirited quarrels. + +"What's this place like, anyway?" he inquired, as he sat on the edge of +Dotty's bed and draped his long arm over the footboard. "You've got a +jolly room all right," and he looked round admiringly at the pretty rose +and grey effects. + +"Yes, isn't it lovely! It was my birthday present,--the furnishings, I +mean. I wrote you about it, you know. We were going to fix up a lovely +room for you, too, but after I broke my arm, Mother and Aunt Clara +didn't have time to do anything but tend to me." + +"Well, they'll catch time now. I want a room fixed up for me as good as +yours,--but not so dinky-fussy. I'll pick out the things myself. You +needn't think you own the whole shooting-match, Miss Dotty-Doodles! I +just guess Brother Bob home on his vacation will come in for his share +of attention! You won't be neglected, I'll look out for that, but just +remember that I'm here, too. What's the town like?" + +"I don't know myself much. You see we had our party and I met a lot of +the boys and girls and then the very next day I smashed myself and of +course I haven't seen any of them since." + +"But you can pretty soon now. Why, it's only your arm, your legs are all +right, you can walk, can't you? Why don't you go downstairs and have +people come to see you?" + +"I couldn't see people in a dressing-gown!" + +"Well, Mother can rig you up a basque or a polonaise or something. Or +put on a raincoat or an Indian blanket,--but for goodness' sake get out +and around. I'll stir you up--" + +"Here, here, what's going on?" and Mrs. Rose came in just in time to +hear Bob's last words. "You're not to stir Dotty up, Bob, we want to +keep her quiet." + +"Quiet nothing! She'll dry up and blow away if she doesn't get a move +on! You're going to rig her up some sort of civilian dress Mother and +get her downstairs this very day. She's not sick or going into a +decline, is she?" + +The influence of Bob's breezy chatter had wrought a change in Dotty. +During the two weeks that had just passed she had become peevish and +fretful from enforced inactivity and now the thought of getting up and +going downstairs had brought the smiles to her face and the light to her +eyes. + +Moreover, Mrs. Rose was impressed also by the determination of her big +young son and began to think that perhaps his way might be right after +all. + +"Now you've got to tend to me, Mumsie," Bob said in his wheedlesome +way, as he caressed his mother in a big bearish fashion. "You've got to +fix up a room for me, all just as I want it, and you've got to make me +chocolate cakes and all sorts of good things to eat, and you've got to +do lots of things for your prodigal son. Dotty has had her turn and now +it's mine, but while you're busy about me, I'll look after Dot, bless +her old heart!" And Bob blew a kiss from his finger tips to his pretty +sister who had already begun to take a new interest in life. + +"Hello, Aunt Clara," Bob called out as Mrs. Bayliss passed through the +hall, "come in here and help us dressmakers. Can't you rig up a costume +for Dot that will be presentable to wear downstairs?" + +"Downstairs!" exclaimed Aunt Clara; "did the doctor say she could go +down?" + +"Dr. Bob said so!" and the boy laughed. "I know all about broken arms, +and there's no use giving in to them too much. The more you do for them, +the more you may. Now Dotty is going to forget hers and have just as +good a time as if she never broke it. I say, Dot, how's that chum of +yours, you wrote me about? Is this her picture? Wow! Ain't she the +peach!" + +Bob picked up the picture of Dolly from Dotty's dressing-table and +admired it openly. "Does she really look like that?" + +"Yes," and Dotty waxed enthusiastic; "she's beautiful. Just like a pinky +rose with blue eyes." + +"She broke her leg didn't she, in your all-comers' scrap?" + +"Yes; she can't move for six weeks." + +"Well, two weeks are gone now, that's something. Can't I see her? I'd +like to sympathise." + +"Oh, yes, Bob, of course you must see her, but I don't want you to go +over there till I can go with you." + +"Oh, I'm not going to wait for that. I must have a peep at this +blue-eyed fairy for myself. Any go to her?" + +"Not much," and Dotty smiled. "Dolly's a perfect dear, but she's slow." + +"All right, we'll have to hurry her along a little. When does her +brother come home? Have you ever seen him? What's he like?" + +"He's coming day after to-morrow. No, I've never seen him, but Dolly +thinks he just about made the world." + +"Well, I'll reserve my opinion till I see the bunch. Honest, old girl, +I'm glad you're getting along as well as you are, but I'm going to do +wonders for you. It's going to be lucky for you that you've got Brother +on the job. Why, Dot, we were all going camping this summer, you know, +what about that?" + +"We haven't planned for the summer yet, Bobs," said his mother. "Perhaps +by August, if Dotty is all right, we can go somewhere for awhile." + +"You bet we will!" returned Bob. "Dotty will be all right!" + + * * * * * + +The next day but one Mrs. Rose took her big boy over to call on Dolly +Fayre. + +Though unable to leave her bed, Dolly could sit up and was allowed to +see a few visitors each day. It was her nature to be quiet, so she was a +much more tractable patient than Dotty and her broken bone had already +begun to knit and was getting along nicely. It was very monotonous to +sit or lie there day after day, but Dolly was patient and always took +things placidly. Her parents and Trudy read to her and played games with +her and entertained her in various ways and Dolly was as cheerful as any +little girl could be in such circumstances. + +It was a bitter disappointment to her that she could not take part in +the Closing Exercises of her class. But she was reconciled to her fate +and made no complaints, though deeply regretting her enforced absence +from school. Her classmates came to see her occasionally, but they were +so busy preparing for the celebration that they had little time for +social calls. + +Dotty looked forward eagerly to the homecoming of her brother Bert and +she also awaited with some curiosity the meeting with Bob Rose. + +However, she had heard so much about Bob from Dotty, that she was not +surprised when the merry-faced boy appeared at her bedside with a gay +and cheery greeting. + +"I'm Bob," he said, holding out his hand, and not waiting for his +mother's more formal introduction. + +"I'm Dolly," and the blue eyes smiled at him as a little white hand +clasped his own. + +"By Jove, you do look like your picture, only you're prettier!" +exclaimed Bob as he took the chair Mrs. Fayre offered him. + +"It's my new cap," and Dolly smiled from beneath the lacy frills and +rosebud decorations of a dainty new cap that Trudy had just made for +her. She wore a Japanese kimono of pale green silk embroidered with +white cherry blossoms, and as she sat surrounded by embroidered pillows +and lace coverlets, Bob thought he had never seen a prettier picture. + +"You look like a princess," he said. "Princess Dolly." + +"I _am_ a princess," she smiled back; "Mother and Trudy are my ladies in +waiting and do just as I bid them. How much you look like Dotty." + +"Glad you think so; I think Dot's a raving beauty. But I say, it's a +shame you two girls had to go and break each other up just when we were +going to have a perfectly good old summer time." + +"I know it; isn't it a shame. But we'll have to wait till next summer +and have the fun then." + +"'Deed we won't! You'll be outdoors by the first of August, won't you?" + +"Yes," and Dolly made a wry face, "but that's about the same as saying +the first of Eternity!" + +"Oh, not so bad as that. And anyhow I'm an inventive genius, and I'll +bet we can have some fun even before August." + +A bustle and commotion was heard downstairs just then and Dolly's face +lighted up as she heard a familiar voice. + +"Oh," she cried; "there's Bert! Come on up, Bert." + +"Sure thing!" came the reply, and in another minute Bert Fayre stood in +the doorway. + +He was a tall, slender boy of seventeen with brown hair and eyes and he +looked at Dolly with a pained expression. + +"Poor old Doll!" he said softly; "I'm _so_ sorry for you!" + +"Oh, it isn't very bad now, Bert," and Dolly smiled cheerfully. "Come on +in and meet Mrs. Rose and Bob. They're our next door neighbours." + +Bert came in and greeted the visitors with an easy grace. Then going +over to Dolly he kissed her affectionately and sat down beside her. + +The two boys silently sized each other up and each concluded that the +other seemed to be "A little bit of all right." + +They attended different schools, and soon were deep in a discussion of +their school doings. Dolly lay back among her pillows and looked at +them. She adored her brother and she decided that Dotty's brother was +also worthy of consideration. She liked Bob's breezy offhand way which +was not at all like Bert's gentle, kindly manner. But they were two +awfully nice boys and she felt sure they were going to be friends. If +only she could be up and around and have good times with them! A slight +pang of envy swept over her, as she heard Bob enthusiastically declare +that he was going to have Dot out of bed and downstairs in short order. +For no amount of enthusiasm or energy could work that miracle for Dolly, +in less than a month. But she did not show this disappointment and +chatted gaily with the boys and with Mrs. Rose and her own mother. + + * * * * * + +As the days went by the four young people became good friends. The boys +were chummy from the first and nearly every day they carried messages +back and forth for the girls. But there were long hours when the girls +were alone, and both patient Dolly and impatient Dotty deeply wished +they had never tried that roller-skate race. + +"There's no use celebrating the Fourth of July," said Bert +disconsolately, a few days before the Fourth. "We don't want a +celebration that the girls can't see." + +"Then let's have one that they can see," said Bob; "I'll tell you what +we'll do,--I've a brilliant idea." + +His idea was a brilliant one, so much so that it required the +co-operation of both families with the exception of the two girls, from +whom it was kept a secret. + +But the two D's were told that the evening of the Fourth would be a red +letter day for them and they looked forward eagerly to whatever it might +be. + +About seven o'clock on Fourth of July evening, Mrs. Fayre came into +Dolly's room with her arms full of red, white and blue material. This +proved to be a voluminous robe-like drapery which transformed Dolly +into a goddess of liberty. A liberty cap was put upon her golden head +and a silk flag was presented to her. + +"Stunning!" exclaimed Bert, who came in to view the effect. "Just you +wait, old girl, and we'll bring you something you'll like better yet!" + +So Dolly waited and in a few moments she could hear out in the hall much +giggling and many footsteps. Then Trudy came in and arranged a screen so +that the doorway from the hall was hidden. Dolly watched breathlessly +and soon heard people coming in behind the screen and recognised the +boys' voices as well as those of her father and Mr. Rose. + +"I know you're there, Bob and Bert," she called out. "Come here Bob and +see the goddess of liberty." + +"Wait a minute," said Bert, and there was more giggling and whispering. + +"Now!" said somebody and then the screen was whisked away and Dolly saw +standing before her,--Dotty! + +It really was Dotty, smiling with eagerness and dressed like Dolly in +red, white and blue. + +"Oh, Dotty!" and "Oh, Dolly!" rang out at the same moment and the two +girls stared hard at each other, for they had not seen one another's +faces since that fatal moment when they came together on their roller +skates. + +"I'm just crazy to run over there and grab you!" cried Dotty, "but I +promised I wouldn't touch you, or I might break us up all over again." + +"Well, do come over here and sit beside me, so I can be sure it's really +you. How is your arm? Does it hurt you now? Oh, what a beautiful sling!" + +Dotty's left arm was in a large sling made of dark blue studded with +silver stars and her whole dress was of red and white stripe. Her +liberty cap was just like Dolly's own, and she wore white stockings and +red slippers. + +"You poor dear," she said as she came over and sat down by Dolly's side; +"to think I can dress and go outdoors while you're still tied to your +bed." + +"But I can wave both arms about, and you can't," said Dolly as she waved +her flag above her head. + +"I think you're six of one and half a dozen of the other," said Bert. +"Now look here, Doll, we're going to push your bed up to the window so +you can see out." + +"Why?" asked Dolly; "it's almost dark now." + +"Never you mind. Little girls shouldn't ask questions. Grab that other +bed-post, Bob. Here, Dad, take hold of the head-board." + +Propelled by willing arms the bed was rolled over to the big bay window +and arranged so that Dolly had full view of the lawn between the houses. + +Then a big easy chair was arranged for Dotty and the two girls were +advised that if they would stay there they would see something worth +while. + +"Oh, it's so good to see you again," said Dotty, as the others all left +the room; "do you hurt terribly?" + +"Not so much now, but it was awful at first. Wasn't yours?" + +"Oh, terrible. Let's not talk about it. How do you like Bob?" + +"He's splendid. How do you like Bert?" + +"I think he's great. Oh, Dolly, what fun we could have if we were only +well." + +"You are. You can go outdoors." + +"Not much. This is a special dispensation to-night. And I have to have +my arm in a sling four weeks longer. It's in splints you know. I can't +do hardly anything with one hand. Bob tries to teach me, but I'm as +awkward as a cow. I'm so used to flying at everything with both hands +that I can't seem to manage." + +"It must be awful. Oh, Dot, there's a sky rocket!" + +Dotty turned quickly and looked out of the window. The skyrocket was +only the beginning of a fine display of fireworks. Mr. Rose and Mr. +Fayre had concluded that was the only sort of celebration the girls +could enjoy, so they had bought far more than their usual supply and +they made a fine showing. + +Bob had asked a number of the young people to come and see them and +Dolly and Dotty recognised many from their post of observation in the +window. + +But the mothers of the two girls would not let any of the young people +go up to Dotty's room lest the excitement be too much for her. + +After the usual quota of rockets and Roman candles there were more +elaborate pieces which flamed into fire pictures against the summer sky. + +When the fireworks were all over and the young people gone away the +girls were told that there was a little more celebration yet to come. + +Dolly's bed was pushed back to its place and Dotty was enthroned beside +it in her easy chair, when the two boys appeared, each bearing a tray of +good things. + +"This is your Fourth of July party," said Trudy, who followed. "No one +can come to it except the three Roses and the three Fayres." + +Genie came in then, and the six brothers and sisters of the two families +had a merry feast while their elders remained downstairs. + +"It's been a beautiful holiday," said Dolly, leaning back into her +pillows as she finished her ice cream. "I never dreamed I'd have any +Fourth of July celebration. The fireworks were beautiful and the party +things were lovely, but best of all is seeing Dotty again." + +"Yes," said Dotty, "I don't know how I've managed to live through the +last three weeks. But I expect I can come over to see you every day +now." + +"We'll see about that," said Mrs. Rose, coming in. "But this party must +break up now, and if it doesn't do any harm to our wounded soldiers we +may allow more of them. So say good-night, you two D's, and I'll take +_my_ little goddess of liberty home." + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +CROSSTREES CAMP + + +The summer plans of the two families were decidedly changed by the +accidents to the two little girls. + +It was the custom of the Fayres to spend the summer at a hotel in the +mountains or at the seashore, for Mrs. Fayre declared she needed a +yearly rest from housekeeping duties. + +The Rose family, preferring a different sort of enjoyment, spent their +summers at their camp in the Adirondacks, for they loved the informal +out of door life and the freedom from all conventionalities. + +The doctor had said that the two girls would be entirely restored to +health and strength and quite ready to go anywhere by the first of +August, but not much before that date. So during July the question was +discussed frequently and at length as to where Dotty and Dolly would go, +for they begged and besought their parents that they might be together. + +Now Mrs. Rose was more than willing to take Dolly to camp with her +family, and Mrs. Fayre would have been very glad to have Dotty with them +at the hotel, but neither mother wanted her own little girl to go away +from her. The question seemed very difficult of decision, for the two +families could not agree upon a summer resort that would please them +both. + +But after many long talks and various suggested plans it was finally +decided that Dolly Fayre should go with the Roses for the first two +weeks of August and that Dotty Rose should spend the last two weeks of +the month with the Fayre family. + +"It is the best plan," said Mrs. Rose, "for a fortnight in camp will do +the girls lots of good and make them strong and rosy again. Then they +will better enjoy a fortnight at a big hotel." + +The two D's were enchanted at the prospect. + +"You'll just love it!" said Dotty, enthusiastically; "we'll just wear +short skirts and middy blouses, and spend all our time in the woods or +on the lake." + +Dolly wanted to go to the camp, but she had never before been away from +her mother for more than a day or two at a time, and she felt some +misgivings about being homesick. + +"Nonsense!" said Bert. "A great big girl like you homesick! Why, +Towhead, you're too big for such things. You'll have a gorgeous time in +the camp, there's more fun in a camp than in any other place on earth. I +wish they had asked me." + +"Of course they wouldn't ask you," said Dolly, "because Bob Rose won't +be there. Not at first, anyway; he's going to visit some school friend. +He's going to the camp later. But Bob, what's a camp like? Don't you +have to sleep on old dry twigs and things? I want to be with Dotty, but +I don't believe I'll like sleeping in a tent or whatever they have." + +"Ah, be a sport, Towhead. You're altogether too finicky about your +foolish comforts. Learn to rough it,--it'll be good for you. You're as +white as a sheet, and you ought to be all brown and red and freckled and +look like a real live girl instead of a wax doll. I'm going to coax Dad +to go camping next year. It's loads of fun. Maybe if Bob Rose gets up +there before you leave they'd ask me up for a couple of days." + +"Or they might ask you after I've left," said Dolly; "you boys could +have a lot of fun even if we girls weren't there." + +"You bet we could! Girls are not a necessity to a fellow's pleasure if +he has fishing and boating and swimming and such things to do." + +"Well, I can't swim and I hate to fish,--but I do like boating. What +kind of boats will they have, Bob?" + +"Oh, motor boats and canoes and rowboats and sail boats and every old +kind. Don't get drowned, Dolly, and don't break any more of your bones, +but I guess there's nothing much else that can happen to you, if you +behave yourself. But don't try to do everything Dotty suggests. She's a +hummer, that girl, and I'll bet you in camp she'll run wild. You'll have +to hold her back a little." + +Dolly's parents gave her practically the same advice. But they felt +little fear of Dolly's likelihood of rushing into madcap adventures even +if Dotty urged it. For Dolly was slow of movement and slower still in +making up her mind; while Dotty was quick as a flash in thought and +action. + +Mrs. Fayre sighed a little as she selected Dolly's wardrobe. She dearly +loved to array her pretty daughter in muslins and organdies with dainty +laces and ribbons; but camp life called for stout frocks of tweed or +gingham, heavy walking boots and no fripperies. + +"I shall put in one or two pretty dresses," Mrs. Fayre said, "in case +you are invited to a party or any such affair. And the rest of your +summer things I will have ready for you, when you come back and join us +at the seashore." + + * * * * * + +And so the first of August, Mr. and Mrs. Rose and their two daughters +with Dolly as the guest started for the Crosstrees Camp. + +It was a sad parting between Dolly and her mother and at the last Dolly +declared flatly she would not go, and throwing herself in her mother's +arms burst into tears. + +"Rubbish!" cried Rob, who was dancing about in his efforts to get Dolly +started. "I'm ashamed of you, Towhead! Brace up now, and have a nerve. +One final wrench and off you go!" + +The boy literally tore Dolly from Mrs. Fayre's arms and boosted her in +to the Roses' motor car which was waiting to take them to the station. + +"All aboard! Go ahead!" Bob called out, waving his hand to the chauffeur +and the car started off at a brisk rate. + +"You know you needn't go, Dolly, even yet, if you don't want to," and +Mrs. Rose smiled kindly at the little girl, as they flew down the +avenue. + +"I do want to go, Mrs. Rose, and I am ashamed of myself for acting so +bad, but I will brace up now. It was just saying good-bye to Mother that +somehow sort of seemed to shake my heart." + +Dolly smiled through her tears and determinedly began to chatter gaily. + +"That's the ticket!" said Mr. Rose, smiling approval at her. "That's +the brave little girl. Now when you get to Crosstrees you'll be so +delighted and interested, that you won't think of home and Mother for +two weeks, except to write a postcard now and then." + +"You won't hardly have time for that!" cried Dotty, "there's so much to +do from morning till night, and that makes you so tired that you sleep +from night till morning. Oh, Dollyrinda, we will have the most +gorgeousest times ever!" + +"It's beautiful to have Dolly with us," said Genie, her big black eyes +dancing with anticipation; "we can show her all our fav'rite places, and +all the islands and woodses and everything! But two weeks is an awful +short time." + +"We'll make it longer next year," said Mr. Rose. "If our two wounded +soldiers hadn't been wounded, we would have started a month ago." + +"Why do you call it Crosstrees camp?" asked Dolly. + +"You'll see when you get there," and Mr. Rose smiled at his little +visitor. + + * * * * * + +Sure enough when they arrived, Dolly discovered the meaning of the +strange name. The gateway was formed by two trees which had started to +grow parallel, but in some way had been bent toward one another until +their trunks crossed about ten feet above ground. The trees had gone on +growing this way, and formed an "N," covered with branches and foliage. +The party had landed from their train at a small station near one end of +a long lake. They had traversed this lake in a swift motor boat, for +their camp was at the other end. It was nearly dark when they reached +their own pier and all clambered out and climbed a flight of narrow wet +steps. + +"Hang on to the railing, Doll," said Dotty; "the steps are slippery, a +little." + +Passing under the crosstrees, to which Mr. Rose drew Dolly's attention +as the name of the camp, they came to a sort of bungalow or long, low +house. + +"Is this the camp?" said Dolly, in surprise. "I thought it was tents. +You said so, Dot." + +"There are tents, too. Only on stormy nights we sleep inside. Come on +in, Doll. Isn't it fine?" + +Dolly Fayre looked around at the bare boarded rooms, the scant furniture +and rough walls of the cabin, for it was little more than that. + +She was cold and rather hungry, but underneath these discomforts was a +far more troublesome one which she tried not to think about, but which +she felt sure was going to develop into an acute case of homesickness. + +"Run up to your rooms, girlies, and take off your things," said Mrs. +Rose, cheerily. "We'll eat inside to-night, and Maria will make us some +of her good flap-jacks for supper." + +Maria was an old coloured servant and the only one who accompanied the +Rose family to camp. Other help that might be needed they procured from +some of the natives who were glad to do odd jobs for the summer people. + +Dolly followed Dotty and Genie upstairs where there was a long row of +tiny bedrooms opening onto a narrow hall. These bedrooms had ceilings +which slanted right down to the floor, so one could not stand upright +after advancing a few feet into the room. + +"Aren't they funny rooms?" said Dotty, laughing with glee at Dolly's +blank-looking countenance. "But you'll get used to them soon. Of course +you have to bend double, except just here by the door, but that's +nothing. This one is yours, Dolly, and mine is right next and then +Genie's. Mother and Father have a room downstairs. But we won't sleep +here, we'll sleep in the open tent to-night, it's plenty warm enough. +Oh, it's _such_ fun!" + +Dolly didn't know what sleeping in an open tent meant, but she smiled in +response and soon the three girls went downstairs together. + +Mr. and Mrs. Rose were bustling around, happily engaged in unpacking and +arranging books and pictures and various trifles to make the big +living-room more homelike. + +"Looks a little bare now," said Mr. Rose, as he placed his smoking set +in position near his own particular easy chair, "but in a day or two +we'll have it looking like a little Paradise on earth. Just you wait, +Miss Dolly, till you see this desert blossom like a rose,--like a whole +Rose family, in fact!" + +"These things help a lot," and Mrs. Rose deftly arranged half a dozen +sofa pillows on a big inviting-looking couch. + +"And to-morrow we'll put up a swing, and the hammocks, won't you, +Daddy?" said Genie. + +"Course I will, chickabiddy," and Mr. Rose whistled in gay contentment +as he took books from their boxes and arranged them on the table. + +When supper was announced, Maria informed the family that she hadn't +been able to manage the flap-jacks that night. + +"But you-all sho'ly will hab 'em for breakfast, dat you will,--you +suttinly will. But you see huccum I jes' didn't hab de proper +contraptions unpacked for 'em to-night." + +"That's all right, Maria," said Mr. Rose, good-naturedly; "we don't mind +what we have to-night. To-morrow we'll get a good fair start. Sit down, +children, we'll manage to make out a supper." + +The supper was sort of a makeshift of sardines and herring and crackers, +with coffee for the older people. + +Dolly had no wish to be critical, but the viands were not tempting and +she ate very little, being conscious all the time of an ever-growing +lump in her throat. She tried hard to be merry and gay, but she couldn't +feel the enthusiasm with which the others overflowed. + +"Shall we have a fire to-night, Daddy?" asked Dotty as they left the +table. + +"Oh, not to-night. It's pretty late, and we're all tired out. We'll +leave that for to-morrow night. You see, Dolly Fayre, the curtain +doesn't really rise on the glories of Camp Crosstrees until to-morrow. +Can you wait?" + +"Yes, indeed, Mr. Rose," and Dolly smiled bravely. "Where is it that +we're going to sleep?" + +"I'll show you," said Mrs. Rose, and amid shouts of glee and peals of +laughter, Dotty and Genie ran upstairs, and returned with their arms +full of blankets and other things. + +"Grab a pillow and come on," shouted Dotty as she herself picked up a +pillow from the couch. Genie took one, too, and Dolly did also and then +the whole tribe left the house. + +They walked across some very uneven ground and Dolly would have stumbled +in the darkness had not Mrs. Rose clasped her arm firmly. + +"Here we are!" she said, and Dolly saw a large tent, but it wasn't +exactly a tent. It was a platform of boards raised not more than a foot +above the ground. It had a roof and three sides of canvas, but the front +was entirely open. On the floor were piles of balsam boughs and on these +the Roses arranged the blankets they had brought. + +"I envy you girls," said Mrs. Rose, as she tucked up the impromptu beds. +"It is Heavenly to sleep out here, but we older people dare not risk +rheumatism. You'll love it, Dolly. Perhaps you'll hear an owl or two +hooting you a lullaby." + +In less than half an hour the three girls were put to bed and Mrs. Rose +had said good-night and left them. + +Dotty and Genie had murmured sleepy good-nights and had snuggled down +into their spicy-smelling nests of branches. + +Dolly lay with wide open eyes staring out at the stars. She had never +experienced this sort of thing before, and she was frightened and +uncomfortable. Although mid-summer, the air was chilly, and she did not +like the feeling of the rather coarse blankets. Moreover she was wearing +a thick, clumsy, flannel nightgown, and the bed of branches seemed to be +full of knots and lumps. She longed for her own pretty room with its +dainty appointments and soft bed clothing. + +She looked across at Dotty and Genie. She could see them but dimly, but +she knew they were sound asleep. She felt alone, utterly alone in that +dreadful place, with the forest trees making a sad murmur and the silent +stars winking solemnly at her. She thought of her mother and father and +Trudy and Bert and she had the most dreadful wave of homesickness roll +over her. Then the tears came, hot, scalding tears that rolled down her +cheeks in ever increasing number. She made no noise, lest she waken the +other girls but the effort to stifle her sobs made her cry harder, and +she buried her face in the rough worsted of the sofa pillow and wiped +her eyes with the harsh blanket. + +"Oh, Mother," she said, to herself, "I _can't_ stay here. This is a +dreadful place. Why did you let me come? I knew I would hate a camp. How +can anybody like these awful beds? And I'm cold,--and I'm not cold +either, but I'm all shivery and I feel horrid! I'm--I'm--oh, I'm just +lonesome and homesick and I want Mother!" + +After a time Dolly stopped crying from sheer exhaustion and spent with +her sobs, she lay there gazing at the stars. She felt sure there were +bears and wolves among the trees, and soon they would come out and +attack the camp. + +Moreover, she was dreadfully hungry. She had a box of candy in her +suitcase, but that was upstairs in the bungalow. She could not get it +without disturbing Mr. and Mrs. Rose and that was not to be thought of. + +The poor child lay for a time in her misery, every moment getting more +and more homesick and with a deeper longing to get back to her mother +and never leave home again. + +At last a spirit of desperation took hold upon her. It was +characteristic of Dolly Fayre to endure patiently and bravely the +greatest trials that might come to her, but when the strain became too +great it was in her nature to rebel, suddenly and decidedly. + +And now, when it seemed that she simply could not stand the dreadfulness +another moment, she sat straight up in bed, and said clearly, "I'm going +home." + +The sound of her own voice startled her and she looked round quickly to +see if the other girls had heard her. She fully expected to see one or +both heads pop up in amazement at her speech. But neither dark head +moved, and listening to their regular breathing, she knew the two Rose +girls were still sound asleep. + +With her white face set and a desperate look in her wide open blue eyes, +she put one foot out of bed and then the other. She had on her +stockings, as Mrs. Rose had advised her to wear them all night. Silently +and swiftly she discarded the flannel nightgown, which was one of +Dotty's, and with flying fingers, which trembled with a nervous chill, +she rapidly dressed herself in the garments she had worn when she +arrived. + +Her hat and coat were at the bungalow, but she did not stop for them. +She was determined to go home that very minute, and she would let +nothing interfere. + +Fully dressed she went over and looked down at the sleeping Dotty. It +seemed awful to go away and leave her like that, but Dolly knew if she +waited till morning the Roses would not let her go. And yet she must +leave word of some sort or they would think her very rude and +ungrateful. + +She had with her a little shopping bag, which, as it contained some +money, she had put under her pillow. Luckily there was paper and pencil +in this on which she had planned to write a letter to her mother. + +So with an uncertain hand, in the dim light, she traced the words: "Dear +Dotty, I can't stay here, I've got to go back to Mother. Good-bye. +Dolly." + +This she slipped gently beneath Dotty's pillow, and then stepping softly +to the open edge of the tent she stepped down to the ground and walked +swiftly toward the lake. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +DOLLY'S ESCAPE + + +Dolly had learned as they came up the lake in the motor boat that there +was a footpath along the lake shore which led directly from the camp to +the railroad station. It was about a mile long and passed several other +camps, but Dolly felt sure that she could walk the distance, and +allowing time to rest now and then could reach the station before six +o'clock, when the first morning train went through. The dim starlight +just enabled her to make out by her little watch that it was two o'clock +when she started. She felt no fear of bears or wolves now, for her whole +mind and soul were filled with the one idea of going home. She would +have started, had the road been lined with hot ploughshares, so +indomitable was her will and so strong her resolution. She gave no +thought or heed to possible difficulties or dangers. She knew the way, +there was no chance of getting lost, and she had in her bag money enough +to buy a ticket home. She felt guilty and even ashamed at leaving her +kind friends in this manner, but that thought was swallowed up and lost +sight of in the terrible gnawing agony of her longing for home. + +So she set forth along the path at a swift, steady gait which promised +fair for the accomplishment of her design. As she walked along the stars +seemed brighter and seemed to wink at her more kindly, as if willing to +do all they could to help along a poor little homesick, mother-lonely +child. Though without hat or coat, her swift pace kept her warm enough +for a time, but at last poor little Dolly grew very weary. She had not +walked much since her illness and her newly mended leg felt the strain +and began to ache terribly. She sat down to rest on a flat stone and was +surprised to find that her leg ached worse sitting down than it had +walking. Moreover, when she stopped exercising, she became very chilly +and in addition to this she realised afresh that she was exceedingly +hungry. + +Poor little Dolly! She could scarcely have been more physically +miserable, and yet her material discomfort was as nothing to her pangs +of homesickness. She felt she could not pursue her journey, and yet it +made her shudder to think of returning to that awful camp. + +So after a time, hoping she had rested enough, she rose and plodded on +again. She kept up this means of procedure, walking until utterly +exhausted and then stopping to rest, until somehow she managed to cover +the distance to the station. + +It was half-past four when she reached the forlorn little building and +found it closed and deserted. But there was a bench outside and Dolly +sank upon this in a state bordering upon utter collapse. She fell asleep +there and was only awakened when, shortly before six, the station agent +came to unlock his office. + +"Bless my soul! who are you?" he exclaimed, and Dolly sat up blinking in +the early sunlight. + +"I'm a passenger," she said; "I want to take the early train." + +"Humph! a pretty looking passenger you are! Where's your hat?" + +"I don't always wear a hat in summer," and Dolly tossed back her golden +curls and looked at the man steadily. Her sleep had refreshed her +somewhat, and she had recovered her poise. Her determination was still +unshaken and she had every intention of going on that six o'clock train. + +But the station master was a knowing sort of man and he had before this +seen campers afflicted with a desperate desire to go back to +civilisation. + +"Didn't you come up here last night with the Roses?" he inquired +affably. + +"Yes," replied Dolly, "but I'm going back to town to-day." + +"Pshaw, now, is that so? Don't like it, hey?" The station master had a +kindly way with him, and as he threw open the door he invited Dolly to +enter the little waiting-room. "You stay here a spell," he said, "that +train ain't due for fifteen minutes." + +He disappeared into the ticket office and closed the door. Then he +called up Mr. Rose on the telephone. + +"Hello! what is it?" responded that gentleman sleepily, for he had been +roused from a sound slumber. + +"I'm Briggs, the station agent. That little yellow-haired girl you +brought with you last night is here in the station. Says she's goin' +home." + +"Dolly Fayre! At the station? Impossible!" + +"Yep. She's here. And she's just about all in. You don't want I should +let her go on the train, do you?" + +"Good gracious, no! Keep her there somehow till I can get there." + +"I'll try, but she's terrible set on goin'." + +"Keep her somehow, Briggs, if you have to lock her in. I'll be down +there inside of half an hour." + +"All right, Mr. Rose. Good-bye." Briggs hung up the receiver and +sauntered back to the waiting-room. + +"Best come over home with me, little Miss and get a bite of breakfast. +How about it? My home's just across the street and my wife'll be glad to +give you a snack." + +"Thank you," said Dolly, doubtfully, "but I don't want to miss that +train." + +"Oh, land! she's likely to be half an hour late! Come along, I'll keep +my eye out for the train." + +Dolly hesitated. She was awfully hungry, but it was five minutes of six +and the train might not be late after all. Moreover, it seemed to her +that the station man was a little too anxious. Perhaps he wished to +detain her, though she could see no reason why he should interfere with +her plans. Unless it might be because she had no hat on. Still it was +not a crime to go hatless in the summer time, though it might be +unconventional when travelling. + +"Pretty good breakfast my wife cooks," said Briggs, temptingly. + +"Perhaps I would have time just for a glass of milk," said Dolly, "but +no, I hear a locomotive whistle now!" + +"Aw, she's way up round the bend. Sound carries awful far 'mong these +hills. She won't be here for ten minutes yet. Come on." + +"What are you talking about? There's the train now!" And from the +window Dolly saw the smoke of the approaching engine. + +"Why, so 'tis!" and with a strange smile on his face, Briggs whisked the +door open, flew out and slammed it behind him and turned the big key, +making Dolly a prisoner in the little waiting-room. + +For a moment she was too amazed to do or say anything. She stood +watching the train draw nearer and stop at the little station. + +Then she realised what had happened and she flew to the door and pounded +on it with her little fists, crying, "Let me out! you awful, dreadful +man, let me out!" + +But the door did not open, and after a couple of minutes the train went +on its way. + +Then Briggs unlocked the door and came in. "Bless my soul!" he said, "if +I didn't forget you wanted to go by that train! Well, it's too late now, +so you might as well come on over to breakfast." + +"You didn't forget it, any such thing! You locked me in here on purpose! +You had no right to do it, and my father will pers--persecute you,--or +whatever you call it!" + +"Well, anyhow the train's gone, and you can't get it back, so make the +best of things and smile and come along." + +From sheer lack of anything better to do, Dolly rose and walked with +Briggs across the street to his little cottage. + +"Hello, Mother," he called out, as they entered, "I've brought a visitor +to breakfast. Got enough to go round?" + +"Yes, indeedy!" and a fat, comfortable looking woman smiled pleasantly +at Dolly; "why, you poor baby, you're all tuckered out. Here sit right +down and drink this fresh milk, it's a little warm yet. Take slow sips, +now, don't swallow it all at once. Here's a nice piece of toast." + +Dolly eagerly accepted the fresh milk and the golden-brown buttered +toast, and was glad to follow Mrs. Briggs' advice and partake slowly. + +The warm, pleasant room and the appetising food made Dolly feel +decidedly better. A poached egg came next and more toast and milk and as +both Mr. and Mrs. Briggs were kind and cheery, Dolly's spirits rose +accordingly. + +No reference was made as to why she wanted to take the train, in fact +the subject was not touched on, and Mr. Briggs was entertaining her with +a funny story when the door opened and Mr. Rose walked in. + +"Hello, Dolly-Polly," he said, cheerily; "had your breakfast? Good for +you, Mrs. Briggs, glad you gave the little lady a bite. Come along now, +Dolly, we must be on the move." + +Mr. Rose's face was so smiling and his manner so pleasant, that Dolly +jumped up from her chair and ran to his side. He put his arm round her +and kissed her cheek and then with brisk good-byes and thanks to the +hospitable Briggs, he whisked Dolly away. + +"Skip it!" he said, and taking her hand they skipped across the road and +down the long length of the pier. There was Mr. Rose's motor-boat +waiting, with Long Sam at the wheel. + +"Mornin' folkses," he said, unfolding his ungainly length as he rose to +help them in. Long Sam, it was generally agreed, had the longest length +for the narrowest width of any man in the county. He grinned at Dolly +and taking her hands helped her into the boat, while Mr. Rose followed. + +In a moment they were off, and the little boat scooted up the lake in a +hurry. The sun was well up now and it was a warm day, so the lake breeze +was most refreshing and the swift motion very exhilarating. Mr. Rose +said no word whatever concerning Dolly's informal departure from his +camp, but he was so gay and entertaining that Dolly herself forgot it. +He pointed out various houses and camps along the shore, often telling +funny stories of the people who lived there. He showed her the club +house and the casino and the picnic grounds and lots of interesting +places, which had passed unnoticed on their trip up the lake the night +before. Sometimes Long Sam put in a few words in his dry, comical way, +and Dolly found herself enjoying the morning lake ride immensely. + +Mr. Rose was in the midst of a funny story at which Dolly was shaking +with laughter as they reached the pier which belonged to Crosstrees +camp. + +"Out you hop!" exclaimed Mr. Rose, jumping out himself and in a moment +Dolly was beside him on the pier. Mrs. Rose and the two girls stood +there smiling, their arms full of bathing suits. + +"Hurry up, Doll," cried Dotty, grabbing her arm. "This is your bathhouse +right next to mine and here's your suit. Scrabble into it, quick's you +can." + +And so almost before she knew it, Dolly was shut in to her little bath +house and was hastily changing from her street suit to her +bathing-dress. + +Just as she finished arraying herself, Dotty was pounding on the door +and she immediately opened it. Mrs. Rose put a bathing cap on Dolly's +head and tied a gay kerchief over that. The rest were all in bathing +suits and with gay laughter they all joined hands and ran down the +sloping shore and into the lake. + +Dolly loved bathing and she pranced round with the rest, enjoying the +delightful feel of the cool ripples of the lake as they dashed against +her. + +The young people were not allowed to go out very far alone, but Mr. Rose +would swim out with them, one at a time, for a short distance and return +them safely to shallower water. + +"Do teach me to swim," pleaded Dolly, who took to water like a duck. So +Mr. Rose gave her her first lesson and she was so promising a pupil that +he declared she would soon learn to become expert. + +The bath over, they returned to the bath houses to dress and Dolly found +in hers, instead of her travelling suit, a serge skirt and middy blouse. +She put these on, and when she went out she found Dotty similarly +arrayed. Mrs. Rose braided the two girls' hair in long pig-tails and +tied their ribbons for them. + +"Now for a camp breakfast!" exclaimed Mr. Rose, as the group reunited. + +"I've had my breakfast," began Dolly, but Mr. Rose interrupted her, +saying, "indeed you haven't! Just wait till you see." + +In a little clearing not far from the bungalow, Dolly saw a table of +boards with seats each side and here the family gathered. + +Such a breakfast as it was! Maria's flap-jacks had materialised and of +all light, puffy, golden delicacies they were the best. Then there was +brook trout, fresh and delicious; a tempting omelet; and as a great +treat the girls were each allowed a cup of coffee. + +The trip up the lake and the invigorating bath had given Dolly a +ravenous appetite and never had food tasted so good. She didn't quite +understand why nothing was said about her running away in the night, but +it was a great relief that the subject was not touched upon, and in the +gay laughter and chatter of the Rose family, she finally forgot all +about it. + +"Now, who's for a tramp in the woods?" and Mr. Rose lighted a cigar as +he left the table. + +"Me!" cried Dolly, dancing up to her host; "when can we start?" + +"Right away quick," and Mr. Rose smiled down at her; "have you good +stout shoes?" + +"Yes, indeed," and Dolly showed her little tan boots. + +The whole family started off, each with a stout stick to help their +steps in climbing, and each with a little basket, because, as Mr. Rose +said, "you never can tell what you'll find to bring home." + +They started off briskly, Dolly and Dotty on either side of Mr. Rose and +Genie and her mother following close behind. + +"Guess we'll try the Rocky Chasm path this morning," said Mr. Rose, who +acted as guide. + +Away they went, walking briskly, but not too rapidly. Though it was a +warm day the path through the woods was cool and pleasant and +occasionally they paused to rest for a time. Presently the climbing +began and this they took by easy stages, so that when at last they +reached their goal, Dolly was not at all tired. + +"What a beautiful place!" she cried, as they found themselves on top of +a high hill looking down into a rocky chasm. + +"Don't go too near the edge," warned Mrs. Rose as her husband and the +two girls went to peer over the edge of the precipice. + +"No, indeed!" he returned, "but Dolly must see down in the chasm. Here, +Dot, you show her how." + +So Dotty lay down flat on the rocks and wriggled along until she could +see over the very edge while her father held tightly to her feet. + +"It's wonderful!" she exclaimed; "now you try it, Dolly." + +Somewhat timidly, but with full faith in Mr. Rose, Dolly lay down prone, +and cautiously edged along till she could see over the shelving rock. +She felt Mr. Rose's firm grip on her ankles, and she looked down with +wonder at the sheer straight descent of rock and down at the very bottom +of the chasm she saw a tiny brook tossing and foaming along. + +"Not yet!" she called as Mr. Rose advised her to come back. "Let me see +it a moment longer!" + +"Don't get dizzy!" called out Mrs. Rose. + +"No, indeed!" said Dolly, as at last Mr. Rose pulled her in; "I wasn't +dizzy a bit! I never saw anything so wonderful. That beautiful little +brook way down there a thousand miles below!" + +"Oh, not quite so far as that," said Mr. Rose, laughing. "Come on; let's +go down and see it from below." + +They picked up their baskets and following Mr. Rose's direction they +climbed down a rocky ravine and, sure enough, found themselves right +beside the little tumbling brook. Dolly sat on a rock and gazed upward +at the precipice, looking at the very spot where she had poked her head +over. + +"Were we really up there looking down?" she exclaimed. "I can hardly +believe it. Oh, what a lovely place this is!" + +"Yes, isn't it!" cried Dotty; "let's dig something, Daddy." + +"What can we find?" And Mr. Rose looked around. "Why, my goodness, my +basket is full already!" + +"What's in it?" cried Genie, scampering around to see. "Oh, goody! +cookies and lemonade!" + +Though Dolly had really had two breakfasts, the mountain climb had made +her ready to welcome a little light refreshment and the bottles of +lemonade and the box of cookies were rapidly disposed of by the party. + +"I see Indian Pipes," remarked Mr. Rose, and Dotty cried, "Where? +Where?" + +"Those who seek will find," said Mr. Rose, smiling, and the girls set to +work hunting. + +Dotty was the first to spy some of the graceful white blossoms under +some concealing green leaves, but a moment later Dolly found some too. +With their trowels they carefully dug up the plants and put them in +their baskets to take home. + +Genie collected some odd stones, and Mrs. Rose found a particular bit +of Eglantine that she wanted and soon the baskets were filled and the +party took up their homeward way. + +Mostly of a down-hill trend, the way home was easy, and as the baskets +were not heavy the girls danced gaily along singing songs as they went. + +"Why, goodness, gracious sakes; it's nearly two o'clock!" cried Dolly as +they entered the big living room of the bungalow and set down their +burdens. + +"It sho'ly is!" and Maria's black face appeared in the doorway. "I +suttinly thought you-all was never comin' home to dinner! I'se been +waitin' and waitin' till everything is jes' 'bout spoilt!" + +"Oh, I guess not as bad as that, Maria," and Mr. Rose smiled pleasantly +at her. "We're not much behind time, and we won't grumble if things are +cold." + +"Laws' sakes! they ain't cold! I'se dun looked out for dat. Yo' better +wash that mud off your hands and come along. Doan' waste no time now." + +The Roses were accustomed to Maria's good-natured scoldings and they ran +away to follow her advice. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +HIDDEN TREASURE + + +"Take time to tidy up and put on clean blouses," called out Mrs. Rose as +the girls went to their rooms. + +But they made quick work of it, and helped each other in the matter of +hair ribbons and soon three very trim and tidy young persons in clean +white linen presented themselves, hungry for their dinner. + +Maria had a steaming chicken stew for them, with fluffy white dumplings +that showed no sign of being "spoilt"; in fact, she had not cooked them +until after the family's return. + +"Was there ever anything so good!" exclaimed Dolly as she received a +second portion of the fricassee. + +"Everything tastes good up here," said Dotty, "but Maria sure is a dandy +on stewed chicken. But go easy, Doll, for I happen to know there's an +Apple Betty to follow and just you wait till you see that!" + +But Dolly's camp appetite was quite equal to the Apple Betty also, +which was, as Dolly had predicted, a triumph in the matter of desserts. + +"I feel as if I had been to a party," Dolly said as they left the table. +"I believe I've eaten more to-day than I do in a week at home." + +"It's the air," said Mr. Rose. "Crosstrees' air is the greatest +appetiser known to man. If I could bottle it and sell it, I'd make my +everlasting fortune. Now, may I ask what you young ladies have on hand +for this afternoon?" + +"Nothing particular," said Dotty. "Why?" + +"Because I asked a few young people from the neighbouring camps to come +over here for awhile." + +"A party?" cried Genie. "Oh, Daddy, a party?" + +"Not exactly a party; only half a dozen of the Norrises and Holmeses." + +"Lovely!" cried Dotty. "I haven't seen the Norrises since last year, and +I don't know the Holmeses. Who are they?" + +"Mr. Holmes is a friend of mine and his daughter Edith is about the age +of you girls, and they have two or three guests." + +"And the Norrises, Maisie and Jack, are awfully nice," said Dotty. +"You'll like them, Doll; Maisie is something like you." + +"She isn't a bit like Dolly," put in Genie, "'cept she's fat and yellow +headed and blue eyed. But she isn't half as pretty as Dolly, so don't +you mind, Dollyrinda." + +"Oh, I don't mind," and Dolly laughed. "I don't think a blue-eyed +Towhead can be pretty anyway. I like dark eyes and dark curls best." + +"Thank you, ma'am," and Dotty dropped a curtsey. "Shall we dress up, +Mother?" + +"No; those clean blouses are all right. It's just a camp frolic, not a +formal party." + +"It's a Kidd party," observed Mr. Rose, looking mysterious. + +"A kid party?" echoed Dotty; "of course. I didn't s'pose it was a +grown-up party, Daddy, for us children." + +Mr. Rose only laughed and turned away, and the girls wandered out toward +the open tent where Dolly had gone to bed the night before. + +The hemlock-bough beds were covered now with big spreads of gay cretonne +and many cretonne pillows, and served as day couches. + +The sight of the tent recalled to Dolly's mind the events of the night +before, and she suddenly experienced a wave of embarrassment and remorse +at the way she had acted. She felt, too, that an apology was due to her +hosts and somehow it didn't seem right to talk about it to the girls for +she felt that it was to Mr. and Mrs. Rose she owed an explanation. + +"Wait here for me a minute," she said suddenly to Dolly and Genie, and +turning, she ran back to the bungalow. + +She found Mr. and Mrs. Rose in the living room, and going straight to +them she said impulsively, "I was very naughty to run away last night +and I want to apologise. You see I got homesick--" + +"Bless your heart; don't say a word about it," said Mr. Rose, in the +kindest tones; "that's part of the performance, child. Everybody gets +homesick the first night in camp. It's to be expected. Then, you see, +the next day they begin to like it and the third day you couldn't drive +them home." + +"But I was very impolite to go away like that--" + +"Never mind, Dollikins," and Mrs. Rose put her arm around her little +visitor; "it's all right, dearie; don't think of it again. I know +perfectly well how forlorn you felt and how you wanted your mother. And +I know, too, you were chilly and you felt strange and lonesome and +couldn't sleep. But that's all over now and we won't even think of it +again. If you don't sleep all right to-night and if you want to go home +to-morrow, I'll take you down myself, right straight to where your +mother is. Now put it all out of your mind and scamper back to Dotty. +The party will be coming pretty soon now." + +"Run along," and Mr. Rose patted the golden head. "You wouldn't have +been the right kind of a guest at all if you hadn't been homesick the +first night. But I'll bet you a ripe red apple that you won't want to go +home to-morrow, but if you do want to you shall. Now skip along, for if +I'm not mistaken I hear a motor boat and like as not it's that bunch +from the Holmes'." + +Dolly ran away, her heart greatly lightened by the kind attitude of her +hosts, and though she felt sorry she had run away the night before, she +did not feel so ashamed since they had so pleasantly made light of it. + +Sure enough, the party of young people were just coming along the pier, +and Edith Holmes, a bright girl of about Dolly's age, was introducing +herself and her friends. + +"I'm Edith Holmes," she said, laughing, "and these are my cousins, Guy +and Elmer. They're nice enough boys, but here's their sister Josie who +is nicer yet." + +Josie was a shy little thing, who blushed and cast down her eyes at +Edith's praise. + +"I thought the Norrises would be here," went on Edith, "and as they know +us and know you they could introduce us better. But we'll just scrape +acquaintance." + +"Oh, that's all right," said Dotty. "I'm Dotty Rose and this is my chum, +Dolly Fayre, and my little sister, Genie. I have a brother but he isn't +here." She smiled at the boys as she said this and Elmer Holmes said, +"That doesn't matter; we just love to play with girls. And anyhow here +comes Jack Norris to keep us in countenance." + +Jack and Maisie Norris came along, having walked over from the next +camp. They were acquainted with the Holmes' young people as both +families had been there all summer. + +Introductions over, they all sat along the edge of the open tent. The +floor of this, being only about a foot above ground, made a convenient +seat and those who wished had cushions to sit on or lean against. + +"Awful glad you people got up here at last," said Maisie Norris as she +twisted one of Dotty's curls round her finger. "Is your arm all well, +Dot?" + +"Yes, though it isn't awfully strong yet. I have to be a little careful. +But it was my left one, you know, so I can play croquet and tennis and +do most everything." + +"You had a gay old mixup, didn't you?" said Jack Norris, smiling at +Dolly. "You broke yourself, too, didn't you?" + +"Oh, yes; you know Dotty and I are next-door neighbours this year, and +whatever one of us does the other has to. But we're both mended now and +ready for any sort of fun." + +Then Mr. Rose came along, bringing about a dozen spades. They were small +ones, such as come with children's gardening tools, and he gave one to +each of the young people present. + +"What for?" asked Elmer Holmes, as he looked at the shining new tool. + +"I told my girls that this was to be a Kidd party," said Mr. Rose, "but +they didn't quite understand what I meant. Now I'll explain. Has each +one a spade?" + +"Yes," and the nine boys and girls held them up. + +"All right then. Now, what you want to do is to dig for Captain Kidd's +buried treasure. You have all heard that old Captain Kidd buried a lot +of treasure somewhere, but I doubt if you were aware that he buried it +in Crosstrees Camp. However, there is a tradition to that effect and so +I would like you to do your best to find it. Tradition says that the +treasure was buried somewhere near the spot where we are now. It is +hidden, I believe, not farther than fifty feet away in any direction +from this open tent, so everybody may dig wherever he chooses within +that radius, and see if he can unearth the treasure." + +"But, Daddy," said Genie, "how do we know where to dig?" + +"That you must decide for yourselves. Dig any place you like; turn up +the whole area if you choose; or, if you see a place that seems +especially hopeful, dig there. I feel sure the treasure is really buried +somewhere around and it's up to you young people to discover where it +may be." + +"We'll find it!" and Jack Norris brandished his spade in the air. "Come +on, girls and boys; let's dig down to China if necessary, but let's get +Kidd's old treasure chest." + +The young people scattered, looking about for probable places to dig. + +Dolly, a little unused to digging, began rather aimlessly to toss up the +soil near by where she stood. + +"Oh, I say," said Jack Norris, "don't start in that way. Come along with +me and let's find a place that looks promising." + +They walked away, looking eagerly at the ground about them, when Dolly +spied something white under the leaves of a vine. + +"Oh, look here!" she cried, and Jack stooped down to see what it was. +They saw a grinning skull and cross bones made of white plaster and +partly sunken in the earth. + +"Geewhillikens! we've struck it!" cried Jack, "or rather you have! I +felt sure from that twinkle in Mr. Rose's eye that there was some way of +knowing where to dig. This is it, of course. The treasure is buried +here! Let's dig for it!" + +Carefully setting aside the little skull, which was only a papier-mache +toy, they both began to dig desperately. + +"The ground is soft! It has lately been dug, you see, to plant the box +here. How lucky you saw that white thing under the leaves." + +"You would have seen it if I hadn't," said Dolly, not wanting to take +all the credit to herself. "It's buried pretty deep, isn't it?" + +"Yes, sort of. Don't you dig any more, if you're tired; I'll dig the +rest of the way." + +Dolly paused a few moments, and Jack went on digging. At last he said, +as he straightened himself up and wiped his brow with his handkerchief, +"Do you know, I believe we're hoaxed! I believe that skull was there to +fool us!" + +"Oh, I'll bet it was!" and Dolly's eyes danced as she realised the +situation. "Maybe there are other skulls in other places!" + +"I shouldn't wonder. Let's go and see." + +"Let's fill up this hole first and put the skull back to fool somebody +else." + +"All right," and Jack hastily tossed the dirt back into the hole, and +replaced the little white skull. + +"Somebody is coming this way! Let's hide," and Dolly and Jack quickly +whisked themselves behind a clump of trees. + +Guy Holmes and Maisie Norris came along and they spied the white skull +which Jack had left placed rather more conspicuously than he had found +it. + +"Oh, look at that!" cried Guy, and Maisie exclaimed, "This is the right +place, of course! We've struck it at last! That pirate flag was just to +fool us. Hooray! let's dig!" + +Dolly and Jack could scarcely keep from laughing aloud as they saw the +newcomers digging desperately in the very spot they had dug themselves. + +At last Jack beckoned to Dolly and they softly glided away without +letting the others know of their presence. + +"Now we want to find where it really is," whispered Jack as soon as they +were out of hearing of the others. "I say, this is a great game! and +we've learned something from those people. The spot marked with a pirate +flag is not the right one! When we find that, there is no use of +digging." + +The pair went on, prospecting for a likely place to dig. There were so +many trees and shrubs, that often there would be no view of any of the +other seekers. And then again they would come across groups of two or +three, or perhaps one alone digging desperately or looking disappointed +at a failure. + +Gay greetings were exchanged or words of sympathy and commiseration and +each went on his chosen way. + +"Do you know," said Jack at last, "I shouldn't be surprised if the real +place isn't marked at all. Hullo, what's this?" Right at his feet lay a +toy bowie-knife. Though made of pasteboard, it was a ferocious-looking +affair and the spot where it was had not been disturbed. + +"I don't believe that's the right place," said Jack, who had grown +suspicious of misleading clues. "Anyway, Dolly, let's leave that, and +come back to it if we don't find anything more hopeful." + +So they wandered on and next they came to the pirate flag. This black +and white emblem was planted above a much dug up space and they laughed +as they concluded that several trials had been made there. + +Soon they came upon Dotty and Josie Holmes who were hastily digging at a +spot which had been marked by two stakes. They had pulled up the stakes, +but as yet had not found any treasure. + +"Bet it isn't there," said Jack, looking closely at the two stakes. + +"Why?" demanded Dotty. + +"Dunno. Somehow it doesn't seem 'sif it is. Come on, Dolly, let's try +again." + +"Go on," said Dotty; "I think this is the place. Josie and I feel +certain of it. Go on, you two, and good luck to you." + +Shouldering their spades, Jack and Dolly trudged on. + +"Let's think it out," said Jack, seating himself on a flat rock, while +Dolly did likewise. "I believe we can think out where Mr. Rose would +have been likely to put the thing. Now I don't believe it would be very +close to where he started us. These nearby digging places are all +frauds. Let's go to the limit of the space he said, and try all 'round +the edge." + +"How can you tell?" And Dolly looked at him with a puzzled expression. + +"Why, he said fifty feet, you know, and I can pace off what ought to be +about fifty feet and then we'll walk all the way round." + +They did this, and as they walked round the circle which Jack declared +was about the boundary of the fifty-foot radius, they soon came upon a +good-sized iron key. + +"This is it!" cried Jack; "we've struck it! This is the key to the +chest, and the chest is buried here!" + +"Good work!" and Guy Holmes and Maisie Norris appeared just in time to +hear Jack's exclamation. "Come on, let's all dig!" + +"No," said Dolly, sitting down on the ground; "I can't dig any more; I'm +too tired. Maisie and I will sit here while you boys do the digging." + +"All right," the boys agreed, and they fell to work with a will. + +They had thrown out but a few spadefulls of dirt, when they struck +something hard. + +"Hooray! hurroo!" cried Guy; "we've got it! We've struck the treasure!" + +"Sure we have!" and Jack flung out the dirt excitedly. "Easy there now, +old fellow! Look out! It's the chest, sure enough!" + +The two girls jumped up and ran to look, as the boys uncovered one +corner of what seemed to be an old brass-bound chest. + +"It is; it is!" cried Dolly. "We've found it. Hooray, everybody! We've +found the treasure!" + +As her voice rang out the others left their digging and all congregated +about the lucky finders. + +Other spades were set to work and in a short time willing hands lifted +the old chest from the hole and set it up on the solid earth. + +"It's locked!" cried somebody, as several tried to open it at once. + +"Of course it is," said Dolly; "don't you remember, Jack, it was the key +that first showed us where it was. What did you do with that key?" + +"I don't know," and Jack Norris began looking around. + +"I know," said Dolly, laughing; "you left it on the ground and you +spaded out the dirt all over it. Now you'll have to dig for the key!" + +"That's just what I did do! If I'm not the chump!" and Jack began to dig +in the heap of dirt they had thrown up out of the hole. + +"Toss it back in the hole," cried Guy, and in a jiffy the dirt was flung +back where it came from and the key was discovered. + +"Don't let's open the box here," said Dolly; "I think we ought to take +it to Mr. Rose first." + +"I think so, too," agreed Jack Norris, and the boys carried the big box, +while Dolly and the girls followed with the key. + +"Here you are, Captain Kidd," cried Jack as they met Mr. Rose already +coming to meet them. + +"Found it, did you?" said that gentleman, smiling at the band of +treasure seekers. "Bring it along and we'll open it." + +They all followed him to the bungalow veranda, and there the treasure +chest was unlocked. + +It contained a little souvenir for everybody present and there were +exclamations of delight over the pretty trinkets that were found tied up +in dainty tissue paper parcels that did not look at all as if they had +been prepared by Captain Kidd or his pirate crew! + +Dolly's gift was a pretty writing tablet, well furnished, and upon +which, she declared, she should write a long letter home telling of the +treasure hunt and its success. + +Later on a jolly picnic supper was served to the young people and before +this was finished the sun had set and the stars were beginning to show +above the tall trees. + +"Now for a real camp-fire," said Mr. Rose, leading the way to the open +tent. "Come on, boys, and help me fetch wood." + +The boys followed their host and under direction of Mrs. Rose and Dotty +the open tent was transformed into a cosy and inviting place. Hemlock +and spruce boughs were thrown about and partly covered with Indian +blankets and many cushions and pillows and mats of woven rattan. + +Mrs. Rose and the girls arranged themselves comfortably in this spicy +nest and when the boys returned with arms full of fagots and brush, Mr. +Rose superintended the building of a glorious fire right in front of the +open tent. + +Then the party all gathered together and sang songs and told stories and +cracked jokes in merry mood. + +The blazing fire cast grotesque shadows all about and the merry +crackling blaze was a joy of itself. + +Boxes of marshmallows made their appearance and faces took on a rosy +glow as the young people toasted the white lumps of delight on the ends +of long forks provided by Maria. + +"I never had such a good time in my life," exclaimed Dolly, her eyes +dancing and her cheeks rosy as she scampered around the fire. + +"Do you like camping?" asked Jack Norris, looking admiringly at the +pretty laughing face. + +"I just love it!" Dolly cried, and everybody wondered why all the Rose +family chuckled with glee. + +"Haven't you ever been up here before?" asked Jack. + +"No; I never saw a camp-fire before. I had no idea these things were +such fun. This has been the most beautiful day in my life!" And Dolly +looked roguishly up into the face of Mr. Rose who chanced to be passing +by. "And I thank you for it," she added, slipping her hand into his. + +Mr. Rose gave her little hand a warm welcoming grasp as he answered, +"I'm awfully glad you're enjoying it and you are very welcome to Camp +Crosstrees!" + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +A THRILLING EXPERIENCE + + +After that the days just fairly flew. Dolly changed her mind completely +and concluded that camp life was one of the jolliest things in the +world. + +Talking things over with Dotty, she explained her lonesomeness and +homesickness that first night. + +"Yes, I understand," and Dotty wagged her head sagaciously. "Most +everybody doesn't like camp at first and we didn't have any fun that +first night, but, you see, we all knew the fun was coming next days and +you didn't." + +"It was partly that," said Dolly, honestly, "and partly 'cause I felt +that I _must_ see Mother. You see, I've never been away from her all +night before, and it was so queer sleeping outdoors, and I was sort of +cold, and--" + +"I know! You were hungry! There's nothing makes anybody as homesick as +being hungry. Supper was skinny that night, I remember, and I was hungry +too, only I went to sleep and forgot all about it. Come on, Doll, let's +go over to the Norrises." + +"All right," and having informed Mrs. Rose of their intention the two +girls set off for the Norris camp, which was but a short distance away. + +To their disappointment, when they reached there, they learned that Mrs. +Norris had taken both Maisie and Jack to town with her to do some +shopping, and they would not be back before six o'clock. + +It was Sarah, the nurse girl, who told them this, as she sat on the +verandah taking care of Gladys, the two-year-old Norris baby. + +"Let's stay a few minutes and play with the kiddy," said Dolly, patting +the little fat hand of the smiling child. + +"All right," agreed Dotty; "let's take her in the swing." + +The two girls with Gladys between them sat in the wide porch swing and +Sarah said diffidently, "Would you two young ladies mind keeping the +baby for half an hour, while I run down the road a piece to see my +sister? She's awful sick." + +"Go ahead, Sarah," said Dolly, good-naturedly. "We'll take care of +Gladys. She won't cry, will she?" + +"That she won't. She's the best baby in the world. There's a couple of +crackers you can give her if she's hungry, or the cook will give you a +cup of milk for her. I won't be gone long." + +"Don't stay more than half an hour, Sarah," said Dotty; "I'd just as +lieve keep the baby but I don't know as Mrs. Norris would like it to +have you go away from the child." + +"Oh, pshaw!" said Dolly; "the baby is all right with us. Stay as long as +you want to, Sarah; I just love to take care of babies." + +So Sarah went away and the two girls proceeded to give Gladys the time +of her life. They soon tired of the swing and took the baby out into the +woods, where they crowned her with leaves and called her Queen of the +May. + +The child laughed and crowed, and as her language was limited she called +both the girls Doddy, and beamed on them both impartially. Herself she +called Daddy, being unable to achieve her own name. + +"Two Doddies take Daddy saily-bye!" she cried, waving her fat hands +toward the lake. + +"Oh, no," said Dolly; "Daddy go saily-bye when Jack comes home." + +"No! no wait for Dak! Daddy 'ant to go saily _now_! Daddy go in boat! +Two Doddy go in boat and sail Daddy far, far away!" The two little arms +waved as if indicating a journey round the world, and the baby face +beamed so coaxingly that Dolly couldn't resist it. + +"We'll go down to the shore," she said, "and Gladys can paddle her hands +in the water; that will be nice." + +"Ess!" and the baby danced with glee as the three went down to the lake. + +There was a short bit of fairly good beach at the Norrises' place, and +here the children sat down to play. A sail boat, a row boat and a canoe +were tied there and soon Gladys renewed her plea to go sailing. + +The girls tried to divert her mind, for they were not willing to take +the responsibility of taking the little girl out on the water. + +"Maybe we might take her out in the row boat," suggested Dotty, but +Dolly said, "No, I'd rather not. I can row well enough, but you can't do +much with your weak arm and suppose anything should happen to this +blessed child! No, siree, Dot; I'm not going to take any such risk." + +"I think you're silly. We could row around near shore and it would +please the baby a heap. She's going to cry if you don't." + +Dotty's prediction seemed in imminent danger of being fulfilled, but +Dolly sprang up and began a frolicking song and dance intended to divert +the baby's attention. + +But for a few moments only Gladys was pleased with this entertainment. +With the persistency of her kind, she returned again and again to the +subject of her greatly desired water trip. + +Still being denied, she set up a first class crying act. It scarcely +seemed possible that so many tears could come from those two blue eyes! +She didn't scream or howl, but she cried desperately, continuously, and +with heartbroken sobs until the two caretakers were filled with +consternation. + +No effort to divert her was successful. In no game or play would she +show any interest, and as the little face grew red from the continued +sobbing, Dotty exclaimed, "That child will have a fit, if she doesn't +get what she wants! Now look here, Doll; we won't go in a boat, but +let's put the baby in the canoe and just pull her back and forth gently +by the rope. It's tied fast to the post." + +Dolly looked doubtful, but as the baby sensed Dotty's words a heavenly +smile broke over her face and she exclaimed, "Ess, ess! Daddy go +saily-bye all aloney!" + +Dolly still hesitated, but Dotty picked up the eager child and plumped +her down in the middle of the canoe, which was partly drawn up on the +shelving beach. A little push set it afloat and grasping the rope +firmly, Dotty gently pushed and pulled the canoe back and forth, while +the baby squealed with delight. + +"That can't do any harm," said Dotty, pleased with the success of her +scheme, and Dolly agreed that Gladys was safe enough as long as she sat +still. + +"Even if she should spill out, she'd only get wet," said Dotty; "the +water isn't six inches deep where she is. And you _will_ sit still, +won't you, baby?" + +"Ess, Daddy sit still," and the baby folded her hands and sat motionless +in the canoe, only swaying slightly with the motion as Dotty slowly +pulled her in shore and then let her drift back again. + +"It's like a new-fashioned cradle," said Dolly; "I'll hold the rope for +awhile, Dot." + +"All right, take it; it hurts your hand a little after awhile." + +So Dolly pulled the rope and the two girls sitting on the beach chatted +away while the baby floated back and forth. + +"Let me take it now," said Dotty after a time; "you must be tired." + +"No, I'm not a bit tired, and I can use two hands while you can use only +one. You oughtn't to use that left flapper of yours much while it's +weak, Dot." + +"Pooh, it isn't weak! It's as strong as anything. Give me that rope!" + +"No, sir, I won't do it," and there was a good-natured scuffle for the +possession of the rope as the four hands grabbed at it and each pair +tried to get the other pair off. + +"Let go, you!" cried Dotty, pulling at Dolly's hands. + +"Let go yourself!" Dolly replied, laughingly, and then,--they never knew +quite how it happened, but somehow their scramble had pulled the rope +loose from the post, and as they twisted each other's hands, the rope +slipped away from them and slid away under the water. + +The lake was full of cross currents and even before they realised what +had happened the canoe was several feet from shore. To Gladys it seemed +like some new game and she clapped her hands and shouted in glee, "Daddy +saily all aloney,--far, far away!" She waved her baby arms and rocked +back and forth in joy. + +Dotty and Dolly were for a moment paralysed with fright. Then Dotty, +grabbing Dolly's arm, said, "_Don't_ stand there like that! We must _do_ +something! That baby will drown! Let's holler for help." + +Dotty tried to scream, but her heart was beating so wildly and her +nerves pulsing so rapidly she could make scarcely any sound, and her +wail of agony died away in a whisper. + +"I can't yell, either," said Dolly, hoarsely, as she trembled like a +leaf. "But we must _do_ something! _Don't_ go to pieces, Dotty--" + +"Go to pieces nothing! You're going to faint yourself. Now stop it, +Dollyrinda," and Dotty gave her a shake. "We've got to save that child, +no matter how we do it!-- Sit still, baby, won't you?" she called to +Gladys. + +But the child bounced about in her new-found freedom and grasping each +side of the canoe with her little hands began to rock it as hard as her +baby strength would allow. + +"Oh!" breathed Dolly, who was watching with staring eyes; "sit still, +little Gladys; don't rock the boat, dearie." + +"Ess; rock-a-by-baby, in a saily boat!" and again Gladys swayed the +little craft from side to side. + +"We must make her stop that first of all," and Dotty wrung her hands as +she stepped down to the water's edge and even into the water as she +called to the baby. "Gladys, sit very still, and Doddy come out there in +another boat. Sit _very_ still." + +Gladys did sit still, and the canoe floated steadily on the smooth lake. +But it drifted farther and farther from land and now about twenty feet +of water separated the baby from the shore. + +"We've got to get in the row boat and go out there," said Dotty, who was +already untying the rope. + +"Yes, it's the only thing to do," agreed Dolly; "but you can't row, Dot, +and I can. So I'll take the boat, and you run for help. I don't know +whether you'd better go to the Norrises; I don't think there's anybody +there but the cook, or whether you'd better make straight for home and +get your father to come." + +"I'll do both! I can run, if I can't row!" and Dotty flew off like a +deer up the hill toward the Norris camp. + +Dolly stepped into the boat and shipped the oars. It was a large +flat-bottomed boat and the oars were heavy. Dolly knew how to row but +she was not expert at it, and, too, she dreaded to turn around with her +back to the baby. "Though," she thought to herself, in an agony of +conflicting ideas, "I've got to row out there, and I can't do it and +keep watch of Gladys both." + +She pulled a few strokes, twisting her head between each to get a +glimpse of the baby who was now sitting quietly in the canoe, drifting +out toward the middle of the lake. + +Not a motor boat or craft of any kind that might lend assistance was in +sight. They were at the extreme upper end of the lake and most of the +camps were farther down. Vainly Dolly scanned the water for a boat of +any kind, but saw none. Bravely she pulled at the big oars, but she was +not an athletic girl, and having been laid up so long with a broken leg +her muscles were weak. + +She pulled as hard as she could, in a straight line toward the canoe, +but though she succeeded in lessening the distance between them she +could not get very near the baby, for the canoe drifted steadily away. + +At last, by almost superhuman efforts, she came within a few feet of the +child, and then fearing to bump into the canoe and upset it, she turned +around and tried to back water gently. But the big oars were ungainly +and the task was not easy. + +Moreover, Gladys was overjoyed at seeing Dolly in the other boat and she +expressed her joy by leaning over the side of the canoe. + +Dolly's heart seemed to stop beating as she saw the wobbly little boat +careen with the laughing baby leaning far over the edge. She knew she +must not alarm the child and so in a desperate endeavour to speak +naturally, she called out, "Sit up straight, baby; see how straight you +can sit!" + +"So straight!" and Gladys emphasised her straightness by putting both +arms up in the air. + +"Yes, dear. Now fold your arms and sit straight." + +Gladys obeyed and folded her chubby arms and sat motionless right in the +middle of the canoe. + +Dolly's heart bounded with thankfulness as with aching arms she pushed +her way nearer the drifting canoe. She was moving stern first and tried +to manoeuvre to try to come up sideways against the canoe. Then if she +could lift the baby safely into her own flat-bottomed boat she would be +content to drift about until help came. + +How many times she tried! But just as her boat would near the other, a +chance current or a puff of wind would take the canoe just out of her +reach. Paddling now with one oar she came very near the unsteady little +craft, so near that Gladys suddenly decided to jump into Dolly's boat. + +The child scrambled to her knees and leaned over the side of the canoe +till she was almost in the water. + +"Sit down!" screamed Dolly frantically, forgetting the danger of +suddenness. + +Gladys was startled and instead of sitting down leaned farther over the +edge, and the canoe capsized! + +Dolly's face blanched, her oars dropped from her hands and every muscle +in her body went limp. Then the impulse came to jump in the water after +the child. Seizing the row-lock, she was about to plunge, blindly, +heedlessly, but obeying the irresistible impulse, when something white +appeared on the water, right at her very side. It was Gladys's white +dress, and Dolly made a grab for it just as it was again about to sink +from sight. + +She held on firmly, though it seemed as if her strength was ebbing +rapidly away. + +She strove with all her might to pull the baby into her own boat, but +she could not lift the heavy child over the edge. How glad she was now +that she was in the big flat-bottomed boat, which was in little if any +danger of upsetting. + +Not knowing whether the baby was dead or alive, she hung on to the +precious burden, still trying to lift her over the edge, but unable to +do so. It was all she could do to keep her grasp on the wet clothing and +keep the child's head above water as the eddies tossed her boat around +on the rough surface of the lake. The waves were choppy and every time +she would nearly succeed in lifting the baby in, a sudden lurch would +almost make her lose her grip. + +It was when at last she almost felt the little form slipping from her +grasp that she heard the chug-chug of a motor boat and a cheery, loud +voice sang out, "Hang on, Dolly; hang on! All right, we're coming!" + +Dolly didn't dare look up, but with her last ounce of strength she hung +on to the baby's white dress, which she had already torn to ribbons in +her clutches. She heard the swift oncoming of the motor boat and feared +lest its waves might even yet wash the little form away that she held so +insecurely. She refused to lift her eyes as the sound of the engine grew +louder and she felt a sickening fear of the first waves that might reach +her from the motor boat. + +To her dismay she felt her hold loosening. Her muscles were powerless +longer to stand the strain of the baby's weight. She heard the motor and +she felt, or imagined she did, the first of the rhythmic waves that +would, she felt certain, as they grew stronger, tear the child from her +grasp. In desperation she bunched up a portion of the little white dress +and leaning her head down clinched it firmly in her teeth. + +But even as she did so, she knew she could not hold it there. The wet +cloth choked her, and the water dashed in her face and blinded her. A +sickening conviction came to her that it was all over and in another +instant little Gladys would fall away from her helpless hands, and +drown. + +But to her ears there came a sound of a human voice. Not a shout, not +even a loud call, but a calm, pleasant voice close to her, that said: +"All right Dolly! Let go. You have saved Gladys!" + +Mechanically obeying, though scarcely knowing what she did, Dolly opened +her teeth and as the baby slid from her numbed fingers the child was +grasped by strong arms, and Mr. Rose's face appeared to Dolly's view. He +had swum from the motor boat, and now holding Gladys in one arm he hung +on to the row boat with the other. + +"Take her in," he said, as he lifted the child over the edge into the +boat. + +The reaction brought back Dolly's lost nerve. Gladly she received the +little form in her arms and in another moment Mr. Rose had himself +scrambled, big and dripping, into the boat also. + +"You little trump!" he exclaimed; "you brick! you heroine! Let me take +the baby. Why, she's all right!" + +Gladys, though she had been partly unconscious, while in the water, was +really unharmed and as Mr. Rose held her to him she opened her eyes and +smiled. + +Swiftly the motor boat came and took the three on board, and dragging +the row boat behind them, they made quickly for the shore. + +"Well, I swan!" exclaimed Long Sam, who was at the wheel, "if you Dolly +ain't the rippenest little mortal! However you managed to keep a grip on +that there kid is more'n I can tell!" + +"I'm sure I can't tell you," and Dolly smiled, out of sheer happiness at +Gladys' safety. + +They reached the shore in a few moments and Mrs. Rose was there with a +big blanket in which to wrap the baby while they carried her up to the +house. Sarah the nurse was there, and soon Gladys, warmed and fed and +arrayed in dry clothes, was pronounced by all to be none the worse for +her thrilling experience. + +Dolly, however, was exhausted. Mrs. Rose, after leaving the baby to the +nurse, hurried Dolly home and put her to bed. + +"Yes, my dear," she said as Dolly objected; "you have an ordeal to go +through with as heroine of this occasion. When Mrs. Norris comes home, +she will come over here to give you a medal for bravery and heroism and +general life-saving attributes. So you must go to bed now and get rested +up to receive her thanks. You're going to have a cup of hot broth and a +good rest and perhaps a nap, and you'll wake up just as bright and happy +as ever." + +And Mrs. Rose's treatment was just what Dolly needed. She slept an hour +or more and then awoke to find Dotty's black eyes gazing into her own. + +"You beautiful, splendid Dollyrinda!" she exclaimed. "You're a Red Cross +heroine and a Legion of Honour Girl and I don't know what all!" + +"Nonsense, Dot; I didn't do any more than you did. If you hadn't had the +gumption to run and get your father, Gladys would--well,--things would +have been different." + +"It was all my fault, though," and the tears came into Dotty's eyes. "I +did the wrong in putting the baby in the canoe in the first place." + +"I did that just as much as you did. We both did wrong there, I expect. +And we both did wrong in scrabbling over the rope. Oh, we did wrong all +right, but neither of us was worse than the other. What will Mrs. Norris +say to us?" + +"She's here now," said Dotty, "waiting for you to come down. She doesn't +blame us, she blames Sarah for going away and leaving the baby." + +"That isn't fair!" and Dolly sprang out of bed; "we told Sarah she could +go. Tie up my hair, please, Dotty, I want to go down and tell Mrs. +Norris all about it." + +But as it turned out, Mrs. Norris was so glad and happy that little +Gladys was safe, that she wouldn't allow the two D's to be blamed at +all. And as the girls besought her not to blame the nurse, for what had +really been their doing, they all agreed to ignore the question of blame +and dwell only on their gladness and happiness at the safety of +everybody concerned. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +WHO WAS THE TALL PHANTOM? + + +"What _is_ a phantom party?" asked Dolly. + +"Oh, it's lots of fun," Dotty replied; "everybody is rigged up in +sheets, with a head-thing made of a pillow-case, and a little white mask +over your face, so nobody knows you." + +"Can I go?" asked Genie, her black eyes dancing. + +"No," said her mother, "you're too young, dearie, this party of Edith +Holmes' is an evening party; it begins at seven o'clock and only the big +girls can go to it." + +"Oh, dear, will I ever get grown up!" and Genie sighed with envy of her +sister and Dolly. + +"But how do you know who anybody is?" went on Dolly, who had never heard +of this game before. + +"You don't! that's the fun of it. You can't tell the girls from the +boys, and you must try to make your voice different, so nobody will know +who you are. Have you plenty of sheets, Mother, to fix us up?" + +"Yes, indeed; one apiece will do you I think, if they are wide ones." + +"We'll make our own masks," said Dotty, who had attended parties of this +sort before. + +So they cut masks from white muslin, with a little frill across the +bottom and holes to fit their eyes. + +"Now we must put a piece of gauze or net behind these eye-holes," said +Dotty, out of her full experience, "for if we don't, they'd know your +eyes and mine in a minute, Dollyrinda." + +"Then how can we see where we're going?" + +"Oh, we can see through the thin stuff easily enough, but our eyes don't +show plainly to other people." + +So insets of fine white net were put in the eye-holes and the dainty +white masks were really pretty affairs. + +They had made them not exactly alike, lest duplicates should lead to +suspicion of their identity. + +When it was time to get ready for the party Mrs. Rose pinned the girls +into their sheet draperies. + +"Make us as different as possible, Mother," advised Dotty, "so they'll +never think we're us." + +Mrs. Rose pinned Dolly's sheet into the semblance of a Japanese kimono, +while she arranged Dotty's in full folds round the neck and let it hang +in a Mother Hubbard effect. + +Dolly's pillow-case headdress was bunched on either side of her head, +like rosettes over her ears, and Dotty's hung in a plain flat fold down +her back like an Italian girl's. + +The masks were adjusted and the girls were ready to start. They wore +white gloves and white shoes and looked like a pair of very lively +ghosts. + +Mr. Rose escorted them over to the Holmes Camp, or nearly there,--for it +was the plan that each phantom must sneak in as stealthily as possible, +in order to remain unknown. + +So sometime before they reached their destination, Dotty ran on ahead, +and with great manoeuvring, managed to slip in unseen and saunter +among the crowd already gathered. + +Silently, among the trees, Mr. Rose led Dolly until he saw a good +opportunity and then with a whispered "Scoot in there!" he indicated a +chance for her to make her entrance, and he himself went back home. + +It was dusk, not dark, but the light of the big camp fire made +convenient shadows to screen the entrance of the guests. + +It seemed a weird sight to Dolly as she somewhat timidly made her way +in. Twenty or thirty white-robed figures were bowing and scraping or +dancing wildly about or talking to each other in high squeaky voices and +short sentences. + +"Know me?" somebody said, stopping in front of Dolly. + +The voice seemed a little familiar, and yet Dolly couldn't quite place +it. It might be Jack Norris, or it might be one of the Holmes boys. But +in a spirit of fun she nodded her head affirmatively, with great vigour, +as if to declare that she knew the speaker perfectly well, but she would +not speak herself. + +"Who?" squeaked the high voice, hoping Dolly would speak and thus reveal +her own identity. + +But Dolly was too canny for this. Instead she joined together her thumb +and forefinger of each hand and held them up to her eyes, making circles +like eye-glass rims. Now, in sunny weather, Guy Holmes wore big glasses +with shell rims, and as this described him fairly well, it was a stroke +of triumph on Dolly's part. For it was Guy Holmes himself, and he +doubled up with laughter at the clever identification. + +But he shook his head as if Dolly were greatly mistaken in her guess, +and so she didn't know whether she had been right or not. + +When all had arrived, they danced in a circle round the fire, chanting +wild sounds that had no meaning or rhythm but were supposed to be +ghostlike wails and groans. + +Then a game was played, under the direction of Mr. Holmes, by which it +was endeavoured to learn who the different phantoms were. + +Their host led them to what was really the drying-ground for the family +laundry. A clothesline stretched on four posts formed a square, and from +the clothesline depended brown paper bags of varying sizes, from large +to tiny, each held by a slender string. + +"One at a time," Mr. Holmes explained, "our ghostly friends will go into +the square, and being blindfolded, will endeavour to hit a bag with a +stick. If the attempt is successful the ghost may return unchallenged, +but if he fail to hit a bag the others may guess from his gestures who +it is." + +The bags were not very near together, there being only three or four on +each side of the clothesline square. + +Mr. Holmes selected one of the phantoms and escorted it to the middle of +the square, placed a stick in the outstretched hand, blindfolded the +motionless figure, turned it round with a whirl and said, "Step +forward, and hit where you choose, and see if you can bring down a bag." + +The ghost was very evidently a boy, for two vigorous arms grasped the +stick and with a couple of long strides the white figure stalked +forward. + +A vigorous blow ensued, but the stick came down between two of the bags +and made no hit. + +"Now you may guess who it is," said Mr. Holmes, "as our friend ghost did +not strike anything. If you guess right, he must take off his mask, but +if not he may retain it. Only one guess allowed." + +Somebody sung out the name of Jack Norris, as the ghost was about his +height, but the white figure shook its head vigorously and glided back +among the crowd. + +The game went on. Sometimes a ghost would hit a bag and the flimsy paper +would burst and a quantity of peanuts or popcorn would scatter on the +grass, to be scrabbled for by the rollicking phantoms. + +One bag held confetti which scattered through the air in a gay shower of +colour. + +When it was Dolly's turn, she was determined that she would act as +differently as possible from her usual manner and so fool everybody. +After she was blindfolded and turned round, she took the stick and with +little mincing steps, imitated exactly the gait of Josie Holmes. She +made a wild dash with the stick, but failed to hit a bag and Maisie +Norris called out at once, "You're Josie Holmes! I know that walk!" + +Dolly shook her head vigorously and ran back to the crowd. She chanced +to stand next to a very tall ghost who gravely patted her cheek as she +stood beside him. Dolly looked up quickly, for she did not like this +familiarity from a stranger, and she was sure the phantom was too tall +to be any of the boys she knew. Of course, as the party was large, there +were many of the guests whom Dolly had never met, and she resented the +act of the stranger and drawing herself up with great dignity turned her +back upon him. + +But the tall ghost jumped around in front of her and patted her other +cheek, the while he gave a cackling, rattling, ghostly chuckle. + +To be sure Dolly's cheek was covered by her mask and the ghost wore +white cotton gloves, but she did not at all like his familiar manner and +she walked quickly away from him. + +A few moments later the tall ghost himself went to take his turn with +the stick. + +Blindfolded and whirled about, he went with short, steady steps +straight forward, and with a big whack he chanced to bring down a good +sized bag. It was filled with the feathers of a whole pillow, and great +laughter ensued as, like snowflakes, the feathers flew through the air. +His heavy stroke had sent the bag flying upward and as it burst the +feathers descended in a shower. + +Since he had broken a bag, the identity of the tall ghost was not even +guessed at, so Dolly had no chance to learn his name. + +However, everybody was laughing and sneezing, as the feathers drifted +down and flew into their mouths or tickled their ears. + +Only a few of the ghosts' names were guessed correctly, as many of them +had carefully disguised their shapes and sizes. Thin people had put on +sweaters or bulky coats to make themselves appear stout, and short +people had built up high headdresses in an effort to seem taller. + +By the time the game was over every one was in most hilarious mood, and +the few who had been guessed and so had removed their masks, were +teasing the others in efforts to make them talk. + +"I know you," said Elmer Holmes, pausing in front of Dolly. "You're +Dotty Rose!" + +"How do you know?" And Dolly spoke in low, guttural tones, way down in +her throat. + +"Oh, you needn't growl like a little bear cub! I know you, because +you're so careful of that left wing of yours. You thought nobody would +notice it, did you? But I spied it, and I _know_ you're Dot! You've got +on a couple of coats or something to make you look fatter, but you're +Dotty, all right." + +Dolly shook with laughter, for she had pretended to shield her left arm +with a gesture that was purposely copied from Dotty. + +Just then the tall ghost appeared again at Dolly's side. He laid his +hand on her shoulder and bent down a little to look in her eyes. + +Dolly drew away from him and turned to Elmer Holmes. + +"Who?" she said, in a hoarse whisper, pointing to the tall phantom. + +"That's telling," said Elmer, laughing. "Ask him yourself who he is." + +"Who?" grunted Dolly again, addressing herself to the tall one. + +"Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-Eater!" and the tall ghost grunted out the words +from one corner of his mouth and Dolly could not recognise the voice. +As the ghost spoke he patted Dolly on the head. + +Dolly disliked his manner, for none of the other boys were other than +correctly formal and polite, so she turned away from him, making a +gesture of dismissal with her hand. + +Apparently "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin-Eater" was desolated, for he put his +hands to his eyes and rocked himself back and forth with wailing groans +of despair. He was funny, and Dolly had a great desire to know who he +might be, but she did not like the familiarity of his manner, and she +turned away to speak to some one else. + +"Take partners for a Virginia reel," called out Mr. Holmes, "and after +that, we will unmask for supper." + +The next moment Dolly found the tall ghost bowing before her and +evidently asking her to dance with him. + +But instinctively she felt that she preferred not to dance with a +partner who was what she called "fresh" in his manner and she shook her +head in refusal. + +"Peter" urged and begged her, in dumb show, to consent. Dolly was +tempted to do so, for his gestures were pleasantly wheedlesome, but as +she held out her hand in half consent, Peter grasped it and falling on +one knee kissed it with his hand on his heart with all the effect of a +most devoted cavalier. + +"He's too silly!" Dolly thought to herself; "I won't dance with him, for +I don't know how he would carry on. But I wonder who he is." + +So Dolly turned decidedly away from the tall suitor and found two other +ghosts bowing before her and evidently requesting her to dance. + +She looked at the two figures and having no idea who they might be, she +hesitated which to choose. + +Finally, with a white-gloved finger, she touched each in turn, "counting +out." + +"My--mother--told--me--to--take--this--one!" She mumbled, in a +monotonous singsong tone. + +And then as her final choice rested on one of the ghosts, she went away +with him to take her place in the lines that were forming for the dance. + +Dolly was at the end of the line of girls and opposite her, of course, +was her partner. Next to Dolly's partner stood the tall ghost and as +Dolly looked at him, he waved his hand at her and then lightly blew her +a kiss from the tips of his white-gloved fingers. + +"Freshy!" said Dolly to herself. "I think he's horrid! to act like +that, when he doesn't know me at all, for I know I've not met any boy up +here as tall as he is." + +The dance began and there was much gay laughter as the phantoms advanced +and retreated in their respective turns. The boys pranced awkwardly in +their unaccustomed draperies, while the girls minced around prettily and +flung their sheets in graceful whirls. + +When it came Dolly's turn, she suddenly realised that as the tall ghost +stood next to her own partner it was the obnoxious Peter with whom she +would have to go through the figures of the old-fashioned dance. + +With a very stately air she went forward as the tall ghost came to meet +her half-way. They bowed with great dignity and turned to their places +while the other couple did their part. + +Next they must join right hands and swing around and this time the tall +ghost whirled Dolly around so vigorously that he almost swung her off +her feet. + +Dolly began to be really annoyed, but she determined not to show it and +stepped gracefully up for the next figure. This was the left hand twirl, +and Peter turned her around more gently this time, but the next, when +they joined both hands, Peter swung her swiftly round twice instead of +once, his own feet clumping as if in a clog dance. + +The next time the pair merely walked round each other back to back, and +Dolly was very careful to keep as far distant as possible from the +obnoxious Peter. + +The dance would soon be over, she knew, and then he would have to unmask +and she could see who this unpleasantly forward youth might be. + +It was during the last of the grand march when it came Dolly's turn to +dance gaily down the line with her own partner, whom she did not yet +know by name, that Peter unceremoniously pushed Dolly's partner aside, +and himself taking Dolly's hand, whirled her down the long aisle between +the two lines of ghosts who clapped their hands and chanted or whistled +in time to the music. + +So rapidly did Peter whirl Dolly around that she had no choice but to +follow, and she realised suddenly that the tall ghost was a most awkward +dancer, and that unless she was very nimble herself he would tread on +her toes. + +Too angry now to think of disguising her voice, Dolly whispered to Peter +as they danced along. "You are most rude and unmannerly! I have never +met a boy so fresh and horrid! As soon as we reach the other end of the +line I command you to let me go and I wish you never to speak to me +again!" + +Dolly was thoroughly angry, but as she preferred not to let the others +know of her annoyance, she danced on with Peter toward the end of the +line, though she suddenly realised that he was guiding her so as to make +their progress as slow as possible. + +"Oh, now,--oh, now, don't get mad!" and the squeaky voiced, choked with +laughter, was almost inaudible. + +"I _am_ mad! I _hate_ you! you're not a nice boy at all, and I wonder +Edith Holmes invited you!" + +"She didn't!" was squeaked into Dolly's ear, and then, as they reached +the end of the line the audacious Peter lifted the frill of Dolly's mask +and kissed her cheek. Then with a bow, he released her and turned away +to his place in the line. + +But as Peter had taken the place of Dolly's partner, and as her partner +had apparently not resented this act, Dolly had no choice but to join +hands with Peter and march back under an arch-way formed by the clasped +hands of the other ghosts. Rather than make an unpleasant scene by +refusing, Dolly thought better to do this, as it would end the dance. So +giving her finger-tips to the horrid Peter she bent to go under the +raised hands. + +Tall Peter had to bend a great deal, and as for some reason or other he +was decidedly clumsy with his feet and forever tripping on his trailing +robe, the pair could think of nothing but their progress along the line, +and as they reached the end, the dance was over and the music stopped. + +"Now," thought Dolly to herself, "I'll see who that horrid boy is, +though of course it's no one I know, and as he said Edith didn't invite +him, he must be some intruder who hasn't any business here. But I can't +see why he picked _me_ out to annoy with his bad manners. I hope nobody +saw him." + +"Masks off!" sang out Mr. Holmes, and each ghost began to untie the +strings of his concealing disguise. It was not always easy and many had +to ask help from their neighbours before they could release themselves. + +Dolly untied her mask quickly and stood with angry eyes awaiting a +revelation of Peter's identity. + +With one hand behind his head, as he loosened his mask, the tall ghost +stepped to Dolly's side and said in a squeaky whisper, "Won't you +forgive me?" + +"No," said Dolly sternly, as she frowned at him. "You have been +unpardonable, and I have no wish to know you." + +"Aw, now, Dollydoodle," and the mask was whisked off and smiling down at +her stood--Dolly's brother, Bert! + +Dolly stared at him in utter amazement and then burst into laughter as +she realised what it all meant. + +"You goose!" she exclaimed, as the brother and sister stood choking with +laughter at the situation. + +"But how _could_ I know you?" said Dolly, "What makes you so tall?" + +"I have big blocks of wood fastened to my shoe soles," explained Bert, +"and, my, but it makes me clumsy-footed!" + +"I should think so! I don't see how you danced at all! Where _did_ you +come from? How did you get here? Oh, Bert, I'm so glad it was _you_, for +I was so mad when I thought some stranger was acting up like that." + +"It was a shame, Dollypops, to tease you, but I just couldn't help it. I +had no intention of acting up like that, but when I just patted your +hand you got so mad, that I thought it would be fun to go on. I'm glad +you _are_ such a little touch-me-not." + +"Well, I should hope I _wouldn't_ want strange boys patting me like +that! And when you kissed me, Bert, I thought I should scream, I was so +mad, but honestly I was ashamed to make a scene and let people know what +you had done." + +"You'll forgive me, sister, won't you?" and Bert's big blue eyes looked +into Dolly's, as for a moment he did feel ashamed of himself for teasing +her so. But his love of a joke was so great, that he had thoroughly +enjoyed fooling Dolly and his affectionate sister willingly forgave him. + +"Don't know yet who was your partner, do you, Dolly?" said a voice near +her, and turning, Dolly saw Bob Rose. + +"Oh, were _you_?" and Dolly turned to him, laughing. + +"I sure was! I resigned in favour of Bert at the last, because he +commanded me to." + +"When did you come up here?" and the amazed Dolly began to realise how +matters stood. + +"To-night," said Bert. "We were at Crosstrees before you girls left, but +Mrs. Rose kept us hidden and after you were gone, she togged us up in +sheets, and here we are." + +"But why did you make yourself tall, Bert? Nobody up here would know you +anyhow, except Dot and me." + +"Oh, just did it for fun. Thought I'd make an impression as the tallest +ghost in captivity. Where's Dotty? And I want to meet a few of these +other ghost girls. I'll shake you now, Dollikins, and you can have your +own partner back." Bert went away leaving Bob with Dolly, who escorted +her to supper. + +The supper was served in true camp-fire fashion. There was no table, the +ghosts, all unmasked now, sat round the big fire on camp stools or +cushions, and the boys waited on the girls in true picnic style. There +were substantial viands, as the evening air caused hearty appetites, and +Dolly settled herself comfortably on a divan improvised of evergreen +boughs and gratefully accepted a cup of hot bouillon and some sandwiches +that Bob brought. + +Edith Holmes was sitting by Dolly, and she was chuckling with laughter +as Bert told her the joke he had played on his sister. + +After supper the merry young people sang songs and glees round the fire +until it was time to go home. + +"Daddy said he'd come for us," said Dotty laughingly to Dolly, "but of +course he didn't mean it for he knew the boys would be here to take us +home." + +"I'll just remove these blocks of wood before I start," said Bert, as +he quickly tore off the clumsy and cumbersome things. + +"Now I can walk better," and he stood on his own shoe soles and at his +own height. + +"I'm awfully glad you're here again, Bob," said Edith Holmes, as they +said good-night, "and I'm glad you're here too," she added to Bert +Fayre. "Our camps are so near that we must play together a lot." + +"Nice girl," commented Bert, as the quartette walked away. "Lots of nice +people at that party." + +"Yes," agreed Bob, "girls are nice at parties, but sometimes we don't +want them around. Be sure to be up, old man, by sunrise to-morrow +morning, for we're going fishing early." + +"Can't we go?" asked Dotty. + +"No, ma'am! No girls need apply. A real fishing trip is a serious matter +and we can't be bothered with girls. When we come home to-morrow night, +if Mother says you've been good children all day, you can have some of +our fish." + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THAT LUNCHEON + + +To Dolly's surprise she discovered that Bob and Bert were in earnest +regarding their preference for expeditions that did not include girls. +Nearly every day the two boys went off fishing or motor boating with a +lot of their cronies, but the girls were seldom asked. + +"They're always like that," said Dotty, carelessly. "They like to ramble +through the woods or cruise around the lake by themselves. They wear old +flannel shirts and disreputable hats, and they eat their lunch any old +way, without any frills or fuss. I don't like that sort of picnicking +myself, I like pretty table fixings even if they're only paper napkins +and pasteboard dishes. But the boys like tin pails and old frying pans +and they catch their fish and cook 'em and eat 'em like a horde of +savages." + +"All right," agreed Dolly, "we can have fun enough without them; but I +think they might take us along sometimes. Let's get up a rival picnic +some day, and see if they won't come to it." + +"They won't," said Dotty, "but we can try it, if you like. And anyway +we can have our own fun." + +So one day when all the boys of the neighbouring camps were going on a +fishing trip, the girls arranged a picnic of their own. + +The two Holmes girls, Maisie Norris, Dolly and Dotty, and three or four +others, were in the crowd and they were to go in two motor boats to +Bramble Brook, the very spot where the boys were trout fishing that day. + +Long Sam navigated one boat and the Norris's man engineered the other. + +Dolly had evolved a plan for a great joke on the boys, which, she +flattered herself, would even up with Bert for the joke he had played on +her. + +In pursuance of their plan, the girls were taking with them a most +marvellous luncheon. + +There were boxes of devilled eggs, each gold and white confection in a +case of fringed white paper. Sandwiches in tiny rolls and fancy shapes. +Dishes of salad that were pictures in themselves, and platters of cold +meats cut in appetising slices and garnished with aspic jelly in +quivering translucence. Platters of cold chicken, delicately browned and +garnished with parsley and lemon slices. Dainty baskets of little +frosted cakes and tartlets filled with tempting jam covered with +frosting. + +Oh, Dolly had planned well for her little joke, and if successful, it +would be rare sport. + +The boys had been gone for hours when the girls started, and in their +fresh linen dresses and bright hair-ribbons they were a jolly looking +crowd who filled the two motor boats as they left the Crosstrees pier. + +Mrs. Rose waved a good-bye, knowing the young people were safe, in +charge of Long Sam and old Ephraim, the tried and trusted factotum of +the Norris family. + +"In you go!" cried Long Sam as he deftly handed the girls into the +boats, and the laughing crowd settled themselves to enjoy the trip. + +It was a beautiful mid-summer day, and the heat sufficiently tempered by +the cool breezes that swept across the lake. The girls chattered and +sang and called to each other as the two boats kept close together on +their way. + +When they reached Bramble Brook they did not go to the regular landing +place, but Long Sam cleverly found a concealed nook where they could +land without danger of being seen by the boys who were already there. + +The trout stream was a long one, but all of its meanderings were well +known to Sam and Ephraim, who were old residents of the locality. + +The girls waited while the two men went to reconnoitre. + +After a time the scouts returned. + +"They're away up the brook," said Long Sam, "but all their grub and +things is stacked in the clearing, and I reckon they'll be coming along +back in about an hour to feed. They started pretty early and I reckon +they can't hold out much longer 'thout their grub. What next, ladies?" + +"You, Sam, help us unpack our hampers," said Dolly, who was directing +affairs, "and you, Ephraim, go and gather up all their foodstuff and +either hide it around there or bring it back here." + +"Yes'm," and old Ephraim trudged away, intent only on obeying orders to +the letter. + +He returned with a big basket on either arm. + +"Thought I'd better fetch it along," he said; "them chaps would hunt it +out wherever I hid it. I left 'em all their cooking things, pots and +pans, but poor fellers, they won't have nothin' to cook!" + +"Here's their coffee," cried Edith Holmes, who was peering into the +baskets. "And here's bacon and eggs, oh, what horrid looking stuff! And +loaves of dry bread! Guy and Elmer just hate plain bread. _May be_ they +won't care for our sandwiches!" + +"Let's make coffee!" said Dotty; "there's nothing so good at a camp +feast as coffee. Don't you love it, Edith?" + +"Mother doesn't let me have it, but make it all the same, the boys adore +it." + +"We can have one cup," said Dotty; "Mother allows that. But I'm going to +make it, the boys will be crazy about it. You scoot back and get the +coffee pot, Ephraim, and the big long spoon, they'll probably have one." + +Back went Ephraim on his errand, and when he returned his eyes were +greeted by the sight of the daintily spread luncheon. + +Heavy brown papers had been spread on the ground, and these were covered +with a tablecloth of white crepe paper with a design of green ferns for +a border. Real ferns were laid here and there under the dishes of good +things, and piles of white pasteboard plates and paper napkins were in +readiness. + +"What about coffee cups?" exclaimed Maisie. "I know they only have +horrid old tin things." + +"Oh, we've lots of paper drinking cups," said Dotty, "those pretty +pleated ones, they'll be lovely for coffee. Say, Sam, I want this coffee +to be just right, and I wish you'd make it. I know how, but I'm sure +yours will be better." + +Long Sam was greatly flattered at this compliment, and he proceeded to +build a fire and make the coffee with a practised hand that betokened +long experience in these arts. + +"Isn't the table lovely!" exclaimed Josie Holmes, as she brought a few +wild flowers she had found, and placed them gracefully among the ferns +that decorated the feast. + +"And thank goodness I haven't seen a spider nor an ant!" cried Nellie +North, who had been, with another girl, told off to keep the table free +of any such marauders. One venturesome grasshopper had made a spring +toward the food, but had been caught and had his energies turned in a +far different direction. + +"S'pose we have to wait an awful long time," said Edith, as she looked +longingly at the tempting dishes. + +"Never mind if we do!" said Dotty; "there's nothing that can take any +hurt. There's nothing to get cold except the coffee, and Sam will attend +to that. The glass fruit jars full of lemonade are in the brook, so that +will be lovely and cool when we want it. Oh, everything is all right; +and we've only just got to wait. So you girls may as well make up your +mind to it." + +Although the wait seemed long, after a time, Long Sam, scouting about, +heard the boys' voices in the distance. He warned the girls and they +were all quiet as mice, awaiting developments. + +The crowd of boys came nearer, laughing and shouting, as they reached +their own headquarters. + +Sam beckoned to the girls to come and peep through the bushes at the +amazed group, who had suddenly discovered that their food was missing. + +"Somebody has swiped it!" cried Elmer Holmes, angrily. "All our grub is +gone! I say, fellows, what shall we do?" + +"Do! Go after them and get it back!" cried Jack Norris, and then a +chorus of shouts went up; "the coffee pot's gone!" "All the bacon and +eggs are gone!" "And the bread, too!" + +"They sure made a clean sweep," said Bert Fayre. "Who do you s'pose did +it?" + +"Some other crowd of fishing chaps," said Bob Rose, confidently, "but it +doesn't often happen,--a thing like that. No decent fellows would do +it." + +The girls, only a few rods distant, were peeping through the bushes and +shaking with silent laughter at the discomfited boys. Such looks of +chagrin and dismay as they showed! and such belligerent determination +to hunt the marauders and duly punish them. + +"Just you wait till I get hold of the thieves!" cried Elmer Holmes, +"I'll give them what for!" + +"You won't catch them," said Bert; "they're probably miles away by this +time, and they've probably eaten up all our snacks. Wow, but I'm +hungry!" + +"So say we all of us!" chorused the boys, as they flung themselves +around in disconsolate attitudes. + +"Not a snip-jack of anything," Jack went on, peering vainly into a few +empty baskets that Sam had left behind him. "The nerve of them, to steal +our coffee and then take our coffee pot to make it in! Honest, fellows, +I never knew such a thing to happen before. I've been up here a lot of +summers and I never struck a crowd that would do such a thing as this." + +"That's so," agreed Bob Rose, "why, often a lot of strange chaps will +share their grub with you, but I never knew 'em to hook it! Must be an +awful mean crowd." + +"Well, all the same," said Bert, "what are we going to do for lunch? I +rousted out at sunup, and to be sure, I had my breakfast, but it's +forgotten in the dim past." + +"We can cook our fish," said one of the boys "but we'll miss the coffee +and potatoes and bread and such various staffs of life. We haven't such +a lot of fish anyhow." + +"No; we depended on bacon and eggs for our mainstay. I move we go home." + +"S'pose we'll have to," and Bob looked rueful, "We can't put in a whole +afternoon on empty stomachs. What do you say, shall we cook the fish, or +light right out for home?" + +"Here's a cracker they dropped," cried Bert, who spied a soda biscuit on +the ground and brushing it off, began to eat it. + +"Aw, give a starving comrade a bite," and Guy held out his hand eagerly. + +"By jiminy, here's another!" and Jack found another cracker farther +along. + +Now this was part of the plan, and it was at Dolly's directions that +Long Sam had carefully planted a few crackers at intervals to lure the +unsuspecting boys to the surprise that awaited them. + +Dolly and Dotty, with their arms around each other, were peeping through +the trees, and they shook with glee as they saw the boys eagerly hunting +for the stray crackers. + +"Funny how they came to drop 'em along," said Guy and Elmer responded, +"Must have been eating them on their way. But say, they've left a trail; +let's follow it." + +The group of boys--there were eight of them--moved slowly along toward +where the girls were hidden. The trail of crackers had been adroitly +arranged to bring them finally within sight of the appetising luncheon +so daintily set forth. + +As the boys came nearer to the little clearing, and as the sight of the +feast must in a moment burst upon their eyes, the girls scampered to +hide behind trees to watch the astonished faces. + +Nor were they disappointed. In a moment more the boys came in sight of +the luncheon and stopped suddenly. + +"By gum!" + +"Well, what do you know about that!" + +"Jiminy crickets!" + +"Ah there, my size!" + +And various other boyish exclamations gave voice to surprise and delight +on the part of the onlookers. But they paused several steps away from +the feast. + +"That's a girls' layout," said Bert Fayre, nodding his head sagaciously; +"no fellows ever set up that dinky business! But it looks good to me!" + +"Good!" exclaimed Jack; "I'd face a term in State's prison to nab that +loot! Wonder who owns it!" + +"Certainly not the people who stole our grub; so we can't claim this in +return. Oh, I smell coffee! 'M-mm!" + +Unwilling to intrude further on what was so evidently a girls' picnic, +and yet equally unable to tear themselves away from the enticing scene, +the boys stood, a comically eager crowd, looking vainly about for signs +of the picnic party. + +"Seems 'sif I must grab one sandwich," said Bob, rolling his eyes +comically toward the piled-up dishes. + +"Well, you won't," said Bert, who had no fear that Bob would be guilty +of such a thing, but he wasn't quite so sure of some of the other boys, +and so they stood like a lot of hungry tramps, a little bewildered at +the situation and greatly tantalised by the sight of the feast and the +odour of steaming coffee. + +"Nothing doing," said Bob, at last. "We can't touch other people's +property, and we might as well go on home. But if the ladies belonging +to this church sociable would show themselves, I'd sit up and beg for a +bone of that fried chicken over there." + +"Maybe we all wouldn't!" commented several, and then, at a signal from +Dolly, the girls sprang from their hiding-places and stood laughing at +the crowd of hungry boys. + +"Oh, you Dotty Rose!" cried Jack Norris, as he caught Dotty's dancing +black eyes, "I might have known you were at the head of this!" + +"No more than Dolly Fayre," cried Dotty, "and all the rest of us. Are +you hungry, boys?" + +"Are we hungry? We should smile! We've been hungry all the while!" came +in chorus from the famished tramps. + +"_Would_ you care to come to lunch with us?" said Dolly, her blue eyes +dancing as she put the question. + +"Would we care to!" and Jack grinned at her. "We're hungry enough to eat +you girls; but, alas! kind ladies, we're obliged to regret your +invitation as we're not in proper society garb." + +Suddenly the boys became aware of their flannel shirts and old hats and +general fishermanlike appearance. + +"We'll forgive that for once," cried Dotty; "we'll pretend we're a +rescue party and you're a lot of starving soldiers, so we won't mind +your tattered uniforms." + +"Rescue party!" cried Bob; "I like that! Aren't you the sly ones who +raided our commissariat department? Own up, now!" + +"What makes you think so?" And Edith Holmes looked the picture of +injured innocence. + +"Oh, yes! 'What makes us think so!' What makes us think that's our +coffee boiling in our coffee pot! Fair ladies, we invite you to lunch +with us, on our coffee and our bacon and eggs. And if you'll wait a few +minutes, we'll cook our trout for you." + +"Well, I'll tell you what," and golden-haired Dolly settled the +question; "we'll eat our luncheon now, as it's all ready, and then, if +you like, you can cook your fish afterward." + +"That suits me," said Bob, "and I'm free to confess that I can't wait +another minute to attack this Ladies'-Own-Cooking-School Lay Out! Take +seats, everybody-- I mean you girls sit down, and us chaps will wait on +you." + +"All right," laughed Dolly; "we resign in your favour. I can tell you +girls get hungry, too." + +So the girls sat around, and the boys quickly passed plates and napkins +and then the dishes of delicious food. + +Then they served themselves, and sitting down by the girls, rapidly +demolished the contents of their well-filled plates. + +"I'm not going to rub it in," said Dolly, dimpling with smiles, "but for +boys who don't want girls along on their picnics you seem to enjoy our +society fairly well." + +"It isn't our society they're enjoying," said Nellie North; "it's our +stuffed eggs and cold chicken." + +"It's both, adorable damsels," declared Bob. "Just let us appease our +hunger, and goodness knows you've enough stuff here for a regiment, and +then we'll show you how we appreciate the blessing of your society. +We'll entertain you any way you choose." + +"That we will," agreed Guy. "We'll give you a circus performance, a +concert, lecture, or song and dance, as you decree." + +But it took a long time to satisfy the boys' appetites. It seemed as if +they could never get enough of the various delicacies, and though they +pretended to make fun of what they called the fiddly-faddly frills, they +thoroughly relished the good things. + +"These eggs ought to be shaved," said Bob, as he picked the little +fringes of white tissue paper from a devilled egg. + +"No critical remarks, please," said Dolly, offering him a rolled up +sandwich tied with a narrow white ribbon. + +"Oh, my goodness! do I eat ribbon and all? I can do magical stunts for +you afterward, like the chap who pulls yards of ribbon out of his mouth, +on the stage." + +"Anybody who makes fun of our things can't have any," declared Josie. + +"Oh, I'm not making fun," and Bob took half a dozen of the tiny +sandwiches. "Why, I always have my meals tied up in ribbons. I have +sashes on my griddle-cakes and neckties on my eggs, always." + +"I like these orange-peel baskets filled with fruit salad," said Bert, +as he helped himself to another; "I think food in baskets is the only +real proper way." + +But at last, even the hungry fishermen declared they couldn't eat +another bite, and the young people left the feast and sat on the rocks +and tree stumps near by, while Long Sam and Ephraim cleared away and +packed up the things to take home. + +The boys were as good as their word, and entertained the girls by +singing college songs and giving gay imitations and stunts, and +everybody declared, as the picnic finally broke up, that it had been the +very best one of the season. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +THE CAKE CONTEST + + +"Oh, _do_ go in for it!" Edith Holmes was saying, as she and Maisie +Norris sat on the edge of the Rose's shack and tried to persuade Dotty +and Dolly to agree to their plan. + +"But I never made a cake in my life," Dolly objected. + +"Nor I, either," said Dotty; "I don't see how we can, Edith. You're a +regular born cook, and that's different." + +"But maybe you're a regular born cook, too," argued Edith; "you can't +tell if you never have tried." + +"Anyway, enter the contest just for fun," urged Maisie. "Everybody will +help with the bazaar, and of course you want to be in it; and I want you +to be in this contest, because all us girls are." + +"I'd just as lieve," said Dolly, "only there's no chance of our winning +the prize." + +"Well, never mind if you don't. You'll have a lot of fun, and besides +it will teach you to make cake, and that's a good thing to know. That +funny old Maria of yours will help you." + +"But would it be fair to have her help us?" + +"Oh, of course not _make_ the cake; you must do that yourselves. But she +can tell you how, or show you how, and you can practise all you like +beforehand, of course. And you might win the prize, after all." + +"What is the prize?" + +"A twenty dollar gold piece!" + +"What a grand prize! I didn't know it was such a big one." + +"Well, you see, old Mrs. Van Zandt gives it. She's a crank on Domestic +Science and girls knowing how to cook and all that. And besides there'll +be lots of entries. All the girls all round the lake will send cakes." + +"Can anybody send?" + +"Any girl under sixteen. They call it the Sweet Sixteen Cake Prize." + +"All right, let's do it," said Dotty, and Dolly said, "I'm willing, but +it seems nonsensical when we don't know a thing about making cake, and +less than a week to learn in. But we can have a try at it, anyway, and +we'll be in the fun. Hey, Dotsy?" + +"All right, then," said Maisie, delightedly; "I'll tell Miss Travers +that you two girls will join the contest. She'll be delighted. She's at +the head of that committee." + +Later the two D's conferred with Mrs. Rose about the matter. + +"I'll be glad to have you do it," that lady said. "I always like to have +you learn anything domestic. Of course you can learn to make cake in a +week, if you have any knack at all. Go down to the kitchen now, and +Maria will give you your first lessons. Ask her to show you how to make +plain cup-cake first, and if you make a little more elaborate kind every +day, by the end of the week you ought to be able to concoct almost +anything. I don't want to be discouraging, but I can hardly think you'll +take the prize, for I remember last year the cakes were really most +astonishing affairs." + +"No, we won't catch any prize," Dotty agreed; "but we want to be in the +bazaar, and the cake department is about as much fun as any. You see, +even if we don't take the prize, we sell our cakes for the biggest price +possible and that helps the bazaar along." + +"Is it for charity?" asked Dolly. + +"Yes; they hold it every year in the hotel, and all the camp people +take part. Oh, it's lots of fun; I'm so glad it's going to be while +you're here." + +The two girls ran down to the kitchen, and informed Maria of their +immediate desire to learn to make cake. + +"Bress gracious, chillun," said the surprised old coloured woman, "I'll +make all de cakes you all can eat. Don't you bodder 'bout makin' cakes +yo'self. Jes' leab dat to ole Maria." + +"But you don't understand, Cookie," said Dotty. "We want to learn, +because we're going to make a cake to send to the fair, for the prize +contest." + +"Prize contes'! What's dat?" + +"Why, they give a prize for the best cake sent in." + +"All right, den. Leab it all to me. I'll sho'ly make a cake what'll +catch dat prize. You all shoo out ob here now." + +"No, no, Maria, you don't understand," and Dolly began to explain. "We +must make the cakes ourselves. You can't do it, because you're not under +sixteen--are you?" And the laughing blue eyes looked quizzically at the +old darky. + +"Sixteen! Laws, chile, I's a mudder in Israel. I got chilluns and +grandchilluns. I ain't been sixteen since I can 'member. But, lawsy,--a +young un of sixteen can't make no cake worth eatin'!" + +"But we can, if _you_ teach us, Maria," said Dotty, with tactful +flattery. + +"Well, mebbe dat's so, if I do the most of it, and you jes' bring me the +things." + +"No, that won't do; we must do it ourselves, but you must show us how." + +At last they convinced Maria of her part in the undertaking, and with +more or less good-natured grumbling, she proceeded to enlighten the +girls in the mysteries of cake making. + +The old cook was not trammelled by definite recipes and her rules seemed +to be "a little of dis," and "a right smart lot of dat." + +But, even so, she was a good teacher, and at the end of the first +lesson, the girls had each a round cake, plain, but light and wholesome, +well-baked and delicately browned. + +These were proudly exhibited at the family luncheon, and were at once +appropriated by Bob and Bert, who immediately constituted themselves a +Court of Final Judgment, and declared their intention of eating all the +preliminary cakes that would be made during the week's lessons. + +So interested did the girls become, that every morning they spent in the +kitchen. + +Mr. Rose expressed a mock terror lest his bills for butter and eggs +should land him in the poor-house, but the cake-making went on, and more +and more elaborate confections were turned out by the rapidly +progressing cooks. + +Mrs. Rose declared that it was her opinion that doctors' bills were +imminent, if indeed the whole family would not soon be in the hospital; +but though the boys and Genie ate a fair portion of the cakes, much more +was consumed by the neighbouring young people, who formed a habit of +drifting in to Crosstrees camp afternoons to sample the morning's work. + +The days brought plum cakes and marble cakes; chocolate, cocoanut, +custard and jelly cakes. + +Once having achieved the knack of making the cake itself, the fillings +or elaborations were not difficult. + +The girls took the matter rather seriously, but as the great day drew +nearer, they began to have a glimmering hope that they might achieve the +prize after all. + +"But, oh, Dollyrinda," exclaimed Dotty, impulsively, "if my cake should +take the prize ahead of yours, I'd cry my eyes out, and if your cake +took the prize ahead of mine, I'd never speak to you again!" + +Dolly laughed. "I've been thinking about that, too, Dot, and do you +know, I think it would be nicest for us to make only one cake, and make +it together, and enter it under both our names, and then if it takes the +prize we can divide the twenty dollars." + +Dotty drew a long sigh of relief. "That is the best way, Doll; I never +thought of that. To be sure we run a double chance with two cakes, but +it would be horrid for one of them to take the prize. So let's devote +all our energies to one beautiful, splendiferous cake that will be so +perfect nobody else will have any chance at all." + +"Yes, that's what I think. Now, what kind shall it be?" + +This was the great question. The girls had proved apt pupils, for they +had a housewifely knack, and Maria was really a superior teacher. They +had learned the art of pound cake, the trick of sponge cake and had even +penetrated the mysteries of fruit cake. They had learned to make raisin +cake without having all the raisins sink to a thick mat at the bottom; +they had learned ginger-bread in all its forms, from the puffy golden +sort to the most dark spicy variety. Angel food and sunshine cake +presented no difficulties to them and layer cakes were their happy +hunting ground. + +Also they were Past Grand Masters in the matter of icing. They could +boil sugar through its seven stages of spun thread, and they even +experimented with a few confectioners' implements in the matter of fancy +decoration and borders. + +"It seems to me," said Dotty, as they held solemn conclave over the +great question, "that our trick is to invent an absolutely new +combination of flavours or ingredients. Say, cocoanut stirred into +chocolate icing, or something that's different from the regulation +'White mountain cake' or 'Variety cake.' I'm sure we can think of some +new idea that will be perfectly stunning." + +"I don't agree with you, Dot," and Dolly looked solemnly thoughtful, as +her blue eyes stared into Dotty's black ones. "Now, I think this way. A +more simple cake, but of perfect quality and with a plain but beautiful +icing, that will charm by its very simplicity." + +"That's a fine line of talk, Doll, and sounds well," put in Bert, who +was present with Bob as Advisory Board; "but I doubt if 'twill go down +with the Powers that Be. You see, after all, they're on the lookout for +novelty and elaborate messes." + +"I'm not so sure of that," and Bob shook his head. "Perhaps Dolliwop's +idea isn't so worse! It's like a beautiful big white monument being more +impressive than a lot of ginger-bread architecture." + +"Oh, we wouldn't make ginger-bread!" cried Dotty, laughing; "but I can't +see a plain cake taking a prize. I tell you, it's got to have an unusual +combination of materials. I can't get away from the idea that a novel +mixture of just the right kind of flavouring would turn the trick." + +"And I'm positive that simplicity is the note to strike for." Dolly said +this with a faraway look in her eyes, as if she saw the vision of the +beautiful cake she was planning. + +"Stick to it, Doll," cried Bob. "You've got the right idea or I'm a +loser!" + +"You boys go away, now," and Dolly's brows wrinkled in serious thought. +"This is no time for fooling and Dot and I have to decide this thing +to-day." + +Realising the gravity of the occasion, the boys went off, and the two +girls settled down to a desperate confab. Neither of them was insistent +merely because she wanted her own way, but each was eager for success, +and quite ready to settle their controversy by careful weighing of each +other's arguments. + +At last, after a long discussion, they reached their conclusions and +went down to the kitchen to construct what they had finally decided +would be the best plan for their masterpiece. + +Very carefully they worked, Dolly, slow, sure and very particular as to +measurements and combinations; Dotty, quick, beating the batter like +mad, whisking eggs and sifting sugar in a whirl of excitement. + +And when the great work was accomplished, and the marvellous result set +on the dining-room table for exhibition, the family came in to gaze in +an awed silence on the beautiful cake. + +No one was allowed to see it but the household, for of course it was +kept secret from the other contestants. + +The cake was a marvel of beauty, and it combined the best ideas of the +plans of the two girls. + +It was square in shape, instead of round, as that gave a touch of +novelty. It was only two layers, but the layers were of the most +exquisitely textured angel food, which had, after three attempts, +graciously consented to turn out "just right." + +Between the layers was a filling, which followed in a measure Dotty's +idea of novelty. It was a combination of confectioners' icing, whipped +cream, pineapple juice and a few delicate feathery flakes of freshly +grated cocoanut. This delectable mixture was novel and of charming +delicacy. + +But the icing was Dolly's triumph. The square cake, large and high, was +covered so smoothly with white icing that not a lump or a crack marred +the perfect surface of its top and sides. There were no decorations save +three lines of icing that delicately outlined the square top. The +trueness of these lines was a wonder, and only Dolly's steady hand as +she traced them with a paper cornucopia of icing could have resulted in +such an effective scheme. + +"It is perfectly wonderful!" said Mr. Rose, looking at it as an artist. +"It's like the Taj Mahal or some such World Wonder." + +"It's perfectly exquisite!" said Mrs. Rose, as she bent over to examine +it and then walked away to view it from a distance. "I never saw such +icing! How did you do it, girlies?" + +"Dolly did that," said Dotty. + +"Only because you were so excited your hand wiggled," said Dolly, who +was always placid, whatever happened. "But the filling is Dot's +invention, and it's just fine. We put some of it on another cake and I +want you all to taste it." + +So they all sampled the other cake, and tested the flavour like +connoisseurs. + +"Ripping!" exclaimed Bob. + +"Out of sight!" remarked Bert, suiting the action to the word. + +The boys were vociferous, the older people were enthusiastic; but one +and all agreed that there had never been such a cake built before and +that it would surely win the prize. + +"Are you going to send it over now?" asked Mr. Rose. + +"No," said Dotty; "we're going to take it with us when we go ourselves. +I wouldn't trust it to anybody, for it might get joggled and crack the +icing. Put it in the pantry, Dolly; I daren't touch it myself." Dotty +was quivering with excitement, but Dolly's steady hand carefully lifted +the precious cake and carried it safely to the pantry. + +Later in the afternoon, the girls made ready to go to the bazaar. They +were to serve as assistants in the cake department, for the majority of +the cakes were to be sold. The prize cake, and those having honourable +mention would be exhibited, and later sold at auction, but much cake +would be disposed of at the regular sale. + +They wore white dresses, with pale green ribbons, which was the costume +of all connected with that department of the bazaar. + +Very pretty they looked, as they came dancing downstairs for Mrs. Rose's +inspection. + +"You'll do, girlies," she commented; "your frocks are all right. We'll +be over later. I hate to have you carry that big cake, Dolly." + +"Oh, I must, Mrs. Rose; I wouldn't trust it to any one else. Bert +offered to take it, and Bob did, too. But if they should drop it or +anything, I'd never get over the disappointment. We worked so hard on +it, and it is _so_ lovely, and if we can just get it there safely, I'm +sure it will get honourable mention at least." + +"It ought to take the prize," said Mrs. Rose, enthusiastically; "but +don't get your hopes up too high, for there's nothing surer than +disappointment. Be very careful as you get in the boat, Dolly." + +"Indeed, yes, but Long Sam is such a kind old thing, I know he'll do all +he can not to joggle, but to run very steadily all the way." + +The bazaar was held in a hotel which was some distance down the lake. +But Dolly did not fear any accident while on the motor boat; she was +only apprehensive lest some one push against her as she made her way +into the building or into the cake booth. For one little crumb of broken +icing or one dent on its perfect surface would spoil, to Dolly's anxious +eye, the perfection of their cake. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +WHO WON THE PRIZE? + + +"We'd better take our sweaters," said Dolly, as she handed the two +white, fleecy garments to Dotty. "You carry them, Dot, and I'll carry +the cake; you'd be sure to drop it." + +Dotty took the two sweaters and flung them over her arm, well knowing +the precious cake would be safer in Dolly's steady hand. + +"Now we're all ready," Dolly said, as she tucked a handkerchief into her +sash folds. "Wait for me here, Dot, and I'll get the cake." + +Dolly went to the kitchen and on through to the pantry, where she had +left the cake on a shelf by the window. But it was not there. + +"Maria," she called, wondering what the old darky had done with it. + +There was no reply and Dolly called again louder. + +"Yas'm, I'se comin'," and the old cook came in at the back door of the +kitchen. "What yo' want, honey? I spec' I jes' done drapped asleep fer +a minute, settin' out dere in de sun. What is it, honey chile?" + +"Where's the cake, Maria?" + +"On de pantry shelf, whar yo' done left it. I ain't teched it, dat I +ain't." + +"But it isn't there. You must have put it someplace else." + +"No, Miss Dolly, I nebber laid a hand on dat cake. I know jes' how +choice you was of it, an' I lef it jes' whar yo' put it." + +"But it isn't there, and who would disturb it?" + +"Tain't dar! Land o' goodness! Den whar is it?" Maria's black eyes +rolled in dismay. "Somebody's done stole it!" + +"Stole it? Nonsense! Nobody would do that. Dot--_ty_!" and Dolly's loud +call brought Dotty flying. + +Mrs. Rose followed, and both stood aghast with consternation when Dolly +announced, "The cake is gone!" + +"Gone! What do you mean?" and Dotty looked around the shelves in a dazed +sort of way. + +"I mean what I say," cried Dolly impatiently. "Our cake is gone, and, as +Maria says, somebody must have stolen it." + +"Stolen it! Our cake!" and Dotty gave a wild shriek. + +"It can't be stolen," said Mrs. Rose, looking puzzled; "we've never had +anything stolen all the years we've been here." + +"Then where is it?" demanded Dolly. "Where can it be?" + +"Didn't you take it into the dining-room?" suggested Mrs. Rose, unable +to think of any other solution of the mystery. + +"No, indeed; I left it right here till we were ready to start. I had it +in the open window, because the kitchen was so hot, and of course some +tramp has come along and stolen it. Oh, Dotty, what shall we do?" + +But Dotty was beyond speech. Her staring eyes gazed at the table where +the cake had been. Vaguely she glanced round the pantry shelves, and +then flew through the kitchen to the dining-room and looked all around +there. But of course she saw no cake, for Dolly had left it in the +pantry. + +"Where are the boys?" asked Dolly, suddenly. + +"Gone to a motor boat race," said Mrs. Rose. "They went off half an hour +ago. But they wouldn't steal your cake." + +"They might do it for a joke," said Dolly. + +"No," said Mrs. Rose, decidedly; "they wouldn't do that. They were too +interested in the success of you girls, and they felt about that cake +just as we all did. No, Bob and Bert never stole the cake! Where's +Genie?" + +"Upstairs, I think," said Dotty, and going to the foot of the staircase +she called her sister. + +Genie came running down and was as greatly disturbed as the other girls +at the disappearance of the cake. + +"Of course I never touched it!" she said indignantly. "I wanted my Dotty +and my Dolly to take the prize. Do you s'pose I'd steal their lovely +cake?" + +There was no mistaking the little girl's honesty and good faith, and +Mrs. Rose said finally: "Then it _must_ have been stolen by some one +passing by, but I can't understand it. There are no tramps around here, +Long Sam is as honest as the day, and nobody else would be passing by +this window. I wish your father were here, Dotty." + +"So do I, but he couldn't do anything. The cake's gone, and it must have +been taken by somebody. What do you say if we make another, Dolly?" + +Dolly looked blank. "Make another!" she said slowly; "why it's three +o'clock now, and the fair begins at four. We couldn't do it, Dot, and +anyway we couldn't make a prize one. I wouldn't have the heart to try +again as hard as I did for that one. Would you?" + +"Yes, I would! I'd just like to fly at it and make one as good as that +or better! I know who stole that cake, Dorinda Fayre! It was some girl +who had made a cake herself and who was afraid ours would take the +prize, and so she came and stole it!" + +"Oh, Dorothy Rose! aren't you ashamed to think such a thing! And anyway, +how could any girl do that even if she was mean enough?" + +"Of course she could!" and Dotty's eyes flashed; "everybody knew about +our cake, and they knew it would take the prize, and so of course they +wanted it out of the way! Now that's just what happened, because it's +the only thing that can have happened. As Mother says, there aren't any +tramps around here. We always set cakes or pies on that window shelf and +they've never been stolen. Come on, I say, let's make another; I hate to +have any girl get ahead of me like that!" + +"Oh, Dotty, it just seems as if I couldn't make another. Why we were +three hours on that one this morning. It would be after six o'clock +before we could get another done. And I know it wouldn't be any good, +I'm too upset to make it properly. I'm all of a quiver. And besides we +haven't all the things in the house." + +"No, we've no pineapple. But let's make some other kind of a cake, +chocolate, or something." + +"Yes! I think I see a chocolate cake taking the prize! Why don't you +make ginger-bread and be done with it? That prize won't go to any common +kind of cake, like chocolate." + +"It might if it was awful good chocolate. Oh, Dolly, our cake was so +beautiful!" And Dotty's overwrought nerves gave way and she burst into +violent sobbing. + +"Well, crying won't do any good, Dot," and Dolly drew a long sigh; "I +don't blame you for crying, 'cause I know you can't help it. But I can't +seem to cry, I'm too--too flattened out." + +Dolly looked the picture of disheartened woe, but it was not her nature +to give way to tears. She felt absolutely dismayed and utterly cast +down, as if under a depression that would not lift, but she gave no +physical sign of this except by her tense, drawn face and her frequent +despairing sighs. + +"It's just awful, girlies," said Mrs. Rose, full of helpless sympathy; +"but I can't think of anything to do. I don't believe you could make +another cake successfully, you're too nervous and upset, both of you." + +Maria, however, did not take it so calmly. Her grief was more boisterous +even than Dolly's. She ran round the kitchen, throwing her apron over +her head, and wailing and moaning like a crazy woman. + +"Oh, dat cake! dat cake!" she groaned, dropping into a chair and rocking +back and forth in ecstasies of woe. "Dat hebenly cake! Sho'ly Miss Dotty +and Miss Dolly yo' could make anudder. I kin help yo', and we'll whisk +it up in a jiffy. Do make some kind, oh do, now!" + +"No, Maria," and Dolly looked positive; "we can't make another cake. +It's out of the question. Shall we go to the fair at all, Dot?" + +"Yes, of course we will! I want to find out what girl was mean enough +and smart enough to cut up this trick!" + +"Come on then. You'd better wash your face, you're all teary looking. I +s'pose we might as well go, but I don't feel a bit like it. All the +fun's gone out of it." + +Dotty ran away to bathe her reddened eyes, and Dolly gravely walked +round the kitchen, looking here and there as if the cake might have +voluntarily hidden itself somewhere. + +"It's most mysterious," said Mrs. Rose. "I never heard of anything being +stolen up in this region before. I wish Mr. Rose were here, but of +course he couldn't do anything, and I think we may feel sure that he +didn't steal the cake." + +"Where is he?" asked Dolly, smiling a little at the jest. + +"Gone over to the Norris camp, I think. I wish the boys were here; of +course they couldn't do anything, but they could help us express our +indignation." + +"Yes, they could do that, but it wouldn't do any real good. Hello, Dot, +ready?" + +The two girls started off down the path and Mrs. Rose watched them go +with a sad heart. She knew how disappointed they were, after all their +trouble to make the cake, and she couldn't imagine what had become of +it. + +"I can't believe any of the girls came and took it," she said to Maria. + +"No, ma'am, dat dey didn't! dat cake was sperrited away by ghos'es. +Dat's what it was!" And the big black eyes rolled in terrified +apprehension. "Yas'm, sho'ly fer certain, dat's what happened. It's de +work of dem sperrits!" + +Mrs. Rose went on into the house unwilling to subscribe to Maria's +theory, but equally unable to propound any of her own. + + * * * * * + +The girls reached the hotel where the fair was held and joined the gay +throngs of people that were entering. + +"Hello," said Maisie Norris as she met them. "Where's your cake?" + +Now Dolly and Dotty had made up their minds not to tell of the +catastrophe, until they could make some endeavour to find out if there +were any suspicious looks or hints to be noticed among the other young +cake makers. + +"Where's yours?" Dotty said to Maisie. + +"Oh, I left mine in the committee room. You know the committee take all +the cakes, and then those that haven't any chance at all, they send out +to the cake table to be sold. But the ones that have a chance at the +prize they keep for final decision. They've kept mine so far, but Edith +Holmes' was just sent out. It's too bad, it's a lovely chocolate cake." + +"It is too bad," agreed Dotty, "but I don't believe a chocolate cake +will take the prize, do you?" + +"No, probably not," said Maisie. "Mine's a variety cake. What sort is +yours?" + +Dotty hesitated, for she well knew they had no cake in the committee +room, but Dolly said: "We made up ours. We mixed things together that we +never heard of combining before. It was mostly Dot's invention." + +"But Dolly made the layers and did the icing," put in Dotty, unwilling +to take all the credit. + +"Sounds lovely," said Maisie, and then her attention was diverted +elsewhere and she ran away. + +No more embarrassing questions were asked, for every one assumed that +Dotty and Dolly had given their cake to the committee when they arrived. + +A dozen times during the afternoon they were asked, "Has your cake been +sent out yet?" And they truthfully answered no. + +But no hint could they glean from the words or looks of any girl to make +them suspect wrong-doing. + +"I can't keep it up any longer, Dot," said Dolly at last, in an +undertone. "I feel as if I'm telling a lie, when I let them all think we +have a cake with the committee." + +"Fiddlesticks! it's none of their business. And anyway they have just +that much more chance at the prize. Don't tell anybody, Doll, it can't +do any harm to keep it to ourselves, and if one certain person takes +the prize, I just want to see how she looks or what she says when I tell +her our cake was stolen." + +"Why, Dotty Rose! Do you mean to say you suspect anybody?" + +"I don't say that; and I won't mention any name, even to you, but just +you wait and see. They'll announce the prize winner at six o'clock and +it's after five now." + +So Dolly deferred to Dotty's wishes in the matter, and as there was much +going on and plenty of diverting incidents, the hour slipped away and +soon a whisper was passed around that the committee had made their +choice. + +Mrs. Van Zandt, the aristocratic and somewhat eccentric old lady who had +offered the prize, came over to the cake table and smiled as she began +her speech. + +"It has been rather difficult," she said; "to decide among the beautiful +and delicious cakes selected by the committee, for my final test. There +were half a dozen at the last judging, that seemed equally well made and +delightful of taste. Of course, I did not know who made the various +entries, and so I decided, entirely on the merits of the cake itself. +And considering everything, the method, the execution and the delicacy +of flavours, I adjudge the best cake submitted in this contest to be +the one that represents the joint work of Miss Dorothy Rose and Miss +Dorinda Fayre. And I'm greatly pleased to present these two young ladies +with the golden double eagle I offered as a prize, and I consider it +well earned and honestly won." + +If Dolly and Dotty had been amazed when they missed the cake from the +pantry window, they were ten times more amazed now. What could it mean? +There must be some mistake. Dotty's quick thought was that somehow their +names had been connected with some other girl's cake, but in a moment +that illusion was dispelled by the sight of their own beautiful white +cake being brought in and placed in the very centre of the cake table. + +It was positively their own cake, although a portion had been cut from +one corner for the members of the committee to taste. + +Realising that by some miracle their cake had been submitted, and had +won the prize, Dolly and Dotty suddenly became aware that they must do +their part, and together they stepped forward to receive the prize from +Mrs. Van Zandt. + +"I'm sorry it is not in two ten dollar gold pieces," she said, as she +smilingly held it out to the blushing girls; "but you must divide it +between you." + +Smiling, Dolly and Dotty held out their hands together, and together +received the gold piece, holding it between them as they bowed their +thanks. + +Then there was a hubbub of congratulations and laughter and chatter from +the girls. It seemed unnecessary to say anything about the cake having +been stolen, so the two D's smiled and beamed as they listened to +flattering words about their prize winning cake. + +Soon they were flying homeward to tell the family all about it. + +"Our cake was there, and we took the prize!" cried Dotty, as they rushed +into the living-room of the Rose bungalow. + +"How did it get there?" cried Mrs. Rose, and Mr. Rose and Genie +exclaimed in surprise, while Maria appeared in the kitchen doorway, +holding up her hands and crying out: "Dem sperrits jes' nachelley wafted +dat cake right ober to de fair place!" + +"We don't know," Dolly went on, taking up the tale. "I asked two or +three ladies of the committee, and they didn't seem to know anything +about it--about how it got there. They just said it was there, entered +in our names, and it sounded so silly to ask them to find out who +brought it, that I just didn't." + +"It _was_ our cake," declared Dotty; "and it took the prize. So that's +all right. But, however did it get there, unless it walked over itself. +You didn't take it, did you, Daddy?" + +"No," said Mr. Rose; "I did not. I would willingly have done so, but you +girls insisted on taking it yourselves." + +Just then the boys rushed in. + +"Great sport!" cried Bob, flinging his cap and sweater on a chair; +"Norris's boat is the swiftest thing ever!" + +"You bet it is! Wow, but it was a great race!" And Bert Fayre waved his +hands in enthusiasm; "Hello, girls, did your dinky white cake catch the +gold piece? Did you bamboozle the judges into thinking it was fit to +eat?" + +"Yes, we did!" cried Dolly, her blue eyes sparkling with delight; "but, +oh, Bert, what do you think! We don't know how the cake got there!" + +"Got there? Why, Bob and I took it over. We knew you girls never could +transport that masterpiece of modern architecture all that way in +safety." + +"You boys took it over?" and Dotty looked dumfounded. + +"Sure we did," said Bob; "weren't you glad?" + +"But why didn't you tell us? we almost went crazy!" + +"Crazy nothing! We left a note on the pantry shelf saying we took it. We +called to you girls but you were primping in your room and didn't +answer. Maria wasn't on deck, so I just scribbled on a paper that we'd +taken the cake and left the paper in its place." + +Bob looked injured at the thought that their kindness was not +appreciated. + +"We didn't see any note," said Dolly; "where did you leave it?" + +"Right on the pantry shelf, where we took the cake away from. You don't +seem awful grateful, for what we thought would be a boon and a blessing +to you. I can tell you we had to work pretty hard to get the old thing +over there without a smooch on it, and I didn't dare put anything over +it for fear it would stick to the icing." + +While he was talking, Dotty had flown out to the pantry and returned +with the bit of scribbled paper. "Here it is!" she cried; "it was on the +floor under the shelf!" + +"Must have blown off," said Bert, carelessly; "well, no harm done; cake +got there all right. Took prize all right. Everybody happy." + +"Yes, we are now," and Dolly grinned contentedly; "but we had a pretty +miserable afternoon." + +"Oh, pshaw, now," and Bob tweaked the black curls that clustered round +her temple; "you must have known we took it, even without the note. +Where else _could_ it have gone to?" + +"That's so," agreed Dotty; "and it's all right now. But next time you +leave an important document for me, don't leave it in an open window on +a breezy afternoon." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +A WALK IN THE WOODS + + +"Only three days left of Camp Crosstrees," said Dolly, as the girls sat +in the shack one summer afternoon. "I never knew two weeks to slip away +so quickly." + +"Don't you love it?" said Dotty, looking around at the various delights +of camp life, the wooded hills and the distant mountains. "There's +nothing like it, Doll; I wish we didn't ever have to go back to town." + +"You'll have your visit with me, before we go back to Berwick. I wonder +if you will like Surfwood, Dotty?" + +"I'll love the seashore, I know; but I don't know about liking the big +hotel. Don't you have to keep dressed up all the time and all that?" + +"Why, we don't wear party clothes all the time. Of course we can't go +around in an old serge skirt and middy blouse as we do here. But +mornings we'll wear ginghams or linen frocks and late in the afternoon +dress up nice." + +"Awful bother, fixing up so. I like to go round as we do here. Nobody +cares what they wear in camp." + +"Of course it's awfully different at the hotel, but you'll like it after +you get there. I don't see why you object to dressing decently. It's +only a habit, going around in these old regimentals!" + +Dolly looked with distaste at her brown serge skirt, and her tan +stockings and shoes, the latter decidedly the worse for wear and scarred +and scratched by stones and brambles. + +"Oh, I've got plenty of good clothes; Mother's been fixing them all in +order. And I know I'll like it to be down there two weeks with you. But +I mean for a whole summer, I'd rather be up here, tramping around the +woods and dressing like Sam Scratch, than to fuss up fancy every day." + +"I wouldn't. I've had an awful good time up here on this visit, but for +a whole summer, I'd rather be at the seashore, and at a hotel where I +wear pretty white dresses and silk stockings and slippers." + +"Aren't we different!" and Dotty laughed as she looked at her golden +haired friend. "Sometimes I wonder, Doll, that we're such good friends, +when we're so awfully different. Everything I like you hate and +everything you like I hate." + +"Oh, not quite that. In lots of ways, we like the same things." + +"No, we don't. I like to go off in the woods on long tramps, and you'd +rather lie around here on a lot of balsam pillows and read a story book +or do nothing at all." + +"I expect I'm lazy." + +"No, you're not, not a bit of it. You're ready enough to work if it's +anything you like to do. Why, at a picnic, you'll do more than all the +rest put together. We're just different, that's all. You're easy-going +and good natured, and I'm a spitfire." + +"Well, I guess it's good for us to be different, and so we influence +each other, and that's good for both of us." + +"Well, I'll influence you right now to go for a ramble in the woods. +It's lovely to-day. Just the kind of a day when the breeze sings in the +trees and the birds flutter low and you can watch them." + +"All right, I'll go, if you don't go too far, nor walk too fast. We've +only three days more up here, and we won't have many more chances to go +woodsing, so come on." + +"All right, we've a good long afternoon. You go ask Maria for some +cookies and fruit, and I'll go tell Mother we're going. But don't let +Genie know. We don't want her along to-day, for she gets tired in about +an hour." + +Dolly went in search of Maria, half sorry that Genie was excluded from +the party, for unhampered by the child, Dotty was apt to walk fast and +far in her untiring energy. But Dolly could always make her stop and +rest by a reference to the weak muscles that still troubled her a little +on a long walk. The girls had entirely recovered from their broken +bones, but Dolly's was an indolent nature and disinclined to great +exertion at any time. + +Carrying their sweaters and a box of food they started off for their +tramp in the woods. + +"I want to get a whole lot of birch bark," Dolly said, as they walked +along; "let's look for particularly nice pieces and get a whole lot to +take with us down to the seashore." + +"What for?" + +"Oh, to make fancy work out of. Everybody does fancy work and they have +bazaars, something like the one where we took the cake prize. And we can +make lovely things out of birch bark for the bazaar tables." + +"All right, we'll gather a heap. What shall we do with our cake prize, +Doll, save it or spend it?" + +"I'd rather spend it. I think it would be nice if we bought something +special with it. Two things you know, just alike, to remember our first +cake by." + +"Something to wear?" + +"Maybe. A ring or a pin or something." + +"Couldn't get much of a ring for ten dollars. And we've got a lot of +little fancy pins, both of us. What do you say to a gold pencil for +each?" + +"Only they never write very well; the leads are so hard." + +"That's so. Well maybe beads, or how about a lace collar?" + +"Let's wait till we get down to Surfwood and ask Trudy. She'll tell us +something nice, and maybe we'll buy something there, or else in New York +as we go through on the way down." + +"All right. Here's some good birch bark, only it's yellowish. Let's keep +on till we find some whiter." + +The pair rambled on, happily chatting and laughing and now and then +sitting down to rest or to refresh themselves from the box of lunch +which was rapidly growing lighter. + +"We have an awful lot of bark," said Dotty, looking at the big bundles +they had collected. + +"Yes, too much. Let's chuck out the worst pieces and just keep the best. +And I'd like some more of that silvery kind. It's awful pretty combined +with this dark yellow to make things." + +"We want to get some big pieces. A portfolio of the silvery kind lined +with yellow is lovely." + +"Yes, with one corner turned back and a ribbon bow on it." + +"Yes, or tied with sweet grass. There's a big tree on ahead. We can get +some there, I'm sure." + +"All right and there's another tree out there,--that's a dandy." + +Eagerly they went on, absorbed in their fascinating quest. For the +hunting of birch bark is ever enticing and lures one on to further +treasures like a mirage. + +"We can't carry another scrap," said Dolly, at last, laughing to see +Dotty with her arms full of rolls of bark and more pieces gathered up in +her skirt. + +"No; we'll sit down and straighten this out and roll it up and finish +the cookies and throw away the box and then we'll go home." + +It was hard to throw away any of the beautiful bark, for they had +gathered only fine specimens, and the quantity they finally selected to +keep was a goodly load. + +"We'll put on our sweaters," said Dolly; "so we can carry it all. It's +no heavier than that lunch box was." + +"No heavier," agreed Dotty; "but a good deal more bunglesome and awkward +to carry." + +Each girl had a big fat roll under each arm and turning they started +gaily along in single file. + +"You go first," said Dolly, stepping back; "I'm not sure I know the way. +I declare to goodness, Dot, I don't see how you remember the way +yourself. You've got a regular guide's brain under that black mop of +yours! How do you know which way to go, when you can't see anything but +trees?" + +"Easy as pie!" Dotty called back over her shoulder. "Just follow the +nose of Dorothy Rose and away she goes!" And Dotty hopped over a big +stone, while Dolly walked around it. + +On they went, Dotty leading the way and Dolly following. + +"It's getting awfully late, I believe the sun has set," said Dolly, +shivering a little under her woollen sweater. + +"Oh, no, the sun hasn't set, but you can't see it in these thick woods. +We'll soon be out of this thick part now. We came quite a way in, +Dollypops." + +"A million miles, I should say! That's the worst of you, Dot, you never +realise that all the walk you take has got to be walked back again!" + +"'I took a walk around the block, to get some exercise,'" Dotty chanted, +imitating a popular song which was a favourite with the boys. + +"Exercise! I've had enough to last me the rest of the summer! Honest, +Dot, I've got to rest a few minutes; I can't walk another step." + +"Dollyrinda Fayre, you do give out the easiest of anybody I ever saw! +Sit down on that stone and rest, do. But you mustn't wait long, for I +guess it _is_ about sunset. I feel sort of chilly, and I don't hear the +birds much." + +"All right, Dotsy, I'm rested now," and Dolly jumped up and walked on. +She tired easily, but also a rest of a very few minutes made her ready +to walk on again. She followed Dotty in silence for some distance and +then said; "you're sure you _do_ know the way, aren't you?" + +"M--hmm," Dotty flung back over her shoulder and trudged on. + +But Dolly noticed a difference in Dotty's attitude. She walked as +quickly as before but she was not quite so alert. Also, she kept +turning her head suddenly from side to side with a gesture of an +inquisitive bird, a little uncertain which way to fly. + +"You do know the way, don't you, Dotty?" + +"'Course I do, Doll, don't be silly." + +"How do you know it?" + +"Just by instinct. I've been around these woods so much, I just kind of +know the way home, even if I can't see out. Don't you see this kind of a +trail? We just follow this and it brings us out right by our own camp." + +"Are you sure?" + +"Yes, I'm sure! What's the matter with you, Dolly?" + +"Nothing; only it seems as if we'd walked as far since we've started for +home as we did when we were going." + +"So we have, nearly. Just a little farther now and we come into that +clump of beech woods, don't you know? Where there aren't any birch +trees, hardly." + +"Yes, I know where you mean; but this doesn't look like it." + +"'Cause we haven't got there yet, that's why. You wouldn't think birch +bark would be so heavy; would you?" + +"I don't mind it. Here give me one of your bundles; I'd just as lieve +carry it as not. Give me the one out of your left wing. I know that one +must be tired." + +"'Deed I won't. You've got enough to carry. I'll throw my left hand +bundle away before I let you lug it." + +"Oh, don't throw it away! It's a shame, after we've taken such trouble +to gather it. Do let me carry it, Dotty." + +"No, sir, I won't do it! I don't mind it, anyway. Come on, Doll, let's +hurry a little. Don't you think it's getting sort of dark?" + +"Not dark, exactly, but dusky here under the trees." + +"It isn't dusk, Dolly, it's dark! I mean, it's after sunset, and the +real dark will settle down on us in a few minutes. I know more about +these woods than you do, and I know we want to get along faster. We +mustn't be in here when it gets really dark." + +"But you said you knew the way, Dot," and Dolly's tone was anxious. + +"I do, most always, but if we'd been on the right track we ought to have +been out of the woods before this. I must have got turned around +somehow." + +Dotty stopped still and turned a despairing face toward Dolly. + +"Good gracious, Dot, you don't mean we're lost!" + +"I hope not that, but honest, I don't know which way to go." + +"Why not go straight on?" + +"I'm not sure, but I think that leads us deeper into the woods." + +"Why, Dorothy Rose! You _said_ that was the way home!" + +"I know I did, and I thought it was; but don't you see, Dolly, if it +_had_ been the right way, we would be home by now?" + +"Oh, Dotty, what are we going to do?" + +Dolly's face took on a woe-begone expression, and her big blue eyes +stared at the white face of her friend. "I'm frightened, Dolly, I-- I +never was lost in the woods before." + +"Nor I, either. I've often heard of people being lost in these woods, +when they were really quite near their homes. One man was lost for three +days before they found him." + +"Oh, don't say such dreadful things! It's getting awful dark, and I'm +cold, and--and I'm scared!" + +"I'm all those things, too! oh, Dolly, I'm awfully frightened!" and +Dotty dropped her bundles of birch bark and sitting down on a stone +began to cry hysterically. + +Now Dolly Fayre was the sort to rise to an emergency, where Dotty Rose +would lose her head completely. So Dolly, though terribly frightened, +controlled herself, and sitting down, put her arm around Dotty and tried +to cheer her. + +"Brace up, Dot, it can't do a bit of good to cry you know. Now you know +more about this sort of thing than I do, what do people do when they're +lost in the woods?" + +"Hol--holler," said Dotty, weakly, between her sobs, "holler like fury, +and m-maybe somebody hears them and maybe they d-don't." + +"All right, let's holler," and Dolly gave a yell, that sounded about as +loud and carrying as the pipe or a bulfinch. + +"Who do you s'pose'll hear that?" and Dotty almost smiled through her +tears; "this is the way to holler." Dotty gave a loud scream, a long +halloo, tapping her fingers against her mouth as she did so, making a +peculiar mountain cry, known to campers. + +"All right, I'll do that, too," and Dolly set up a rival yell. + +But though both girls did their best, their screams were not very loud +and they were followed by a silence, so intense, that they shivered and +clung together in fear. The dark had fallen suddenly, and though only +about seven o'clock, in the thick woods, they could scarcely see each +other's faces. + +Appalled by the awfulness of the situation, Dolly burst into tears, and +though not as violent as Dotty's, her sobs were deep and racking ones. + +"Oh, don't, Dollyrinda, _don't_ cry so! I'll never forgive myself for +losing you in these awful woods!" + +"You didn't lose me, any more than I lost you. We both lost each other; +I mean-- I guess I mean we're both lost!" and Dolly's tears fell afresh. + +Then both girls gave way and cried desperately, till they could cry no +more, and with their stayed tears, they seemed to take a brighter +outlook. + +"If we're lost," said Dolly, philosophically; "we must make the best of +it. Are there any wild animals, that would eat us up?" + +"No, nothing of that sort. Nothing but squirrels and birds, and they +can't hurt us." + +"Then there's nothing really to be afraid of--" + +"No, I s'pose not. Only starving to death, and catching pneumonia and a +few little things like that." + +"We won't starve right off, that's certain," said Dolly, practically; +"at least I won't, I'm so fat. But you poor little picked chicken, you +may!" And Dolly patted the thin little shivering shoulders that snuggled +up against her. + +"I'm hungry now; I wish we'd saved the cookies." + +"You can't be hungry, Dot, not _really_ hungry. Now, let's plan what to +do. Shall we walk on and take our chances or shall we camp here for the +night. It isn't so very different being here under the trees or under +our own trees in camp." + +"'Tisn't very different, hey? Well I think there's all the difference in +the world! What are you going to sleep on? What are you going to cover +yourself with? Oh, you know we couldn't sleep anyway, when we're lost!" +and Dotty suddenly gave a vigorous yell which startled Dolly nearly out +of her wits. But realising what it was for, she quickly joined in, and +the two shrieked and shouted until it seemed to them that all the camps +in that region must hear them. + +But only those who have tried it, know how thoroughly one may get lost +in the Adirondack woods in a very short time, or how loudly one may +scream without being heard even by the friends who are searching for +them. + +And they were searching for the lost girls. When the two failed to +appear by half-past six, Mr. and Mrs. Rose became apprehensive for their +safety. They knew the girls had gone for a long ramble in the woods, but +it was the rule of the camp to be back for six o'clock supper, unless +due notice had been given. + +"They're lost in the woods," Mrs. Rose declared, and though hoping the +contrary, Mr. Rose agreed with her. + +They had telephoned to all the neighbouring camps and as no one had seen +the girls that afternoon they felt sure of what had happened. + +"We must make search parties," said Bob, while Bert looked thoroughly +scared at the thought of his sister's danger. "It isn't so awfully +unusual, Bert. People get lost in the woods often, don't they, Dad?" + +"Yes," replied Mr. Rose; "but it isn't often our little girls! Call up +Long Sam, Bob; tell him to bring lanterns." + +Many of the neighbours volunteered assistance and inside of an hour +there were various search parties beating the woods for the missing +girls. + +But Dotty, when thinking she was walking toward home had really been +walking in the opposite direction and the two girls were much farther +away from camp than their rescuers thought for. + +"Nothing doing," said Jack Norris, despondently, as he met Bob and Bert +in the woods. + +"Then we must keep at it," said Bert; "anything is better than giving +up." + +The various searchers separated and came together again. They screamed +and shouted; they whistled and blew horns; their dogs barked, and it +seemed as if some of these noises must reach the girls' ears and bring +response calls. + +But there was no success, and one by one the neighbours gave up and went +home. + +But Mr. Rose and the two boys, with Long Sam, kept up the search all +through the night. They built fires occasionally, but dared not leave +them, and put them out as they went on. + +At last, Long Sam seated himself dejectedly on a fallen log, his +extraordinary length of limb doubling up like a jacknife. + +"'Tain't no use," he declared. "They ain't no livin' use o' trackin' +these woods any longer. We mought strike them girls in a minute and then +again we moughtn't run across 'em in a thousand years. Lord knows I'm +willin' to keep on, but I'm jest about tuckered out. And I put it to you +Mr. Rose, wouldn't it be better to rest a bit, and then push on?" + +"Perhaps it would, Sam," and Mr. Rose's fingers worked nervously; "but I +couldn't stay still, I'd go crazy. I think I'll push on and take my +chances." + +"Yes, and get yourself lost," grumbled Sam; "so's we'd have three to +hunt 'stidden o' two!" + +"You are done up, Sam," said Bert Fayre, kindly. "You stay here, and we +three will drive ahead a little." + +"Wal, I'll jest give one more howl, and see if that ketches anythin'." + +Long Sam stood up on a log and gave a high pitched, long drawn out +shout, that seemed as if it must penetrate the farthest depths of the +forest. + +"Now one, all together, like that," he said, and the four voices, joined +in a mighty shout and then waited in breathless silence. + +"I heard 'em!" Sam cried out; "I heard 'em! Now all you keep quiet!" And +then Sam's voice rang out once more in a sharp short shriek. He listened +and then exclaimed; "Yep! I heard 'em! Come on!" And with long strides +he started anew into the blackness of the woods. + +The others eagerly followed. They had heard no sound, but their ears had +not the marvellous acuteness of the Adirondack guide, and without a +word they hastened to keep up with Long Sam's pace. + +"Sing out again!" Sam cried, several times, and at last the others could +hear the faint high shrieks of Dotty and Dolly. + +It seemed an endless journey, but at last the search party came upon the +two girls. + +"Oh, Father!" and Dotty threw herself into his arms, while Bert made a +grab for Dolly and Bob danced around the group in glee. + +"You're a nice pair!" observed Long Sam, who was no respecter of +persons, when acting in his capacity of guide. "What d'you cut up such a +trick as this for? You might 'a'knowed you'd get lost!" + +"Now Sam, don't scold," said Dolly, well knowing that the bluff chap was +really talking roughly to hide his glad emotion at the rescue. + +"You ought to be scolded all the same, but I s'pose your folks is so +glad to get you back that they'll just make the world and all of you." + +And Sam's prognostication was verified. Following Sam's lead the party +trudged through the woods, all so jubilant at the happy ending to their +search, that scolding was not even thought of. And indeed why should it +be? The girls had done nothing wrong, unless perhaps they had wandered a +little deeper into the forest than it was advisable to go without a +guide. But Dotty was positive it would never happen again. And when they +reached camp and found Mrs. Rose and Genie waiting for them and a most +appetising supper spread out by Maria, the two refugees found themselves +looked down upon as heroines and were quite willing to accept the role. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +SURFWOOD + + +A couple of days after their forest experience the two girls made ready +to go to the seashore. + +Secretly, Dolly was glad. She had enjoyed much of her stay at Camp +Crosstrees, but she had about concluded that "roughing it" was not +altogether to her taste. She had liked the gay parties round the camp +fires, the swift motor-boat trips and the jolly picnic feasts, but she +was not enthusiastically fond of long tramps up and down mountains and +the deprivation of many home comforts and luxuries. She said no word of +this to her kind hosts, but she welcomed the day that would take her +back to her own people and their usual summer abode. + +Also there had been really unpleasant experiences, from her lonely first +night to that last awful night in the woods, and though these things +were nobody's fault, they remained in Dolly's memory as decidedly +undesirable pictures of her mountain trip. + +Dotty Rose, all unconscious of Dolly's secret feelings, realised only +that they had had lots of gay times together and many occasions of +rollicking camp-life fun. Having spent many summers at Camp Crosstrees, +the Rose family had become attached to the place, and always looked +forward with eager anticipation to each successive trip. + +Unlike Dolly, Bert Fayre loved it all. To him, roughing it was fun, and +he cared nothing at all for the city comforts that were missing. He +tramped the woods and went fishing, swimming and boating with the same +enjoyment of these sports that Bob Rose felt, and he was more than +delighted when Mrs. Rose invited him to spend the rest of August at the +camp while the girls went for their two weeks at the seashore. + +So on the day of departure Dotty and Dolly bade good-bye to their +brothers and to Mrs. Rose and Genie, and in care of Mr. Rose started for +New York and thence down to Surfwood, a resort on the New Jersey coast, +where the Fayre family were staying at a hotel. + +"Oh, don't you just hate to leave it?" exclaimed Dotty as the motor-boat +took them swiftly down the lake. "Good-bye, you dear old woods; +good-bye, you lovely lake. I shan't see you again till next summer." + +For, as the children must begin school early in September, both +families would return to Berwick in about a fortnight. + +Dolly did not entirely share Dotty's enthusiasm, but she realised the +wonderful beauty of the scene as she looked back at the lake with its +wooded shores and hills rising to the high mountains. + +"It _is_ splendid!" she said, very honestly, as she gazed at the +beautiful landscape. "I'm afraid, Dot, that you won't have a good time +down at Surfwood. It's awfully different, you know." + +"'Course I'll have a good time, if I'm visiting you. But, you see, we +were a whole month later than usual coming up here this summer, and now +to cut two weeks off the other end makes an awfully short season for +dear old Crosstrees. Why do they call it Surfwood, Dolly; are there any +woods there?" + +"Yes, indeed; not far back from the beach there are lots of woods. But +all flat, of course; no hills like these." + +"Well, you couldn't expect mountains and seashore together. I know we'll +have lovely times there, anyway I'd rather be with you than to stay up +here." + +The girls had become inseparable friends and their stay in camp together +had strengthened the bonds and made them even more fond of each other +than they had been as neighbours. They were very different, but they +were learning to accept each other's differences, and in some ways they +frequently influenced one another's tastes or opinions. + +"Good-bye, old lake!" Dolly called out again, as the motor-boat neared +its dock. "We'll see you next summer,--you will come up here again next +summer, won't you, Dolly?" + +"We'll see when next summer comes," returned Dolly, laughing. "Perhaps +you won't like Surfwood a bit, and you won't want to go there next +summer, and if you don't, of course I won't come up here. You look +awfully well in that new suit, Dotty." + +"Hope I do, for it doesn't feel very good. Collar's too stiff." Dotty +wriggled with a feeling of discomfort that the first wearing of a new +garment often brings. The girls both wore suits of blue serge, made +similarly, but not exactly alike; Dotty's being trimmed with black satin +and collar and cuffs of fine white embroidery, while Dotty's was +enlivened by accessories of bright plaid silk and tiny gilt buttons. + +The trip was a pleasant one, and they reached New York next morning in +time for luncheon. This Mr. Rose gave them at an attractive restaurant +and the girls greatly enjoyed the novel scenes of the Metropolis. + +"I just love to eat in a restaurant, don't you?" said Dolly, as she +lingered over her elaborate and complicated dessert. + +"Yes, indeed; I love to look around and wonder who the people are. Only +they're all grownups. You don't see hardly any children or girls our +age." + +"No," said Mr. Rose, "a public restaurant is no place for kiddies, +except on such an occasion as this, when I have to feed you somewhere. +But since you're here, you may as well enjoy yourselves. Do you want +some more little cakes?" + +After due reflection, the girls concluded that they did, and the +fascinating tray of French confections was again offered for their +selection. + +At the station where they were to take the train for Surfwood, Mr. Fayre +met them. + +"Well," he exclaimed. "So I am to take the responsibility of these two +beautiful young ladies." + +"Yes," rejoined Mr. Rose; "but I'm glad to tell you that they are not +really difficult to manage. They have behaved most properly all day and +honestly I hate to give them up. I know Camp Crosstrees will seem +deserted and desolate without these two little rays of sunshine." + +After affectionate leavetakings, Mr. Rose departed and the two girls +went on with Mr. Fayre. + +He was not of such a jolly nature as Mr. Rose, nor so inclined to talk +with the children. + +He placed them in adjoining chairs in the parlour car, and after +supplying them with picture papers and candies, he seemed to consider +his responsibilities at an end, and taking his own seat, immediately +buried himself in his newspaper. + +"Not much like the Adirondacks, is it?" said Dolly, as they whirled +along through the flat landscapes of New Jersey. + +"No, of course not; you wouldn't expect it. How soon do we see the +ocean?" + +"Very soon, now. We'll get to Surfwood about six, but we'll see the +ocean long before then, there are so many beach stations." + +As they neared Surfwood, Mr. Fayre threw aside his papers and looked out +for the girls again. He was a most courteous man and politely assisted +them with their various belongings, treating them more as grown ladies +than as children. + +"There they are!" he cried, as the train stopped at the picturesque +little station and they spied a big motor car in which Mrs. Fayre and +Trudy were sitting. + +Trudy was looking lovely in her light summer costume and she warmly +welcomed the travellers as they got into the motor. + +"How brown you both are," said Mrs. Fayre, kissing the girls; "a nice +healthy tan, and very becoming! Did you hate to leave your camp, Dotty? +and I suppose you, too, Dolly, became a devotee of mountain life." + +"We did have lovely times, Mother, and I expect Dot was sorry to give it +up, but I persuaded her." + +"You'll have lovely times here, too," promised Trudy, smiling at them; +"I'll see to that." + +The car stopped at the entrance to a very large hotel. The broad +verandas were filled with people, gaily dressed, and gathered in +laughing, chatting groups. Between them and the ocean was a broad +boardwalk also filled with people. + +"Come along, girls," said Mrs. Fayre, and Dotty and Dolly followed her +across the veranda and into a large entrance hall. It was very +beautiful, with glistening white and gold decorations, a thick +moss-green velvet carpet and tall palms round the walls. Then followed a +bewildering succession of gorgeous rooms, and finally they went up in an +elevator. + +"Here we are," and Mrs. Fayre led the two girls into a large and +handsomely furnished suite. + +"This is our general sitting room," she went on, "and this is your +bedroom, right next to Trudy's." + +They entered a large room, with two brass beds and attractive +appointments of all sorts. The chairs and lounges were covered with gay +chintz and there was a long deep window seat from which, across a +balcony filled with flowers, they could see the ocean. + +"How perfectly lovely!" cried Dotty; "not much like our little rooms at +camp, Doll. Oh, I'm sure I shall be very happy here. It's awfully kind +of you, Mrs. Fayre, to invite me." + +"I'm very glad to have you, dear, and I only hope you'll enjoy it as +much as Dolly did her stay with you. We can't give you the wild, free +life of a mountain camp, but we're going to do all we can to interest +and amuse you. But I'm not sure that you will like the plan for this +evening. As your things aren't unpacked, I thought you two wouldn't dine +downstairs with us to-night, but would have a nice little dinner sent up +here and served in the sitting-room." + +"Oh, goody!" cried Dolly; "that's a lot more fun. I don't feel like +dressing up for dinner to-night and I think that's a lovely plan. Don't +you, Dot?" + +As a matter of fact, Dotty would have preferred to go downstairs, for +she was impatient to see more of the big hotel and the gay people. But +she politely acquiesced, and Mrs. Fayre bustled away, saying she would +see them again after dinner. + +"Now we'll have a lovely time, Dotsy, all to ourselves," Dolly said, as +she flew around the room arranging things to suit herself. + +A trim maid appeared to assist in any way needed, and the girls were +glad to change their travelling clothes, and, after a refreshing bath, +to don their pretty kimonos and boudoir caps, that Trudy had left in +readiness for them. + +"Trudy's a trump!" cried Dolly. "See these heavenly things she has laid +out for us! A pink silk room-gown for you and a blue one for me, with +caps to match. We share Trudy's bathroom, you see, so you can have this +glass shelf for your things and I'll take this one for mine. I guess +that's the dinner coming now, and then our trunks will come, and we can +put our things away." + +A very attractive little dinner was served in the sitting-room and the +two girls sat down to it with a feeling as if they were "Playing house." + +"We're to dine with the grownups after to-night," said Dolly; "new thing +for me, 'cause always before I've had my supper in the children's +dining-room. But Mother says, now I'm fifteen, I can always dine with +them, unless they have special company and then we'll have ours up here +like this. Isn't this salad good?" + +"Perfectly lovely. But, somehow, I feel so queer. It's such a sudden +change from the camp table and Maria's flap-jacks." + +Dolly laughed. "Yes, it is different. But I like that, Dot, the sudden +change I mean. Crosstrees was just right in every way for mountain and +camp doings. Now this seashore stunt is altogether different, but I like +this, too. And I think it's nice for us to have both kinds, one right +after the other." + +"So do I," said Dotty, as she contentedly ate her frozen pudding. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +DOLL OVERBOARD! + + +The next morning Dotty and Dolly went with the Fayre family to breakfast +in the hotel dining-room. + +Very fresh and pretty the girls looked, Dolly in a pale blue linen and +Dotty in pink linen with a black velvet belt. + +The great dining-room was large and airy, and the sunshine and sea +breeze came in at the open windows. + +The Fayres' table was pleasantly placed overlooking the ocean, and +Dotty's black eyes roved round the room in delighted appreciation of the +surroundings. + +"Oh!" she exclaimed suddenly, "there are the twin Browns! Did you know +they were here, Dolly?" + +"I thought they would be; they come here 'most every summer." And Dolly +smiled across the room at Tod and Tad, who bobbed their heads and +grinned in response. + +"I'm glad they're here," Dolly went on; "it's so nice to have some one +you know to start you getting acquainted." + +"It won't take you long to get acquainted," said Trudy, smiling, "for +all the children of your age who are here are waiting for you. I've told +several that you were coming, and I expect the Brown boys have made all +sorts of plans for your entertainment. We won't bathe to-day until after +luncheon; you can spend the morning on the beach or go for a motor ride +with me, whichever you like." + +As the girls hesitated over their decision, the Brown twins came over to +their table and greeted them gaily. + +"Thought you girls would never get here," said Tod, though really it +mattered little which of them spoke, for they were so precisely alike it +was impossible to tell them apart. + +"Jolly to see you again," said Tad; "do come out on the beach with us as +soon as you finish your breakfast, won't you?" + +"Yes," said Dolly; "I guess we won't go with you, Trude, this morning; I +want Dotty to get acquainted with the ocean." + +And so when the girls left the dining-room, they found not only the +Browns, but several other young people waiting on the veranda to escort +them down to the beach. + +There were general introductions, and as they went down the long flight +of the hotel steps, Dolly found herself walking beside a girl named +Pauline Clifton. + +Pauline was rather tall and seemed to have an air of authority. Though +not exactly pretty, she was striking-looking, with brown eyes and hair +and a complexion of rosy tan. She wore a white dress and a red sweater +and white stockings with red shoes, and she put her hand through Dolly's +arm with a decided air of possession. + +"I like you already," she said, "and I'm sure we're going to be chums. +Are you rich?" + +The question struck Dolly as funny, and she turned to look into +Pauline's face. But the brown eyes were serious, and evidently the +Clifton girl wished an answer and was prepared to rate her new friend +accordingly. + +"No," said Dolly, returning the frank gaze; "we're not rich. We live in +a small town, and we have about everything we want, but I'm sure we're +not what you'd call rich. Are you?" + +It would never have occurred to Dolly to ask this question, but it +seemed to follow naturally after the other's. + +"Oh, yes," Pauline said, "we're awfully rich. We live in New York, and +my father has a yacht and lots of motor cars and everything." + +"I should think you'd have your own summer home, then, and not come to a +hotel." + +"We have; two of them. One on Long Island and one up in the mountains. +But Father takes freaks. I haven't any mother, and he jumps around +wherever he feels like it. So he picked this place for August and here +we are. There's only me and Carroll, that's my brother. He's that boy on +ahead, with his cap on the back of his head." + +"Who looks after you; your father?" + +"Yes; but he isn't here much. We have a kind of a nurse-governess; that +is, she used to be our nurse when we were little and she has always +stayed with us. She's a funny old thing, Liza her name is, but she can +manage us better than anybody else. Father tried a French governess for +me and a German Frauelein, and Carroll has a different tutor about every +month, but Liza just stays on through it all. I know all about you from +the Brown boys. Aren't they ducks! They told us about you before you +came, and about Dotty Rose. Isn't she pretty? You're awfully pretty, +too, and you two look lovely together." + +Pauline rattled on, scarcely giving Dolly a chance to reply to her +observations. Meantime the group had come to a standstill and were +selecting a nice place on the beach to spend the morning hours. + +Dotty was enchanted with her first real experience of the seashore. + +She sat down in the sand with the rest, but quickly made her way to the +front of the group and as near as possible to the edge of the waves in +her effort to get an unobstructed view of the ocean. The surf was +rolling in and the great breakers filled her with awe and delight. + +"Come farther back, Dotty," Tad Brown called out, "or you'll get caught +by some of those swells." + +Dotty drew back just in time to escape a wetting from a big wave whose +white foam rolled up the sands to her very feet. + +"Isn't it wonderful!" she cried; "I could sit right here all day and +never take my eyes off those waves!" + +But the sight was not so novel to the others, and they talked and +laughed and threw sand at each other and built forts and watched for +passing steamers and made plans for future amusements. + +"That's the worst of the seashore," said Pauline, discontentedly; +"there's so little to do. Just walk the boardwalk or sit on the sand or +bathe; that's about all." + +"Nonsense, Polly," said her brother Carroll; "there's lots else to do. +Going motoring or walking in the woods, and there's a bowling alley at +the hotel and tennis courts--there's millions of things to do, only +you're such an old grouch you never see the fun of anything." + +Pauline paid no attention to this brotherly remark, but said to Dotty, +"Come on, let's go for a walk; I want to get acquainted with you." + +"Get acquainted here," said Dotty, laughing. "I'm too comfortable to +move." + +The Brown boys had banked up a big hill of sand behind Dotty, and she +leaned back against it, still fascinated by the wonderful blue of the +distant ocean sparkling in the sunlight and the mad onrush of the great +breakers as they dashed on the shore. + +"Then you come," said Pauline to Dolly; "let's go off by ourselves and +walk along toward the casino and the shops. + +"All right," said Dolly, who was tired of sitting on the sand and quite +ready for a walk. Moreover, she was curious to know more of Pauline. She +wasn't sure she should like a girl who asked her point blank if she +were rich, and yet Pauline didn't seem ostentatious or vulgar, but was +quick-witted and full of fun. + +The two walked away, leaving the rest of the crowd, some six or eight of +them, on the beach. + +As the morning passed, others joined the group and some went away, but +Dotty remained, still unable to tear herself away from the glorious sea. + +"I say, Dot Rose," Tod Brown exclaimed, "you _are_ stuck on that big +pond, aren't you? But there are other days coming when you can gaze at +it. Come on, now, and let's do something. I'll race you to the end of +boardwalk." + +"What's there, when you get to the end?" demanded Dotty. + +"Nothing much, but some fishermen's shacks and nets and things. Come on +and see it. The fishermen are a queer-looking bunch and not very +good-natured, but it's fun to tease them. Come on, anyhow." + +Dotty got up, somewhat cramped by long sitting, and was glad after all +for a brisk walk in the sunshine. They didn't race, but swung along at a +good pace, Dotty with her eyes still seaward. + +Nearly at the end of the boardwalk, on a bench, was a large and handsome +French doll. It was dressed as a baby, with a long white frock, a lacy +cap and a knitted pink sacque. + +"Oh, look at that!" cried Dotty. "I know whose it is; it belongs to that +little golden-haired child at the hotel." + +"That's so," said Tod. "The kiddy must have left it here. I saw her +lugging it around this morning, and it was about all she could do to +carry it. Shall we take it back to her?" + +"Yes," said Dotty; "I'd just as lieve carry it." + +"You bet you'll carry it, if either of us does. Do you s'pose I'd go +round lugging a wax infant?" + +"It isn't wax," said Dotty, picking it up; "it's light as a feather. +It's one of those celluloid things, but I never saw such a big one +before. Yes, I'll take it back to little Yellowtop. If it's left here +somebody will steal it. Shall we turn back now?" + +"No; come on to the end of the walk and let's have a look at the +fishermen." + +They went on and soon reached their destination. It was a picturesque +place, but the cabins were deserted and only a few empty boats were in +sight. The beach was littered with old fish nets and various sorts of +rubbish, while a few piers ran out into the sea. + +"Everybody's gone fishing," said Tod. "Nothing much to see here; let's +go back." + +"Let's go out to the end of that pier," said Dotty. "There's no danger, +is there?" + +"Danger? No! But nothing to see out there. Come along, though, if you +like." + +Good-naturedly, Tod went with Dotty along the old pier. Reaching the +very end, they sat down for a few moments, their feet hanging over the +edge while they clung to the uprights. + +"Oh, isn't it grand!" cried Dotty, looking down into the blue water as +it rippled against the piles at some distance below. + +"Don't fall in," warned Tod. + +"Never fear, I'm not that kind of a goose! I love it, but I'm scared to +death all the time, and I keep a good grip on this rope." + +"That's right. Oh, here comes a fishing-boat; see, 'way out there in the +distance. We'll wait for that to get in, and then we'll go." + +The two stood up, and hanging onto the ropes, leaned far over to see the +boat as it came in. + +A sudden breeze made Dotty cling closer to the upright she was leaning +against, and as Tod put out his hand to steady her, somehow or other the +big doll dropped into the water. + +"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed Dotty in dismay, "there goes the baby's +doll! What a pity. Can we get it, Tod?" + +"I don't know. If it doesn't drift the wrong way, maybe the fishermen +will pick it up as they come in. If I had a hook and line I could hook +it up." + +"Don't lean over so far, Tod; you'll fall in," and Dotty tried to hold +back the boy as he leaned over the edge of the pier. "Oh, see, there's a +fisherman or somebody, coming out of that cabin. Maybe he'll bring a +pole or something and help us get the doll. Ask him to." + +Tod shouted at the man, who had just appeared in the cabin door. It was +some distance and the boy's voice did not carry well over the breakers +between them, but finally Tod succeeded in attracting the man's +attention. + +"Bring a pole!" Tod shouted, "or fish line. Help us!" + +"Hey?" shouted the man, his hand to his ear. "What's the matter?" + +"Doll overboard!" Tod yelled back, but the breeze was off shore and the +man could not get the words. But he saw the two children as they pointed +out on the water, and then, as he saw the big doll, he very naturally +thought it was a live baby and immediately he became excited. He ran +back into the cabin and returned with a boat-hook. He jumped into a boat +and endeavoured to put out to sea through the breakers. But at every +attempt, the waves dashed him back on the shore. Determinedly, he tried +again and again, and finally succeeded in getting beyond the surf, +though he was now at some distance from the pier. He began to row +desperately, but made little headway toward the floating doll. + +"He thinks it's a live baby!" cried Tod, roaring with laughter. "Oh, +Dotty, what a joke! Keep it up! Pretend it is." + +Willingly enough, Dotty caught at the idea and began wringing her hands +and screaming frantically. + +"Oh, save her, save her!" she yelled, tearing around the pier like a mad +person, while Tod, hanging on to a post, leaned far over the water and +waved his hand frantically to the boatman. + +The fisherman redoubled his efforts and slowly drew nearer the floating +doll, whose long white dress was whirled and tossed about in the eddy. + +The boatload of fishermen which they had seen in the distance drew +nearer, and the man in the row-boat communicated to them by shouts and +signs and made them aware of the catastrophe. + +The incoming fishermen saw the baby in the water, and saw the two +children screaming and wailing on the pier, and they put forward with +all speed to make a rescue. + +Tod and Dotty were really doubled up with laughter, but pretended they +were in agonies of grief as the two boats made desperate attempts to +reach the drowning child. + +"The old idiots!" exclaimed Tod; "they might know that a live baby +wouldn't float around like that. It would have sunk long ago." + +"Of course it would," agreed Dotty. "Won't they be mad when they get +it!" + +The fishermen, having had little experience with French dolls the size +of live babies, assumed, of course, that it was a real child in the +water, and they wasted no time in marvelling as to why it should +continue to ride blithely on top of the waves. They simply put forth +every effort to reach the white object, whatever it might be, but the +perversity of wind and wave continued to thwart them. + +At last, however, very near shore, the fishermen drew near enough to +grab the doll and draw it into their boat, just as they rowed in on top +of a huge breaker and beached near the pier. + +Tod and Dotty ran swiftly to them, eager to see their chagrin and +dismay at having rescued the doll. + +The men were all out on the beach and they showed a belligerent +demeanour as the children appeared. + +"Ye little wretches," cried one big rawboned man, "what d'ye mean by +foolin' us like that?" + +His manner even more than his words were distinctly threatening, and +Dotty was scared, but Tod answered him directly. + +"We didn't fool you! We dropped the doll in the water by accident, and +we sung out there was a doll overboard and we asked a man on shore to +help us get it. If you people thought it was a live baby, that isn't our +fault!" + +"That don't go down!" and another man stepped forward and shook his fist +at the children. "Ye know right well ye fooled us a-purpose." + +"We did not!" and Dotty, her temper now aroused, stamped her foot at +him. "We told the man it was a doll, but if he couldn't hear us, we +couldn't help that." + +"Now, now, little lady, ye know better." The big brawny fisherman came +nearer to Dotty and scowled at her. "I seen you jumping around there and +play-actin' like you was wild with grief! Don't deny it, now! Ye know +well enough I say true!" + +He glowered at Dotty, and as he came nearer to her his big fierce eyes +frightened her and she quickly stepped behind Tod. + +"Don't you speak to the lady like that!" the boy cried. "If you've +anything to say, say it to me. I called to the man for help to get that +doll out of the water. It belongs to a little friend of ours and we want +to take it to her." + +"Well, ye'll never take it!" and the fierce-eyed man picked up the wet +and dripping doll, and with a mighty sweep of his long arm, he flung it +far out to sea. The deed was merely an impulse of his angry wrath at +having been fooled by the children, and he faced them with a defiant +air. + +"You had no right to do that!" cried Tod; "go right out in your boat and +get it." + +"Ha! ha!" laughed the man with a loud, boisterous chuckle. "Go out and +get it, is it? Not much I'll not go out and get it! And, what's more, +I'll report you two to the life-saving station people, and I'll have you +arrested for false pretences." + +Tod was pretty sure that this was all a bluff, but the other men +gathered about and promised the same thing. So threatening were they, +that Dotty was thoroughly scared, and Tod, though not really afraid of +arrest, began to think that these men could make things very unpleasant +for them. He knew by hearsay of the rough manners and ugly tempers of +this particular lot of fishermen. He had heard stories of their dislike +for the summer guests, who sometimes visited them out of curiosity and +looked upon them patronisingly. + +Tod realised that nothing incensed their rough natures like being made +the subject of a practical joke and this, though unpremeditatedly, he +and Dotty had done. He thought best to drop his indignant air and try to +propitiate them. + +"Oh, come now," he said; "honest Injun, as man to man, I didn't mean to +fool you. We dropped the doll in the water and I yelled for help. Now, +I'll own up that when you fellows seemed to think it was a live baby, we +did kind of help along a little but we didn't mean any harm. S'pose I +give you a dollar to forget it." + +Tod spoke in a frank and manly way, and his good-natured face ought to +have evoked a pleasant response. And it did from most of the men, but +the fierce black-eyed one, who seemed to be the leader, was possessed of +a sense of greed, and his one idea regarding the "stuck-up summer +people" was to extract money from them whenever possible. + +"A dollar," he said, with an unpleasant sneer; "not enough, young sir! +Show us ten dollars, and we'll try to forget the insult you offered us." + +"I didn't offer you an insult, and I haven't ten dollars with me, and I +wouldn't pay it to you if I had!" + +Tod was angry now, and his eyes blazed at the rude injustice of the +demand. + +But the fierce-browed man was not abashed. "You gimme ten dollars or +I'll make trouble for you! If you haven't got it, you can get it. Gimme +your word of honour--you look like a gentleman--to bring me that ten, +and I'll promise to make no trouble." + +Tod hesitated. Had he been alone, he would have refused them at once, +but he felt that he had the responsibility of Dotty's welfare, and he +paused to reflect. The men were very rude and uncontrolled, and Tod +didn't know what further menace they might offer. + +As he hesitated, the big man spoke more threateningly. "Be quick, young +man; give us your word, or we'll put you under lock and key for awhile +to think it over." + +This speech was accompanied by growls of assent from other members of +the group, and one or two stepped forward as if to carry out the +suggestion. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +SPENDING THE PRIZE MONEY + + +"Hoo--hoo!" called a gay voice, and Tod and Dotty turned to see Dolly +Fayre flying toward them. She was alone and out of breath from running, +but laughing gaily as she joined them. + +"I ran away from Tad," she cried. "He went to get some candy, and just +for fun, I scooted off. And somebody had said you came this way, Dot, so +I followed just for fun. Why, what's the matter?" + +Dolly looked in amazement at the group of angry men and at the +half-frightened, half-indignant faces of Dotty and Tod. + +"Matter enough," Tod said; "you keep out of it, Dolly. In fact, you +girls go back to the hotel and leave me to fix things up with these +men." Then he suddenly remembered his desire for an amicable settlement, +and he said pleasantly, "I guess we can come to terms after the ladies +have gone." + +"I guess we can't!" said the black-browed man, in a surly tone. "You go +back to the hotel, young man, and get that ten dollars, and I'll keep +the young ladies here safe until you come back." + +"Not much I won't!" cried Tod angrily. "Run on back, girls. Go on--beat +it!" + +"No, you don't!" and the big man stepped forward and laid his hand on +Dotty's shoulder. + +"Take your hand off that lady! Don't you dare to touch her," and Tod's +eyes blazed as he flung himself toward the big man. + +"What is it all about? What is the matter?" exclaimed Dolly, who +couldn't understand what she had supposed was a good-natured chat with +the fishermen. + +"They want us to pay ten dollars," said Dotty, indignantly, "and unless +we do, they're going to lock us up." + +"Lock us up nothing!" shouted Tod, who was unable to decide himself what +was the best thing to do. The arrival of Dolly had complicated his +dilemma, for now he had two girls to protect instead of one. He wished +Tad had come with her, for the twins were big and brawny for their years +and could have made a fair showing of rebellion against the injustice of +the fishermen. + +Dolly considered the matter gravely. She looked from Dotty and Tod to +the rude, unkempt men, and after a few moments' thought she made up her +mind. Deliberately she opened a little chatelaine bag that hung at her +belt and took from it a ten dollar gold piece. It was her share of the +cake prize, for Mr. Rose had changed the twenty dollar gold piece into +two tens for the girls. + +She looked at the big man with scorn, and holding out the gold piece, +she said in cool, haughty tones, "Here is your money; please do not +detain my friends any longer." + +"Don't you do it, Dolly," cried Tod; "it's an outrage!" + +"I know it's an outrage," Dolly said, calmly, "but I prefer to pay the +money rather than parley with these people." + +Dolly's air of superiority would have been funny, had not all concerned +been so deeply in earnest. + +"Hoity-Toity!" said the big, ugly man, "you're a fine young miss, you +are! You treat us like the dirt under your feet, do you? Well, if so +be's you pay our claim, we ain't objectin' to your manner. Be as high +and mighty as you like, but give us that there coin." + +Without a further word, Dolly dropped the gold piece into the man's +grimy, outstretched hand, and the three turned and walked away back to +civilisation. + +"I'm up and down sorry that I couldn't get you out of that mess better," +said Tod, as they went along the boardwalk. "Of course, I'll pay you +back the money, Dolly, only I felt mighty cheap to have you advance it. +But I had only three or four dollars with me, not expecting a hold-up +this morning." + +"I don't think you ought to have paid it, Doll," said Dotty. + +"'Tisn't a question of ought to," said Tod, seriously. "That's a rough, +bad gang. I've heard of them before. I don't know what's the matter with +them, but they're grouchy. All the other fishermen around here are +fairly good-natured, but this lot is noted for ugly temper and they +especially dislike and resent the summer people. I forgot all this, and +of course Dotty didn't know it. But I didn't think, and when they +supposed the baby was alive, I went ahead with the game without +realising it meant trouble." + +"Well, it's all right now," said Dolly, "and I was glad enough to give +up my ten to ransom you two captives. Of course you won't pay it back to +me, Tod, but you can each pay me a third of it and that'll square us all +up." + +"We'll each pay half," said Dotty, "there's no reason you should pay +anything, Doll. You weren't in on this game. And here's another thing, +I'm going to buy a new doll for that little girl. You see it's the same +as if I stole hers." + +"Not at all," said Tod. "She had lost her doll, anyhow. She must have +left it there on the bench, and if we hadn't picked it up, somebody +would have stolen it sooner or later." + +"We can't be sure of that," said Dotty. "And anyway I took her doll, and +I lost it for her, and it's up to me to get her another. And that's all +there is about that. I've got my gold piece with me, too, and I'm going +straight down to the shop and get the doll now." + +Dotty was determined, and so the three went to the shop. There was only +one place in Surfwood where toys and fancy goods were sold. But this +shop was stocked with a high grade of goods and Dotty had no trouble in +finding a doll nearly like the one which was now doubtless afloat on the +wide ocean. The doll cost five dollars, but Dotty persisted in buying +it, as she declared her conscience would never be easy unless she did. + +"Now let's settle this thing up," said Tod, as they emerged from the +store. "I find I have as much as five dollars with me, counting chicken +feed, and I'll pay this to you, Dolly, as my half of the ransom you put +up." + +"And here's my five," said Dotty, handing over the bill she had received +in change for the doll. + +Dolly looked dismayed. "Why, good gracious, Dot, then here am I with ten +dollars, and you with nothing of our prize money! I won't stand that for +a minute, you take this five back, and then we'll be even all round. I +rather guess if you get in a scrape like that, I've got a right to help +you out." + +"Well, I rather guess," said Tod, "that when we tell our folks about +this matter there'll be something doing. I think those men ought to be +shown up and punished." + +"Oh, no," said Dolly. "They're an awful gang. I've heard Father say so, +and I'm sure it's better to let them alone than to stir up any further +trouble." + +And as it turned out the elders concerned in the matter shared Dolly's +opinion. + +The story was told and Mr. Fayre and Mr. Brown talked over the matter +and said they would take it in charge and the children need think no +more about it, but they were directed to keep away from that locality in +the future and confine their escapades to such portions of the beach +and the boardwalk as were inhabited by civilised crowds. + +Money matters were straightened out in a way acceptable to all +concerned, by the simple method of the two fathers' remuneration of all +that had been paid out, and so Dolly, Dotty and Tod found themselves +possessed of the same finances they had before the unfortunate episode +occurred. + +"Dat not my dolly," declared the Chrysanthemum-headed baby, shaking her +yellow curls as Dotty offered her the new doll. + +"I know it," Dotty said, smiling as she knelt beside the child; "but let +me tell you. I found your dolly sitting all alone on a bench, and I was +going to bring her home to you. And then,--well, and then, do you know +that dolly went out to sea, way out to sea--and I think she's going to +Europe as fast as she can get there. And so, I've brought you this other +dolly, which is just as pretty." + +Goldenhead looked up into the smiling black eyes, and after a moment's +hesitation agreed that the new dolly was just as pretty as the departed +one, and graciously accepted it. + +Goldenhead's mother demurred at the whole transaction, but Mrs. Fayre +insisted that the child accept the new dolly and so the matter was +settled. + +"Tell me everything all about it!" cried Pauline Clifton, rushing to +meet the two D's on the hotel veranda. "Wasn't it thrilling? Such an +experience! My, I wish I had been with you! And Tod Brown was perfectly +fine, a real hero!" + +"Didn't do a thing," growled Tod, and Tad who was beside him, said, +"Wish I'd been there! then we could have sent the girls flying home and +stood up to those toughs!" + +"Aren't you splendid!" cried Pauline, but Dolly said, in her practical +way, "It wouldn't have been splendid at all, it would have been very +foolish for you two boys to think of fighting that crowd of great ugly +men! It was a case, where the only thing to do, was to submit to their +demand and come away. My father says we did just right." + +"Of course, it was the only thing to do," said Tod, "but to me it seemed +awful galling." + +"Well, we'll never go there again," said Dotty; "and it ought to be a +lesson to us not to play jokes on people." + +"A lesson that _you'll_ never learn," said Dolly, laughing; "you'll have +to have worse experiences than that, Dotty Rose, before you stop playing +jokes on people." + +"Is that so?" cried Carroll Clifton; "then you're a girl after my own +heart. I love to play jokes. Let's put our heads together and work up a +good one on somebody." + +"Well, this joke isn't on us, anyway," said Dotty, laughing. "We have +our ten dollars back again, Dolly, and I say we spend them before we get +a chance to lose them again." + +"But we're going to spend those for something special. You know they are +our cake prizes." + +"Oho!" cried Carroll, "did you girls take a prize at a cake walk?" + +"Not a cake walk, but we took a prize for making cake," Dotty exclaimed; +"and I say, Dolly, let's buy something in that shop where we bought the +doll. They have beautiful things there of all sorts." + +"Come on," said Pauline, "let's all go, and we'll help you pick out +things." + +So the two Cliftons and the two Browns and the two D's all started for +the shop. It was that sort of summer resort bazaar that holds all kinds +of fancy knick-knacks for frivolous purchasers. + +"Going to get things alike or different?" asked Tod Brown, as they went +in. + +"Different, of course," said Tad, "Dot and Dolly never like things +alike." + +"Don't you really?" said Pauline; "how funny! I thought you were such +great friends you always had everything just alike." + +"No," said Dolly, "we have everything just different. You see our tastes +are just about opposite, I expect that's why we're such friends." + +Dotty and Carroll were already studying the things at the jewellery +counter, while Dolly was slowly but surely making toward the book +department. + +"Get a picture," suggested Tad, "here are some good water colours of the +sea." + +"And here's a coloured photograph of that very fishing place where you +were at," said Pauline. + +All sorts of ridiculous suggestions were made, and the boys offered +jumping-jacks and comical toys to the two spenders. + +"Why don't you get a lot of little things, instead of one big thing?" +said Pauline; "here are some darling slipper buckles, and I think these +little flower vases are lovely." + +"No," said Dotty, decidedly, "we're each going to get one thing and +spend the whole ten dollars for it. And it must be something that we can +keep and use." + +"I've made up my mind," said Dolly, calmly; "I'm just looking around for +fun, but I know perfectly well what I'm going to get. Do you, Dotty?" + +"Yes, of course. I decided before I was in the store a minute." + +"What?" chorused the others. + +"This is mine," and Dotty went back to the jewellery counter and pointed +out a silver-gilt vanity-case. + +"Well, of all ridiculous things!" cried Tod; "you might as well have let +the fishermen keep your money!" + +"'Tisn't ridiculous at all!" Dotty retorted. "Mother told me I could get +exactly what I wanted, and I want this dreadfully. I've wanted one for a +long time. Don't you think it's pretty, Pauline?" + +"Yes," returned Pauline, carelessly. "I have two of them, one real gold +and one silver. But I hardly ever carry them." + +"Oh, well, you can have whatever you want," said Dotty, good-naturedly; +"but this is a treat to me, and I think it's lovely, though of course +not grand like yours." + +So Dotty bought the vanity-case, and then the crowd followed Dolly to +see what might be her choice. + +Straight to the bookshelves she went, and pointed to a set of fairy +stories. They were half a dozen or more volumes bound in various colours +and the set was ten dollars. + +"I've been just crazy for these books," she said, with a sigh of +satisfaction. "I would have had them for my birthday, only we had our +rooms fixed up; and the minute I spotted them I knew I should buy them." + +"What a foolishness!" exclaimed Carroll; "how can you read fairy tales?" + +"She loves them," said Dotty; "she'd rather read a fairy story than go +to a party, any day." + +Dolly laughed and dimpled, but stuck to her decision and soon the crowd +left the shop, carrying the important purchases with them. + +Back at the hotel, they were exhibited, and Mrs. Fayre and Trudy smiled +a little at the selection, but said they were glad that the girls had +bought what they wanted. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +GOOD-BYE, SUMMER! + + +Days at Surfwood passed happily and swiftly. Dolly and Dotty often +discussed the matter and always agreed that camp life and hotel life +were equally pleasant, though in opposite ways. And if Dotty sometimes +sighed for the careless freedom of the life in the woods or if Dolly +felt in her secret heart that she preferred the more formal conventions +of the big hotel, they soon forgot such thoughts in the joys of the +moment. + +There was seabathing every day and automobile trips and all sorts of +beach fun and frolic. + +The time was drawing near for them to go back to Berwick and settle down +again to the routine of home life. + +Among the last of the season's gaieties there was to be a children's +dance in the big ball-room. This was a regular summer feature and all +the guests of the hotel did their best to make the occasion attractive. + +All under sixteen were considered children, and even some of the little +tots were allowed to attend the festival. Fancy dress was not +obligatory, but many of the young people chose to wear gay costumes. + +The two Cliftons, the Brown twins and Dolly and Dotty had come to be a +clique by themselves, and were always together. + +"Let's dress alike for the silly party," said Clifford, who liked to +appear scornful of such amusements, but who was really very fond of +them. + +"All right; how shall we dress?" said Dotty, who was always ready for +dressing up. + +"A shepherdess costume is the prettiest thing you can wear," said +Pauline. "I have one with me, and it's lovely. S'pose you two girls copy +that, and then have the boys rig up something like it." + +"Mother will make us any old togs we want," said Tad, "It isn't a +masquerade, is it?" + +"Oh, no," said Dolly; "just fancy dress, you know, if you choose, and +lots of them just wear regular party clothes." + +"I'd like to be a shepherdess, all right," said Tad with a comical +simpering smile. + +"Now don't you make fun of my plan!" said Pauline; "we three girls can +be shepherdesses, and you three boys can be shepherds. Shepherd lads are +lovely, with pipes and things." + +"Clay pipes?" asked Tod. + +"No, goosy; pipes to play on. Long ones with ribbons; oh, 'twill be +lovely!" and Pauline clapped her hands. "Liza will make you a suit, +Carroll, and then the other boys can have it copied." + +There was much further discussion and the elders were called into +consultation, but finally Pauline's plan was adopted. + +Her shepherdess' frock was dainty and beautiful. The Dresden flowered +overdress was of silk, looped above a quilted satin petticoat, and a +black velvet bodice laced up over a fine white muslin chemisette. A +broad brimmed hat with roses and a be-ribboned shepherdess' crook +completed the picture. + +"It's perfectly lovely, Pauline," said Trudy, when she saw the dress, +"but we'll copy it for the girls in less expensive materials. Flowered +organdy will be very pretty for the panniers, and sateen or silkoline +will do for the skirts. The hats can be easily managed, and I'm sure we +can get the crooks down at the shop; if not, Dad will bring them from +New York." + +"You're a brick, Trudy," and Dotty flung her arms around the +kind-hearted girl. "It's awful good of you to do mine as well as +Dolly's." + +"Oh, Mother will help me, and it'll be easy as anything. I love to do +it." + +Long suffering Liza was accustomed to do as she was told, so she set to +work to evolve a shepherd costume for Carroll. She was skilful with her +needle and out of sateen and some gay ribbons she constructed a suit +that was picturesque and jaunty even if not entirely the sort a shepherd +lad might choose for daily wear. + +A soft white silk shirt with a broad open collar and a soft silk tie was +very becoming to good-looking Carroll, and the pipes, so necessary to +the character, were bought in New York by Carroll's father. + +Mrs. Brown was quite willing to have this suit copied for her twins, and +Tod and Tad, though growling at the idea of being "dressed up like Jack +Puddings," were secretly rather pleased with the becoming garb. + +"Suppose we make the caps for the boys," said Pauline, "I know just how +and I think 'twill be fun." + +The others agreed, and the day before the dance, the three girls +pre-empted a cosy corner of the big veranda and sat down to work. + +Copying a picture, it was not difficult to make the type of cap that +would harmonise with the shepherds' suits. + +Pauline cut them out and each of the girls sewed one. + +"You haven't made the head-bands big enough, Pauline," said Dolly, as +she tried an unfinished cap on her own curly head. + +"They're plenty big enough," Pauline retorted, "the boys haven't such a +mop of hair as you have." + +"I know that; but even allowing for that I don't think they could ever +get their heads into these small bands. Where are they, let's fit them +on them." + +"They've gone off for the morning. I tell you, Dolly, these bands are +all right. Don't you s'pose I know anything? Of course I measured them +before I began. Some people think they know it all!" + +Pauline was quick-tempered and Dolly was not, so the latter made no +response to the somewhat rude speech, and the girls sewed a few moments +in silence. + +Then as Dotty began to sew her cap to its band, she echoed Dolly's +words: "Why, Polly, these bands aren't big enough, that's so!" and Dotty +tried to put the cap on her own head. + +"How silly you are!" exclaimed Pauline, angrily. "Do you suppose your +head with all that hair isn't bigger than the boys' heads without any +hair to speak of? I tell you I measured these bands and they're plenty +big enough. If you girls want to be so disagreeable about it, you can +make the caps yourselves." + +"It's no use finishing these things," declared Dotty, "for the boys +can't get their heads into them! Why they're hardly big enough for a six +year old kid!" + +"I tell you they are. I guess I know. I measured one on my own brother +and his head is just as big as the Browns' heads are." + +"You've got the big-head yourself!" Dotty flashed back at her, "you +think you know everything, Pauline Clifton! I'm just _sure_ the boys +can't wear these caps, but we'll go on and finish them, since you say +they're big enough." + +"They _are_ big enough! there's no reason why we shouldn't finish them!" +and Pauline's cheeks grew red as she sewed hurriedly on the cap she +held. + +"Well, don't let's quarrel about it," said Dolly, who had not changed +her opinion, but who wanted to make peace. "If Pauline says they're all +right, Dotty, let's go on and sew them. She must know, if she measured +Carroll's head." + +"Of course I know!" and Pauline scowled at the other two girls. "If +you'd sew instead of fussing and finding fault, we could get the things +done before luncheon." + +"All right," and Dolly smiled pleasantly, shaking her head at Dotty, who +was just about to make an angry speech. "If Polly takes the +responsibility, I'm satisfied to go on, but it certainly doesn't seem to +me that any boy could get his head into that thing!" And she held up a +cap whose head band certainly did seem small. + +"I'll take the responsibility all right," and Pauline shook her head +angrily. "And when you see the boys with these caps on, you'll realise +how silly you've acted." + +The girls stitched on for a few minutes without speaking and then +Dolly's gentle voice broke the silence with some comment on some other +subject and peace was restored outwardly, though each of the three was +conscious of an angry undercurrent to their conversation. + +The caps finished, Pauline took the three of them and said she would +give them to Liza, who had the ribbon streamers for them. + +So the trio separated and as the Fayres had an engagement for that +afternoon the three girls were not together again until the next day. + +The next day was the day of the dance, but there was a tennis tournament +in the afternoon, in which all the young people took part, and so +interested were they in the games that no reference was made to the +quarrel of the day before. + +The dance was in the evening, and at dinner time Dolly and Dotty passed +the Cliftons' table on their way to their own. + +"Get dressed early and come down to the ball-room as soon as you can," +Carroll said to them as they went by. "The party is a short one, +anyway." + +The children's dance was only from eight till ten as the more grown-up +young people claimed the floor later. + +Trudy helped Dolly and Dotty into their pretty dresses and both she and +Mrs. Fayre exclaimed with admiration. + +The costumes of organdy and sateen were quite as pretty as the model of +silk and satin. Both girls wore their hair hanging in loose curls and +their broad rose-trimmed hats had long streamers of blue and pink ribbon +which tied under the chin with a bow at one side. Their long white +crooks bore bunches of ribbon and each carried a little basket of +flowers to add to the dainty effect. + +They found the others awaiting them in the ball-room, and indeed the +dancing was just about to begin as they arrived. + +It was a pretty sight. The long handsome room was specially decorated +with flowers and banners, and the gaily dressed children were laughing +and running about in glee. Many of eight or nine, were dancing in pretty +fashion, and indeed all ages under sixteen were represented. This frolic +was an annual affair and the majority of the children staying at the +hotel were allowed to attend. + +Perhaps half of them were in fancy costume and fairies and Red +Ridinghoods flitted about with Bobby Shaftos or miniature cavaliers. + +"Isn't it beautiful!" cried Dotty, at the threshold of the ball-room. +She had never seen a party just like this before and the gay sight +entranced her. + +"We can't go in," laughed Trudy, as she and her parents looked in at the +door. "The room is reserved for you kiddies, and we can only peep in at +the windows." + +Dolly and Dotty soon found their friends and crossed the room to join +the Shepherd Clan. + +Pauline looked very lovely in her elaborate costume, and the boys were +really fine as shepherd lads. + +As the two girls approached, Pauline whispered to them, with an air of +triumph, "You see the caps are plenty big enough!" and sure enough the +three boys wore their caps, set jauntily on the side of their heads; but +without a doubt the bands were amply large. + +"So you see, I _did_ know something after all," Pauline went on, and +Dolly said frankly, "You did, Polly; you were right and we were wrong." + +Dotty was not quite so smilingly gracious, but she had a strong sense of +justice and she said, "They _are_ big enough, Pauline, I was mistaken," +and then the dancing began. + +There were only simple dances as the children had not mastered the +intricacies of modern steps, and there was much fun and gay good-natured +banter. The Shepherds and Shepherdesses danced first with each other, +but later others joined them and the clan separated. + +But the last dance before supper Dolly danced with Carroll Clifton. + +At the finish they sat for a moment under some palms to rest, and +Carroll took off his cap and held it in his hand. + +As a matter of fact, Dolly had forgotten all about the cap discussion, +but suddenly her eyes fell on the inside of the cap, as Carroll held it +carelessly upside down on his knee. + +She could hardly believe her eyes, but she looked again and sure enough, +she was right! A full inch of material had been let into the band at the +back to make it larger. Dolly stared at it, and then taking the cap, as +if to admire it, she said, "I wonder if this is the one I made. You know +we girls made the shepherd caps, and I hope you're duly grateful." + +"Yes, nice cap-makers you are!" said Carroll, banteringly. "They were so +little we couldn't get them on. I told Polly and she gathered them in +last night and took them up to her room and made them bigger. I guess +she spent half the night doing it, for her light was burning pretty +late." + +Dolly said nothing, but a wave of indignation swept over her to think +Pauline should so deceive her. To think she should be so small and petty +as when she found herself in the wrong to secretly rectify her own +mistake and then triumphantly announce to the girls that the caps were +big enough after all! + +Of course they were big enough, after she had set a piece in each one! +Dolly smiled to herself to think what an undertaking it must have been, +for that alteration, and it was done neatly, meant a troublesome bit of +ripping and sewing. + +Carroll looked at her inquiringly. + +"Well," he said, "_is_ it the one you made? You seem desperately +interested in it!" + +"I don't know whether it's the one or not. But it doesn't matter, +they're all alike. Put it on, Carroll, they're all going out to supper +now, and it spoils your costume not to wear it." + +Supper was a gay feast. It was the one occasion of the year when the +children were allowed in the dining-room at night, and there were +snapping-crackers and especial varieties of cakes and ices and jellies +suited to juvenile tastes. + +After supper the young guests were supposed to say good-night and the +party was over. + +As they went upstairs, Dolly pulled Dotty back beside her, and at the +same moment whispered to Tod to let her take his cap. + +Unnoticed by any one else, Dolly showed Dotty the piecing inside, and +putting her finger on her lip, shook her head as an admonition to be +silent. Then she returned the cap to Tod, who hadn't noticed the +incident especially, and on the upper landing of the great staircase, +the children said their gay good-nights and went off to their various +apartments. + +"Now, what do you think of that?" said the fair-haired Shepherdess, not +waiting to take off her fancy costume, but pulling the black-haired +Shepherdess down to the window-seat beside her. + +This was the spot where the girls sat nearly every night to talk over +the events of the day. The wide velvet-cushioned seat with its many +pillows, was cosy and comfortable, and the view of the ocean and the +sound of the rolling waves made these evening chats very happy and +confidential. + +"But I don't understand," said Dotty, looking puzzled. "You motioned for +me not to speak a word, so I didn't. But what does it mean? Who put that +piece in Tod's cap, his mother?" + +"No; Pauline did it! She sneaked those caps away to her room last night, +and sat up till all hours piecing those pieces in. And a sweet job she +must have had of it! Why, it's about as much trouble to piece a thing +like that, as to make a whole cap!" + +"Pauline did it?" still Dotty couldn't understand. "Why, she said this +evening that the caps were all right and big enough." + +"Of course they were, after she pieced the bands out longer! She did it +herself, Dotty, and then pretended to us that they were just as we had +left them. At least she meant us to think that, for she said, 'Now don't +you see they're all right?' and she didn't tell us she had fixed them." + +"How do you know she did it? Maybe Mrs. Brown or Liza did it." + +"Carroll told me Polly did it herself. After she went to her room last +night. He says her light was burning awful late because she had to fix +the three caps." + +"The deceitful girl! If that isn't the limit! Just wait till I see her, +I'll tell her what I think of her!" + +"Now, Dotty, that's just what I don't want you to do. I knew how you'd +feel about this thing, and honest, at first I thought I wouldn't tell +you, 'cause if I hadn't, you never would have known. But we never do +have secrets from each other, and so when I found it out, I thought I +ought to tell you. But I don't want you to quarrel with Pauline about +it. Won't you let it go, Dot, and never say anything to her on the +subject?" + +"No, I won't, Dolly. She told a story, or if she didn't tell it right +out, she made us think what wasn't true, and it's just the same. She +ought to be shown up. Tod and Tad and her own brother, too, ought to +know what a mean thing she did. It's only justice, Dolly, that they +should. You're so easy-going you'd forgive anything and forget it, too! +But I can't. I've got to tell that Clifton girl what I think of her. +Oh, I never heard of such meanness! Why Dollyrinda Fayre,--you or I +would scorn to do such a thing!" + +"Of course we would, Dot, but I don't know as it's up to us to tell +Pauline Clifton what she ought to do." + +"It isn't that, Dolly; we're not her teachers, and I don't care what she +does,--to other people. But she needn't think she can do a thing like +that, and act as if we didn't know anything, when we told her she was +wrong, and then when she finds she is wrong to go and fix it up on the +sly and pretend she was right all along! No-sir-ee! I won't stand for +it. I'll show her up in all her meanness and deceit and I'll do it +before the boys, too. She ought to be made to feel cheap! The idea!" + +Dolly waited in silence until Dotty's wrath had spent itself. She had +known Dotty would act like this, but she hoped to calm her justifiable +anger. + +"Well, all right, Dot," she said at last; "then if you still persist in +quarrelling with Pauline about this thing, and if you won't agree not to +say anything to her about it, then I'm going to ask you not to, just for +my sake. I don't often ask you a favour seriously, Dotty Rose, but I do +now. If you're a friend of mine and if you really care anything about +me, won't you promise, just because _I_ ask it, not to say anything to +Pauline about those caps?" + +The two Shepherdesses faced each other in silence. Both were sitting +cross-legged in Turkish fashion on the wide divan, and as they had not +turned on their room lights, only the moonlight that streamed across the +ocean illumined the two earnest faces. + +Fair-haired Dolly was pale in her earnestness and her blue eyes looked +beseechingly at her friend. + +The black-haired Shepherdess was flushed with anger. Her crook had +fallen to the floor and she had tossed her hat beside it. Her black eyes +snapped and her curly head shook as she refused Dolly's request. But the +pleading voice kept on, until at last kindness conquered, and Dotty Rose +gave in. + +"All right, you dear old thing," she cried, as she grabbed Dolly round +the neck, "you've a Heavenly disposition, and I'm a horrid, ugly thing, +but I'll do as you say, _because_ you ask me to." + +"You're not ugly, Dotty, a bit; only you have a high temper, and your +sense of justice makes you feel like getting even with people. And I +don't say you're not right. Why, of course there is such a thing as +righteous indignation, and this may be the place for it. Only, I _do_ +want to have my way this time. You see, we're going home day after +to-morrow, and very likely we'll never see the Cliftons again, after we +leave here. They don't come here every summer like we do. And I hate to +spoil these two last days with a horrid squabble, when we six have been +so nice and chummy and pleasant all the time we've been here. You +needn't have much to do with Pauline, if you don't want to, but just for +two days, can't you just be decently polite to her, and not say anything +about this business?" + +"I can and I will," said Dotty, heartily; "but you needn't think, old +lady, that it's because I'm a meek and mild little lamb, and don't feel +like telling that girl what I think of her! No, sir! It's because,--well +first because you ask me to; and second, because I'm the guest of you +and your people, and it wouldn't be a bit nice of me to stir up an +unpleasantness that probably everybody would know about. So, unless Miss +Pauline Clifton refers to it herself, she'll never hear of that cap +subject from me!" + +"You're an old trump, Dotty, and I love you a million bushels! And I'm +glad we're going home so soon, and oh, just think! we'll start off to +school together, and we'll both go to High School, and we'll have just +the same lessons, and we'll be together every day. Dotty Rose, I'm +_glad_ I've got you for a friend!" + +"You're not half as glad as _I_ am, Dolly Fayre!" + +"We'll always be friends, whatever happens, won't we?" said Dolly; "and +we'll always tell each other everything." + +"Always and always!" said the other Shepherdess, and they sealed their +compact with a kiss. + +And the big, round-faced moon smiled at them across the night-blue +ocean, and tried to make up his mind which of the two D's he was more +fond of. + + +THE END + + + + +"_The Books you like to read at the price you like to pay._" + + * * * * * + +This Isn't All! + + * * * * * + +Look on the following pages and you will find listed a few of the +outstanding boys' and girls' books published by Grosset and Dunlap. All +are written by well known authors and cover a wide variety of +subjects--aviation, stories of sport and adventure, tales of humor and +mystery--books for every mood and every taste and every pocketbook. + + * * * * * + +_There is a Grosset & Dunlap book for every member of your family._ + + * * * * * + +CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS + + * * * * * + +Attractively Bound. Illustrated. Colored Wrappers. + + * * * * * + +THE PATTY BOOKS + +Patty is a lovable girl whose frank good nature and beauty lend charm to +her varied adventures. These stories are packed with excitement and +interest for girls. + + PATTY FAIRFIELD + PATTY AT HOME + PATTY IN THE CITY + PATTY'S SUMMER DAYS + PATTY IN PARIS + PATTY'S FRIENDS + PATTY'S PLEASURE TRIP + PATTY'S SUCCESS + PATTY'S MOTOR CAR + PATTY'S BUTTERFLY DAYS + + * * * * * + +THE MARJORIE BOOKS + +Marjorie is a happy little girl of twelve, up to mischief, but full of +goodness and sincerity. In her and her friends every girl reader will +see much of her own love of fun, play and adventure. + + MARJORIE'S VACATION + MARJORIE'S BUSY DAYS + MARJORIE'S NEW FRIEND + MARJORIE IN COMMAND + MARJORIE'S MAYTIME + MARJORIE AT SEACOTE + + * * * * * + +THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES + +Introducing Dorinda Fayre--a pretty blonde, sweet, serious, timid and a +little slow, and Dorothy Rose--a sparkling brunette, quick, elf-like, +high tempered, full of mischief and always getting into scrapes. + + TWO LITTLE WOMEN + TWO LITTLE WOMEN AND TREASURE HOUSE + TWO LITTLE WOMEN ON A HOLIDAY + + * * * * * + +THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS + +Dick and Dolly are brother and sister, and their games, their pranks, +their joys and sorrows, are told in a manner which makes the stories +"really true" to young readers. + + DICK AND DOLLY + DICK AND DOLLY'S ADVENTURES + + * * * * * + +FOR HER MAJESTY--THE GIRL OF TODAY + + * * * * * + +THE POLLY BREWSTER BOOKS + +By Lillian Elizabeth Roy + +Polly and Eleanor have many interesting adventures on their travels +which take them to all corners of the globe. + + POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT + POLLY AND ELEANOR + POLLY IN NEW YORK + POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD + POLLY'S BUSINESS VENTURE + POLLY'S SOUTHERN CRUISE + POLLY IN SOUTH AMERICA + POLLY IN THE SOUTHWEST + POLLY IN ALASKA + POLLY IN THE ORIENT + POLLY IN EGYPT + POLLY'S NEW FRIEND + POLLY AND CAROLA + POLLY AND CAROLA AT RAVENSWOOD + POLLY LEARNS TO FLY + + * * * * * + +THE BLYTHE GIRLS BOOKS + +By LAURA LEE HOPE + +Author of The Outdoor Girls Series + + * * * * * + +Illustrated by Thelma Gooch + + * * * * * + +The Blythe Girls, three in number, were left alone in New York City. +Helen, who went in for art and music, kept the little flat uptown, while +Margy, just out of business school, obtained a position as secretary and +Rose, plain-spoken and business like, took what she called a "job" in a +department store. The experiences of these girls make fascinating +reading--life in the great metropolis is thrilling and full of strange +adventures and surprises. + + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN, MARGY AND ROSE + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S QUEER INHERITANCE + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S GREAT PROBLEM + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S STRANGE BOARDER + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THREE ON A VACATION + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S SECRET MISSION + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S ODD DISCOVERY + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: THE DISAPPEARANCE OF HELEN + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: SNOWBOUND IN CAMP + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: MARGY'S MYSTERIOUS VISITOR + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: ROSE'S HIDDEN TALENT + THE BLYTHE GIRLS: HELEN'S WONDERFUL MISTAKE + + * * * * * + +THE POLLY SERIES + +By DOROTHY WHITEHILL + + * * * * * + +This lively series for girls is about the adventures of pretty, +resourceful Polly Pendleton, a wide awake American girl who goes to +boarding school on the Hudson River, several miles above New York. By +her pluck and genial smile she soon makes a name for herself and becomes +a leader in girl activities. + +Besides relating Polly's adventures at school these books tell of her +summer vacations and her experiences in many different scenes. Every +girl who loves action and excitement will want to follow Polly on her +many adventures. + + POLLY'S FIRST YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL + POLLY'S SUMMER VACATION + POLLY'S SENIOR YEAR AT BOARDING SCHOOL + POLLY SEES THE WORLD AT WAR + POLLY AND LOIS + POLLY AND BOB + POLLY'S REUNION + POLLY'S POLLY + POLLY AT PIXIE'S HAUNT + POLLY'S HOUSE PARTY + POLLY'S POLLY AT BOARDING SCHOOL + JOYFUL ADVENTURES OF POLLY + + * * * * * + +THE OUTDOOR GIRLS SERIES + +By LAURA LEE HOPE +Author of "The Blythe Girls Books." + + * * * * * + +Every Volume Complete in Itself. + + * * * * * + +These are the adventures of a group of bright, fun-loving, up-to-date +girls who have a common bond in their fondness for outdoor life, +camping, travel and adventure. There is excitement and humor in these +stories and girls will find in them the kind of pleasant associations +that they seek to create among their own friends and chums. + + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS OF DEEPDALE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT RAINBOW LAKE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A MOTOR CAR + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN A WINTER CAMP + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN FLORIDA + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT OCEAN VIEW + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN ARMY SERVICE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON PINE ISLAND + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT THE HOSTESS HOUSE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT BLUFF POINT + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT WILD ROSE LODGE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE SADDLE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AROUND THE CAMPFIRE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON CAPE COD + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT FOAMING FALLS + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ALONG THE COAST + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT SPRING HILL FARM + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT NEW MOON RANCH + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A HIKE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS ON A CANOE TRIP + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS AT CEDAR RIDGE + THE OUTDOOR GIRLS IN THE AIR + + * * * * * + +THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SERIES + +By GRACE BROOKS HILL + + * * * * * + +These splendid stories of the adventures of four young girls who occupy +the old corner house left to them by a rich bachelor uncle will appeal +to all young girls. They contain all the elements which delight youthful +readers--action, mystery, humor and excitement. These girls have become +the best friends of many children throughout the country. + + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS AT SCHOOL + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS UNDER CANVAS + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS IN A PLAY + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS' ODD FIND + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON A TOUR + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS GROWING UP + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SNOWBOUND + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON A HOUSEBOAT + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS AMONG THE GYPSIES + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS ON PALM ISLAND + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS SOLVE A MYSTERY + THE CORNER HOUSE GIRLS FACING THE WORLD + + * * * * * + +GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK + + * * * * * + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Two Little Women, by Carolyn Wells + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWO LITTLE WOMEN *** + +***** This file should be named 30881.txt or 30881.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/8/8/30881/ + +Produced by Annie McGuire + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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