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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Dick and Dolly, by Carolyn Wells, Illustrated
+by Ada Budell
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most
+other parts of the world 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.  If you are not located in the United States, you'll have
+to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook.
+
+
+
+
+Title: Dick and Dolly
+
+
+Author: Carolyn Wells
+
+
+
+Release Date: September 29, 2016  [eBook #53166]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: UTF-8
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK AND DOLLY***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Mardi Desjardins and the online Distributed
+Proofreaders Canada team (http://www.pgdpcanada.net) from page images
+generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 53166-h.htm or 53166-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53166/53166-h/53166-h.htm)
+      or
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53166/53166-h.zip)
+
+
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      https://archive.org/details/dickdolly00well
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: “She saw a little girl coming eagerly toward
+her”       (Page 95)]
+
+
+DICK AND DOLLY
+
+by
+
+CAROLYN WELLS
+
+Author of
+The Marjorie Books,
+The Patty Books,
+The Two Little Women Series,
+
+Illustrated by Ada Budell
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Grosset & Dunlap
+Publishers        New York
+
+Made in the United States of America
+
+Copyright, 1909, by
+Dodd, Mead and Company
+
+Published, October, 1909
+
+
+
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+
+                  CHAPTER                                PAGE
+
+              I   THE BROOK                                 1
+
+             II   THE ARRIVAL                              15
+
+            III   AN EARLY STROLL                          29
+
+             IV   GARDENS                                  43
+
+              V   A PLAYGROUND                             57
+
+             VI   A SOCIAL CALL                            72
+
+            VII   PINKIE                                   87
+
+           VIII   A SECRET                                102
+
+             IX   PHYLLIS                                 118
+
+              X   AN AUCTION SALE                         132
+
+             XI   FUN WITH LADY ELIZA                     147
+
+            XII   OBEYING ORDERS                          161
+
+           XIII   AUNT NINE                               177
+
+            XIV   A CORONATION                            191
+
+             XV   PUNISHMENT                              207
+
+            XVI   THE PLAYHOUSE                           222
+
+           XVII   THE FATE OF DANA COTTAGE                236
+
+          XVIII   A LOVELY PLAN                           249
+
+            XIX   THE BIG CHIEF                           264
+
+             XX   A GAY PARTY                             279
+
+
+
+
+                             ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+“She Saw a Little Girl Coming                    _Frontispiece_
+  Eagerly Toward Her”
+
+“Oh, How Good the Cool Ripply    Facing  page       40
+  Water did Feel!”
+
+In the Garden                     ”        ”       124
+
+Lady Dusenbury’s Party            ”        ”       200
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER I
+
+
+                               THE BROOK
+
+
+Dick and Dolly were twins and had been twins for nine years.
+
+Most of these years had been spent with Grandma Banks and Aunt Helen,
+for Dick and Dolly were orphaned when they were tiny tots, and Aunt
+Helen Banks was their mother’s sister.
+
+Then, about two years ago, Grandma Banks had died, and now Aunt Helen
+was to be married and go far away across the sea to live.
+
+So their Chicago home was broken up, and the twins were sent to the old
+Dana homestead in Connecticut, to live with their father’s people.
+
+This transfer of their dwelling-place didn’t bother Dick and Dolly much,
+for they were philosophical little people and took things just as they
+happened, and, moreover, they were so fond of each other, that so long
+as they were together, it didn’t matter to them where they were.
+
+But to the two people who lived in the old Dana place, and who were
+about to receive the twin charges, it mattered a great deal.
+
+Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie Dana were maiden ladies of precise and
+methodical habits, and to have their quiet home invaded by two unknown
+children was, to say the least, disturbing.
+
+But then Dick and Dolly were the children of their own brother, and so,
+of course they were welcome, still the aunts felt sure it would make a
+great difference in the household.
+
+And indeed it did.
+
+From the moment of the twins’ arrival,—but I may as well tell you about
+that moment.
+
+You see, Aunt Helen was so busy with her wedding preparations that she
+didn’t want to take the time to bring Dick and Dolly all the way from
+Chicago to Heatherton, Connecticut, so she sent them East in charge of
+some friends of hers who chanced to be coming. Mr. and Mrs. Halkett were
+good-natured people, and agreed to see the twins safely to Dana Dene,
+the home of the waiting aunts.
+
+And the aunts were waiting somewhat anxiously.
+
+They had never seen Dick and Dolly since they were tiny babies, and as
+they had heard vague reports of mischievous tendencies, they feared for
+the peace and quiet of their uneventful lives.
+
+“But,” said Miss Abbie to Miss Rachel, “we can’t expect children to act
+like grown people. If they’re only tidy and fairly good-mannered, I
+shall be thankful.”
+
+“Perhaps we can train them to be,” responded Miss Rachel, hopefully;
+“nine is not very old, to begin with. I think they will be tractable at
+that age.”
+
+“Let us hope so,” said Miss Abbie.
+
+The Dana ladies were not really old,—even the family Bible didn’t
+credit them with quite half a century apiece,—but they were of a quiet,
+sedate type, and were disturbed by the least invasion of their daily
+routine.
+
+Life at Dana Dene was of the clock-work variety, and mistresses and
+servants fell into step and trooped through each day, without a
+variation from the pre-arranged line of march.
+
+But, to their honest souls, duty was pre-eminent, even over routine, and
+now, as it was clearly their duty to take their brother’s children into
+their household, there was no hesitation, but there was apprehension.
+
+For who could say what two nine-year-olds would be like?
+
+But in accordance with their sense of duty, the Misses Dana accepted the
+situation and went to work to prepare rooms for the new-comers.
+
+Two large sunny bedrooms, Dolly’s sweet and dainty, Dick’s more boyish,
+were made ready, and another large room was planned to be used as a
+study or rainy-day playroom for them both. Surely, the aunts were doing
+the right thing,—if the children would only respond to the gentle
+treatment, and not be perfect little savages, all might yet be well.
+
+Now it happened that when Mr. and Mrs. Halkett reached New York with
+their young charges, the trip from Chicago had made Mrs. Halkett so
+weary and indisposed that she preferred to remain in New York while her
+husband took the twins to Heatherton. It was not a long trip, perhaps
+three hours or less on the train, so Mr. Halkett started off to fulfil
+his trust and present Dick and Dolly at the door of their new home,
+assuring his wife that he would return on the first train possible after
+accomplishing his errand. Mrs. Halkett took pride in seeing that the
+children were very spick and span, and prettily arrayed, and gave them
+many injunctions to keep themselves so.
+
+Sturdy Dick looked fine in his grey Norfolk jacket and knickerbockers,
+with wide white collar and correct tie. Pretty little Dolly was in white
+piqué, very stiff and clean, with a tan-coloured coat and flower-trimmed
+hat.
+
+The twins looked alike, and had the same big, dark eyes, but Dick’s hair
+was a dark mass of close-cropped curls, while Dolly’s was a tangle of
+fluffy golden ringlets. This striking effect of fair hair and dark eyes
+made her an unusually attractive-looking child, and though they had
+never thought of it themselves, the twins were a very beautiful pair of
+children. Docilely obedient to Mrs. Halkett’s injunctions, they sat
+quietly in the train, and did nothing that could by any possibility be
+termed naughty.
+
+Truth to tell, they were a little awed at the thought of the two aunts,
+whom they did not yet know, but had every reason to believe were not at
+all like Auntie Helen. They chatted together, as they looked out of the
+window at the landscape and stations, and Mr. Halkett read his paper,
+and then looked over his timetable to see how soon he could get back to
+New York.
+
+There was a train that left Heatherton for New York about half an hour
+after their own arrival, so he hoped he could leave the twins at Dana
+Dene and return to the metropolis on that train. But owing to a delay of
+some sort they did not reach the Heatherton station until about twenty
+minutes after schedule time.
+
+After the train Mr. Halkett desired to take back to New York, there was
+no other for two hours, and greatly annoyed was that gentleman. When
+they stood at last on the station platform, a pleasant-faced Irishman
+approached and informed Mr. Halkett that he was from Dana Dene, and had
+been sent to meet Master Dick and Miss Dolly. As the man appeared so
+capable and responsible, Mr. Halkett was tempted to put the children in
+his care, and return himself at once to New York.
+
+He explained about the trains, and told of his wife’s illness, and the
+intelligent Michael said at once:
+
+“Shure, sor, do yez go back to New York. I’ll be afther takin’ the
+childher safe to the house. Don’t yez moind, sor, but go right along.
+Lave all to me, sor.”
+
+Impressed with the man’s decisive words, and sure of his
+trustworthiness, Mr. Halkett assisted the children into the carriage,
+and bidding them good-bye turned back to the station.
+
+Dolly looked a little wistful as he turned away, for though no relative,
+he had been a kind friend, and now she felt like a stranger in a strange
+land.
+
+But Dick was with her, so nothing else really mattered. She slipped her
+hand in her brother’s, and then Michael picked up his reins and they
+started off.
+
+It was early May, and it chanced to be warm and pleasant. The carriage
+was an open one, a sort of landau, and the twins gazed around with eager
+interest.
+
+“Great, isn’t it, Dolly?” exclaimed Dick, as they drove along a winding
+road, with tall trees and budding shrubs on either side.
+
+“Oh, yes!” returned Dolly. “It’s beautiful. I love the country a whole
+heap better than Chicago. Oh, Dick, there’s woods,—real woods!”
+
+“So it is, and a brook in it! I say, Michael, can’t we get out here a
+minute?”
+
+“I think not,” said the good-natured coachman. “The leddies is forninst,
+lookin’ for yez, and by the same token, we’re afther bein’ late as it
+is.”
+
+“Yes, I know,” said Dick, “but we won’t stay a minute. Just let us run
+in and see that brook. It’s such a dandy! I never saw a brook but once
+or twice in all my life.”
+
+“Yez didn’t! The saints presarve us! Wherever have yez lived?”
+
+“In the city,—in Chicago. Do stop a minute, please, Michael.”
+
+“Please, Michael,” added Dolly, and her sweet voice and coaxing glance
+were too much for Michael’s soft heart.
+
+Grumbling a little under his breath, he pulled up his horses, and let
+the children get out.
+
+“Just a minute, now,” he said, warningly. “I’ll bring yez back here some
+other day. Can yez get under the brush there?”
+
+“We’ll go over,” cried Dick, as he climbed and scrambled over a low
+thicket of brush.
+
+Dolly scrambled through, somehow, and the two children that emerged on
+the other side of the brush were quite different in appearance from the
+two sedate-looking ones that Mr. Halkett had left behind him.
+
+Dick’s white collar had received a smudge, his stocking was badly torn,
+and his cheek showed a long scratch.
+
+Dolly’s white frock was a sight! Her pretty tan coat had lost a button
+or two, and her hat was still in the bushes.
+
+“Hey, Doddy, hey, for the brook!” shouted Dick, and grasping each
+other’s hands, they ran for the rippling water.
+
+“Oh!” cried Dolly, her eyes shining. “Did you _ever_!”
+
+To the very edge of the brook they went, dabbling their fingers in the
+clear stream, and merrily splashing water on each other.
+
+All this would have been a harmless performance enough if they had been
+in play clothes, but the effect on their travelling costumes was most
+disastrous.
+
+Leaning over the mossy bank to reach the water caused fearful green
+stains on white piqué and on light-grey knickerbockers. Hands became
+grimy, and faces hot and smudgy. But blissfully careless of all this,
+the children frolicked and capered about, rejoiced to find the
+delightful country spot and quite oblivious to the fact that they were
+on their way to their new home.
+
+“Let’s wade,” said Dick, and like a flash, off came four muddy shoes,
+and four grass-greened stockings. Oh, how good the cool ripply water did
+feel! and how they chuckled with glee as they felt the wavelets plashing
+round their ankles.
+
+Across the brook were the dearest wild flowers,—pink, yellow, and
+white.
+
+“We must gather some,” said Dolly. “Can we wade across?”
+
+“Yep; I guess so. It doesn’t look deep. Come on.”
+
+Taking hands again, they stepped cautiously, and succeeded in crossing
+the shallow brook, though, incidentally, well dampening the piqué skirt,
+and the grey knickerbockers.
+
+Sitting down on the mossy bank, they picked handfuls of the flowers and
+wondered what they were.
+
+“Hollo! Hollo!” called Michael’s voice from the road, where he sat
+holding his horses.
+
+“All right, Michael! In a minute,” shrilled back the childish voices.
+
+And they really meant to go in a minute, but the fascination of the
+place held them, and they kept on picking flowers, and grubbing among
+the roots and stones at the edge of the water.
+
+“We really ought to go,” said Dolly. “Come on, Dick. Oh, look at the
+birds!”
+
+A large flock of birds flew low through the sky, and as they circled and
+wheeled, the children watched them eagerly.
+
+“They’re birds coming North for the summer,” said Dick. “See those
+falling behind! They don’t like the way the flock is going, and they’re
+going to turn back.”
+
+“So they are! We must watch them. There, now they’ve decided to go on,
+after all! Aren’t they queer?”
+
+“Hollo! Hollo! Come back, yez bad childher! Come back, I say!”
+
+“Yes, Michael, in a minute,” rang out Dolly’s sweet, bird-like voice.
+
+“In a minute, nothin’! Come now, roight sthraight away! Do yez hear?”
+
+“Yes, we’re coming,” answered Dick, and together they started to wade
+back across the brook.
+
+Then there were shoes and stockings to be put on, and with sopping wet
+feet, and no towels, this is not an easy task.
+
+They tugged at the unwilling stockings and nearly gave up in despair,
+but succeeded at last in getting them on, though the seams were far from
+the proper straight line at the back. Shoes were not so hard to put on,
+but were impossible to button without a buttonhook, so had to remain
+unbuttoned.
+
+Meantime, Michael was fairly fuming with angry impatience. He could not
+leave his horses, or he would have gone after the truants, and no
+passers-by came along whom he could ask to hold his restive team.
+
+So he continued to shout, and Dick and Dolly continued to assure him
+that they were coming, but they didn’t come.
+
+At last they appeared at the thicket hedge, and as the two laughing
+faces peeped through, Michael could scarcely recognise his young
+charges. Torn, soiled, dishevelled, unkempt, there was absolutely no
+trace of the spick and span toilets Mrs. Halkett had looked after so
+carefully, in spite of her aching head and tired nerves.
+
+“Yez naughty little rascals!” cried Michael. “Whativer possessed yez to
+tousel yersilves up loike that! Shame to yez! What’ll yer aunties say?”
+
+For the first time, the twins realised their disreputable appearance.
+
+What, indeed, would their new aunties say to them? Aunt Helen would have
+laughed, in her pretty, merry way, and sent them trotting away to clean
+up, but with new and untried aunties they couldn’t be sure. Moreover,
+they had an idea that Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie were not at all like
+pretty, young Auntie Helen.
+
+Rescuing her hat from the thorn bush where it hung, Dolly looked
+ruefully at its twisted flowers. The more she tried to pull them into
+shape, the worse they looked.
+
+She put it on her head, dismayed meanwhile to find her broad hair-ribbon
+was gone, and her sunny curls a moist, tangled mop.
+
+Dick was conscious of a growing feeling of wrong-doing, but there was
+nothing to be done but face the music.
+
+“Get in,” he said, briefly to his sister, and they clambered into the
+carriage.
+
+Michael said no more; it was not his place to reprimand the children of
+the house, but he sat up very straight and stiff, as he drove rapidly
+toward home. To be sure, his straightness and stiffness was to conceal a
+fit of merriment caused by the thought of presenting these ragamuffins
+at the portals of Dana Dene, but the ragamuffins themselves didn’t know
+that, and regretful and chagrined, they sat hand in hand, awaiting their
+fate.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER II
+
+
+                              THE ARRIVAL
+
+
+In the dark and somewhat sombre library at Dana Dene, Miss Rachel and
+Miss Abbie sat awaiting their guests. The room might have been called
+gloomy, but for the sunshine that edged in through the long, narrow,
+slit-like windows, and made determined golden bars across the dark-red
+carpet. Both the Misses Dana showed clearly their anxiety to have the
+children arrive and end their suspense.
+
+“If only they’re tidy children,” said Miss Rachel for the fiftieth time;
+and Miss Abbie responded, as she always did, “Yes, and quiet-mannered.”
+
+Miss Rachel Dana was of rather spare build, and sharp features. Her
+brown hair, only slightly tinged with grey, was deftly arranged, and
+every curled lock in its right place. Her pretty house-dress of dark
+blue foulard silk, with white figures, was modishly made and carefully
+fitted.
+
+Miss Abbie was a little more plump, and her gown was of a shade lighter
+blue, though otherwise much like her sister’s.
+
+The ladies had a patient air, as if they had waited long, but though
+they now and then glanced at the clock, they expressed no surprise at
+the delayed arrival. Trains were apt to be late at Heatherton, and they
+knew Michael would return as soon as possible. They had not gone
+themselves to the station to meet the twins, for it had seemed to them
+more dignified and fitting to receive their young relatives in their own
+home. Meantime, the young relatives were drawing nearer, and now, quite
+forgetting their own untidy appearance, their thoughts had turned to the
+waiting aunts, and the welcome they would probably receive.
+
+“I don’t believe they’ll be as nice as Aunty Helen,” said Dick,
+candidly, “but I hope they’ll be jolly and gay.”
+
+“I hope they’ll like us,” said Dolly, a little wistfully. She had always
+missed a mother’s love more than Dick had, and her affectionate little
+heart hoped to find in these aunties a certain tenderness that merry
+Aunt Helen had not possessed.
+
+Dick eyed his sister critically. “I don’t believe they will,” he said,
+honestly, “until we get some clean clothes on. I say, Dollums, we look
+like scarecrows.”
+
+“So we do!” said Dolly, fairly aghast as she realised the state of her
+costume. “Oh, Dick, can’t we get dressed up before we see them?”
+
+“’Course we can’t. Our trunks and bags haven’t come yet; and, anyway,
+they’ll probably be on the porch or somewhere, to meet us. Buck up,
+Dolly; don’t you mind. You’re just as nice that way.”
+
+“Is my face dirty?”
+
+“Not so much dirty,—as red and scratched. How _did_ you get so chopped
+up?”
+
+“It was those briers. You went over, but I went through.”
+
+“I should say you did! Well, I don’t believe they’ll mind your looks.
+And, anyway, they’ll have to get used to it; you ’most always look like
+that.”
+
+This was cold comfort, and Dolly’s feminine heart began to feel that
+their appearance would be greatly in their disfavour.
+
+But she was of a sanguine nature, and, too, she was apt to devise
+expedients.
+
+“I’ll tell you, Dick,” she said, as an idea came to her; “you know, ‘a
+soft answer turneth away wrath’; no,—I guess I mean ‘charity covereth a
+multitude of sins.’ Yes, that’s it. And charity is love, you know. So
+when we see the aunties, let’s spring into their arms and kiss ’em and
+love ’em ’most to death, and then they won’t notice our clothes.”
+
+“All right, that goes. Let me see,—yes, your face is clean,”—Dick made
+a dab or two at it with his handkerchief. “How’s mine?”
+
+“Yes, it’s clean,” said Dolly, “at least, there aren’t any smudges; but
+you’d better wash it before supper.”
+
+“All right, I will. Here we go now, turning in at the gate. Be ready to
+jump out and fly at them if they’re on the porch.”
+
+They weren’t on the porch, so the twins went in at the great front door,
+which was opened for them by a smiling maid, whose smile broadened as
+she saw them. Then, repressing her smile, she ushered them to the
+library door and into the presence of the two waiting aunts.
+
+“Now!” whispered Dick, and with a mad rush, the two flew across the room
+like whirlwinds and fairly _banged_ themselves into the arms of Miss
+Rachel and Miss Abbie Dana.
+
+This sudden onslaught was followed by a series of hugs and kisses which
+were of astonishing strength and duration.
+
+What Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie thought can never be known, for they had
+no power of thought. Victims of a volcanic visitation do not think,—at
+least, not coherently, and the Dana ladies were quite helpless, both
+mentally and physically.
+
+“Dear Auntie,” cooed Dolly, patting the cheek of the one she had
+attacked, though not knowing her name; “are you glad to see us?”
+
+Miss Rachel stared stupidly at her, but the stare was not reassuring,
+and Dolly’s heart fell.
+
+“Jolly glad to get here,” cried Dick, loyally trying to carry out
+Dolly’s plan, as he nearly choked the breath out of the other aunt. Miss
+Abbie had a little more sense of humour than her sister,—though neither
+of them was over-burdened with it,—so she said to Dick:
+
+“Then do stop pommeling me, and stand off where I can see what you look
+like!”
+
+But this was just what Dick was not anxious to do. So he only clung
+closer, and said, “Dear Auntie, which is your name?”
+
+“I’m your Aunt Abbie,” was the response, not too gently given, “and now
+stand up, if you please, and stop these monkey-tricks!”
+
+Of course, since she put it that way, Dick had to desist, and he
+released his struggling aunt, and bravely stood up for inspection.
+
+Miss Rachel, too, had pushed Dolly away from her, and the twins stood,
+hand in hand, waiting for the verdict. It was an awful moment. The
+physical exertion of the manner they had chosen of greeting their aunts
+had made their flushed little faces still redder, and the scratches
+stood out in bold relief.
+
+Also, their soiled and torn garments looked worse in this elegantly
+appointed room even than they had in the woods or in the carriage.
+
+Altogether the twins felt that their plan of defence had failed, and
+they were crestfallen, shy, homesick, and pretty miserable all ’round.
+
+But the funny part was, that the plan hadn’t failed. Though the aunts
+never admitted it, both their hearts were softened by the feeling of
+those little arms round their necks, and those vigorous, if grimy kisses
+that fell, irrespectively, on their cheeks, necks, or lace collars.
+
+Had it not been for this tornado of affection, the greeting would have
+been far different. But one cannot speak coldly to a guest who shows
+such warmth of demonstration.
+
+“Well, you _are_ a pretty-looking pair!” exclaimed Miss Rachel, veiling
+her real disapproval behind a semblance of jocularity. “Do you always
+travel in ragged, dirty clothes?”
+
+“No, Aunt Rachel,” said Dick, feeling he must make a strike for justice;
+“at least, we don’t start out this way. But you see, we had hardly ever
+seen a brook before——”
+
+“And it was so lovely!” put in Dolly, ecstatically.
+
+“And wild flowers to it!” cried Dick, his eyes shining with the joy of
+the remembrance.
+
+“And pebbly stones!”
+
+“And ripply water!”
+
+“And birds, flying in big bunches!”
+
+“Oh, but it was splendid!”
+
+“And so you went to the brook,” said Aunt Rachel, beginning to see
+daylight.
+
+“Yes’m; on the way up from the station, you know.”
+
+“Did Michael go with you?”
+
+“No; he sat and held the horses, and hollered for us to come back.”
+
+“Why didn’t you go when he called you?”
+
+“Why, we did; at least, we went in a minute. But, Aunt Rachel, we never
+had seen a real live brook before, not since we were little bits of
+kiddy-wids,—and we just couldn’t bear to leave it.”
+
+“We waded in it!” said Dolly, almost solemnly, as if she had referred to
+the highest possible earthly bliss.
+
+The Dana ladies were nonplussed. True, the affection showered on them
+had tempered their severity, yet now justice began to reassert itself,
+and surely it would not be just or fair to have these semi-barbaric
+children installed at Dana Dene.
+
+“Did your aunt in Chicago let you act like this?” asked Aunt Abbie, by
+way of trying to grasp the situation.
+
+“Well, you see, there never was a brook there,” said Dick, pleasantly.
+“Only Lake Michigan, and that was too big to be any fun.”
+
+“Oh, isn’t Heatherton lovely?” exclaimed Dolly, her big, dark eyes full
+of rapture.
+
+She had again possessed herself of Miss Rachel’s hand and was patting
+it, and incidentally transfering some “good, brown earth” to it, from
+her own little paw.
+
+Though Dolly had planned their mode of entrance, she had forgotten all
+about it now, and her affectionate demonstrations were prompted only by
+her own loving little heart, and not by an effort to be tactful.
+
+In her enthusiasm over the beautiful country-side, she fairly bubbled
+over with love and affection for all about her.
+
+“Are you both so fond of the country, then?” said Miss Abbie, a little
+curiously.
+
+“Yes, we love it,” declared Dick, “and we’ve ’most never seen it. Auntie
+Helen always liked fashionable places in summer, and of course in winter
+we were in Chicago.”
+
+“And we were naughty,” said Dolly, with a sudden burst of contrition,
+“to go wading in the brook in our good clothes. Mrs. Halkett told us
+_’spressly_ not to get soiled or even rumpled before we saw you. And
+we’re sorry we did,—but, oh! that brook! When can we go there again?
+To-morrow?”
+
+“Or this afternoon,” said Dick, sidling up to Aunt Rachel; “it isn’t
+late, is it?”
+
+The twins had instinctively discerned that Miss Rachel was the one of
+whom to ask permission. Aunt Abbie seemed more lovable, perhaps, but
+without a doubt Aunt Rachel was the fixer of their fate.
+
+“This afternoon! I should say not!” exclaimed Miss Rachel. “It’s nearly
+supper time now, and how you’re going to be made presentable is more
+than I know! Have you any other clothes?”
+
+“In our trunks,—lots of ’em,” said Dick, cheerfully. “But these are our
+best ones. Mrs. Halkett put them on us purpose to come to you. I’m sorry
+they’re smashed.”
+
+Dick’s sorrow was expressed in such blithe and nonchalant tones, that
+Miss Rachel only smiled grimly.
+
+“Are you hungry?” she said.
+
+“No’m,” said Dick, slowly, and Dolly added, “Not _very_. Of course we’re
+always _some_ hungry. But Aunt Rachel, can’t we go out and scoot round
+the yard? Just to see what it’s like, you know. Of course, this room
+is,—beautiful, but we do love to be out doors. May we?”
+
+“No,” said Miss Rachel, decidedly, and though Miss Abbie said, timidly,
+“Why don’t you let them?” the elder sister resumed:
+
+“Go out on my lawn looking like that? Indeed you can’t! I’d be ashamed
+to have the chickens see you,—let alone the servants!”
+
+“Oh, are there chickens?” cried Dolly, dancing about in excitement. “I’m
+_so_ glad we’re going to live here!”
+
+She made a movement as if to hug her Aunt Rachel once again, but as she
+saw the involuntary drawing away of that lady’s shoulders, she
+transferred her caress to Dick, and the tattered twins fell on each
+other’s necks in mutual joy of anticipation.
+
+“You are a ridiculous pair of children,” said Aunt Abbie, laughing at
+the sight; “but as I hope you’ll show some of your father’s traits, you
+may improve under our training.”
+
+“If we can train such hopeless cases,” said Miss Rachel. “Has nobody
+ever taught you how to behave?”
+
+“Yes,” said Dick, growing red at the implication. “Auntie Helen is a
+lovely lady, and she taught us to be honourable and polite.”
+
+“Oh, she did! and do you call it honourable to go off wading in your
+best clothes, while we were waiting for you to come here?”
+
+Dick’s honest little face looked troubled.
+
+“I don’t know,” he said, truly, but Dolly, who was often the
+quicker-witted of the two, spoke up:
+
+“It may have been naughty, Aunt Rachel, but I don’t ’zackly think it was
+dishonourable. Do you?” Thus pinned down, Miss Rachel considered.
+
+“Perhaps ‘dishonourable’ isn’t quite the right word,” she said, “but we
+won’t discuss that now. I shall teach you to behave properly, of course,
+but we won’t begin until you look like civilised beings, capable of
+being taught. Just now, I think hot baths, with plenty of soap, will be
+the best thing for you, but as you have no clean clothes, you’ll have to
+go to bed.”
+
+“At five o’clock! Whew!” said Dick. “Oh, I say, Aunt Rachel, not to
+bed!”
+
+“Anyway, let us go for a tear around the yard first,” begged Dolly. “We
+can’t hurt these clothes now; and I don’t believe the chickens will
+mind. Are there _little_ chickens, Aunt Abbie?”
+
+“Yes, little woolly yellow ones.”
+
+“Like the ones on Easter souvenirs? Oh, _please_ let us see them
+now,—_please_!”
+
+More persuaded by the violence of her niece’s plea than by her own
+inclination, Miss Rachel said they might go out for half an hour, and
+then they must come in to baths and beds.
+
+“And supper?” asked Dick, hopefully.
+
+“Yes, bread and milk after you’re clean and tucked into bed.”
+
+“_Only_ bread and milk?” said Dolly, with eyes full of wheedlesomeness.
+
+“Well, perhaps jam,” said Aunt Abbie, smiling, and somehow her smile
+augured even more than jam. Out they scampered then, and soon found
+Michael, who introduced them to the chickens and also to Pat, who was
+the gardener.
+
+“I like you,” said Dolly, slipping her little hand into Pat’s big one,
+both being equally grimy. “Please show us all the flowers and things.”
+
+There was so much to look at, they could only compass a small part of it
+in their allotted half-hour. Dana Dene covered about thirty acres, but
+it was not a real farm. A vegetable garden supplied the household wants,
+and the rest of the estate was park and flower beds and a bit of woods
+and an orchard and a terrace, and the poultry yard and stables, and
+other delights of which the children could only guess.
+
+“Aren’t you glad we came?” said Dolly, still hanging on to Pat’s hand.
+
+“I—I guess so, Miss,” he replied, cautiously; “but I can’t say yet, for
+sure. Ye’re rampageous, I’m afraid. Ain’t ye, now?”
+
+“Yes,” said Dick, who was always honest, “I think we are. At least,
+everybody says so. But, Pat, we’re going to try not to make you any
+trouble.”
+
+“Now, that’s a good boy. If ye talk like that, you ’n me’ll be friends.”
+
+Dolly said nothing, but she smiled happily up into Patrick’s kind eyes,
+and then, with their usual adaptability to circumstances, the twins
+began to feel at home.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER III
+
+
+                            AN EARLY STROLL
+
+
+Soon after daybreak next morning, Dolly woke, and surveyed with
+satisfaction her pretty room.
+
+Pink roses clambered over the wall paper, and over the chintz hangings
+and furniture, and over the soft, dainty bed-coverlet.
+
+It was much more attractive than her room at Aunt Helen’s, and as Dolly
+loved pretty things, she gave a little sigh of content and nestled
+comfortably into her pillows. Then she heard Dick’s voice whispering
+through the closed door between their rooms.
+
+“Hi, Dolly; I say! Aren’t you up yet?”
+
+“No, are you?”
+
+“Yes, and ’most dressed. Hustle, can’t you? and let’s go out and chase
+around the place.”
+
+“Before breakfast?”
+
+“Yes; breakfast isn’t until eight o’clock, and it’s only six now.”
+
+“All right, I’ll hustle,” and Dolly sprang out of bed, and began to
+dress.
+
+The twins were a self-reliant pair, and quite capable and methodical
+when they had time to be.
+
+Dolly dressed herself neatly in a clean blue and white plaid gingham;
+and as she could tie her hair ribbon quite well enough, except for
+special occasions, the blue bow on her golden curls was entirely
+satisfactory.
+
+“I’m all ready, Dick,” she whispered at last, through the door, “and we
+mustn’t make any noise, for maybe the aunties are asleep yet.”
+
+“All right; I’ll meet you in the hall.”
+
+So both children went on tiptoe out into the big, light hall, and softly
+down the stairs.
+
+No one seemed to be stirring, but they unfastened the locks and chains
+of the front doors, and stepped out into the beautiful fresh morning.
+
+“I’ve _got_ to holler!” said Dick, still whispering. “They can’t hear us
+now.”
+
+“Yes, they can; wait till we get farther away from the house.”
+
+So, hand in hand, they ran down the garden path, and when a grape arbour
+and a cornfield were between them and their sleeping aunts, they decided
+they were out of hearing.
+
+“Hooray!” yelled Dick, as loud as he could, at the same time turning a
+jubilant handspring.
+
+Dolly was quite as glad as her brother, but contented herself with
+dancing about, and giving little squeals of delight as she saw one
+rapturous sight after another.
+
+“Oh, Dick,” she cried, “there’s a fountain! ’way over there on the
+little hill. Do you s’pose that’s on our grounds?”
+
+“’Course it is. This is all ours, as far as you can see, and more too.
+That woodsy place over there is ours; Pat told me so.”
+
+“We’ll have picnics there. And Dick, maybe there are fairies in the
+woods.”
+
+“Sure there are. That’s just the kind of woods that has fairies. But
+they only come out at night, you know.”
+
+“Yes, but it’s only just a little past night now. The sun has only been
+up a short time. Maybe there are some fairies there yet.”
+
+“Maybe; let’s go and see.”
+
+With a skip and a jump the children started for the woods, which,
+however proved to be farther away than they had thought.
+
+They trudged merrily on, stopping now and then to speak to a robin, or
+kick at a dandelion, but at last they came to the edge of the grove.
+
+“Oh, Dick!” cried Dolly, in ecstasy, “think of having a real woods,
+right in our own yard! Isn’t it gorgeous!”
+
+“Great! but go softly now, if we want to see fairies. I’m ’fraid they’ve
+all gone.”
+
+Hand in hand the children tiptoed into the wood. They moved very
+cautiously, lest they should step on a twig, or make any noise that
+should frighten the fairies.
+
+“There’s where they dance,” whispered Dick, pointing to a smooth, green
+mossy place. “But of course they always fly away when the sun rises.”
+
+“Yes, I s’pose so,” said Dolly, regretfully. “Shall we come out earlier
+to-morrow?”
+
+“Yes; or we might come out to see them some night. Moonlight nights;
+that’s the time!”
+
+“Would you dare? Oh, Dick, wouldn’t it be grand!”
+
+“Hey, Dolly, there’s a squirrel; a real, live one! That’s better’n
+fairies. Oh, look at him!”
+
+Sure enough, a grey squirrel ran past them, and now sat, turning his
+head back to look at them, but ready for instant flight if they moved.
+
+But they didn’t move, they knew better; and scarce daring to breathe,
+they sat watching the wonderful sight.
+
+Meantime, there was consternation in the household. At seven o’clock
+Miss Rachel had sent Hannah, the waitress, to call the twins.
+
+The maid returned with a scared face, and announced that the children
+had gone.
+
+“Gone!” cried Miss Rachel, who was engaged in making her own toilet;
+“where have they gone?”
+
+“I don’t know, ma’am; but they’re not in their rooms, and the front door
+is wide open.”
+
+“Oh, they’ve run away!” cried Miss Rachel, and hastily throwing on a
+dressing gown, she went to her sister’s room.
+
+“Get up, Abbie,” she exclaimed. “Those children have run away!”
+
+“Run away? What do you mean?”
+
+“Why, they’ve gone! I suppose they didn’t like us. Perhaps they were
+homesick, or something. Abbie, do you suppose they’ve gone back to
+Chicago, all alone?”
+
+“Nonsense, Rachel, of course they haven’t! Children always rise early.
+They’re probably walking in the garden.”
+
+“No, I don’t think so. Something tells me they’ve run away because they
+don’t like us. Oh, Abbie, do you think that’s it?”
+
+“No, I don’t. Go on and dress. They’ll be back by the time you’re ready
+for breakfast. If you’re worried, send Hannah out to hunt them up.”
+
+So Hannah was sent, but as she only looked in the verandas and in the
+gardens near the house, of course, she didn’t find the twins. By the
+time the ladies came downstairs, Hannah had impressed Pat and Michael
+into service, and all three were hunting for the missing guests.
+
+But it never occurred to them to go so far as the woods, where Dick and
+Dolly were even then sitting, watching the grey squirrel, and looking
+for fairies.
+
+“I’m thinkin’ they’ve fell in the pond,” said Pat, as he gazed anxiously
+into the rather muddy water.
+
+“Not thim!” said Michael; “they’re not the sort that do be afther
+drownin’ thimsilves. They’re too frisky. Belikes they’ve run back to the
+brook where they shtopped at yisterday. Do yez go there an’ look, Pat.”
+
+“Yes, do,” said Miss Rachel, who, with clasped hands and a white face
+was pacing the veranda.
+
+“Don’t take it so hard, sister,” implored Miss Abbie. “They’re around
+somewhere, I’m sure; and if not,—why, you know, Rachel, you didn’t want
+them here very much, anyway.”
+
+“How can you be so heartless!” cried Miss Rachel, her eyes staring
+reproachfully at her sister. “I do want them; they’re brother’s
+children, and this is their rightful home. But I wish they wanted to
+stay. I’m sure they ran away because they didn’t like us. Do you think
+we were too harsh with them yesterday?”
+
+“Perhaps so. At any rate, they _have_ run away. I thought they were in
+the garden, but if so, they would have been found by now. Do you suppose
+they took an early train back to New York?”
+
+“Oh, Abbie, how _can_ you say so! Those two dear little mites alone in a
+great city! I can’t think it!”
+
+“It’s better than thinking they are drowned in the pond.”
+
+“Either is awful; and yet of course some such thing must have happened.”
+
+The two ladies were on the verge of hysterics, and the servants, who had
+all been hunting for the children, were nonplussed. Pat had jumped on a
+horse, and galloped off to the brook which had so taken their fancy the
+day before, and Michael stood, with his hands in his pockets, wondering
+if he ought to drag the pond. Delia, the cook, had left the waiting
+breakfast and had come to join the anxious household.
+
+“I’m thinkin’ they’re not far off,” she said; “why don’t ye blow a horn,
+now?”
+
+“That’s a good idea,” said Miss Abbie; “try it, Michael.”
+
+So Michael found an old dinner-horn that had hung unused in the barn for
+many years, and he blew resounding blasts.
+
+But unfortunately, the babes in the woods were too far away to hear, and
+forgetful of all else they watched two squirrels, who, reassured by the
+children’s quiet, ran back and forth, and almost came right up to Dick
+and Dolly’s beckoning fingers.
+
+“If only we had something to feed them,” said Dick, vainly hunting his
+pockets for something edible.
+
+“If only we had something to feed ourselves,” said Dolly; “I’m just
+about starved.”
+
+“So’m I; let’s go back now, and come to see the squirrels some other
+time, and bring them some nuts.”
+
+“All right, let’s.”
+
+So back they started, but leisurely, for they had no thought of how the
+time had slipped by. They paused here and there to investigate many
+things, and it was well on toward nine o’clock when they came within
+hearing of Michael’s horn, on which he was blowing a last, despairing
+blast.
+
+“Hear the horn!” cried Dick. “Do you s’pose that’s the way they call the
+family to breakfast?”
+
+“Oh, it isn’t breakfast time, yet,” said Dolly, confidently. “I’m hungry
+enough, but it can’t be eight o’clock, I know. And, besides, I want time
+to tidy up.”
+
+The clean frock had lost its freshness, and the blue bow was sadly
+askew, for somehow, try as she would, Dolly never could keep herself
+spick and span.
+
+They trudged along, through the barnyard and the garden, and finally
+came to the kitchen door, which stood invitingly open.
+
+“Let’s go in this way,” said Dolly; “it’s nearer, and I can skin up to
+my room and brush my hair. I don’t want Auntie Rachel to think I’m
+always messy.”
+
+In at the back door they went, and as the kitchen was deserted, they
+looked around in some surprise.
+
+“Might as well catch a bun,” said Dick, seeing a panful of rolls in the
+warming oven.
+
+The hungry children each took a roll, and then sped on up to their
+rooms, intent on tidying themselves for breakfast.
+
+“For goodness’ sake, Dolly!” exclaimed Dick’s voice through the door,
+“it’s after nine o’clock! Do you s’pose they’ve had breakfast, and where
+is everybody?”
+
+“After nine o’clock!” said Dolly, opening the door, to make sure she had
+heard aright. “Well, if this isn’t the queerest house! Hurry up, Dick,
+and brush your hair, and we’ll go down and see what’s the matter. I know
+they haven’t had breakfast, for the kitchen range was all full of
+cereals and things.”
+
+A few moments later, two neat and well-brushed children tripped gaily
+downstairs. They went into the library, where their two aunts, nearly in
+a state of collapse, were reposing in armchairs.
+
+“Good-morning, aunties,” said the twins, blithely. “Are we late?”
+
+Miss Abbie gasped and closed her eyes, at the astonishing sight, but
+Miss Rachel, who was of a different nature, felt all her anxiety turn to
+exasperation, and she said, sternly:
+
+“You naughty children! Where have you been?”
+
+“Why, we just got up early, and went to look around the place,”
+volunteered Dolly, “and we didn’t know it got late so soon.”
+
+“But where were you? We’ve searched the place over.”
+
+“We went to the woods,” said Dick. “You see, Aunt Abbie, I felt as if I
+must screech a little, and we thought if we stayed too near the house,
+we might wake you up. It was awful early then. I don’t see how nine
+o’clock came so soon! Did we keep breakfast back? I’m sorry.”
+
+“Why did you want to screech?” said Miss Abbie, quickly. “Are you
+homesick?”
+
+“Oh, no! I mean screech for joy. Just shout, you know, for fun, and jump
+around, and turn somersaults. I always do those things when I’m glad.
+But as it turned out, we couldn’t, very much, for we were watching for
+fairies, and then for squirrels, so we had to be quiet after all.”
+
+“And so you wanted to shout for joy, did you?” asked Aunt Rachel, much
+mollified at the compliments they paid so unconsciously.
+
+“Oh, yes’m! Everything is so beautiful, and so—so sort of enchanted.”
+
+“Enchanted?”
+
+“Yes; full of fairies, and sprites. The woods, you know, and the pond,
+and the fountain,—oh, Dana Dene is the finest place I ever saw!”
+
+Dick’s enthusiasm was so unfeigned, and his little face shone with such
+intense happiness, that Miss Rachel hadn’t the heart to scold him after
+all. So, resolving to tell the twins later of the trouble they had
+caused, she went away to tell Delia to send in breakfast, and to tell
+Michael to go and find Patrick, for the twins had returned.
+
+[Illustration: “Oh, how good the cool ripply water did
+feel!”       (Page 10)]
+
+“You see,” explained Dolly, as they sat at breakfast, “we went out of
+the house at half-past seven, by the big, hall clock. And I thought then
+we’d stay an hour, and get back in time to fix up before we saw you.
+We’re not very good at keeping clean.”
+
+“So I see,” said Aunt Abbie, glancing at several grass stains and a
+zigzag tear that disfigured Dolly’s frock.
+
+“Yes’m; so we ’most always try to get in to meals ahead of time, and
+that ’lows us to spruce up some.”
+
+“We try to,” said Dick, honestly, “but we don’t always do it.”
+
+“No,” returned Dolly, calmly; “’most never. But isn’t it ’stonishing how
+fast the time goes when you think there’s plenty?”
+
+“It is,” said Aunt Rachel, a little grimly. “And now that you’re to live
+here, you’ll have to mend your ways, about being late, for I won’t have
+tardiness in my house.”
+
+“All right,” said Dolly, cheerfully; “I’ll hunt up my watch. It doesn’t
+go very well, except when it lies on its face; but if I put it in my
+pocket upside down, maybe it’ll go.”
+
+“It must be a valuable watch,” remarked Aunt Abbie.
+
+“Yes’m, it is. Auntie Helen gave it to me for a good-by gift, but I
+looked at it so often, that I thought it would be handier to wear it
+hanging outside, like a locket, you know. Well, I did, and then it
+banged into everything I met. And the chain caught on everything, and
+the watch got dented, and the crystal broke, and one hand came off. But
+it was the long hand, so as long as the hour hand goes all right, I can
+guess at the time pretty good. If I’d just had it with me this morning,
+we’d been all right. I’m real sorry we were late.”
+
+Aunt Rachel smiled, but it was rather a grim smile.
+
+“I don’t set much store by people who are sorry,” she said; “what I
+like, are people who don’t do wrong things the second time. If you are
+never late to breakfast again, that will please me more than being sorry
+for this morning’s escapade.”
+
+“I’ll do both,” said Dolly, generously, and indeed, the twins soon
+learned to be prompt at meals, which is a habit easily acquired, if one
+wishes to acquire it.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IV
+
+
+                                GARDENS
+
+
+“Now, children,” said Aunt Rachel, as they all went into the library,
+after breakfast, “you may play around as you choose, but I don’t want
+you to go off the premises without permission. No more wading in the
+brook, and coming home looking disreputable. You may go to our wood, or
+anywhere on the place, and stay as long as you like, provided you are
+here and properly tidy at meal-times But outside the gates, without
+permission, you must not go: Can I trust you?”
+
+“Yes, indeed, Aunt Rachel,” said Dick; “I’m sure we don’t want to go
+anywhere else, with all this beautiful place to play in. Why, we haven’t
+half explored it yet. Pat says there are thirty acres! Think of that!”
+
+“Yes, it’s a fine old place,” said Miss Rachel, with justifiable pride
+in her ancestral home. “And I’m glad to have you young people in it, if
+you’ll only behave yourselves, and not keep us everlastingly in hot
+water.”
+
+“We do want to be good, Auntie,” said Dolly, in her sweet way; “and if
+we’re bad a few times, just till we learn your ways, you know, you’ll
+forgive us, won’t you?”
+
+Pretty little Dolly had a wheedlesome voice, and a winning smile, and
+Miss Rachel found it difficult to speak sternly, when the big, dark eyes
+looked into her face so lovingly.
+
+“Yes, I’m sure you want to be good, my dears, and also, we want to do
+the right thing by you. So we’ll learn each other’s ways, and I’m sure
+we’ll get along beautifully.”
+
+Miss Rachel was not used to children, and she talked to them as if they
+were as grown-up as herself, but Dick and Dolly understood, and sat
+patiently while she talked, though, in truth, they were impatient to get
+away, and run outdoors again.
+
+“I shall send you to school,” went on Miss Rachel, “but not for a week
+or two yet. I want to learn you myself a little better first.”
+
+“Yes’m,” said Dolly, who was equally well pleased to go to school or to
+stay at home. But Dick wanted to go.
+
+“Let us go pretty soon, won’t you, Auntie?” he said; “for I want to get
+acquainted with the Heatherton fellows.”
+
+“Boys, Dick,” corrected Aunt Abbie, who was beginning to think the twins
+rather careless of their diction.
+
+“Yes’m, I mean boys. Are there any who live near here?”
+
+Miss Rachel pursed her lips together.
+
+“The Middletons live in the place next to this,” she began, and Dolly
+broke in:
+
+“Oh, that pretty place, with the stone pillars at the gate?”
+
+“Yes,” went on her aunt. “But Mrs. Middleton and we are not—that is—”
+
+“Oh, you’re not good friends, is that it?” volunteered Dick.
+
+“Well, yes; I suppose that is it. You children are too young to
+understand, but let it be enough for you that I prefer you should not
+play with the little Middletons. There are other neighbours equally
+pleasant for your acquaintance.”
+
+“All right, Auntie,” agreed Dick. “Cut out the Middletons. And now
+mayn’t we run out to play?”
+
+“First, I’ll take you up and show you your playroom. It’s more for rainy
+days, as you seem to like to be out of doors in fine weather. But come
+and see it, anyway.”
+
+The two aunts led the way, and the children followed to a large,
+delightful room in the third story.
+
+There was a big table in the middle, and smaller tables and chairs
+about. There was a pleasant little writing-desk for each, well furnished
+with pretty writing materials. Low bookshelves ran round two sides of
+the room, and the other side showed a jolly big fireplace, and pleasant
+windows with deep seats.
+
+A roomy, comfortable old sofa and a chest of drawers completed the
+furnishing.
+
+“It isn’t finished,” said Miss Abbie, “because we don’t yet know your
+tastes.”
+
+“It’s lovely, Aunties!” cried Dolly, flinging her arms round the neck of
+one after the other, and finally embracing Dick in her enthusiasm.
+
+“Oh, it’s just gay!” Dick cried. “I’ve always wanted a big playroom, and
+now we’ve got one. Can I whittle and jigsaw up here?”
+
+“Yes, you may do just exactly as you please. You may bring your young
+friends up here, and entertain them whenever you choose.”
+
+“That is, after we get the friends,” supplemented Dolly.
+
+“Yes, but you’ll soon get acquainted. There are many nice children in
+Heatherton. Do you play dolls, Dolly?”
+
+“Yes, I do, when I have any little girls to play with. But, you see, I
+play with Dick so much, I get out of the habit of dolls. But I do love
+’em. When our big box of things comes, I’ve lots of dolls in it, and
+Dick’s tool-chest and jigsaw—oh, it will be splendid to fix them all up
+here!”
+
+“Yes, Michael will help you. He’ll fix a good workbench, for you, Dick,
+if you’re fond of fussing with tools. Do you cut your fingers much?”
+
+“Sometimes, Aunt Rachel, but not always. Say, you’re awful good to us.
+We’re ever so much obliged.”
+
+Dick was more awkward at expressing his appreciation than Dolly, but the
+honest joy on the boy’s face showed his admiration of the room, and Aunt
+Rachel’s heart warmed toward him, for she too was sometimes unable to
+express herself aptly.
+
+“Now we’ll skiddoo,” said Dolly, as she patted Miss Abbie’s hand by way
+of farewell. “We want to see Pat feed the chickens.”
+
+“Yes, dearie, run along, but,—would you mind if I ask you not to use
+those—those unusual words?”
+
+“Skiddoo? Oh, that’s an awful useful word, Aunt Abbie. I don’t see how I
+could get along without it, but I’ll try if you say so.”
+
+“Yes, do try, Dolly; I want my niece to be a refined, ladylike little
+girl, not a slangy one.”
+
+“Yes’m.” Dolly drew a little sigh. “I want to do what you want me to do.
+But I’m pretty forgetful, Aunt Abbie, so don’t be ’scouraged, will you,
+if I don’t get good all at once?”
+
+Dolly had a childish trick of omitting the first syllable of a word, but
+Aunt Abbie kissed the earnest little face, and assured her that she
+wouldn’t get ’scouraged.
+
+So away the twins scampered, down the stairs, and out into the sweet,
+clear morning air.
+
+Dana Dene stood high on an elevation that looked down on the small town
+of Heatherton. The view from the terrace in front of the house was
+beautiful, and as Dick and Dolly looked down at the clustered buildings
+they tried to guess what they were.
+
+“That’s the church,” said Dick, triumphantly pointing to an unmistakable
+spire.
+
+“One of ’em,” corrected Dolly; “there’s another, and I wonder what that
+big stone building is; prob’ly the school where we’ll go.”
+
+“P’raps. Is it, Patrick?”
+
+“Well, no, Master Dick; that isn’t exactly the school fer ye children.
+That’s the jail,—the county jail, so it is.”
+
+“Oh,” cried Dolly, in dismay; “I don’t want to go to school to a jail!
+Where is the school-house, Patrick?”
+
+“There’s three of ’em, Miss Dolly. But the grandest is that white house
+ferninst, an’ I’m thinkin’ ye’ll go there.”
+
+“Are my aunts very grand, Patrick?”
+
+“Oh, yes, miss. We’re the quality of the hull place. There’s nobody like
+the Danas.”
+
+“That’s nice,” said Dolly, with a little air of satisfaction.
+
+“Huh,” said Dick; “what sort of a country do you think this is, Dolly?
+Everybody is as good as everybody else. Why do you talk that way, Pat?”
+
+“Well, sor, it may be. But everybody in Heatherton, they thinks Miss
+Rachel and Miss Abbie is top o’ the heap, you see.”
+
+“All right,” returned Dick. “I don’t mind if we are. But what about the
+Middletons? Aren’t they nice people?”
+
+Pat’s face clouded. “Don’t be askin’ me about the Middletons,” he said;
+“I’ve nothin’ to say for or agin ’em. Now, if so be’s you want to see
+them chickens, come ahead.”
+
+They went ahead or, rather, they followed Pat to the chicken yard, and
+spent a blissful half-hour among the feathered wonders.
+
+They learned the names of the various kinds of chickens, and Dolly
+declared she should never tire of watching the little yellow fledglings
+patter around and peep.
+
+“They’re not still a minute,” she said. “Can I try to catch one?”
+
+Pat showed her how to lift one gently, without hurting the little soft
+ball of down, and as it was such a pretty little yellow one, Dolly named
+it Buttercup, and Pat said it should always be her own chicken.
+
+Then Dick picked one out for his very own, and he chose a black one, and
+called it Cherry, because, he said, some cherries are black.
+
+This made Pat laugh, and then he told the twins to run away and play by
+themselves, as he had to go to work in earnest.
+
+“What’s your work, Pat?” asked Dolly, who liked to stay with the
+good-natured Irishman.
+
+“I have to do the gardens, Miss Dolly. An’ it’s rale work, it is, not
+play. So do ye run away, now.”
+
+“Oh, Pat, let us see you garden,” begged Dolly.
+
+“Please do,” said Dick. “We never saw anybody garden in our life.”
+
+“Ye didn’t! Fer the love of green corn, where was ye brung up?”
+
+“In the city; and summers we had to go to hotels, and we never even saw
+a garden dug.”
+
+“Come on, then; but ye mustn’t bother.”
+
+“No, we won’t bother,” and with a hop, skip, and jump, they followed Pat
+to the toolhouse. There was such an array of spades, hoes, rakes, and
+other implements, that Dick cried out: “Oh, let us garden, too! Pat,
+can’t we each have a little garden,—just a square patch, you know, and
+plant things in it?”
+
+“Arrah, a garden, is it? An’ who’d be afther weedin’ it, an’ keepin’ it
+in order fer ye?”
+
+“Why, we’d do it ourselves,” declared Dolly, fixing her eyes on Pat with
+her most coaxing smile. “Do let us, Pat, dear.”
+
+“Well, ye must ask yer aunties. I cudden’t give no such permission of
+myself.”
+
+Away flew the twins to the house, in search of the aunties, and when the
+twins ran, it was a swift performance indeed. They held hands, and their
+feet flew up and down so fast that they looked like some queer sort of
+windmill rolling along.
+
+Bang! in at the front door they went, and almost upset Miss Rachel, who
+was serenely crossing the hall.
+
+“Oh, Auntie, may we have a garden?” shouted Dick, seizing his aunt’s
+hand, and leaning up against her to steady himself after his exhausting
+run.
+
+“Oh, Auntie, may we? Do say yes,” cried Dolly, who had flung her arms
+round Miss Rachel’s waist, and who was dancing up and down to the
+imminent danger of the good lady’s toes.
+
+“What? Oh, my, how you do fluster me! What is it?”
+
+Miss Rachel shook off the two, and seated herself in a hall chair, to
+regain her equilibrium, both physical and mental, but the twins made
+another wild dash at her. “Please,” they coaxed, patting her arm and her
+face and occasionally each other’s hands in their excitement. “Please,
+Auntie, a garden for our very own.”
+
+“Two,—one for each of us. May we? Oh, please say yes! Do, Auntie, do,
+say yes.”
+
+Miss Rachel found her voice at last.
+
+“If you want anything,” she said, “stop jumping around like a pair of
+wild savages. Sit down on that settee, and tell me quietly, and one at a
+time, what it’s all about.”
+
+“Let me tell, Dick,” said Dolly, and knowing his sister’s talent for
+persuasion, Dick willingly kept quiet while Dolly told.
+
+They sat side by side on the hall settee, opposite their aunt, and
+scarcely dared move, while Dolly made her plea.
+
+“You see, Auntie,” she began, “we’ve never had a garden; never even seen
+one made. And so, we thought, perhaps, maybe, as there’s so much spare
+ground lying around, we hoped maybe you’d let us each have a little
+garden of our own. Just a little tiny one, you know.”
+
+“For pity’s sake,” exclaimed Miss Rachel, “is all this fuss about a
+garden? Why, you can have a dozen, if you like.”
+
+“Oh, thank you, Auntie,” cried Dolly, repressing her inclination to fly
+over and hug her aunt, lest it be considered a “fuss.” “One’s
+enough,—one apiece, I mean. And what can we plant?”
+
+“Why, plant anything you choose. Pat will give you seeds, and if he
+hasn’t what you want, we’ll buy some when we go driving this afternoon.”
+
+Dick was overcome by his aunt’s kindness and whole-souled generosity.
+But he had no intention of making a fuss,—not he. He rose and quietly
+crossed the hall, and bowing low in front of the lady, said:
+
+“Aunt Rachel, I do think you’re the very best person in the whole
+world!”
+
+“So do I!” said Dolly. “Seems ’s if I _must_ squeeze you!”
+
+“Not now,” said Miss Rachel, smiling; “you nearly squeezed the breath
+out of me a few moments ago. I’ll take your enthusiasm for granted. Now,
+run out, and make your gardens. Tell Pat I said you’re to have whatever
+you want for them.”
+
+“Hurray! Hooroo!” cried Dick, unable to repress himself longer, and
+throwing his cap up in the air, without having had the least intention
+of doing so.
+
+It landed on the high chandelier, and Hannah had to bring the
+long-handled feather duster to get it down.
+
+“Please ’scuse Dick, Aunt Rachel,” said loyal little Dolly, seeing her
+brother’s regretful look. “He didn’t mean to fling that cap till he got
+outdoors, but somehow——”
+
+“Somehow, it flung itself,” cried Dick; “’cause I’m so glad about the
+garden!”
+
+Away they went, banging the door behind them, and Miss Rachel sat a few
+minutes, seriously considering whether or not she could keep such little
+cyclones in her hitherto quiet and well-ordered home.
+
+“It isn’t so much what they’ve done,” she said, as she went and talked
+it over with Miss Abbie, “as what they may do. They’re liable to fling
+caps anywhere, and break all the bric-à-brac, and bang all the
+furniture—well, if there were any place to send them, they should go
+to-day.”
+
+“You don’t mean that, Rachel,” said Miss Abbie. “They are noisy, I know,
+but I think we can train them to better manners; and they have dear,
+loving little hearts.”
+
+“Too loving,” said the elder sister, ruefully. “They nearly felled me to
+the floor, the way they rushed at me. I’m not over the shock yet!”
+
+“Well,” sighed Miss Abbie, “I suppose it’s because we’re not used to
+children; but they do seem especially sudden in their ways.”
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER V
+
+
+                              A PLAYGROUND
+
+
+“Sudden in their ways,” just described Dick and Dolly. After getting
+their aunt’s sanction, they flew back to the toolhouse, and tumbling in
+at the door, nearly upset Pat by their sudden dash for spades and hoes.
+
+“She says we can!” cried Dolly; “how do you begin, Pat? What do we do
+first?”
+
+“Dig, of course,” declared Dick, seizing the biggest spade he could
+find.
+
+“All right; where shall we dig?”
+
+Dolly grabbed another spade, and skipping out of the toolhouse, began to
+dig frantically in the path that led from the doorstep.
+
+“Whisht! now! Miss Dolly, don’t be fer sp’ilin’ me good path!”
+
+Pat was amiable, but the vigorous enthusiasm of these children began to
+appal him. He was always deferential to his employers, and he looked
+upon the twins as members of his employers’ family, and so he considered
+himself under their orders. But he also began to see that he must direct
+matters himself, if these impetuous youngsters were to have a real
+garden.
+
+“Well,” he said, “if so be’s yer aunts has give permission, we must make
+the gardens fer ye. But we must do ’t dacint an’ proper. Don’t begin by
+diggin’ up me tidy paths.”
+
+“I won’t, Pat; I’m sorry!” and Dolly carefully smoothed away the clefts
+she had dug with her spade.
+
+“Now, we’ll consider,” said Pat, greatly interested in the plan. “First
+of all, where will ye be selectin’ the place?”
+
+The twins gazed around, at the various gardens, terrace, woodland, and
+water, and then Dolly said, decidedly:
+
+“In the woods; that’s the prettiest place.”
+
+“Oh, ho!” laughed Pat. “Why, little miss, ye can’t grow things in the
+woods! Leastwise, only ferns an’ moss! Don’t ye want flowers, now?”
+
+“Oh, yes; of course we do! And I forgot they have to have sunshine.”
+
+“Goosie!” cried Dick. “Now, I think a place near the pond would be nice,
+and then we can fetch water easily,—for I s’pose we have to water our
+flowers every day, don’t we, Pat?”
+
+“Yes; onless it rains fer ye, which it sometimes do. Now, s’pose ye let
+me s’lect yer place, an’ then do ye pick out yer own choice o’ flowers.”
+
+“Do,” cried Dolly. “You know so much better than we do where a garden
+ought to be.”
+
+Pat considered carefully for a few moments, casting his eye thoughtfully
+toward various parts of the estate.
+
+“Come on,” he said, at last, and the children followed him, as he strode
+off.
+
+Just beyond the beautifully kept terrace was a stretch of lawn, entirely
+open to the sunlight, save for a big horse-chestnut tree in one corner.
+
+Here Pat paused, and indicating by a sweep of his arm a section about
+seventy-five feet square, he said:
+
+“I’m thinkin’, instead of only a garden, by itself, it’d be foine for ye
+to make yersilves a rale playground.”
+
+Dolly’s quick mind jumped to the possibilities.
+
+“Oh, Pat, a playground, all for ourselves, with our two gardens in it!”
+
+“Yes, miss; and an arbour, and seats, an’ a table, an’——”
+
+But he got no further, for Dick and Dolly seized him by either hand, and
+jumped up and down, fairly shouting with delight.
+
+“Oh, Pat, Pat, I never heard of anything so lovely!”
+
+“How could you think of it? Let’s begin at once!”
+
+“But ye must behave!” cried Pat, shaking his hands loose from their
+grasp, and waiting for them to stop their antics.
+
+“Yes, yes; we’ll behave!” said Dolly, suddenly standing stock-still, and
+looking very; demure. “What do we do first, dig?”
+
+“I’m thinkin’ yez better dig a whole acre,—an’ see if ye can’t work off
+some of yer animile sperrits! Such rampageous bein’s I niver saw!”
+
+“We’ll be quiet, Pat,” said Dick, earnestly; “now let’s begin.”
+
+“Well, thin,—first, we must plan it, sure. Suppose we drive a shtake
+here fer wan corner; and thin the big tree will be the opposite corner.
+Now ye see the size av it.”
+
+“Yes,” agreed Dolly, “it’s a lovely size.”
+
+“Thin, supposin’ we plan to set out a little low hedge all around the
+four sides, wid an openin’ or two——”
+
+“And an arched gateway!” cried Dolly, with sparkling eyes.
+
+“Yes, miss, say an arched gateway or two. An’ then, inside ye can have
+three or four garden-beds,—fer sep’rate plants, ye know,—an’ yer
+arbour, an’ whativer else ye like.”
+
+“Oh!” said Dolly, sitting plump down on the ground from sheer inability
+to bear up under these wonderful anticipations.
+
+“Now, what’s to do first?” said Dick, eager to get to work.
+
+“Well, first we’ll lay out our flower beds. Now I don’t s’pose ye know
+the difference between seeds an’ plants, do ye?”
+
+“Oh, yes! Plants grow from seeds.”
+
+“Well, av coorse they do. But I don’t mean that. Ye see, some flowers ye
+set out as plants; an’ some ye raise from seeds.”
+
+“Oh, I think seeds will be most fun,” said Dolly: “You just stuff ’em in
+the ground and then they grow, don’t they, Pat?”
+
+“Well, yes, miss; if yer seeds is right, an’ yer ground’s right, an’ if
+ye stuff ’em in right, an’ take care of ’em right, afterward.”
+
+“Oh, we can do all that,” Dick assured him, grandly, and Pat’s eyes
+twinkled, as he replied:
+
+“Av coorse ye can!”
+
+Then Pat called Michael to help him, and they drove stakes and tied
+twine to them, until they had the playground distinctly marked out.
+
+“Now, we’ll consider yer flower-beds, an’ lave the other considerations
+till later,” announced Pat. “Ye see, yer seed-beds must be in the
+mornin’ sun, an’ have the shade of an afthernoon. So, wid the big tree
+ferninst, we can aisy manage that.”
+
+“Seeds seem to be pretty particular,” observed Dolly.
+
+“They be that, Miss; but so likewise is the plants. Some wants sun an’
+some wants shade, an’ if they don’t get what they wants, they jist lies
+down an’ dies!”
+
+Then Pat and Michael selected the best spots, and marked out two oval
+flower-beds of goodly size, and two straight, narrow seed-beds somewhat
+smaller.
+
+“Miss Dolly’s, we’ll say, will be on this side, an’ Master Dick’s on
+that. Now, if so be’s ye childhern wants to dig, fer mercy’s sake dig!
+Ye can’t hurt the ground.”
+
+Pat well knew that his own strong arms would spade up the beds later,
+and he would fill them with the right sort of soil, and get them in
+perfect order for planting; but the twins were delighted at the idea of
+doing their own digging, and went to work with their usual enthusiasm.
+
+It was hard work, but they enjoyed it, and though not very
+scientifically done, they did manage to dislodge the soft turf, and
+riddle up the dirt beneath.
+
+“I s’pose it won’t be such hard work after the digging is dug,” said
+Dolly, looking at her blistered little palms.
+
+“Why, Dolly Dana!” exclaimed Aunt Abbie, who came out just then, to see
+how the gardens progressed; “don’t you dig another bit! You poor, dear
+child, your hands are in a dreadful state! Go in and ask Aunt Rachel for
+some salve.”
+
+“No, indeedy!” declared the valiant Dolly. “I’m going to plant my seeds
+now!”
+
+“Oh, no, miss,” said Pat. “Them beds isn’t ready yet. Nor ye haven’t got
+yer seeds.”
+
+“Don’t be too impetuous, Dolly,” said Aunt Abbie. “This afternoon, we’ll
+plan out what is best to plant and then by to-morrow, if Patrick has the
+beds ready, you can do your planting.”
+
+Dick was still digging away, manfully, quite unwilling to admit there
+were blisters on his own hands.
+
+But Aunt Abbie made him stop, for though the digging was good fun, there
+was no use in causing himself needless pain, and Patrick would do the
+beds all over, anyway. So Aunt Abbie persuaded the children to turn
+their attention to planning their playground.
+
+She quite approved of Pat’s suggestions, and sent for Miss Rachel to
+come out and assist with the plans.
+
+Both ladies were very fond of gardening, and entered enthusiastically
+into the idea of the pretty playground. Miss Rachel instructed Pat to
+buy and set out a low hedge of privet all round the inclosure; and they
+decided on two entrances, front and back, each to be adorned by an arch
+covered with a flowering vine.
+
+An arbour was planned for the centre, but Dolly chose to call it a
+playhouse. For it was to be big enough to have seats and a table inside.
+
+It was to be built tent-shape; that is, very long, slender poles would
+be set up in pairs, meeting at the top, like the letter A. There would
+be about a dozen pairs of these poles, each pair about two feet apart,
+and thus they would have a long arbour on which to train vines and
+flowers.
+
+A ridge-pole along the top would keep it all firm and steady, and
+quickly growing vines should be chosen, which would soon cover the whole
+frame.
+
+Michael, who was clever at carpenter work, volunteered to make a table
+and benches, and Dick, who was also fond of tools, felt sure he could
+help.
+
+Aunt Abbie said she would give a garden swing as her contribution to the
+playground, and Aunt Rachel said she, too, would give something nice,
+but what it would be, was a secret as yet.
+
+Then it was nearly dinner-time, so they went back to the house, and the
+four sorry-looking little hands were carefully washed and anointed with
+a soothing lotion.
+
+Heatherton people approved of midday dinners, and so the hungry children
+sat down to an ample and satisfying meal, to which they were fully
+prepared to do justice.
+
+“You know,” said Aunt Rachel, as they chatted at table, “you are to take
+care of these gardens yourselves. Pat and Michael have all they can do,
+already; and though they have helpers in the busy seasons, I expect you
+two to weed and water your own flower-beds.”
+
+“Of course, Auntie,” said Dolly; “that’s what we want to do.”
+
+“Else they wouldn’t be ours,” chimed in Dick. “There are lots of
+flower-beds around the place, but these are to be our very own. And how
+can they be, if we don’t do all the work on ’em?”
+
+“That’s right,” said Aunt Rachel, approvingly. “Patrick will superintend
+your work, and he or Michael will keep the grass and the paths in order,
+but the rest is for you to do. Do you know anything about flowers?”
+
+“Not a thing!” declared Dolly. “But I want to raise violets and
+carnation pinks.”
+
+“That proves you don’t know much,” said Aunt Abbie, laughing. “Why,
+those are the very things you couldn’t possibly raise!”
+
+“Why?” said Dolly, looking surprised.
+
+“Because they are too difficult. They require hothouses, or, at least
+cold frames. You must content yourself with simpler blossoms;
+nasturtiums, phlox, asters, peonies——”
+
+“Oh, those are just as good,” said Dolly. “I don’t care much what
+flowers they are, if they’ll grow.”
+
+“I like big plants,” said Dick. “Could I have sunflowers and hollyhocks,
+Aunt Rachel?”
+
+“Yes, my boy; I’m sure you can manage those. Have a hedge at the back of
+your playground of those flowers, and also cosmos and goldenglow.”
+
+After dinner they went to the library, and made lists of the flowers
+they would have. Aunt Abbie drew diagrams of their gardens, and advised
+the right kinds of flowers to grow together.
+
+“I want you to grow up to love gardening,” said Miss Rachel, “but as you
+are now quite young, and very ignorant on the subject, you must begin
+with the simplest and easiest sorts of plants.”
+
+Then the aunts explained how the children must plant seeds in their
+seed-beds, and after the tiny shoots sprang up, how they must be
+separated and thinned out.
+
+“And throw away some of them!” exclaimed Dolly in dismay.
+
+“Yes; that’s to make the others stronger and healthier plants.”
+
+“What do we plant in our big gardens?” asked Dick.
+
+“Well, there you can have such plants as you want. Roses, geraniums, and
+Canterbury Bells are good ones. And then, you transplant to those beds
+your seedlings that you have already started yourselves.”
+
+“And can’t we plant any seeds in the flower beds?”
+
+“Oh, yes; such as do not need transplanting. You can have borders of
+portulacca, candytuft, sweet alyssum, and such things.”
+
+“My! it sounds grand!” said Dolly, to whom nearly all these names were
+new.
+
+“Now suppose we go out there again,” said Aunt Rachel, “and see what
+seeds Pat has on hand. Then we’ll know what to buy for you.”
+
+So back went the quartette, and found the playground had assumed quite a
+definite air.
+
+A narrow strip of upturned earth showed the line of the hedge that was
+to be set out. The flower-beds and seed-beds were neatly cut in shape
+and properly spaded. Little stakes marked the places for the arbor
+poles, and white cords outlined paths that were yet to be cut.
+
+“It doesn’t seem possible it’s ours!” said Dolly, drawing a blissful
+sigh of contentment.
+
+“Now here’s some seeds as I already have,” said Pat, offering a box of
+packets to the children.
+
+“Oh, can we plant some now,—right away?” asked Dick.
+
+“Yes; let us do so,” said Aunt Abbie, who was nearly as eager as the
+children to get the garden started.
+
+So they selected nasturtiums, poppies, marigolds, and morning glories
+from Pat’s box, and all went to work at the planting.
+
+The aunts showed Dick and Dolly how to poke a little hole in the ground,
+about three inches deep, and then drop in a nasturtium seed. Then they
+covered it over with dirt, pressed it down lightly, and watered it.
+
+This was an enthralling occupation, and the children worked carefully
+and did just as they were told. Poppies came next, and these seeds were
+planted quite differently. The ground was made quite smooth, and then
+slightly watered. Then Pat showed them how to sprinkle the fine seed
+scantily over the top of the ground, and not put any dirt over it at
+all. A thin layer of cut grass was scattered over them to keep the seeds
+from too much sunlight.
+
+“How do you know that some seeds must be planted one way and some
+another?” asked Dick, looking at Patrick with a new interest.
+
+“That’s me business, Masther Dick. We all has to know our business av
+coorse.”
+
+The morning-glory seeds could not be planted just then, as they had to
+soak in water for two hours, so next they set out some pansy plants.
+These Pat had expected to use elsewhere, but at Miss Rachel’s direction,
+he handed them over to the twins.
+
+This was a new sort of work, and even more fascinating than
+seed-planting. The tiny plants were fragile and had to be handled very
+carefully. Then a hole must be dug with a trowel, the plant set in, and
+the soil gently filled in about it.
+
+The twins each had a half-dozen pansy plants, and Dick set his in a
+group, but Dolly arranged hers in a border. Then Miss Rachel said they
+had done enough for one day, and she marched them off to the house to
+get rested.
+
+But did Dick and Dolly rest? Not they! They didn’t seem to know what the
+word meant. They went up to their playroom, and sitting together at the
+table, they drew diagrams and plans for their playground until the
+aunties called them downstairs again.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER VI
+
+
+                             A SOCIAL CALL
+
+
+The twins gladly obeyed their aunts’ summons, for it meant to get
+ready to go to town to buy their flower seeds. Long before the ladies
+were ready, Dick and Dolly, in trim attire, and with pretty spring coats
+and hats, sat in the library waiting.
+
+“I like this home a lot, don’t you, Dollums?” said Dick, as he
+thoughtfully looked about him.
+
+“Love it!” responded his twin promptly. “Chicago was nice, too, and
+Auntie Helen was gay and pretty, but this is so country and all. And oh,
+Dick, won’t our playground be splendiferous! Do you s’pose the arbor
+will _ever_ get built and grown over with flowers and things?”
+
+“’Course it will! And, Dolly, I’m going to make some rustic seats and
+things myself. It tells how in my ‘Handy Book,’ and I’m sure I can do
+it.”
+
+“I’m sure you can too. And can’t you make some little seats for my
+dolls?”
+
+Dick had just agreed to do this when the two aunties came downstairs,
+and they all went out to the carriage. Somehow it seemed very formal.
+Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie, all dressed up in calling costume, with
+gloves and parasols, didn’t seem so chummy as when they were all out
+planting seeds together. And Michael, in his coachman’s livery, looked
+so straight and unintelligent that it was hard to believe he was the
+same man.
+
+They all got into the big, open carriage, and the twins sat backward,
+facing their aunts.
+
+“First,” said Miss Rachel, who sat up very stiff and prim, “we will go
+and buy the seeds and plants, and then we will pay some calls.”
+
+This seemed very strange to Dick and Dolly, for they had never been
+taken calling with Auntie Helen in Chicago; but they made no comment, as
+none seemed to be expected.
+
+The carriage stopped at a small shop, and the proprietor hurried out to
+greet the ladies. He bowed with great deference, and asked what he might
+show them.
+
+Miss Rachel had a list of the seeds and plants they had decided on for
+the children’s gardens, and the shopman said he would send them all the
+next day.
+
+“And have you some small garden implements?” asked Miss Abbie. “Some
+little rakes and hoes, suitable for children’s use.”
+
+The shopman said he would bring some out to show them.
+
+“Oh, Auntie,” cried Dolly, impulsively, “can’t we go in the shop and
+look at them?”
+
+“No, indeed,” said Miss Rachel, as if Dolly had asked something highly
+improper. “Stay where you are and make your selections.”
+
+Dolly wondered why they couldn’t hop out, but it didn’t much matter, as
+the man returned, followed by a youth who brought a lot of spades and
+rakes and garden tools of many sorts.
+
+The children were allowed to select all they wanted, and, guided by Aunt
+Rachel’s advice, they chose quite a great many.
+
+“You’re awful good to us,” exclaimed Dick as, after giving the order,
+they drove away.
+
+“Then you must be good to us,” said Aunt Rachel, smiling. “Now we are
+going to call at Mrs. Fuller’s. She has a son Jack, about ten years old,
+and I hope you will be good friends with him. There are no little girls
+here, but, Dolly, we will find some girl friends for you later on.”
+
+“Oh, I like boys,” said Dolly, agreeably. “I like Dick better than any
+girl, so, of course, I like other boys too.”
+
+At Mrs. Fuller’s they were ushered into a stiff, formal-looking parlour,
+which had the effect of being rarely used. The half-drawn blinds gave
+but a dim light, and the four guests took their seats in silence.
+
+Dick and Dolly felt depressed without knowing just why. They secretly
+wished they could clasp hands and make a dash for the door and run away,
+but Aunt Rachel had asked them to be good, so they sat still, wondering
+what would be expected of them.
+
+After what seemed a long time, Mrs. Fuller came into the room. She was a
+lady of very precise manners, and wore a rustling silk gown.
+
+The ladies all shook hands quite stiffly, and inquired for each other’s
+health, and then Miss Rachel presented the twins to Mrs. Fuller.
+
+“How do you do, my dears?” said the lady, offering her finger-tips to
+each in turn.
+
+“I’m very well, thank you; how are you?” said Dolly, heartily, as she
+cordially gave her hostess’s hand a vigorous shake. But the chagrin on
+the Dana ladies’ faces, and the surprised glance of Mrs. Fuller, proved
+at once that this wasn’t the right thing to do.
+
+Quick to catch the hint, Dick offered his hand hesitatingly,—so much so
+indeed, that it lay in Mrs. Fuller’s like a little limp fish, and as she
+finally dropped it, it fell loosely to Dick’s side.
+
+“How d’ do?” he murmured, uncertain what to say, and then, feeling very
+uncomfortable, the two children sat down again.
+
+For a time no attention was paid to them, and the ladies conversed in
+short, elegant sentences, and high-pitched voices.
+
+Then Mrs. Fuller turned again to the twins:
+
+“How do you like Heatherton?” she asked.
+
+The suddenness of the question took Dick unawares, and he said
+enthusiastically:
+
+“Out o’ sight!”
+
+Immediately he realised that he should have expressed himself more
+formally, and the look of annoyance on Aunt Rachel’s face made him red
+and embarrassed.
+
+Loyal little Dolly tried, as always, to come to his rescue, and she said
+politely:
+
+“Yes, indeed, Mrs. Fuller; we like it awfully well so far, but of course
+we haven’t been here very long yet.”
+
+“And you think you won’t like it when you’ve been here longer! Is that
+it?”
+
+Mrs. Fuller meant only to be jocose, but Dolly didn’t understand, and
+tried hard to explain.
+
+“No ’m; I don’t mean that. I mean I think we’ll like it better after we
+live here a while.”
+
+“I trust you will,” said Mrs. Fuller. “You must be hard to please if you
+don’t.”
+
+Poor Dolly felt herself misunderstood, but she could think of nothing to
+say, so she sat silent, but, it seemed, this was not the right thing to
+do either.
+
+“Speak up, child,” said Aunt Rachel, half playfully and half sharply;
+“didn’t you hear Mrs. Fuller’s remark?”
+
+“Yes ’m,” said Dolly, “but,—but I don’t know what to answer.”
+
+“Strange child,” murmured Mrs. Fuller. “Is the boy any more civil?”
+
+Dick, though embarrassed himself, was still more annoyed at Dolly’s
+discomfiture, and spoke up decidedly:
+
+“We don’t mean to be uncivil, Mrs. Fuller. But we’ve never made
+fashionable calls before, and we don’t know quite how to talk. It’s so
+different in Chicago.”
+
+“Different in Chicago! I should hope so. My dear Miss Dana and Miss
+Abbie, you’ll have your hands full with these little ones, won’t you?”
+
+“At first,” said Miss Rachel with dignity. “But we hope to teach them.”
+
+“And we want to learn,” put in Dolly, with an instinctive desire to
+stand by her aunt against this disagreeable lady.
+
+“Then there’ll be no trouble, I’m sure,” said Mrs. Fuller, but though
+her words were all right, her tone was a little bit sarcastic, and the
+twins were conscious of a feeling of defeat, which was far from
+comfortable.
+
+Then Jack Fuller came into the room.
+
+He was a boy of ten, with fair hair, and a pale, girlish face. He,
+apparently, had irreproachable manners, and gave his hand to the Dana
+ladies with just the right degree of cordiality. Then, being introduced
+to Dick and Dolly, he came and sat on the sofa between them.
+
+Instinctively, Dick felt that he never could like that boy. Jack had
+scarcely opened his mouth before Dick had dubbed him a “Miss Nancy.” He
+didn’t believe Jack could run or jump, or do anything that a boy ought
+to do.
+
+“Do you like to live here?” said Jack at last, by way of opening
+conversation.
+
+“Yes, we do,” said Dolly; “we’re going to have splendid gardens,—we’ve
+been digging all day. Don’t you love to do that?”
+
+Jack looked at her with apparent surprise that a girl should care for
+such vigorous pursuits.
+
+“I never dig,” he answered. “Mamma thinks it isn’t good for me.”
+
+“How funny!” said Dolly. “I should think it would do you good.”
+
+“Do you like to run and jump?” asked Dick, for there had been a pause,
+and he considered it his turn to “make talk.”
+
+“Oh, not very much. I like quiet games. I play mostly by myself. Mamma
+won’t let me associate with many children. But I’m to be allowed to play
+with you. I know that, because you’re Danas.”
+
+This was gratifying in a way, but somehow Dick wasn’t over-enchanted at
+the prospect.
+
+“I hope you will,” he said; “but I’m afraid,—when we’re playing, we’re
+rather,—rather rampageous.”
+
+“Rough, do you mean?” asked Jack, looking horrified.
+
+“Well, we don’t mean to be rough exactly; but we’re sort of noisy and
+lively.”
+
+“Well, I shall visit you all the same,” said Jack, with a resigned air,
+“for mamma said I should. I think I’m to go see you to-morrow afternoon
+at four.”
+
+This specified date amused the Dana children, but Dolly said politely:
+
+“That will be very nice, and I’m sure we’ll have a good time.”
+
+And then the aunties rose to take leave, and they all went home again.
+
+“You children must learn better manners,” said Aunt Rachel, as they
+drove homeward. “You horrified me to-day by your manner of speaking.”
+
+“I saw we did,” said Dolly, humbly, “but I don’t see what we did that
+was wrong. I’m sure we didn’t mean to be bad.”
+
+“You weren’t bad,” said Abbie, smiling at them, “but we want you to
+acquire a little more grace and elegance. You spoke, in Mrs. Fuller’s
+parlour, just as you would at home.”
+
+“Oh,” said Dick, “I begin to see; you want us to put on society airs.”
+
+Aunt Rachel considered a moment.
+
+“While I shouldn’t express it in just that way,” she said, “that is
+about what I mean.”
+
+“Well,” said Dick pleasantly, “we’ll try. But Aunty Helen always taught
+us to be just as polite when alone at home as when we were visiting or
+had company.”
+
+“Auntie Helen isn’t teaching you now,” said Miss Rachel, grimly; “and I
+trust you’ll consider my wishes in the matter.”
+
+“We will, Aunt Rachel, we truly will,” broke in Dolly, whose rôle was
+often that of pacificator. “You’re terribly good to us, and we want to
+do ’zackly as you want us to, but, you see, fashionable calls are new to
+us. We’ll do better next time.”
+
+Dolly’s cheerful smile was infectious, and Aunt Rachel smiled back, and
+dropped the subject of manners for the present.
+
+The next afternoon, promptly at four o’clock, Jack Fuller came to see
+Dick and Dolly. The twins had been grubbing in their gardens all day,
+and had been radiantly happy.
+
+They loved flowers and learned quickly the elements of gardening that
+Pat taught them. And with their new garden tools of suitable size, they
+did real work after the most approved fashion. But at three o’clock they
+were called in to get ready for the expected guest. Dick grumbled a
+little, for it seemed hard to leave the gardens to get all dressed up
+just because a _boy_ was coming!
+
+“But you want to make friends in Heatherton, don’t you?” asked Aunt
+Rachel.
+
+“Yes ’m; but I like boys who come over and play in every-day clothes;
+not rig up like a party.”
+
+As for Dolly, she didn’t see why she had to leave the garden at all.
+Jack Fuller wasn’t her company.
+
+But the aunts decreed that both twins should receive the guest properly,
+and so at quarter to four, two spick and span, but not very merry
+children sat in the library, waiting.
+
+Jack came in, at last, and greeted the twins with the same formality he
+had shown in his own home. He responded politely to the elder ladies’
+remarks and Dick and Dolly tried to be polite and do exactly as the
+others did.
+
+After nearly half an hour of this stiff and uncomfortable conversation,
+Miss Rachel proposed that the twins take Jack out and show him their
+gardens. Glad to get out of doors, Dick and Dolly ran for their hats and
+the three children started out.
+
+To the twins’ astonishment, as soon as he was out of the presence of the
+elder ladies, Jack turned into quite a different boy. His formal manner
+fell away, and he was chummy and full of fun.
+
+“Let’s throw stones,” he cried. “See me hit that stone bird on the
+fountain.”
+
+He flung a pebble with such true aim that it hit the stone bird on the
+wing, and roused Dick’s exceeding admiration, for he was not himself a
+superior marksman.
+
+“Want to play knife?” asked Jack, pulling a new knife from his pocket;
+“or no, let’s go see your gardens first. Must be gay ones, from the fuss
+you make over ’em.”
+
+But when he saw the playground that was planned, he was appreciative
+enough to satisfy the twins’ love of enthusiasm.
+
+“It’s great!” he cried; “that’s what it is, great! I wish I had one like
+it.”
+
+“Yes, won’t it be fine!” agreed Dick; “there’ll be a table in the
+arbour, and chairs, or benches, and we can have tea-parties, and
+everything.”
+
+“Plant gourds on your arbour,” advised Jack. “All kinds are good, but
+the dipper and cucumber gourd grow the fastest. They’ll cover your
+arbour in a few weeks, I guess. Hercules club is a good fellow for that,
+too. Pat’ll know about ’em.”
+
+Dick and Dolly felt their admiration rising for this boy, who knew so
+much about climbing gourds and flowers of all sorts. It was strange that
+he could throw stones so straight, and also have such fine parlour
+manners. So very strange indeed that Dick felt he must inquire into it.
+
+“Say,” he began; “you’re awful different out here from what you are in
+the parlour.”
+
+“Sure,” returned Jack. “In parlours, with ladies, a fellow has to be
+polite and proper. You don’t want me to be like that out here with you,
+do you?”
+
+Jack’s face expressed such a willingness to do what was required of him
+that Dick exclaimed hastily:
+
+“Not on your life! But I don’t see how you manage those fine airs when
+you have to.”
+
+“Pooh, it’s dead easy. Anyway, I’ve always done it. Mamma wouldn’t like
+it if I didn’t.”
+
+“I s’pose we’ll have to learn,” said Dolly, sighing a little; “but don’t
+let’s bother about it now.”
+
+As the afternoon wore on, and they became better acquainted, they both
+began to like Jack very much. He was not a strong boy, and couldn’t run
+or jump as they could, but he was clever at games, and could beat them
+easily at “knife,” or “hop-scotch,” or almost any game of muscular skill
+that did not call for violent exercise.
+
+“He’s all right,” said Dick to Dolly as they sat on the veranda steps a
+few minutes after Jack went home. “But I hope we won’t always have to
+dress up, and sit in the parlour at first every time he comes.”
+
+“Let’s ask Aunt Rachel,” said Dolly.
+
+“Why, no,” said Miss Rachel in surprise. “Of course you won’t. To-day
+was his first visit, as you called on him yesterday. After this, you can
+go to play with each other in your every-day clothes, whenever you
+like.”
+
+Dick and Dolly were satisfied with this, and gave up trying to fathom
+the strange requirements of etiquette at Heatherton.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VII
+
+
+                                 PINKIE
+
+
+The days passed happily at Dana Dene.
+
+There was so much to do, with the gardens and the chickens, and going
+for afternoon drives that, except on rainy days, the children were out
+of doors nearly all the time.
+
+Their big boxes had arrived, and Dolly’s dolls, and Dick’s more boyish
+treasures, were up in the playroom, but were often neglected for
+open-air fun.
+
+It had been decided by the aunties that the twins should not go to
+school until Fall, for the term was within a few weeks of closing, and
+it didn’t seem worth while to start. But they were required to practise
+on the piano an hour each day, and a teacher came once a week to give
+them lessons. The Misses Dana were fond of music, and as they thought
+the twins showed some talent, they insisted on its cultivation, though
+Dick and Dolly looked upon their practice hour as drudgery.
+
+They always practised at the same time, if possible, in order to have
+their play hours together. If they had been practising duets, this plan
+might have been fairly agreeable to the other members of the household.
+But the nine-year-old twins had not yet arrived at the dignity of
+“pieces,” and were confined to scales and five-finger exercises.
+
+Their scales usually started on harmonious notes, but Dolly’s little
+fingers flew along the keyboard so much faster than Dick’s that she
+usually finished her scale on the highest notes, and drummed away there
+until his chubby hands came up and caught her.
+
+This, though a satisfactory plan to the performers, was far from
+pleasant to the sensitive ears of the Dana aunties.
+
+Again, in case of five-finger exercises, they divided the piano fairly,
+and then diligently pursued their “one-and, two-and, three-and” quite
+irrespective of each other.
+
+As they were careful not to infringe on one another’s territory, they
+saw no objection to this arrangement, and quite in despair, the aunts
+would close the doors of the drawing-room, where the musicians were, and
+retire to the farthest corners of the house.
+
+There was, of course, great temptation for the twins to neglect their
+task, and chatter, but they were too conscientious for this.
+
+Neither would have considered it honourable to remove their hands from
+the keys during practice hour. So the little fingers diligently worked
+up and down, but the counting often gave way to conversation. Instead of
+“one-and,” Dolly might say, in time with her counting, “Don’t
+_you_,—think _the_,—poles _will_,—come _to-_,—day, _Dick_?” And Dick
+would pound away, as he replied, “Yes, _Pat_,—said _they_,—sure
+_would_,—come _to_,—day_-ay_.”
+
+Thus a staccato conversation could be kept up while the twenty stiff
+little fingers were acquiring proper limberness and skill.
+
+“It’s enough to drive anybody frantic! I can’t stand it!” said Aunt
+Abbie, as one day she listened to the measured chatter, and its
+accompaniment of pounded keys that didn’t chord.
+
+“I can’t either!” declared Aunt Rachel, “and I’ve made up my mind,
+Abbie, what to do. We’ll get another piano,—a second-hand one will
+do,—and put it up in the playroom. Then they can practise separately.”
+
+“Ye-es,” said Miss Abbie, doubtfully; “but they wouldn’t like that. They
+always want to be together.”
+
+“Well, they’ll have to stand it. It’s enough to ruin their musical ear,
+to hear those discords themselves.”
+
+“That’s true. I suppose your plan is a good one.”
+
+So a second piano was bought, and put up in the playroom, and the twins
+had to do their practising separately, except for a few little duet
+exercises, which their teacher kindly gave them. And it must be
+confessed they made better progress than when they combined practising
+and social conversation.
+
+In addition to the hour for music, Dolly was required to spend an hour
+every day, sewing.
+
+The Misses Dana believed in that old-fashioned accomplishment, and put
+the child through a regular course of overhanding, felling, and hemming,
+insisting on great neatness and accuracy of stitches.
+
+This hour caused Dolly a great many sighs, and even a few tears. She
+didn’t like needlework, and it was _so_ hard to keep her stitches even
+and true.
+
+But the real hardship was that Dick didn’t have to sew also. It didn’t
+seem fair that she should work so hard for an hour, while he was free to
+play or do what he chose.
+
+She remarked this to Aunt Rachel, who saw the justice of the argument,
+and thought it over.
+
+“That’s true, in a way,” she responded. “There isn’t any occupation so
+necessary for a boy to learn, as for a girl to learn sewing, but I think
+that Dick should have a corresponding task.”
+
+So it was arranged that for an hour every day, Dick must do work in the
+garden. Real work, not just fun. He was to weed both his own and Dolly’s
+flower-beds, and mow the grass and trim the hedges in their playground,
+and water the plants, if necessary; in short, do the drudgery work of
+the garden, while Dolly plodded along at her sewing.
+
+This plan worked finely, and sometimes Dick had the playground in such
+perfect order that he could put in his hour weeding or mowing the other
+parts of the lawn. Aunt Rachel bought a small lawn-mower for his use,
+and under Pat’s instructions his hour’s hard work each day taught him
+much of the real science of gardening.
+
+When the twins had been at Dana Dene a week, they had as yet made no
+acquaintances beside Jack Fuller. This had happened only because the
+ladies had not found it convenient to take the children to call
+elsewhere, and Dick and Dolly themselves had been so wrapped up in their
+gardens and other joys that they had not cared for outside
+companionship.
+
+Pat had sent for extra long poles, that their playhouse might be of
+goodly size. When these came, and were put in place, the tent-shaped
+arbour was about ten feet by twenty, which was amply large for their
+purpose. Vines were planted at once, both seeds and cuttings, but of
+course it would be several weeks before the leaves would form a green
+roof for them.
+
+However, the sun was not unpleasantly warm in May, and by June or July
+the leafy roof would be a protection.
+
+In the meantime, Aunt Abbie, who was most ingenious, planned a cosy
+arrangement for them. In one corner of their playground, Michael built
+them a table. This had a section of a felled tree trunk for an upright,
+on which was placed a round top.
+
+From the centre of the table top rose a stout, straight stick, with
+leather loops nailed on it at intervals. Into these loops could be
+thrust the handle of a very large Japanese umbrella, which, opened, made
+a gay and festive-looking roof, and which could be taken into the house
+in case of rain.
+
+Benches and rustic chairs Michael made for them, too, and Dick helped,
+being allowed to use his “work-hour” for this.
+
+As the playground achieved all these comforts, it became a most
+delightful place, and the children spent whole days there.
+
+Sometimes, good-natured Hannah would bring their dinner out there, and
+let them eat it under the gay umbrella.
+
+Aunt Abbie gave them a fine garden swing, as she had promised.
+
+This was one of those wooden affairs that will hold four comfortably,
+but except for Jack Fuller, none but the twins had yet used it.
+
+Aunt Rachel’s gift proved to be a fountain.
+
+This was quite elaborate, and had to be set up by workmen who came from
+town for the purpose. It was very beautiful, and added greatly to the
+effect of the playground. When the weather grew warmer they were to have
+goldfish in it, but at present there were aquatic plants and pretty
+shells and stones.
+
+It was small wonder that the children didn’t feel need of other
+companionship, and had it not been for Jack Fuller, Dolly would never
+have thought of being lonely.
+
+She and Dick were such good chums that their company was quite
+sufficient for each other; but when Jack came over to play, he and Dick
+were quite apt to play boyish games that Dolly didn’t care for.
+
+On such occasions she usually brought out her doll-carriage and one or
+two of her favourite dolls, and played by herself.
+
+And so, it happened, that one afternoon when Dick and Jack were playing
+leap-frog, Dolly wandered off to the wood with Arabella and Araminta in
+the perambulator. She never felt lonely in the wood, for there were
+always the squirrels and birds, and always a chance that she _might_ see
+a fairy.
+
+So, with her dolls, she had company enough, and sitting down by a big
+flat rock, she set out a table with acorn cups and leaves for plates,
+and tiny pebbles for cakes and fruit.
+
+Arabella and Araminta had already been seated at the table, and Dolly
+was talking for them and for herself, as she arranged the feast.
+
+“No, Arabella,” she said; “you can’t have any jelly pudding to-day,
+dear, for you are not very well. You must eat bread and milk, and here
+it is.”
+
+She set an acorn cup in front of the doll, and then turned to prepare
+Araminta’s food, when she saw a little girl coming eagerly toward her.
+
+It was a pretty little girl, about her own age, with dark curls, and a
+pink linen frock.
+
+“Hello,” she said, softly, “I want to play with you.”
+
+“Come on,” said Dolly, more than pleased to have company. “Sit right
+down at the table. There’s a place. I fixed it for Mr. Grey Squirrel,
+but he didn’t come.”
+
+“I didn’t bring my doll,” said the little girl in pink, “I—I came away
+in a hurry.”
+
+“I’ll lend you one of mine,” said Dolly. “They’re Arabella and Araminta;
+take your choice.”
+
+“What’s your own name?” said the visitor, as she picked up Araminta.
+
+“Dolly,—Dolly Dana. What’s yours?”
+
+“I don’t want to tell you,” said the little girl, looking confused.
+
+“Never mind,” said Dolly, sorry for her guest’s evident embarrassment,
+but thinking her a very strange person. “I’ll call you Pinkie, ’cause
+your dress is such a pretty pink.”
+
+“All right,” said Pinkie, evidently much relieved.
+
+“You’re not—you’re not a fairy, are you?” said Dolly, hopefully, yet
+sure she wasn’t one.
+
+“Oh, no,” said Pinkie, laughing. “I’m just a little girl, but I—I ran
+away, and so I don’t want to tell you my name.”
+
+“Oh, I don’t care,” said Dolly, who was always willing to accept a
+situation. “Never mind about that. Let’s play house.”
+
+“Yes; let’s. You keep this place, ’cause you’ve fixed your table so
+nice, and I’ll live over here.”
+
+Pinkie selected another choice spot for her home, and soon the two
+families were on visiting terms.
+
+Dolly and her daughter, Arabella, went to call on Pinkie and her
+daughter, Araminta, and as they had already selected the names of Mrs.
+Vandeleur and Mrs. Constantine, their own names didn’t matter anyway.
+
+Dolly was Mrs. Vandeleur, because she thought that title had a very
+grand sound, and Pinkie chose Mrs. Constantine because she had just come
+to that name in her “Outlines of the World’s History,” and thought it
+was beautiful.
+
+So Mrs. Vandeleur rang the bell at Mrs. Constantine’s mansion, and sent
+in two green leaves, which were supposed to be the visiting cards of
+herself and her daughter.
+
+“Come in, come in,” said Mrs. Constantine, in a high-pitched voice. “I’m
+so glad to see you. Won’t you sit down?”
+
+Dolly sat down very elegantly on the root of a tree, and propped
+Arabella against another.
+
+“I’m just going to have supper,” said the hostess, “and I hope you and
+your daughter will give me the pleasure of your company.”
+
+“Thank you. I will stay, but I must go ’way right after dessert. I have
+an engagement with—with the fairies.”
+
+“Oh, how lovely! Are you going to see them dance?”
+
+“Yes,” said Dolly, greatly pleased to learn that Pinkie believed in
+fairies; “they sent me a special invitation.”
+
+“I’ll go with you,” said Mrs. Constantine, promptly. “I’m always invited
+to their dances.”
+
+So again the acorn cups and leaves came into use, and the four drank
+unlimited cups of tea, and ate all sorts of things, Arabella having
+apparently recovered from her indisposition.
+
+“Now, we’ll go to the fairies’ ball,” said Pinkie, as with a sweep of
+her hand she cleared the table of dishes and viands and all. “What shall
+we wear?”
+
+“I’ll wear red velvet,” said Dolly, whose tastes were gay, “and a wide
+light-blue sash, and gold slippers.”
+
+“You’ll look lovely,” declared Mrs. Constantine. “I’ll wear spangled
+blue satin, and a diamond crown.”
+
+“Then I’ll have a diamond crown, too,” said Dolly.
+
+“No; you have a ruby one. We don’t want to be just alike.”
+
+“Yes, I’ll have a ruby one, and my daughter can have a diamond one, and
+your daughter a ruby one,—then we’ll be fair all around.”
+
+“Yes, that’s fair,” agreed Pinkie; “now let’s start.”
+
+They carried the dolls with them, and going a little farther into the
+wood, they selected a smooth, mossy place where fairies might easily
+dance if they chose.
+
+“We must fix it up for them,” said Pinkie; “so they’ll want to come.”
+
+Eagerly the two girls went to work. They picked up any bits of stick or
+stone that disfigured the moss, and then, at Pinkie’s direction, they
+made a circular border of green leaves, and what few wild flowers they
+could find.
+
+A row of stones was laid as an outside border, and a branch of green was
+stuck upright in the centre.
+
+“Now it looks pretty,” said Pinkie, with a nod of satisfaction. “Let’s
+sit down and wait.”
+
+“Will they _really_ come?” asked Dolly, as with Araminta and Arabella
+they seated themselves near by.
+
+“Oh, no, I s’pose not,” said Pinkie, with a little sigh. “I’ve done this
+thing so many times, and they never _have_ come. But it’s fun to do it,
+and then I always think perhaps they _may_.”
+
+But they waited what seemed a long time, and as no fairies came to
+dance, and the shadows began to grow deeper, Dolly said she must go
+home.
+
+“Yes, I must too,” said Pinkie, looking troubled.
+
+“See here, Dolly,” she said, as they walked along; “don’t you want to
+come here and play with me again?”
+
+“’Course I do,” exclaimed Dolly. “Every day.”
+
+“Well, you can’t do it, unless you keep it secret. You mustn’t tell
+anybody,—not anybody in the world.”
+
+“Not even Dick and the aunties?”
+
+“No, not anybody. If you tell, we can’t play here.”
+
+“Pinkie, _are_ you a fairy, after all?” said Dolly, looking at her
+earnestly.
+
+She was quite unable, otherwise, to think of any reason to keep their
+acquaintance secret.
+
+“Well—maybe I am,” said Pinkie, slowly.
+
+“And that’s why you haven’t any name!” exclaimed Dolly, rapturously.
+“But I didn’t s’pose real fairies were so big, and so ’zactly like
+little girls.”
+
+“Real fairies aren’t. I’m just a—just a sort of a fairy. Oh, Dolly,
+don’t ask questions. Only, remember, if you tell anybody about me, we
+can’t play here in the woods any more. Will you promise?”
+
+“Yes, I’ll promise,” said Dolly, solemnly, awed by Pinkie’s great
+earnestness.
+
+And then they separated, and Dolly ran home with her dolls.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+                                A SECRET
+
+
+Dolly was very quiet after she reached home. She was greatly puzzled
+at the events of the afternoon.
+
+“Of course,” she thought, “Pinkie _couldn’t_ be a fairy. She is just as
+much a live little girl as I am. And yet, why should any nice little
+girl,—and she surely is a very nice little girl,—want our acquaintance
+kept secret?”
+
+Dolly remembered a little girl in Chicago, who loved to have “secrets,”
+but they were very simple affairs, usually a new slate pencil, or a
+coming birthday party. She had never heard of such a foolish secret as
+not telling your name!
+
+And so, the thought _would_ come back; what if Pinkie should be a real
+fairy? To be sure, she had always thought fairies were tiny folk, but
+she had never seen one, so how could she know?
+
+And Pinkie was so well versed in making a fairies’ dancing ground, and
+she appeared so mysteriously,—apparently from nowhere at all! Oh, if it
+should be! And then, that would explain the secret part of it,—for
+fairies always want to be kept secret. But on the other hand, that pink
+kilted dress of starched linen! Fairies always wore gauzy robes, and
+carried wands, and had wings. Well, yes, that was the popular notion,
+but who had seen them, to know for sure?
+
+These thoughts chased through Dolly’s mind as she sat at the supper
+table, and Aunt Rachel soon noticed the child’s absorption.
+
+“What’s the matter, dearie?” she asked; “aren’t you well?”
+
+“Oh, yes, Auntie; I—I was just thinking.”
+
+“I know what’s the matter with Dollums,” said Dick, a little
+shamefacedly. “It’s ’cause Jack Fuller and I played leap-frog and things
+she didn’t like, and so she went off by herself, and was lonesome. I’m
+sorry, Dolly.”
+
+“Why, Dick Dana!” exclaimed his twin; “it wasn’t that a bit! I’m glad
+you had fun with Jack, and I didn’t care a spick-speck! I had a lovely
+time myself.”
+
+“Where were you, dear?” asked Aunt Abbie.
+
+“In the wood, with my two big dolls,” said Dolly, truthfully, but she
+had a strange feeling of dishonesty.
+
+She had never had a secret before; had never told anything except the
+_whole_ truth; and the _part_ truth, as she had told it now, troubled
+her conscience.
+
+Yet she had promised Pinkie not to tell about her, so whether Pinkie was
+fairy or little girl, Dolly felt herself bound by her promise.
+
+“Auntie,” she said, after a pause, “are there really fairies?”
+
+“No, child, of course not. You know there aren’t.”
+
+“Yes, I s’pose so. But if there were any, how big would they be?”
+
+“Don’t ask silly questions, Dolly. There are no such beings as fairies.”
+
+“Oh, I don’t know, Aunt Rachel,” put in Dick. “You know, just because
+we’ve never seen any,—that doesn’t prove there aren’t any.”
+
+“But how big would they be, Dick?” persisted Dolly.
+
+“Oh, little bits of things. A dozen of them could dance on a toad-stool,
+I expect.”
+
+That settled it in Dolly’s mind. Of course Pinkie wasn’t a fairy then,
+for what Dick said was always so.
+
+But Aunt Abbie changed the situation. She had more imagination than Aunt
+Rachel, and she idly fell into the discussion.
+
+“I’m not sure of that, Dick,” she said. “I always imagine fairies to be
+about our own size. You know Cinderella’s fairy godmother was a grown-up
+lady.”
+
+“Oh,” said Dolly, her eyes shining with interest. “Then do you think,
+Aunt Abbie, that there could be a little girl fairy, about as big as
+me?”
+
+“Why, yes, I suppose so; if there are fairies at all. But I’m not sure
+that there are.”
+
+“Would you believe it if you saw one?”
+
+“Yes, if I were awake, and sure I was not dreaming.”
+
+Dolly stared at Aunt Abbie, as if fascinated by her words. Then Pinkie
+_might_ be a fairy, after all!
+
+“You’re a queer child, Dolly,” said Aunt Rachel, looking at the little
+girl’s perplexed face. “And when you find your fairies, don’t bring them
+in the house, for there’s no knowing what tricks they may cut up.
+They’re said to be mischievous little people.”
+
+“Of course they’re little,” argued Dick. “I think you’re mistaken about
+Cinderella’s godmother, Aunt Abbie. I think she was a little mite of a
+lady.”
+
+“Perhaps so, Dicky. I’m not much of an authority on fairy lore, I’ll
+admit.”
+
+And then, somehow, the matter was dropped, and nothing more was said
+about fairies or their probable size.
+
+But a little later, when the twins were alone in their playroom, Dolly
+reopened the subject.
+
+“Dick,” she began, “why do you think fairies must be little?”
+
+“Dolly, what’s the matter with you and your fairies? Why are you
+bothering so much about ’em all of a sudden?”
+
+“Oh, nothing; I just want to know.”
+
+“It isn’t nothing! Have you been seeing fairies, or what? You’ve got to
+tell me all about it.”
+
+“I can’t, Dick.”
+
+“You can’t? Why not, I’d like to know! We never have secrets from each
+other. You know we don’t.”
+
+“But I can’t tell you about this. I promised.”
+
+“Well, unpromise then! Who’d you promise?”
+
+“I can’t tell you that either.”
+
+“Look here, Dolly Dana, who could you promise not to tell me anything?
+Was it Pat or Michael?”
+
+“No.”
+
+“Then who was it?”
+
+“I can’t tell you.”
+
+“Pooh, what a silly! Why, Dolly, we’re twins,—we always have to tell
+each other everything.”
+
+“I know it, Dick, and I want to tell you, awful, but you know yourself
+it’s wrong to break a promise.”
+
+“Well, you might tell me who you promised it to.”
+
+“That’s part of the secret.”
+
+“Oho, it _is_ a secret, is it? Well, Dolly Dana, if you’ve got a secret
+from _me_, you can keep it,—_I_ don’t care!”
+
+This was too much for Dolly’s loyal little twin-heart.
+
+“I don’t want to keep it, Dick; I want to tell you! But I promised her I
+wouldn’t, so what can I do?”
+
+“Get her to let you off your promise. I s’pose it’s Hannah or Delia.”
+
+“Maybe I can do that,” and Dolly’s face looked a little brighter.
+
+“Well, do; and don’t talk any more about it, till you can tell me all of
+it, whatever it is. Dolly, it isn’t anything wrong, is it?”
+
+“No; I don’t see how it can be wrong.”
+
+“Then let up on it, till you’re ready to talk square. _I_ never had a
+secret from _you_.”
+
+“I know it; and I’ll never have one from you again!”
+
+So peace was restored, and Dolly said no more about fairies. But after
+she was tucked up in her own little white bed that night, she lay awake
+in the darkness for a long time, trying to puzzle it all out. One minute
+it would seem too absurd to think a little girl was a fairy; the next
+minute, it would seem just as absurd for a little girl to appear in the
+woods like that, and refuse to tell her name, and insist that their
+acquaintance be kept a secret! _That_ was exactly what a fairy would do!
+
+So, after reasoning round and round in a circle, Dolly fell asleep, and
+dreamed that she was a fairy herself, with a pink linen dress, and a
+pair of wings and a golden wand.
+
+The next afternoon Jack Fuller was again at Dana Dene to play with Dick,
+and again Dolly trotted off to the woods. She found Pinkie sitting on a
+flat stone, waiting for her. The same pink linen frock, the same straw
+hat, with pink rosettes on it, and the same sweet-faced, curly-haired
+Pinkie. Dolly was _so_ glad to see her, and fairy or mortal, she already
+loved her better than any little girl she had ever known.
+
+But Pinkie was not so gay and merry as yesterday. She looked troubled,
+and Dolly’s sensitive little heart knew it at once.
+
+“Come on,” she said, taking hold of Pinkie’s hand; “let’s play.”
+
+“All right,” said Pinkie, “I’ve brought my own dolls, this time.”
+
+And sure enough, there were two dolls as big and beautiful as Arabella
+and Araminta. Pinkie said her dolls’ names were Baby Belle and Baby
+Bess, and, as it seemed the most natural thing to do, they began to play
+tea-party at once.
+
+But Dolly wanted, first, to settle the matter of the secret.
+
+“Pinkie,” she said, “you’re a really, truly little girl, aren’t you?”
+
+“’Course I am,” said Pinkie, smiling. “I just said I was a fairy for
+fun.”
+
+“Yes; I know it. But I want you to let me tell about you at home. It’s
+silly to make a secret of it.”
+
+“Well, tell ’em, I don’t care. I’m not coming here to play any more,
+anyway.”
+
+Now Dolly looked dismayed. “Why not?” she asked, and went on without
+waiting for an answer. “I won’t tell my aunts, if you don’t want me to,
+but I must tell my brother Dick. He’s my twin, and we never have secrets
+from each other. Why, here he comes now!”
+
+Running toward them across the field, they saw the two boys.
+
+“Is that your brother with Jack Fuller?” asked Pinkie, and with this
+recognition of Jack, Dolly’s last faint hope that Pinkie _might_ be a
+fairy, vanished.
+
+“Yes; I wonder what they want.”
+
+The boys had really come in search of Dolly.
+
+Dick had felt himself rather selfish to play with Jack, while Dolly had
+only her dolls for company, so he had proposed that they go and find
+her, and then all play together some games that she would like. Jack had
+agreed willingly enough, so they made for the woods, whither Dick had
+seen Dolly go, wheeling her two big dolls.
+
+“Hello, Phyllis Middleton,” cried Jack, as he spied Pinkie. “What are
+you doing here?”
+
+The secret was out!
+
+Dolly felt a blank pall of despair fall over her heart. Pinkie, then,
+was Phyllis Middleton, the daughter of the Middletons whom Aunt Rachel
+detested, and would have no dealings with! Indeed, Dolly had been
+forbidden to speak to any of the Middletons. And then, as Dolly’s
+thoughts flew rapidly on, she realised that Pinkie had known all this,
+and that was why she said if Dolly knew her name they couldn’t play
+together any more!
+
+Poor Dolly! Not only to lose her new-made friend, but to learn that the
+friend was really a naughty little girl, who had deliberately done
+wrong.
+
+“Hello, Jack!” said Phyllis. “I know I ought not to come here, and I’m
+not coming again.”
+
+“Well,” said Dick, throwing himself down on the ground; “is this your
+secret, Dollums?”
+
+“Yes,” said Dolly, almost ready to cry. “This is my Pinkie, and I love
+her, and now she’s the little girl Aunt Rachel said we couldn’t play
+with.”
+
+“Why not?” cried Dick, who had forgotten the Middleton ban.
+
+Phyllis took up the story.
+
+“I don’t know the beginning of it,” she said; “but my mother, and Miss
+Rachel Dana don’t like each other, and won’t go to each other’s houses.
+And when I heard a little girl had come here to live, I wanted to come
+over, but mother wouldn’t let me.”
+
+“And Aunt Rachel forbade me to go to your house, too,” put in Dolly. “I
+think it’s awful for grown-up ladies to get mad like that.”
+
+“They’ve been mad for lots of years,” said Jack Fuller. “I’ve heard my
+mother talk about it to the other ladies. They call it the
+Dana-Middleton feud.”
+
+“What was it about?” asked Dick.
+
+“Nobody knows,” replied Jack. “At least, none of us children. Of course,
+when there weren’t any children at the Dana house, we didn’t care
+anything about it; but now, it’s pretty if you two can’t play with the
+Middletons! Why, they go to our parties and our school and our Sunday
+school, and our picnics and everything! I guess Miss Dana and Mrs.
+Middleton’ll have to make up now.”
+
+“They won’t,” said Phyllis, mournfully. “I heard mother and father
+talking about it. And they said I mustn’t come over here, or speak to
+Dolly or anything. And then, yesterday, I did come over here to the
+wood,—it’s right next to our last orchard,—and Dolly and I had such
+fun, I thought I’d come every day, and not tell anybody. But after I
+went to bed last night, I thought about it, and I know it’s wrong; so
+I’m not going to do it any more. I just came to-day to tell Dolly so.
+And after I go home, I’m going to confess to mother about it.”
+
+Phyllis’s eyes were full of tears, and as she finished speaking, and
+Dolly’s arms went round her, both girls cried in their mutual
+affliction.
+
+The boys were highly indignant at the whole situation.
+
+“It’s a shame!” cried Dick. “If Aunt Rachel wants to be mad at Mrs.
+Middleton, let her; but I don’t see why they shouldn’t let Phyllis and
+Dolly be friends. Have you got any brothers, Phyllis?”
+
+“Only a little one, six years old,” was the reply. “There’s just the two
+of us.”
+
+“And you live just next house to us,” went on Dick. “You and Dolly could
+have lovely times together. I’m going to ask Aunt Rachel myself if you
+two can’t be friends.”
+
+“It wouldn’t do any good,” said Phyllis, wiping her eyes. “She wouldn’t
+give in, and, even if she did, my mother wouldn’t.”
+
+“Well, I’m going to try it, anyway,” stoutly persisted Dick. “It can’t
+do any harm, and if Aunt Rachel _should_ give in, she might persuade
+your mother, you know.”
+
+Phyllis looked a little hopeful at this, but Dolly said:
+
+“Aunt Rachel won’t let me play with you; I know it. She has said so a
+dozen times, and she’s awful stubborn. But I’m glad you told, Pinkie,
+’cause it wouldn’t have been right for us to play together and not
+tell.”
+
+“No, I know it,” agreed Phyllis. “I would have told you yesterday, only
+it was so funny when you thought I was a fairy! I thought I’d pretend I
+was one, and that would take away the wrong. But it didn’t, and when I
+thought all about it, I knew we couldn’t keep on that way.”
+
+The Dana twins were conscientious children, and they were both glad when
+Phyllis talked like this; for it had been a shock to Dolly to discover
+Pinkie’s deceit, and she felt relieved to learn that it was only
+impulsive and quickly repented of. But this didn’t alter the sad fact
+that the two little girls could not be playmates.
+
+“It’s just horrid!” said Dolly, her tears welling up afresh. “We could
+have such lovely times together! Playing dolls, and tea-parties, and
+everything. I think Aunt Rachel is mean!”
+
+“I think so, too,” said Jack Fuller, “and I do believe you could coax
+her into letting you two girls play together, even if the grown-up
+ladies don’t make up.”
+
+“Maybe we could,” said Dick, hopefully, but Phyllis shook her head.
+
+“Mother wouldn’t, even if Miss Dana did,” she repeated. “I was a naughty
+girl to come here at all. I wish I hadn’t; then I wouldn’t have known
+how nice Dolly was.”
+
+Again the little girls wept, and the boys looked at them helplessly.
+
+“Well, anyway,” said Dick, at last, “I’m going home to have a try at it.
+I’m going straight to Aunt Rachel and tell her all about it. It may make
+a difference, now that you girls really have met.”
+
+“All right,” said Phyllis, but she showed no hope of Dick’s success.
+
+“I say,” exclaimed Jack, “let’s all go! I mean, let’s take Phyllis, and
+all go to Miss Rachel and ask her about it. If she sees the two girls
+crying to beat the band, it may soften her some.”
+
+It seemed a daring proposition, but the twins approved of it.
+
+“Oh, do,” cried Dolly, eagerly. “Come on, Pinkie, let’s go right now.”
+
+“I can’t,” said Pinkie, firmly. “Mother told me never to go to Miss
+Dana’s house for anything at all.”
+
+No amount of coaxing would prevail, and matters seemed at a deadlock,
+until Dick exclaimed:
+
+“Then you stay here, and I’ll go get Auntie Rachel and make her come out
+here right now.”
+
+“It won’t do any good,” moaned Phyllis.
+
+“I know, about your mother. But maybe, if Miss Rachel gives in first,
+she can persuade your mother.”
+
+“Maybe,” said Phyllis, worn out with the conflict. “Go on if you want
+to.”
+
+And Dick went.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER IX
+
+
+                                PHYLLIS
+
+
+“Aunt Rachel,” said Dick, marching to the library, “will you do
+something for me?”
+
+“Probably I will, my boy. What is it?”
+
+“I want you to come and take a walk with me.”
+
+“But it’s nearly supper-time, Dicky; quite time for you to go and brush
+your hair, and put on a fresh collar. Where’s Dolly?”
+
+“Oh, Aunt Rachel, please come,—it’s very important!”
+
+Noticing the serious expression on Dick’s earnest little face, Aunt
+Rachel became frightened.
+
+“What is the matter, Dick?” she exclaimed. “Has anything happened to
+Dolly? Has she hurt herself?”
+
+“No; she hasn’t hurt herself; but come, please, Aunt Rachel,—do!”
+
+Throwing a light shawl round her, Miss Rachel went with Dick, quite sure
+that some accident had befallen Dolly. It was quite a little walk to the
+woods, and Dick began to wonder whether Phyllis would have waited, or
+whether she would have become scared and gone home. She seemed like a
+timid little thing, and Dick well knew that Miss Rachel’s anger was a
+formidable thing to brave. He felt far from calm himself.
+
+“Where are you taking me?” said Aunt Rachel, as they crossed the
+orchard.
+
+“To the woods,” replied Dick, briefly; “Dolly is there.”
+
+And Aunt Rachel said no more, but walked rapidly along by Dick’s side,
+her mind full of horrible imaginings of Dolly, perhaps fallen from a
+tree, or in some other dreadful plight. When she reached the wood she
+saw the two little girls, seated on the flat stone, their arms about
+each other, and their faces red and tear-stained. Indeed, the big tears
+even now rolled down Dolly’s cheeks, as she saw the stern expression
+that came over Aunt Rachel’s face.
+
+“Phyllis Middleton!” exclaimed the angry-looking lady; “what does this
+mean? You know you are forbidden to step foot on my property!”
+
+“Yes’m,” began Phyllis, timidly, but Dick took the helm.
+
+“Aunt Rachel,” he said, “I asked you to come out here, ’cause Phyllis
+wouldn’t go to the house. And I want to ask you to let her be Dolly’s
+friend; they love each other a heap.”
+
+Then Aunt Rachel’s wrath was turned toward her niece.
+
+“Dolly,” she said, severely, “you know I positively forbade you to speak
+to Phyllis Middleton.”
+
+“Yes, Auntie; b-but I didn’t know it was Phyllis, when I first spoke to
+her.”
+
+“Well, you know it now. Come away from her at once. Phyllis, go straight
+home, and don’t ever dare come here again.”
+
+The case was hopeless.
+
+Phyllis withdrew herself from Dolly’s embrace, and rose to go away.
+
+Jack Fuller stood by, unable to help, and very nearly crying himself in
+sympathy with the two forlorn little girls.
+
+Aunt Rachel, in her surprise and indignation, had seated herself on the
+edge of a big stone, opposite Dolly and Phyllis, and sat with frowning
+face, waiting for the unwelcome visitor to depart.
+
+In her extremity of despair, Dolly had an inspiration. With a cry of,
+“Oh, _please_, Auntie Rachel!” she sprang at her aunt, and threw her
+arms around the neck of the irate lady. She squeezed her until she
+nearly choked her; she showered kisses on her face and neck; she
+whispered in her ear, “Please, dear Auntie, oh, _please_ let me have her
+for my little friend; I love her so! _Please_, Auntie!”
+
+Dick, anxiously watching Miss Rachel’s face, saw a change. Not only did
+it become warm and red from the strangling hugs she was undergoing, but
+he felt sure there was a relenting expression in her eyes.
+
+Partly out of gratitude for this, and partly from a desire to further
+Dolly’s cause, he too rushed at his aunt, and added his affectionate
+demonstrations to those of his sister. His arms somehow found room, too,
+round her neck, and he industriously kissed the other side of her face,
+while he cried, “_Please_, Auntie Rachel, even if you don’t like the
+Middletons, please let Phyllis and Dolly be friends! _Please_, Auntie!”
+
+So cyclonic was the beginning of this performance, and so vigorous its
+continuance, that Miss Rachel was soon on the verge of physical
+collapse, and wildly waved her hands, in a futile endeavour to shake off
+the besiegers.
+
+Phyllis and Jack were appalled at the scene, and were almost uncertain
+whether the attack was really affectionate or of a hostile nature.
+
+“For gracious’ sake, Dolly, _do_ stop!” cried Miss Rachel, at last, as
+her glasses flew off, and her carefully arranged coiffure became a
+wreck. “Dick, let go of me!”
+
+“Yes, Auntie,” he said, kneeling at one side, and possessing himself of
+one of her hands, while Dolly did the same with the other; “but, Auntie,
+do say yes, won’t you?”
+
+“Won’t you, Auntie?” echoed Dolly; “won’t you, Auntie? Please, dear
+Auntie Rachel, won’t you? _Please!_”
+
+The words, repeated so often, seemed to become meaningless, but not so
+the beseeching expression on the two upturned, pleading little faces.
+
+Aunt Rachel looked at them,—Dick’s eager hopeful gaze; Dolly’s tearful,
+despairing eyes,—and her hard heart melted.
+
+[Illustration: IN THE GARDEN       (Page 82)]
+
+She put an arm round each of the quivering little bodies, and said
+softly:
+
+“Wait a minute, dears, let me think it over.”
+
+If Miss Rachel needed further incentive, the joy that flashed into the
+twins’ faces must have given it to her, for she went on almost
+immediately:
+
+“You cannot understand the grown-up part of this; you cannot be told
+about why Mrs. Middleton and I are not on friendly terms; but this I
+will grant. If Phyllis’s mother will let her be Dolly’s friend, I shall
+be glad to have it so. If Phyllis is allowed to come to Dana Dene, Dolly
+may also visit her and you may play together all you like. There is
+really no reason why you children should suffer for the sake of your
+elders, and I see that clearly now. Come here, Phyllis.”
+
+Phyllis rose and went to Miss Rachel, who looked her over with evident
+interest.
+
+“You are a nice child,” she said, at last, with a nod of approval. “I
+shall be glad to have you become Dolly’s friend. Do you think your
+mother will object?”
+
+“I know she will, Miss Dana,” said Phyllis, sadly; “I am sure she won’t
+let me go to Dana Dene.”
+
+“Then I shall go to see her, myself, and I fancy I can persuade her.”
+
+Miss Rachel said this with a majestic air, yet with a grim smile, and
+the children felt that though they certainly did not understand the
+“grown-up part of it,” yet their cause was won, and Dolly and Phyllis
+would be permitted to play together to their hearts’ content.
+
+“Thank you, Miss Rachel,” said Phyllis, timidly taking her hand, and
+feeling that she ought to show her gratitude by some demonstration,
+after the example set her by the twins.
+
+Miss Rachel kissed her gently on the forehead, and then put her hand in
+Dolly’s; bidding the two little girls seal their friendship with a kiss,
+and then say good-bye until to-morrow.
+
+“Scamper home, across the orchard, Phyllis,” she went on, “and tell your
+mother all about it, if you choose; and say I shall call on her this
+evening.”
+
+Jack went with Phyllis, as that was the way toward his own home, and the
+three Danas went back to the house.
+
+“Oh, Auntie, you are so good,” said Dolly, as, with her arm round her
+aunt’s waist, she walked by her side. “It was lovely of you to give up
+your favourite feud for me!”
+
+Miss Rachel smiled at Dolly’s choice of words, but she only said:
+
+“It is right, dearie. It would be very foolish to keep you two little
+girls apart because of what happened to your ancestors, twenty years
+ago.”
+
+“Yes’m; and are you going to keep on feuding with Mrs. Middleton?”
+
+“I don’t know yet,” said Miss Rachel, smiling again; “if I do, it will
+be because she insists upon it. But I feel sure I can persuade her to
+feel as I do, about you children.”
+
+“You’re a brick, Auntie,” declared Dick, who walked at her other side.
+“I was ’most sure you’d cave in when you saw how the girls felt about
+it.”
+
+“It was really the way you two felt about it, that persuaded me; indeed,
+if I hadn’t ‘caved in,’ as you call it, I think you would have squeezed
+me to pieces.”
+
+“Yes, we’re good coaxers,” said Dick, modestly. “We used to coax Auntie
+Helen that way; but she always got to laughing.”
+
+“It wasn’t a humorous occasion, to-day,” said Aunt Rachel, and then they
+all went in to supper.
+
+Aunt Abbie, who was wondering what had become of them, was then told the
+whole story, which greatly interested her.
+
+“And now,” said Dolly, as everything had been explained, “you see why I
+was asking about fairies last night. I didn’t really think Phyllis was a
+fairy, but she came so—so unexpected, you know, and she wouldn’t tell
+me her name, and she told me to keep it all a secret.”
+
+“I think that part of it was a little naughty,” said Aunt Abbie,
+judicially.
+
+“Yes’m,” agreed Dolly. “But you see she ’pented, and to-day she came to
+tell me that she had ’cided it _was_ naughty, and she wasn’t coming any
+more. So that took away the naughtiness, didn’t it, Auntie Rachel?”
+
+“Yes, I think it did, dearie. I feel sure Phyllis is a conscientious
+little girl, and will be a good friend for you in every way.”
+
+“But I’ll always call her Pinkie,” said Dolly; “’cause I called her that
+at first, and Phyllis is such a grown-up name. Will you go over and see
+about it right away, Auntie?”
+
+“After a while, Dolly. But I shall not return until after you’ve gone to
+bed, so don’t think any more about it till morning.”
+
+Aunt Rachel spoke calmly, but the children little knew what it meant to
+her to subdue her pride and make the advance toward a truce with Mrs.
+Middleton. Their quarrel, though it had occurred many years ago, was as
+bitter as ever, and reconciliation seemed impossible. Neither had ever
+been willing to suggest such a thing, and though kind-hearted friends
+had tried to bring it about, their efforts had met with no success. Miss
+Abbie was, of course, amazed at the way things were going, but her offer
+to accompany her sister was met with a gentle but decided refusal.
+
+And so, nobody ever knew what passed between the two neighbours that
+evening. Whatever way she humiliated herself, or whatever arguments she
+used, Miss Rachel never told; but, at least, her main errand was
+successful, and Mrs. Middleton agreed to let Phyllis and Dolly play
+together all they liked, and visit at each other’s homes whenever they
+chose.
+
+As for the two ladies themselves, they didn’t at once forgive and forget
+all of their long-standing unpleasantness, but they agreed to be, at
+least, calling acquaintances, for the children’s sake; and I may as well
+say here that eventually the breach was healed, and by degrees they
+became really friendly neighbours.
+
+Dolly was too excited and anxious to sleep, so when she heard Miss
+Rachel come in, though it was late, she sprang out of bed, and throwing
+a blue kimono over her little frilled nightgown, she ran out into the
+hall, and called down over the banisters:
+
+“Is it all right, Auntie Rachel? Is it all right?”
+
+“Yes, it’s all right, Dolly. Go back to bed, you’ll catch cold.”
+
+By this time, Dick had bounced out of his room. A bath-robe was round
+him, over his pink-striped pajamas, and as he heard Aunt Rachel’s
+assurance that their cause was won, he whispered to Dolly, “Let’s go
+down and hug her!”
+
+“Let’s!” replied Dolly, and the two bare-footed, dressing-gowned little
+figures flew downstairs and precipitated themselves upon the already
+exhausted lady.
+
+“Don’t, children!” cried Aunt Abbie, as Miss Rachel was almost lost to
+sight in clouds of eider-down flannel, and four eager, waving arms.
+“Don’t! you’ll wear Auntie Rachel out, she’s almost collapsed now.”
+
+“No, Abbie; let them be. I like it,” gasped Aunt Rachel, from behind two
+curly heads that seemed to be devouring her.
+
+So Aunt Abbie only laughed, inwardly rejoicing that the children had
+brought about an amicable adjustment of the old quarrel, and glad, too,
+that her reserved and undemonstrative sister enjoyed the wild antics of
+the two little savages.
+
+“Auntie Abbie next!” shouted Dick, gleefully, and Aunt Rachel received a
+respite, as the twins’ attentions were showered upon their other aunt.
+
+But she wouldn’t stand quite so much.
+
+“Be off with you!” she cried. “You’re worse than a pair of little
+bear-cubs!”
+
+“We are bear-cubs,” cried Dick, enchanted with the suggestion. Then he
+growled, and pawed and clawed at Aunt Abbie, winding up with a hug that
+nearly cracked her bones.
+
+Dolly, always ready to take her cue, was also a bear-cub, and between
+them they made Aunt Abbie’s life miserable for a few minutes.
+
+“Scamper now!” she cried, as she emerged, laughing, from the latest
+onslaught. “Run to bed, both of you. I’ve had enough of this!”
+
+So, with final pats and kisses all round, the twins went upstairs, and
+were soon snugly in bed once more.
+
+Dolly thought she should never go to sleep, she was so happy in the
+thoughts of her new friend.
+
+Dear Pinkie! She was so pretty and sweet, and Dolly smiled to herself at
+thought of all the fun they could have playing together. They would
+always be friends, even after they grew up to be young ladies, and they
+would never have a foolish quarrel, as Pinkie’s mother and Auntie Rachel
+had had. And so, fairly revelling in happy anticipations, Dolly fell
+asleep.
+
+Downstairs, the two sisters talked long and earnestly.
+
+“It’s a blessing those two children ever came here,” said Miss Abbie, at
+last.
+
+“It is a blessing in some ways,” said Miss Rachel, “but they’re going to
+be a terrible responsibility. Such overflowing spirits I never saw! They
+can’t be still a second. And we must stop these fearful tornadoes of
+affection!”
+
+“Oh, I thought you enjoyed them!”
+
+“I do enjoy their hearty demonstrations and endearments. They’re so real
+and spontaneous. But we must curb them, for it isn’t good for the
+children to be allowed such savagery. For it is savagery.”
+
+“It is, indeed!” agreed Aunt Abbie, ruefully. “My arm’s lame yet, from
+their squeezing.”
+
+“Well, we’ll correct them. But I don’t want to be too harsh, poor little
+motherless things.”
+
+“Yes, and fatherless, too. We must be very good to them, Rachel, but it
+isn’t true kindness to be too indulgent, you know.”
+
+“No, of course not. We must be firm, yet gentle.”
+
+And so the two ladies discussed the management of the twins, not
+realising at all, that on the contrary, the twins were managing them!
+For though good and obedient children, Dick and Dolly generally
+succeeded in getting their own sweet way, as witness the case of Phyllis
+Middleton.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER X
+
+
+                            AN AUCTION SALE
+
+
+Life at Dana Dene settled down into a pleasant routine that was in no
+sense monotony. Every day the sewing and the practising and the
+gardening had their appointed hours. But this left hours and hours of
+play-time, and the twins improved them all.
+
+Phyllis and Dolly were very chummy little companions, and scarcely a day
+passed without their seeing each other.
+
+Dick and Jack Fuller were chums too, and though the twins became
+acquainted with many of the other children in Heatherton, they liked
+these earliest made friends best of all.
+
+Often they went to town, for Dana Dene was about a mile out from the
+village itself. Sometimes they drove in state with the aunties, or
+perhaps less formally, on morning errands. Sometimes they rode on the
+big spring wagon with Pat or Michael, and sometimes on pleasant days,
+they walked.
+
+One delightful afternoon, the aunties had gone to sewing society, and
+the twins were holding a consultation as to what would be the most fun
+for them to do.
+
+“Let’s walk to town and get some soda water,” suggested Dolly.
+
+“All right,” returned Dick; “but we needn’t walk unless we want to.
+Michael’s going down with the wagon. But he isn’t ready yet.”
+
+“Well, let’s walk on, and then when he comes along we can get in, if we
+want to.”
+
+“Yes, and we can ride home, anyway.”
+
+So after arranging with Michael to look out for them on the way, Dick
+and Dolly started off. They loved to walk to town, for there was so much
+of interest along the way. The first part, more or less wooded, showed
+various enticing spots to sit down and rest a while.
+
+Squirrels were apt to come round and be sociable, or birds would sing
+little songs of greeting from the branches. There were always new
+wild-flowers, and just now the wild roses were opening, and daisies were
+in bloom.
+
+And, if they were very cautious, there was always a chance of seeing
+fairies.
+
+Now that Pinkie was understood, Dolly returned to her original idea of
+fairies,—tiny, fragile beings, with wings and wands.
+
+Dick had some doubts as to their existence, but was always on the alert
+to catch sight of them in the woods.
+
+Then, after the woodsy part was passed, came the beginnings of the
+streets, with houses few and far apart; and then the bridge,—always a
+fine place to linger,—and then houses closer together, many of which
+were good stopping-places, and finally the business portion of the
+little town itself.
+
+Here were fascinating shops, with windows delightfully full of tempting
+wares, also a caterer’s shop, where one could choose between cakes and
+ice cream, or candy and soda water.
+
+The twins were allowed fifty cents apiece each week for spending money.
+With this, they could do exactly as they chose, with the stipulation
+that not more than ten cents in one day should be spent for edibles. As
+they conscientiously obeyed this rule, the aunts felt sure they could
+not seriously harm their digestion. And, besides, they did not buy
+sweets every time they went to town. Sometimes it was marbles or tops or
+ribbons for dolls.
+
+On this particular occasion the twins felt specially rich, for they each
+had an untouched half dollar just given them by Aunt Rachel, and they
+had also a goodly portion of the previous week’s income still unspent.
+Not that they expected necessarily to spend it, but it seemed pleasant
+to have their fund with them, and if they should see anything very
+desirable they might purchase it.
+
+So they trudged along, with open minds, ready to accommodate anything
+that offered in the way of interest or pleasure.
+
+As they reached the main street they saw a great crowd of people in
+front of one of the shops, and wondered what the reason might be. Coming
+nearer, they saw a red flag waving over the door, and Dick exclaimed:
+
+“Why, it’s an auction! I never saw one before; come on, Dolly, let’s go
+in.”
+
+So in the twins went, and soon became greatly interested in the
+proceedings.
+
+They edged through the crowd, until they were quite near the auctioneer,
+and then they listened, spellbound, to his discourse. Never having seen
+an auction sale before, the manner of conducting it appealed to them,
+and they breathlessly watched and listened as one lot after another was
+sold to the bidders.
+
+The stock was that of a clothing emporium, and consisted of ready-made
+suits for both men and women.
+
+“I’d like to buy something that way,” said Dick to his sister, “but
+they’re only grown-ups’ clothes, and anyway, they cost too much. If they
+put up anything small I’m going to bid.”
+
+“Maybe they’ll have handkerchiefs or something like that,” suggested
+Dolly, eager also to join the game of bidding.
+
+But there were no small articles for sale, nothing but men’s suits and
+ladies’ costumes, so Dick and Dolly lost hope of being able to bid for
+anything.
+
+They wandered round the place, meeting several people whom they knew,
+and who spoke pleasantly to them. But they were all grown-ups,—there
+were no children there but the twins, so hand in hand they wandered
+about, always drifting back to hear the auctioneer crying out:
+
+“Ten,—ten,—do I hear eleven?” or “Going, going—gone!”
+
+They listened carefully to his phraseology, for they well knew “auction”
+would be one of their favourite games in the near future, and Dick
+wanted to learn the lingo, so that he could play auctioneer after the
+most approved fashion. At last the sale was about over, and the audience
+began to go away. Only a few men remained, and the fixtures of the shop
+were then put up. Office furniture, show-cases and such things were sold
+quickly, and then was put up a lot of wax tailors’ dummies. These wax
+figures, both men and women, were so comical that Dick and Dolly laughed
+aloud to see them put up for sale. It was almost like selling people.
+But the man who bought them didn’t seem to think it funny at all. He bid
+them in, like any other merchandise, but he refused to take one of them,
+saying it was too badly damaged.
+
+This unfortunate one was a wax-faced lady whose cheek was badly dented
+and marred, thus making her undesirable as a window attraction. She was
+carelessly set aside, and the twins looked at her with curiosity.
+
+“Dick,” whispered Dolly, “I’d love to have her! She’d be more fun than a
+big doll. Do you s’pose we could get her?”
+
+“I dunno. It would be fun! We could rig her up, and set her up in the
+playground. How much money have you?”
+
+“Just seventy-seven cents.”
+
+“And I have eighty-six. Let’s ask the man.”
+
+So Dick stepped up to the auctioneer, and said:
+
+“Could you auction up that other wax lady, sir?”
+
+“That one, kid? Why, she’s no good.”
+
+“Not for a shopman, I know, but—if she didn’t cost so much, we’d like
+to have her.”
+
+“You would! Well, you’re two pretty nice little children, suppose I give
+her to you?”
+
+Dick hesitated. It seemed too great a favour, and beside he wanted the
+fun of bidding.
+
+“Well, you see,” he said, “I think we’d rather pay, if it isn’t too
+much, because,—you see,—we want to do that calling out.”
+
+“Oho! You want the real auctioneering game, do you? Well, I’ll have her
+put up.”
+
+The auctioneer was a jolly, good-natured man, and as his task was about
+over, he felt inclined to humour the children.
+
+“Here,” he called to his assistant, “put up that golden-haired goddess.”
+
+Appreciating the situation, the man set the wax dummy upon the platform.
+
+“Here you are!” cried the auctioneer. “What am I bid for this lovely
+lady? Though slightly marred in the face, she has a good heart, and is
+warranted good-tempered and kind. What am I bid?”
+
+Dick hesitated; now that the time had come he felt suddenly shy, and
+felt uncertain how much to offer.
+
+“Ten cents!” came a voice from another part of the room. Then Dick felt
+that he was really in the business at last, and he called out sturdily:
+
+“Fifteen!”
+
+“Fifteen,” echoed the auctioneer. “Fifteen! do I hear any more? Only
+fifteen cents for this beautiful work of art?”
+
+“Twenty!” called the other voice, and for some reason the auctioneer
+scowled.
+
+“Twenty!” he cried; “twenty? Do I hear twenty-five?”
+
+“Twenty-five!” cried Dick, his face all aglow with the excitement of the
+moment.
+
+“Twenty-five!” sang out the auctioneer. “Twenty-five! Is there another
+bid?”
+
+But the menacing face he turned toward the other bidder must have
+silenced him, for he said no more.
+
+“Twenty-five!” went on the auctioneer, quite gaily now. “Twenty-five!
+That seems too cheap for this Prize Beauty. Twenty-five! Is that all?”
+
+It _did_ seem too cheap, and Dick suddenly felt that it ought to bring
+more. Besides, the auctioneer’s voice was persuasive, and so, still in
+the spirit of the game, Dick cried out, “Thirty!”
+
+The auctioneer suddenly choked, and the man in the back of the room
+burst into shouts of laughter, but Dick didn’t mind now. With shining
+eyes, he awaited the auctioneer’s next move, and seeing this, the
+smiling gentleman went on:
+
+“Thirty! Thirty cents for this Darling Dame. She looks like that! Do I
+hear any more? Thirty—going—going——”
+
+“Thirty-five!” said Dolly, timidly, but in clear tones.
+
+Dick looked at her admiringly. Dolly _was_ a trump. He was glad she had
+a part in the great game too.
+
+“Thirty-five!” called the auctioneer, red in the face, but preserving
+his gravity. “Thirty-five!”
+
+“Forty!” cried Dick.
+
+“Forty-five!” said Dolly.
+
+“Fifty!” yelled Dick, smiling at his sister.
+
+“Fifty-five,” she cried, smiling back.
+
+“Stop!” cried the auctioneer, “you two mustn’t bid against each other!”
+
+“Why not?” asked Dick. “We have the money. We’ve more ’n a dollar ’n’ a
+half, together.”
+
+“Yes, but one of you can buy this thing if you really want it. So stop
+bidding, and take it for fifty cents.”
+
+“All right,” agreed Dick, “we’ll each pay twenty-five.”
+
+This plan suited Dolly, and the money was paid at once.
+
+“You have to take your goods with you, you know,” said the auctioneer,
+not unkindly, as he watched the two delighted children.
+
+“Yes, we will,” said Dolly. “Michael’s outside somewhere, with the big
+wagon. He’ll take us all home.”
+
+“You stay here with the lady, Dolly,” said Dick, “and I’ll run out and
+hunt Michael.”
+
+“Go on,” said the auctioneer, “I’ll look after Miss Dolly and her new
+friend both.”
+
+The auctioneer had children of his own, and was greatly interested in
+his two young customers.
+
+“What do you want of this affair?” he asked Dolly, after Dick had gone.
+
+“To play with,” she returned. “I know we can dress her up and have lots
+of fun with her.”
+
+“Perhaps I can find you some clothes for her here,” he offered; “she
+ought to have a hat and shawl.”
+
+“Oh, never mind,” said Dolly, easily; “we’ll take her home, and I think
+Aunt Rachel’s clothes will fit her. If not, we’ll try Hannah’s.”
+
+The wax lady was simply robed in a drab muslin slip, whose plainness
+contrasted strangely with the bright pink of her complexion, the large
+mop of yellow hair, and the waxen forearms—except for her head, neck,
+and forearms the lady was a sort of wire frame, more or less bent.
+
+But Dolly saw wondrous possibilities, and cared not at all that her
+ladyship was so imperfectly arrayed at present.
+
+Dick soon returned, and announced that Michael was outside in the wagon.
+
+The auctioneer’s obliging assistant carried the wax lady to the door,
+and then the twins took it.
+
+“The saints preserve us!” cried Michael; “whativer have ye rascally
+babies been up to now?”
+
+“We’ve bought a lady, Michael,” explained Dolly, “and we want to take
+her home.”
+
+“Well, if so be as she’s your lady, home with us she must go.”
+
+Michael climbed down from his seat, and assisted the “lady” into the
+wagon.
+
+“It’s lyin’ down in the wagon she must ride,” he said. “I’ll have no
+waxen image a-settin’ up on the seat, an’ me, like as not, arristed fer
+kid-nappin’ her! In she goes, and covered up wid these potaty-sacks
+she’ll be, till yez gets her home.”
+
+“All right,” said Dolly, gleefully, “I don’t care. Put her in back, if
+you want to. But be careful, don’t muss up her hair too much!”
+
+At last the “lady” was arranged, and Dick and Dolly clambered up to the
+seat beside Michael, and home they went.
+
+“You see,” Dolly confided to Michael, who was her devoted adorer, “we
+went to an auction, and we bought the lady.”
+
+“An auction! Yez childher! My soul! what will yez be afther doin’ next?”
+
+“It isn’t hard to go to an auction,” said Dick, meditatively. “You just
+find what you want to buy; and then you see how much money you’ve got,
+and then you bid till you get up to it.”
+
+“Yis, that’s a foine way!” said Michael, appreciatively. “An’ yez chose
+the wax scarecrow, did yez? Well, give it to me fer my cornfield, it’ll
+be foine to kape the burrds off!”
+
+“You bad Michael,” said Dolly. “You’re just teasing us. Scarecrow! Why,
+she’s my new doll. I’m going to call her,—what shall we call her,
+Dick?”
+
+“Lady Eliza Dusenbury,” said Dick, promptly, for he was always quick at
+choosing names. “And I say, Dolly, let’s rig her up, hat and all, you
+know, and stand her up in front of the front door, and ring the bell,
+and then hide, and see what Hannah’ll do!”
+
+“All right; don’t you tell, Michael.”
+
+“No, Miss Dolly, I’ll not tell.”
+
+“And you help us, Michael, to get her out and get her fixed up, will
+you?”
+
+“Yis, I’ll help yez, ye good-fer-nothin’ shcamps.”
+
+When Michael indulged in calling them names, the twins knew he was very
+good-natured indeed, so they anticipated great fun.
+
+When they reached Dana Dene, the two children jumped down from the wagon
+and ran into the house. It was easy enough to get in unnoticed, and they
+went straight to Aunt Rachel’s room for clothing for the new friend.
+
+Dolly selected a pretty street suit of dark-blue pongee, made with a
+coat and skirt. She found also a white waist, and a blue hat trimmed
+with cornflowers. This was really enough, but she added a veil and a
+small shopping bag. With these things, the twins hurried to the barn,
+where Michael had the Lady Eliza waiting for them in the carriage house.
+
+Dolly dressed her, and it was surprising how distinguished she looked in
+Aunt Rachel’s costume. It seemed a very good fit, and the flower-trimmed
+hat was most becoming to the frizzled yellow hair.
+
+On account of the scar on her cheek, Dolly put on the thin lace veil,
+which really added to her modish effect. Her arms, which were movable,
+were adjusted at an elegant angle, and the shopping bag was hung on her
+left wrist.
+
+Pat had been taken into confidence, and when all was ready the children
+ran ahead to make sure that the coast was clear.
+
+Discovering that Hannah and Delia were both in the back part of the
+house, they signalled to Michael, and he and Pat assisted Lady Eliza to
+the front door. Then Dolly adjusted her hands, and in the right one,
+which was extended, she placed a visiting card, taken at random from the
+basket in the hall. Then Michael and Pat went away, Dolly hid in some
+nearby bushes, and Dick, after a loud ring at the doorbell, flew, to
+join Dolly in her hiding-place.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XI
+
+
+                          FUN WITH LADY ELIZA
+
+
+Hannah, in her white cap and apron, came at once and opened the door.
+Being a well-trained maid, she stepped back, and held the door open for
+the lady to enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to do so, but
+persistently held out her card, Hannah took it, saying, “The ladies are
+not at home, madam.”
+
+Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah looked at her with some
+curiosity. The lace veil so shrouded her features that they were not
+very discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on the rigid, pale hand,
+she gave a scream:
+
+“My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or fainted?”
+
+Not being able to grasp at once the truth of the matter, Hannah took the
+two cold hands in her own, and shook the lady slightly.
+
+Lady Eliza toppled over, and would have fallen to the floor, but that
+Hannah caught her in her arms, and dragged her into the hall, where she
+dropped her on a large sofa.
+
+“Delia!” she called, flying to the kitchen, “fetch some water. There’s a
+lady fainted!”
+
+Dick and Dolly, unable to restrain themselves longer, came running in,
+and met Hannah, who returned, followed by Delia with a bowl of water.
+
+“Hurry up, Hannah,” cried Dick. “She’s in an awful faint! Can’t you
+bring her to?”
+
+Dolly was dancing around the prostrate form of the visitor, and Michael
+and Pat were peeping in at the front door.
+
+“Ah, ye scallywags!” cried Delia, realising that some mischief was up.
+“What are ye up to, now? Who’s this leddy?”
+
+So lifelike was the whole effect of the figure, that Delia could not at
+first take in the fraud. But when she did, she went off in peals of
+laughter, and Hannah joined in heartily.
+
+“Aren’t ye the smart scamps, now!” cried Delia, proud of the latest
+exploit of the children. “An’ will ye look now, Hannah? That’s Miss
+Rachel’s best blue dress! I’m wonderin’ ye didn’t recognise it!”
+
+“I never thought,” said Hannah, still gazing half-fearfully at the
+figure on the sofa. “I took it for granted it was a friendly visitor.”
+
+Whereupon Dick outspread Lady Eliza’s arms in such a comical way, that
+Delia went off again in fresh bursts of laughter.
+
+“Now to fool the aunties,” said Dick, after the servants had returned to
+their work and Dick and Dolly were left alone with their new possession.
+“How shall we fix it up, Dollums?”
+
+Dolly considered. She was more ingenious than Dick in arranging dramatic
+effects, and at last she said:
+
+“I think we’ll just have her seated in a corner of the veranda, and
+then, when the aunties come home, I’ll tell them there’s a lady waiting
+to see them.”
+
+“Yes, that’ll be fine; let’s fix her now.”
+
+So Lady Eliza Dusenbury was gracefully seated in a piazza chair. Upon
+her knees lay an open magazine, held in place with one slender pink
+hand.
+
+“Those hands give her away, Dolly,” said Dick. “They don’t look a bit
+real.”
+
+“Neither they don’t,” agreed Dolly; “I’ll get gloves.”
+
+She ran upstairs and down again, bringing a pair of light kid gloves
+from Aunt Rachel’s room, which she succeeded in getting on the Lady
+Eliza’s hands.
+
+“That’s a heap better,” said Dick; “now, with the veil, and as its
+getting sort of darkish, I don’t see how they’ll suspect at all.”
+
+Quietly the Lady Eliza sat waiting. Not quite so quietly, Dick and Dolly
+sat on the top step of the veranda, waiting also, and at last Michael,
+who had gone after the Dana ladies, drove them up to the steps.
+
+He had been charged by the twins not to mention their new acquisition,
+so, of course, had not done so.
+
+Dick and Dolly met their aunts, with a smiling welcome, and then Dolly
+said:
+
+“There’s a lady to see you, Aunt Rachel; as you weren’t home when she
+came, she sat down, over there to wait.”
+
+In her pleasant, dignified way, Miss Rachel crossed the veranda,
+followed by Miss Abbie.
+
+Though the ladies had slightly relaxed their “society” manner when
+greeting the twins, they instantly assumed it again as they went to meet
+their visitor.
+
+“Good-afternoon,” said Miss Rachel as she neared the lady reading the
+magazine.
+
+But the stranger did not look up, and Miss Rachel assumed she had not
+heard.
+
+“How do you do?” she said, in louder tones, and held out her hand.
+
+Miss Abbie also approached, and said “Good-afternoon,” and extended her
+hand, but apparently the visitor had no intention of stopping her
+reading.
+
+With no thought other than that the lady was deaf or exceedingly
+preoccupied, Miss Rachel stepped nearer, and said very loudly:
+
+“Good-afternoon!”
+
+Still no response, and now Miss Rachel became frightened.
+
+“She has had a stroke or something,” she exclaimed, and, stooping, she
+peered into the stranger’s face.
+
+“Oh, Abbie! her cheek is hurt! Somebody has struck her, or thrown a
+stone at her. How dreadful!”
+
+Miss Abbie fluttered about.
+
+“Oh, Rachel! How awful! What shall we do? Call for help, but don’t let
+the children come here.”
+
+“Yes, let us come,” cried Dick, as he and Dolly danced toward the group.
+“Let us come, she’s our friend; she’s Lady Eliza Dusenbury.”
+
+“What do you mean?” cried Miss Rachel. “This lady has been hurt somehow.
+Go and call Hannah. Or perhaps we had better send Michael for a doctor.”
+
+“No, don’t, Aunt Rachel,” said Dolly, who was now shrieking with
+laughter. “Lady Eliza isn’t much hurt. But isn’t she a dear!”
+
+Dolly threw her arms round the strange lady’s neck, and patted the
+injured cheek gently. Magazine and shopping bag slid to the floor, but
+otherwise, the stranger made no motion.
+
+“Dolly, behave yourself!” cried Aunt Abbie. “What do you mean by such
+actions? Let the poor lady be! Oh, what shall we do, Rachel?”
+
+But Aunt Rachel had begun to see daylight. The irrepressible mirth of
+the two children told her that there was a joke somewhere, and then, as
+she recognised her own dress and hat, she suspected the truth.
+
+“H’m,” she said; “suppose we take off the poor lady’s veil, and see how
+much she is hurt.”
+
+“Suppose we do,” said Dolly, and she obligingly assisted her aunt to
+remove the veil from Lady Eliza’s beautiful, but scarred face.
+
+“Well!” she exclaimed as she saw the glass eyes and the pink wax face,
+“what _have_ you two been up to, now?”
+
+As for Aunt Abbie, she sank down on a nearby chair, helpless with
+laughter.
+
+Then Aunt Rachel followed her example, and Dick and Dolly danced round
+the three seated figures, while they screamed themselves hoarse with
+glee.
+
+They moved Lady Eliza’s arms into threatening and despairing poses, each
+more ridiculous than the other.
+
+They took off her hat, and breaking bunches of wistaria from the veranda
+vine, they wreathed her golden mop of hair with them.
+
+They took Aunt Rachel’s eyeglasses from the little gold hook on her
+bodice, and perched them on Lady Eliza’s nose, sticking a pin in the wax
+to hold them on. And at each ridiculous demonstration the two aunts
+would become convulsed with laughter.
+
+“Isn’t she lovely!” said Dolly, at last, as she hung around Aunt
+Rachel’s neck, and watched Dick tie the string of a red balloon to Lady
+Eliza’s hand, just so that the balloon kept thumping her in the face.
+
+“She is beautiful,” agreed Aunt Rachel, with a shade of mental
+reservation in her tones. “Where did you get her, and why did you take
+my newest gown to play with?”
+
+“I didn’t know it was your newest gown!” said Dolly, regretfully; but
+Aunt Rachel told her not to mind, they would take it off, and there were
+several older ones that would do equally well for Lady Eliza.
+
+The story of the auction was told, and the aunts had another season of
+mirth over the ridiculous bidding.
+
+“All right,” said Aunt Rachel, after the story was finished, “but never
+bid on anything unless you have enough money to pay for it.”
+
+“We didn’t,” said Dick; “we counted our money first. And truly, this was
+the only thing in the whole auction we wanted.”
+
+“Well, I’m glad you have her. I think you can have good fun with such a
+big doll. To-morrow I’ll find you some clothes.”
+
+Aunt Rachel was as good as her word, and next day she went to the attic
+and found several discarded costumes of her own and Aunt Abbie’s that
+were fine for Eliza. Hats and bonnets, capes and shawls, a parasol and a
+feather boa,—indeed the Lady Eliza soon had a complete and even
+luxurious wardrobe.
+
+Aunt Abbie touched up the injured cheek with some water-colour paints,
+and then the injury scarcely showed at all.
+
+That afternoon the twins prepared to spring the joke on Pinkie and Jack.
+They expected them both to come over and play, and beforehand they got
+the Lady Eliza ready. The arbour in the playground was now nearly
+covered with vines, and formed a well-shaded tent.
+
+In here, at a table, they placed Eliza, her hands meekly in her lap, and
+her face downcast. She wore a black-and-white checked suit, and a black
+hat and veil. Her hands were ungloved, but were filled with flowers,
+which concealed the artificial-looking finger-tips.
+
+Having arranged her exactly to their liking, the twins sat on the
+veranda steps, waiting for their friends. Pinkie came first, and Jack
+came very soon after.
+
+“Let’s go out to the playground,” said Dick, casually.
+
+“All right,” agreed Jack. “It’s too hot for tag; let’s play hide and
+seek.”
+
+They all sauntered toward the playground, and as they nearly reached it,
+Jack said:
+
+“Why, there’s a lady in there!”
+
+“A lady?” said Dick, looking surprised. “What are you talking about?”
+
+“There is,” repeated Jack; “see.”
+
+They all peeped through the vines, and sure enough, a lady was seated at
+the table. Her hands were full of flowers, but she appeared dejected,
+and her head drooped a little.
+
+“It isn’t either of the aunties,” whispered Dolly, “they’re in the
+house.”
+
+“Who is it then?” Jack whispered back, and Pinkie said, “Don’t let’s go
+in, I’m afraid.”
+
+“Afraid of a lady!” said Dick. “Pooh, I’m not. Maybe it’s your mother,
+Pinkie.”
+
+“No, it isn’t,” she replied. “Mother’s at home. Maybe it’s Hannah.”
+
+“What would Hannah be here for?” said Dolly. “Let’s go in and see who it
+is.”
+
+“All right,” said Dick, and he stepped inside. “She won’t speak to me,”
+he said, stepping out again. “You go in, Jack.”
+
+Not wishing to be thought cowardly, Jack stepped into the arbour, and in
+his politest tones, said:
+
+“How do you do, ma’am?”
+
+But the lady did not move, and just looked at Jack with big blue eyes,
+that stared through her black veil.
+
+“She’s a funny lady,” said Jack, rather bewildered. “She won’t speak,
+and she just stares at me.”
+
+“You try, Pinkie,” said Dolly.
+
+So Pinkie went up to the lady, and in her sweet little voice said:
+
+“What’s the matter, lady?”
+
+She, too, received only a blue-eyed stare, and no word of reply.
+
+“Perhaps she’s asleep,” said Dick.
+
+“No, her eyes are wide open,” said Jack, his own eyes also wide open in
+surprise.
+
+“Then she must have fainted,” said Dick; “we must try to bring her to.”
+
+He gave the lady a pat on the shoulder, but still she didn’t stir.
+
+“Hit her harder,” said Dolly. “Don’t hurt her, you know, but you have to
+shake people to make ’em come out of a faint.”
+
+Dick thumped her on the back, and slily bent her arm up until she seemed
+to be shaking her fist at them. The flowers tumbled to the floor, and
+her other arm flew up above her head.
+
+“Oh!” cried Pinkie, and ran farther away from the now
+belligerent-looking lady.
+
+“Oh!” cried Jack, catching on. Then, screaming with laughter, he seized
+the lady’s hand shook it, crying, “How do you do, ma’am! How _do_ you
+do? I’m _so_ glad to meet you!”
+
+Pinkie was still mystified, so Dolly ushered her up to the lady, saying,
+“Miss Pinkie Middleton ’low me to make you ’quainted with Lady Eliza
+Dusenbury!”
+
+Dick had taken off Eliza’s veil, and Pinkie at last realised what sort
+of lady she was meeting.
+
+“Oh, Dolly,” she cried, “where did you get her? Isn’t it fun! I think
+she’s fine!”
+
+“She’s great!” declared Jack. “You fooled me good, old Mr. Dick Dana!
+What’s her name, did you say?”
+
+“Lady Eliza Dusenbury,” said Dick, “but we call her Eliza, if we want
+to. Let’s take her for a ride.”
+
+They got the little express wagon that Dick and Dolly used to cart their
+plants or flower-pots around the gardens in, and lifted Eliza in.
+
+“She’ll have to stand up,” said Dolly, “because she can’t sit down.”
+
+“All right,” said Jack, “we’ll tie her so she won’t upset.”
+
+They fastened her iron pedestal, which served her instead of feet,
+firmly to the wagon, and then proceeded to deck both vehicle and
+passenger with flowers, till it looked like a float in a parade.
+
+Dolly and Pinkie made a gilt paper crown, and wound gilt paper around a
+long rod for a sceptre.
+
+“Oh, let’s make her Queen of the Fairies!” cried Pinkie.
+
+So the dress Eliza had on was changed for a white one. This was decked
+with ribbons and garlands of flowers. Crown and wand were put in place,
+and then the whole four combined their ingenuity to invent wings. At
+last they were cut from thin pasteboard, and covered all over with
+fringed white tissue paper. This fringe, about an inch wide, and cut
+fine, was quickly made, and when pasted on in close rows, gave a lovely
+fluffy appearance to the wings.
+
+A gauzy white veil, spangled with gilt paper stars, floated down from
+the crown, and the Queen of the Fairies presented a most delectable
+appearance.
+
+The express wagon was not good enough for this dream of beauty, so it
+was made into a float, by placing some boards on top of it. This top was
+neatly covered with a sheet and decked with flowers.
+
+Then the Queen of the Fairies was raised to her triumphal car, and her
+four willing subjects drew her about.
+
+Long reins were made by cutting strips of white muslin, and these were
+attached to four prancing little steeds, while the Queen held the ends
+in her waxen hands. The cortège made a tour of the grounds, and drew up
+finally at the house to exhibit their peerless Lady Eliza to the
+aunties, who expressed heartfelt admiration.
+
+“It’s the best plaything ever,” declared Jack, as he and Pinkie went
+home. “We’ll be over to-morrow to play some more.”
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XII
+
+
+                             OBEYING ORDERS
+
+
+“Children,” said Aunt Rachel, one afternoon, as dressed in their best
+calling costumes, she and Aunt Abbie were about to enter the carriage,
+“we are going to make some calls, and about five o’clock I want you to
+meet us at Mrs. Hampton’s, and we will all come home together.”
+
+“Oh, Auntie Rachel,” said Dolly, “I don’t want to go calling to-day. I
+want to play.”
+
+“I know it, dearie, and so I’ve let you off from most of the calls we’re
+making. But I especially want you to be with me at Mrs. Hampton’s, so
+you can play till half-past four, and then get dressed and meet us there
+at five.”
+
+“All right, Auntie,” said Dolly, who was a sunny-tempered little girl,
+after all. “What shall I wear?”
+
+“Put on your new white piqué, and Dick, wear your light-grey suit. Now,
+be sure, children,—be there promptly by five.”
+
+“Yes’m; and if you’re not there shall we wait for you?”
+
+“Yes,” said Aunt Abbie, “wait until we come, no matter what time it is.
+But we’ll be there about five.”
+
+The aunts drove away and the twins played out in the garden until it was
+time to dress.
+
+They started off, looking very demure with their clean clothes and
+freshly-brushed hair.
+
+“I don’t want to go a bit,” said Dolly, with a little sigh, as she
+walked along.
+
+“Neither do I,” replied Dick, “but we have to go, so there’s no use
+making a fuss about it. Where does she live, anyway?”
+
+“Why, I don’t know; I thought Auntie told you.”
+
+“No, she didn’t, but I know it can’t be far, because she said we could
+get there in ten minutes. Here’s old Abe, let’s ask him.”
+
+The twins stopped an old man who was going by in his cart, and who was a
+well-known character in the town.
+
+“Hello, Abe,” said Dick. “Do you know where Mrs. Hampton lives?”
+
+“Sure, my boy. I just came from there, havin’ been doin’ some cartin’
+for her. You see that red-brick house, over beyond those trees?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“Well, it’s the next one beyond,—a white one. You go over that way, and
+anybody’ll direct you.”
+
+“All right; thank you, Abe,” and the old man drove on, while the twins
+followed the direction he had given them.
+
+“I’d like to skip,” said Dolly, “but it makes our shoes all dusty.”
+
+“No, we mustn’t do that,” agreed Dick. “Aunt Rachel would have a cat-fit
+if we weren’t spick and span when we get there.”
+
+So they walked on sedately, only pausing now and then to pick a flower,
+or look at a bird on a branch.
+
+They inquired once more, in order to be sure, and then turned in at Mrs.
+Hampton’s gate. A fine fountain was playing in the front yard, and the
+twins crossed the lawn to see if there were any fish in it. There
+weren’t, but the plash of the cool water was very attractive.
+
+“I’ll dare you to stick your foot in,” said Dick, suddenly.
+
+They stood on the very brink of the fountain basin, and so impossible
+was it for either twin to refuse a “dare,” that Dolly’s immaculate white
+shoe and stocking went flash into the water and out again before she
+realised what she had done.
+
+“Oh, Dick!” she exclaimed; “you made me do that! What will Aunt Rachel
+say?”
+
+“Too bad, Dollums,” said Dick, greatly disturbed at his own part in the
+mischief. “I didn’t think what I was saying.”
+
+“And I didn’t think what I was doing! I dare you to stick _your_ foot
+in!”
+
+Partly because of the dare, and partly because he was quite willing to
+share his sister’s fate, Dick hastily thrust his own neat black shoe and
+stocking in the water.
+
+“There!” he said, as half proudly he drew it out again. “Now we’re
+even!”
+
+“Yes; but how can we go into Mrs. Hampton’s this way?”
+
+“Perhaps they won’t notice. Mine doesn’t feel very wet, does yours?”
+
+“Sopping! and they’ll drip all over her carpet.”
+
+“Let’s wipe them on the grass.”
+
+But the green grass did not improve the appearance of Dolly’s white
+shoe, though Dick’s black one didn’t show the effects of the bath so
+plainly.
+
+“Come on, Dolly, we may as well face the music.”
+
+They went on toward the house, and the dust of the footpath settled on
+Dick’s wet shoe and stocking until he was quite as untidy looking as his
+sister.
+
+“Wow! isn’t it soppy!” he exclaimed as the water in his shoe oozed and
+spattered out.
+
+“Horrid! I don’t see why we did it!”
+
+“Well, keep up a brave face, maybe the parlour will be sort of dark and
+they won’t notice.”
+
+They rang the bell, and a maid opened the door.
+
+“Is Mrs. Hampton in?” said Dolly, in her, sweetest tones.
+
+“Yes; walk in the drawing-room. What names?”
+
+“Miss Dana and Mr. Dana,” said Dolly, and was about to explain that they
+had come to meet their aunts, when the maid disappeared.
+
+She returned to say that Mrs. Hampton would appear presently, and for
+them to wait.
+
+“’Course we’ll wait,” said Dick to Dolly, as the maid again left them.
+“The aunties aren’t here on time, after all. P’raps our feet’ll dry
+before they come.”
+
+“I wish there was a fire. I’m dripping on this pretty light carpet.
+Dick, let’s go out in the kitchen or some place, and find a fire.”
+
+“All right, come on.”
+
+They left the drawing-room, and as they crossed the hall they saw a
+bright wood fire in a room across the hall, evidently the library. So
+they went in, and drawing up two big chairs, they sat down and held
+their two wet feet to the crackling blaze.
+
+“This is gay,” said Dick, leaning back in his chair with a sigh of
+satisfaction. “We’ll be all dry in a few minutes, Doll.”
+
+“Yes; but I wish Aunt Rachel would come before Mrs. Hampton comes down.
+I don’t know her. Do you?”
+
+“Nope; never saw her. But the aunties are bound to be here soon. It’s
+quarter-past five, now.”
+
+“What _are_ you children doing?” said a voice behind them, and Dick and
+Dolly jumped from their chairs, and saw a lady coming toward them. She
+was a very pretty lady, in a trailing silk house gown, and lots of
+frizzy light hair.
+
+Dolly thought she looked a little like Lady Eliza, and not at all like
+any of Aunt Rachel’s other friends.
+
+“How do you do?” said Dolly, making her curtsey prettily, while Dick
+bobbed his head.
+
+“How do you do?” returned Mrs. Hampton, “but who are you?”
+
+“We’re Dolly and Dick Dana,” said Dick, “and our aunties said for us to
+meet them here at five o’clock. But they don’t seem to be here yet.”
+
+“No; they’re not. Are your aunties Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie Dana?”
+
+“Yes’m; and they said they would call here this afternoon.”
+
+“And they told us if they weren’t here to wait till they came,” said
+Dolly.
+
+“Yes?” said Mrs. Hampton, looking at her quizzically. “And why are you
+sitting almost into the fire? It’s a warm day.”
+
+“Yes,” said Dolly, “but you see, we stepped into the fountain as we came
+along, and so we’re just drying our feet.”
+
+“That’s a very good idea,” and Mrs. Hampton’s smiling eyes were as
+pleasant as if stepping into fountains was quite usual for her guests.
+“And so your aunts are coming to call on me?”
+
+“Yes, at five o’clock. But they seem to be late, so, if you please,
+we’ll wait for them.”
+
+They waited until half-past five, and then until quarter of six, and
+still the Dana ladies didn’t come. The twins grew very impatient, for it
+was most irksome to have to sit and talk polite conversation with a
+grown-up lady.
+
+Mrs. Hampton asked so many questions too. Very impertinent questions
+they seemed to Dick, though he answered to the best of his ability.
+
+Mrs. Hampton was smiling and pleasant, and seemed interested in hearing
+about the Dana establishment, but still Dick and Dolly felt
+uncomfortable, and wished their aunts would come.
+
+At six o’clock Mrs. Hampton said she felt sure the aunts had changed
+their plans, and were not coming, and she delicately hinted that she
+would send the twins home.
+
+“No,” said Dick, positively; “we must stay here till they come. Aunt
+Abbie said to wait, no matter what time it was. And, besides, if they
+have changed their plans, and are not coming here, they’d send Michael
+for us, anyway.”
+
+Dolly agreed to this, and the two little martyrs sat for another
+half-hour.
+
+“Well, if you stay any longer, you must stay to dinner,” said Mrs.
+Hampton at last. “Do you sit up to dinner at home?”
+
+“We have supper at night,” said Dolly, and her lip quivered a little,
+for she was beginning to feel anxious about her aunts.
+
+“Well, I have dinner at night,—at eight o’clock.”
+
+“At eight o’clock!” exclaimed Dolly. “Don’t you get awfully hungry
+before that time?”
+
+“No, I don’t,” said Mrs. Hampton, smiling; “but I’m sure you
+chickabiddies will. So suppose I give you a nice little supper up in my
+sitting-room, and excuse you from dinner? I have guests coming, and it
+isn’t exactly a children’s party, you see.”
+
+“But we’re not going to stay here all night!” exclaimed Dolly in dismay.
+
+“It looks that way to me,” said Mrs. Hampton. “I offered to send you
+home, and you said no. Now I feel sure your aunts won’t come,—it’s too
+late for them, and if you’re bound to wait for them, I can offer you
+supper and pleasant sleeping rooms,—but I can’t invite you to dinner.”
+
+The twins were uncertain what to do. But after all, they had no choice.
+Aunt Rachel had told them to wait until she came, and Aunt Rachel’s
+orders were always to be obeyed. To be sure something might have
+happened to prevent the aunties from carrying out their plan of calling
+on Mrs. Hampton, but even so, they would have sent for the children. And
+if they had gone home, they would surely send Michael over for them at
+once. It wasn’t as if the aunties didn’t know where they were. They had
+sent them to Mrs. Hampton’s, and told them to wait there. So they
+waited.
+
+They thought Mrs. Hampton seemed a little annoyed because they waited.
+But as Dick said to Dolly, “I’m not going to disobey Aunt Rachel for
+another lady. But all the same, Dollums, I do want to go home.”
+
+“So do I,” said Dolly, “I think it’s horrid here.”
+
+It wasn’t really horrid at all, but to be unwelcome guests in a strange
+house is not especially pleasant, no matter how pretty the house may be.
+
+The twins had been taken up to Mrs. Hampton’s sitting-room, and in
+charge of a maid, had been served with a delightful little supper. Bread
+and milk, jam, fresh strawberries, and dear little cakes, followed by
+ice cream, made a goodly feast indeed. After it, their spirits rose a
+little, and they ate their ice cream with smiling faces.
+
+“I think the aunties decided to come this evening instead of afternoon,”
+said Dick, unable to think of any other explanation.
+
+“They never do make calls in the evening but perhaps that’s it,” said
+Dolly, doubtfully. “I hear people coming in, Dick, let’s go and look
+over the banisters.”
+
+Carrying their ice cream plates with them the twins stepped out into the
+hall and looked over the banisters on the scene below.
+
+It was a fascinating glow of lights and flowers and ladies and gentlemen
+in evening dress, for the dinner guests had come, and were standing
+about, engaged in conversation.
+
+Dolly was enchanted with the grand ladies, with jewels in their hair,
+and with low-necked gowns, and Dick, too, leaned over the banister to
+see the gay scene. So absorbed were they that they did not heed their
+melting ice cream, and, almost at the same moment, the soft, cold mass
+slid from each tipped-up plate, on the heads and shoulders of the ladies
+and gentlemen below.
+
+Such a shriek of dismay as arose brought Dick and Dolly to a realisation
+of what they had done, and in an agony of mortification they fled back
+to the sitting-room.
+
+Here Mrs. Hampton found them, their heads buried in sofa pillows, and
+crying in muffled paroxysms.
+
+“You must go home,” she said, and her cold, hard tones were more of a
+reproof than any words could have been. “My coachman will take you, and
+I wish you to go at once.”
+
+“We wish to go, Mrs. Hampton,” said Dolly, striving to choke back her
+tears while she made some sort of apology. “We’re very sorry we came,
+and we’re ’ceeding sorry we spilled the ice cream. It was very good.”
+
+This sounded as if Dolly merely regretted the loss of the dainty, but it
+was not so. She meant to compliment the supper that had been given them,
+but, what with their worry over Aunt Rachel’s absence, their own
+homesickness, and the awful accident of the ice cream, both children
+were completely upset.
+
+“Please forgive us,” said Dick, holding out his little hand. “We’ve had
+a lovely time,—and,—and we hope you’ll come to see us.”
+
+“I can’t make you out!” said Mrs. Hampton, looking at the children in
+perplexity. “I thought you threw down that ice cream purposely.”
+
+“Oh, no!” cried both twins at once, and Dolly went on eagerly: “you see,
+we never saw low-necked ladies and gentlemen at a party before; and we
+were so awfully interested, we leaned over to see better, and I s’pose
+the gas-lights heated up our ice cream and melted it, and it just
+slipped off the plates.”
+
+“We ought to have held the plates more level,” said Dick, thoughtfully;
+“I’m sorry we didn’t.”
+
+“I’m sorry, too, for you mortified me terribly and annoyed my guests,
+which was worse.”
+
+“It’s terrible!” said Dolly, with a sigh. “I don’t see how you _can_
+forgive us.”
+
+“I couldn’t if you weren’t such a sweet little culprit,” said Mrs.
+Hampton, smiling, and catching Dolly in her arms and kissing her. Then
+she kissed Dick too, and, still smiling, she hurried away.
+
+The maid found the children’s hats, and hurried them down the back
+stairs, where the coachman was waiting for them. Evidently the servants
+were not as forgiving as Mrs. Hampton, for Dick and Dolly were fairly
+hustled into the carriage, the door was banged shut, and they were
+rapidly driven homeward.
+
+At Dana Dene, they were met on the threshold by two very
+frightened-looking ladies, and while Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie each
+clasped a twin in her arms, the Hampton carriage drove away.
+
+“You _dear_ babies! where have you been?” cried Aunt Abbie, while Aunt
+Rachel squeezed Dick with an affection too deep for words.
+
+“Where have we been?” cried Dick, in amazement. “Why, we’ve been at Mrs.
+Hampton’s, where you told us to go, and wait for you. We’ve been waiting
+there ever since five o’clock!”
+
+“Why, Dickie, dear,” expostulated Miss Rachel, “we went to Mrs.
+Hampton’s at five o’clock, and waited there for you until nearly six!
+Then we came home, and ever since we’ve been nearly frantic because we
+didn’t know where you were. Michael and Pat have been out hunting with
+lanterns.”
+
+“But, Auntie, dear,” said Dolly, “we _did_ go to Mrs. Hampton’s, and
+after we waited and waited, and you didn’t come, she gave us supper in
+her sitting-room, ’cause she had a dinner party in the dining-room, and
+the ladies had on beautiful frocks, all lacy and low-necked, and we
+spilled ice cream on ’em!”
+
+“What!”
+
+“Yes’m; we didn’t mean to, you know, but it melted.”
+
+“Dolly, what _are_ you talking about? Mrs. Hampton is not having a
+dinner party this evening. I just left there at six o’clock, so I know.”
+
+“Well, _our_ Mrs. Hampton is,” said Dick. “Are there two Mrs. Hamptons
+in Heatherton, auntie?”
+
+“No, of course there aren’t! I wonder where you _have_ been!”
+
+“Well, she _is_ Mrs. Hampton, we called her that, and so did the maid.
+It’s a beautiful house,—with a great big open round in the hall, where
+you can look down,—and a fountain outside.”
+
+Miss Rachel sent for Michael.
+
+“Michael,” said she, “where do you suppose these children have been?
+Whose carriage brought them home?”
+
+“I don’t know, Miss Rachel. It’s a new turnout in Heatherton. All swell,
+jingly harness and livery, an’ the like o’ that.”
+
+“Dolly says they live in a big white house with a fountain in front.”
+
+“Arrah, thin, it’s the new people as is afther takin’ the Van Zandt
+place. A widdy lady of great forchin, I’m towld; an’ be the same token,
+I do belave they said her name was Hampden, or somethin’ like that.”
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIII
+
+
+                               AUNT NINE
+
+
+Of course that was the explanation. Mrs. Hampden was a wealthy young
+widow who had just came to Heatherton to live. The Dana ladies did not
+know her, and probably never would have known her had it not been for
+the twins’ escapade.
+
+For lively little Mrs. Hampden belonged to a gay, modern set that had
+little in common with the Dana ladies’ older and more conservative
+circle of friends. Also, she was not at all like the Mrs. Hampton on
+whom Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie were calling, and where the twins were
+expected to meet them.
+
+But as the real fault lay at the aunties’ door, inasmuch as they had not
+given the twins sufficiently explicit directions, it did not seem fair
+to blame Dick and Dolly.
+
+And after hearing the story the twins told, Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie
+saw that it was their duty to call on Mrs. Hampden, and apologise for
+the trouble the children had made for her.
+
+This was not a pleasant or an easy thing to do, but as it turned out,
+Mrs. Hampden was so flattered at having the Dana ladies call on her that
+she willingly forgave the children’s escapade, and begged that they
+might be allowed to come to see her again.
+
+This was not promised, for Miss Rachel Dana of Dana Dene was very
+careful about making new acquaintances, and considered her present
+visiting list quite long enough. The children themselves had no wish to
+go again to the house where they had met with such an untoward accident,
+and so the incident was closed, and the aunts trusted that Mrs. Hampden
+would not return their call.
+
+“But I do think,” said Aunt Abbie, as they discussed the matter at home,
+“that you two children ought to be reproved for spilling that ice
+cream.”
+
+“I think so, too,” said Dick, cheerfully, “but ’course you know, auntie,
+that we didn’t mean to do it.”
+
+“Certainly,” said Aunt Abbie, with some asperity, “I don’t suppose you
+poured it down on the people purposely. But you are quite old enough to
+know better than to walk about with saucers of food in your hands.”
+
+“So we are!” said Dolly, as if surprised at the fact. “Aunt Abbie, I do
+believe we’re ’ceedingly bad children!”
+
+“Not exactly that,” said Aunt Abbie, smiling in spite of herself, “but
+you are exceedingly thoughtless, and I want you to strive to correct
+that fault.”
+
+“Yes’m,” said Dick, earnestly, “we’ll strive like fury. Honest, we will,
+Aunt Abbie. Won’t we, Doll?”
+
+“Yes, indeedy!” agreed Dolly, with a very affirmative wagging of her
+head. “And now, if you’re all through scolding, Aunt Abbie, may we kiss
+you?”
+
+Then, without waiting for the requested permission, both children
+tumbled themselves upon Miss Abbie, and gave her the soft answer that
+turneth away wrath. For who could continue to reprove two affectionate
+small persons, whose chubby arms flew about in wild caresses, and whose
+insistent kisses fell just wherever they happened to land? But Miss
+Abbie Dana was determined to instil some sense of decorum into her young
+charges, so when released from their embraces, she began again:
+
+“Now that’s another thing, children; I want you to love me, of course.
+But it seems to me you needn’t be so—so——”
+
+“Rampageous?” volunteered Dick. “That’s what Pat says we are.”
+
+“We can’t help it, auntie,” said Dolly, fixing her big brown eyes
+solemnly on her aunt. “You see, we’re so ’thusiastic that when we love
+anybody we love ’em fearful! And we just ’dore you and Aunt Rachel.
+Don’t we, Dick?”
+
+“Well, I guess!” and then Miss Abbie had to stand another series of pats
+and kisses, which, in view of the recent conversation, the twins made a
+little less boisterous.
+
+“Well, you’re dear little twinsies,” said Aunt Abbie, as at last they
+ran away.
+
+“And,” she added to herself, “I think I can make them improve their
+manners by just keeping at it.”
+
+Poor Miss Abbie wanted to bring the children up rightly, but the work
+was so new to her she didn’t know exactly how to conduct it.
+
+As for Miss Rachel, she vibrated between over-indulgence and
+over-severity, an occasion of one being conscientiously followed by the
+other.
+
+So the twins nearly always had their own sweet way, and as, though
+sometimes thoughtless, they were not mischievous children, Dana Dene was
+brighter and happier for their presence.
+
+One Monday the aunties were getting ready for the Reading Circle, which
+was to meet at Dana Dene in the afternoon. It was very inconvenient for
+all the members that the club should meet on washdays, but as it always
+had done so, of course that couldn’t be changed.
+
+Some ladies had the washing put off till Tuesday, but life at Dana Dene
+was far too methodical for that.
+
+So when the club was expected, Delia tried to get her wash all hung out
+by noon, and so be ready to help in the afternoon. For, though the club
+didn’t assemble until three o’clock, and tea was served at five, there
+was much to be done in the way of prinking up the house for the
+occasion. The twins were allowed to help, and Dolly dusted, and brought
+water for the flower vases, and helped adjust fresh pillow-shams and
+bureau covers, until Aunt Rachel declared she didn’t know how she ever
+got ready for Reading Circle without Dolly’s help. And Dick’s as well;
+for he cut flowers, and ran lots of errands, and did lots of useful
+things.
+
+And when, at about eleven o’clock, he saw the telegram boy coming with a
+yellow envelope, he took it and flew to Aunt Rachel with it faster than
+any one else could have done.
+
+“For gracious goodness’ sake!” exclaimed Miss Rachel as she read it;
+“Aunt Nine is coming to dinner to-day!”
+
+“To-day!” said Miss Abbie in a tone positively tragic, as she sank down
+in a big chair. “Why, she can’t, Rachel! It’s after eleven now, and the
+Reading Circle coming at three, and nothing but cold beef for dinner!”
+
+“It doesn’t matter whether she can or not; she’s coming,” and Miss
+Rachel, who had turned fairly white with dismay, sat down opposite her
+sister.
+
+“Who’s Aunt Nine? What a funny name!” cried Dick, dancing around in
+excited curiosity.
+
+Dolly picked up the telegram, which had fluttered to the floor.
+
+“‘Will arrive at twelve-thirty,’” she read; “‘meet me at the station.’”
+
+“Why, it’s signed ‘P. Dana,’” said Dick. “How can P. Dana be Aunt Nine?
+How can it, Aunt Abbie?” He squeezed into the big chair beside Miss
+Abbie, and patted her cheek to attract her attention. “How can it? How
+does P. stand for Nine? Or do you mean nine aunts are coming? Oh, Doll,
+wouldn’t that be fun?”
+
+“Tell me,” urged Dolly, squeezing herself into Aunt Rachel’s lap, “tell
+me first, auntie, ’fore Dick knows. Quick, tell me! Who’s Aunt Nine?
+What does it mean?”
+
+“Oh, Dolly, for mercy’s sake don’t bother me now! She’s Aunt Penninah,
+your great-aunt, of course. We always call her Aunt Nine. And she’s the
+most particular, fussy, pernicketty old lady in the world!”
+
+“Oh, she’s dreadful!” sighed Aunt Abbie. “We always spend weeks getting
+ready for her. She never came so unexpectedly before.”
+
+“But the house is all in order,” suggested Dolly, anxious to be
+comforting.
+
+“Yes, for the Reading Circle. But not for Aunt Penninah. She looks into
+every cupboard and storeroom, and, besides, we’ve nothing for dinner.”
+
+“I’ll go get something,” offered Dick. “What do you want?”
+
+“Oh, I don’t know! I don’t know!” groaned Miss Rachel. “Go and send
+Hannah here. And it’s wash-day, too! And the Reading Club! Oh, what can
+we do?”
+
+But after the first surprise and bewilderment were over, the Dana ladies
+rose to the occasion, and did the best they could.
+
+Michael was sent to town for supplies, Hannah was instructed to set the
+table with special elaboration, and Aunt Abbie herself went into the
+kitchen and whisked up a pudding.
+
+Delia was still at her washing, and Pat was putting finishing touches to
+the lawn and flower-beds so they could not be disturbed.
+
+The twins flew about in earnest endeavours to help, but after their
+breaking a cut-glass vase, and upsetting a small table of bric-à-brac,
+Aunt Rachel lost patience.
+
+“Dick and Dolly,” she said, “you go upstairs and stay either in your own
+rooms or in your playroom until dinner is served at one o’clock! Do you
+understand? No; I’m not scolding, but I’m so put about that you two
+simply drive me distracted! Now obey me exactly, for that’s all you can
+do to help. Come down to the library at five minutes to one,—not a
+minute before. And see that you’re spandy clean, and very nicely
+dressed. Put on your blue lawn, Dolly, and tie your hair ribbons
+carefully.”
+
+“Yes’m; Dick’ll tie ’em for me. He does it just lovely.”
+
+Subdued by Aunt Rachel’s desperate manner, the twins crept away,
+resolved to be very good, and do exactly as they were told.
+
+“It isn’t twelve yet,” said Dick; “no use dressing now. We’d only get
+all rumpled up. Let’s go up in the playroom.”
+
+So up they went, and began to play with Lady Eliza.
+
+“Hello, ’Liza!” cried Dick, shaking her wax hand cordially. “I haven’t
+seen you in some time. Are you well?”
+
+“Pretty well,” said Dolly in a squeaky voice. It was part of their play
+that, whenever either twin spoke to Lady Eliza, the other twin was to
+answer for her.
+
+“Pretty well. But I’m tired of this old frock,—I want a change.”
+
+“All right,” said Dick; “we’ll fix you up. Let’s rig her up gay, Doll,
+and we’ll show her off to Aunt Nine.”
+
+“All right,” and Dolly flew to the trunk that contained Lady Eliza’s
+wardrobe.
+
+They selected an old-fashioned blue silk dress that Aunt Rachel had
+given them, and proceeded to array Eliza in it. Then Dolly dressed her
+hair. She loved to do this, for Eliza’s hair was very profuse, if not of
+very fine texture, and soon Dolly had built a fine array of puffs and
+curls, with a fancy ornament of blue and silver tucked in at the side.
+
+Then, desiring to make her very grand, Dolly put a necklace of her own
+round Eliza’s neck, and added several long strings of beads, hung with
+various trinkets.
+
+“How do I look?” said Dolly in the squeaky voice that always represented
+Lady Eliza’s talking.
+
+“You look gay,” said Dick. “Perhaps this afternoon you’ll meet a grand
+lady, Miss Nine Dana. I hope you’ll behave properly.”
+
+“Oh, I’ll behave lovely,” squeaked Eliza, and then the twins ran away to
+dress for dinner. By quarter of one they were all ready.
+
+Dolly looked very sweet and demure in her frilly blue lawn, and her
+beautiful hair was tied with a big white bow which Dick had skilfully
+arranged. By practice his deft little fingers had conquered the science
+of tying bows, so Dolly’s hair ribbons were always marvels of correct
+proportions.
+
+They had promised not to go to the library until five minutes of one,
+and the ten minutes intervening seemed interminable. They drifted back
+to the playroom to say good-by to Eliza, when Dick had an inspiration.
+
+“Let’s take her down,” he said, “and put her in the dining-room to greet
+Aunt Nine when we all go out to dinner.”
+
+“Let’s!” cried Dolly, and in a jiffy they were carrying the Lady Eliza
+Dusenbury silently down the back stairs. By good luck they didn’t
+encounter Hannah or the aunties, and they reached the dining-room in
+safety.
+
+“Where shall we stand her?” said Dick. “In the bay window?”
+
+“No,” said Dolly. “Let’s sit her at the table.”
+
+“She won’t sit.”
+
+“Well, we’ll sort of slide her under; if we put her in Aunt Rachel’s big
+chair she’ll be all right.”
+
+They propped Eliza into the chair, and though she seemed to be falling
+backward in a swoon, her bright eyes and pink cheeks betokened good
+health. Her elaborate costume looked fine at the prettily set table, and
+Dick moved her arms about until they seemed extended in welcome.
+
+“That’s fine!” said Dolly, nodding admiringly at the tableau.
+
+“This is finer!” cried Dick, and taking the large carving-knife from the
+table, he thrust it into Eliza’s outstretched hand. This was easily done
+by sticking the knife handle partly up her long tight sleeve, and her
+effect, as she brandished the glittering steel, was now ferocious.
+
+“Gay!” cried Dolly; “won’t they be s’prised! Come on, Dick, it’s five
+minutes to one.”
+
+The twins, hand in hand, went into the library, and with their best
+curtseys were presented to Aunt Penninah.
+
+“These are the children, Aunt Nine,” said Miss Rachel, and Dick and
+Dolly saw, sitting an a big armchair, the most imposing-looking
+personage they had ever met.
+
+Miss Penninah Dana was a large and very tall woman, with white hair, and
+large, piercing black eyes that seemed to see everything.
+
+“H’m; twins, are you?” she said, looking at them over her eyeglasses.
+“You seem very demure. Are you always so quiet?”
+
+Dick rolled his eyes toward Aunt Rachel.
+
+“Shall we show her?” he whispered, quite ready to pounce on the new aunt
+if desired.
+
+“Mercy, no!” said Miss Rachel. “Do behave, if you can.”
+
+“Well,” said Dick, answering Aunt Nine’s question, “we’re _not_ always
+so quiet. But to-day we’re trying to be good because you’re here, and
+the Reading Circle is coming.”
+
+“But sometimes we’re good when there isn’t company, too,” put in Dolly,
+not wanting to be misjudged.
+
+“I’m surprised at that!” said Aunt Nine, but there was a merry gleam in
+her eye, and somehow the twins began to think they were going to like
+her in spite of her majestic appearance.
+
+Then dinner was announced, and, as the guest arose, the children were
+impressed afresh with her evident importance.
+
+She walked like a duchess, and seemed to expect everybody to dance
+attendance upon her.
+
+Aunt Rachel picked up her handkerchief, and Aunt Abbie her vinaigrette,
+for she dropped them both as she rose.
+
+The twins, greatly interested, walked behind, and they all started
+toward the dining-room.
+
+As they neared the door, the hostesses stepped back and Aunt Penninah
+stalked stiffly into the room.
+
+Perhaps it was not to be wondered at, for the figure at the table was
+certainly startling to look at, and the glittering carving knife was
+aimed straight at her, but Aunt Penninah threw up both her hands, gave a
+fearful shriek, and fainted dead away!
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIV
+
+
+                              A CORONATION
+
+
+“Oh, Aunt Nine, what _is_ the matter?” cried Miss Rachel, bending over
+her, while Miss Abbie fluttered around distractedly.
+
+They had not yet seen Lady Eliza, as they were so engrossed with their
+stricken guest.
+
+Nor did it occur to Dick and Dolly, at first, that it was their beloved
+Eliza that had caused the trouble.
+
+Aunt Penninah began to revive, as Miss Rachel sprinkled water in her
+face, and Miss Abbie held her strong smelling-salts to her nose.
+
+“Who is it?” she asked, faintly, sitting up on the floor, and pointing
+to the dangerous-looking person with the carving knife.
+
+“Oh,” cried Dolly, “if she wasn’t scared at Lady Eliza! Why, that’s
+nobody, Aunt Nine! Only just a wax doll.”
+
+“Take that thing away!” said Miss Rachel, sternly, as she realised what
+had happened.
+
+Dick and Dolly fairly jumped. Aunt Rachel had never spoken to them in
+that tone before, and they suddenly realised that it had been naughty to
+put Eliza at the table, though they had thought it only a joke.
+Silently, the twins began to lift Eliza from her chair, when Aunt Nine
+screamed out:
+
+“Come away, children! You’ll be killed! Oh, Rachel, who is she?”
+
+“Nobody, Aunt Nine. It’s a doll, a wax dummy that belongs to the
+children. They put her there for fun, I suppose.”
+
+“Fun!” roared Aunt Penninah, glaring at the twins. “Do you call it _fun_
+to frighten me out of my senses?”
+
+As her speech and manner nearly frightened the twins out of _their_
+senses, they were pretty nearly even, but apparently the old lady was
+waiting for an answer.
+
+“We _thought_ it would be fun,” said Dolly, truthfully. “You see, we
+didn’t know how easily you scared.”
+
+“Easily scared, indeed! Who wouldn’t be scared to come into a room and
+find a strange woman brandishing a carving knife in my very face! A nice
+pair of children you are! Leave the room at once,—or else I shall!”
+
+Dick and Dolly were bewildered by this tornado of wrath, and began to
+edge toward the hall door, keeping out of reach of the irate lady.
+
+But Miss Rachel, though deeply mortified and seriously annoyed at the
+twins’ mischief, was a strong stickler for justice, and she well knew,
+Dick and Dolly had meant only a harmless joke.
+
+“Now, Aunt Nine,” she said; “don’t take this so seriously. The children
+meant no harm, they wanted to amuse you; and had it not been for the
+carving knife, I daresay you would have found the Lady Eliza very funny
+indeed.”
+
+“Funny! that horrible thing with her staring eyes! Take her away so I
+can eat my dinner!”
+
+At a gesture from Aunt Abbie, Hannah and Dick removed the offending
+Eliza, and returned the carving knife to the sideboard. As Eliza was a
+great friend of both Hannah and Delia, she was allowed to stand in the
+butler’s pantry all through dinner time.
+
+“Well, what do you say, Aunt Nine?” said Aunt Abbie, “may the twins sit
+at table, or would you rather have them sent from the room?”
+
+“Oh, let them stay,” said the old lady, not very graciously. “I’ve no
+desire to be too severe, but that awful sight shocked my nerves, and I
+may never get over it.”
+
+This awful outlook grieved Dolly’s tender heart, and she flew to the old
+lady and clasped her hand, while she said:
+
+“I’m _so_ sorry, Aunt Nine! I didn’t know you had nerves, and I thought
+you’d be ’mused to see Lady Eliza sitting there. I don’t know _how_ we
+happened to give her the carving knife. But we ’most always put
+_something_ in her hand. I wish we’d thought of a fan! That would have
+been pretty, and it wouldn’t have hurt your nervousness,—would it?”
+
+“Perhaps not,” said Aunt Penninah, grimly, but she couldn’t help smiling
+at pretty little Dolly, who was caressing her be-ringed old hand, and
+looking imploringly up into her face.
+
+Then she turned to Dick.
+
+“And how about you, sir?” she said. “Did you think it amusing to
+threaten a guest with a carving-knife?”
+
+Dick came over and looked at her with his straightforward eyes.
+
+“I didn’t mean to threaten you, of course,” he said. “But it _was_
+naughty, and I’m sorry,—we’re both sorry,—and can we do _anything_ to
+make you forgive us?”
+
+“No, you can’t,” said Aunt Penninah, “but when you look at me like
+that,—with your father’s very eyes,—there is no question of
+forgiveness. You’re all Dana—both of you!”
+
+And then the strange old lady kissed both the twins and peace was
+restored all around.
+
+Dinner went on smoothly. Miss Abbie and Miss Rachel were secretly
+impatient, because there was much yet to be done before the Reading
+Circle came, but Miss Penninah’s presence admitted of no scanting of
+ceremony.
+
+Hannah’s service was more punctilious than the twins had ever before
+known it, for Hannah had been at Dana Dene many years, and knew the
+exactions and demands of a visit from Miss Penninah.
+
+But at last the lengthy meal reached its close.
+
+“Will you go to your room for a rest, Aunt Nine?” said Miss Abbie,
+hopefully, as they rose from the table.
+
+“No, I won’t; I’m not tired at all. I’ll make the further acquaintance
+of these very astonishing young relatives of mine.”
+
+“Oh, do, Aunt Nine! Do come and play with us!” cried Dick, with such
+unmistakable sincerity that the old lady was greatly pleased.
+
+“Yes, come out and see our gardens,” said Dolly, dancing by her side,
+and to the great relief of the other two aunties, Miss Penninah walked
+off with the twins.
+
+Then Hannah and the two ladies flew ’round like mad. They put leaves in
+the table until it was as long as possible; they set it with all the
+best china and glass and silver for the Reading Circle’s tea. For the
+feast was not a tea at all, but a most elaborate supper, and Aunt Nine’s
+coming had sadly delayed the preparations.
+
+Meantime, that elderly dame was walking round the children’s playground.
+She was greatly pleased with their gardens, and was surprised to learn
+that they tilled and weeded them all themselves.
+
+“You’re really very smart little people,” she said, “and quite worthy to
+bear the Dana name.”
+
+The twins were flattered, for they well knew how highly all their aunts
+thought of the Dana name, and, too, they had already begun to like the
+peculiar old lady who had scolded them so harshly at the very beginning
+of their acquaintance.
+
+When it was nearly time for the ladies of the Reading Circle to arrive,
+Aunt Rachel told the twins they must go out to their playground and stay
+there all the afternoon.
+
+“For,” she said, “I cannot run the risk of having some ridiculous thing
+happen during our programme. You don’t mean to do wrong, but you’re just
+as likely as not to stand Lady Eliza up beside our President when she’s
+making her address. So take Eliza with you, and go out to the garden,
+and stay there until Delia rings the bell, or Hannah comes to call you.”
+
+“All right,” said Dick, “and if any of the boys or girls come over, may
+Hannah send them out there to us?”
+
+“Yes, I’ll tell her. Now, run along.”
+
+They ran along, though slowly, because of Lady Eliza’s difficult
+transportation. But at last they reached the playground, and stood Eliza
+in a corner, ready for action when they needed her.
+
+“Jiminy Crickets!” remarked Dick, “but Aunt Nine’s the funny old lady,
+isn’t she, Doll?”
+
+“Yep; but I sort of like her. After she got through blowing us up, she
+was real jolly.”
+
+“Yes, and wasn’t Auntie Rachel the brick to stand up for us at dinner
+time?”
+
+“She was so. I wonder how long Aunt Nine is going to stay.”
+
+“I dunno. A week, I guess. Hello, here comes Pinkie. Hello, Pinkie!”
+
+“Hello!” she returned, and then almost before she and Dolly had said
+“Hello!” Jack Fuller came.
+
+This quartette were almost always together on pleasant afternoons, and
+as Dana Dene had attractions that the other homes didn’t possess, they
+played there oftener than elsewhere.
+
+“Hello, Lady Eliza Dusenbury,” said Jack, shaking hands with that silent
+partner.
+
+Of course, all the boys and girls knew Lady Eliza now, and indeed the
+citizens of the village had ceased to be surprised when the twins rode
+to town in the farm wagon, with Eliza accompanying them.
+
+The servants at Dana Dene took her as a matter of course, and Michael
+was fond of bowing politely, and saying, “The top of the mornin’ to ye,
+ma’am!”
+
+“Let’s build a throne and crown Eliza queen,” suggested Jack, and the
+rest at once agreed.
+
+“What shall we make the throne of?” asked Dolly.
+
+“I’ll ask Michael,” said Dick, “he always helps us out.”
+
+But Michael was busy with some extra work connected with the visit of
+the Reading Circle, and had no time for bothering with youngsters.
+
+“Throne, is it?” he said; “I’ve no time to be buildin’ ye royal palaces!
+Take the wheelbarry fer a throne, shure!”
+
+It was a chance suggestion, but it served, and Dick returned to the
+waiting group, trundling the wheelbarrow.
+
+“We can’t bother Michael much,” he said, “’cause he has to run that
+Reading Circle thing. But I guess we can fix up this wheelbarrow with
+flowers and greens and make it do. Hello, Maddy; Hello, Cliff!”
+
+Madeleine and Clifford Lester had arrived during Dick’s absence, but
+greetings were soon spoken, and the more the merrier.
+
+Then the half dozen went to work with a will, using both heads and hands
+to devise ingenious plans for the coronation of Eliza.
+
+“She ought to be dressed in white,” said Dolly, looking disapprovingly
+on Eliza’s blue dress; “but she hasn’t a white frock to her name.”
+
+“Hasn’t your aunt any?” asked Pinkie, realising the real need of white.
+
+“I can’t bother her to-day,” said Dolly, decidedly; “she’s got the
+Reading Circle and Aunt Nine both at once; and she told me to keep out.”
+
+“Couldn’t you get a big white apron from Delia,” suggested Maddy Lester.
+
+“No; queens don’t wear aprons.”
+
+Then Dolly’s eye lighted on the clothes line, full of the Monday wash,
+which busy Delia had not yet taken in, though it was thoroughly dry.
+
+“I might get something there!” she cried. “Come on, girls!”
+
+The three girls ran to the big, sunny bleaching ground, where three long
+lines of white clothes waved in the breeze.
+
+[Illustration: LADY DUSENBURY’S PARTY       (Page 288)]
+
+“They’re all too little,” said Pinkie, as she viewed Dolly’s own dresses
+and petticoats.
+
+“No, here’s Aunt Rachel’s nightgown! This will do!” cried Dolly, and in
+a jiffy she had the clothespins pulled off, and the voluminous, ruffled
+garment in her arms.
+
+“Just the thing!” cried Maddy, and they raced back to the playground.
+
+It made a beautiful white robe for Eliza, and when belted with a large
+bath-towel, also brought from the clothes line, Eliza looked like an
+Oriental princess.
+
+“Get another towel and make a turban,” said Clifford, and this gave
+their queen a still more foreign look.
+
+“The throne thing ought to be white, too,” said Pinkie, who had an eye
+for color effect. “It’ll be a lot prettier to pin the flowers and greens
+on, if it’s white first. Let’s get sheets,—shall we, Dolly?”
+
+“I don’t care,” said Dolly, absorbed in making Eliza’s turban stay on
+her head.
+
+So Pinkie and Madeleine flew for the sheets, and stripped the
+clothesline of all there were there.
+
+“Now!” they exclaimed, coming back triumphantly, with their arms full of
+billows of white linen.
+
+“Now!” cried Dick, and they fell to work, and draped and twisted the
+sheets, until the wheelbarrow was a lovely white throne. This they
+decked with their flower garlands, and then lifted Queen Eliza up on it.
+As she, too, had been decked with blossoms and garlands, it was really a
+pretty sight, and the children clapped their hands and danced about in
+glee at their own success.
+
+“Now, we’ll crown her,” said Dick, “but I say, Dollums, we all ought to
+be in white, too!”
+
+“That’s easy,” said Dolly, recklessly; “there’s lots of things on the
+clothesline yet.”
+
+Back there they all ran, and chose costumes to please their varying
+tastes.
+
+The three girls chose more ruffled nightgowns like Eliza’s and looped
+them up with flowers on either side, like fancy overskirts.
+
+The boys selected lace-ruffled petticoats that belonged variously to the
+aunts or to Hannah and Delia, and round their shoulders they draped
+tablecloths or pillowshams in toga fashion.
+
+Some table centrepieces and carving-scarfs formed fine head-gear, and by
+the time all the costumes were completed, the clotheslines looked as if
+the wash had been taken in after all.
+
+The white-garbed half dozen pranced back to the queen on her throne, and
+the ceremonies began.
+
+“First, we sing a dirge,” said Jack Fuller.
+
+“Not a dirge,” said Dolly. “Don’t you mean a chant?”
+
+“Well, some waily kind of a thing, anyway.”
+
+So they all droned an inharmonious series of wailings that might have
+been imitative of Chinese tom-toms, only it wasn’t meant to be.
+
+“Now we must have a speech,” said Pinkie; “you make it, Dick; you’re
+good at that.”
+
+“All right,” said Dick, and stepping forward, while his tablecloth toga
+trailed in the dust, he began:
+
+“Oh, Queen Eliza Dusenbury, we beg you to accept this crown. We want you
+for our beloved queen, and we will obey all your rules and reggilations.
+We bow our hominage——”
+
+“Homage,” corrected Jack.
+
+“’Taint, it’s hominage! bow, anyway!”
+
+So they all bowed in token of homage to their queen.
+
+“Now we have to back away,” said Maddy; “they always do at court.”
+
+The six backed away from the queen’s throne, but as backing with long
+trailing robes is not to be neatly done without practice, they one and
+all tripped over their trains and togas and went tumbling around on the
+ground.
+
+“Get up, all of you!” cried Dick, who had scrambled to his feet. “Now we
+must sing.”
+
+“What shall we sing?”
+
+“I don’t care—‘John Brown’s Body,’ I guess.”
+
+So they all sang “John Brown’s Body” with great gusto, and then the
+coronation ceremonies were declared over.
+
+And none too soon, for just then they saw Michael coming with a huge
+trayful of good things, which he placed on the table in the arbour.
+
+“Fer the land’s sake!” he exclaimed as the children crowded round.
+“Whativer have yez been up to now! The clean clo’es from the line, as
+I’m a sinner! Arrah, but ye’ll catch it, ye bad babies!”
+
+“Wow! they did get dirty, didn’t they?” exclaimed Jack, realising for
+the first time how they had tumbled about on the ground.
+
+“Yes, they’re all dirt and grass stains. Will your aunts mind, Dolly?”
+
+“I don’t know,” said Dolly, “but anyway it isn’t your fault, any of you.
+Let’s take ’em off and eat supper now.”
+
+It was characteristic of Dolly to spare her guests’ feelings, though she
+had herself a sudden uneasy sense of naughtiness at having taken the
+clean clothes to play with. But it was also her nature to put off an
+evil hour, if possible, so the children gaily scrambled out of their
+white raiment and sat down to the feast with good appetites.
+
+“The girls is waitin’ on the Readin’ ladies,” said Michael, as he came
+out with a second trayful, “so ye’re to wait on yerselves with these
+things.”
+
+Then Dolly and Pinkie arranged the table, and soon the group were eating
+sandwiches and cakes and strawberries and ice cream, and all the good
+things that went to make up a Reading Circle feast.
+
+“The little raskills!” said Michael, as he gathered up the sheets and
+garments they had thrown off. “Whativer is the rayson, I dunno, but Miss
+Dolly and Masther Dick is just the baddest little shpalpeens I iver saw,
+an’ yet I love ’em, ivery breath they draws!”
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XV
+
+
+                               PUNISHMENT
+
+
+The Reading ladies had departed, and the younger guests of Dana Dene
+had also trotted homeward.
+
+“It’s too bad to take those things off of Eliza,” said Dolly, “she looks
+so pretty in ’em. Let’s take her, wheelbarrow and all, to show to the
+aunties.”
+
+“I’m ’fraid Aunt Nine will faint again,” objected Dick.
+
+“Oh, no, she won’t; it was the carving knife that scared her.”
+
+So the twins trundled the white-draped wheelbarrow, and its white-garbed
+occupant straight up to the front door of the house.
+
+“Come out, aunties!” they called. “The queen wants you to salute her
+majesty!”
+
+Hearing the commotion, the three ladies came out on the veranda, and
+this time Aunt Penninah did not faint, but seemed greatly interested in
+the majestic Eliza.
+
+“What have you put on her?” the old lady cried. “Why, they’re
+clothes,—rough-dry! Did you take them from the clotheslines? Rachel, do
+you allow these children to act up like that? I am ashamed of them, and
+you, too!”
+
+Just then Delia came out to the veranda with a clothes-basketful of the
+garments the children had played with. Good-natured Delia rarely minded
+the twins’ mischief, but it had been a specially hard day, and the extra
+work and company had tired her out completely. Also, it _was_ annoying
+to find her carefully washed clothes all muddied and grass-stained!
+
+“Will ye look at this, Miss Rachel!” she exclaimed, her face red and
+angry. “It’s too much to ask of a gur-rl to hurry up her wash an’ cook
+for comp’ny on a Monday, an’ thin to go fer her clothes, an’ find ’em
+like this!”
+
+Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie looked at the twins. So did Aunt Penninah.
+Dick and Dolly looked at the clothes in Delia’s basket. They _were_ a
+sorry sight, but the twins seemed surprised rather than ashamed.
+
+“Why, Delia Maloney!” cried Dick. “Are you sure we spoiled those clothes
+like that! Why, we just wore them to the coronation. I didn’t ’spect it
+would hurt ’em a bit!”
+
+“Neither did I!” cried Dolly. “I’m awful sorry, Delia. I s’pose we ought
+not to have taken ’em; but truly, I never thought about their getting
+dirty. Will you have to wash ’em all over again?”
+
+“Will I!” said Delia, grimly; “that I will, Miss Dolly; an’ a foine time
+I’ll have gettin’ the green stains out, for-bye the mud; an’ to say
+nothin’ of their being torn to bits!”
+
+She held up a sheet and a tablecloth, each of which showed a jagged
+tear.
+
+“I’ll mend those,” said Dolly, cheerfully, “they’ll be good practice,
+for Aunt Rachel is just teaching me darning in my sewing lessons.”
+
+Soft-hearted Delia couldn’t help smiling at the earnest little face;
+Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie looked perplexed; but Aunt Penninah was
+unable to restrain expression of her feelings.
+
+“You’re the worst children I ever saw!” she exclaimed; “the very worst!
+At nine years old you should know better than to cut up such naughty,
+wicked tricks! You must be severely punished. Rachel, if you don’t
+punish them, I shall do so myself!”
+
+Now Dick and Dolly were quite unaccustomed to this sort of scolding.
+Aunt Rachel, though severe in principle, was very lenient in practice,
+and Aunt Abbie was gentleness itself. So it was with real curiosity that
+the twins drew nearer, to look at the reddening face and flashing black
+eyes of their great-aunt, and Dick said, very seriously:
+
+“We _were_ naughty, Aunt Nine; and if you punish us, how are you going
+to do it?”
+
+The question was not at all impertinent, Dick’s round little face showed
+only a justifiable interest, and Aunt Penninah looked a little baffled,
+as both twins waited eagerly for her answer.
+
+“Do just what you please in the matter, Aunt Nine,” said Miss Rachel,
+who had never quite outlived her youthful awe of the stern old lady.
+Miss Abbie clasped her hands in alarm, as if fearing the twins would be
+subjected to torture, and they all awaited Miss Penninah’s dictum.
+
+“I think,” said the old lady, slowly,—and then she paused, a little
+disconcerted at the earnest gaze of the four brown eyes, that were so
+like those of the children’s father, her favourite nephew.
+
+“I think,” she went on, more gently, “that I shall forbid you to go
+outside the house all day to-morrow.”
+
+She didn’t say that she had had a far more severe punishment in mind,
+but had been deterred from inflicting it by those appealing eyes.
+
+“Whew!” cried Dick, “stay in the house a whole day!”
+
+“Yes,” said Aunt Nine, her ire returning as she noted the other aunts’
+sorrowful looks, and Delia’s woe-begone face. “You children need
+discipline. It’s terrible the way you’re let to run wild! Rachel, you’ve
+no idea of training children properly, and as for you, Abbie, you’re
+simply a tool in their hands!”
+
+Dolly took a step nearer to the old lady.
+
+“Aunt Nine!” she cried, with flashing eyes, “don’t you talk like that
+about my Aunt Abbie, or my Aunt Rachel, either! They know how to bring
+up children just splendid! And they’re doing the best they can with me
+and Dick, but, as you know yourself, we’re the worst children ever,—so
+what can you ’spect?”
+
+“Yes,” said Dick, taking his sister’s part, as usual. “We’ll do your old
+punishment, and we’re sorry we were naughty;—but you can’t jump on our
+aunties like that!”
+
+The youngest inheritors of the celebrated Dana “spunk,” faced bravely
+the oldest member of the proud old family, and she realised the justice
+of their reproof.
+
+“The children are partly right,” she said, turning to her older nieces
+with a short, sharp laugh; “and the matter must not be discussed further
+in their presence. Dick and Dolly, you will obey my orders about
+to-morrow, and now come and kiss me, and we will drop the subject.”
+
+Dick stared at his aunt and hesitated, but quicker-witted Dolly
+appreciated that, in Aunt Penninah’s mind, the coming punishment wiped
+out even remembrance of the fault, and she willingly kissed her. Not the
+spontaneous, loving sort of embraces they gave the other aunties, but a
+whole-hearted, honest kiss of truce.
+
+Dick followed her example, and then the twins were excused, and they
+raced out in the kitchen after Delia.
+
+“The intherferin’ ould lady!” cried Delia, as she snatched the children
+in her arms. “Sorra the day I iver wint to Miss Rachel wid thim clo’es;
+but I was that put about, Miss Dolly, dear.”
+
+“Oh, pooh, Delia,” cried Dick; “you were all right, and we’ve come to
+’pollergize for spoilin’ your wash all up. We’re awful sorry.”
+
+“Yes,” chimed in Dolly, as Delia embraced them both; “we’ll never do it
+again; but, truly, Delia, we didn’t think!”
+
+“Av coorse ye didn’t, ye blissid babies! Shure ye niver think! An’
+what’s a wash, more or less? I wish ould Miss Penninah had to do it
+hersilf fur teasin’ ye.”
+
+“Now, Delia,” said Dick, “you mustn’t talk that way. Aunt Nine is our
+aunt, and we must love and respect her just as we do the other aunties.”
+
+“It’s a thrue Dana ye are, Masther Dick; both of yez. An’ ye’re right,
+too. Miss Penninah is the grand old lady, and the rale head of the
+fambly. So do yez take yer punishment like the shwate childher ye be.”
+
+And having duly made good their reputation as “true Danas” Dick and
+Dolly trotted off to bed.
+
+The next day proved to be the very loveliest day of the whole Spring.
+
+The sun incessantly winked an invitation for the twins to come out and
+play. The blue sky smiled the same plea, and the soft breeze whispered
+it again and again.
+
+The flowers nodded at them as they looked out of the windows, and the
+trees spread their branches, as in a welcoming embrace.
+
+The birds twittered, “Come, come!” and, though too far away to be heard,
+Dolly knew, her pet chicken was peeping the same words.
+
+But worst of all was to see Pat watering their own flower-beds,—their
+pansies and daffodils that had never drank from any hands save the
+twins’ own!
+
+This sight nearly made the tears come, but Dick said bravely:
+
+“We must make the best of it, Dollums. There’s no use of getting all
+weepy-waily when it won’t do any good.”
+
+“No, but Dick, don’t you s’pose she’d just let us go and water our
+plants,—if we came right back?”
+
+“Sha’n’t ask her; and don’t you ask that, either. Now we’ll both do our
+practising,—I guess I’ll practise another hour while you’re doing your
+old sewing,—and then let’s go up in the attic to play.”
+
+Dolly brightened a little. “All right; we’ve always been going to fish
+around up there, and we never had a good chance before.”
+
+So Dolly went to one piano, and Dick to the other, and they practised so
+diligently and painstakingly, that Aunt Penninah, who listened at the
+doors, was greatly pleased with their thorough work.
+
+“There’s good stuff in those children, Rachel,” she said; “if you don’t
+spoil them by your foolish leniency and over-indulgence.”
+
+“I don’t mean to, Aunt Nine,” said Miss Rachel, a little meekly, “but
+you know they’re never purposely mischievous. The Danas are all
+impulsive and thoughtless, and Dick is exactly like his father was at
+his age.”
+
+“Yes, I know all that; but they need a strong hand to rule them, and
+though you and Abbie are firm enough in some ways, you give right in to
+those twins. Now, I don’t!”
+
+“No,” said Miss Rachel, grimly, “you don’t. How long are you going to
+stay this time, Aunt Nine?”
+
+“I planned to stay only a day or two; but as I’ve become interested in
+John’s children, I shall remain a week at least. I want to learn their
+natures, and, incidentally, I can help you with my judgment and advice.”
+
+Miss Rachel groaned in spirit, but made no audible objection to her
+aunt’s decree.
+
+Dolly’s sewing hour that day was devoted to mending the clothes she and
+her little friends had torn, and by dint of much instruction from the
+three aunts, and honest industry on her own part, she achieved some very
+creditable darns and patches.
+
+During the sewing hour, Aunt Penninah sought out Dick, and had a talk
+with him. She was rather severe, but the clan feeling was strong in
+both, and after their conversation Dick felt a loyalty and respect
+toward the old lady, if not a deep affection.
+
+Then, Dolly’s sewing hour being over, the twins scampered for the attic.
+
+“It’s horrid,” said Dick, “to be shut up in this stuffy old place on a
+day like this; but let’s get all the fun we can out of it.”
+
+“Let’s,” agreed Dolly, and as a starter they rambled through the old,
+unused rooms, and looked at the old pictures and discarded furniture
+stored there.
+
+“Awful poky!” said Dick as they sat down on a haircloth sofa, and stared
+at each other.
+
+“Yes,” said Dolly, with a scowl. “I think Aunt Nine is a horrid——”
+
+“Don’t talk that way, Doll,” said Dick, remembering his conversation
+with the old lady; “just forget it,—forget outdoors and flowers and
+everything,—and let’s play something nice.”
+
+“What can we play?” asked Dolly, disconsolately.
+
+“I dunno; but isn’t it funny why we can’t think of something? If it was
+a rainy day and we couldn’t go outdoors, we’d have lots of fun in the
+house.”
+
+“Well, let’s play it’s raining then.”
+
+This was a distinct suggestion, and Dick caught it at once.
+
+“Wow!” he cried, looking out of the window; “what a storm! It’s just
+pouring!”
+
+“So it is!” said Dolly, gleefully; “we couldn’t go out to-day even with
+umbrellas! Do you s’pose it’ll clear by to-morrow?”
+
+“Yes, I guess so. But it won’t stop all day to-day.”
+
+“No, I don’t believe it will. So we’ll play up here to-day.”
+
+Then the twins went into the big lumber room, where all sorts of old
+things were stored away.
+
+“What’s that big boxy thing, face to the wall?” asked Dolly, looking at
+a plain black walnut affair, about as high as herself.
+
+“Dunno; let’s turn it around.”
+
+Dick pulled the thing out from the wall, which was quite easy, as it
+rolled on casters, and it proved to be entirely open on the other side.
+
+It was about four feet high, and about three feet wide, and though
+something like a small wardrobe, it was divided into six equal
+compartments, each of which was lined with wallpaper.
+
+“Why, Dick!” cried Dolly, “it’s a playhouse! A doll’s house, you know. I
+believe it was Aunt Abbie’s when she was a little girl. Do you s’pose
+there’s any furniture for it?”
+
+“Must be; somewheres. Isn’t it gay? See the windows, they have real
+glass in ’em. This must be the kitchen with oilcloth on the floor.”
+
+“Yes; and the other floors are all bare. I s’pose the carpets are put
+away somewhere, with the furniture. Let’s hunt them.”
+
+The twins were not long in discovering three or four good-sized boxes
+tied together, which proved to contain the furniture of the doll’s
+house.
+
+“Oh, what fun!” cried Dolly, as they took out little beds and tables and
+chairs. “But we can’t put these in place till we find the carpets. Oh,
+here comes Aunt Rachel. Auntie, was this your babyhouse when you were a
+little girl?”
+
+“Yes,” said Aunt Rachel, coming toward the twins. “I meant to fix it up
+for you some day, Dolly, but perhaps you’ll like to fix it yourselves
+just as well.”
+
+“Yes, we will, Auntie!” cried Dolly, tumbling into her aunt’s arms for a
+few caresses before they looked for the carpets.
+
+“Who made the house, Auntie?” said Dick, snuggling into her other arm,
+and patting her cheek.
+
+“Why, a carpenter, I suppose. Father had it made for me when I was ten
+years old, and your father was a toddling baby. He used to creep up to
+it, and pull out the things that he could reach.”
+
+“Did he look like us?” asked Dolly.
+
+“He looked like Dick. You both have eyes like his, but his hair was in
+dark ringlets all over his head, like Dick’s is. Now, let’s find the
+carpets, and fix up the house. Wouldn’t you rather have it down in the
+playroom?”
+
+“Oh, yes,” said Dick. “It’s pretty hot and dry up here. The playroom is
+lovely and airy, ’most like outdoors.” He gave a little sigh, and Aunt
+Rachel remembered that the children were undergoing punishment.
+
+Her eyes twinkled a little, as she said:
+
+“Aunt Nine didn’t make any other stipulation, except that you were to
+stay in the house all day, did she?”
+
+“No’m,” said Dick. “And, Auntie Rachel, we’re _awful_ sorry we spoiled
+the clean clothes.”
+
+“Yes, _terrible_ sorry,” added Dolly, while they both fondled their aunt
+half-unconsciously.
+
+“You can be the sorriest pair of twins I ever saw, after your mischief
+is accomplished,” said Miss Rachel. “Why doesn’t your sorriness begin
+beforehand, I’d like to know?”
+
+“Well, you see,” said Dolly, “we don’t think——”
+
+“That’s just it, you never ‘think.’ Now, I’m going to teach you to
+think,—somehow; I don’t know how yet, but we’ll manage to make you
+thinkers somehow.”
+
+“After Aunt Nine goes away,” suggested Dick.
+
+“Yes,” agreed Aunt Rachel, “after Aunt Nine goes away.”
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVI
+
+
+                             THE PLAYHOUSE
+
+
+Then they all went down to dinner, the twins holding hands with each
+other, round Aunt Rachel’s ample waist. As she had an arm round each of
+their necks, locomotion down the stairways was difficult, but they all
+accomplished it somehow, and made a triumphal entry at the dining-room
+door.
+
+Aunt Penninah was already in her chair, and looked up sharply, as if
+expecting to see a doleful pair of twins.
+
+But the laughing faces proved that, if not enjoying their punishment,
+the children were, at least, making the best of it, and Aunt Nine
+sniffed a little, as she asked:
+
+“What have you been doing all morning?”
+
+“Oh, having the beautifullest time!” exclaimed Dolly. “We found an old
+doll’s house, that used to be Auntie Rachel’s when she was a little
+girl.”
+
+“And my father played with it, too,” said Dick, proudly.
+
+“Oh, Rachel,” said Miss Abbie, with a disappointed look, “we meant to
+keep that for their Christmas!”
+
+“It doesn’t matter,” said her sister, serenely; “they may as well have
+it now. Hannah, tell Michael to bring it down to the playroom while
+we’re at dinner.”
+
+Hannah obeyed, and the twins could scarcely eat their dinner for
+anticipation of the fun to come.
+
+“Your punishment doesn’t seem very hard to bear,” said Aunt Nine,
+looking quizzically at the children.
+
+“Oh, yes it is, Auntie,” said Dick. “We’d ever so much rather run out of
+doors in this sunshiny day, and save the playhouse for a rainy day.
+Truly, we feel the punishment very much.”
+
+It somehow seemed to Dick’s queer little brain that it was rude to
+defraud Aunt Penninah of her rights. She had evidently expected them to
+repine at being kept indoors, and though they hadn’t exactly done that,
+she was entitled to know that they really were feeling the punishment.
+And it was quite true. Both he and Dolly would have gladly postponed the
+playhouse fun, to scamper out for a run in the garden. Aunt Nine nodded
+a sort of approval.
+
+“You’re an honest little chap, Dick,” she said; “I’m beginning to like
+you.”
+
+“Don’t you like Dolly, too?” asked Dick, with the air of one merely
+seeking information.
+
+“Yes, I like you both. If you’d be a little more thoughtful, and——”
+
+“Oh, we’re going to learn to think,” said Dolly. “Auntie Rachel is going
+to teach us.”
+
+“I wish her joy of her task,” said Aunt Penninah, but her eyes twinkled
+just a little mite, and the twins began to think she was really not such
+an ogress as she had seemed at first.
+
+After dinner they all went up to the playroom, and found the playhouse
+well placed, in a corner between two windows.
+
+“Oh,” cried Dolly in rapture, as she saw the boxes full of furniture,
+and the bundles of carpet.
+
+The carpets smelled of camphor as Aunt Rachel unrolled them, for they
+had been carefully put away from the moths, and proved to be in perfect
+condition.
+
+The aunties all looked a bit sober, as the small squares were unfolded,
+for their thoughts flew back nearly forty years, when Rachel and Abbie
+had been little girls, and Penninah Dana had been a beautiful young
+woman.
+
+But no such memories saddened the twins’ hearts, and they capered about
+in glee, shaking out the carpets, and holding them up for inspection.
+
+“This is the parlour one!” cried Dolly, as a light velvety square
+appeared.
+
+She tucked it into place, and it exactly fitted the parlour floor.
+
+Two bedroom carpets were there; a library and a dining-room,—and the
+kitchen already had oilcloth on it.
+
+Then came the furniture, and both twins fairly squealed with delight
+over the funny little things, as they took them from the boxes and put
+them in place in the rooms of the playhouse.
+
+The dining-room furniture was all of iron.
+
+“That stove,” said Miss Rachel, holding a black iron stove of the shape
+known as “cylinder,” “father brought me when I was getting well after
+the measles. ‘You can build a real fire in it,’ he said, ‘it’s a real
+little stove.’”
+
+“And did you?” asked Dick.
+
+“Yes; several times. There’s a tiny tin pipe that goes out through this
+hole in the wall of the house. See?”
+
+The twins saw, but there was so much to see, little time could be spent
+on any one thing. The parlour furniture was of satin brocade, of deep
+red colour, which was unfaded, and quite as good as new.
+
+“I helped make those chairs,” said Aunt Nine. “I cut and basted, while
+your mother sewed them, Rachel.”
+
+“They’re beautifully made,” said Miss Rachel. “Dolly, if you want some
+more, you can make them in your sewing-hour.”
+
+“I’ll make you some,” said Aunt Penninah. “If you can find some pretty
+bits of stuff, Abbie, I’ll make a few to-day.”
+
+“Oh, do, Aunt Nine,” cried Dolly. “These chairs are all right, but it
+would be so lovely to have some new ones of our very own!”
+
+“I’m going to make some little wooden chairs and tables,” said Dick. “I
+can cut them out with my jigsaw, and glue them together.”
+
+“Do,” said Aunt Abbie, “and we’ll make satin cushions for them, and tie
+them on with little ribbons.”
+
+The furnishing of the house went on, and it would be hard to say which
+were more interested, the twins or the older people.
+
+When they came up to the bedrooms, they found the tiny sheets and
+pillowcases yellow with age.
+
+“Will you make us some new ones, Aunt Rachel?” asked Dolly.
+
+“Yes; or Delia can bleach these for you. They’re as good as ever, except
+their colour.”
+
+Then the aunties discovered that the portières for the parlour were
+faded, and the lace curtains had turned irretrievably brown, so off went
+Aunt Abbie to get some bits of stuff at once, to make new ones.
+
+And very soon the three aunties were busily engaged in cutting and
+sewing all sorts of pretty things for the house.
+
+The best bedstead was of the sort that requires dimity curtains and
+valance to make it complete.
+
+Aunt Penninah offered to fit this bed out entirely, and her deft needle
+flew in and out of the muslins Aunt Abbie brought, until she had made
+the little bed the most charming affair imaginable.
+
+In addition to the curtains, she hemmed tiny sheets; she made a dear
+blanket, of a morsel of white flannel bound with ribbon; and lovely
+pillowcases, with hemstitched ends.
+
+Then, to Dolly’s breathless delight, she made a little silk comfortable,
+with a layer of cotton-wool in it, and tacked at intervals with
+microscopic bows of blue ribbon.
+
+Of course this work of the aunties took all the afternoon, and indeed,
+it wasn’t finished that day.
+
+But the interest in the house grew more and more absorbing as the days
+went by, and though the children loved out of doors best, they often
+devoted a few hours of the pleasantest days to “Dana Cottage,” as they
+called it. When it was nearly finished, as to furnishing, they began to
+prepare a family of dolls to occupy it. Aunt Nine offered to present the
+entire family, and afterward assist in making their clothing.
+
+So one fine afternoon Miss Penninah and the twins drove to town to
+select the dolls. It was great fun, and yet it was a responsibility,
+too. Dick was quite as much interested as Dolly, for somehow, the house
+offered so much boyish work, and play, that it didn’t seem like “playing
+with dolls.”
+
+Besides the twins always did the same things, and Dolly would have lost
+her own interest in the playhouse if Dick hadn’t shared it.
+
+So, after much consultation, they chose a father and a mother doll, an
+aunt doll, two small children dolls, and a baby doll. A nurse and two
+other servants were added, and then they declared they had enough.
+
+“Enough? I should think so!” said Aunt Nine, who began to see endless
+doll-dressing ahead of her. But her eyes twinkled; and then she let the
+twins select from the shop several bits of dolls’ furniture that were
+not in vogue when the playhouse was originally furnished.
+
+Laden with their treasures they all went home, and that very evening the
+aunties began on the dolls’ wardrobes.
+
+“Is this your idea of disciplining the children, Aunt Nine?” said Miss
+Rachel, as they sewed, after Dick and Dolly had gone to bed.
+
+Miss Penninah Dana looked a little confused, but she answered
+straightforwardly:
+
+“I think you were nearer right than I, Rachel. The twins are not what we
+used to call ‘good children.’ I mean the meek, mild, priggish little
+persons that children were taught to be when I was young. Dick and Dolly
+are so full of life and spirits that they do wrong things from sheer
+thoughtlessness and gaiety of heart. But they are never wilfully
+mischievous, and never deceitful about it afterward. They do need firm
+guidance, but they do not need to be taught the difference between right
+and wrong, for they already know it. They are true Danas.”
+
+When Miss Penninah announced that last fact, she felt that she had given
+the last word of praise to the twins, and indeed, the other two aunts
+thought so too.
+
+So clannish were they, and so proud of their fine old family, that they
+greatly preferred Dick and Dolly to be “true Danas” than to possess many
+other admirable traits. And so, the three stitched away, quite agreed,
+at last, on the management of the children, and hoping they would grow
+up to manhood and womanhood, with the inherited traits of dignity,
+honour, and refinement that characterised their family.
+
+Meanwhile the “true Danas” upstairs were sleeping soundly, and only
+awoke when the sun peeped in at their windows and winked and blinked
+right into their eyes.
+
+And when, later, they danced down to breakfast, there in a row on the
+sofa sat a smiling and well-dressed family, all ready to take up their
+abode in “Dana Cottage.”
+
+Dolly went into ecstasies over the mother doll, who wore a trailing
+house dress of light blue satin trimmed with lace. The aunt, too, was
+resplendent in crimson velvet, and the children were in the daintiest of
+white or light frocks.
+
+The father-doll had been difficult to dress, but though a professional
+tailor might have taken exception to the cut, the aunties had made his
+neat suit fit him very well indeed.
+
+Dick was interested in the new family, and admired them duly, but he was
+already thinking of how he could build a yard around the house itself,
+and he confided his plans to Dolly.
+
+“We’ll fence off a space all round the house,” he said. “I’ll make a
+little picket fence with splints. It’s just as e-easy! Then we’ll get
+green velvet carpet for the grass.”
+
+“Oh, carpet isn’t a bit like grass,” objected Dolly. “It’s so thick and
+dusty. Let’s have real dirt,—or sand.”
+
+“I think sand is messy.”
+
+“Yes, so do I. Oh, I tell you what, Dick! Let’s cut green tissue paper
+into fine fringe, and put it round where we want grass,—paste it to
+something, you know,—like we made fairies’ wings,—only green.”
+
+“Yes, that’s the ticket!” exclaimed Dick. “Then we’ll make little paths
+of,—of brown paper, I guess,—pasted down.”
+
+“Yes; take a big sheet of pasteboard first, and then stick everything on
+it.”
+
+“Yes, that’s what I mean. Then bits of evergreen for trees, and perhaps
+real flowers, growing in little bits of pots.”
+
+“Oh, it will be lovely! Dick, you’re splendid to think of it all!”
+
+The twins joined hands and jumped up and down, as was their custom when
+greatly pleased with each other. Then the aunties came in, and they all
+went to breakfast.
+
+The children told their plan for the yard around the house, and the
+ladies agreed that it would be lovely.
+
+“I’ll help you to make a pond, Dickie,” said Aunt Penninah, “like one I
+had when _I_ was a little girl. That dates farther back than Aunt
+Rachel’s childhood.”
+
+“How do you make a pond?” asked Dick, not much interested in comparative
+dates of past Danas.
+
+“We must get a piece of mirror,—without a frame, you know,—and put it
+in the middle of your grass plot, and then put pretty stones or shells
+round the edge of the mirror, and it looks just like water.”
+
+“And little tin ducks on it,” shouted Dick, “like a real pond! Oh,
+Auntie, that will be tip-top!”
+
+“And I’ll make you a pond on the other side of your house,” put in Aunt
+Abbie, “of real water. In a big flat pan, you know; and little sprigs of
+fern all round the edge.”
+
+“All right; we’ll have both,” declared Dick. “I don’t know which’ll be
+nicest, they’re both so splendid. And I’ll make a little boat to sail on
+the water. I can whittle it out of a stick.”
+
+“And I’ll make a sail for it.” said Aunt Abbie, “and we’ll rig up a
+sail-boat.”
+
+Such interest did the aunts take in the cottage yard, it was almost as
+if they were children too, and Dick and Dolly became more and more
+enraptured with the wonderful things they made.
+
+Aunt Abbie fashioned a little hammock with her crochet needle and some
+green and white cord. When she put fringe along its edges, and suspended
+it from two evergreen trees in the “yard,” Dolly thought she had never
+seen anything so cunning. Two little dolls were put into it, and the
+nurse doll was set to swing them until they fell asleep. Michael, who
+was greatly pleased with the whole affair, fashioned a tiny arbour just
+like their own in their playground outside. It was made of tiny twigs,
+and when the gardener brought it in, as his offering to the general
+gaiety, it was accepted with hilarious thanks. Very small green vines
+were twisted about it, and tiny blossoms of forget-me-not or
+lilies-of-the-valley were entwined. But the little flowerets faded so
+soon that Aunt Abbie made some diminutive roses of pink tissue paper,
+which would stay fresh all summer.
+
+Many plans were made for future additional beauties, and the little
+estate grew rapidly to an elaborate country place, when Michael declared
+that he should build a barn for it. This announcement was heralded with
+delight, and for many days, Michael spent all his spare time in the
+tool-house, Dick and Dolly bobbing about him, and helping or hindering
+as best they could.
+
+The barn, when done, was a grand affair indeed. Not of very elaborate
+architecture, but provided with stables, carriage house, feed bins, and
+even a chicken coop.
+
+Again Aunt Nine took the twins to town on a shopping expedition, and
+this time they returned with all the four-legged and two-legged toys
+necessary to complete the barn’s use and beauty. Also there were
+carriages for the dolls to drive in, and sleighs, too, for in doll land
+the lack of snow makes no difference in the sleighing season.
+
+Aunt Penninah’s visit of a week lengthened out to a fortnight, but not
+until the last tiny carriage robe was finished, and the last hat and
+cape made for the smallest doll, did Aunt Nine make her farewells to
+Dana Dene.
+
+And, then, she went away, promising to return for another visit as soon
+as possible, and insisting on a promise that the twins should some day
+visit her in her own home.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XVII
+
+
+                        THE FATE OF DANA COTTAGE
+
+
+Pinkie was enraptured at her first sight of Dana Cottage. She sat down
+in front of it and gazed in silence, seemingly unable to take it all in
+at once.
+
+“Well,” she said at last, “it’s a lovely home for dolls, but wouldn’t it
+be a fine place for fairies?”
+
+Dolly laughed, for she hadn’t the firm belief in fairies that Pinkie
+had. Dolls were good enough for her, and as Pinkie loved dolls too, they
+spent many happy hours with the playhouse.
+
+Sometimes Dick and Jack played with them, and sometimes the boys went
+off on their own sports, while the girls were absorbed in the dolls’
+house.
+
+One afternoon the boys were busily engaged in making and flying kites,
+and the girls, up in the playroom, were having lots of fun with Dana
+Cottage, but paused in their play frequently, to run and look out of the
+window to see how the kites were flying.
+
+“I don’t believe they’ll ever make them go,” said Pinkie, as she and
+Dolly leaned out of the playroom window. “The kites are too big.”
+
+“Then they’ll have to trim ’em off, or make smaller ones,” said Dolly,
+philosophically. “I don’t see any fun in kite-flying anyway, just
+because they ’most never do fly.”
+
+“Wouldn’t it be funny,” said Pinkie, “if you could fly a kite,
+’way—’way up in the air, and then pull it down again, and find a whole
+lot of fairies perched on it?”
+
+“Yes; that would be fine. But fairies don’t live up in the air.”
+
+“No; they live in the woods, hidden by the ferns and leaves. I wish I
+could ever see them.”
+
+“Well, you can’t, ’cause they only come out at night. You can’t go to
+the woods at night, can you?”
+
+“I will, when I’m grown up. ’Course, mother won’t let me now, but when
+I’m big, the first thing I’m going to do is to go to the woods, and camp
+out all night, and watch for fairies.”
+
+“All right; I’ll go with you. We’ll surely see them then.”
+
+“Yes, indeed, we will. Oh, I wish we could go now!”
+
+“Well, we can’t. Aunt Rachel wouldn’t let me, and I know your mother
+wouldn’t let you. Come on, those kites will never fly; let’s go on with
+the party.”
+
+The doll family in Dana Cottage were giving a very grand party. As there
+were no other dolls to invite, Pinkie and Dolly had made a lot of paper
+dolls for the guests. These were not elaborate, being hastily cut from
+brown paper, but they wanted a lot of guests, so they chopped out a
+multitude of dolls, and stood them around in the various rooms of the
+doll house.
+
+“I wish we’d made them prettier,” said Dolly, regretfully, for her
+artistic sense was jarred upon by the crude brown paper guests in the
+dainty, pretty rooms.
+
+“So do I,” agreed Pinkie. “Let’s dress them up a little, somehow.”
+
+So they found colored tissue paper, and bedecked the dolls with floating
+sashes and scarfs and head-dresses, until they presented a much more
+festive appearance.
+
+“That’s lots better,” declared Dolly, as they placed the improved ladies
+and gentlemen at the party. So many did they have, that the parlour was
+filled with dancers, and the dining-room with supper guests at the same
+time.
+
+Pinkie was of a realistic turn of mind, and insisted on having bits of
+real cracker or cake or apple in the dishes on the table, and real water
+in the pitchers and coffee pots on the sideboard.
+
+Dolly was quite content to have scraps of paper for cakes, or even empty
+dishes filled merely with imagination, but when Pinkie played with her
+they usually had real things wherever possible.
+
+The china dolls of the family, and the paper guests kept up a continuous
+conversation, and the voices were either Pinkie’s or Dolly’s as occasion
+required. A deep, gruff voice represented a gentleman talking, and a
+high, squeaky voice, a lady.
+
+“What a beautiful party we’re having,” said a brown paper man in Dolly’s
+deepest chest tones.
+
+“Yes,” squeaked a lovely lady, in light blue crinkled tissue paper.
+“Please get me a glass of lemonade.”
+
+The brown gentleman deftly poured about two drops of water from a tiny
+pitcher into a tinier cup, and gallantly offered it to the lady.
+
+It accidentally soaked her tissue paper scarf, as she drank it, but two
+drops wouldn’t hurt anybody’s costume seriously, so the incident was
+overlooked, and the gay chatter went on.
+
+“Are you going to opera to-morrow night?” asked one bewitching belle of
+another.
+
+“Oh, yes,” was the reply. “I’m so fond of music. I practise an hour
+every day.”
+
+“So do I. I’m learning to sing, too. That’s why I wear this boa, I have
+to take such care of my throat.”
+
+“Are you warm enough here?” inquired the china hostess, who overheard
+her paper guests’ conversation; “because, if you aren’t, we can light a
+fire for you.”
+
+“I do feel a little chilly,” began the paper belle, and then Pinkie’s
+voice suddenly resumed its natural tones:
+
+“Oh, Dolly, let’s make a fire in the little stove,—a _real_ fire. You
+said your aunt used to do it.”
+
+“Yes, she did,” said Dolly. “Do you know how?”
+
+“Why, yes; you only put in snips of paper and light ’em. The smoke goes
+out through the pipe.”
+
+Carefully, the girls put crumpled bits of paper into the little iron
+stove, and then Dolly brought a match.
+
+“You light it,” she said, and Pinkie struck the match, and touched off
+the paper.
+
+They shut the tiny stove door, and the paper blazed away merrily. Some
+smoke came out through the tin pipe, but there wasn’t much of it, and as
+the windows of the playroom were all wide open, the smoke soon drifted
+away.
+
+This was a great game indeed, and the guests from the parlour all
+crowded down into the dining-room to get warm.
+
+There was much laughing and chatter, as the paper dolls came down to the
+dining-room, and packed themselves in groups against the walls.
+
+“Oh, how good that fire feels,” exclaimed a lady in pink paper. “Why,
+it’s all gone out!”
+
+It was astonishing how fast the paper in the stove burned itself out,
+and the girls had to renew it repeatedly, and light it afresh each time.
+
+“I’m ’bout tired of playing this,” said Pinkie; “let’s make one more
+fire and that’ll be the last. It’s getting awful hot.”
+
+“Yes, make one more,” said Dolly, “for Mrs. Obbercrombie has just come
+down to get warm.”
+
+“All right; stand her up by the stove.”
+
+Pinkie touched off the newly-laid fire, and Dolly stood paper Mrs.
+Obbercrombie up near the stove; so near, in fact, that the lady fell
+over against it.
+
+Dolly reached out to pick her up, but her finger touched the hot stove,
+and she drew it back with an “Ouch!” The little stove, from the burning
+of much paper, was nearly red-hot, and when the paper doll fell over
+against it, she blazed up immediately.
+
+Then the paper dolls nearest her caught fire at once, and in two seconds
+the paper dolls were all ablaze. The tissue paper scarfs communicated
+the flames like tinder; the thicker paper of the dolls themselves burned
+steadily, and in a few moments the curtains caught, then the wooden
+house itself, and as the breeze from the open windows fanned it, a real
+conflagration of Dana Cottage ensued!
+
+Soon the paper grass in the cottage yard caught fire, and the wooden
+animals served as further fuel.
+
+Dolly, her smarting finger still in her mouth, was too frightened even
+to scream, but Pinkie showed real presence of mind.
+
+She grasped a pitcher of water from the table, and dashed it into the
+burning house. This was good as far as it went, but it merely checked
+the flames in one room, and there was no more water about. Then Pinkie
+seized the big rug from the floor, with intent to throw it over the
+house. But it was so anchored with heavy tables and other furniture
+that, of course, she could not budge it.
+
+“Oh!” she gasped at last. “Do something, Dolly! Yell, can’t you? I don’t
+seem to have any voice!”
+
+Sure enough, poor little Pinkie was so frightened that her voice had
+failed her, and Dolly was so frightened, she couldn’t _think_ what to
+do.
+
+So, at Pinkie’s suggestion, she yelled, and Dolly’s yell was that of a
+young, sound pair of lungs.
+
+“Auntie!” she screamed. “Michael!” But as the playroom was on the third
+floor, and the aunts were down in the library, they did not hear her.
+Nor were the servants within ear-shot, so poor Dolly screamed in vain.
+
+But as the flames grew bigger and threatened the window curtains of the
+playroom, Dolly shouted again, and this time a wild, despairing shriek
+of “Dick!” seemed to be her last resort.
+
+And, by chance, the boys, with their kites, were not far from the house,
+and they heard the cry ring out of the playroom window.
+
+“Hello, Dolly!” shouted Dick, back again, not thinking of danger, but
+merely supposing Dolly was calling to him.
+
+His voice reached Dolly’s ears like a promise of hope, and flying to the
+window, where the curtains were already scorching, she screamed, “Fire,
+Dick! Call Michael! Pat! Bring water! Fire! Fire!”
+
+Even as Dolly shouted, Dick and Jack saw the flames, and Dick cried out,
+“I’ll go for Michael; you go upstairs, Jack, and screech for Aunt Rachel
+as you go.”
+
+So the two Dana ladies were startled from their quiet reading, by seeing
+Jack Fuller dash madly in at the front door, and whipping off his cap by
+instinct, almost pause, as he said politely, but hastily, “Please, Miss
+Rachel,—good-afternoon. Your house is on fire! Excuse me!” and he ran
+breathlessly by the library door and up the stairs.
+
+He couldn’t do a thing when he reached the playroom, for the flames were
+beyond the efforts of a ten-year-old boy.
+
+But Dolly, who had found her wits, cried, “Pull down the curtains,” and
+she and Jack bravely pulled down a pair of light muslin curtains that
+had already begun to burn. They stamped on these, and so extinguished
+their flames, and Pinkie, in her excitement, pulled down another pair
+and stamped on them, although they had not caught fire at all, and,
+indeed, were in no danger of it.
+
+But by that time, Michael and Pat had arrived. Passing the trembling
+aunties on the lower landing, they tore upstairs, and Dick followed
+closely at their heels.
+
+Michael took in the situation at one glance.
+
+“Take holt av the table,” he said to Pat, and the two strong men hustled
+the big table off the rug. Then they flung aside the chairs and other
+furniture that held the rug down, and, picking up the big carpet, flung
+it over the burning playhouse. The house toppled over with a crash, and
+the men trampled on the whole pile.
+
+They smashed everything belonging to Dana Cottage, but it was the only
+way to conquer the flames, and Michael did not hesitate.
+
+“Keep it up!” he said to Pat, and as Pat obediently stamped his big feet
+about, Michael turned to other parts of the room.
+
+He stepped on a few smouldering papers, he pinched out a tiny flame in a
+curtain ruffle, and he threw a small rug over an already blazing
+waste-basket.
+
+He unceremoniously pushed aside any children who got in his way, for
+Michael was very much in earnest. And he had reason to be. His prompt
+and speedy action had probably saved the whole house from burning down,
+and after he was sure there was no lurking flame left anywhere, he
+turned to the two ladies, who stood white-faced and trembling on the
+threshold.
+
+“All right, Miss Rachel,” he said, cheerily; “the baby-house is done
+for, but we’ve saved Dana Dene from burnin’ up intirely.”
+
+“Is everybody safe?” asked Miss Rachel, bewildered with the suddenness
+and terror of it all.
+
+“Safe an’ sound, ma’am. Now, don’t dishturb yersilves further, but you
+an’ Miss Abbie an’ the childher go back downstairs, an’ me an’ Pat’ll be
+afther cleanin’ up some here.”
+
+“But Dolly is burned!” cried Miss Abbie, seeing Dolly still holding out
+her blistered finger, and screwing her face in pain.
+
+“No,” said Dolly, “I did that before the fire. It’s nothing.”
+
+“It’s an awful blister,” said Dick, looking at it. “But how did the fire
+start, Dollums? Did you do it?”
+
+“Yes,” said Dolly, “but I didn’t mean to burn up the cottage.” And then,
+as Michael and Pat were removing the big rug, and she saw the dreadful
+devastation of the beautiful dolls’ house, she burst into paroxysms of
+weeping.
+
+Pinkie did the same, and as the aunts were both softly crying, too, Dick
+and Jack had to be very careful lest they join the majority.
+
+“Go downstairs, all of yez,” said Michael, again, who had, by reason of
+his common sense, assumed dictatorship. “Oh, are ye there, Hannah? Take
+the ladies down, and mend up Miss Dolly’s finger. Boys, ye can shtay, if
+ye like, but the rest of yez must go.”
+
+Obediently, the aunties followed Hannah, who led the weeping Dolly, and
+with Pinkie trailing along behind, they went downstairs.
+
+“Now, boys,” said Michael, “ye can help if ye like, an’ ye needn’t, if
+ye don’t like. Pat an’ me, we’ll clear out this burnt shtuff, but
+Mashter Dick, suppose ye look about now, an’ see if anny of the toys is
+worth savin’.”
+
+So Dick and Jack picked out some few things that the flames hadn’t
+destroyed. But only china or metal toys escaped utter destruction, and
+these were so smoked and charred, that they weren’t much good. Pinkie’s
+hat and jacket were scorched, but Jack laid them aside, and the work of
+salvage went on.
+
+“There now, ye’d betther go,” said Michael; “ye’re good boys, an’ ye’ve
+helped a lot, but now, me’n Pat, we’ll cart this shtuff down oursilves.
+An’ be the same token, I’m thinkin’ we’ll dump it out the windy,—that
+bein’ the quickest way.”
+
+So Dick and Jack ran downstairs, really anxious to join the girls and
+find out how it all came about.
+
+
+
+
+                             CHAPTER XVIII
+
+
+                             A LOVELY PLAN
+
+
+When the boys reached the group assembled in the library, Dolly had
+just begun to tell the story of the fire.
+
+Up to that time, the aunts had been employed in dressing the burned
+finger, and in recovering their own mental poise.
+
+“You see,” Dolly was saying, “it was an accident, Aunt Rachel, but it
+_wasn’t_ mischief, for you told me yourself how you used to make a fire
+in that little stove.”
+
+“Oh,” said Aunt Rachel, comprehending at last. “Did you girls make a
+fire in the playhouse stove?”
+
+“Yes’m; the pipe was up, you know, and it burned all right,—it hardly
+smoked at all. Then one of the paper dolls fell against it and set fire
+to all the rest.”
+
+“The stove got so awful hot,” observed Pinkie, “and it was trying to
+pick up that paper doll that Dolly burned her finger.”
+
+“And upset the stove?” asked Aunt Abbie.
+
+“No, Auntie, the stove didn’t upset. But Mrs. Obbercrombie caught
+ablaze, and then she fell over against the other paper people, and they
+all flared up.”
+
+“Whew, Dolly!” exclaimed Dick. “Then you kindled that whole fire
+yourself! You ought to have known better than to stuff a place with
+paper dolls and then set a match to it!”
+
+“But I didn’t, Dick,” declared Dolly. “The fire was all right at first,
+only it kept making the little stove hotter and hotter, until it went
+off.”
+
+“Well, it’s lucky Dick heard you yell,” put in Jack, “or the whole of
+the big house would have burned as well as the little one.”
+
+“I don’t know what to say to you, Dolly,” said Aunt Rachel. “I remember
+that I did tell you I used to have a fire in that stove, but I only
+burned a tiny bit of paper and let it go right out. I never thought of a
+continued fire. And I really think you ought to have realised the danger
+of a fire near so much light paper.”
+
+“Why, I never once thought of that, Aunt Rachel. I never s’posed fire
+could jump through an iron stove, and burn up a paper doll! I thought if
+we kept the little door shut, the flames would stay inside.”
+
+“Oh, Dolly,” said Aunt Abbie, smiling a little in spite of herself, “you
+should have known better. But you’re not entirely to blame. We did tell
+you that we used to have real fire in that stove, but father was always
+with us to look after it. Children should _never_ play with fire alone.”
+
+“Why didn’t you tell me that before, Aunt Abbie?” said Dolly, looking at
+her with a gentle reproach in her big dark eyes. “If you had, I’d have
+called you up, ’fore we lit it the first time!”
+
+“Phyllis,” said Miss Rachel, turning to the little guest, “does your
+mother let you play with fire.”
+
+“Why, no, Miss Rachel,” said Pinkie, in surprise. “But then, mother
+never lets us do any of the things you let Dick and Dolly do. We haven’t
+any garden or arbour or Lady Eliza or playhouse——”
+
+At this, both Pinkie and Dolly began to cry afresh, for they remembered
+that now Dolly had no playhouse either! That beautiful house and barn
+and lawn and ponds,—all a mass of black, smoking ruins!
+
+Dolly flew to her Aunt Rachel and buried her head on her broad,
+comforting shoulder as she sobbed out her woe.
+
+“Oh, Auntie,” she wailed; “isn’t it dreadful! Those lovely little beds
+and bureaus, and the dolls Aunt Nine dressed,—and the looking-glass
+lake, and that little spotted pig,—he was _so_ cunning,—and the gilt
+clock in the parlour,—oh—ooh—o-o-ooh!”
+
+“There, dearie, there, there,——” soothed Miss Rachel, wondering
+whether Aunt Nine would think Dolly ought to be punished, and if so,
+what for.
+
+“I wasn’t naughty, was I, Auntie?” went on Dolly, between her sobs. “I
+wouldn’t be so naughty as to burn up my dear playhouse on purpose!”
+
+“Of course you didn’t do it on purpose, dear; and I don’t believe you
+were really naughty. But never mind that, now. Even if you were, you’re
+punished enough by the loss of the playhouse.”
+
+“Yes, I think I am. We were having _such_ fun, Pinkie and I. And,
+Auntie, it wasn’t a bit Pinkie’s fault either. We wouldn’t either of us
+have thought of making a fire, if you hadn’t said we could. I mean, you
+said you used to do it.”
+
+“Yes, Dolly, dear; I fully realise how it all happened, and I’m not
+going to blame either you or Phyllis. I think you should have known it
+was a dangerous pastime, but if you’ll promise never to play with fire
+or matches again, we’ll count this affair merely as an accident. But it
+was a pretty bad accident, and I’m very thankful that only the playhouse
+was burned. I shudder to think what might have happened to you two
+little girls!”
+
+“And to the whole house!” said Miss Abbie. “If Dick hadn’t heard you
+scream, and if Michael and Pat hadn’t been at home, we might have no
+roof over our heads now!”
+
+Then Phyllis and Jack went home, and the others went up to the playroom,
+to see what was left in the ruins. Michael and Pat were still cleaning
+up, but the whole room had been more or less affected by the smoke, if
+not by the flame.
+
+The rug, being a thick, Oriental one, had not suffered much, but the
+wallpaper and woodwork were sadly marred, the curtains were a wreck, and
+the furniture was scratched and broken.
+
+As to the playhouse, the actual framework was fairly intact, except
+where the dining-room had been burned away, but it was blackened and
+charred everywhere.
+
+Miss Rachel directed the men to take it to the cellar, and leave it
+there for the present.
+
+“Sometime,” she said, “we may have it rebuilt and re-decorated, but I
+can’t seem to think about it just now. Do you want to keep any of these
+things, Dolly?”
+
+Dolly looked over the half-burned toys that Dick and Jack had picked out
+of the ruins, and more tears came as she recognised what had been the
+blue satin sofa, and the baby’s crib.
+
+“No, I don’t want them,” she said; “they only make me feel worse.”
+
+Then they found the little stove, that had been the immediate cause of
+the catastrophe. It was unharmed, except that it looked dull instead of
+shiny, as before.
+
+“I think you’d better set this on the mantel, Dolly,” said Aunt Abbie,
+“to remind you not to play with fire.”
+
+“I’ll never play with fire again, Auntie,” said Dolly. “But I will put
+it on the mantel, to remind me of my dear playhouse. Oh, I did love it
+so!”
+
+Dolly had a great fondness for all her belongings, and the playhouse,
+with its myriad delights was her dearest and best beloved possession.
+
+“It’s too bad, Dollums,” said Dick. “If Aunt Rachel ever does decide to
+have the house done over, I’ll do the yard all over again for you.”
+
+“An’ I’ll make yez a new barn,” said Michael, who was just removing the
+burned remnants of the old one; “but I can’t be doin’ it this summer;
+there’s too much other wurrk. Next winter, when the wurrk is lighter,
+I’ll have a thry at it.”
+
+And none of them felt like doing right over again the work they had done
+so recently, so the burned-out cottage was put in the cellar, and stayed
+there for a long time. The playroom itself had to be done over at once.
+
+A carpenter had to come first, and replace the burned window sill, where
+the curtains had blazed up; then the paper-hangers and painters; so that
+it was several weeks before the room could be used.
+
+Meantime, Dick and Dolly played out in their out-of-doors playground.
+
+It was now late in May, and the flowering vines had almost covered the
+long arbour, making a delightful place to sit and read, or make things
+at the table. The twins loved to make things, and often they thought
+they’d make furniture for the renovated playhouse, but it’s hard to do
+things so far ahead, and so they didn’t get at it.
+
+Fortunately Lady Eliza had been on the other side of the playroom during
+the fire, so had escaped without even a scorch.
+
+But Dick and Dolly played she was a great heroine, and often
+congratulated her on her narrow escape from the fearful conflagration.
+They never grew tired of Lady Eliza. She was useful for so many games,
+and all the children who visited the twins learned to look upon Eliza as
+one of their own crowd.
+
+“Let’s have a party for Eliza,” said Dolly, one day, as she and Dick
+were working in their gardens. “Oh, Dick, there’s a thrush! Sh! don’t
+frighten him.”
+
+Silently the children watched, as a thrush perched on a nearby branch,
+and sang his best musical selection. There is more sentiment in a
+thrush’s song than in that of any other of our birds, and though the
+twins didn’t recognise exactly that fact, they loved to listen to the
+thrush.
+
+It was their habit, after carefully watching a bird, to look it up in
+their big, illustrated “Birds of North America,” and learn its name and
+habits.
+
+“That’s a Hermit Thrush,” whispered Dolly. “See the lots of spots on his
+chest.”
+
+“Maybe,” said Dick, softly; “but I think it’s the Olive-Backed Thrush.
+See how brown his back and tail are.”
+
+“Yes, perhaps it is. Listen to his call,—he says ‘Whee-oo! Too-whee!’
+We must look him up to make sure. Oh, there comes a robin after him! Now
+they’ll fight!”
+
+“Go ’way, you horrid thing!” called Dick to the big, fat Robin
+Redbreast, but unheeding, the robin flew at the thrush, and bothered
+him, until the thrush flew away, and Dick and Dolly saw it no more.
+
+“I think it’s too bad robins are so cross,” said Dolly, “and they’re so
+pretty, too. I’d love them, if they wouldn’t pick-peck at the other
+birds.”
+
+“They are horrid,” said Dick; “but if we didn’t have robins, we wouldn’t
+have much of anything. There are so few of the other birds,—’ceptin’
+sparrows.”
+
+“That’s so; well, as I was saying before the thrush came, let’s give
+Lady Eliza a party.”
+
+“Let’s ask Aunt Rachel first,” said Dick.
+
+The twins were learning to ask permission beforehand, when they planned
+anything out of the ordinary. This had already saved them trouble, and
+the aunts were already congratulating themselves that the children were
+learning to “think.”
+
+“Yes, we will. But don’t let’s go in now. Let’s plan it, and then we’ll
+ask auntie before we really do anything about it.”
+
+“Well, who’ll we invite?”
+
+“That’s ’cordin’ how big the party is. If Auntie Rachel ’grees, let’s
+have a big party, ’bout a dozen, you know. And if she thinks bestest,
+we’ll only have Pinkie and Jack.”
+
+“But what’ll make it Eliza’s party?”
+
+“Why, we’ll ask each child to bring a doll or something, so’s to be
+comp’ny for her.”
+
+“Boys can’t bring dolls.”
+
+“I know; I’m thinking. Well, the boys can bring Teddy bears, or rocking
+horses or anything that isn’t alive, and that part of it’ll be ’Liza’s
+party, and the people part will be ours.”
+
+“Sounds good enough. Where’ll we have it?”
+
+“Here, of course; in the playground. We’ll fix it all up partified, and
+have Japanese lanterns and everything.”
+
+“We can’t have ’em lighted. It’ll have to be a daytime party.”
+
+“I don’t know. Maybe auntie will let us have it ‘four to seven.’ We can
+light the lanterns by six. It’s ’most dark then.”
+
+“All right. Let’s go ask her now, ’fore we plan any further. It’d be
+horrid to get it all fixed up and then have her say ‘No.’”
+
+The twins clasped hands and ran toward the house. Dolly’s golden tangle
+of curls bobbed up and down in the breeze, and Dick’s dark ringlets
+clustered tighter on his brow, as his face flushed with the exercise,
+but they ran evenly and swiftly together, keeping perfect step as they
+flew over the ground.
+
+Bang! In at the library door they went, and tumbled upon Aunt Rachel,
+who sat in her usual chair, placidly holding her hands.
+
+“Oh, Auntie, may we——” gasped Dick, and, “Oh, Auntie, the loveliest
+plan!” panted Dolly, when they suddenly realised their aunt was not
+alone.
+
+A lady was calling, a lady very much dressed up and formal-looking, who
+eyed the children with some severity and much curiosity.
+
+But Dick and Dolly had not proved dull pupils in the matter of etiquette
+as taught in Heatherton households. By no means. As quickly as a soldier
+stands “at attention,” they stood up straight, advanced decorously to
+the lady, and Dolly made her most careful courtesy, while Dick bowed
+correctly.
+
+“How do you do, Mrs. Witherbee?” they said, in decorous tones, and
+though they were flushed and warm from their run, and just the least
+mite out of breath, they reflected no discredit on their aunts by
+boisterous or informal behaviour.
+
+Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie sat proudly watching them, silently grateful
+for the twins’ exhibition of good manners, for Heatherton matrons were
+critical of other people’s children, and Mrs. Witherbee was one of the
+most particular of all.
+
+“You may go,” said Aunt Rachel to the twins, after they had been duly
+questioned by the visitor, and with proper ceremonies of farewell, the
+twins noiselessly left the room.
+
+“Well, I ’spect we behaved all right that time,” said Dick, as they
+strolled back to the garden.
+
+“Yes, I promised Aunt Rachel I’d ’member my manners carefuller ’n ever.
+She does love to have us be polite.”
+
+“I know it; and it isn’t much trouble, after you get used to it.”
+
+It seemed as if Mrs. Witherbee never would finish her call, but it was
+really only about ten minutes later, when the twins saw her carriage
+drive away. Again they raced to the house, this time to find the aunties
+alone and expecting them.
+
+“Well, what’s it all about?” said Miss Abbie, after both ladies had been
+treated to a fine demonstration of regard and esteem.
+
+“Why, we want to have a party,” began Dick.
+
+“For Lady Eliza,” broke in Dolly; “she’s never had a party, and she’d
+just love one. How many do you think we’d better ask?”
+
+“A party! For Eliza!” said Aunt Rachel, helplessly. “What do you mean?”
+
+“Yes, a party. Girls and boys, you know, and Teddy Bears, and dolls, and
+everybody bring something.”
+
+“Bring something! to eat?” exclaimed Aunt Abbie, in dismay, for it
+sounded like a general picnic.
+
+“Oh, no, not to eat!” explained Dolly; “but to be company for Eliza,
+’cause it’s her party. And if you say so, we’ll only have Pinkie and
+Jack, but we’d like to have more.”
+
+“Tell us about it more slowly,” suggested Aunt Abbie; “and don’t both
+talk at once.”
+
+“You tell, Dick,” said Dolly. “You can talk slower ’n I can.”
+
+“Well,” said Dick, “we thought it would be fun to have a party of about
+a dozen boys and girls, but have it for Lady Eliza’s party,—just for
+fun, you know.”
+
+“And what’s this about bears?”
+
+“Yes; have each boy and girl bring a doll or a bear, or a hobby horse or
+a Jack-in-the-box, or anything like that, so it will be Eliza’s party
+too.”
+
+“Oh, I begin to see,” said Aunt Rachel. “I like the party idea; I’ve
+been thinking you children might have a little party. But the Eliza part
+of it is crazy.”
+
+“Oh, no, it isn’t, Auntie,” said Dolly, who was patting her aunt on both
+cheeks as she talked. “You see, all the boys and girls love Lady Eliza
+’most as much as we do. And they’d be glad to have it be her party,
+too.”
+
+“Well, we’ll have to talk it over, and see about it,” said Miss Rachel;
+“but now it’s time for you to run and get ready for tea.”
+
+“All right, Auntie. But _do_ decide soon, for Eliza is _so_ impatient to
+know.”
+
+“Tell her she’ll have to wait, Dolly. But I’ll let her know by
+to-morrow, if that will do.”
+
+“Yes, Auntie, that will do, I’m sure;” and with a final pat and a kiss,
+Dolly skipped away.
+
+
+
+
+                              CHAPTER XIX
+
+
+                             THE BIG CHIEF
+
+
+After further discussion, and some coaxing on the part of the twins,
+Miss Rachel decided that the party, though of course for Dick and Dolly,
+might be nominally for Lady Eliza. And so they made up an invitation
+like this, and Miss Abbie wrote them in her neat hand:
+
+                            Miss Dolly Dana
+                            Master Dick Dana
+                                  and
+                          Lady Eliza Dusenbury
+                        request the pleasure of
+                        Miss Phyllis Middleton’s
+                                company
+                         on Thursday afternoon
+                       from four to seven o’clock
+                             at Dana Dene.
+                You are invited to bring a friend whose
+                      company will be congenial to
+                            the Lady Eliza.
+
+“Aren’t they the greatest ever!” exclaimed Dick, dancing about the table
+where Aunt Abbie was writing the notes.
+
+“I doubt if those who are invited will know what that last clause
+means,” said Aunt Abbie.
+
+“Oh, yes, they will, for we’ll tell them,” said Dolly. “Of course we’ll
+see them all between now and the party. There’s a whole week, you know.
+I’ll tell every one to bring a doll or something for Eliza’s part of the
+party. And she must have a new dress, auntie.”
+
+“Yes; something gay and festive, of course. What would you like?”
+
+“Pink tarlatan,” said Dolly, promptly. “With lots of ruffles, and a lace
+bertha, and a pink sash, and let her wear my pink coral beads. Oh,
+Auntie! won’t she look just sweet!”
+
+“And flowers in her hair,” chimed in Dick; “and a big, big bouquet, in
+her hand. Whew! She’ll be a stunner!”
+
+As tarlatan was an inexpensive material, and easy to make up, Aunt Abbie
+humoured Dolly’s whim, and Lady Eliza had a beautiful new frock for the
+occasion.
+
+Dolly herself picked out just the right shade of watermelon pink, and
+she helped a little, too, gathering flounces, and running up breadths,
+but Aunt Abbie made most of the pretty gown, and it didn’t take very
+long either.
+
+It was to be worn over one of Aunt Abbie’s own lace-trimmed petticoats,
+and two whole days before the party, Eliza was dressed and set away in
+the guest room to await the hour.
+
+“I believe I’ll send an invitation to Aunt Nine,” said Dolly, as they
+were making out the list of those who were to be invited. “I don’t
+s’pose she could come, but I think it would be nice to ask her, don’t
+you, Aunt Rachel?”
+
+“Why, yes, dear; send one, if you like. Though, as you say, of course
+she won’t come, yet I think she’ll appreciate your thought of her.”
+
+So one invitation was sent to Miss Penninah Dana, and twelve more were
+sent to boys and girls in Heatherton.
+
+Every one of the dozen accepted, and after conversation on the subject
+with Dick and Dolly, they quite understood about the extra guests they
+were to bring.
+
+But they were very secret about them.
+
+“I won’t tell you,” said Jack Fuller, giggling, “but I’m going to bring
+the funniest person you ever saw! Oh, I know Lady Eliza will be
+pleased!”
+
+And Pinkie declared that her guest would be the “belle of the ball.”
+
+All these secrets greatly whetted the twins’ curiosity, and they could
+think of nothing but the coming party. A few days before the event they
+received a letter from Aunt Penninah, expressing her regret that she
+could not be with them. In it was also a letter addressed to Lady Eliza
+Dusenbury. Chuckling with glee, the twins tore it open and read:
+
+    “LADY ELIZA DUSENBURY:
+
+    “Most charming and beautiful lady, I salute you. To your party I
+    come, and there with you at Dana Dene will I ever after remain.
+    As your friend and protector I will stand ever by your side.
+    Unless, however, you should attack me with a carving knife (as
+    is sometimes your playful habit), in which case, I will run away
+    and never return. Expect me on Thursday, by express. Your true
+    friend,
+
+                                                   “SASKATCHEWAN.”
+
+“Oh,” cried Dick, “it’s an Indian doll! Saskatchewan is an Indian name,
+you know. Won’t it be fun?”
+
+“Yes,” cried his twin. “And do you suppose Aunt Nine dressed it herself,
+in wigwam and feathers?”
+
+“Ho, ho! Dolly. You mean wampum, not wigwam!”
+
+“Well, it’s all the same; I don’t care. Oh, I wish Saskatchewan would
+come. I’m crazy to see him!”
+
+“So’m I. Do you s’pose the box’ll come addressed to Lady Eliza
+Dusenbury, Dana Dene?”
+
+“No, I guess it’ll be addressed to Aunt Rachel, or maybe to us. What
+does Dene mean, auntie?”
+
+“Dene?”
+
+“Yes, Dana Dene, you know?”
+
+“Why, Dana Dene is the name of our place, you know. Not only the house,
+but the whole estate.”
+
+“Yes’m; I know it. But what does Dene mean? Just as a word?”
+
+“Oh, well, it doesn’t mean anything nowadays, just as a word. But in old
+times, long ago, it meant den or cave.”
+
+“Well, this house isn’t a cave.”
+
+“No,” said Miss Rachel, laughing. “We’re not cave-dwellers. But long
+ago, there was another house where this stands now. You know, this
+estate has been in our family for many generations.”
+
+“And was the other house a cave?” asked Dick, with vague visions of
+primitive ancestors floating through his mind.
+
+“No, of course not! The name cave came from the fact that there was a
+deep den or cave somewhere on the place.”
+
+“Where is it?”
+
+“I don’t know, Dicky. It may be only tradition, or there may have been a
+real cave, now filled up or covered over. I suppose it is in the
+woodland part, if it’s anywhere.”
+
+“But it must be somewhere, Aunt Rachel,” persisted Dick. “If they, my
+great-grand-fathers, I mean, named the place Dana Dene because of a big
+den, the den must be here yet.”
+
+“Well, perhaps it is, child, but it hasn’t been seen or heard of for
+many years, anyway. You may hunt for it, if you like, but I doubt if
+you’ll find it.”
+
+“Come on Dollums,” cried Dick, jumping up. “Let’s go and look for it. It
+would be lots of fun if we could find it in time for the party!”
+
+“Indeed it would not!” returned their aunt. “Find it if you want to, but
+don’t play in it on the day of the party. I’d like you to keep
+yourselves tidy on that occasion, and not go burrowing in caves. But
+I’ve no idea you’ll find it. For, a cave that hasn’t been used for over
+a hundred years, is likely to be filled up with earth and leaves. It
+has, probably, entirely disappeared.”
+
+“Well, we’ll have the fun of hunting,” said Dick, and away went the
+twins on their new quest.
+
+Michael and Pat were first interviewed.
+
+“Did you ever see a cave or a den anywhere about the place?” they
+inquired.
+
+“Cave, is it?” said Michael. “Faith an’ I didn’t. Whativer are yez up to
+now?”
+
+“Oh, think!” cried Dick, impatiently. “Didn’t you see one, Pat, when you
+were mowing the grass, or anything like that? Digging, you know.”
+
+“I did not. There’s no cave around these diggin’s, unless so be it’s in
+the woods. There may be a dozen caves in thim six acres of woodland.”
+
+The twins were disappointed. It seemed a forlorn hope to try to
+investigate six acres of doubtful territory.
+
+“But do yez go and look,” said Michael. “It’s jist what ye need to use
+up yer extry energy. Yer so cockylorum about yer party, that ye need a
+scape valve fer yer overflowin’ sperrits. Go, now, an’ hunt yer cave.”
+
+“Come on, Dolly,” said Dick. “We can’t do anything for the party,
+there’s nothing for us to do. So we may as well go to the woods.”
+
+“All right. I’d just as lieve go, and if the cave is there, I should
+think we’d see it.”
+
+“Av coorse ye will,” said Michael, grinning. “First, ye’ll see a
+signboard, wid a finger pointien’ ‘This way to the Big Cave,’ thin ye go
+right along to the entrance.”
+
+“An’ pay yer quarter to the gateman, an’ walk in,” supplemented Pat.
+
+The twins never minded the good-natured chaff of these two Irishmen, and
+they only laughed, as hand in hand they trotted away.
+
+They had been often to the wood, but heretofore they had noticed only
+the trees and the stones and the low-growing vegetation. Now they
+carefully examined the formation of the ground, and any
+suspicious-looking hollow or mound.
+
+“Maybe it was a smuggler’s cave,” said Dick, “and in it perhaps are lots
+of things they smuggled and hid away.”
+
+“Yes, I s’pect so,” said Dolly, who was of an amiable nature, and quite
+willing to agree with Dick’s opinions, whenever she had no knowledge to
+the contrary.
+
+“Or maybe it’s a fairy cave,” she added. “That would be more likely,
+’cause I think these are awful fairyish woods.”
+
+“Why do you? You’ve never seen a fairy in ’em.”
+
+“No, but I ’most have. I’ve seen lots of places where they come out and
+dance at night. Pinkie shows ’em to me.”
+
+“Pooh, she doesn’t know for sure.”
+
+“No, not for sure. Nobody does. But she says most prob’ly that’s where
+they dance. Do fairies ever live in caves, Dick?”
+
+“Not ’zactly fairies. But dwarfs do, and gnomes and things like that?”
+
+“Sprites?”
+
+“Yes, I guess so. And brownies,—real brownies, I mean; not the
+picture-book kind. Hello, Doll, here’s a place that looks cavy!”
+
+Dick paused before a rough mass of soil and stones and mossy overgrowth,
+that did seem to bear some resemblance to the blocked-up mouth of a
+cave.
+
+But it was just as much like a mere natural formation of ground, and
+after digging and poking around with sticks, the children concluded it
+was not a cave, after all.
+
+“Oh, pshaw, we’ll never find a real cave, Dick; let’s go home. I’m
+getting hungry.”
+
+“So’m I. We can come back and hunt some other time. Aunt Rachel wouldn’t
+let us play in it on party day, anyway.”
+
+So back they went, and no one seemed surprised that they hadn’t
+discovered a long-forgotten cave, perhaps full of hidden treasure.
+
+The day before the party, Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie drove to town to
+order the feast from the caterer’s.
+
+The twins accompanied them, for the selection of the goodies was to be
+partly left to their choice.
+
+The caterer’s was a fascinating place, and Dick and Dolly exercised
+great care and discretion in choosing the prettiest forms for the ices,
+and the loveliest kinds of little fancy cakes, and the gayest sort of
+snapping crackers.
+
+The sandwiches and lemonade would be made at home, but all the rest of
+the feast must be ordered, and Dick and Dolly were overwhelmed with
+delight, as the aunties kept on adding bonbons, fruits, nuts, and all
+sorts of delectable things to the long list.
+
+“We never had such lovely parties at Auntie Helen’s,” said Dick,
+reminiscently, as they drove home.
+
+“We never had a real party there, anyway,” rejoined Dilly; “just only
+little play-teas of an afternoon. This is different.”
+
+“Yes,” said Miss Rachel, complacently, “this is a real party. It will be
+one of the prettiest children’s parties ever given in Heatherton. That
+is, if your foolish Eliza performance doesn’t spoil it.”
+
+“Oh, that won’t spoil it, auntie,” said Dolly, confidently; “that will
+only make it nicer.”
+
+“Sure!” said Dick. “Just a boys’ and girls’ party wouldn’t be near so
+much fun. Why, Auntie, Bob Hollister says he’s going to bring his Punch
+and Judy, and Lucy Hollister has an awful big rag doll she’s going to
+bring.”
+
+“I think it will be funny,” said Aunt Abbie. “But you must leave all
+those creatures out in the playground when you come in to supper.”
+
+“Yes’m, we will,” agreed the twins.
+
+The very morning of the party day an immense box came by express.
+
+“Shure, it’s a big sofy, like your aunts has in the droring-room,” said
+Michael, as he and Pat helped the expressman to take it from the wagon.
+
+“No, it’s Saskatchewan!” shrieked Dick and Dolly, as they danced round
+the box in glee. “Open it, Michael; oh, do hurry up!”
+
+“Arrah, now, wait till I can get me sledgehammer,” and Michael went to
+the tool-house for his strongest tools.
+
+But after some diligent prying and hammering, the box was opened, and
+buried in a nest of old newspaper and excelsior, was “Big Chief
+Saskatchewan,” as a card tied to his wrist announced.
+
+And if you please, instead of an Indian _doll_, he was a big wooden
+Indian, of the kind that stands out in front of cigar stores. The
+children screamed with glee, and even Michael and Pat exclaimed in
+admiration as the heavy figure was finally set upright on his own
+wheeled pedestal.
+
+“Where do you suppose she ever got it?” said Aunt Rachel, as the two
+aunts came out to view the new arrival.
+
+“I don’t know, I’m sure,” said Miss Abbie, “but he does make a fine
+companion for Lady Eliza.”
+
+Saskatchewan, though a trifle weather-worn, was not marred or broken,
+and the bundle of cigars had been cut away from his hand, and instead,
+he held an Indian basket. But this was removable, and the twins saw at
+once that they could put anything into his outstretched hand, from a
+tomahawk to a pipe of peace. His blanket wrapped round him was painted
+gorgeous red and yellow, and high-standing feathers surmounted his noble
+brow. His expression was ferocious, but that was Indian nature, and Dick
+and Dolly were so delighted with their new toy, that they embraced him
+with the same vigorous affection they often showed their aunts. Then,
+clasping hands with the aunties, the four danced round Saskatchewan and
+bade him welcome to Dana Dene.
+
+The Indian was too heavy to be moved around much though he could be
+dragged, owing to the casters on the pedestal. But Aunt Rachel said she
+thought he’d better be placed in the playground as a permanent
+inhabitant thereof. For wind and weather would not hurt him, as it would
+the more delicate Lady Eliza.
+
+So Michael and Pat trundled the chief off to the playground, followed by
+the admiring family.
+
+He was given a choice position in a pleasant corner, and the twins said
+they would build a bower over him some day.
+
+“But we must make it big enough for two,” said Dolly, “so Lady Eliza can
+stand beside him to receive their guests.”
+
+“All right,” agreed Dick. “But I wish we could have it for this
+afternoon. They’d look lovely under a bower.”
+
+“So ye shall, thin,” said Michael. “Me an’ Pat, we’ll fix ye up a
+timporary bower, that’ll gladden the eyes of ye,—that we will.”
+
+So, the two kind-hearted men, anxious to please the children, hastily
+erected a “bower” by making an arch of two-foot width “chicken-wire.”
+This, when decorated with vines and flowers, was as pretty a bower as
+one would wish to see, and Saskatchewan was placed beneath it, or rather
+the bower was built over the Indian, where he stood awaiting the Lady
+Eliza.
+
+
+
+
+                               CHAPTER XX
+
+
+                              A GAY PARTY
+
+
+After dinner, the final preparations for the party were made.
+
+The day was perfect, bright with sunshine, and not too warm.
+
+Lady Eliza was taken out to the playground and introduced to her new
+companion.
+
+Her large blue eyes showed no especial emotion as she was placed beside
+him, under the bower, nor did Saskatchewan seem at all embarrassed by
+the presence of the lovely lady.
+
+Eliza, in her ruffled pink tarlatan, and wreath of pink blossoms, was a
+charming creature indeed, and she held gracefully a massive bouquet,
+tied with pink ribbons, while her cavalier, held his Indian basket,
+which had also been filled with flowers.
+
+So entrancing were the pair, that Dick and Dolly could scarcely leave
+them, to go and get on their own party raiment.
+
+The playground, of course, had been specially adorned for the occasion.
+
+Japanese lanterns hung from the trees, and rugs were laid here and
+there, extra seats were provided, and everything was decked with flowers
+and made gay with flags and bunting.
+
+Truly, the Dana ladies knew how to arrange a gala occasion, and this
+bade fair to be a fine one.
+
+The twins at last scampered back to the house to dress, and Dolly was
+beautifully arrayed in a new white frock of fine muslin and a broad
+Roman sash.
+
+Her curls were tied up with a Roman ribbon to match, and white stockings
+and white slippers completed her costume.
+
+Dick, too, had a new summer suit, and the twins promised the aunties not
+to roll on the grass or do anything naughty or ridiculous.
+
+“I know you mean to do just right,” said Aunt Rachel, as she kissed the
+two beaming little faces, “but you know, you ‘don’t think,’ and then you
+cut up some absurd dido, that makes a lot of trouble.”
+
+The twins vowed they _would_ think, and they would _not_ “cut up
+didoes,” and then they danced away to receive their guests, for it was
+nearly four o’clock. Pinkie came first, of course.
+
+She brought her biggest wax doll, which she had dressed up as a fairy.
+The doll had a spangled white tulle frock on, and gauzy wings, and a
+gilt paper crown, sparkling with diamond-dust. She carried a long gilt
+wand, and was really a beautiful fairy.
+
+A row of seats had been placed for Lady Eliza’s guests, and the fairy
+was the first to be seated there. Jack Fuller came next, and he brought
+a funny creature, which his mother had fashioned for him out of a
+feather bolster. She had tied a string about it to form a head, and
+this, covered with a pillowcase, had features worked in it with colored
+embroidery cotton. Then the doll was dressed in a white dress of Mrs.
+Fuller’s, and a huge frilled sunbonnet adorned its head. Jack came,
+lugging his somewhat unwieldy guest, and the bolster lady was made to
+bow politely to Lady Eliza.
+
+“Why! who’s that?” exclaimed Jack, looking with admiration at the wooden
+Indian.
+
+“That’s Big Chief Saskatchewan,” announced Dick, proudly. “He’s ours.
+Aunt Nine sent him to us. Isn’t he great?”
+
+“Gorgeous!” assented Jack. “How do you like Betty Bolster?”
+
+“Oh, she’s just lovely,” declared Dolly, kissing Betty’s soft, white
+cheek. “Set her down there, next to Pinkie’s fairy.” Then the other
+children began to flock in.
+
+Maddy Lester brought a big Teddy bear, with a huge ribbon tied round his
+neck, and a bunch of flowers held in his paw. He made profound obeisance
+to Lady Eliza and her friend, and then he was seated next to Betty
+Bolster.
+
+Clifford Lester had a fine personage to introduce as his guest. He had
+taken his father’s clothes-tree, and on the top had fastened a smiling
+mask and a wig made of curled hair. This he had dressed up in some
+nondescript garments, and though the strange-looking lady could not sit
+down, she stood beautifully, and seemed quite worthy of Lady Eliza’s
+approval.
+
+One boy brought a rocking-horse, and one a ’possum.
+
+Roguish Lily Craig brought a Jack-in-the-box, which she sprang in the
+very face of Lady Eliza and the Big Chief, without, however, scaring
+them a mite.
+
+The Punch and Judy, too, created great amusement, and Spencer Nash
+raised shouts of laughter, when he arrived, proudly carrying a scarecrow
+from his father’s cornfield.
+
+This scarecrow was of the conventional type, with flapping coat tails,
+and old, soft felt hat, jammed down over his face.
+
+When all had arrived, the fourteen children were in gales of merriment
+at the strange collection of creatures that made up Lady Eliza’s part of
+the party, and they made a procession to march round the grounds.
+
+Saskatchewan was too heavy to travel, so they left him standing guard,
+but took lovely Lady Eliza, who was easily carried by two of the boys.
+
+The reviewing stand was the front veranda, where the two aunties sat,
+and greatly did they enjoy the parade that came rollicking, frolicking
+by.
+
+Then the guests, both animate and inanimate, went into the big parlour
+for a dance. Aunt Abbie played the piano, and though some of the
+children had been to dancing school, many had not, and the dance was
+really more of a frolic.
+
+The scarecrow, carried by Spencer Nash, politely asked Lady Eliza to be
+his partner, and Dolly, in behalf of the lady, consented. So these two,
+assisted by Spencer and Dolly, took their places, and opposite them were
+the clothes-tree lady and the big Teddy bear, each guided in their steps
+by their laughing owners.
+
+Bolster Betty was partner to Jack-in-the-box, and the fairy danced with
+the ’possum.
+
+Aunt Rachel guided the uncertain figures of this quadrille, and the
+others all danced round as they chose. Then, fearing the new member of
+the Dana family would be lonesome, they all trooped back to the
+playground, where Saskatchewan stood, meekly holding his basket of
+flowers.
+
+“You dear old thing!” cried Dolly, throwing her arms round him. “Did we
+leave you all alone? Well, here we are back again, and now we’ll play
+with you.”
+
+So they played “Copenhagen,” and “Oats, Peas, Beans, and Barley Grows,”
+and as Lady Eliza’s guests were chosen to step inside the ring, their
+absurd appearance made uproarious fun and laughter.
+
+Then, by way of quieting them down, Aunt Abbie suggested that all the
+dolls and bears be set aside, while the children played some games by
+themselves.
+
+So, ranged in a semicircle, the queer guests sat or stood on either side
+of Lady Eliza’s bower, and the children grouped themselves on the rugs
+on the ground.
+
+First, Aunt Abbie read them one or two lovely stories, and then she
+proposed some guessing games and some forfeit games, and it was six
+o’clock before they knew it.
+
+So then it was time for the feast, and, leaving Lady Eliza and the Big
+Chief to entertain their guests, Dick and Dolly led their own guests to
+the house.
+
+The dining-room table, extended to its full length, was a gay and
+festive sight. In the centre was a big pyramid, built of macaroons and
+fancy cakes and bonbons, and surmounted by a sugar Cupid holding a big
+red balloon by its string.
+
+At every plate was a little sugar figure, bird or animal, holding the
+string of a red balloon, and the balloons, themselves bobbing above the
+table, made a jolly effect.
+
+The two aunties assisted Delia and Hannah to wait on the guests, whose
+appetites proved to be of the normal nine-year-old variety. Sandwiches
+disappeared as if by magic; chicken croquettes seemed to meet with
+general approval, and lemonade was willingly accepted.
+
+Then the ice cream came, in the various shapes that Dick and Dolly had
+selected,—a different design for each one. Pinkie had a fairy, of
+course. Jack Fuller, an automobile, because he was so anxious for his
+father to get one.
+
+Spencer Nash had a fish, because he liked to go fishing, and Maddy
+Lester a boat, because she loved the water. Each had some appropriate
+joke or allusion, and, as the fun was appreciated, the ices were all the
+more enjoyed.
+
+Cakes and bonbons followed, and, last of all, the snapping German
+crackers.
+
+These each held a tissue paper cap, which was donned by its owner, and
+Dolly’s little Dutch bonnet proved becoming to her rosy face and sunny
+curls.
+
+Pinkie’s was a crown, and after it was put in place, Aunt Rachel
+declared she looked like a fairy herself. The boys had sailor caps, and
+soldier caps, and Scotch caps, and when all were be-hatted, they
+adjourned to the parlour for a final game.
+
+This proved to be “Stick and Ball.”
+
+From the middle of the wide arched doorway hung, suspended by a single
+cord, a large ball, apparently of white paper. A long, light stick or
+wand, was supplied by Aunt Abbie, who then blindfolded one of the little
+girls, and asked her to take the wand, turn round three times, and then
+hit at the ball.
+
+Geraldine did so, but by the time she had turned three times, she was
+standing almost with her back toward the ball, though she didn’t know
+it.
+
+So, when she struck, she hit only empty air.
+
+A shout of laughter arose, but the children were surprised to find, as
+one after another tried it, that it was far from easy, to turn three
+times, and then stand facing in the right direction.
+
+So it was not until nearly all had attempted it, that at last one of the
+boys hit the ball a smart, sharp, _whack!_ which burst the paper, and
+down tumbled a lot of neat white paper parcels tied with red ribbons.
+
+A name was written on each, and as the children scrambled for them, they
+were quickly exchanged until each had his or her own. The parcels
+contained pretty little gifts which were souvenirs of the party to take
+home.
+
+Though not of great value, they were all attractive presents, and the
+young guests were greatly pleased.
+
+The party was over now, except for one last visit to the playground to
+recover their dolls and strange creatures who still waited out there.
+But as they neared the spot, a delighted “Oh!” burst from the children.
+
+Michael had lighted the Japanese lanterns and turned the place into what
+looked like fairy-land.
+
+It was dark now, and the lanterns cast shadows of Lady Eliza and her
+guests, as well as of the trees and hedges.
+
+“Isn’t it beautiful!” whispered Pinkie to Dolly. “I wish we could stay
+here awhile.”
+
+“We can’t,” returned Dolly. “Aunt Rachel says it’s too damp to stay out
+here in the evening. So she just let us have the lanterns lighted for a
+few minutes to see how pretty it is.”
+
+“It’s lovely!” declared everybody.
+
+And Dick said, “Perhaps in summer, when it’s real warm, we can stay out
+here after dark, and have the lanterns again.”
+
+The twins put this question to Aunt Rachel, after all the party guests
+had gone home.
+
+“Perhaps,” she replied, “when it’s really warm weather. But now, you
+must scurry to bed, and we’ll discuss the subject some other time.”
+
+“But we must bring in Lady Eliza,” said Dick, and with Michael’s help,
+Lady Eliza, with her pretty pink frock and ribbons quite unharmed, came
+smilingly in at the front door.
+
+But Big Chief Saskatchewan stood grimly on guard, all through the night,
+looking steadily ahead at the stars just above the horizon, and holding
+firmly his Indian basket of gay blossoms.
+
+                                THE END
+
+                 *        *        *        *        *
+
+                          CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS
+May be had wherever books are sold.       Ask for Grosset & Dunlap’s list.
+
+                 *        *        *        *        *
+
+                           THE MARJORIE BOOKS
+
+                      Happy Books For Happy Girls
+
+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.
+
+This series is the American Girl’s very own. Each book is attractively
+bound in cloth, and wrapped in a charming colored individual wrapper.
+
+Marjorie’s Vacation
+Marjorie’s New Friend
+Marjorie’s Maytime
+Marjorie’s Busy Day
+Marjorie in Command
+Marjorie at Seacote
+
+                      THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES
+
+Miss Carolyn Wells here introduces 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 on a Holiday
+Two Little Women and Treasure House
+
+                        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
+
+                 GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+                 *        *        *        *        *
+
+                       THE POLLY BREWSTER SERIES
+
+                        By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
+
+                    Durably Bound. Colored Wrappers
+
+                      Illustrated By H. S. BARBOUR
+
+A delightful series for girls in which they will follow Polly and
+Eleanor through many interesting adventures and enjoyable trips, and
+will learn something of the fascination of interior decorating. “Pebbly
+Pit” is the name given to the Rocky Mountain ranch where Polly lived
+with her parents.
+
+POLLY OF PEBBLY PIT
+
+Tells about a Rocky Mountain ranch girl and her many adventures.
+
+POLLY AND ELEANOR
+
+Eleanor Maynard visits Polly at the Ranch and they have lively times.
+
+POLLY IN NEW YORK
+
+Polly and Eleanor visit New York and have a number of very interesting
+experiences.
+
+POLLY AND HER FRIENDS ABROAD
+
+The girls go abroad and spend most of their time with other American
+travelers.
+
+POLLY’S BUSINESS VENTURE
+
+Polly and Eleanor take up interior decorating. They attend sales of
+antiques and incidentally fall in love.
+
+                 GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+                 *        *        *        *        *
+
+                                 LITTLE
+                         JOURNEYS TO HAPPYLAND
+
+                         (Trademark Registered)
+
+                             By DAVID CORY
+
+          Individual Colored Wrappers. Profusely Illustrated.
+
+  Printed in large type—easy to read.  For children from 4 to 8 years.
+
+A new series of exciting adventures by the author of LITTLE JACK RABBIT
+books.
+
+The Happyland is reached by various routes: If you should happen to miss
+the Iceberg Express maybe you can take the Magic Soap Bubble, or in case
+that has already left, the Noah’s Ark may be waiting for you.
+
+This series is unique in that it deals with unusual and exciting
+adventures on land and sea and in the air.
+
+THE CRUISE OF THE NOAH’S ARK
+
+This is a good rainy day story. On just such a day Mr. Noah invites
+Marjorie to go for a trip in the Noah’s Ark. She gets aboard just in
+time and away it floats out into the big wide world.
+
+THE MAGIC SOAP BUBBLE
+
+The king of the gnomes has a magic pipe with which he blows a wonderful
+bubble and taking Ed with him they both have a delightful time in
+Gnomeland.
+
+THE ICEBERG EXPRESS
+
+The Mermaid’s magic comb changes little Mary Louise into a mermaid. The
+Polar Bear Porter on the iceberg Express invites her to take a trip with
+him and away they go on a little journey to Happyland.
+
+                 GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+                 *        *        *        *        *
+
+                        THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS
+
+                        For Little Men and Women
+
+                           By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+                Author of “The Bunny Brown” Series, Etc.
+
+ 12mo.     DURABLY BOUND.     ILLUSTRATED.     UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING
+
+Copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere. Books that
+charm the hearts of the little ones, and of which they never tire.
+
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA
+THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST
+
+                 GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+                 *        *        *        *        *
+
+                         THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES
+
+                           By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+              Author of the Popular “Bobbsey Twins” Books
+
+                Wrapper and text illustrations drawn by
+                       FLORENCE ENGLAND NOSWORTHY
+
+ 12mo.     DURABLY BOUND.     ILLUSTRATED.     UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING
+
+These stories by the author of the “Bobbsey Twins” Books are eagerly
+welcomed by the little folks from about five to ten years of age. Their
+eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively doings of inquisitive
+little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful sister Sue.
+
+Bunny was a lively little boy, very inquisitive. When he did anything,
+Sue followed his leadership. They had many adventures, some comical in
+the extreme.
+
+BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE
+BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA’S FARM
+BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS
+BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE
+BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU’S CITY HOME
+BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS
+BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR
+BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY
+BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW
+BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE
+
+                 GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+                 *        *        *        *        *
+
+                       SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES
+
+                           By LAURA LEE HOPE
+
+                  Author of “The Bobbsey Twins Books,”
+                       “The Bunny Brown Series,”
+                    “The Make-Believe Series,” Etc.
+
+     Durably Bound.     Illustrated.     Uniform Style of Binding.
+
+Delightful stories for little boys and girls which sprung into immediate
+popularity. To know the six little Bunkers is to take them at once to
+your heart, they are so intensely human, so full of fun and cute
+sayings. Each story has a little plot of its own—one that can be easily
+followed—and all are written in Miss Hope’s most entertaining manner.
+Clean, wholesome volumes which ought to be on the bookshelf of every
+child in the land.
+
+SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL’S
+SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO’S
+SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM’S
+SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD’S
+SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED’S
+SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN’S
+SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK’S
+
+                 GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
+
+
+
+
+                 *        *        *        *        *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber’s note:
+
+Hyphenation has been retained as in the original.
+
+Punctuation has been corrected without note. Other errors have been
+corrected as noted below:
+
+page 22, their seevrity, yet now ==> their severity, yet now
+
+page 79, and he consideerd it his ==> and he considered it his
+
+page 140, too creap for this ==> too cheap for this
+
+page 144, “Yes, I’ll help yez ==> “Yis, I’ll help yez
+
+page 157, little voice sad: ==> little voice said:
+
+page 182, and ran of errands, ==> and ran lots of errands,
+
+page 208, Eliza’s difficult transportantion ==> Eliza’s difficult
+  transportation
+
+page 209, I’ll have getttin’ ==> I’ll have gettin’
+
+page 260, when the suddenly ==> when they suddenly
+
+page 268, suppose Aune Nine ==> suppose Aunt Nine
+
+page 293, journey to Hapyyland ==> journey to Happyland
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK AND DOLLY***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 53166-0.txt or 53166-0.zip *******
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+<body>
+<h1 class="pg">The Project Gutenberg eBook, Dick and Dolly, by Carolyn Wells, Illustrated
+by Ada Budell</h1>
+<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States
+and most other parts of the world 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 <a
+href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>.  If you are not
+located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the
+country where you are located before using this ebook.</p>
+<p>Title: Dick and Dolly</p>
+<p>Author: Carolyn Wells</p>
+<p>Release Date: September 29, 2016  [eBook #53166]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK AND DOLLY***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h4>E-text prepared by Mardi Desjardins<br />
+    and the online Distributed Proofreaders Canada team<br />
+    (<a href="http://www.pgdpcanada.net">http://www.pgdpcanada.net</a>)<br />
+    from page images generously made available by<br />
+    Internet Archive<br />
+    (<a href="https://archive.org">https://archive.org</a>)</h4>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10">
+  <tr>
+    <td valign="top">
+      Note:
+    </td>
+    <td>
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      <a href="https://archive.org/details/dickdolly00well">
+      https://archive.org/details/dickdolly00well</a>
+    </td>
+  </tr>
+</table>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0000' style='width:375px;height:auto;'/>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk'/>
+
+<p class='pindent'><a id='girlA'></a></p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i003.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0001' style='width:400px;height:auto;'/>
+<p class='caption'>“<span class='sc'>She saw a little girl coming eagerly toward her</span>” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style='font-size:smaller'>(Page <a href='#girl'>95</a>)</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<hr class='pbk'/>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:2.5em;font-weight:bold;'>DICK AND DOLLY</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:1em;'>BY</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:1.7em;font-weight:bold;'>CAROLYN WELLS</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:1em;'>AUTHOR OF</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:1.2em;'>THE MARJORIE BOOKS,</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:1.2em;'>THE PATTY BOOKS,</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:1.2em;'>THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES,</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:1em;'>ILLUSTRATED BY</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:1.5em;'>ADA BUDELL</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/logo.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0002' style='width:120px;height:auto;'/>
+</div>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:1.5em;'>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP</p>
+<p class='line' style='font-size:1.2em;'>PUBLISHERS &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;NEW YORK</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>Made in the United States of America</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<hr class='pbk'/>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'>Copyright, 1909, by</p>
+<p class='line'>DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>Published, October, 1909</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<hr class='pbk'/>
+
+<div><h1 class='nobreak'>CONTENTS</h1></div>
+
+<table id='tab1' summary='' class='center'>
+<colgroup>
+<col span='1' style='width: 2em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 0em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 17em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 0em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 2em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 1em;'/>
+</colgroup>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>CHAPTER</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>PAGE</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>I</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>The Brook</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_1'>1</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>II</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>The Arrival</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_15'>15</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>III</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>An Early Stroll</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_29'>29</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>IV</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Gardens</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_43'>43</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>V</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Playground</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_57'>57</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VI</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Social Call</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_72'>72</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Pinkie</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_87'>87</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>VIII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Secret</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_102'>102</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>IX</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Phyllis</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_118'>118</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>X</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>An Auction Sale</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_132'>132</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XI</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Fun with Lady Eliza</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_147'>147</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Obeying Orders</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_161'>161</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Aunt Nine</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_177'>177</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIV</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Coronation</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_191'>191</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XV</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>Punishment</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_207'>207</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVI</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>The Playhouse</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_222'>222</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>The Fate of Dana Cottage</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_236'>236</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XVIII</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Lovely Plan</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_249'>249</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XIX</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>The Big Chief</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_264'>264</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'>XX</td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'><span class='sc'>A Gay Party</span></td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'><a href='#Page_279'>279</a></td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab1c1 tdStyle0'></td><td class='tab1c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c3 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c4 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c5 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab1c6 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<div><h1>ILLUSTRATIONS</h1></div>
+
+<table id='tab2' summary='' class='center'>
+<colgroup>
+<col span='1' style='width: 15em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 0em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 3em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 3em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 0em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 2em;'/>
+<col span='1' style='width: 1em;'/>
+</colgroup>
+<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle2'><a href='#girlA'>“She Saw a Little Girl Coming Eagerly Toward Her”</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab2c3 tdStyle3'></td><td class='tab2c4 tdStyle3'></td><td class='tab2c5 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab2c6 tdStyle0'><span class='it'>Frontispiece</span></td><td class='tab2c7 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle2'></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c3 tdStyle3'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c4 tdStyle3'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c5 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c6 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c7 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle2'><a href='#coolA'>“Oh, How Good the Cool Ripply Water did Feel!”</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab2c3 tdStyle3'>Facing</td><td class='tab2c4 tdStyle3'>page</td><td class='tab2c5 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab2c6 tdStyle0'>40</td><td class='tab2c7 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle2'></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c3 tdStyle3'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c4 tdStyle3'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c5 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c6 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c7 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle2'><a href='#gardA'>In the Garden</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab2c3 tdStyle3'>” &nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c4 tdStyle3'>&nbsp;&nbsp;”</td><td class='tab2c5 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab2c6 tdStyle0'>124</td><td class='tab2c7 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle2'></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c3 tdStyle3'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c4 tdStyle3'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c5 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c6 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c7 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle2'><a href='#partyA'>Lady Dusenbury’s Party</a></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab2c3 tdStyle3'>” &nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c4 tdStyle3'>&nbsp;&nbsp;”</td><td class='tab2c5 tdStyle1'></td><td class='tab2c6 tdStyle0'>200</td><td class='tab2c7 tdStyle1'></td></tr>
+<tr><td class='tab2c1 tdStyle2'></td><td class='tab2c2 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c3 tdStyle3'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c4 tdStyle3'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c5 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c6 tdStyle0'>&nbsp;</td><td class='tab2c7 tdStyle1'>&nbsp;</td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='1' id='Page_1'></span><h1>CHAPTER I</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>THE BROOK</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>D</span>ick and Dolly were twins and had been
+twins for nine years.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Most of these years had been spent
+with Grandma Banks and Aunt Helen, for Dick
+and Dolly were orphaned when they were tiny
+tots, and Aunt Helen Banks was their mother’s
+sister.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then, about two years ago, Grandma Banks
+had died, and now Aunt Helen was to be married
+and go far away across the sea to live.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So their Chicago home was broken up, and the
+twins were sent to the old Dana homestead in
+Connecticut, to live with their father’s people.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This transfer of their dwelling-place didn’t
+bother Dick and Dolly much, for they were
+philosophical little people and took things just
+as they happened, and, moreover, they were so
+fond of each other, that so long as they were
+together, it didn’t matter to them where they
+were.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But to the two people who lived in the old
+Dana place, and who were about to receive the
+twin charges, it mattered a great deal.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie Dana were
+maiden ladies of precise and methodical habits,
+and to have their quiet home invaded by two
+unknown children was, to say the least, disturbing.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But then Dick and Dolly were the children of
+their own brother, and so, of course they were
+welcome, still the aunts felt sure it would make
+a great difference in the household.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And indeed it did.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>From the moment of the twins’ arrival,—but
+I may as well tell you about that moment.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>You see, Aunt Helen was so busy with her
+wedding preparations that she didn’t want to
+take the time to bring Dick and Dolly all the
+way from Chicago to Heatherton, Connecticut,
+so she sent them East in charge of some friends
+of hers who chanced to be coming. Mr. and
+Mrs. Halkett were good-natured people, and
+agreed to see the twins safely to Dana Dene, the
+home of the waiting aunts.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And the aunts were waiting somewhat
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They had never seen Dick and Dolly since
+they were tiny babies, and as they had heard
+vague reports of mischievous tendencies, they
+feared for the peace and quiet of their uneventful
+lives.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But,” said Miss Abbie to Miss Rachel, “we
+can’t expect children to act like grown people.
+If they’re only tidy and fairly good-mannered, I
+shall be thankful.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps we can train them to be,” responded
+Miss Rachel, hopefully; “nine is not
+very old, to begin with. I think they will be
+tractable at that age.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let us hope so,” said Miss Abbie.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The Dana ladies were not really old,—even
+the family Bible didn’t credit them with quite
+half a century apiece,—but they were of a quiet,
+sedate type, and were disturbed by the least
+invasion of their daily routine.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Life at Dana Dene was of the clock-work
+variety, and mistresses and servants fell into step
+and trooped through each day, without a variation
+from the pre-arranged line of march.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But, to their honest souls, duty was pre-eminent,
+even over routine, and now, as it was
+clearly their duty to take their brother’s children
+into their household, there was no hesitation,
+but there was apprehension.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>For who could say what two nine-year-olds
+would be like?</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But in accordance with their sense of duty,
+the Misses Dana accepted the situation and
+went to work to prepare rooms for the new-comers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Two large sunny bedrooms, Dolly’s sweet and
+dainty, Dick’s more boyish, were made ready,
+and another large room was planned to be used
+as a study or rainy-day playroom for them both.
+Surely, the aunts were doing the right thing,—if
+the children would only respond to the gentle
+treatment, and not be perfect little savages, all
+might yet be well.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Now it happened that when Mr. and Mrs.
+Halkett reached New York with their young
+charges, the trip from Chicago had made Mrs.
+Halkett so weary and indisposed that she preferred
+to remain in New York while her husband
+took the twins to Heatherton. It was not
+a long trip, perhaps three hours or less on the
+train, so Mr. Halkett started off to fulfil his
+trust and present Dick and Dolly at the door
+of their new home, assuring his wife that he
+would return on the first train possible after
+accomplishing his errand. Mrs. Halkett took
+pride in seeing that the children were very spick
+and span, and prettily arrayed, and gave them
+many injunctions to keep themselves so.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Sturdy Dick looked fine in his grey Norfolk
+jacket and knickerbockers, with wide white collar
+and correct tie. Pretty little Dolly was in
+white piqué, very stiff and clean, with a tan-coloured
+coat and flower-trimmed hat.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins looked alike, and had the same
+big, dark eyes, but Dick’s hair was a dark mass
+of close-cropped curls, while Dolly’s was a tangle
+of fluffy golden ringlets. This striking effect of
+fair hair and dark eyes made her an unusually
+attractive-looking child, and though they had
+never thought of it themselves, the twins were a
+very beautiful pair of children. Docilely obedient
+to Mrs. Halkett’s injunctions, they sat
+quietly in the train, and did nothing that could
+by any possibility be termed naughty.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Truth to tell, they were a little awed at the
+thought of the two aunts, whom they did not
+yet know, but had every reason to believe were
+not at all like Auntie Helen. They chatted together,
+as they looked out of the window at the
+landscape and stations, and Mr. Halkett read
+his paper, and then looked over his timetable
+to see how soon he could get back to New
+York.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>There was a train that left Heatherton for
+New York about half an hour after their own
+arrival, so he hoped he could leave the twins
+at Dana Dene and return to the metropolis on
+that train. But owing to a delay of some
+sort they did not reach the Heatherton station
+until about twenty minutes after schedule
+time.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>After the train Mr. Halkett desired to take
+back to New York, there was no other for two
+hours, and greatly annoyed was that gentleman.
+When they stood at last on the station platform,
+a pleasant-faced Irishman approached and informed
+Mr. Halkett that he was from Dana
+Dene, and had been sent to meet Master Dick
+and Miss Dolly. As the man appeared so capable
+and responsible, Mr. Halkett was tempted
+to put the children in his care, and return himself
+at once to New York.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>He explained about the trains, and told of
+his wife’s illness, and the intelligent Michael said
+at once:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Shure, sor, do yez go back to New York.
+I’ll be afther takin’ the childher safe to the
+house. Don’t yez moind, sor, but go right
+along. Lave all to me, sor.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Impressed with the man’s decisive words,
+and sure of his trustworthiness, Mr. Halkett
+assisted the children into the carriage, and
+bidding them good-bye turned back to the
+station.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly looked a little wistful as he turned
+away, for though no relative, he had been a kind
+friend, and now she felt like a stranger in a
+strange land.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Dick was with her, so nothing else really
+mattered. She slipped her hand in her brother’s,
+and then Michael picked up his reins and they
+started off.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was early May, and it chanced to be warm
+and pleasant. The carriage was an open one, a
+sort of landau, and the twins gazed around
+with eager interest.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Great, isn’t it, Dolly?” exclaimed Dick, as
+they drove along a winding road, with tall trees
+and budding shrubs on either side.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes!” returned Dolly. “It’s beautiful.
+I love the country a whole heap better than
+Chicago. Oh, Dick, there’s woods,—real
+woods!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So it is, and a brook in it! I say, Michael,
+can’t we get out here a minute?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think not,” said the good-natured coachman.
+“The leddies is forninst, lookin’ for yez,
+and by the same token, we’re afther bein’ late
+as it is.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I know,” said Dick, “but we won’t
+stay a minute. Just let us run in and see that
+brook. It’s such a dandy! I never saw a brook
+but once or twice in all my life.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yez didn’t! The saints presarve us!
+Wherever have yez lived?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“In the city,—in Chicago. Do stop a minute,
+please, Michael.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Please, Michael,” added Dolly, and her
+sweet voice and coaxing glance were too much
+for Michael’s soft heart.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Grumbling a little under his breath, he pulled
+up his horses, and let the children get out.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Just a minute, now,” he said, warningly.
+“I’ll bring yez back here some other day. Can
+yez get under the brush there?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We’ll go over,” cried Dick, as he climbed
+and scrambled over a low thicket of brush.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly scrambled through, somehow, and the
+two children that emerged on the other side of
+the brush were quite different in appearance
+from the two sedate-looking ones that Mr.
+Halkett had left behind him.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick’s white collar had received a smudge,
+his stocking was badly torn, and his cheek
+showed a long scratch.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly’s white frock was a sight! Her pretty
+tan coat had lost a button or two, and her hat
+was still in the bushes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hey, Doddy, hey, for the brook!” shouted
+Dick, and grasping each other’s hands, they ran
+for the rippling water.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh!” cried Dolly, her eyes shining. “Did
+you <span class='it'>ever</span>!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>To the very edge of the brook they went,
+dabbling their fingers in the clear stream, and
+merrily splashing water on each other.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>All this would have been a harmless performance
+enough if they had been in play clothes,
+but the effect on their travelling costumes was
+most disastrous.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Leaning over the mossy bank to reach the
+water caused fearful green stains on white piqué
+and on light-grey knickerbockers. Hands became
+grimy, and faces hot and smudgy. But
+blissfully careless of all this, the children
+frolicked and capered about, rejoiced to find the
+delightful country spot and quite oblivious to
+the fact that they were on their way to their
+new home.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'><a id='cool'></a>“Let’s wade,” said Dick, and like a flash,
+off came four muddy shoes, and four grass-greened
+stockings. Oh, how good the cool ripply
+water did feel! and how they chuckled with glee
+as they felt the wavelets plashing round their
+ankles.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Across the brook were the dearest wild flowers,—pink,
+yellow, and white.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We must gather some,” said Dolly. “Can
+we wade across?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yep; I guess so. It doesn’t look deep.
+Come on.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Taking hands again, they stepped cautiously,
+and succeeded in crossing the shallow brook,
+though, incidentally, well dampening the piqué
+skirt, and the grey knickerbockers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Sitting down on the mossy bank, they picked
+handfuls of the flowers and wondered what they
+were.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hollo! Hollo!” called Michael’s voice
+from the road, where he sat holding his
+horses.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right, Michael! In a minute,” shrilled
+back the childish voices.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And they really meant to go in a minute, but
+the fascination of the place held them, and they
+kept on picking flowers, and grubbing among the
+roots and stones at the edge of the water.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We really ought to go,” said Dolly.
+“Come on, Dick. Oh, look at the birds!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A large flock of birds flew low through the
+sky, and as they circled and wheeled, the children
+watched them eagerly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“They’re birds coming North for the summer,”
+said Dick. “See those falling behind!
+They don’t like the way the flock is going, and
+they’re going to turn back.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So they are! We must watch them. There,
+now they’ve decided to go on, after all! Aren’t
+they queer?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hollo! Hollo! Come back, yez bad
+childher! Come back, I say!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Michael, in a minute,” rang out Dolly’s
+sweet, bird-like voice.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“In a minute, nothin’! Come now, roight
+sthraight away! Do yez hear?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, we’re coming,” answered Dick, and together
+they started to wade back across the
+brook.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then there were shoes and stockings to be
+put on, and with sopping wet feet, and no towels,
+this is not an easy task.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They tugged at the unwilling stockings and
+nearly gave up in despair, but succeeded at last
+in getting them on, though the seams were
+far from the proper straight line at the back.
+Shoes were not so hard to put on, but were impossible
+to button without a buttonhook, so had
+to remain unbuttoned.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Meantime, Michael was fairly fuming with
+angry impatience. He could not leave his
+horses, or he would have gone after the truants,
+and no passers-by came along whom he could
+ask to hold his restive team.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So he continued to shout, and Dick and Dolly
+continued to assure him that they were coming,
+but they didn’t come.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>At last they appeared at the thicket hedge,
+and as the two laughing faces peeped through,
+Michael could scarcely recognise his young
+charges. Torn, soiled, dishevelled, unkempt,
+there was absolutely no trace of the spick and
+span toilets Mrs. Halkett had looked after so
+carefully, in spite of her aching head and tired
+nerves.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yez naughty little rascals!” cried Michael.
+“Whativer possessed yez to tousel yersilves up
+loike that! Shame to yez! What’ll yer aunties
+say?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>For the first time, the twins realised their
+disreputable appearance.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>What, indeed, would their new aunties say
+to them? Aunt Helen would have laughed, in
+her pretty, merry way, and sent them trotting
+away to clean up, but with new and untried
+aunties they couldn’t be sure. Moreover, they
+had an idea that Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie
+were not at all like pretty, young Auntie Helen.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Rescuing her hat from the thorn bush where
+it hung, Dolly looked ruefully at its twisted
+flowers. The more she tried to pull them into
+shape, the worse they looked.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She put it on her head, dismayed meanwhile
+to find her broad hair-ribbon was gone, and
+her sunny curls a moist, tangled mop.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick was conscious of a growing feeling of
+wrong-doing, but there was nothing to be done
+but face the music.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Get in,” he said, briefly to his sister, and
+they clambered into the carriage.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Michael said no more; it was not his place
+to reprimand the children of the house, but he
+sat up very straight and stiff, as he drove rapidly
+toward home. To be sure, his straightness and
+stiffness was to conceal a fit of merriment caused
+by the thought of presenting these ragamuffins at
+the portals of Dana Dene, but the ragamuffins
+themselves didn’t know that, and regretful and
+chagrined, they sat hand in hand, awaiting their
+fate.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='15' id='Page_15'></span><h1>CHAPTER II</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>THE ARRIVAL</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>I</span>n the dark and somewhat sombre library
+at Dana Dene, Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie
+sat awaiting their guests. The room might
+have been called gloomy, but for the sunshine
+that edged in through the long, narrow, slit-like
+windows, and made determined golden bars
+across the dark-red carpet. Both the Misses
+Dana showed clearly their anxiety to have the
+children arrive and end their suspense.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“If only they’re tidy children,” said Miss
+Rachel for the fiftieth time; and Miss Abbie
+responded, as she always did, “Yes, and quiet-mannered.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel Dana was of rather spare build,
+and sharp features. Her brown hair, only
+slightly tinged with grey, was deftly arranged,
+and every curled lock in its right place. Her
+pretty house-dress of dark blue foulard silk, with
+white figures, was modishly made and carefully
+fitted.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Abbie was a little more plump, and her
+gown was of a shade lighter blue, though otherwise
+much like her sister’s.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The ladies had a patient air, as if they had
+waited long, but though they now and then
+glanced at the clock, they expressed no surprise
+at the delayed arrival. Trains were apt to be
+late at Heatherton, and they knew Michael
+would return as soon as possible. They had not
+gone themselves to the station to meet the twins,
+for it had seemed to them more dignified and
+fitting to receive their young relatives in their
+own home. Meantime, the young relatives were
+drawing nearer, and now, quite forgetting their
+own untidy appearance, their thoughts had
+turned to the waiting aunts, and the welcome
+they would probably receive.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t believe they’ll be as nice as Aunty
+Helen,” said Dick, candidly, “but I hope they’ll
+be jolly and gay.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I hope they’ll like us,” said Dolly, a little
+wistfully. She had always missed a mother’s
+love more than Dick had, and her affectionate
+little heart hoped to find in these aunties a certain
+tenderness that merry Aunt Helen had
+not possessed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick eyed his sister critically. “I don’t believe
+they will,” he said, honestly, “until we
+get some clean clothes on. I say, Dollums, we
+look like scarecrows.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So we do!” said Dolly, fairly aghast as she
+realised the state of her costume. “Oh, Dick,
+can’t we get dressed up before we see them?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“’Course we can’t. Our trunks and bags
+haven’t come yet; and, anyway, they’ll probably
+be on the porch or somewhere, to meet us.
+Buck up, Dolly; don’t you mind. You’re just
+as nice that way.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Is my face dirty?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Not so much dirty,—as red and scratched.
+How <span class='it'>did</span> you get so chopped up?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It was those briers. You went over, but I
+went through.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I should say you did! Well, I don’t believe
+they’ll mind your looks. And, anyway, they’ll
+have to get used to it; you ’most always look
+like that.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was cold comfort, and Dolly’s feminine
+heart began to feel that their appearance would
+be greatly in their disfavour.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But she was of a sanguine nature, and, too,
+she was apt to devise expedients.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll tell you, Dick,” she said, as an idea came
+to her; “you know, ‘a soft answer turneth
+away wrath’; no,—I guess I mean ‘charity
+covereth a multitude of sins.’ Yes, that’s it.
+And charity is love, you know. So when we
+see the aunties, let’s spring into their arms and
+kiss ’em and love ’em ’most to death, and then
+they won’t notice our clothes.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right, that goes. Let me see,—yes,
+your face is clean,”—Dick made a dab or
+two at it with his handkerchief. “How’s
+mine?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it’s clean,” said Dolly, “at least, there
+aren’t any smudges; but you’d better wash it
+before supper.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right, I will. Here we go now, turning
+in at the gate. Be ready to jump out and fly
+at them if they’re on the porch.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They weren’t on the porch, so the twins went
+in at the great front door, which was opened for
+them by a smiling maid, whose smile broadened
+as she saw them. Then, repressing her smile,
+she ushered them to the library door and into the
+presence of the two waiting aunts.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now!” whispered Dick, and with a mad
+rush, the two flew across the room like whirlwinds
+and fairly <span class='it'>banged</span> themselves into the
+arms of Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie Dana.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This sudden onslaught was followed by a
+series of hugs and kisses which were of astonishing
+strength and duration.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>What Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie thought
+can never be known, for they had no power of
+thought. Victims of a volcanic visitation do not
+think,—at least, not coherently, and the Dana
+ladies were quite helpless, both mentally and
+physically.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dear Auntie,” cooed Dolly, patting the
+cheek of the one she had attacked, though not
+knowing her name; “are you glad to see us?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel stared stupidly at her, but the
+stare was not reassuring, and Dolly’s heart
+fell.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Jolly glad to get here,” cried Dick, loyally
+trying to carry out Dolly’s plan, as he nearly
+choked the breath out of the other aunt. Miss
+Abbie had a little more sense of humour than
+her sister,—though neither of them was over-burdened
+with it,—so she said to Dick:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Then do stop pommeling me, and stand off
+where I can see what you look like!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But this was just what Dick was not anxious
+to do. So he only clung closer, and said, “Dear
+Auntie, which is your name?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m your Aunt Abbie,” was the response,
+not too gently given, “and now stand up, if you
+please, and stop these monkey-tricks!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Of course, since she put it that way, Dick
+had to desist, and he released his struggling aunt,
+and bravely stood up for inspection.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel, too, had pushed Dolly away
+from her, and the twins stood, hand in hand,
+waiting for the verdict. It was an awful moment.
+The physical exertion of the manner they
+had chosen of greeting their aunts had made
+their flushed little faces still redder, and the
+scratches stood out in bold relief.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Also, their soiled and torn garments looked
+worse in this elegantly appointed room even
+than they had in the woods or in the carriage.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Altogether the twins felt that their plan of
+defence had failed, and they were crestfallen,
+shy, homesick, and pretty miserable all ’round.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But the funny part was, that the plan hadn’t
+failed. Though the aunts never admitted it,
+both their hearts were softened by the feeling of
+those little arms round their necks, and those
+vigorous, if grimy kisses that fell, irrespectively,
+on their cheeks, necks, or lace collars.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Had it not been for this tornado of affection,
+the greeting would have been far different. But
+one cannot speak coldly to a guest who shows
+such warmth of demonstration.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, you <span class='it'>are</span> a pretty-looking pair!” exclaimed
+Miss Rachel, veiling her real disapproval
+behind a semblance of jocularity. “Do
+you always travel in ragged, dirty clothes?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, Aunt Rachel,” said Dick, feeling he
+must make a strike for justice; “at least, we
+don’t start out this way. But you see, we had
+hardly ever seen a brook before——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And it was so lovely!” put in Dolly, ecstatically.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And wild flowers to it!” cried Dick, his
+eyes shining with the joy of the remembrance.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And pebbly stones!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And ripply water!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And birds, flying in big bunches!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, but it was splendid!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And so you went to the brook,” said Aunt
+Rachel, beginning to see daylight.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m; on the way up from the station, you
+know.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Did Michael go with you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No; he sat and held the horses, and hollered
+for us to come back.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why didn’t you go when he called you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, we did; at least, we went in a minute.
+But, Aunt Rachel, we never had seen a real live
+brook before, not since we were little bits of
+kiddy-wids,—and we just couldn’t bear to leave
+it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We waded in it!” said Dolly, almost solemnly,
+as if she had referred to the highest
+possible earthly bliss.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The Dana ladies were nonplussed. True, the
+affection showered on them had tempered their
+<a id='sev'></a>severity, yet now justice began to reassert itself,
+and surely it would not be just or fair to
+have these semi-barbaric children installed at
+Dana Dene.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Did your aunt in Chicago let you act like
+this?” asked Aunt Abbie, by way of trying to
+grasp the situation.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, you see, there never was a brook
+there,” said Dick, pleasantly. “Only Lake
+Michigan, and that was too big to be any
+fun.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, isn’t Heatherton lovely?” exclaimed
+Dolly, her big, dark eyes full of rapture.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She had again possessed herself of Miss
+Rachel’s hand and was patting it, and incidentally
+transfering some “good, brown earth” to
+it, from her own little paw.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Though Dolly had planned their mode of entrance,
+she had forgotten all about it now, and
+her affectionate demonstrations were prompted
+only by her own loving little heart, and not by
+an effort to be tactful.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>In her enthusiasm over the beautiful country-side,
+she fairly bubbled over with love and affection
+for all about her.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Are you both so fond of the country, then?”
+said Miss Abbie, a little curiously.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, we love it,” declared Dick, “and we’ve
+’most never seen it. Auntie Helen always liked
+fashionable places in summer, and of course in
+winter we were in Chicago.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And we were naughty,” said Dolly, with a
+sudden burst of contrition, “to go wading in
+the brook in our good clothes. Mrs. Halkett
+told us <span class='it'>’spressly</span> not to get soiled or even rumpled
+before we saw you. And we’re sorry we
+did,—but, oh! that brook! When can we go
+there again? To-morrow?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Or this afternoon,” said Dick, sidling up
+to Aunt Rachel; “it isn’t late, is it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins had instinctively discerned that
+Miss Rachel was the one of whom to ask permission.
+Aunt Abbie seemed more lovable, perhaps,
+but without a doubt Aunt Rachel was the
+fixer of their fate.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“This afternoon! I should say not!” exclaimed
+Miss Rachel. “It’s nearly supper time
+now, and how you’re going to be made presentable
+is more than I know! Have you any other
+clothes?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“In our trunks,—lots of ’em,” said Dick,
+cheerfully. “But these are our best ones. Mrs.
+Halkett put them on us purpose to come to you.
+I’m sorry they’re smashed.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick’s sorrow was expressed in such blithe
+and nonchalant tones, that Miss Rachel only
+smiled grimly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Are you hungry?” she said.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No’m,” said Dick, slowly, and Dolly added,
+“Not <span class='it'>very</span>. Of course we’re always <span class='it'>some</span> hungry.
+But Aunt Rachel, can’t we go out and
+scoot round the yard? Just to see what it’s like,
+you know. Of course, this room is,—beautiful,
+but we do love to be out doors. May we?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Miss Rachel, decidedly, and
+though Miss Abbie said, timidly, “Why don’t
+you let them?” the elder sister resumed:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Go out on my lawn looking like that? Indeed
+you can’t! I’d be ashamed to have the
+chickens see you,—let alone the servants!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, are there chickens?” cried Dolly, dancing
+about in excitement. “I’m <span class='it'>so</span> glad we’re
+going to live here!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She made a movement as if to hug her Aunt
+Rachel once again, but as she saw the involuntary
+drawing away of that lady’s shoulders, she transferred
+her caress to Dick, and the tattered twins
+fell on each other’s necks in mutual joy of anticipation.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You are a ridiculous pair of children,” said
+Aunt Abbie, laughing at the sight; “but as I
+hope you’ll show some of your father’s traits,
+you may improve under our training.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“If we can train such hopeless cases,” said
+Miss Rachel. “Has nobody ever taught you
+how to behave?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Dick, growing red at the implication.
+“Auntie Helen is a lovely lady, and
+she taught us to be honourable and polite.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, she did! and do you call it honourable
+to go off wading in your best clothes, while
+we were waiting for you to come here?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick’s honest little face looked troubled.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know,” he said, truly, but Dolly,
+who was often the quicker-witted of the two,
+spoke up:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It may have been naughty, Aunt Rachel,
+but I don’t ’zackly think it was dishonourable.
+Do you?” Thus pinned down, Miss Rachel
+considered.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps ‘dishonourable’ isn’t quite the right
+word,” she said, “but we won’t discuss that now.
+I shall teach you to behave properly, of course,
+but we won’t begin until you look like civilised
+beings, capable of being taught. Just now, I
+think hot baths, with plenty of soap, will be the
+best thing for you, but as you have no clean
+clothes, you’ll have to go to bed.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“At five o’clock! Whew!” said Dick. “Oh,
+I say, Aunt Rachel, not to bed!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Anyway, let us go for a tear around the
+yard first,” begged Dolly. “We can’t hurt
+these clothes now; and I don’t believe the
+chickens will mind. Are there <span class='it'>little</span> chickens,
+Aunt Abbie?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, little woolly yellow ones.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Like the ones on Easter souvenirs? Oh,
+<span class='it'>please</span> let us see them now,—<span class='it'>please</span>!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>More persuaded by the violence of her niece’s
+plea than by her own inclination, Miss Rachel
+said they might go out for half an hour, and then
+they must come in to baths and beds.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And supper?” asked Dick, hopefully.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, bread and milk after you’re clean and
+tucked into bed.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“<span class='it'>Only</span> bread and milk?” said Dolly, with
+eyes full of wheedlesomeness.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, perhaps jam,” said Aunt Abbie, smiling,
+and somehow her smile augured even more
+than jam. Out they scampered then, and soon
+found Michael, who introduced them to the
+chickens and also to Pat, who was the gardener.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I like you,” said Dolly, slipping her little
+hand into Pat’s big one, both being equally
+grimy. “Please show us all the flowers and
+things.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>There was so much to look at, they could
+only compass a small part of it in their allotted
+half-hour. Dana Dene covered about thirty
+acres, but it was not a real farm. A vegetable
+garden supplied the household wants, and the
+rest of the estate was park and flower beds and
+a bit of woods and an orchard and a terrace,
+and the poultry yard and stables, and other delights
+of which the children could only guess.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Aren’t you glad we came?” said Dolly,
+still hanging on to Pat’s hand.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I—I guess so, Miss,” he replied, cautiously;
+“but I can’t say yet, for sure. Ye’re rampageous,
+I’m afraid. Ain’t ye, now?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Dick, who was always honest, “I
+think we are. At least, everybody says so. But,
+Pat, we’re going to try not to make you any
+trouble.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now, that’s a good boy. If ye talk like that,
+you ’n me’ll be friends.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly said nothing, but she smiled happily
+up into Patrick’s kind eyes, and then, with their
+usual adaptability to circumstances, the twins
+began to feel at home.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='29' id='Page_29'></span><h1>CHAPTER III</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>AN EARLY STROLL</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>S</span>oon after daybreak next morning, Dolly
+woke, and surveyed with satisfaction her
+pretty room.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pink roses clambered over the wall paper, and
+over the chintz hangings and furniture, and over
+the soft, dainty bed-coverlet.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was much more attractive than her room
+at Aunt Helen’s, and as Dolly loved pretty
+things, she gave a little sigh of content and
+nestled comfortably into her pillows. Then
+she heard Dick’s voice whispering through the
+closed door between their rooms.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hi, Dolly; I say! Aren’t you up yet?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, are you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and ’most dressed. Hustle, can’t you?
+and let’s go out and chase around the place.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Before breakfast?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; breakfast isn’t until eight o’clock, and
+it’s only six now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right, I’ll hustle,” and Dolly sprang out
+of bed, and began to dress.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins were a self-reliant pair, and quite
+capable and methodical when they had time to
+be.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly dressed herself neatly in a clean blue
+and white plaid gingham; and as she could tie
+her hair ribbon quite well enough, except for
+special occasions, the blue bow on her golden
+curls was entirely satisfactory.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m all ready, Dick,” she whispered at last,
+through the door, “and we mustn’t make any
+noise, for maybe the aunties are asleep yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right; I’ll meet you in the hall.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So both children went on tiptoe out into the
+big, light hall, and softly down the stairs.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>No one seemed to be stirring, but they unfastened
+the locks and chains of the front doors,
+and stepped out into the beautiful fresh morning.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ve <span class='it'>got</span> to holler!” said Dick, still whispering.
+“They can’t hear us now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, they can; wait till we get farther away
+from the house.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So, hand in hand, they ran down the garden
+path, and when a grape arbour and a cornfield
+were between them and their sleeping aunts,
+they decided they were out of hearing.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hooray!” yelled Dick, as loud as he could,
+at the same time turning a jubilant handspring.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly was quite as glad as her brother, but
+contented herself with dancing about, and giving
+little squeals of delight as she saw one rapturous
+sight after another.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Dick,” she cried, “there’s a fountain!
+’way over there on the little hill. Do you s’pose
+that’s on our grounds?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“’Course it is. This is all ours, as far as you
+can see, and more too. That woodsy place over
+there is ours; Pat told me so.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We’ll have picnics there. And Dick, maybe
+there are fairies in the woods.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Sure there are. That’s just the kind of
+woods that has fairies. But they only come out
+at night, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, but it’s only just a little past night now.
+The sun has only been up a short time. Maybe
+there are some fairies there yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Maybe; let’s go and see.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>With a skip and a jump the children started
+for the woods, which, however proved to be farther
+away than they had thought.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They trudged merrily on, stopping now and
+then to speak to a robin, or kick at a dandelion,
+but at last they came to the edge of the grove.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Dick!” cried Dolly, in ecstasy, “think
+of having a real woods, right in our own yard!
+Isn’t it gorgeous!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Great! but go softly now, if we want to see
+fairies. I’m ’fraid they’ve all gone.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Hand in hand the children tiptoed into the
+wood. They moved very cautiously, lest they
+should step on a twig, or make any noise that
+should frighten the fairies.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“There’s where they dance,” whispered Dick,
+pointing to a smooth, green mossy place. “But
+of course they always fly away when the sun
+rises.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I s’pose so,” said Dolly, regretfully.
+“Shall we come out earlier to-morrow?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; or we might come out to see them
+some night. Moonlight nights; that’s the
+time!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Would you dare? Oh, Dick, wouldn’t it be
+grand!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hey, Dolly, there’s a squirrel; a real, live
+one! That’s better’n fairies. Oh, look at
+him!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Sure enough, a grey squirrel ran past them,
+and now sat, turning his head back to look at
+them, but ready for instant flight if they moved.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But they didn’t move, they knew better; and
+scarce daring to breathe, they sat watching the
+wonderful sight.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Meantime, there was consternation in the
+household. At seven o’clock Miss Rachel had
+sent Hannah, the waitress, to call the twins.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The maid returned with a scared face, and
+announced that the children had gone.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Gone!” cried Miss Rachel, who was engaged
+in making her own toilet; “where have
+they gone?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know, ma’am; but they’re not in
+their rooms, and the front door is wide open.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, they’ve run away!” cried Miss Rachel,
+and hastily throwing on a dressing gown, she
+went to her sister’s room.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Get up, Abbie,” she exclaimed. “Those
+children have run away!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Run away? What do you mean?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, they’ve gone! I suppose they didn’t
+like us. Perhaps they were homesick, or something.
+Abbie, do you suppose they’ve gone back
+to Chicago, all alone?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Nonsense, Rachel, of course they haven’t!
+Children always rise early. They’re probably
+walking in the garden.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, I don’t think so. Something tells me
+they’ve run away because they don’t like us.
+Oh, Abbie, do you think that’s it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, I don’t. Go on and dress. They’ll be
+back by the time you’re ready for breakfast. If
+you’re worried, send Hannah out to hunt them
+up.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Hannah was sent, but as she only looked
+in the verandas and in the gardens near the
+house, of course, she didn’t find the twins. By
+the time the ladies came downstairs, Hannah
+had impressed Pat and Michael into service, and
+all three were hunting for the missing guests.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But it never occurred to them to go so far as
+the woods, where Dick and Dolly were even
+then sitting, watching the grey squirrel, and
+looking for fairies.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m thinkin’ they’ve fell in the pond,” said
+Pat, as he gazed anxiously into the rather muddy
+water.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Not thim!” said Michael; “they’re not
+the sort that do be afther drownin’ thimsilves.
+They’re too frisky. Belikes they’ve run back
+to the brook where they shtopped at yisterday.
+Do yez go there an’ look, Pat.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, do,” said Miss Rachel, who, with
+clasped hands and a white face was pacing the
+veranda.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Don’t take it so hard, sister,” implored Miss
+Abbie. “They’re around somewhere, I’m sure;
+and if not,—why, you know, Rachel, you didn’t
+want them here very much, anyway.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How can you be so heartless!” cried Miss
+Rachel, her eyes staring reproachfully at her
+sister. “I do want them; they’re brother’s children,
+and this is their rightful home. But I wish
+they wanted to stay. I’m sure they ran away
+because they didn’t like us. Do you think we
+were too harsh with them yesterday?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps so. At any rate, they <span class='it'>have</span> run
+away. I thought they were in the garden, but
+if so, they would have been found by now.
+Do you suppose they took an early train back
+to New York?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Abbie, how <span class='it'>can</span> you say so! Those
+two dear little mites alone in a great city! I
+can’t think it!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s better than thinking they are drowned
+in the pond.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Either is awful; and yet of course some
+such thing must have happened.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The two ladies were on the verge of hysterics,
+and the servants, who had all been hunting for
+the children, were nonplussed. Pat had jumped
+on a horse, and galloped off to the brook which
+had so taken their fancy the day before, and
+Michael stood, with his hands in his pockets,
+wondering if he ought to drag the pond.
+Delia, the cook, had left the waiting breakfast
+and had come to join the anxious household.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m thinkin’ they’re not far off,” she said;
+“why don’t ye blow a horn, now?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s a good idea,” said Miss Abbie; “try
+it, Michael.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Michael found an old dinner-horn that
+had hung unused in the barn for many years, and
+he blew resounding blasts.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But unfortunately, the babes in the woods
+were too far away to hear, and forgetful of all
+else they watched two squirrels, who, reassured
+by the children’s quiet, ran back and forth, and
+almost came right up to Dick and Dolly’s
+beckoning fingers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“If only we had something to feed them,”
+said Dick, vainly hunting his pockets for something
+edible.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“If only we had something to feed ourselves,”
+said Dolly; “I’m just about starved.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So’m I; let’s go back now, and come to see
+the squirrels some other time, and bring them
+some nuts.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right, let’s.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So back they started, but leisurely, for they
+had no thought of how the time had slipped by.
+They paused here and there to investigate many
+things, and it was well on toward nine o’clock
+when they came within hearing of Michael’s
+horn, on which he was blowing a last, despairing
+blast.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hear the horn!” cried Dick. “Do you
+s’pose that’s the way they call the family to
+breakfast?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, it isn’t breakfast time, yet,” said Dolly,
+confidently. “I’m hungry enough, but it can’t
+be eight o’clock, I know. And, besides, I want
+time to tidy up.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The clean frock had lost its freshness, and the
+blue bow was sadly askew, for somehow, try as
+she would, Dolly never could keep herself spick
+and span.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They trudged along, through the barnyard
+and the garden, and finally came to the kitchen
+door, which stood invitingly open.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s go in this way,” said Dolly; “it’s
+nearer, and I can skin up to my room and brush
+my hair. I don’t want Auntie Rachel to think
+I’m always messy.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>In at the back door they went, and as the
+kitchen was deserted, they looked around in
+some surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Might as well catch a bun,” said Dick, seeing
+a panful of rolls in the warming oven.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The hungry children each took a roll, and
+then sped on up to their rooms, intent on tidying
+themselves for breakfast.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“For goodness’ sake, Dolly!” exclaimed
+Dick’s voice through the door, “it’s after nine
+o’clock! Do you s’pose they’ve had breakfast,
+and where is everybody?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“After nine o’clock!” said Dolly, opening the
+door, to make sure she had heard aright.
+“Well, if this isn’t the queerest house! Hurry
+up, Dick, and brush your hair, and we’ll go down
+and see what’s the matter. I know they haven’t
+had breakfast, for the kitchen range was all full
+of cereals and things.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A few moments later, two neat and well-brushed
+children tripped gaily downstairs. They
+went into the library, where their two aunts,
+nearly in a state of collapse, were reposing in
+armchairs.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Good-morning, aunties,” said the twins,
+blithely. “Are we late?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Abbie gasped and closed her eyes, at the
+astonishing sight, but Miss Rachel, who was of a
+different nature, felt all her anxiety turn to
+exasperation, and she said, sternly:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You naughty children! Where have you
+been?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, we just got up early, and went to look
+around the place,” volunteered Dolly, “and we
+didn’t know it got late so soon.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But where were you? We’ve searched the
+place over.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We went to the woods,” said Dick. “You
+see, Aunt Abbie, I felt as if I must screech a
+little, and we thought if we stayed too near the
+house, we might wake you up. It was awful
+early then. I don’t see how nine o’clock came so
+soon! Did we keep breakfast back? I’m sorry.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why did you want to screech?” said Miss
+Abbie, quickly. “Are you homesick?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no! I mean screech for joy. Just
+shout, you know, for fun, and jump around,
+and turn somersaults. I always do those things
+when I’m glad. But as it turned out, we
+couldn’t, very much, for we were watching for
+fairies, and then for squirrels, so we had to be
+quiet after all.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And so you wanted to shout for joy, did
+you?” asked Aunt Rachel, much mollified at the
+compliments they paid so unconsciously.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes’m! Everything is so beautiful, and
+so—so sort of enchanted.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Enchanted?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; full of fairies, and sprites. The woods,
+you know, and the pond, and the fountain,—oh,
+Dana Dene is the finest place I ever saw!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick’s enthusiasm was so unfeigned, and his
+little face shone with such intense happiness, that
+Miss Rachel hadn’t the heart to scold him after
+all. So, resolving to tell the twins later of the
+trouble they had caused, she went away to tell
+Delia to send in breakfast, and to tell Michael to
+go and find Patrick, for the twins had returned.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'><a id='coolA'></a></p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i050.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0003' style='width:400px;height:auto;'/>
+<p class='caption'>“<span class='sc'>Oh, how good the cool ripply water did feel!</span>” &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style='font-size:smaller'>(Page <a href='#cool'>10</a>)</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You see,” explained Dolly, as they sat at
+breakfast, “we went out of the house at half-past
+seven, by the big, hall clock. And I thought
+then we’d stay an hour, and get back in time to
+fix up before we saw you. We’re not very good
+at keeping clean.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So I see,” said Aunt Abbie, glancing at several
+grass stains and a zigzag tear that disfigured
+Dolly’s frock.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m; so we ’most always try to get in to
+meals ahead of time, and that ’lows us to spruce
+up some.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We try to,” said Dick, honestly, “but we
+don’t always do it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No,” returned Dolly, calmly; “’most never.
+But isn’t it ’stonishing how fast the time goes
+when you think there’s plenty?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It is,” said Aunt Rachel, a little grimly.
+“And now that you’re to live here, you’ll have
+to mend your ways, about being late, for I won’t
+have tardiness in my house.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Dolly, cheerfully; “I’ll hunt
+up my watch. It doesn’t go very well, except
+when it lies on its face; but if I put it in my
+pocket upside down, maybe it’ll go.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It must be a valuable watch,” remarked
+Aunt Abbie.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m, it is. Auntie Helen gave it to me for
+a good-by gift, but I looked at it so often, that
+I thought it would be handier to wear it hanging
+outside, like a locket, you know. Well, I did,
+and then it banged into everything I met. And
+the chain caught on everything, and the watch
+got dented, and the crystal broke, and one hand
+came off. But it was the long hand, so as long
+as the hour hand goes all right, I can guess at the
+time pretty good. If I’d just had it with me this
+morning, we’d been all right. I’m real sorry we
+were late.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel smiled, but it was rather a grim
+smile.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t set much store by people who are
+sorry,” she said; “what I like, are people who
+don’t do wrong things the second time. If you
+are never late to breakfast again, that will please
+me more than being sorry for this morning’s
+escapade.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll do both,” said Dolly, generously, and
+indeed, the twins soon learned to be prompt at
+meals, which is a habit easily acquired, if one
+wishes to acquire it.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='43' id='Page_43'></span><h1>CHAPTER IV</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>GARDENS</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>“N</span>ow, children,” said Aunt Rachel, as
+they all went into the library, after
+breakfast, “you may play around as
+you choose, but I don’t want you to go off the
+premises without permission. No more wading
+in the brook, and coming home looking disreputable.
+You may go to our wood, or anywhere
+on the place, and stay as long as you like,
+provided you are here and properly tidy at meal-times
+But outside the gates, without permission,
+you must not go: Can I trust you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, indeed, Aunt Rachel,” said Dick; “I’m
+sure we don’t want to go anywhere else, with all
+this beautiful place to play in. Why, we haven’t
+half explored it yet. Pat says there are thirty
+acres! Think of that!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it’s a fine old place,” said Miss Rachel,
+with justifiable pride in her ancestral home.
+“And I’m glad to have you young people in it,
+if you’ll only behave yourselves, and not keep
+us everlastingly in hot water.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We do want to be good, Auntie,” said
+Dolly, in her sweet way; “and if we’re bad a
+few times, just till we learn your ways, you
+know, you’ll forgive us, won’t you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pretty little Dolly had a wheedlesome voice,
+and a winning smile, and Miss Rachel found it
+difficult to speak sternly, when the big, dark eyes
+looked into her face so lovingly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I’m sure you want to be good, my
+dears, and also, we want to do the right thing
+by you. So we’ll learn each other’s ways, and
+I’m sure we’ll get along beautifully.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel was not used to children, and she
+talked to them as if they were as grown-up as
+herself, but Dick and Dolly understood, and sat
+patiently while she talked, though, in truth, they
+were impatient to get away, and run outdoors
+again.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I shall send you to school,” went on Miss
+Rachel, “but not for a week or two yet. I want
+to learn you myself a little better first.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m,” said Dolly, who was equally well
+pleased to go to school or to stay at home. But
+Dick wanted to go.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let us go pretty soon, won’t you, Auntie?”
+he said; “for I want to get acquainted with the
+Heatherton fellows.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Boys, Dick,” corrected Aunt Abbie, who
+was beginning to think the twins rather careless
+of their diction.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m, I mean boys. Are there any who
+live near here?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel pursed her lips together.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“The Middletons live in the place next to
+this,” she began, and Dolly broke in:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, that pretty place, with the stone pillars
+at the gate?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” went on her aunt. “But Mrs. Middleton
+and we are not—that is—”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, you’re not good friends, is that it?”
+volunteered Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, yes; I suppose that is it. You children
+are too young to understand, but let it be
+enough for you that I prefer you should not
+play with the little Middletons. There are
+other neighbours equally pleasant for your acquaintance.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right, Auntie,” agreed Dick. “Cut
+out the Middletons. And now mayn’t we run
+out to play?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“First, I’ll take you up and show you your
+playroom. It’s more for rainy days, as you
+seem to like to be out of doors in fine weather.
+But come and see it, anyway.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The two aunts led the way, and the children
+followed to a large, delightful room in the third
+story.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>There was a big table in the middle, and
+smaller tables and chairs about. There was a
+pleasant little writing-desk for each, well furnished
+with pretty writing materials. Low
+bookshelves ran round two sides of the room,
+and the other side showed a jolly big fireplace,
+and pleasant windows with deep seats.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A roomy, comfortable old sofa and a chest of
+drawers completed the furnishing.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It isn’t finished,” said Miss Abbie, “because
+we don’t yet know your tastes.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s lovely, Aunties!” cried Dolly, flinging
+her arms round the neck of one after the
+other, and finally embracing Dick in her enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, it’s just gay!” Dick cried. “I’ve
+always wanted a big playroom, and now
+we’ve got one. Can I whittle and jigsaw up
+here?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, you may do just exactly as you please.
+You may bring your young friends up here, and
+entertain them whenever you choose.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That is, after we get the friends,” supplemented
+Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, but you’ll soon get acquainted. There
+are many nice children in Heatherton. Do you
+play dolls, Dolly?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I do, when I have any little girls to
+play with. But, you see, I play with Dick so
+much, I get out of the habit of dolls. But I do
+love ’em. When our big box of things comes,
+I’ve lots of dolls in it, and Dick’s tool-chest and
+jigsaw—oh, it will be splendid to fix them all up
+here!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Michael will help you. He’ll fix a
+good workbench, for you, Dick, if you’re fond
+of fussing with tools. Do you cut your fingers
+much?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Sometimes, Aunt Rachel, but not always.
+Say, you’re awful good to us. We’re ever so
+much obliged.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick was more awkward at expressing his appreciation
+than Dolly, but the honest joy on the
+boy’s face showed his admiration of the room,
+and Aunt Rachel’s heart warmed toward him,
+for she too was sometimes unable to express
+herself aptly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now we’ll skiddoo,” said Dolly, as she
+patted Miss Abbie’s hand by way of farewell.
+“We want to see Pat feed the chickens.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, dearie, run along, but,—would you
+mind if I ask you not to use those—those unusual
+words?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Skiddoo? Oh, that’s an awful useful word,
+Aunt Abbie. I don’t see how I could get along
+without it, but I’ll try if you say so.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, do try, Dolly; I want my niece to be
+a refined, ladylike little girl, not a slangy one.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m.” Dolly drew a little sigh. “I want
+to do what you want me to do. But I’m pretty
+forgetful, Aunt Abbie, so don’t be ’scouraged,
+will you, if I don’t get good all at once?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly had a childish trick of omitting the first
+syllable of a word, but Aunt Abbie kissed the
+earnest little face, and assured her that she
+wouldn’t get ’scouraged.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So away the twins scampered, down the stairs,
+and out into the sweet, clear morning air.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dana Dene stood high on an elevation that
+looked down on the small town of Heatherton.
+The view from the terrace in front of the house
+was beautiful, and as Dick and Dolly looked
+down at the clustered buildings they tried to
+guess what they were.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s the church,” said Dick, triumphantly
+pointing to an unmistakable spire.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“One of ’em,” corrected Dolly; “there’s
+another, and I wonder what that big stone
+building is; prob’ly the school where we’ll
+go.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“P’raps. Is it, Patrick?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, no, Master Dick; that isn’t exactly
+the school fer ye children. That’s the jail,—the
+county jail, so it is.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh,” cried Dolly, in dismay; “I don’t want
+to go to school to a jail! Where is the school-house,
+Patrick?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“There’s three of ’em, Miss Dolly. But the
+grandest is that white house ferninst, an’ I’m
+thinkin’ ye’ll go there.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Are my aunts very grand, Patrick?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes, miss. We’re the quality of the
+hull place. There’s nobody like the Danas.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s nice,” said Dolly, with a little air
+of satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Huh,” said Dick; “what sort of a country
+do you think this is, Dolly? Everybody is as
+good as everybody else. Why do you talk that
+way, Pat?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, sor, it may be. But everybody in
+Heatherton, they thinks Miss Rachel and Miss
+Abbie is top o’ the heap, you see.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” returned Dick. “I don’t mind
+if we are. But what about the Middletons?
+Aren’t they nice people?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pat’s face clouded. “Don’t be askin’ me
+about the Middletons,” he said; “I’ve nothin’
+to say for or agin ’em. Now, if so be’s you want
+to see them chickens, come ahead.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They went ahead or, rather, they followed
+Pat to the chicken yard, and spent a blissful
+half-hour among the feathered wonders.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They learned the names of the various kinds
+of chickens, and Dolly declared she should
+never tire of watching the little yellow fledglings
+patter around and peep.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“They’re not still a minute,” she said. “Can
+I try to catch one?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pat showed her how to lift one gently, without
+hurting the little soft ball of down, and as
+it was such a pretty little yellow one, Dolly
+named it Buttercup, and Pat said it should always
+be her own chicken.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Dick picked one out for his very own,
+and he chose a black one, and called it Cherry,
+because, he said, some cherries are black.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This made Pat laugh, and then he told the
+twins to run away and play by themselves, as he
+had to go to work in earnest.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What’s your work, Pat?” asked Dolly,
+who liked to stay with the good-natured Irishman.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I have to do the gardens, Miss Dolly. An’
+it’s rale work, it is, not play. So do ye run away,
+now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Pat, let us see you garden,” begged
+Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Please do,” said Dick. “We never saw
+anybody garden in our life.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Ye didn’t! Fer the love of green corn,
+where was ye brung up?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“In the city; and summers we had to go
+to hotels, and we never even saw a garden
+dug.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Come on, then; but ye mustn’t bother.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, we won’t bother,” and with a hop,
+skip, and jump, they followed Pat to the toolhouse.
+There was such an array of spades, hoes,
+rakes, and other implements, that Dick cried
+out: “Oh, let us garden, too! Pat, can’t we
+each have a little garden,—just a square patch,
+you know, and plant things in it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Arrah, a garden, is it? An’ who’d be afther
+weedin’ it, an’ keepin’ it in order fer ye?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, we’d do it ourselves,” declared Dolly,
+fixing her eyes on Pat with her most coaxing
+smile. “Do let us, Pat, dear.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, ye must ask yer aunties. I cudden’t
+give no such permission of myself.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Away flew the twins to the house, in search of
+the aunties, and when the twins ran, it was a
+swift performance indeed. They held hands,
+and their feet flew up and down so fast that
+they looked like some queer sort of windmill
+rolling along.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Bang! in at the front door they went, and
+almost upset Miss Rachel, who was serenely
+crossing the hall.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Auntie, may we have a garden?”
+shouted Dick, seizing his aunt’s hand, and leaning
+up against her to steady himself after his
+exhausting run.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Auntie, may we? Do say yes,” cried
+Dolly, who had flung her arms round Miss
+Rachel’s waist, and who was dancing up and
+down to the imminent danger of the good lady’s
+toes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What? Oh, my, how you do fluster me!
+What is it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel shook off the two, and seated
+herself in a hall chair, to regain her equilibrium,
+both physical and mental, but the twins made
+another wild dash at her. “Please,” they
+coaxed, patting her arm and her face and occasionally
+each other’s hands in their excitement.
+“Please, Auntie, a garden for our very
+own.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Two,—one for each of us. May we? Oh,
+please say yes! Do, Auntie, do, say yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel found her voice at last.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“If you want anything,” she said, “stop
+jumping around like a pair of wild savages.
+Sit down on that settee, and tell me quietly, and
+one at a time, what it’s all about.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let me tell, Dick,” said Dolly, and knowing
+his sister’s talent for persuasion, Dick willingly
+kept quiet while Dolly told.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They sat side by side on the hall settee, opposite
+their aunt, and scarcely dared move, while
+Dolly made her plea.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You see, Auntie,” she began, “we’ve never
+had a garden; never even seen one made. And
+so, we thought, perhaps, maybe, as there’s so
+much spare ground lying around, we hoped
+maybe you’d let us each have a little garden of
+our own. Just a little tiny one, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“For pity’s sake,” exclaimed Miss Rachel,
+“is all this fuss about a garden? Why, you
+can have a dozen, if you like.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, thank you, Auntie,” cried Dolly, repressing
+her inclination to fly over and hug her
+aunt, lest it be considered a “fuss.” “One’s
+enough,—one apiece, I mean. And what can
+we plant?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, plant anything you choose. Pat will
+give you seeds, and if he hasn’t what you want,
+we’ll buy some when we go driving this afternoon.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick was overcome by his aunt’s kindness and
+whole-souled generosity. But he had no intention
+of making a fuss,—not he. He rose and
+quietly crossed the hall, and bowing low in front
+of the lady, said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Aunt Rachel, I do think you’re the very best
+person in the whole world!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So do I!” said Dolly. “Seems ’s if I <span class='it'>must</span>
+squeeze you!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Not now,” said Miss Rachel, smiling; “you
+nearly squeezed the breath out of me a few moments
+ago. I’ll take your enthusiasm for
+granted. Now, run out, and make your gardens.
+Tell Pat I said you’re to have whatever
+you want for them.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hurray! Hooroo!” cried Dick, unable to
+repress himself longer, and throwing his cap up
+in the air, without having had the least intention
+of doing so.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It landed on the high chandelier, and Hannah
+had to bring the long-handled feather duster
+to get it down.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Please ’scuse Dick, Aunt Rachel,” said loyal
+little Dolly, seeing her brother’s regretful look.
+“He didn’t mean to fling that cap till he got
+outdoors, but somehow——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Somehow, it flung itself,” cried Dick;
+“’cause I’m so glad about the garden!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Away they went, banging the door behind
+them, and Miss Rachel sat a few minutes, seriously
+considering whether or not she could keep
+such little cyclones in her hitherto quiet and well-ordered
+home.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It isn’t so much what they’ve done,” she said,
+as she went and talked it over with Miss Abbie,
+“as what they may do. They’re liable to fling
+caps anywhere, and break all the bric-à-brac, and
+bang all the furniture—well, if there were any
+place to send them, they should go to-day.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You don’t mean that, Rachel,” said Miss
+Abbie. “They are noisy, I know, but I think
+we can train them to better manners; and they
+have dear, loving little hearts.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Too loving,” said the elder sister, ruefully.
+“They nearly felled me to the floor, the way
+they rushed at me. I’m not over the shock
+yet!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well,” sighed Miss Abbie, “I suppose it’s
+because we’re not used to children; but they do
+seem especially sudden in their ways.”</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='57' id='Page_57'></span><h1>CHAPTER V</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>A PLAYGROUND</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>“S</span>udden in their ways,” just described
+Dick and Dolly. After getting their
+aunt’s sanction, they flew back to the
+toolhouse, and tumbling in at the door, nearly
+upset Pat by their sudden dash for spades and
+hoes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“She says we can!” cried Dolly; “how do
+you begin, Pat? What do we do first?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dig, of course,” declared Dick, seizing the
+biggest spade he could find.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right; where shall we dig?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly grabbed another spade, and skipping
+out of the toolhouse, began to dig frantically in
+the path that led from the doorstep.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Whisht! now! Miss Dolly, don’t be fer
+sp’ilin’ me good path!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pat was amiable, but the vigorous enthusiasm
+of these children began to appal him. He was
+always deferential to his employers, and he
+looked upon the twins as members of his employers’
+family, and so he considered himself
+under their orders. But he also began to see
+that he must direct matters himself, if these
+impetuous youngsters were to have a real garden.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well,” he said, “if so be’s yer aunts has
+give permission, we must make the gardens fer
+ye. But we must do ’t dacint an’ proper. Don’t
+begin by diggin’ up me tidy paths.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I won’t, Pat; I’m sorry!” and Dolly carefully
+smoothed away the clefts she had dug with
+her spade.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now, we’ll consider,” said Pat, greatly interested
+in the plan. “First of all, where will
+ye be selectin’ the place?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins gazed around, at the various gardens,
+terrace, woodland, and water, and then
+Dolly said, decidedly:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“In the woods; that’s the prettiest place.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, ho!” laughed Pat. “Why, little miss,
+ye can’t grow things in the woods! Leastwise,
+only ferns an’ moss! Don’t ye want flowers,
+now?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes; of course we do! And I forgot
+they have to have sunshine.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Goosie!” cried Dick. “Now, I think a
+place near the pond would be nice, and then we
+can fetch water easily,—for I s’pose we have to
+water our flowers every day, don’t we, Pat?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; onless it rains fer ye, which it sometimes
+do. Now, s’pose ye let me s’lect yer place,
+an’ then do ye pick out yer own choice o’
+flowers.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Do,” cried Dolly. “You know so much
+better than we do where a garden ought to be.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pat considered carefully for a few moments,
+casting his eye thoughtfully toward various
+parts of the estate.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Come on,” he said, at last, and the children
+followed him, as he strode off.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Just beyond the beautifully kept terrace was
+a stretch of lawn, entirely open to the sunlight,
+save for a big horse-chestnut tree in one corner.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Here Pat paused, and indicating by a sweep
+of his arm a section about seventy-five feet
+square, he said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m thinkin’, instead of only a garden, by
+itself, it’d be foine for ye to make yersilves a
+rale playground.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly’s quick mind jumped to the possibilities.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Pat, a playground, all for ourselves,
+with our two gardens in it!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, miss; and an arbour, and seats, an’ a
+table, an’——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But he got no further, for Dick and Dolly
+seized him by either hand, and jumped up and
+down, fairly shouting with delight.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Pat, Pat, I never heard of anything
+so lovely!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How could you think of it? Let’s begin
+at once!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But ye must behave!” cried Pat, shaking
+his hands loose from their grasp, and waiting
+for them to stop their antics.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, yes; we’ll behave!” said Dolly, suddenly
+standing stock-still, and looking very;
+demure. “What do we do first, dig?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m thinkin’ yez better dig a whole acre,—an’
+see if ye can’t work off some of yer animile
+sperrits! Such rampageous bein’s I niver
+saw!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We’ll be quiet, Pat,” said Dick, earnestly;
+“now let’s begin.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, thin,—first, we must plan it, sure.
+Suppose we drive a shtake here fer wan corner;
+and thin the big tree will be the opposite corner.
+Now ye see the size av it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” agreed Dolly, “it’s a lovely size.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Thin, supposin’ we plan to set out a little
+low hedge all around the four sides, wid an
+openin’ or two——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And an arched gateway!” cried Dolly, with
+sparkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, miss, say an arched gateway or
+two. An’ then, inside ye can have three
+or four garden-beds,—fer sep’rate plants, ye
+know,—an’ yer arbour, an’ whativer else ye
+like.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh!” said Dolly, sitting plump down on
+the ground from sheer inability to bear up under
+these wonderful anticipations.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now, what’s to do first?” said Dick, eager
+to get to work.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, first we’ll lay out our flower beds.
+Now I don’t s’pose ye know the difference between
+seeds an’ plants, do ye?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes! Plants grow from seeds.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, av coorse they do. But I don’t mean
+that. Ye see, some flowers ye set out as plants;
+an’ some ye raise from seeds.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I think seeds will be most fun,” said
+Dolly: “You just stuff ’em in the ground and
+then they grow, don’t they, Pat?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, yes, miss; if yer seeds is right, an’
+yer ground’s right, an’ if ye stuff ’em in right,
+an’ take care of ’em right, afterward.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, we can do all that,” Dick assured him,
+grandly, and Pat’s eyes twinkled, as he replied:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Av coorse ye can!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Pat called Michael to help him, and
+they drove stakes and tied twine to them, until
+they had the playground distinctly marked out.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now, we’ll consider yer flower-beds, an’
+lave the other considerations till later,” announced
+Pat. “Ye see, yer seed-beds must be
+in the mornin’ sun, an’ have the shade of an
+afthernoon. So, wid the big tree ferninst, we
+can aisy manage that.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Seeds seem to be pretty particular,” observed
+Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“They be that, Miss; but so likewise is the
+plants. Some wants sun an’ some wants shade,
+an’ if they don’t get what they wants, they jist
+lies down an’ dies!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Pat and Michael selected the best spots,
+and marked out two oval flower-beds of goodly
+size, and two straight, narrow seed-beds somewhat
+smaller.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Miss Dolly’s, we’ll say, will be on this side,
+an’ Master Dick’s on that. Now, if so be’s ye
+childhern wants to dig, fer mercy’s sake dig!
+Ye can’t hurt the ground.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pat well knew that his own strong arms would
+spade up the beds later, and he would fill them
+with the right sort of soil, and get them in perfect
+order for planting; but the twins were delighted
+at the idea of doing their own digging,
+and went to work with their usual enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was hard work, but they enjoyed it, and
+though not very scientifically done, they did
+manage to dislodge the soft turf, and riddle up
+the dirt beneath.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I s’pose it won’t be such hard work after
+the digging is dug,” said Dolly, looking at her
+blistered little palms.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, Dolly Dana!” exclaimed Aunt Abbie,
+who came out just then, to see how the
+gardens progressed; “don’t you dig another
+bit! You poor, dear child, your hands are in a
+dreadful state! Go in and ask Aunt Rachel for
+some salve.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, indeedy!” declared the valiant Dolly.
+“I’m going to plant my seeds now!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no, miss,” said Pat. “Them beds isn’t
+ready yet. Nor ye haven’t got yer seeds.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Don’t be too impetuous, Dolly,” said Aunt
+Abbie. “This afternoon, we’ll plan out what
+is best to plant and then by to-morrow, if Patrick
+has the beds ready, you can do your planting.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick was still digging away, manfully, quite
+unwilling to admit there were blisters on his own
+hands.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Aunt Abbie made him stop, for though
+the digging was good fun, there was no use in
+causing himself needless pain, and Patrick
+would do the beds all over, anyway. So Aunt
+Abbie persuaded the children to turn their
+attention to planning their playground.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She quite approved of Pat’s suggestions, and
+sent for Miss Rachel to come out and assist with
+the plans.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Both ladies were very fond of gardening, and
+entered enthusiastically into the idea of the
+pretty playground. Miss Rachel instructed Pat
+to buy and set out a low hedge of privet all
+round the inclosure; and they decided on two
+entrances, front and back, each to be adorned
+by an arch covered with a flowering vine.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>An arbour was planned for the centre, but
+Dolly chose to call it a playhouse. For it was to
+be big enough to have seats and a table inside.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was to be built tent-shape; that is, very
+long, slender poles would be set up in pairs,
+meeting at the top, like the letter A. There
+would be about a dozen pairs of these poles,
+each pair about two feet apart, and thus they
+would have a long arbour on which to train
+vines and flowers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A ridge-pole along the top would keep it all
+firm and steady, and quickly growing vines
+should be chosen, which would soon cover the
+whole frame.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Michael, who was clever at carpenter work,
+volunteered to make a table and benches, and
+Dick, who was also fond of tools, felt sure he
+could help.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Abbie said she would give a garden
+swing as her contribution to the playground,
+and Aunt Rachel said she, too, would give something
+nice, but what it would be, was a secret as
+yet.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then it was nearly dinner-time, so they went
+back to the house, and the four sorry-looking
+little hands were carefully washed and anointed
+with a soothing lotion.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Heatherton people approved of midday dinners,
+and so the hungry children sat down to an
+ample and satisfying meal, to which they were
+fully prepared to do justice.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You know,” said Aunt Rachel, as they
+chatted at table, “you are to take care of these
+gardens yourselves. Pat and Michael have all
+they can do, already; and though they have helpers
+in the busy seasons, I expect you two to weed
+and water your own flower-beds.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Of course, Auntie,” said Dolly; “that’s
+what we want to do.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Else they wouldn’t be ours,” chimed in
+Dick. “There are lots of flower-beds around
+the place, but these are to be our very own.
+And how can they be, if we don’t do all the
+work on ’em?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s right,” said Aunt Rachel, approvingly.
+“Patrick will superintend your work,
+and he or Michael will keep the grass and the
+paths in order, but the rest is for you to do. Do
+you know anything about flowers?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Not a thing!” declared Dolly. “But I
+want to raise violets and carnation pinks.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That proves you don’t know much,” said
+Aunt Abbie, laughing. “Why, those are the
+very things you couldn’t possibly raise!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why?” said Dolly, looking surprised.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Because they are too difficult. They require
+hothouses, or, at least cold frames. You
+must content yourself with simpler blossoms;
+nasturtiums, phlox, asters, peonies——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, those are just as good,” said Dolly.
+“I don’t care much what flowers they are, if
+they’ll grow.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I like big plants,” said Dick. “Could
+I have sunflowers and hollyhocks, Aunt
+Rachel?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, my boy; I’m sure you can manage
+those. Have a hedge at the back of your playground
+of those flowers, and also cosmos and
+goldenglow.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>After dinner they went to the library, and
+made lists of the flowers they would have.
+Aunt Abbie drew diagrams of their gardens,
+and advised the right kinds of flowers to grow
+together.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I want you to grow up to love gardening,”
+said Miss Rachel, “but as you are now quite
+young, and very ignorant on the subject, you
+must begin with the simplest and easiest sorts
+of plants.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then the aunts explained how the children
+must plant seeds in their seed-beds, and after
+the tiny shoots sprang up, how they must be
+separated and thinned out.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And throw away some of them!” exclaimed
+Dolly in dismay.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; that’s to make the others stronger and
+healthier plants.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What do we plant in our big gardens?”
+asked Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, there you can have such plants as
+you want. Roses, geraniums, and Canterbury
+Bells are good ones. And then, you transplant
+to those beds your seedlings that you have
+already started yourselves.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And can’t we plant any seeds in the flower
+beds?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes; such as do not need transplanting.
+You can have borders of portulacca, candytuft,
+sweet alyssum, and such things.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“My! it sounds grand!” said Dolly, to whom
+nearly all these names were new.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now suppose we go out there again,” said
+Aunt Rachel, “and see what seeds Pat has on
+hand. Then we’ll know what to buy for you.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So back went the quartette, and found the
+playground had assumed quite a definite air.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A narrow strip of upturned earth showed the
+line of the hedge that was to be set out. The
+flower-beds and seed-beds were neatly cut in
+shape and properly spaded. Little stakes
+marked the places for the arbor poles, and
+white cords outlined paths that were yet to be
+cut.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It doesn’t seem possible it’s ours!” said
+Dolly, drawing a blissful sigh of contentment.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now here’s some seeds as I already have,”
+said Pat, offering a box of packets to the
+children.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, can we plant some now,—right away?”
+asked Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; let us do so,” said Aunt Abbie, who
+was nearly as eager as the children to get the
+garden started.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So they selected nasturtiums, poppies, marigolds,
+and morning glories from Pat’s box, and
+all went to work at the planting.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The aunts showed Dick and Dolly how to
+poke a little hole in the ground, about three
+inches deep, and then drop in a nasturtium seed.
+Then they covered it over with dirt, pressed
+it down lightly, and watered it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was an enthralling occupation, and the
+children worked carefully and did just as they
+were told. Poppies came next, and these seeds
+were planted quite differently. The ground was
+made quite smooth, and then slightly watered.
+Then Pat showed them how to sprinkle the
+fine seed scantily over the top of the ground,
+and not put any dirt over it at all. A thin
+layer of cut grass was scattered over them to
+keep the seeds from too much sunlight.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How do you know that some seeds must be
+planted one way and some another?” asked
+Dick, looking at Patrick with a new interest.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s me business, Masther Dick. We all
+has to know our business av coorse.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The morning-glory seeds could not be planted
+just then, as they had to soak in water for two
+hours, so next they set out some pansy plants.
+These Pat had expected to use elsewhere, but
+at Miss Rachel’s direction, he handed them
+over to the twins.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was a new sort of work, and even more
+fascinating than seed-planting. The tiny plants
+were fragile and had to be handled very carefully.
+Then a hole must be dug with a trowel,
+the plant set in, and the soil gently filled in
+about it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins each had a half-dozen pansy plants,
+and Dick set his in a group, but Dolly arranged
+hers in a border. Then Miss Rachel said they
+had done enough for one day, and she marched
+them off to the house to get rested.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But did Dick and Dolly rest? Not they!
+They didn’t seem to know what the word meant.
+They went up to their playroom, and sitting
+together at the table, they drew diagrams and
+plans for their playground until the aunties
+called them downstairs again.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='72' id='Page_72'></span><h1>CHAPTER VI</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>A SOCIAL CALL</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>T</span>he twins gladly obeyed their aunts’
+summons, for it meant to get ready to
+go to town to buy their flower seeds.
+Long before the ladies were ready, Dick and
+Dolly, in trim attire, and with pretty spring
+coats and hats, sat in the library waiting.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I like this home a lot, don’t you, Dollums?”
+said Dick, as he thoughtfully looked about him.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Love it!” responded his twin promptly.
+“Chicago was nice, too, and Auntie Helen was
+gay and pretty, but this is so country and all.
+And oh, Dick, won’t our playground be splendiferous!
+Do you s’pose the arbor will <span class='it'>ever</span>
+get built and grown over with flowers and
+things?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“’Course it will! And, Dolly, I’m going to
+make some rustic seats and things myself. It
+tells how in my ‘Handy Book,’ and I’m sure I
+can do it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m sure you can too. And can’t you make
+some little seats for my dolls?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick had just agreed to do this when the two
+aunties came downstairs, and they all went out
+to the carriage. Somehow it seemed very formal.
+Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie, all dressed up
+in calling costume, with gloves and parasols,
+didn’t seem so chummy as when they were all
+out planting seeds together. And Michael, in
+his coachman’s livery, looked so straight and
+unintelligent that it was hard to believe he was
+the same man.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They all got into the big, open carriage, and
+the twins sat backward, facing their aunts.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“First,” said Miss Rachel, who sat up very
+stiff and prim, “we will go and buy the seeds
+and plants, and then we will pay some calls.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This seemed very strange to Dick and Dolly,
+for they had never been taken calling with
+Auntie Helen in Chicago; but they made no
+comment, as none seemed to be expected.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The carriage stopped at a small shop, and the
+proprietor hurried out to greet the ladies. He
+bowed with great deference, and asked what
+he might show them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel had a list of the seeds and plants
+they had decided on for the children’s gardens,
+and the shopman said he would send them all
+the next day.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And have you some small garden implements?”
+asked Miss Abbie. “Some little
+rakes and hoes, suitable for children’s use.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The shopman said he would bring some out
+to show them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Auntie,” cried Dolly, impulsively,
+“can’t we go in the shop and look at them?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, indeed,” said Miss Rachel, as if Dolly
+had asked something highly improper. “Stay
+where you are and make your selections.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly wondered why they couldn’t hop out,
+but it didn’t much matter, as the man returned,
+followed by a youth who brought a lot of
+spades and rakes and garden tools of many sorts.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The children were allowed to select all they
+wanted, and, guided by Aunt Rachel’s advice,
+they chose quite a great many.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You’re awful good to us,” exclaimed Dick
+as, after giving the order, they drove away.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Then you must be good to us,” said Aunt
+Rachel, smiling. “Now we are going to call
+at Mrs. Fuller’s. She has a son Jack, about ten
+years old, and I hope you will be good friends
+with him. There are no little girls here, but,
+Dolly, we will find some girl friends for you
+later on.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I like boys,” said Dolly, agreeably. “I
+like Dick better than any girl, so, of course, I
+like other boys too.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>At Mrs. Fuller’s they were ushered into a stiff,
+formal-looking parlour, which had the effect of
+being rarely used. The half-drawn blinds gave
+but a dim light, and the four guests took their
+seats in silence.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick and Dolly felt depressed without knowing
+just why. They secretly wished they could
+clasp hands and make a dash for the door and
+run away, but Aunt Rachel had asked them to
+be good, so they sat still, wondering what would
+be expected of them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>After what seemed a long time, Mrs. Fuller
+came into the room. She was a lady of very
+precise manners, and wore a rustling silk gown.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The ladies all shook hands quite stiffly, and inquired
+for each other’s health, and then Miss
+Rachel presented the twins to Mrs. Fuller.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How do you do, my dears?” said the lady,
+offering her finger-tips to each in turn.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m very well, thank you; how are you?”
+said Dolly, heartily, as she cordially gave her
+hostess’s hand a vigorous shake. But the chagrin
+on the Dana ladies’ faces, and the surprised
+glance of Mrs. Fuller, proved at once that this
+wasn’t the right thing to do.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Quick to catch the hint, Dick offered his hand
+hesitatingly,—so much so indeed, that it lay
+in Mrs. Fuller’s like a little limp fish, and as she
+finally dropped it, it fell loosely to Dick’s side.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How d’ do?” he murmured, uncertain what
+to say, and then, feeling very uncomfortable,
+the two children sat down again.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>For a time no attention was paid to them, and
+the ladies conversed in short, elegant sentences,
+and high-pitched voices.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Mrs. Fuller turned again to the twins:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How do you like Heatherton?” she asked.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The suddenness of the question took Dick unawares,
+and he said enthusiastically:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Out o’ sight!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Immediately he realised that he should have
+expressed himself more formally, and the look
+of annoyance on Aunt Rachel’s face made him
+red and embarrassed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Loyal little Dolly tried, as always, to come to
+his rescue, and she said politely:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, indeed, Mrs. Fuller; we like it awfully
+well so far, but of course we haven’t been here
+very long yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And you think you won’t like it when you’ve
+been here longer! Is that it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Fuller meant only to be jocose, but
+Dolly didn’t understand, and tried hard to explain.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No ’m; I don’t mean that. I mean I think
+we’ll like it better after we live here a while.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I trust you will,” said Mrs. Fuller. “You
+must be hard to please if you don’t.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Poor Dolly felt herself misunderstood, but she
+could think of nothing to say, so she sat silent,
+but, it seemed, this was not the right thing to
+do either.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Speak up, child,” said Aunt Rachel, half
+playfully and half sharply; “didn’t you hear
+Mrs. Fuller’s remark?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes ’m,” said Dolly, “but,—but I don’t
+know what to answer.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Strange child,” murmured Mrs. Fuller. “Is
+the boy any more civil?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick, though embarrassed himself, was still
+more annoyed at Dolly’s discomfiture, and spoke
+up decidedly:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We don’t mean to be uncivil, Mrs. Fuller.
+But we’ve never made fashionable calls before,
+and we don’t know quite how to talk. It’s so
+different in Chicago.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Different in Chicago! I should hope so.
+My dear Miss Dana and Miss Abbie, you’ll
+have your hands full with these little ones,
+won’t you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“At first,” said Miss Rachel with dignity.
+“But we hope to teach them.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And we want to learn,” put in Dolly, with an
+instinctive desire to stand by her aunt against
+this disagreeable lady.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Then there’ll be no trouble, I’m sure,” said
+Mrs. Fuller, but though her words were all
+right, her tone was a little bit sarcastic, and the
+twins were conscious of a feeling of defeat,
+which was far from comfortable.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Jack Fuller came into the room.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>He was a boy of ten, with fair hair, and a pale,
+girlish face. He, apparently, had irreproachable
+manners, and gave his hand to the Dana
+ladies with just the right degree of cordiality.
+Then, being introduced to Dick and Dolly, he
+came and sat on the sofa between them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Instinctively, Dick felt that he never could like
+that boy. Jack had scarcely opened his mouth
+before Dick had dubbed him a “Miss Nancy.”
+He didn’t believe Jack could run or jump, or
+do anything that a boy ought to do.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Do you like to live here?” said Jack at last,
+by way of opening conversation.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, we do,” said Dolly; “we’re going to
+have splendid gardens,—we’ve been digging all
+day. Don’t you love to do that?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Jack looked at her with apparent surprise
+that a girl should care for such vigorous
+pursuits.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I never dig,” he answered. “Mamma
+thinks it isn’t good for me.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How funny!” said Dolly. “I should think
+it would do you good.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Do you like to run and jump?” asked Dick,
+for there had been a pause, and he <a id='con'></a>considered
+it his turn to “make talk.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, not very much. I like quiet games. I
+play mostly by myself. Mamma won’t let me
+associate with many children. But I’m to be
+allowed to play with you. I know that, because
+you’re Danas.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was gratifying in a way, but somehow
+Dick wasn’t over-enchanted at the prospect.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I hope you will,” he said; “but I’m afraid,—when
+we’re playing, we’re rather,—rather
+rampageous.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Rough, do you mean?” asked Jack, looking
+horrified.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, we don’t mean to be rough exactly;
+but we’re sort of noisy and lively.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, I shall visit you all the same,” said
+Jack, with a resigned air, “for mamma said I
+should. I think I’m to go see you to-morrow
+afternoon at four.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This specified date amused the Dana children,
+but Dolly said politely:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That will be very nice, and I’m sure we’ll
+have a good time.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And then the aunties rose to take leave, and
+they all went home again.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You children must learn better manners,”
+said Aunt Rachel, as they drove homeward.
+“You horrified me to-day by your manner of
+speaking.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I saw we did,” said Dolly, humbly, “but I
+don’t see what we did that was wrong. I’m sure
+we didn’t mean to be bad.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You weren’t bad,” said Abbie, smiling at
+them, “but we want you to acquire a little more
+grace and elegance. You spoke, in Mrs. Fuller’s
+parlour, just as you would at home.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh,” said Dick, “I begin to see; you want
+us to put on society airs.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel considered a moment.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“While I shouldn’t express it in just that
+way,” she said, “that is about what I
+mean.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well,” said Dick pleasantly, “we’ll try.
+But Aunty Helen always taught us to be just
+as polite when alone at home as when we were
+visiting or had company.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Auntie Helen isn’t teaching you now,” said
+Miss Rachel, grimly; “and I trust you’ll consider
+my wishes in the matter.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We will, Aunt Rachel, we truly will,” broke
+in Dolly, whose rôle was often that of pacificator.
+“You’re terribly good to us, and we want to do
+’zackly as you want us to, but, you see, fashionable
+calls are new to us. We’ll do better
+next time.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly’s cheerful smile was infectious, and
+Aunt Rachel smiled back, and dropped the subject
+of manners for the present.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The next afternoon, promptly at four o’clock,
+Jack Fuller came to see Dick and Dolly. The
+twins had been grubbing in their gardens all
+day, and had been radiantly happy.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'><a id='gard'></a>They loved flowers and learned quickly the elements
+of gardening that Pat taught them. And
+with their new garden tools of suitable size, they
+did real work after the most approved fashion.
+But at three o’clock they were called in to get
+ready for the expected guest. Dick grumbled a
+little, for it seemed hard to leave the gardens
+to get all dressed up just because a <span class='it'>boy</span> was
+coming!</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But you want to make friends in Heatherton,
+don’t you?” asked Aunt Rachel.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes ’m; but I like boys who come over and
+play in every-day clothes; not rig up like a
+party.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As for Dolly, she didn’t see why she had to
+leave the garden at all. Jack Fuller wasn’t her
+company.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But the aunts decreed that both twins should
+receive the guest properly, and so at quarter to
+four, two spick and span, but not very merry
+children sat in the library, waiting.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Jack came in, at last, and greeted the twins
+with the same formality he had shown in his own
+home. He responded politely to the elder
+ladies’ remarks and Dick and Dolly tried to be
+polite and do exactly as the others did.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>After nearly half an hour of this stiff and uncomfortable
+conversation, Miss Rachel proposed
+that the twins take Jack out and show him their
+gardens. Glad to get out of doors, Dick and
+Dolly ran for their hats and the three children
+started out.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>To the twins’ astonishment, as soon as he was
+out of the presence of the elder ladies, Jack
+turned into quite a different boy. His formal
+manner fell away, and he was chummy and full
+of fun.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s throw stones,” he cried. “See me hit
+that stone bird on the fountain.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>He flung a pebble with such true aim that it
+hit the stone bird on the wing, and roused Dick’s
+exceeding admiration, for he was not himself a
+superior marksman.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Want to play knife?” asked Jack, pulling a
+new knife from his pocket; “or no, let’s go see
+your gardens first. Must be gay ones, from
+the fuss you make over ’em.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But when he saw the playground that was
+planned, he was appreciative enough to satisfy
+the twins’ love of enthusiasm.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s great!” he cried; “that’s what it is,
+great! I wish I had one like it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, won’t it be fine!” agreed Dick;
+“there’ll be a table in the arbour, and chairs, or
+benches, and we can have tea-parties, and everything.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Plant gourds on your arbour,” advised Jack.
+“All kinds are good, but the dipper and cucumber
+gourd grow the fastest. They’ll cover your
+arbour in a few weeks, I guess. Hercules club is
+a good fellow for that, too. Pat’ll know about
+’em.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick and Dolly felt their admiration rising for
+this boy, who knew so much about climbing
+gourds and flowers of all sorts. It was strange
+that he could throw stones so straight, and
+also have such fine parlour manners. So very
+strange indeed that Dick felt he must inquire
+into it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Say,” he began; “you’re awful different out
+here from what you are in the parlour.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Sure,” returned Jack. “In parlours, with
+ladies, a fellow has to be polite and proper.
+You don’t want me to be like that out here with
+you, do you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Jack’s face expressed such a willingness to do
+what was required of him that Dick exclaimed
+hastily:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Not on your life! But I don’t see how you
+manage those fine airs when you have to.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Pooh, it’s dead easy. Anyway, I’ve always
+done it. Mamma wouldn’t like it if I didn’t.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I s’pose we’ll have to learn,” said Dolly,
+sighing a little; “but don’t let’s bother about it
+now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As the afternoon wore on, and they became
+better acquainted, they both began to like Jack
+very much. He was not a strong boy, and
+couldn’t run or jump as they could, but he was
+clever at games, and could beat them easily at
+“knife,” or “hop-scotch,” or almost any game
+of muscular skill that did not call for violent
+exercise.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“He’s all right,” said Dick to Dolly as they
+sat on the veranda steps a few minutes after
+Jack went home. “But I hope we won’t always
+have to dress up, and sit in the parlour at first
+every time he comes.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s ask Aunt Rachel,” said Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, no,” said Miss Rachel in surprise.
+“Of course you won’t. To-day was his first visit,
+as you called on him yesterday. After this, you
+can go to play with each other in your every-day
+clothes, whenever you like.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick and Dolly were satisfied with this, and
+gave up trying to fathom the strange requirements
+of etiquette at Heatherton.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='87' id='Page_87'></span><h1>CHAPTER VII</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>PINKIE</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>T</span>he days passed happily at Dana Dene.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>There was so much to do, with the
+gardens and the chickens, and going for
+afternoon drives that, except on rainy days, the
+children were out of doors nearly all the
+time.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Their big boxes had arrived, and Dolly’s dolls,
+and Dick’s more boyish treasures, were up in
+the playroom, but were often neglected for open-air
+fun.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It had been decided by the aunties that the
+twins should not go to school until Fall, for the
+term was within a few weeks of closing, and it
+didn’t seem worth while to start. But they were
+required to practise on the piano an hour each
+day, and a teacher came once a week to give them
+lessons. The Misses Dana were fond of music,
+and as they thought the twins showed some talent,
+they insisted on its cultivation, though Dick
+and Dolly looked upon their practice hour as
+drudgery.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They always practised at the same time, if
+possible, in order to have their play hours together.
+If they had been practising duets, this
+plan might have been fairly agreeable to the
+other members of the household. But the nine-year-old
+twins had not yet arrived at the dignity
+of “pieces,” and were confined to scales and
+five-finger exercises.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Their scales usually started on harmonious
+notes, but Dolly’s little fingers flew along the
+keyboard so much faster than Dick’s that she
+usually finished her scale on the highest notes,
+and drummed away there until his chubby hands
+came up and caught her.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This, though a satisfactory plan to the performers,
+was far from pleasant to the sensitive
+ears of the Dana aunties.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Again, in case of five-finger exercises, they
+divided the piano fairly, and then diligently pursued
+their “one-and, two-and, three-and” quite
+irrespective of each other.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As they were careful not to infringe on one
+another’s territory, they saw no objection to this
+arrangement, and quite in despair, the aunts
+would close the doors of the drawing-room,
+where the musicians were, and retire to the
+farthest corners of the house.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>There was, of course, great temptation for the
+twins to neglect their task, and chatter, but they
+were too conscientious for this.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Neither would have considered it honourable
+to remove their hands from the keys during practice
+hour. So the little fingers diligently worked
+up and down, but the counting often gave way
+to conversation. Instead of “one-and,” Dolly
+might say, in time with her counting, “Don’t
+<span class='it'>you</span>,—think <span class='it'>the</span>,—poles <span class='it'>will</span>,—come <span class='it'>to-</span>,—day,
+<span class='it'>Dick</span>?” And Dick would pound away, as he
+replied, “Yes, <span class='it'>Pat</span>,—said <span class='it'>they</span>,—sure <span class='it'>would</span>,—come
+<span class='it'>to</span>,—day<span class='it'>-ay</span>.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Thus a staccato conversation could be kept up
+while the twenty stiff little fingers were acquiring
+proper limberness and skill.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s enough to drive anybody frantic! I
+can’t stand it!” said Aunt Abbie, as one day she
+listened to the measured chatter, and its accompaniment
+of pounded keys that didn’t chord.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I can’t either!” declared Aunt Rachel, “and
+I’ve made up my mind, Abbie, what to do.
+We’ll get another piano,—a second-hand one will
+do,—and put it up in the playroom. Then they
+can practise separately.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Ye-es,” said Miss Abbie, doubtfully; “but
+they wouldn’t like that. They always want to
+be together.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, they’ll have to stand it. It’s enough
+to ruin their musical ear, to hear those discords
+themselves.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s true. I suppose your plan is a good
+one.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So a second piano was bought, and put up
+in the playroom, and the twins had to do their
+practising separately, except for a few little duet
+exercises, which their teacher kindly gave them.
+And it must be confessed they made better progress
+than when they combined practising and
+social conversation.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>In addition to the hour for music, Dolly was
+required to spend an hour every day, sewing.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The Misses Dana believed in that old-fashioned
+accomplishment, and put the child
+through a regular course of overhanding, felling,
+and hemming, insisting on great neatness and accuracy
+of stitches.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This hour caused Dolly a great many sighs,
+and even a few tears. She didn’t like needlework,
+and it was <span class='it'>so</span> hard to keep her stitches
+even and true.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But the real hardship was that Dick didn’t
+have to sew also. It didn’t seem fair that she
+should work so hard for an hour, while he was
+free to play or do what he chose.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She remarked this to Aunt Rachel, who saw
+the justice of the argument, and thought it over.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s true, in a way,” she responded.
+“There isn’t any occupation so necessary for a
+boy to learn, as for a girl to learn sewing, but
+I think that Dick should have a corresponding
+task.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So it was arranged that for an hour every day,
+Dick must do work in the garden. Real work,
+not just fun. He was to weed both his own and
+Dolly’s flower-beds, and mow the grass and
+trim the hedges in their playground, and water
+the plants, if necessary; in short, do the drudgery
+work of the garden, while Dolly plodded along
+at her sewing.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This plan worked finely, and sometimes Dick
+had the playground in such perfect order that
+he could put in his hour weeding or mowing
+the other parts of the lawn. Aunt Rachel
+bought a small lawn-mower for his use, and
+under Pat’s instructions his hour’s hard work
+each day taught him much of the real science of
+gardening.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>When the twins had been at Dana Dene a
+week, they had as yet made no acquaintances
+beside Jack Fuller. This had happened only because
+the ladies had not found it convenient
+to take the children to call elsewhere, and Dick
+and Dolly themselves had been so wrapped up
+in their gardens and other joys that they had not
+cared for outside companionship.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pat had sent for extra long poles, that their
+playhouse might be of goodly size. When
+these came, and were put in place, the tent-shaped
+arbour was about ten feet by twenty,
+which was amply large for their purpose. Vines
+were planted at once, both seeds and cuttings,
+but of course it would be several weeks before
+the leaves would form a green roof for them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>However, the sun was not unpleasantly warm
+in May, and by June or July the leafy roof
+would be a protection.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>In the meantime, Aunt Abbie, who was most
+ingenious, planned a cosy arrangement for them.
+In one corner of their playground, Michael built
+them a table. This had a section of a felled
+tree trunk for an upright, on which was placed a
+round top.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>From the centre of the table top rose a stout,
+straight stick, with leather loops nailed on it at
+intervals. Into these loops could be thrust the
+handle of a very large Japanese umbrella, which,
+opened, made a gay and festive-looking roof,
+and which could be taken into the house in case
+of rain.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Benches and rustic chairs Michael made for
+them, too, and Dick helped, being allowed to
+use his “work-hour” for this.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As the playground achieved all these comforts,
+it became a most delightful place, and the children
+spent whole days there.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Sometimes, good-natured Hannah would
+bring their dinner out there, and let them eat
+it under the gay umbrella.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Abbie gave them a fine garden swing,
+as she had promised.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was one of those wooden affairs that will
+hold four comfortably, but except for Jack
+Fuller, none but the twins had yet used it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel’s gift proved to be a fountain.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was quite elaborate, and had to be set
+up by workmen who came from town for the
+purpose. It was very beautiful, and added
+greatly to the effect of the playground. When
+the weather grew warmer they were to have
+goldfish in it, but at present there were aquatic
+plants and pretty shells and stones.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was small wonder that the children didn’t
+feel need of other companionship, and had it
+not been for Jack Fuller, Dolly would never
+have thought of being lonely.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She and Dick were such good chums that their
+company was quite sufficient for each other; but
+when Jack came over to play, he and Dick were
+quite apt to play boyish games that Dolly didn’t
+care for.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>On such occasions she usually brought out
+her doll-carriage and one or two of her favourite
+dolls, and played by herself.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And so, it happened, that one afternoon when
+Dick and Jack were playing leap-frog, Dolly
+wandered off to the wood with Arabella and
+Araminta in the perambulator. She never felt
+lonely in the wood, for there were always the
+squirrels and birds, and always a chance that she
+<span class='it'>might</span> see a fairy.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So, with her dolls, she had company enough,
+and sitting down by a big flat rock, she set out
+a table with acorn cups and leaves for plates,
+and tiny pebbles for cakes and fruit.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Arabella and Araminta had already been
+seated at the table, and Dolly was talking for
+them and for herself, as she arranged the
+feast.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, Arabella,” she said; “you can’t have
+any jelly pudding to-day, dear, for you are not
+very well. You must eat bread and milk, and
+here it is.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'><a id='girl'></a>She set an acorn cup in front of the doll, and
+then turned to prepare Araminta’s food, when
+she saw a little girl coming eagerly toward her.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was a pretty little girl, about her own age,
+with dark curls, and a pink linen frock.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hello,” she said, softly, “I want to play
+with you.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Come on,” said Dolly, more than pleased to
+have company. “Sit right down at the table.
+There’s a place. I fixed it for Mr. Grey Squirrel,
+but he didn’t come.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I didn’t bring my doll,” said the little girl
+in pink, “I—I came away in a hurry.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll lend you one of mine,” said Dolly.
+“They’re Arabella and Araminta; take your
+choice.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What’s your own name?” said the visitor,
+as she picked up Araminta.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dolly,—Dolly Dana. What’s yours?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t want to tell you,” said the little girl,
+looking confused.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Never mind,” said Dolly, sorry for her
+guest’s evident embarrassment, but thinking her
+a very strange person. “I’ll call you Pinkie,
+’cause your dress is such a pretty pink.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Pinkie, evidently much relieved.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You’re not—you’re not a fairy, are you?”
+said Dolly, hopefully, yet sure she wasn’t one.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no,” said Pinkie, laughing. “I’m just
+a little girl, but I—I ran away, and so I don’t
+want to tell you my name.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t care,” said Dolly, who was always
+willing to accept a situation. “Never
+mind about that. Let’s play house.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; let’s. You keep this place, ’cause
+you’ve fixed your table so nice, and I’ll live over
+here.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pinkie selected another choice spot for her
+home, and soon the two families were on visiting
+terms.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly and her daughter, Arabella, went to
+call on Pinkie and her daughter, Araminta, and
+as they had already selected the names of Mrs.
+Vandeleur and Mrs. Constantine, their own
+names didn’t matter anyway.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly was Mrs. Vandeleur, because she
+thought that title had a very grand sound, and
+Pinkie chose Mrs. Constantine because she had
+just come to that name in her “Outlines of the
+World’s History,” and thought it was beautiful.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Mrs. Vandeleur rang the bell at Mrs. Constantine’s
+mansion, and sent in two green leaves,
+which were supposed to be the visiting cards of
+herself and her daughter.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Come in, come in,” said Mrs. Constantine,
+in a high-pitched voice. “I’m so glad to see
+you. Won’t you sit down?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly sat down very elegantly on the root of
+a tree, and propped Arabella against another.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m just going to have supper,” said the
+hostess, “and I hope you and your daughter
+will give me the pleasure of your company.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Thank you. I will stay, but I must go ’way
+right after dessert. I have an engagement with—with
+the fairies.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, how lovely! Are you going to see them
+dance?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Dolly, greatly pleased to learn
+that Pinkie believed in fairies; “they sent me
+a special invitation.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll go with you,” said Mrs. Constantine,
+promptly. “I’m always invited to their dances.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So again the acorn cups and leaves came into
+use, and the four drank unlimited cups of tea,
+and ate all sorts of things, Arabella having apparently
+recovered from her indisposition.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now, we’ll go to the fairies’ ball,” said
+Pinkie, as with a sweep of her hand she cleared
+the table of dishes and viands and all. “What
+shall we wear?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll wear red velvet,” said Dolly, whose
+tastes were gay, “and a wide light-blue sash, and
+gold slippers.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You’ll look lovely,” declared Mrs. Constantine.
+“I’ll wear spangled blue satin, and a
+diamond crown.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Then I’ll have a diamond crown, too,” said
+Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No; you have a ruby one. We don’t want
+to be just alike.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I’ll have a ruby one, and my daughter
+can have a diamond one, and your daughter a
+ruby one,—then we’ll be fair all around.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, that’s fair,” agreed Pinkie; “now let’s
+start.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They carried the dolls with them, and going
+a little farther into the wood, they selected a
+smooth, mossy place where fairies might easily
+dance if they chose.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We must fix it up for them,” said Pinkie;
+“so they’ll want to come.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Eagerly the two girls went to work. They
+picked up any bits of stick or stone that disfigured
+the moss, and then, at Pinkie’s direction,
+they made a circular border of green leaves, and
+what few wild flowers they could find.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A row of stones was laid as an outside border,
+and a branch of green was stuck upright in the
+centre.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now it looks pretty,” said Pinkie, with a
+nod of satisfaction. “Let’s sit down and wait.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Will they <span class='it'>really</span> come?” asked Dolly, as
+with Araminta and Arabella they seated themselves
+near by.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no, I s’pose not,” said Pinkie, with a
+little sigh. “I’ve done this thing so many
+times, and they never <span class='it'>have</span> come. But it’s fun
+to do it, and then I always think perhaps they
+<span class='it'>may</span>.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But they waited what seemed a long time, and
+as no fairies came to dance, and the shadows
+began to grow deeper, Dolly said she must go
+home.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I must too,” said Pinkie, looking
+troubled.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“See here, Dolly,” she said, as they walked
+along; “don’t you want to come here and play
+with me again?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“’Course I do,” exclaimed Dolly. “Every
+day.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, you can’t do it, unless you keep it
+secret. You mustn’t tell anybody,—not anybody
+in the world.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Not even Dick and the aunties?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, not anybody. If you tell, we can’t play
+here.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Pinkie, <span class='it'>are</span> you a fairy, after all?” said
+Dolly, looking at her earnestly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She was quite unable, otherwise, to think of
+any reason to keep their acquaintance secret.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well—maybe I am,” said Pinkie, slowly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And that’s why you haven’t any name!” exclaimed
+Dolly, rapturously. “But I didn’t
+s’pose real fairies were so big, and so ’zactly like
+little girls.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Real fairies aren’t. I’m just a—just a sort
+of a fairy. Oh, Dolly, don’t ask questions.
+Only, remember, if you tell anybody about me,
+we can’t play here in the woods any more. Will
+you promise?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I’ll promise,” said Dolly, solemnly,
+awed by Pinkie’s great earnestness.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And then they separated, and Dolly ran home
+with her dolls.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='102' id='Page_102'></span><h1>CHAPTER VIII</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>A SECRET</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>D</span>olly was very quiet after she reached
+home. She was greatly puzzled at the
+events of the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Of course,” she thought, “Pinkie <span class='it'>couldn’t</span>
+be a fairy. She is just as much a live little girl
+as I am. And yet, why should any nice little
+girl,—and she surely is a very nice little girl,—want
+our acquaintance kept secret?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly remembered a little girl in Chicago, who
+loved to have “secrets,” but they were very
+simple affairs, usually a new slate pencil, or a
+coming birthday party. She had never heard
+of such a foolish secret as not telling your name!</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And so, the thought <span class='it'>would</span> come back; what
+if Pinkie should be a real fairy? To be sure,
+she had always thought fairies were tiny folk,
+but she had never seen one, so how could she
+know?</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And Pinkie was so well versed in making a
+fairies’ dancing ground, and she appeared so
+mysteriously,—apparently from nowhere at all!
+Oh, if it should be! And then, that would explain
+the secret part of it,—for fairies always
+want to be kept secret. But on the other hand,
+that pink kilted dress of starched linen! Fairies
+always wore gauzy robes, and carried wands, and
+had wings. Well, yes, that was the popular
+notion, but who had seen them, to know for
+sure?</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>These thoughts chased through Dolly’s mind
+as she sat at the supper table, and Aunt Rachel
+soon noticed the child’s absorption.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What’s the matter, dearie?” she asked;
+“aren’t you well?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes, Auntie; I—I was just thinking.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I know what’s the matter with Dollums,”
+said Dick, a little shamefacedly. “It’s ’cause
+Jack Fuller and I played leap-frog and
+things she didn’t like, and so she went off
+by herself, and was lonesome. I’m sorry,
+Dolly.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, Dick Dana!” exclaimed his twin; “it
+wasn’t that a bit! I’m glad you had fun with
+Jack, and I didn’t care a spick-speck! I had a
+lovely time myself.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Where were you, dear?” asked Aunt Abbie.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“In the wood, with my two big dolls,” said
+Dolly, truthfully, but she had a strange feeling
+of dishonesty.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She had never had a secret before; had never
+told anything except the <span class='it'>whole</span> truth; and the
+<span class='it'>part</span> truth, as she had told it now, troubled her
+conscience.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Yet she had promised Pinkie not to tell about
+her, so whether Pinkie was fairy or little girl,
+Dolly felt herself bound by her promise.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Auntie,” she said, after a pause, “are there
+really fairies?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, child, of course not. You know there
+aren’t.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I s’pose so. But if there were any,
+how big would they be?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Don’t ask silly questions, Dolly. There are
+no such beings as fairies.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t know, Aunt Rachel,” put in
+Dick. “You know, just because we’ve never
+seen any,—that doesn’t prove there aren’t
+any.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But how big would they be, Dick?” persisted
+Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, little bits of things. A dozen of them
+could dance on a toad-stool, I expect.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>That settled it in Dolly’s mind. Of course
+Pinkie wasn’t a fairy then, for what Dick said
+was always so.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Aunt Abbie changed the situation. She
+had more imagination than Aunt Rachel, and
+she idly fell into the discussion.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m not sure of that, Dick,” she said. “I
+always imagine fairies to be about our own
+size. You know Cinderella’s fairy godmother
+was a grown-up lady.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh,” said Dolly, her eyes shining with interest.
+“Then do you think, Aunt Abbie, that
+there could be a little girl fairy, about as big as
+me?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, yes, I suppose so; if there are fairies at
+all. But I’m not sure that there are.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Would you believe it if you saw one?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, if I were awake, and sure I was not
+dreaming.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly stared at Aunt Abbie, as if fascinated by
+her words. Then Pinkie <span class='it'>might</span> be a fairy, after
+all!</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You’re a queer child, Dolly,” said Aunt
+Rachel, looking at the little girl’s perplexed
+face. “And when you find your fairies, don’t
+bring them in the house, for there’s no knowing
+what tricks they may cut up. They’re said to
+be mischievous little people.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Of course they’re little,” argued Dick. “I
+think you’re mistaken about Cinderella’s godmother,
+Aunt Abbie. I think she was a little
+mite of a lady.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps so, Dicky. I’m not much of an
+authority on fairy lore, I’ll admit.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And then, somehow, the matter was dropped,
+and nothing more was said about fairies or their
+probable size.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But a little later, when the twins were alone
+in their playroom, Dolly reopened the subject.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dick,” she began, “why do you think fairies
+must be little?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dolly, what’s the matter with you and your
+fairies? Why are you bothering so much about
+’em all of a sudden?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, nothing; I just want to know.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It isn’t nothing! Have you been seeing fairies,
+or what? You’ve got to tell me all about it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I can’t, Dick.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You can’t? Why not, I’d like to know!
+We never have secrets from each other. You know
+we don’t.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But I can’t tell you about this. I promised.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, unpromise then! Who’d you promise?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I can’t tell you that either.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Look here, Dolly Dana, who could you
+promise not to tell me anything? Was it Pat or
+Michael?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Then who was it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I can’t tell you.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Pooh, what a silly! Why, Dolly, we’re
+twins,—we always have to tell each other everything.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I know it, Dick, and I want to tell you,
+awful, but you know yourself it’s wrong to
+break a promise.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, you might tell me who you promised
+it to.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s part of the secret.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oho, it <span class='it'>is</span> a secret, is it? Well, Dolly Dana,
+if you’ve got a secret from <span class='it'>me</span>, you can keep it,—<span class='it'>I</span>
+don’t care!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was too much for Dolly’s loyal little
+twin-heart.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t want to keep it, Dick; I want to tell
+you! But I promised her I wouldn’t, so what
+can I do?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Get her to let you off your promise. I s’pose
+it’s Hannah or Delia.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Maybe I can do that,” and Dolly’s face
+looked a little brighter.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, do; and don’t talk any more
+about it, till you can tell me all of it, whatever
+it is. Dolly, it isn’t anything wrong,
+is it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No; I don’t see how it can be wrong.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Then let up on it, till you’re ready to talk
+square. <span class='it'>I</span> never had a secret from <span class='it'>you</span>.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I know it; and I’ll never have one from
+you again!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So peace was restored, and Dolly said no more
+about fairies. But after she was tucked up in
+her own little white bed that night, she lay awake
+in the darkness for a long time, trying to puzzle
+it all out. One minute it would seem too absurd
+to think a little girl was a fairy; the next minute,
+it would seem just as absurd for a little girl to
+appear in the woods like that, and refuse to tell
+her name, and insist that their acquaintance be
+kept a secret! <span class='it'>That</span> was exactly what a fairy
+would do!</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So, after reasoning round and round in a
+circle, Dolly fell asleep, and dreamed that she
+was a fairy herself, with a pink linen dress, and
+a pair of wings and a golden wand.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The next afternoon Jack Fuller was again at
+Dana Dene to play with Dick, and again Dolly
+trotted off to the woods. She found Pinkie sitting
+on a flat stone, waiting for her. The same
+pink linen frock, the same straw hat, with pink
+rosettes on it, and the same sweet-faced, curly-haired
+Pinkie. Dolly was <span class='it'>so</span> glad to see her,
+and fairy or mortal, she already loved her better
+than any little girl she had ever known.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Pinkie was not so gay and merry as
+yesterday. She looked troubled, and Dolly’s
+sensitive little heart knew it at once.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Come on,” she said, taking hold of Pinkie’s
+hand; “let’s play.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Pinkie, “I’ve brought my
+own dolls, this time.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And sure enough, there were two dolls as
+big and beautiful as Arabella and Araminta.
+Pinkie said her dolls’ names were Baby Belle
+and Baby Bess, and, as it seemed the most
+natural thing to do, they began to play tea-party
+at once.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Dolly wanted, first, to settle the matter of
+the secret.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Pinkie,” she said, “you’re a really, truly
+little girl, aren’t you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“’Course I am,” said Pinkie, smiling. “I
+just said I was a fairy for fun.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; I know it. But I want you to let me
+tell about you at home. It’s silly to make a
+secret of it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, tell ’em, I don’t care. I’m not coming
+here to play any more, anyway.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Now Dolly looked dismayed. “Why not?”
+she asked, and went on without waiting for an
+answer. “I won’t tell my aunts, if you don’t
+want me to, but I must tell my brother Dick.
+He’s my twin, and we never have secrets from
+each other. Why, here he comes now!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Running toward them across the field, they
+saw the two boys.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Is that your brother with Jack Fuller?”
+asked Pinkie, and with this recognition of Jack,
+Dolly’s last faint hope that Pinkie <span class='it'>might</span> be a
+fairy, vanished.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; I wonder what they want.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The boys had really come in search of Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick had felt himself rather selfish to play
+with Jack, while Dolly had only her dolls for
+company, so he had proposed that they go and
+find her, and then all play together some games
+that she would like. Jack had agreed willingly
+enough, so they made for the woods, whither
+Dick had seen Dolly go, wheeling her two big
+dolls.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hello, Phyllis Middleton,” cried Jack,
+as he spied Pinkie. “What are you doing
+here?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The secret was out!</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly felt a blank pall of despair fall over
+her heart. Pinkie, then, was Phyllis Middleton,
+the daughter of the Middletons whom Aunt
+Rachel detested, and would have no dealings
+with! Indeed, Dolly had been forbidden to
+speak to any of the Middletons. And then, as
+Dolly’s thoughts flew rapidly on, she realised
+that Pinkie had known all this, and that was
+why she said if Dolly knew her name they couldn’t
+play together any more!</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Poor Dolly! Not only to lose her new-made
+friend, but to learn that the friend was really a
+naughty little girl, who had deliberately done
+wrong.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hello, Jack!” said Phyllis. “I know I
+ought not to come here, and I’m not coming
+again.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well,” said Dick, throwing himself down
+on the ground; “is this your secret, Dollums?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Dolly, almost ready to cry.
+“This is my Pinkie, and I love her, and now
+she’s the little girl Aunt Rachel said we couldn’t
+play with.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why not?” cried Dick, who had forgotten
+the Middleton ban.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Phyllis took up the story.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know the beginning of it,” she said;
+“but my mother, and Miss Rachel Dana don’t
+like each other, and won’t go to each other’s
+houses. And when I heard a little girl had come
+here to live, I wanted to come over, but mother
+wouldn’t let me.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And Aunt Rachel forbade me to go to your
+house, too,” put in Dolly. “I think it’s awful
+for grown-up ladies to get mad like that.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“They’ve been mad for lots of years,” said
+Jack Fuller. “I’ve heard my mother talk about
+it to the other ladies. They call it the Dana-Middleton
+feud.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What was it about?” asked Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Nobody knows,” replied Jack. “At least,
+none of us children. Of course, when there
+weren’t any children at the Dana house, we didn’t
+care anything about it; but now, it’s pretty if
+you two can’t play with the Middletons! Why,
+they go to our parties and our school and our
+Sunday school, and our picnics and everything!
+I guess Miss Dana and Mrs. Middleton’ll have
+to make up now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“They won’t,” said Phyllis, mournfully. “I
+heard mother and father talking about it. And
+they said I mustn’t come over here, or speak to
+Dolly or anything. And then, yesterday, I did
+come over here to the wood,—it’s right next to
+our last orchard,—and Dolly and I had such
+fun, I thought I’d come every day, and not tell
+anybody. But after I went to bed last night,
+I thought about it, and I know it’s wrong; so I’m
+not going to do it any more. I just came to-day
+to tell Dolly so. And after I go home, I’m
+going to confess to mother about it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Phyllis’s eyes were full of tears, and as she
+finished speaking, and Dolly’s arms went round
+her, both girls cried in their mutual affliction.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The boys were highly indignant at the whole
+situation.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s a shame!” cried Dick. “If Aunt
+Rachel wants to be mad at Mrs. Middleton,
+let her; but I don’t see why they shouldn’t let
+Phyllis and Dolly be friends. Have you got any
+brothers, Phyllis?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Only a little one, six years old,” was the
+reply. “There’s just the two of us.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And you live just next house to us,” went on
+Dick. “You and Dolly could have lovely times
+together. I’m going to ask Aunt Rachel myself
+if you two can’t be friends.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It wouldn’t do any good,” said Phyllis, wiping
+her eyes. “She wouldn’t give in, and, even
+if she did, my mother wouldn’t.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, I’m going to try it, anyway,” stoutly
+persisted Dick. “It can’t do any harm, and if
+Aunt Rachel <span class='it'>should</span> give in, she might persuade
+your mother, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Phyllis looked a little hopeful at this, but
+Dolly said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Aunt Rachel won’t let me play with you; I
+know it. She has said so a dozen times, and she’s
+awful stubborn. But I’m glad you told, Pinkie,
+’cause it wouldn’t have been right for us to play
+together and not tell.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, I know it,” agreed Phyllis. “I would
+have told you yesterday, only it was so funny
+when you thought I was a fairy! I thought I’d
+pretend I was one, and that would take away the
+wrong. But it didn’t, and when I thought all
+about it, I knew we couldn’t keep on that
+way.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The Dana twins were conscientious children,
+and they were both glad when Phyllis talked
+like this; for it had been a shock to Dolly to discover
+Pinkie’s deceit, and she felt relieved to
+learn that it was only impulsive and quickly repented
+of. But this didn’t alter the sad fact
+that the two little girls could not be playmates.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s just horrid!” said Dolly, her tears welling
+up afresh. “We could have such lovely
+times together! Playing dolls, and tea-parties,
+and everything. I think Aunt Rachel is mean!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think so, too,” said Jack Fuller, “and I
+do believe you could coax her into letting you
+two girls play together, even if the grown-up
+ladies don’t make up.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Maybe we could,” said Dick, hopefully, but
+Phyllis shook her head.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Mother wouldn’t, even if Miss Dana did,”
+she repeated. “I was a naughty girl to come
+here at all. I wish I hadn’t; then I wouldn’t
+have known how nice Dolly was.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Again the little girls wept, and the boys looked
+at them helplessly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, anyway,” said Dick, at last, “I’m
+going home to have a try at it. I’m going
+straight to Aunt Rachel and tell her all about
+it. It may make a difference, now that you girls
+really have met.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Phyllis, but she showed no
+hope of Dick’s success.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I say,” exclaimed Jack, “let’s all go! I
+mean, let’s take Phyllis, and all go to Miss
+Rachel and ask her about it. If she sees the
+two girls crying to beat the band, it may soften
+her some.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It seemed a daring proposition, but the twins
+approved of it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, do,” cried Dolly, eagerly. “Come on,
+Pinkie, let’s go right now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I can’t,” said Pinkie, firmly. “Mother
+told me never to go to Miss Dana’s house for
+anything at all.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>No amount of coaxing would prevail, and matters
+seemed at a deadlock, until Dick exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Then you stay here, and I’ll go get Auntie
+Rachel and make her come out here right
+now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It won’t do any good,” moaned Phyllis.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I know, about your mother. But maybe, if
+Miss Rachel gives in first, she can persuade your
+mother.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Maybe,” said Phyllis, worn out with the
+conflict. “Go on if you want to.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And Dick went.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='118' id='Page_118'></span><h1>CHAPTER IX</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>PHYLLIS</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>“A</span>unt Rachel,” said Dick, marching
+to the library, “will you do something
+for me?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Probably I will, my boy. What is it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I want you to come and take a walk with
+me.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But it’s nearly supper-time, Dicky; quite
+time for you to go and brush your hair, and put
+on a fresh collar. Where’s Dolly?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Aunt Rachel, please come,—it’s very
+important!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Noticing the serious expression on Dick’s earnest
+little face, Aunt Rachel became frightened.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What is the matter, Dick?” she exclaimed.
+“Has anything happened to Dolly? Has she
+hurt herself?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No; she hasn’t hurt herself; but come,
+please, Aunt Rachel,—do!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Throwing a light shawl round her, Miss
+Rachel went with Dick, quite sure that some
+accident had befallen Dolly. It was quite a
+little walk to the woods, and Dick began to
+wonder whether Phyllis would have waited, or
+whether she would have become scared and
+gone home. She seemed like a timid little thing,
+and Dick well knew that Miss Rachel’s anger
+was a formidable thing to brave. He felt far
+from calm himself.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Where are you taking me?” said Aunt
+Rachel, as they crossed the orchard.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“To the woods,” replied Dick, briefly;
+“Dolly is there.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And Aunt Rachel said no more, but walked
+rapidly along by Dick’s side, her mind full of
+horrible imaginings of Dolly, perhaps fallen
+from a tree, or in some other dreadful plight.
+When she reached the wood she saw the two
+little girls, seated on the flat stone, their arms
+about each other, and their faces red and tear-stained.
+Indeed, the big tears even now rolled
+down Dolly’s cheeks, as she saw the stern expression
+that came over Aunt Rachel’s face.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Phyllis Middleton!” exclaimed the angry-looking
+lady; “what does this mean? You
+know you are forbidden to step foot on my
+property!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m,” began Phyllis, timidly, but Dick
+took the helm.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Aunt Rachel,” he said, “I asked you to
+come out here, ’cause Phyllis wouldn’t go to the
+house. And I want to ask you to let her
+be Dolly’s friend; they love each other a
+heap.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Aunt Rachel’s wrath was turned toward
+her niece.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dolly,” she said, severely, “you know I
+positively forbade you to speak to Phyllis Middleton.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Auntie; b-but I didn’t know it was
+Phyllis, when I first spoke to her.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, you know it now. Come away from
+her at once. Phyllis, go straight home, and
+don’t ever dare come here again.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The case was hopeless.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Phyllis withdrew herself from Dolly’s embrace,
+and rose to go away.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Jack Fuller stood by, unable to help, and very
+nearly crying himself in sympathy with the two
+forlorn little girls.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel, in her surprise and indignation,
+had seated herself on the edge of a big stone,
+opposite Dolly and Phyllis, and sat with frowning
+face, waiting for the unwelcome visitor to
+depart.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>In her extremity of despair, Dolly had an inspiration.
+With a cry of, “Oh, <span class='it'>please</span>, Auntie
+Rachel!” she sprang at her aunt, and threw her
+arms around the neck of the irate lady. She
+squeezed her until she nearly choked her; she
+showered kisses on her face and neck; she whispered
+in her ear, “Please, dear Auntie, oh,
+<span class='it'>please</span> let me have her for my little friend; I
+love her so! <span class='it'>Please</span>, Auntie!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick, anxiously watching Miss Rachel’s face,
+saw a change. Not only did it become warm
+and red from the strangling hugs she was undergoing,
+but he felt sure there was a relenting expression
+in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Partly out of gratitude for this, and partly
+from a desire to further Dolly’s cause, he too
+rushed at his aunt, and added his affectionate
+demonstrations to those of his sister. His
+arms somehow found room, too, round her neck,
+and he industriously kissed the other side of her
+face, while he cried, “<span class='it'>Please</span>, Auntie Rachel,
+even if you don’t like the Middletons, please let
+Phyllis and Dolly be friends! <span class='it'>Please</span>, Auntie!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So cyclonic was the beginning of this performance,
+and so vigorous its continuance, that
+Miss Rachel was soon on the verge of physical
+collapse, and wildly waved her hands, in a
+futile endeavour to shake off the besiegers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Phyllis and Jack were appalled at the
+scene, and were almost uncertain whether the
+attack was really affectionate or of a hostile
+nature.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“For gracious’ sake, Dolly, <span class='it'>do</span> stop!” cried
+Miss Rachel, at last, as her glasses flew off, and
+her carefully arranged coiffure became a wreck.
+“Dick, let go of me!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Auntie,” he said, kneeling at one side,
+and possessing himself of one of her hands, while
+Dolly did the same with the other; “but, Auntie,
+do say yes, won’t you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Won’t you, Auntie?” echoed Dolly; “won’t
+you, Auntie? Please, dear Auntie Rachel, won’t
+you? <span class='it'>Please!</span>”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The words, repeated so often, seemed to become
+meaningless, but not so the beseeching
+expression on the two upturned, pleading little
+faces.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel looked at them,—Dick’s eager
+hopeful gaze; Dolly’s tearful, despairing eyes,—and
+her hard heart melted.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'><a id='gardA'></a></p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i133.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0004' style='width:400px;height:auto;'/>
+<p class='caption'><span class='sc'>In the Garden</span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style='font-size:smaller'>(Page <a href='#gard'>82</a>)</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She put an arm round each of the quivering
+little bodies, and said softly:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Wait a minute, dears, let me think it
+over.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>If Miss Rachel needed further incentive, the
+joy that flashed into the twins’ faces must have
+given it to her, for she went on almost immediately:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You cannot understand the grown-up part
+of this; you cannot be told about why Mrs. Middleton
+and I are not on friendly terms; but this
+I will grant. If Phyllis’s mother will let her
+be Dolly’s friend, I shall be glad to have it so.
+If Phyllis is allowed to come to Dana Dene,
+Dolly may also visit her and you may play together
+all you like. There is really no reason
+why you children should suffer for the sake of
+your elders, and I see that clearly now. Come
+here, Phyllis.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Phyllis rose and went to Miss Rachel, who
+looked her over with evident interest.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You are a nice child,” she said, at last,
+with a nod of approval. “I shall be glad to
+have you become Dolly’s friend. Do you think
+your mother will object?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I know she will, Miss Dana,” said Phyllis,
+sadly; “I am sure she won’t let me go to Dana
+Dene.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Then I shall go to see her, myself, and I
+fancy I can persuade her.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel said this with a majestic air,
+yet with a grim smile, and the children felt
+that though they certainly did not understand
+the “grown-up part of it,” yet their cause was
+won, and Dolly and Phyllis would be permitted
+to play together to their hearts’ content.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Thank you, Miss Rachel,” said Phyllis,
+timidly taking her hand, and feeling that she
+ought to show her gratitude by some demonstration,
+after the example set her by the twins.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel kissed her gently on the forehead,
+and then put her hand in Dolly’s; bidding the
+two little girls seal their friendship with a kiss,
+and then say good-bye until to-morrow.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Scamper home, across the orchard, Phyllis,”
+she went on, “and tell your mother all about it,
+if you choose; and say I shall call on her this
+evening.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Jack went with Phyllis, as that was the way
+toward his own home, and the three Danas
+went back to the house.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Auntie, you are so good,” said Dolly,
+as, with her arm round her aunt’s waist, she
+walked by her side. “It was lovely of you to
+give up your favourite feud for me!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel smiled at Dolly’s choice of words,
+but she only said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It is right, dearie. It would be very foolish
+to keep you two little girls apart because of what
+happened to your ancestors, twenty years ago.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m; and are you going to keep on feuding
+with Mrs. Middleton?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know yet,” said Miss Rachel, smiling
+again; “if I do, it will be because she insists
+upon it. But I feel sure I can persuade her
+to feel as I do, about you children.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You’re a brick, Auntie,” declared Dick,
+who walked at her other side. “I was ’most
+sure you’d cave in when you saw how the girls
+felt about it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It was really the way you two felt about
+it, that persuaded me; indeed, if I hadn’t ‘caved
+in,’ as you call it, I think you would have
+squeezed me to pieces.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, we’re good coaxers,” said Dick, modestly.
+“We used to coax Auntie Helen that
+way; but she always got to laughing.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It wasn’t a humorous occasion, to-day,” said
+Aunt Rachel, and then they all went in to
+supper.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Abbie, who was wondering what had become
+of them, was then told the whole story,
+which greatly interested her.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And now,” said Dolly, as everything had
+been explained, “you see why I was asking about
+fairies last night. I didn’t really think Phyllis
+was a fairy, but she came so—so unexpected,
+you know, and she wouldn’t tell me her name,
+and she told me to keep it all a secret.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think that part of it was a little naughty,”
+said Aunt Abbie, judicially.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m,” agreed Dolly. “But you see she
+’pented, and to-day she came to tell me that
+she had ’cided it <span class='it'>was</span> naughty, and she wasn’t
+coming any more. So that took away the
+naughtiness, didn’t it, Auntie Rachel?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I think it did, dearie. I feel sure
+Phyllis is a conscientious little girl, and will be a
+good friend for you in every way.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But I’ll always call her Pinkie,” said Dolly;
+“’cause I called her that at first, and Phyllis is
+such a grown-up name. Will you go over and
+see about it right away, Auntie?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“After a while, Dolly. But I shall not return
+until after you’ve gone to bed, so don’t think
+any more about it till morning.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel spoke calmly, but the children
+little knew what it meant to her to subdue her
+pride and make the advance toward a truce with
+Mrs. Middleton. Their quarrel, though it had
+occurred many years ago, was as bitter as ever,
+and reconciliation seemed impossible. Neither
+had ever been willing to suggest such a thing,
+and though kind-hearted friends had tried to
+bring it about, their efforts had met with no
+success. Miss Abbie was, of course, amazed at
+the way things were going, but her offer to accompany
+her sister was met with a gentle but
+decided refusal.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And so, nobody ever knew what passed between
+the two neighbours that evening. Whatever
+way she humiliated herself, or whatever
+arguments she used, Miss Rachel never told;
+but, at least, her main errand was successful, and
+Mrs. Middleton agreed to let Phyllis and Dolly
+play together all they liked, and visit at each
+other’s homes whenever they chose.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As for the two ladies themselves, they didn’t
+at once forgive and forget all of their long-standing
+unpleasantness, but they agreed to be, at
+least, calling acquaintances, for the children’s
+sake; and I may as well say here that eventually
+the breach was healed, and by degrees they
+became really friendly neighbours.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly was too excited and anxious to sleep, so
+when she heard Miss Rachel come in, though it
+was late, she sprang out of bed, and throwing
+a blue kimono over her little frilled nightgown,
+she ran out into the hall, and called down over
+the banisters:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Is it all right, Auntie Rachel? Is it all
+right?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, it’s all right, Dolly. Go back to bed,
+you’ll catch cold.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>By this time, Dick had bounced out of his
+room. A bath-robe was round him, over his
+pink-striped pajamas, and as he heard Aunt
+Rachel’s assurance that their cause was won, he
+whispered to Dolly, “Let’s go down and hug
+her!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s!” replied Dolly, and the two bare-footed,
+dressing-gowned little figures flew downstairs
+and precipitated themselves upon the already
+exhausted lady.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Don’t, children!” cried Aunt Abbie, as Miss
+Rachel was almost lost to sight in clouds of
+eider-down flannel, and four eager, waving arms.
+“Don’t! you’ll wear Auntie Rachel out, she’s almost
+collapsed now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, Abbie; let them be. I like it,” gasped
+Aunt Rachel, from behind two curly heads that
+seemed to be devouring her.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Aunt Abbie only laughed, inwardly rejoicing
+that the children had brought about an
+amicable adjustment of the old quarrel, and glad,
+too, that her reserved and undemonstrative sister
+enjoyed the wild antics of the two little savages.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Auntie Abbie next!” shouted Dick, gleefully,
+and Aunt Rachel received a respite, as the
+twins’ attentions were showered upon their other
+aunt.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But she wouldn’t stand quite so much.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Be off with you!” she cried. “You’re
+worse than a pair of little bear-cubs!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We are bear-cubs,” cried Dick, enchanted
+with the suggestion. Then he growled, and
+pawed and clawed at Aunt Abbie, winding up
+with a hug that nearly cracked her bones.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly, always ready to take her cue, was also
+a bear-cub, and between them they made Aunt
+Abbie’s life miserable for a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Scamper now!” she cried, as she emerged,
+laughing, from the latest onslaught. “Run to
+bed, both of you. I’ve had enough of this!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So, with final pats and kisses all round, the
+twins went upstairs, and were soon snugly in
+bed once more.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly thought she should never go to sleep,
+she was so happy in the thoughts of her new
+friend.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dear Pinkie! She was so pretty and sweet,
+and Dolly smiled to herself at thought of all the
+fun they could have playing together. They
+would always be friends, even after they grew
+up to be young ladies, and they would never have
+a foolish quarrel, as Pinkie’s mother and Auntie
+Rachel had had. And so, fairly revelling in
+happy anticipations, Dolly fell asleep.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Downstairs, the two sisters talked long and
+earnestly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s a blessing those two children ever came
+here,” said Miss Abbie, at last.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It is a blessing in some ways,” said Miss
+Rachel, “but they’re going to be a terrible responsibility.
+Such overflowing spirits I never
+saw! They can’t be still a second. And we
+must stop these fearful tornadoes of affection!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I thought you enjoyed them!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I do enjoy their hearty demonstrations and
+endearments. They’re so real and spontaneous.
+But we must curb them, for it isn’t good for the
+children to be allowed such savagery. For it is
+savagery.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It is, indeed!” agreed Aunt Abbie, ruefully.
+“My arm’s lame yet, from their squeezing.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, we’ll correct them. But I don’t want
+to be too harsh, poor little motherless things.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and fatherless, too. We must be very
+good to them, Rachel, but it isn’t true kindness
+to be too indulgent, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, of course not. We must be firm, yet
+gentle.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And so the two ladies discussed the management
+of the twins, not realising at all, that on
+the contrary, the twins were managing them!
+For though good and obedient children, Dick
+and Dolly generally succeeded in getting their
+own sweet way, as witness the case of Phyllis
+Middleton.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='132' id='Page_132'></span><h1>CHAPTER X</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>AN AUCTION SALE</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>L</span>ife at Dana Dene settled down into a
+pleasant routine that was in no sense
+monotony. Every day the sewing and the
+practising and the gardening had their appointed
+hours. But this left hours and hours of play-time,
+and the twins improved them all.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Phyllis and Dolly were very chummy little
+companions, and scarcely a day passed without
+their seeing each other.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick and Jack Fuller were chums too, and
+though the twins became acquainted with many
+of the other children in Heatherton, they liked
+these earliest made friends best of all.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Often they went to town, for Dana Dene was
+about a mile out from the village itself. Sometimes
+they drove in state with the aunties, or
+perhaps less formally, on morning errands.
+Sometimes they rode on the big spring wagon
+with Pat or Michael, and sometimes on pleasant
+days, they walked.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>One delightful afternoon, the aunties had gone
+to sewing society, and the twins were holding a
+consultation as to what would be the most fun
+for them to do.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s walk to town and get some soda
+water,” suggested Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” returned Dick; “but we needn’t
+walk unless we want to. Michael’s going down
+with the wagon. But he isn’t ready yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, let’s walk on, and then when he comes
+along we can get in, if we want to.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and we can ride home, anyway.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So after arranging with Michael to look out
+for them on the way, Dick and Dolly started
+off. They loved to walk to town, for there was
+so much of interest along the way. The first
+part, more or less wooded, showed various enticing
+spots to sit down and rest a while.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Squirrels were apt to come round and be
+sociable, or birds would sing little songs of greeting
+from the branches. There were always new
+wild-flowers, and just now the wild roses were
+opening, and daisies were in bloom.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And, if they were very cautious, there was always
+a chance of seeing fairies.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Now that Pinkie was understood, Dolly returned
+to her original idea of fairies,—tiny,
+fragile beings, with wings and wands.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick had some doubts as to their existence, but
+was always on the alert to catch sight of them
+in the woods.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then, after the woodsy part was passed, came
+the beginnings of the streets, with houses few
+and far apart; and then the bridge,—always a
+fine place to linger,—and then houses closer together,
+many of which were good stopping-places,
+and finally the business portion of the
+little town itself.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Here were fascinating shops, with windows
+delightfully full of tempting wares, also a
+caterer’s shop, where one could choose between
+cakes and ice cream, or candy and soda water.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins were allowed fifty cents apiece each
+week for spending money. With this, they
+could do exactly as they chose, with the stipulation
+that not more than ten cents in one day
+should be spent for edibles. As they conscientiously
+obeyed this rule, the aunts felt sure they
+could not seriously harm their digestion. And,
+besides, they did not buy sweets every time they
+went to town. Sometimes it was marbles or
+tops or ribbons for dolls.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>On this particular occasion the twins felt
+specially rich, for they each had an untouched
+half dollar just given them by Aunt Rachel,
+and they had also a goodly portion of the
+previous week’s income still unspent. Not that
+they expected necessarily to spend it, but it
+seemed pleasant to have their fund with them,
+and if they should see anything very desirable
+they might purchase it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So they trudged along, with open minds,
+ready to accommodate anything that offered in
+the way of interest or pleasure.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As they reached the main street they saw a
+great crowd of people in front of one of the
+shops, and wondered what the reason might be.
+Coming nearer, they saw a red flag waving
+over the door, and Dick exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, it’s an auction! I never saw one
+before; come on, Dolly, let’s go in.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So in the twins went, and soon became greatly
+interested in the proceedings.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They edged through the crowd, until they
+were quite near the auctioneer, and then they
+listened, spellbound, to his discourse. Never
+having seen an auction sale before, the manner
+of conducting it appealed to them, and they
+breathlessly watched and listened as one lot
+after another was sold to the bidders.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The stock was that of a clothing emporium,
+and consisted of ready-made suits for both men
+and women.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’d like to buy something that way,” said
+Dick to his sister, “but they’re only grown-ups’
+clothes, and anyway, they cost too much. If
+they put up anything small I’m going to bid.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Maybe they’ll have handkerchiefs or something
+like that,” suggested Dolly, eager also to
+join the game of bidding.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But there were no small articles for sale, nothing
+but men’s suits and ladies’ costumes, so Dick
+and Dolly lost hope of being able to bid for
+anything.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They wandered round the place, meeting several
+people whom they knew, and who spoke
+pleasantly to them. But they were all grown-ups,—there
+were no children there but the
+twins, so hand in hand they wandered about,
+always drifting back to hear the auctioneer crying
+out:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Ten,—ten,—do I hear eleven?” or “Going,
+going—gone!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They listened carefully to his phraseology,
+for they well knew “auction” would be one
+of their favourite games in the near future, and
+Dick wanted to learn the lingo, so that he could
+play auctioneer after the most approved fashion.
+At last the sale was about over, and the audience
+began to go away. Only a few men remained,
+and the fixtures of the shop were then
+put up. Office furniture, show-cases and such
+things were sold quickly, and then was put up
+a lot of wax tailors’ dummies. These wax figures,
+both men and women, were so comical that
+Dick and Dolly laughed aloud to see them put
+up for sale. It was almost like selling people.
+But the man who bought them didn’t seem
+to think it funny at all. He bid them in,
+like any other merchandise, but he refused
+to take one of them, saying it was too badly
+damaged.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This unfortunate one was a wax-faced lady
+whose cheek was badly dented and marred, thus
+making her undesirable as a window attraction.
+She was carelessly set aside, and the twins looked
+at her with curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dick,” whispered Dolly, “I’d love to have
+her! She’d be more fun than a big doll. Do
+you s’pose we could get her?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I dunno. It would be fun! We could rig
+her up, and set her up in the playground. How
+much money have you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Just seventy-seven cents.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And I have eighty-six. Let’s ask the man.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Dick stepped up to the auctioneer, and
+said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Could you auction up that other wax lady,
+sir?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That one, kid? Why, she’s no good.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Not for a shopman, I know, but—if she
+didn’t cost so much, we’d like to have her.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You would! Well, you’re two pretty nice
+little children, suppose I give her to you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick hesitated. It seemed too great a favour,
+and beside he wanted the fun of bidding.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, you see,” he said, “I think we’d
+rather pay, if it isn’t too much, because,—you
+see,—we want to do that calling out.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oho! You want the real auctioneering
+game, do you? Well, I’ll have her put up.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The auctioneer was a jolly, good-natured man,
+and as his task was about over, he felt inclined to
+humour the children.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Here,” he called to his assistant, “put up
+that golden-haired goddess.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Appreciating the situation, the man set the
+wax dummy upon the platform.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Here you are!” cried the auctioneer.
+“What am I bid for this lovely lady? Though
+slightly marred in the face, she has a good
+heart, and is warranted good-tempered and kind.
+What am I bid?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick hesitated; now that the time had come
+he felt suddenly shy, and felt uncertain how
+much to offer.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Ten cents!” came a voice from another
+part of the room. Then Dick felt that he was
+really in the business at last, and he called out
+sturdily:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Fifteen!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Fifteen,” echoed the auctioneer. “Fifteen!
+do I hear any more? Only fifteen cents for
+this beautiful work of art?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Twenty!” called the other voice, and for
+some reason the auctioneer scowled.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Twenty!” he cried; “twenty? Do I hear
+twenty-five?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Twenty-five!” cried Dick, his face all aglow
+with the excitement of the moment.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Twenty-five!” sang out the auctioneer.
+“Twenty-five! Is there another bid?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But the menacing face he turned toward the
+other bidder must have silenced him, for he said
+no more.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Twenty-five!” went on the auctioneer, quite
+gaily now. “Twenty-five! That seems too
+<a id='cheap'></a>cheap for this Prize Beauty. Twenty-five! Is
+that all?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It <span class='it'>did</span> seem too cheap, and Dick suddenly
+felt that it ought to bring more. Besides, the
+auctioneer’s voice was persuasive, and so, still
+in the spirit of the game, Dick cried out,
+“Thirty!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The auctioneer suddenly choked, and the man
+in the back of the room burst into shouts of
+laughter, but Dick didn’t mind now. With shining
+eyes, he awaited the auctioneer’s next move,
+and seeing this, the smiling gentleman went on:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Thirty! Thirty cents for this Darling
+Dame. She looks like that! Do I hear any
+more? Thirty—going—going——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Thirty-five!” said Dolly, timidly, but in
+clear tones.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick looked at her admiringly. Dolly <span class='it'>was</span>
+a trump. He was glad she had a part in the
+great game too.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Thirty-five!” called the auctioneer, red in
+the face, but preserving his gravity. “Thirty-five!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Forty!” cried Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Forty-five!” said Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Fifty!” yelled Dick, smiling at his sister.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Fifty-five,” she cried, smiling back.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Stop!” cried the auctioneer, “you two
+mustn’t bid against each other!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why not?” asked Dick. “We have the
+money. We’ve more ’n a dollar ’n’ a half, together.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, but one of you can buy this thing if
+you really want it. So stop bidding, and take it
+for fifty cents.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” agreed Dick, “we’ll each pay
+twenty-five.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This plan suited Dolly, and the money was
+paid at once.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You have to take your goods with you, you
+know,” said the auctioneer, not unkindly, as he
+watched the two delighted children.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, we will,” said Dolly. “Michael’s outside
+somewhere, with the big wagon. He’ll take
+us all home.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You stay here with the lady, Dolly,” said
+Dick, “and I’ll run out and hunt Michael.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Go on,” said the auctioneer, “I’ll look after
+Miss Dolly and her new friend both.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The auctioneer had children of his own, and
+was greatly interested in his two young customers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What do you want of this affair?” he asked
+Dolly, after Dick had gone.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“To play with,” she returned. “I know we
+can dress her up and have lots of fun with her.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps I can find you some clothes for
+her here,” he offered; “she ought to have a
+hat and shawl.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, never mind,” said Dolly, easily; “we’ll
+take her home, and I think Aunt Rachel’s clothes
+will fit her. If not, we’ll try Hannah’s.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The wax lady was simply robed in a drab
+muslin slip, whose plainness contrasted strangely
+with the bright pink of her complexion, the large
+mop of yellow hair, and the waxen forearms—except
+for her head, neck, and forearms the
+lady was a sort of wire frame, more or less bent.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Dolly saw wondrous possibilities, and
+cared not at all that her ladyship was so imperfectly
+arrayed at present.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick soon returned, and announced that Michael
+was outside in the wagon.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The auctioneer’s obliging assistant carried the
+wax lady to the door, and then the twins took it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“The saints preserve us!” cried Michael;
+“whativer have ye rascally babies been up to
+now?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We’ve bought a lady, Michael,” explained
+Dolly, “and we want to take her home.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, if so be as she’s your lady, home with
+us she must go.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Michael climbed down from his seat, and
+assisted the “lady” into the wagon.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s lyin’ down in the wagon she must ride,”
+he said. “I’ll have no waxen image a-settin’ up
+on the seat, an’ me, like as not, arristed fer kid-nappin’
+her! In she goes, and covered up wid
+these potaty-sacks she’ll be, till yez gets her
+home.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Dolly, gleefully, “I don’t
+care. Put her in back, if you want to. But be
+careful, don’t muss up her hair too much!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>At last the “lady” was arranged, and Dick
+and Dolly clambered up to the seat beside Michael,
+and home they went.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You see,” Dolly confided to Michael, who
+was her devoted adorer, “we went to an auction,
+and we bought the lady.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“An auction! Yez childher! My soul! what
+will yez be afther doin’ next?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It isn’t hard to go to an auction,” said Dick,
+meditatively. “You just find what you want to
+buy; and then you see how much money you’ve
+got, and then you bid till you get up to it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yis, that’s a foine way!” said Michael,
+appreciatively. “An’ yez chose the wax scarecrow,
+did yez? Well, give it to me fer my cornfield,
+it’ll be foine to kape the burrds off!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You bad Michael,” said Dolly. “You’re
+just teasing us. Scarecrow! Why, she’s my new
+doll. I’m going to call her,—what shall we call
+her, Dick?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Lady Eliza Dusenbury,” said Dick,
+promptly, for he was always quick at choosing
+names. “And I say, Dolly, let’s rig her up,
+hat and all, you know, and stand her up in front
+of the front door, and ring the bell, and then
+hide, and see what Hannah’ll do!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right; don’t you tell, Michael.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, Miss Dolly, I’ll not tell.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And you help us, Michael, to get her out and
+get her fixed up, will you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“<a id='yis'></a>Yis, I’ll help yez, ye good-fer-nothin’
+shcamps.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>When Michael indulged in calling them
+names, the twins knew he was very good-natured
+indeed, so they anticipated great fun.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>When they reached Dana Dene, the two children
+jumped down from the wagon and ran into
+the house. It was easy enough to get in unnoticed,
+and they went straight to Aunt Rachel’s
+room for clothing for the new friend.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly selected a pretty street suit of dark-blue
+pongee, made with a coat and skirt. She found
+also a white waist, and a blue hat trimmed with
+cornflowers. This was really enough, but she
+added a veil and a small shopping bag. With
+these things, the twins hurried to the barn, where
+Michael had the Lady Eliza waiting for them
+in the carriage house.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly dressed her, and it was surprising how
+distinguished she looked in Aunt Rachel’s costume.
+It seemed a very good fit, and the flower-trimmed
+hat was most becoming to the frizzled
+yellow hair.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>On account of the scar on her cheek, Dolly put
+on the thin lace veil, which really added to her
+modish effect. Her arms, which were movable,
+were adjusted at an elegant angle, and the shopping
+bag was hung on her left wrist.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pat had been taken into confidence, and when
+all was ready the children ran ahead to make
+sure that the coast was clear.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Discovering that Hannah and Delia were
+both in the back part of the house, they signalled
+to Michael, and he and Pat assisted Lady Eliza
+to the front door. Then Dolly adjusted her
+hands, and in the right one, which was extended,
+she placed a visiting card, taken at random from
+the basket in the hall. Then Michael and Pat
+went away, Dolly hid in some nearby bushes,
+and Dick, after a loud ring at the doorbell, flew,
+to join Dolly in her hiding-place.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='147' id='Page_147'></span><h1>CHAPTER XI</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>FUN WITH LADY ELIZA</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>H</span>annah, in her white cap and apron,
+came at once and opened the door. Being
+a well-trained maid, she stepped
+back, and held the door open for the lady to
+enter, but as the caller did not seem inclined to
+do so, but persistently held out her card, Hannah
+took it, saying, “The ladies are not at home,
+madam.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Still the caller stood motionless, and Hannah
+looked at her with some curiosity. The lace veil
+so shrouded her features that they were not very
+discernible, but when Hannah’s glance fell on
+the rigid, pale hand, she gave a scream:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“My sakes, ma’am! is it dead ye are, or
+fainted?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Not being able to grasp at once the truth of
+the matter, Hannah took the two cold hands in
+her own, and shook the lady slightly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Lady Eliza toppled over, and would have
+fallen to the floor, but that Hannah caught her
+in her arms, and dragged her into the hall, where
+she dropped her on a large sofa.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Delia!” she called, flying to the kitchen,
+“fetch some water. There’s a lady fainted!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick and Dolly, unable to restrain themselves
+longer, came running in, and met Hannah, who
+returned, followed by Delia with a bowl of
+water.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hurry up, Hannah,” cried Dick. “She’s in
+an awful faint! Can’t you bring her to?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly was dancing around the prostrate form
+of the visitor, and Michael and Pat were peeping
+in at the front door.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Ah, ye scallywags!” cried Delia, realising
+that some mischief was up. “What are ye up
+to, now? Who’s this leddy?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So lifelike was the whole effect of the figure,
+that Delia could not at first take in the fraud.
+But when she did, she went off in peals of laughter,
+and Hannah joined in heartily.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Aren’t ye the smart scamps, now!” cried
+Delia, proud of the latest exploit of the children.
+“An’ will ye look now, Hannah? That’s Miss
+Rachel’s best blue dress! I’m wonderin’ ye
+didn’t recognise it!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I never thought,” said Hannah, still gazing
+half-fearfully at the figure on the sofa. “I took
+it for granted it was a friendly visitor.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Whereupon Dick outspread Lady Eliza’s
+arms in such a comical way, that Delia went off
+again in fresh bursts of laughter.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now to fool the aunties,” said Dick, after
+the servants had returned to their work and
+Dick and Dolly were left alone with their
+new possession. “How shall we fix it up,
+Dollums?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly considered. She was more ingenious
+than Dick in arranging dramatic effects, and at
+last she said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think we’ll just have her seated in a corner
+of the veranda, and then, when the aunties come
+home, I’ll tell them there’s a lady waiting to
+see them.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, that’ll be fine; let’s fix her now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Lady Eliza Dusenbury was gracefully
+seated in a piazza chair. Upon her knees lay an
+open magazine, held in place with one slender
+pink hand.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Those hands give her away, Dolly,” said
+Dick. “They don’t look a bit real.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Neither they don’t,” agreed Dolly; “I’ll
+get gloves.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She ran upstairs and down again, bringing a
+pair of light kid gloves from Aunt Rachel’s
+room, which she succeeded in getting on the
+Lady Eliza’s hands.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s a heap better,” said Dick; “now,
+with the veil, and as its getting sort of darkish,
+I don’t see how they’ll suspect at all.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Quietly the Lady Eliza sat waiting. Not
+quite so quietly, Dick and Dolly sat on the top
+step of the veranda, waiting also, and at last
+Michael, who had gone after the Dana ladies,
+drove them up to the steps.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>He had been charged by the twins not to
+mention their new acquisition, so, of course, had
+not done so.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick and Dolly met their aunts, with a smiling
+welcome, and then Dolly said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“There’s a lady to see you, Aunt Rachel; as
+you weren’t home when she came, she sat down,
+over there to wait.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>In her pleasant, dignified way, Miss Rachel
+crossed the veranda, followed by Miss Abbie.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Though the ladies had slightly relaxed their
+“society” manner when greeting the twins, they
+instantly assumed it again as they went to meet
+their visitor.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Good-afternoon,” said Miss Rachel as she
+neared the lady reading the magazine.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But the stranger did not look up, and Miss
+Rachel assumed she had not heard.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How do you do?” she said, in louder tones,
+and held out her hand.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Abbie also approached, and said “Good-afternoon,”
+and extended her hand, but apparently
+the visitor had no intention of stopping
+her reading.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>With no thought other than that the lady
+was deaf or exceedingly preoccupied, Miss
+Rachel stepped nearer, and said very loudly:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Good-afternoon!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Still no response, and now Miss Rachel became
+frightened.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“She has had a stroke or something,” she exclaimed,
+and, stooping, she peered into the
+stranger’s face.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Abbie! her cheek is hurt! Somebody
+has struck her, or thrown a stone at her. How
+dreadful!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Abbie fluttered about.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Rachel! How awful! What shall we
+do? Call for help, but don’t let the children
+come here.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, let us come,” cried Dick, as he and
+Dolly danced toward the group. “Let us come,
+she’s our friend; she’s Lady Eliza Dusenbury.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What do you mean?” cried Miss Rachel.
+“This lady has been hurt somehow. Go and call
+Hannah. Or perhaps we had better send Michael
+for a doctor.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, don’t, Aunt Rachel,” said Dolly, who
+was now shrieking with laughter. “Lady Eliza
+isn’t much hurt. But isn’t she a dear!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly threw her arms round the strange lady’s
+neck, and patted the injured cheek gently.
+Magazine and shopping bag slid to the floor, but
+otherwise, the stranger made no motion.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dolly, behave yourself!” cried Aunt Abbie.
+“What do you mean by such actions? Let
+the poor lady be! Oh, what shall we do,
+Rachel?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Aunt Rachel had begun to see daylight.
+The irrepressible mirth of the two children told
+her that there was a joke somewhere, and then,
+as she recognised her own dress and hat, she
+suspected the truth.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“H’m,” she said; “suppose we take off the
+poor lady’s veil, and see how much she is hurt.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Suppose we do,” said Dolly, and she obligingly
+assisted her aunt to remove the veil from
+Lady Eliza’s beautiful, but scarred face.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well!” she exclaimed as she saw the glass
+eyes and the pink wax face, “what <span class='it'>have</span> you two
+been up to, now?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As for Aunt Abbie, she sank down on a nearby
+chair, helpless with laughter.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Aunt Rachel followed her example, and
+Dick and Dolly danced round the three seated
+figures, while they screamed themselves hoarse
+with glee.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They moved Lady Eliza’s arms into threatening
+and despairing poses, each more ridiculous
+than the other.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They took off her hat, and breaking bunches
+of wistaria from the veranda vine, they wreathed
+her golden mop of hair with them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They took Aunt Rachel’s eyeglasses from the
+little gold hook on her bodice, and perched them
+on Lady Eliza’s nose, sticking a pin in the wax
+to hold them on. And at each ridiculous demonstration
+the two aunts would become convulsed
+with laughter.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Isn’t she lovely!” said Dolly, at last, as
+she hung around Aunt Rachel’s neck, and
+watched Dick tie the string of a red balloon to
+Lady Eliza’s hand, just so that the balloon
+kept thumping her in the face.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“She is beautiful,” agreed Aunt Rachel, with
+a shade of mental reservation in her tones.
+“Where did you get her, and why did you take
+my newest gown to play with?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I didn’t know it was your newest gown!”
+said Dolly, regretfully; but Aunt Rachel told
+her not to mind, they would take it off, and
+there were several older ones that would do
+equally well for Lady Eliza.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The story of the auction was told, and the
+aunts had another season of mirth over the
+ridiculous bidding.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Aunt Rachel, after the story
+was finished, “but never bid on anything unless
+you have enough money to pay for it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We didn’t,” said Dick; “we counted our
+money first. And truly, this was the only thing
+in the whole auction we wanted.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, I’m glad you have her. I think you
+can have good fun with such a big doll. To-morrow
+I’ll find you some clothes.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel was as good as her word, and
+next day she went to the attic and found several
+discarded costumes of her own and Aunt Abbie’s
+that were fine for Eliza. Hats and bonnets,
+capes and shawls, a parasol and a feather boa,—indeed
+the Lady Eliza soon had a complete and
+even luxurious wardrobe.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Abbie touched up the injured cheek with
+some water-colour paints, and then the injury
+scarcely showed at all.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>That afternoon the twins prepared to spring
+the joke on Pinkie and Jack. They expected
+them both to come over and play, and beforehand
+they got the Lady Eliza ready. The arbour
+in the playground was now nearly covered
+with vines, and formed a well-shaded
+tent.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>In here, at a table, they placed Eliza, her
+hands meekly in her lap, and her face downcast.
+She wore a black-and-white checked suit, and a
+black hat and veil. Her hands were ungloved,
+but were filled with flowers, which concealed the
+artificial-looking finger-tips.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Having arranged her exactly to their liking,
+the twins sat on the veranda steps, waiting for
+their friends. Pinkie came first, and Jack came
+very soon after.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s go out to the playground,” said Dick,
+casually.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” agreed Jack. “It’s too hot for
+tag; let’s play hide and seek.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They all sauntered toward the playground,
+and as they nearly reached it, Jack said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, there’s a lady in there!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“A lady?” said Dick, looking surprised.
+“What are you talking about?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“There is,” repeated Jack; “see.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They all peeped through the vines, and sure
+enough, a lady was seated at the table. Her
+hands were full of flowers, but she appeared dejected,
+and her head drooped a little.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It isn’t either of the aunties,” whispered
+Dolly, “they’re in the house.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Who is it then?” Jack whispered back, and
+Pinkie said, “Don’t let’s go in, I’m afraid.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Afraid of a lady!” said Dick. “Pooh, I’m
+not. Maybe it’s your mother, Pinkie.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, it isn’t,” she replied. “Mother’s at
+home. Maybe it’s Hannah.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What would Hannah be here for?” said
+Dolly. “Let’s go in and see who it is.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Dick, and he stepped inside.
+“She won’t speak to me,” he said, stepping
+out again. “You go in, Jack.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Not wishing to be thought cowardly, Jack
+stepped into the arbour, and in his politest tones,
+said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How do you do, ma’am?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But the lady did not move, and just looked at
+Jack with big blue eyes, that stared through her
+black veil.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“She’s a funny lady,” said Jack, rather bewildered.
+“She won’t speak, and she just stares
+at me.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You try, Pinkie,” said Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Pinkie went up to the lady, and in her
+sweet little voice <a id='said'></a>said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What’s the matter, lady?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She, too, received only a blue-eyed stare, and
+no word of reply.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps she’s asleep,” said Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, her eyes are wide open,” said Jack, his
+own eyes also wide open in surprise.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Then she must have fainted,” said Dick;
+“we must try to bring her to.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>He gave the lady a pat on the shoulder, but
+still she didn’t stir.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hit her harder,” said Dolly. “Don’t hurt
+her, you know, but you have to shake people to
+make ’em come out of a faint.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick thumped her on the back, and slily bent
+her arm up until she seemed to be shaking her
+fist at them. The flowers tumbled to the floor,
+and her other arm flew up above her head.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh!” cried Pinkie, and ran farther away
+from the now belligerent-looking lady.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh!” cried Jack, catching on. Then,
+screaming with laughter, he seized the lady’s
+hand shook it, crying, “How do you do, ma’am!
+How <span class='it'>do</span> you do? I’m <span class='it'>so</span> glad to meet you!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pinkie was still mystified, so Dolly ushered
+her up to the lady, saying, “Miss Pinkie Middleton
+’low me to make you ’quainted with Lady
+Eliza Dusenbury!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick had taken off Eliza’s veil, and Pinkie at
+last realised what sort of lady she was meeting.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Dolly,” she cried, “where did you get
+her? Isn’t it fun! I think she’s fine!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“She’s great!” declared Jack. “You fooled
+me good, old Mr. Dick Dana! What’s her
+name, did you say?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Lady Eliza Dusenbury,” said Dick, “but
+we call her Eliza, if we want to. Let’s take her
+for a ride.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They got the little express wagon that Dick
+and Dolly used to cart their plants or flower-pots
+around the gardens in, and lifted Eliza in.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“She’ll have to stand up,” said Dolly, “because
+she can’t sit down.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Jack, “we’ll tie her so she
+won’t upset.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They fastened her iron pedestal, which served
+her instead of feet, firmly to the wagon, and then
+proceeded to deck both vehicle and passenger
+with flowers, till it looked like a float in a
+parade.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly and Pinkie made a gilt paper crown,
+and wound gilt paper around a long rod for a
+sceptre.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, let’s make her Queen of the Fairies!”
+cried Pinkie.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So the dress Eliza had on was changed for a
+white one. This was decked with ribbons and
+garlands of flowers. Crown and wand were put
+in place, and then the whole four combined their
+ingenuity to invent wings. At last they were cut
+from thin pasteboard, and covered all over with
+fringed white tissue paper. This fringe, about
+an inch wide, and cut fine, was quickly made, and
+when pasted on in close rows, gave a lovely
+fluffy appearance to the wings.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A gauzy white veil, spangled with gilt paper
+stars, floated down from the crown, and the
+Queen of the Fairies presented a most delectable
+appearance.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The express wagon was not good enough for
+this dream of beauty, so it was made into a
+float, by placing some boards on top of it. This
+top was neatly covered with a sheet and decked
+with flowers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then the Queen of the Fairies was raised to
+her triumphal car, and her four willing subjects
+drew her about.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Long reins were made by cutting strips of
+white muslin, and these were attached to four
+prancing little steeds, while the Queen held the
+ends in her waxen hands. The cortège made a
+tour of the grounds, and drew up finally at the
+house to exhibit their peerless Lady Eliza to the
+aunties, who expressed heartfelt admiration.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s the best plaything ever,” declared Jack,
+as he and Pinkie went home. “We’ll be over to-morrow
+to play some more.”</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='161' id='Page_161'></span><h1>CHAPTER XII</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>OBEYING ORDERS</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>“C</span>hildren,” said Aunt Rachel, one
+afternoon, as dressed in their best calling
+costumes, she and Aunt Abbie were
+about to enter the carriage, “we are going to
+make some calls, and about five o’clock I want
+you to meet us at Mrs. Hampton’s, and we will
+all come home together.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Auntie Rachel,” said Dolly, “I don’t
+want to go calling to-day. I want to play.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I know it, dearie, and so I’ve let you off
+from most of the calls we’re making. But I
+especially want you to be with me at Mrs.
+Hampton’s, so you can play till half-past four,
+and then get dressed and meet us there at five.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right, Auntie,” said Dolly, who was
+a sunny-tempered little girl, after all. “What
+shall I wear?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Put on your new white piqué, and Dick,
+wear your light-grey suit. Now, be sure, children,—be
+there promptly by five.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m; and if you’re not there shall we wait
+for you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Aunt Abbie, “wait until we come,
+no matter what time it is. But we’ll be there
+about five.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The aunts drove away and the twins played
+out in the garden until it was time to dress.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They started off, looking very demure with
+their clean clothes and freshly-brushed hair.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t want to go a bit,” said Dolly, with
+a little sigh, as she walked along.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Neither do I,” replied Dick, “but we have
+to go, so there’s no use making a fuss about it.
+Where does she live, anyway?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, I don’t know; I thought Auntie told
+you.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, she didn’t, but I know it can’t be far, because
+she said we could get there in ten minutes.
+Here’s old Abe, let’s ask him.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins stopped an old man who was going
+by in his cart, and who was a well-known character
+in the town.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hello, Abe,” said Dick. “Do you know
+where Mrs. Hampton lives?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Sure, my boy. I just came from there,
+havin’ been doin’ some cartin’ for her. You
+see that red-brick house, over beyond those
+trees?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, it’s the next one beyond,—a white
+one. You go over that way, and anybody’ll
+direct you.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right; thank you, Abe,” and the old
+man drove on, while the twins followed the direction
+he had given them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’d like to skip,” said Dolly, “but it makes
+our shoes all dusty.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, we mustn’t do that,” agreed Dick.
+“Aunt Rachel would have a cat-fit if we weren’t
+spick and span when we get there.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So they walked on sedately, only pausing now
+and then to pick a flower, or look at a bird on a
+branch.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They inquired once more, in order to be sure,
+and then turned in at Mrs. Hampton’s gate.
+A fine fountain was playing in the front yard,
+and the twins crossed the lawn to see if there
+were any fish in it. There weren’t, but the plash
+of the cool water was very attractive.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll dare you to stick your foot in,” said
+Dick, suddenly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They stood on the very brink of the fountain
+basin, and so impossible was it for either twin
+to refuse a “dare,” that Dolly’s immaculate
+white shoe and stocking went flash into the
+water and out again before she realised what
+she had done.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Dick!” she exclaimed; “you made me
+do that! What will Aunt Rachel say?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Too bad, Dollums,” said Dick, greatly disturbed
+at his own part in the mischief. “I
+didn’t think what I was saying.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And I didn’t think what I was doing! I
+dare you to stick <span class='it'>your</span> foot in!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Partly because of the dare, and partly because
+he was quite willing to share his sister’s fate,
+Dick hastily thrust his own neat black shoe and
+stocking in the water.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“There!” he said, as half proudly he drew
+it out again. “Now we’re even!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; but how can we go into Mrs. Hampton’s
+this way?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps they won’t notice. Mine doesn’t
+feel very wet, does yours?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Sopping! and they’ll drip all over her
+carpet.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s wipe them on the grass.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But the green grass did not improve the appearance
+of Dolly’s white shoe, though Dick’s
+black one didn’t show the effects of the bath so
+plainly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Come on, Dolly, we may as well face the
+music.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They went on toward the house, and the dust
+of the footpath settled on Dick’s wet shoe and
+stocking until he was quite as untidy looking as
+his sister.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Wow! isn’t it soppy!” he exclaimed as the
+water in his shoe oozed and spattered out.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Horrid! I don’t see why we did it!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, keep up a brave face, maybe the parlour
+will be sort of dark and they won’t
+notice.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They rang the bell, and a maid opened the
+door.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Is Mrs. Hampton in?” said Dolly, in her,
+sweetest tones.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; walk in the drawing-room. What
+names?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Miss Dana and Mr. Dana,” said Dolly, and
+was about to explain that they had come to meet
+their aunts, when the maid disappeared.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She returned to say that Mrs. Hampton
+would appear presently, and for them to wait.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“’Course we’ll wait,” said Dick to Dolly, as
+the maid again left them. “The aunties aren’t
+here on time, after all. P’raps our feet’ll dry
+before they come.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I wish there was a fire. I’m dripping on this
+pretty light carpet. Dick, let’s go out in the
+kitchen or some place, and find a fire.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right, come on.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They left the drawing-room, and as they
+crossed the hall they saw a bright wood fire
+in a room across the hall, evidently the library.
+So they went in, and drawing up two big chairs,
+they sat down and held their two wet feet to the
+crackling blaze.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“This is gay,” said Dick, leaning back in his
+chair with a sigh of satisfaction. “We’ll be all
+dry in a few minutes, Doll.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; but I wish Aunt Rachel would come
+before Mrs. Hampton comes down. I don’t
+know her. Do you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Nope; never saw her. But the aunties are
+bound to be here soon. It’s quarter-past five,
+now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What <span class='it'>are</span> you children doing?” said a voice
+behind them, and Dick and Dolly jumped from
+their chairs, and saw a lady coming toward them.
+She was a very pretty lady, in a trailing silk
+house gown, and lots of frizzy light hair.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly thought she looked a little like Lady
+Eliza, and not at all like any of Aunt Rachel’s
+other friends.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How do you do?” said Dolly, making her
+curtsey prettily, while Dick bobbed his head.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How do you do?” returned Mrs. Hampton,
+“but who are you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We’re Dolly and Dick Dana,” said Dick,
+“and our aunties said for us to meet them here
+at five o’clock. But they don’t seem to be here
+yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No; they’re not. Are your aunties Miss
+Rachel and Miss Abbie Dana?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m; and they said they would call here
+this afternoon.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And they told us if they weren’t here to
+wait till they came,” said Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes?” said Mrs. Hampton, looking at her
+quizzically. “And why are you sitting almost
+into the fire? It’s a warm day.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Dolly, “but you see, we stepped
+into the fountain as we came along, and so we’re
+just drying our feet.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s a very good idea,” and Mrs. Hampton’s
+smiling eyes were as pleasant as if stepping
+into fountains was quite usual for her guests.
+“And so your aunts are coming to call on me?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, at five o’clock. But they seem to be
+late, so, if you please, we’ll wait for them.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They waited until half-past five, and then
+until quarter of six, and still the Dana ladies
+didn’t come. The twins grew very impatient,
+for it was most irksome to have to sit and talk
+polite conversation with a grown-up lady.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Hampton asked so many questions too.
+Very impertinent questions they seemed to Dick,
+though he answered to the best of his ability.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Mrs. Hampton was smiling and pleasant, and
+seemed interested in hearing about the Dana
+establishment, but still Dick and Dolly felt
+uncomfortable, and wished their aunts would
+come.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>At six o’clock Mrs. Hampton said she felt
+sure the aunts had changed their plans, and were
+not coming, and she delicately hinted that she
+would send the twins home.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Dick, positively; “we must stay
+here till they come. Aunt Abbie said to wait,
+no matter what time it was. And, besides, if
+they have changed their plans, and are not coming
+here, they’d send Michael for us, anyway.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly agreed to this, and the two little martyrs
+sat for another half-hour.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, if you stay any longer, you must stay
+to dinner,” said Mrs. Hampton at last. “Do
+you sit up to dinner at home?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We have supper at night,” said Dolly, and
+her lip quivered a little, for she was beginning
+to feel anxious about her aunts.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, I have dinner at night,—at eight
+o’clock.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“At eight o’clock!” exclaimed Dolly.
+“Don’t you get awfully hungry before that
+time?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, I don’t,” said Mrs. Hampton, smiling;
+“but I’m sure you chickabiddies will. So suppose
+I give you a nice little supper up in my
+sitting-room, and excuse you from dinner? I
+have guests coming, and it isn’t exactly a children’s
+party, you see.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But we’re not going to stay here all night!”
+exclaimed Dolly in dismay.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It looks that way to me,” said Mrs. Hampton.
+“I offered to send you home, and you
+said no. Now I feel sure your aunts won’t
+come,—it’s too late for them, and if you’re
+bound to wait for them, I can offer you supper
+and pleasant sleeping rooms,—but I can’t invite
+you to dinner.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins were uncertain what to do. But
+after all, they had no choice. Aunt Rachel had
+told them to wait until she came, and Aunt
+Rachel’s orders were always to be obeyed. To
+be sure something might have happened to prevent
+the aunties from carrying out their plan of
+calling on Mrs. Hampton, but even so, they
+would have sent for the children. And if they
+had gone home, they would surely send Michael
+over for them at once. It wasn’t as if the
+aunties didn’t know where they were. They
+had sent them to Mrs. Hampton’s, and told
+them to wait there. So they waited.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They thought Mrs. Hampton seemed a little
+annoyed because they waited. But as Dick said
+to Dolly, “I’m not going to disobey Aunt Rachel
+for another lady. But all the same, Dollums,
+I do want to go home.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So do I,” said Dolly, “I think it’s horrid
+here.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It wasn’t really horrid at all, but to be unwelcome
+guests in a strange house is not especially
+pleasant, no matter how pretty the house
+may be.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins had been taken up to Mrs. Hampton’s
+sitting-room, and in charge of a maid, had
+been served with a delightful little supper.
+Bread and milk, jam, fresh strawberries, and
+dear little cakes, followed by ice cream, made a
+goodly feast indeed. After it, their spirits rose
+a little, and they ate their ice cream with smiling
+faces.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think the aunties decided to come this
+evening instead of afternoon,” said Dick, unable
+to think of any other explanation.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“They never do make calls in the evening
+but perhaps that’s it,” said Dolly, doubtfully.
+“I hear people coming in, Dick, let’s go and
+look over the banisters.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Carrying their ice cream plates with them the
+twins stepped out into the hall and looked over
+the banisters on the scene below.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was a fascinating glow of lights and
+flowers and ladies and gentlemen in evening
+dress, for the dinner guests had come, and were
+standing about, engaged in conversation.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly was enchanted with the grand ladies,
+with jewels in their hair, and with low-necked
+gowns, and Dick, too, leaned over the banister
+to see the gay scene. So absorbed were they
+that they did not heed their melting ice cream,
+and, almost at the same moment, the soft, cold
+mass slid from each tipped-up plate, on the
+heads and shoulders of the ladies and gentlemen
+below.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Such a shriek of dismay as arose brought Dick
+and Dolly to a realisation of what they had
+done, and in an agony of mortification they fled
+back to the sitting-room.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Here Mrs. Hampton found them, their heads
+buried in sofa pillows, and crying in muffled
+paroxysms.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You must go home,” she said, and her cold,
+hard tones were more of a reproof than any
+words could have been. “My coachman will
+take you, and I wish you to go at once.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We wish to go, Mrs. Hampton,” said
+Dolly, striving to choke back her tears while
+she made some sort of apology. “We’re very
+sorry we came, and we’re ’ceeding sorry we
+spilled the ice cream. It was very good.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This sounded as if Dolly merely regretted the
+loss of the dainty, but it was not so. She
+meant to compliment the supper that had been
+given them, but, what with their worry over
+Aunt Rachel’s absence, their own homesickness,
+and the awful accident of the ice cream, both
+children were completely upset.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Please forgive us,” said Dick, holding out
+his little hand. “We’ve had a lovely time,—and,—and
+we hope you’ll come to see us.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I can’t make you out!” said Mrs. Hampton,
+looking at the children in perplexity. “I
+thought you threw down that ice cream purposely.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no!” cried both twins at once, and
+Dolly went on eagerly: “you see, we never saw
+low-necked ladies and gentlemen at a party before;
+and we were so awfully interested, we
+leaned over to see better, and I s’pose the gas-lights
+heated up our ice cream and melted it,
+and it just slipped off the plates.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We ought to have held the plates more
+level,” said Dick, thoughtfully; “I’m sorry we
+didn’t.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m sorry, too, for you mortified me terribly
+and annoyed my guests, which was worse.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s terrible!” said Dolly, with a sigh. “I
+don’t see how you <span class='it'>can</span> forgive us.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I couldn’t if you weren’t such a sweet little
+culprit,” said Mrs. Hampton, smiling, and
+catching Dolly in her arms and kissing her.
+Then she kissed Dick too, and, still smiling,
+she hurried away.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The maid found the children’s hats, and hurried
+them down the back stairs, where the coachman
+was waiting for them. Evidently the servants
+were not as forgiving as Mrs. Hampton,
+for Dick and Dolly were fairly hustled into the
+carriage, the door was banged shut, and they
+were rapidly driven homeward.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>At Dana Dene, they were met on the threshold
+by two very frightened-looking ladies, and
+while Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie each clasped
+a twin in her arms, the Hampton carriage drove
+away.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You <span class='it'>dear</span> babies! where have you been?”
+cried Aunt Abbie, while Aunt Rachel squeezed
+Dick with an affection too deep for words.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Where have we been?” cried Dick, in
+amazement. “Why, we’ve been at Mrs. Hampton’s,
+where you told us to go, and wait for
+you. We’ve been waiting there ever since five
+o’clock!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, Dickie, dear,” expostulated Miss
+Rachel, “we went to Mrs. Hampton’s at five
+o’clock, and waited there for you until nearly
+six! Then we came home, and ever since we’ve
+been nearly frantic because we didn’t know
+where you were. Michael and Pat have been
+out hunting with lanterns.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But, Auntie, dear,” said Dolly, “we <span class='it'>did</span> go
+to Mrs. Hampton’s, and after we waited and
+waited, and you didn’t come, she gave us supper
+in her sitting-room, ’cause she had a dinner
+party in the dining-room, and the ladies had
+on beautiful frocks, all lacy and low-necked,
+and we spilled ice cream on ’em!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m; we didn’t mean to, you know, but
+it melted.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dolly, what <span class='it'>are</span> you talking about? Mrs.
+Hampton is not having a dinner party this evening.
+I just left there at six o’clock, so I know.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, <span class='it'>our</span> Mrs. Hampton is,” said Dick.
+“Are there two Mrs. Hamptons in Heatherton,
+auntie?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, of course there aren’t! I wonder
+where you <span class='it'>have</span> been!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, she <span class='it'>is</span> Mrs. Hampton, we called her
+that, and so did the maid. It’s a beautiful
+house,—with a great big open round in the hall,
+where you can look down,—and a fountain
+outside.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel sent for Michael.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Michael,” said she, “where do you suppose
+these children have been? Whose carriage
+brought them home?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know, Miss Rachel. It’s a new
+turnout in Heatherton. All swell, jingly harness
+and livery, an’ the like o’ that.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dolly says they live in a big white house
+with a fountain in front.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Arrah, thin, it’s the new people as is afther
+takin’ the Van Zandt place. A widdy lady of
+great forchin, I’m towld; an’ be the same token,
+I do belave they said her name was Hampden,
+or somethin’ like that.”</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='177' id='Page_177'></span><h1>CHAPTER XIII</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>AUNT NINE</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>O</span>f course that was the explanation. Mrs.
+Hampden was a wealthy young widow
+who had just came to Heatherton to
+live. The Dana ladies did not know her, and
+probably never would have known her had it
+not been for the twins’ escapade.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>For lively little Mrs. Hampden belonged to
+a gay, modern set that had little in common
+with the Dana ladies’ older and more conservative
+circle of friends. Also, she was not at all
+like the Mrs. Hampton on whom Miss Rachel
+and Miss Abbie were calling, and where the
+twins were expected to meet them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But as the real fault lay at the aunties’ door,
+inasmuch as they had not given the twins sufficiently
+explicit directions, it did not seem fair
+to blame Dick and Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And after hearing the story the twins told,
+Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie saw that it was
+their duty to call on Mrs. Hampden, and apologise
+for the trouble the children had made for
+her.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was not a pleasant or an easy thing to
+do, but as it turned out, Mrs. Hampden was so
+flattered at having the Dana ladies call on her
+that she willingly forgave the children’s escapade,
+and begged that they might be allowed
+to come to see her again.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was not promised, for Miss Rachel Dana
+of Dana Dene was very careful about making
+new acquaintances, and considered her present
+visiting list quite long enough. The children
+themselves had no wish to go again to the house
+where they had met with such an untoward
+accident, and so the incident was closed, and the
+aunts trusted that Mrs. Hampden would not
+return their call.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But I do think,” said Aunt Abbie, as they
+discussed the matter at home, “that you two
+children ought to be reproved for spilling that
+ice cream.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think so, too,” said Dick, cheerfully, “but
+’course you know, auntie, that we didn’t mean
+to do it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Certainly,” said Aunt Abbie, with some
+asperity, “I don’t suppose you poured it down
+on the people purposely. But you are quite old
+enough to know better than to walk about with
+saucers of food in your hands.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So we are!” said Dolly, as if surprised at
+the fact. “Aunt Abbie, I do believe we’re
+’ceedingly bad children!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Not exactly that,” said Aunt Abbie, smiling
+in spite of herself, “but you are exceedingly
+thoughtless, and I want you to strive to correct
+that fault.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m,” said Dick, earnestly, “we’ll strive
+like fury. Honest, we will, Aunt Abbie.
+Won’t we, Doll?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, indeedy!” agreed Dolly, with a very
+affirmative wagging of her head. “And now,
+if you’re all through scolding, Aunt Abbie, may
+we kiss you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then, without waiting for the requested permission,
+both children tumbled themselves upon
+Miss Abbie, and gave her the soft answer that
+turneth away wrath. For who could continue
+to reprove two affectionate small persons, whose
+chubby arms flew about in wild caresses, and
+whose insistent kisses fell just wherever they
+happened to land? But Miss Abbie Dana was
+determined to instil some sense of decorum into
+her young charges, so when released from their
+embraces, she began again:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now that’s another thing, children; I want
+you to love me, of course. But it seems to me
+you needn’t be so—so——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Rampageous?” volunteered Dick. “That’s
+what Pat says we are.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We can’t help it, auntie,” said Dolly, fixing
+her big brown eyes solemnly on her aunt. “You
+see, we’re so ’thusiastic that when we love anybody
+we love ’em fearful! And we just ’dore
+you and Aunt Rachel. Don’t we, Dick?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, I guess!” and then Miss Abbie had
+to stand another series of pats and kisses, which,
+in view of the recent conversation, the twins
+made a little less boisterous.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, you’re dear little twinsies,” said Aunt
+Abbie, as at last they ran away.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And,” she added to herself, “I think I
+can make them improve their manners by just
+keeping at it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Poor Miss Abbie wanted to bring the children
+up rightly, but the work was so new to her she
+didn’t know exactly how to conduct it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As for Miss Rachel, she vibrated between
+over-indulgence and over-severity, an occasion
+of one being conscientiously followed by the
+other.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So the twins nearly always had their own
+sweet way, and as, though sometimes thoughtless,
+they were not mischievous children, Dana
+Dene was brighter and happier for their presence.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>One Monday the aunties were getting ready
+for the Reading Circle, which was to meet at
+Dana Dene in the afternoon. It was very inconvenient
+for all the members that the club
+should meet on washdays, but as it always had
+done so, of course that couldn’t be changed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Some ladies had the washing put off till Tuesday,
+but life at Dana Dene was far too methodical
+for that.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So when the club was expected, Delia tried
+to get her wash all hung out by noon, and so
+be ready to help in the afternoon. For, though
+the club didn’t assemble until three o’clock, and
+tea was served at five, there was much to be
+done in the way of prinking up the house for
+the occasion. The twins were allowed to help,
+and Dolly dusted, and brought water for the
+flower vases, and helped adjust fresh pillow-shams
+and bureau covers, until Aunt Rachel
+declared she didn’t know how she ever got
+ready for Reading Circle without Dolly’s help.
+And Dick’s as well; for he cut flowers, and ran <a id='lots'></a>lots
+of errands, and did lots of useful things.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And when, at about eleven o’clock, he saw
+the telegram boy coming with a yellow envelope,
+he took it and flew to Aunt Rachel with it faster
+than any one else could have done.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“For gracious goodness’ sake!” exclaimed
+Miss Rachel as she read it; “Aunt Nine is
+coming to dinner to-day!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“To-day!” said Miss Abbie in a tone positively
+tragic, as she sank down in a big chair.
+“Why, she can’t, Rachel! It’s after eleven
+now, and the Reading Circle coming at three,
+and nothing but cold beef for dinner!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It doesn’t matter whether she can or not;
+she’s coming,” and Miss Rachel, who had turned
+fairly white with dismay, sat down opposite her
+sister.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Who’s Aunt Nine? What a funny name!”
+cried Dick, dancing around in excited curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly picked up the telegram, which had fluttered
+to the floor.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“‘Will arrive at twelve-thirty,’” she read;
+“‘meet me at the station.’”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, it’s signed ‘P. Dana,’” said Dick.
+“How can P. Dana be Aunt Nine? How can
+it, Aunt Abbie?” He squeezed into the big
+chair beside Miss Abbie, and patted her cheek
+to attract her attention. “How can it? How
+does P. stand for Nine? Or do you mean nine
+aunts are coming? Oh, Doll, wouldn’t that be
+fun?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Tell me,” urged Dolly, squeezing herself
+into Aunt Rachel’s lap, “tell me first, auntie,
+’fore Dick knows. Quick, tell me! Who’s
+Aunt Nine? What does it mean?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Dolly, for mercy’s sake don’t bother
+me now! She’s Aunt Penninah, your great-aunt,
+of course. We always call her Aunt Nine.
+And she’s the most particular, fussy, pernicketty
+old lady in the world!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, she’s dreadful!” sighed Aunt Abbie.
+“We always spend weeks getting ready for her.
+She never came so unexpectedly before.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But the house is all in order,” suggested
+Dolly, anxious to be comforting.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, for the Reading Circle. But not for
+Aunt Penninah. She looks into every cupboard
+and storeroom, and, besides, we’ve nothing for
+dinner.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll go get something,” offered Dick.
+“What do you want?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I don’t know! I don’t know!” groaned
+Miss Rachel. “Go and send Hannah here.
+And it’s wash-day, too! And the Reading Club!
+Oh, what can we do?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But after the first surprise and bewilderment
+were over, the Dana ladies rose to the occasion,
+and did the best they could.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Michael was sent to town for supplies, Hannah
+was instructed to set the table with special
+elaboration, and Aunt Abbie herself went into
+the kitchen and whisked up a pudding.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Delia was still at her washing, and Pat was
+putting finishing touches to the lawn and flower-beds
+so they could not be disturbed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins flew about in earnest endeavours to
+help, but after their breaking a cut-glass vase,
+and upsetting a small table of bric-à-brac, Aunt
+Rachel lost patience.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dick and Dolly,” she said, “you go upstairs
+and stay either in your own rooms or in your
+playroom until dinner is served at one o’clock!
+Do you understand? No; I’m not scolding, but
+I’m so put about that you two simply drive me
+distracted! Now obey me exactly, for that’s
+all you can do to help. Come down to the
+library at five minutes to one,—not a minute
+before. And see that you’re spandy clean,
+and very nicely dressed. Put on your blue
+lawn, Dolly, and tie your hair ribbons carefully.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m; Dick’ll tie ’em for me. He does
+it just lovely.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Subdued by Aunt Rachel’s desperate manner,
+the twins crept away, resolved to be very good,
+and do exactly as they were told.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It isn’t twelve yet,” said Dick; “no use
+dressing now. We’d only get all rumpled up.
+Let’s go up in the playroom.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So up they went, and began to play with
+Lady Eliza.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hello, ’Liza!” cried Dick, shaking her
+wax hand cordially. “I haven’t seen you in
+some time. Are you well?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Pretty well,” said Dolly in a squeaky voice.
+It was part of their play that, whenever either
+twin spoke to Lady Eliza, the other twin was to
+answer for her.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Pretty well. But I’m tired of this old
+frock,—I want a change.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Dick; “we’ll fix you up.
+Let’s rig her up gay, Doll, and we’ll show her
+off to Aunt Nine.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” and Dolly flew to the trunk that
+contained Lady Eliza’s wardrobe.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They selected an old-fashioned blue silk dress
+that Aunt Rachel had given them, and proceeded
+to array Eliza in it. Then Dolly dressed her
+hair. She loved to do this, for Eliza’s hair
+was very profuse, if not of very fine texture,
+and soon Dolly had built a fine array of puffs
+and curls, with a fancy ornament of blue and
+silver tucked in at the side.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then, desiring to make her very grand, Dolly
+put a necklace of her own round Eliza’s neck,
+and added several long strings of beads, hung
+with various trinkets.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How do I look?” said Dolly in the squeaky
+voice that always represented Lady Eliza’s talking.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You look gay,” said Dick. “Perhaps this
+afternoon you’ll meet a grand lady, Miss Nine
+Dana. I hope you’ll behave properly.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I’ll behave lovely,” squeaked Eliza, and
+then the twins ran away to dress for dinner.
+By quarter of one they were all ready.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly looked very sweet and demure in her
+frilly blue lawn, and her beautiful hair was tied
+with a big white bow which Dick had skilfully
+arranged. By practice his deft little fingers had
+conquered the science of tying bows, so Dolly’s
+hair ribbons were always marvels of correct
+proportions.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They had promised not to go to the library
+until five minutes of one, and the ten minutes
+intervening seemed interminable. They drifted
+back to the playroom to say good-by to Eliza,
+when Dick had an inspiration.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s take her down,” he said, “and put
+her in the dining-room to greet Aunt Nine when
+we all go out to dinner.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s!” cried Dolly, and in a jiffy they
+were carrying the Lady Eliza Dusenbury silently
+down the back stairs. By good luck they didn’t
+encounter Hannah or the aunties, and they
+reached the dining-room in safety.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Where shall we stand her?” said Dick.
+“In the bay window?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Dolly. “Let’s sit her at the table.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“She won’t sit.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, we’ll sort of slide her under; if we
+put her in Aunt Rachel’s big chair she’ll be all
+right.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They propped Eliza into the chair, and though
+she seemed to be falling backward in a swoon,
+her bright eyes and pink cheeks betokened good
+health. Her elaborate costume looked fine at
+the prettily set table, and Dick moved her arms
+about until they seemed extended in welcome.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s fine!” said Dolly, nodding admiringly
+at the tableau.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“This is finer!” cried Dick, and taking the
+large carving-knife from the table, he thrust it
+into Eliza’s outstretched hand. This was easily
+done by sticking the knife handle partly up her
+long tight sleeve, and her effect, as she brandished
+the glittering steel, was now ferocious.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Gay!” cried Dolly; “won’t they be s’prised!
+Come on, Dick, it’s five minutes to one.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins, hand in hand, went into the
+library, and with their best curtseys were presented
+to Aunt Penninah.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“These are the children, Aunt Nine,” said
+Miss Rachel, and Dick and Dolly saw, sitting
+an a big armchair, the most imposing-looking
+personage they had ever met.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Penninah Dana was a large and very
+tall woman, with white hair, and large, piercing
+black eyes that seemed to see everything.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“H’m; twins, are you?” she said, looking at
+them over her eyeglasses. “You seem very demure.
+Are you always so quiet?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick rolled his eyes toward Aunt Rachel.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Shall we show her?” he whispered, quite
+ready to pounce on the new aunt if desired.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Mercy, no!” said Miss Rachel. “Do behave,
+if you can.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well,” said Dick, answering Aunt Nine’s
+question, “we’re <span class='it'>not</span> always so quiet. But to-day
+we’re trying to be good because you’re
+here, and the Reading Circle is coming.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But sometimes we’re good when there isn’t
+company, too,” put in Dolly, not wanting to be
+misjudged.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m surprised at that!” said Aunt Nine,
+but there was a merry gleam in her eye, and
+somehow the twins began to think they were
+going to like her in spite of her majestic appearance.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then dinner was announced, and, as the guest
+arose, the children were impressed afresh with
+her evident importance.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She walked like a duchess, and seemed to expect
+everybody to dance attendance upon her.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel picked up her handkerchief, and
+Aunt Abbie her vinaigrette, for she dropped
+them both as she rose.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins, greatly interested, walked behind,
+and they all started toward the dining-room.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As they neared the door, the hostesses stepped
+back and Aunt Penninah stalked stiffly into the
+room.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Perhaps it was not to be wondered at, for
+the figure at the table was certainly startling to
+look at, and the glittering carving knife was
+aimed straight at her, but Aunt Penninah threw
+up both her hands, gave a fearful shriek, and
+fainted dead away!</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='191' id='Page_191'></span><h1>CHAPTER XIV</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>A CORONATION</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>“O</span>h, Aunt Nine, what <span class='it'>is</span> the matter?”
+cried Miss Rachel, bending over her,
+while Miss Abbie fluttered around distractedly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They had not yet seen Lady Eliza, as they
+were so engrossed with their stricken guest.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Nor did it occur to Dick and Dolly, at first,
+that it was their beloved Eliza that had caused
+the trouble.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Penninah began to revive, as Miss
+Rachel sprinkled water in her face, and Miss
+Abbie held her strong smelling-salts to her
+nose.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Who is it?” she asked, faintly, sitting up
+on the floor, and pointing to the dangerous-looking
+person with the carving knife.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh,” cried Dolly, “if she wasn’t scared at
+Lady Eliza! Why, that’s nobody, Aunt Nine!
+Only just a wax doll.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Take that thing away!” said Miss Rachel,
+sternly, as she realised what had happened.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick and Dolly fairly jumped. Aunt Rachel
+had never spoken to them in that tone before,
+and they suddenly realised that it had been
+naughty to put Eliza at the table, though they
+had thought it only a joke. Silently, the twins
+began to lift Eliza from her chair, when Aunt
+Nine screamed out:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Come away, children! You’ll be killed!
+Oh, Rachel, who is she?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Nobody, Aunt Nine. It’s a doll, a wax
+dummy that belongs to the children. They put
+her there for fun, I suppose.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Fun!” roared Aunt Penninah, glaring at
+the twins. “Do you call it <span class='it'>fun</span> to frighten me
+out of my senses?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As her speech and manner nearly frightened
+the twins out of <span class='it'>their</span> senses, they were pretty
+nearly even, but apparently the old lady was
+waiting for an answer.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We <span class='it'>thought</span> it would be fun,” said Dolly,
+truthfully. “You see, we didn’t know how
+easily you scared.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Easily scared, indeed! Who wouldn’t be
+scared to come into a room and find a strange
+woman brandishing a carving knife in my very
+face! A nice pair of children you are! Leave
+the room at once,—or else I shall!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick and Dolly were bewildered by this
+tornado of wrath, and began to edge toward
+the hall door, keeping out of reach of the irate
+lady.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Miss Rachel, though deeply mortified and
+seriously annoyed at the twins’ mischief, was a
+strong stickler for justice, and she well knew,
+Dick and Dolly had meant only a harmless
+joke.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now, Aunt Nine,” she said; “don’t take
+this so seriously. The children meant no harm,
+they wanted to amuse you; and had it not been
+for the carving knife, I daresay you would have
+found the Lady Eliza very funny indeed.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Funny! that horrible thing with her staring
+eyes! Take her away so I can eat my dinner!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>At a gesture from Aunt Abbie, Hannah and
+Dick removed the offending Eliza, and returned
+the carving knife to the sideboard. As Eliza
+was a great friend of both Hannah and Delia,
+she was allowed to stand in the butler’s pantry
+all through dinner time.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, what do you say, Aunt Nine?” said
+Aunt Abbie, “may the twins sit at table, or
+would you rather have them sent from the
+room?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, let them stay,” said the old lady, not
+very graciously. “I’ve no desire to be too
+severe, but that awful sight shocked my nerves,
+and I may never get over it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This awful outlook grieved Dolly’s tender
+heart, and she flew to the old lady and clasped
+her hand, while she said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m <span class='it'>so</span> sorry, Aunt Nine! I didn’t know
+you had nerves, and I thought you’d be ’mused
+to see Lady Eliza sitting there. I don’t know
+<span class='it'>how</span> we happened to give her the carving knife.
+But we ’most always put <span class='it'>something</span> in her hand.
+I wish we’d thought of a fan! That would
+have been pretty, and it wouldn’t have hurt your
+nervousness,—would it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps not,” said Aunt Penninah, grimly,
+but she couldn’t help smiling at pretty little
+Dolly, who was caressing her be-ringed old
+hand, and looking imploringly up into her face.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then she turned to Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And how about you, sir?” she said. “Did
+you think it amusing to threaten a guest with
+a carving-knife?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick came over and looked at her with his
+straightforward eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I didn’t mean to threaten you, of course,”
+he said. “But it <span class='it'>was</span> naughty, and I’m sorry,—we’re
+both sorry,—and can we do <span class='it'>anything</span>
+to make you forgive us?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, you can’t,” said Aunt Penninah, “but
+when you look at me like that,—with your
+father’s very eyes,—there is no question of forgiveness.
+You’re all Dana—both of you!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And then the strange old lady kissed both
+the twins and peace was restored all around.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dinner went on smoothly. Miss Abbie and
+Miss Rachel were secretly impatient, because
+there was much yet to be done before the Reading
+Circle came, but Miss Penninah’s presence
+admitted of no scanting of ceremony.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Hannah’s service was more punctilious than
+the twins had ever before known it, for Hannah
+had been at Dana Dene many years, and knew
+the exactions and demands of a visit from Miss
+Penninah.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But at last the lengthy meal reached its close.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Will you go to your room for a rest, Aunt
+Nine?” said Miss Abbie, hopefully, as they rose
+from the table.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, I won’t; I’m not tired at all. I’ll
+make the further acquaintance of these very
+astonishing young relatives of mine.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, do, Aunt Nine! Do come and play
+with us!” cried Dick, with such unmistakable
+sincerity that the old lady was greatly pleased.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, come out and see our gardens,” said
+Dolly, dancing by her side, and to the great
+relief of the other two aunties, Miss Penninah
+walked off with the twins.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Hannah and the two ladies flew ’round
+like mad. They put leaves in the table until it
+was as long as possible; they set it with all the
+best china and glass and silver for the Reading
+Circle’s tea. For the feast was not a tea at
+all, but a most elaborate supper, and Aunt Nine’s
+coming had sadly delayed the preparations.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Meantime, that elderly dame was walking
+round the children’s playground. She was
+greatly pleased with their gardens, and was surprised
+to learn that they tilled and weeded
+them all themselves.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You’re really very smart little people,” she
+said, “and quite worthy to bear the Dana
+name.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins were flattered, for they well knew
+how highly all their aunts thought of the Dana
+name, and, too, they had already begun to like
+the peculiar old lady who had scolded them so
+harshly at the very beginning of their acquaintance.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>When it was nearly time for the ladies of the
+Reading Circle to arrive, Aunt Rachel told the
+twins they must go out to their playground and
+stay there all the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“For,” she said, “I cannot run the risk of
+having some ridiculous thing happen during our
+programme. You don’t mean to do wrong, but
+you’re just as likely as not to stand Lady Eliza
+up beside our President when she’s making her
+address. So take Eliza with you, and go out
+to the garden, and stay there until Delia rings
+the bell, or Hannah comes to call you.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Dick, “and if any of the
+boys or girls come over, may Hannah send them
+out there to us?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I’ll tell her. Now, run along.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They ran along, though slowly, because of
+Lady Eliza’s difficult <a id='trans'></a>transportation. But at
+last they reached the playground, and stood
+Eliza in a corner, ready for action when they
+needed her.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Jiminy Crickets!” remarked Dick, “but
+Aunt Nine’s the funny old lady, isn’t she,
+Doll?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yep; but I sort of like her. After she got
+through blowing us up, she was real jolly.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, and wasn’t Auntie Rachel the brick to
+stand up for us at dinner time?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“She was so. I wonder how long Aunt Nine
+is going to stay.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I dunno. A week, I guess. Hello, here
+comes Pinkie. Hello, Pinkie!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hello!” she returned, and then almost before
+she and Dolly had said “Hello!” Jack
+Fuller came.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This quartette were almost always together
+on pleasant afternoons, and as Dana Dene had
+attractions that the other homes didn’t possess,
+they played there oftener than elsewhere.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hello, Lady Eliza Dusenbury,” said Jack,
+shaking hands with that silent partner.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Of course, all the boys and girls knew Lady
+Eliza now, and indeed the citizens of the village
+had ceased to be surprised when the twins rode
+to town in the farm wagon, with Eliza accompanying
+them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The servants at Dana Dene took her as a
+matter of course, and Michael was fond of
+bowing politely, and saying, “The top of the
+mornin’ to ye, ma’am!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s build a throne and crown Eliza
+queen,” suggested Jack, and the rest at once
+agreed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What shall we make the throne of?” asked
+Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll ask Michael,” said Dick, “he always
+helps us out.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Michael was busy with some extra work
+connected with the visit of the Reading
+Circle, and had no time for bothering with
+youngsters.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Throne, is it?” he said; “I’ve no time to
+be buildin’ ye royal palaces! Take the wheelbarry
+fer a throne, shure!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was a chance suggestion, but it served, and
+Dick returned to the waiting group, trundling
+the wheelbarrow.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We can’t bother Michael much,” he said,
+“’cause he has to run that Reading Circle thing.
+But I guess we can fix up this wheelbarrow with
+flowers and greens and make it do. Hello,
+Maddy; Hello, Cliff!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Madeleine and Clifford Lester had arrived
+during Dick’s absence, but greetings were soon
+spoken, and the more the merrier.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then the half dozen went to work with a
+will, using both heads and hands to devise ingenious
+plans for the coronation of Eliza.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“She ought to be dressed in white,” said
+Dolly, looking disapprovingly on Eliza’s blue
+dress; “but she hasn’t a white frock to her
+name.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hasn’t your aunt any?” asked Pinkie, realising
+the real need of white.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I can’t bother her to-day,” said Dolly, decidedly;
+“she’s got the Reading Circle and Aunt
+Nine both at once; and she told me to keep
+out.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Couldn’t you get a big white apron from
+Delia,” suggested Maddy Lester.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No; queens don’t wear aprons.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Dolly’s eye lighted on the clothes line,
+full of the Monday wash, which busy Delia had
+not yet taken in, though it was thoroughly dry.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I might get something there!” she cried.
+“Come on, girls!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The three girls ran to the big, sunny bleaching
+ground, where three long lines of white
+clothes waved in the breeze.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'><a id='partyA'></a></p>
+
+<div class='figcenter'>
+<img src='images/i212.jpg' alt='' id='iid-0005' style='width:400px;height:auto;'/>
+<p class='caption'><span class='sc'>Lady Dusenbury’s party</span> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style='font-size:smaller'>(Page <a href='#party'>288</a>)</span></p>
+</div>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“They’re all too little,” said Pinkie, as she
+viewed Dolly’s own dresses and petticoats.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, here’s Aunt Rachel’s nightgown! This
+will do!” cried Dolly, and in a jiffy she had
+the clothespins pulled off, and the voluminous,
+ruffled garment in her arms.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Just the thing!” cried Maddy, and they
+raced back to the playground.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It made a beautiful white robe for Eliza,
+and when belted with a large bath-towel, also
+brought from the clothes line, Eliza looked
+like an Oriental princess.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Get another towel and make a turban,”
+said Clifford, and this gave their queen a still
+more foreign look.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“The throne thing ought to be white, too,”
+said Pinkie, who had an eye for color effect.
+“It’ll be a lot prettier to pin the flowers and
+greens on, if it’s white first. Let’s get sheets,—shall
+we, Dolly?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t care,” said Dolly, absorbed in
+making Eliza’s turban stay on her head.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Pinkie and Madeleine flew for the sheets,
+and stripped the clothesline of all there were
+there.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now!” they exclaimed, coming back triumphantly,
+with their arms full of billows of
+white linen.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now!” cried Dick, and they fell to work,
+and draped and twisted the sheets, until the
+wheelbarrow was a lovely white throne. This
+they decked with their flower garlands, and then
+lifted Queen Eliza up on it. As she, too, had
+been decked with blossoms and garlands, it was
+really a pretty sight, and the children clapped
+their hands and danced about in glee at their
+own success.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now, we’ll crown her,” said Dick, “but I
+say, Dollums, we all ought to be in white,
+too!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s easy,” said Dolly, recklessly;
+“there’s lots of things on the clothesline yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Back there they all ran, and chose costumes
+to please their varying tastes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The three girls chose more ruffled nightgowns
+like Eliza’s and looped them up with flowers
+on either side, like fancy overskirts.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The boys selected lace-ruffled petticoats that
+belonged variously to the aunts or to Hannah
+and Delia, and round their shoulders they
+draped tablecloths or pillowshams in toga
+fashion.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Some table centrepieces and carving-scarfs
+formed fine head-gear, and by the time all the
+costumes were completed, the clotheslines
+looked as if the wash had been taken in after
+all.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The white-garbed half dozen pranced back
+to the queen on her throne, and the ceremonies
+began.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“First, we sing a dirge,” said Jack Fuller.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Not a dirge,” said Dolly. “Don’t you
+mean a chant?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, some waily kind of a thing, anyway.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So they all droned an inharmonious series of
+wailings that might have been imitative of
+Chinese tom-toms, only it wasn’t meant to be.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now we must have a speech,” said Pinkie;
+“you make it, Dick; you’re good at that.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” said Dick, and stepping forward,
+while his tablecloth toga trailed in the dust, he
+began:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Queen Eliza Dusenbury, we beg you to
+accept this crown. We want you for our beloved
+queen, and we will obey all your rules
+and reggilations. We bow our hominage——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Homage,” corrected Jack.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“’Taint, it’s hominage! bow, anyway!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So they all bowed in token of homage to their
+queen.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now we have to back away,” said Maddy;
+“they always do at court.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The six backed away from the queen’s throne,
+but as backing with long trailing robes is not
+to be neatly done without practice, they one and
+all tripped over their trains and togas and went
+tumbling around on the ground.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Get up, all of you!” cried Dick, who had
+scrambled to his feet. “Now we must sing.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What shall we sing?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t care—‘John Brown’s Body,’ I
+guess.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So they all sang “John Brown’s Body” with
+great gusto, and then the coronation ceremonies
+were declared over.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And none too soon, for just then they saw
+Michael coming with a huge trayful of good
+things, which he placed on the table in the
+arbour.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Fer the land’s sake!” he exclaimed as the
+children crowded round. “Whativer have yez
+been up to now! The clean clo’es from the
+line, as I’m a sinner! Arrah, but ye’ll catch it,
+ye bad babies!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Wow! they did get dirty, didn’t they?”
+exclaimed Jack, realising for the first time how
+they had tumbled about on the ground.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, they’re all dirt and grass stains. Will
+your aunts mind, Dolly?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know,” said Dolly, “but anyway
+it isn’t your fault, any of you. Let’s take ’em
+off and eat supper now.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was characteristic of Dolly to spare her
+guests’ feelings, though she had herself a sudden
+uneasy sense of naughtiness at having taken
+the clean clothes to play with. But it was also
+her nature to put off an evil hour, if possible, so
+the children gaily scrambled out of their white
+raiment and sat down to the feast with good
+appetites.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“The girls is waitin’ on the Readin’ ladies,”
+said Michael, as he came out with a second trayful,
+“so ye’re to wait on yerselves with these
+things.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Dolly and Pinkie arranged the table,
+and soon the group were eating sandwiches and
+cakes and strawberries and ice cream, and all
+the good things that went to make up a Reading
+Circle feast.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“The little raskills!” said Michael, as he
+gathered up the sheets and garments they had
+thrown off. “Whativer is the rayson, I dunno,
+but Miss Dolly and Masther Dick is just the
+baddest little shpalpeens I iver saw, an’ yet I
+love ’em, ivery breath they draws!”</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='207' id='Page_207'></span><h1>CHAPTER XV</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>PUNISHMENT</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>T</span>he Reading ladies had departed, and
+the younger guests of Dana Dene had
+also trotted homeward.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s too bad to take those things off of
+Eliza,” said Dolly, “she looks so pretty in ’em.
+Let’s take her, wheelbarrow and all, to show to
+the aunties.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m ’fraid Aunt Nine will faint again,”
+objected Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no, she won’t; it was the carving knife
+that scared her.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So the twins trundled the white-draped wheelbarrow,
+and its white-garbed occupant straight
+up to the front door of the house.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Come out, aunties!” they called. “The
+queen wants you to salute her majesty!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Hearing the commotion, the three ladies came
+out on the veranda, and this time Aunt Penninah
+did not faint, but seemed greatly interested in
+the majestic Eliza.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What have you put on her?” the old lady
+cried. “Why, they’re clothes,—rough-dry!
+Did you take them from the clotheslines?
+Rachel, do you allow these children to act up
+like that? I am ashamed of them, and you,
+too!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Just then Delia came out to the veranda with
+a clothes-basketful of the garments the children
+had played with. Good-natured Delia rarely
+minded the twins’ mischief, but it had been a
+specially hard day, and the extra work and company
+had tired her out completely. Also, it
+<span class='it'>was</span> annoying to find her carefully washed
+clothes all muddied and grass-stained!</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Will ye look at this, Miss Rachel!” she
+exclaimed, her face red and angry. “It’s too
+much to ask of a gur-rl to hurry up her wash
+an’ cook for comp’ny on a Monday, an’ thin
+to go fer her clothes, an’ find ’em like this!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie looked at the
+twins. So did Aunt Penninah. Dick and
+Dolly looked at the clothes in Delia’s basket.
+They <span class='it'>were</span> a sorry sight, but the twins seemed
+surprised rather than ashamed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, Delia Maloney!” cried Dick. “Are
+you sure we spoiled those clothes like that!
+Why, we just wore them to the coronation. I
+didn’t ’spect it would hurt ’em a bit!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Neither did I!” cried Dolly. “I’m awful
+sorry, Delia. I s’pose we ought not to have
+taken ’em; but truly, I never thought about their
+getting dirty. Will you have to wash ’em all
+over again?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Will I!” said Delia, grimly; “that I will,
+Miss Dolly; an’ a foine time I’ll have <a id='get'></a>gettin’
+the green stains out, for-bye the mud; an’ to
+say nothin’ of their being torn to bits!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She held up a sheet and a tablecloth, each of
+which showed a jagged tear.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll mend those,” said Dolly, cheerfully,
+“they’ll be good practice, for Aunt Rachel is
+just teaching me darning in my sewing lessons.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Soft-hearted Delia couldn’t help smiling at
+the earnest little face; Aunt Rachel and Aunt
+Abbie looked perplexed; but Aunt Penninah
+was unable to restrain expression of her feelings.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You’re the worst children I ever saw!”
+she exclaimed; “the very worst! At nine
+years old you should know better than to cut up
+such naughty, wicked tricks! You must be
+severely punished. Rachel, if you don’t punish
+them, I shall do so myself!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Now Dick and Dolly were quite unaccustomed
+to this sort of scolding. Aunt Rachel,
+though severe in principle, was very lenient in
+practice, and Aunt Abbie was gentleness itself.
+So it was with real curiosity that the twins drew
+nearer, to look at the reddening face and flashing
+black eyes of their great-aunt, and Dick said,
+very seriously:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We <span class='it'>were</span> naughty, Aunt Nine; and if you
+punish us, how are you going to do it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The question was not at all impertinent,
+Dick’s round little face showed only a justifiable
+interest, and Aunt Penninah looked a little
+baffled, as both twins waited eagerly for her
+answer.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Do just what you please in the matter, Aunt
+Nine,” said Miss Rachel, who had never quite
+outlived her youthful awe of the stern old lady.
+Miss Abbie clasped her hands in alarm, as if
+fearing the twins would be subjected to torture,
+and they all awaited Miss Penninah’s dictum.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think,” said the old lady, slowly,—and
+then she paused, a little disconcerted at the
+earnest gaze of the four brown eyes, that were
+so like those of the children’s father, her favourite
+nephew.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think,” she went on, more gently, “that
+I shall forbid you to go outside the house all
+day to-morrow.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She didn’t say that she had had a far more
+severe punishment in mind, but had been deterred
+from inflicting it by those appealing
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Whew!” cried Dick, “stay in the house a
+whole day!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Aunt Nine, her ire returning as
+she noted the other aunts’ sorrowful looks, and
+Delia’s woe-begone face. “You children need
+discipline. It’s terrible the way you’re let to
+run wild! Rachel, you’ve no idea of training
+children properly, and as for you, Abbie, you’re
+simply a tool in their hands!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly took a step nearer to the old lady.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Aunt Nine!” she cried, with flashing eyes,
+“don’t you talk like that about my Aunt Abbie,
+or my Aunt Rachel, either! They know how
+to bring up children just splendid! And they’re
+doing the best they can with me and Dick, but,
+as you know yourself, we’re the worst children
+ever,—so what can you ’spect?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Dick, taking his sister’s part,
+as usual. “We’ll do your old punishment, and
+we’re sorry we were naughty;—but you can’t
+jump on our aunties like that!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The youngest inheritors of the celebrated
+Dana “spunk,” faced bravely the oldest member
+of the proud old family, and she realised the
+justice of their reproof.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“The children are partly right,” she said,
+turning to her older nieces with a short, sharp
+laugh; “and the matter must not be discussed
+further in their presence. Dick and Dolly, you
+will obey my orders about to-morrow, and now
+come and kiss me, and we will drop the
+subject.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick stared at his aunt and hesitated, but
+quicker-witted Dolly appreciated that, in Aunt
+Penninah’s mind, the coming punishment wiped
+out even remembrance of the fault, and she
+willingly kissed her. Not the spontaneous, loving
+sort of embraces they gave the other
+aunties, but a whole-hearted, honest kiss of
+truce.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick followed her example, and then the
+twins were excused, and they raced out in the
+kitchen after Delia.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“The intherferin’ ould lady!” cried Delia,
+as she snatched the children in her arms.
+“Sorra the day I iver wint to Miss Rachel wid
+thim clo’es; but I was that put about, Miss
+Dolly, dear.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, pooh, Delia,” cried Dick; “you were
+all right, and we’ve come to ’pollergize for
+spoilin’ your wash all up. We’re awful
+sorry.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” chimed in Dolly, as Delia embraced
+them both; “we’ll never do it again; but, truly,
+Delia, we didn’t think!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Av coorse ye didn’t, ye blissid babies!
+Shure ye niver think! An’ what’s a wash, more
+or less? I wish ould Miss Penninah had to do
+it hersilf fur teasin’ ye.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now, Delia,” said Dick, “you mustn’t talk
+that way. Aunt Nine is our aunt, and we must
+love and respect her just as we do the other
+aunties.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s a thrue Dana ye are, Masther Dick;
+both of yez. An’ ye’re right, too. Miss Penninah
+is the grand old lady, and the rale head
+of the fambly. So do yez take yer punishment
+like the shwate childher ye be.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And having duly made good their reputation
+as “true Danas” Dick and Dolly trotted off
+to bed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The next day proved to be the very loveliest
+day of the whole Spring.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The sun incessantly winked an invitation for
+the twins to come out and play. The blue sky
+smiled the same plea, and the soft breeze whispered
+it again and again.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The flowers nodded at them as they looked
+out of the windows, and the trees spread their
+branches, as in a welcoming embrace.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The birds twittered, “Come, come!” and,
+though too far away to be heard, Dolly knew,
+her pet chicken was peeping the same words.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But worst of all was to see Pat watering
+their own flower-beds,—their pansies and daffodils
+that had never drank from any hands save
+the twins’ own!</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This sight nearly made the tears come, but
+Dick said bravely:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We must make the best of it, Dollums.
+There’s no use of getting all weepy-waily when
+it won’t do any good.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, but Dick, don’t you s’pose she’d just
+let us go and water our plants,—if we came
+right back?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Sha’n’t ask her; and don’t you ask that,
+either. Now we’ll both do our practising,—I
+guess I’ll practise another hour while you’re
+doing your old sewing,—and then let’s go up
+in the attic to play.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly brightened a little. “All right; we’ve
+always been going to fish around up there, and
+we never had a good chance before.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Dolly went to one piano, and Dick to the
+other, and they practised so diligently and painstakingly,
+that Aunt Penninah, who listened at
+the doors, was greatly pleased with their thorough
+work.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“There’s good stuff in those children,
+Rachel,” she said; “if you don’t spoil them by
+your foolish leniency and over-indulgence.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t mean to, Aunt Nine,” said Miss
+Rachel, a little meekly, “but you know they’re
+never purposely mischievous. The Danas are
+all impulsive and thoughtless, and Dick is exactly
+like his father was at his age.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I know all that; but they need a strong
+hand to rule them, and though you and Abbie
+are firm enough in some ways, you give right
+in to those twins. Now, I don’t!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Miss Rachel, grimly, “you
+don’t. How long are you going to stay this
+time, Aunt Nine?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I planned to stay only a day or two; but as
+I’ve become interested in John’s children,
+I shall remain a week at least. I want to learn
+their natures, and, incidentally, I can help you
+with my judgment and advice.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel groaned in spirit, but made no
+audible objection to her aunt’s decree.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly’s sewing hour that day was devoted to
+mending the clothes she and her little friends
+had torn, and by dint of much instruction from
+the three aunts, and honest industry on her own
+part, she achieved some very creditable darns
+and patches.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>During the sewing hour, Aunt Penninah
+sought out Dick, and had a talk with him.
+She was rather severe, but the clan feeling was
+strong in both, and after their conversation
+Dick felt a loyalty and respect toward the old
+lady, if not a deep affection.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then, Dolly’s sewing hour being over, the
+twins scampered for the attic.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s horrid,” said Dick, “to be shut up in
+this stuffy old place on a day like this; but let’s
+get all the fun we can out of it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s,” agreed Dolly, and as a starter they
+rambled through the old, unused rooms, and
+looked at the old pictures and discarded furniture
+stored there.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Awful poky!” said Dick as they sat down
+on a haircloth sofa, and stared at each other.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Dolly, with a scowl. “I think
+Aunt Nine is a horrid——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Don’t talk that way, Doll,” said Dick, remembering
+his conversation with the old lady;
+“just forget it,—forget outdoors and flowers
+and everything,—and let’s play something nice.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What can we play?” asked Dolly, disconsolately.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I dunno; but isn’t it funny why we can’t
+think of something? If it was a rainy day and
+we couldn’t go outdoors, we’d have lots of fun
+in the house.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, let’s play it’s raining then.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was a distinct suggestion, and Dick
+caught it at once.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Wow!” he cried, looking out of the window;
+“what a storm! It’s just pouring!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So it is!” said Dolly, gleefully; “we
+couldn’t go out to-day even with umbrellas!
+Do you s’pose it’ll clear by to-morrow?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I guess so. But it won’t stop all day
+to-day.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, I don’t believe it will. So we’ll play
+up here to-day.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then the twins went into the big lumber
+room, where all sorts of old things were stored
+away.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What’s that big boxy thing, face to the
+wall?” asked Dolly, looking at a plain black
+walnut affair, about as high as herself.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dunno; let’s turn it around.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick pulled the thing out from the wall,
+which was quite easy, as it rolled on casters,
+and it proved to be entirely open on the other
+side.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was about four feet high, and about three
+feet wide, and though something like a small
+wardrobe, it was divided into six equal compartments,
+each of which was lined with wallpaper.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, Dick!” cried Dolly, “it’s a playhouse!
+A doll’s house, you know. I believe
+it was Aunt Abbie’s when she was a little
+girl. Do you s’pose there’s any furniture for
+it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Must be; somewheres. Isn’t it gay? See
+the windows, they have real glass in ’em. This
+must be the kitchen with oilcloth on the floor.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; and the other floors are all bare. I
+s’pose the carpets are put away somewhere, with
+the furniture. Let’s hunt them.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins were not long in discovering three
+or four good-sized boxes tied together, which
+proved to contain the furniture of the doll’s
+house.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, what fun!” cried Dolly, as they took
+out little beds and tables and chairs. “But
+we can’t put these in place till we find the carpets.
+Oh, here comes Aunt Rachel. Auntie,
+was this your babyhouse when you were a little
+girl?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Aunt Rachel, coming toward the
+twins. “I meant to fix it up for you some day,
+Dolly, but perhaps you’ll like to fix it yourselves
+just as well.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, we will, Auntie!” cried Dolly, tumbling
+into her aunt’s arms for a few caresses before
+they looked for the carpets.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Who made the house, Auntie?” said Dick,
+snuggling into her other arm, and patting her
+cheek.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, a carpenter, I suppose. Father had it
+made for me when I was ten years old, and your
+father was a toddling baby. He used to creep
+up to it, and pull out the things that he could
+reach.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Did he look like us?” asked Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“He looked like Dick. You both have eyes
+like his, but his hair was in dark ringlets all
+over his head, like Dick’s is. Now, let’s find
+the carpets, and fix up the house. Wouldn’t you
+rather have it down in the playroom?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes,” said Dick. “It’s pretty hot and
+dry up here. The playroom is lovely and airy,
+’most like outdoors.” He gave a little sigh, and
+Aunt Rachel remembered that the children were
+undergoing punishment.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Her eyes twinkled a little, as she said:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Aunt Nine didn’t make any other stipulation,
+except that you were to stay in the house all
+day, did she?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No’m,” said Dick. “And, Auntie Rachel,
+we’re <span class='it'>awful</span> sorry we spoiled the clean clothes.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, <span class='it'>terrible</span> sorry,” added Dolly, while
+they both fondled their aunt half-unconsciously.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You can be the sorriest pair of twins I ever
+saw, after your mischief is accomplished,” said
+Miss Rachel. “Why doesn’t your sorriness begin
+beforehand, I’d like to know?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, you see,” said Dolly, “we don’t
+think——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s just it, you never ‘think.’ Now,
+I’m going to teach you to think,—somehow; I
+don’t know how yet, but we’ll manage to make
+you thinkers somehow.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“After Aunt Nine goes away,” suggested
+Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” agreed Aunt Rachel, “after Aunt
+Nine goes away.”</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='222' id='Page_222'></span><h1>CHAPTER XVI</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>THE PLAYHOUSE</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>T</span>hen they all went down to dinner, the
+twins holding hands with each other,
+round Aunt Rachel’s ample waist. As
+she had an arm round each of their necks, locomotion
+down the stairways was difficult, but
+they all accomplished it somehow, and made a
+triumphal entry at the dining-room door.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Penninah was already in her chair, and
+looked up sharply, as if expecting to see a doleful
+pair of twins.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But the laughing faces proved that, if not
+enjoying their punishment, the children were,
+at least, making the best of it, and Aunt Nine
+sniffed a little, as she asked:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What have you been doing all morning?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, having the beautifullest time!” exclaimed
+Dolly. “We found an old doll’s house,
+that used to be Auntie Rachel’s when she was a
+little girl.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And my father played with it, too,” said
+Dick, proudly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Rachel,” said Miss Abbie, with a disappointed
+look, “we meant to keep that for
+their Christmas!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It doesn’t matter,” said her sister, serenely;
+“they may as well have it now. Hannah, tell
+Michael to bring it down to the playroom while
+we’re at dinner.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Hannah obeyed, and the twins could scarcely
+eat their dinner for anticipation of the fun to
+come.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Your punishment doesn’t seem very hard to
+bear,” said Aunt Nine, looking quizzically at the
+children.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes it is, Auntie,” said Dick. “We’d
+ever so much rather run out of doors in this
+sunshiny day, and save the playhouse for a rainy
+day. Truly, we feel the punishment very much.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It somehow seemed to Dick’s queer little brain
+that it was rude to defraud Aunt Penninah of
+her rights. She had evidently expected them to
+repine at being kept indoors, and though they
+hadn’t exactly done that, she was entitled to
+know that they really were feeling the punishment.
+And it was quite true. Both he and
+Dolly would have gladly postponed the playhouse
+fun, to scamper out for a run in the garden.
+Aunt Nine nodded a sort of approval.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You’re an honest little chap, Dick,” she
+said; “I’m beginning to like you.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Don’t you like Dolly, too?” asked Dick,
+with the air of one merely seeking information.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I like you both. If you’d be a little
+more thoughtful, and——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, we’re going to learn to think,” said
+Dolly. “Auntie Rachel is going to teach us.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I wish her joy of her task,” said Aunt Penninah,
+but her eyes twinkled just a little mite, and
+the twins began to think she was really not such
+an ogress as she had seemed at first.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>After dinner they all went up to the playroom,
+and found the playhouse well placed, in a corner
+between two windows.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh,” cried Dolly in rapture, as she saw
+the boxes full of furniture, and the bundles of
+carpet.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The carpets smelled of camphor as Aunt
+Rachel unrolled them, for they had been carefully
+put away from the moths, and proved to be
+in perfect condition.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The aunties all looked a bit sober, as the
+small squares were unfolded, for their thoughts
+flew back nearly forty years, when Rachel and
+Abbie had been little girls, and Penninah Dana
+had been a beautiful young woman.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But no such memories saddened the twins’
+hearts, and they capered about in glee, shaking
+out the carpets, and holding them up for inspection.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“This is the parlour one!” cried Dolly, as a
+light velvety square appeared.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She tucked it into place, and it exactly fitted
+the parlour floor.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Two bedroom carpets were there; a library
+and a dining-room,—and the kitchen already had
+oilcloth on it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then came the furniture, and both twins
+fairly squealed with delight over the funny little
+things, as they took them from the boxes and put
+them in place in the rooms of the playhouse.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The dining-room furniture was all of iron.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That stove,” said Miss Rachel, holding a
+black iron stove of the shape known as “cylinder,”
+“father brought me when I was getting
+well after the measles. ‘You can build a real
+fire in it,’ he said, ‘it’s a real little stove.’”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And did you?” asked Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; several times. There’s a tiny tin pipe
+that goes out through this hole in the wall of the
+house. See?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins saw, but there was so much to see,
+little time could be spent on any one thing. The
+parlour furniture was of satin brocade, of deep
+red colour, which was unfaded, and quite as
+good as new.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I helped make those chairs,” said Aunt
+Nine. “I cut and basted, while your mother
+sewed them, Rachel.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“They’re beautifully made,” said Miss Rachel.
+“Dolly, if you want some more, you can
+make them in your sewing-hour.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll make you some,” said Aunt Penninah.
+“If you can find some pretty bits of stuff, Abbie,
+I’ll make a few to-day.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, do, Aunt Nine,” cried Dolly. “These
+chairs are all right, but it would be so lovely
+to have some new ones of our very own!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m going to make some little wooden chairs
+and tables,” said Dick. “I can cut them out
+with my jigsaw, and glue them together.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Do,” said Aunt Abbie, “and we’ll make
+satin cushions for them, and tie them on with
+little ribbons.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The furnishing of the house went on, and it
+would be hard to say which were more interested,
+the twins or the older people.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>When they came up to the bedrooms, they
+found the tiny sheets and pillowcases yellow
+with age.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Will you make us some new ones, Aunt
+Rachel?” asked Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; or Delia can bleach these for you.
+They’re as good as ever, except their colour.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then the aunties discovered that the portières
+for the parlour were faded, and the lace curtains
+had turned irretrievably brown, so off went Aunt
+Abbie to get some bits of stuff at once, to make
+new ones.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And very soon the three aunties were busily
+engaged in cutting and sewing all sorts of pretty
+things for the house.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The best bedstead was of the sort that requires
+dimity curtains and valance to make it
+complete.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Penninah offered to fit this bed out entirely,
+and her deft needle flew in and out of
+the muslins Aunt Abbie brought, until she had
+made the little bed the most charming affair
+imaginable.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>In addition to the curtains, she hemmed tiny
+sheets; she made a dear blanket, of a morsel of
+white flannel bound with ribbon; and lovely
+pillowcases, with hemstitched ends.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then, to Dolly’s breathless delight, she made
+a little silk comfortable, with a layer of cotton-wool
+in it, and tacked at intervals with microscopic
+bows of blue ribbon.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Of course this work of the aunties took all
+the afternoon, and indeed, it wasn’t finished that
+day.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But the interest in the house grew more and
+more absorbing as the days went by, and though
+the children loved out of doors best, they often
+devoted a few hours of the pleasantest days to
+“Dana Cottage,” as they called it. When it
+was nearly finished, as to furnishing, they
+began to prepare a family of dolls to occupy it.
+Aunt Nine offered to present the entire
+family, and afterward assist in making their
+clothing.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So one fine afternoon Miss Penninah and the
+twins drove to town to select the dolls. It was
+great fun, and yet it was a responsibility, too.
+Dick was quite as much interested as Dolly, for
+somehow, the house offered so much boyish
+work, and play, that it didn’t seem like “playing
+with dolls.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Besides the twins always did the same things,
+and Dolly would have lost her own interest in
+the playhouse if Dick hadn’t shared it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So, after much consultation, they chose a father
+and a mother doll, an aunt doll, two small
+children dolls, and a baby doll. A nurse and
+two other servants were added, and then they
+declared they had enough.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Enough? I should think so!” said Aunt
+Nine, who began to see endless doll-dressing
+ahead of her. But her eyes twinkled; and then
+she let the twins select from the shop several
+bits of dolls’ furniture that were not in
+vogue when the playhouse was originally
+furnished.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Laden with their treasures they all went home,
+and that very evening the aunties began on the
+dolls’ wardrobes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Is this your idea of disciplining the children,
+Aunt Nine?” said Miss Rachel, as they
+sewed, after Dick and Dolly had gone to bed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Penninah Dana looked a little confused,
+but she answered straightforwardly:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think you were nearer right than I, Rachel.
+The twins are not what we used to call ‘good
+children.’ I mean the meek, mild, priggish little
+persons that children were taught to be when I
+was young. Dick and Dolly are so full of life
+and spirits that they do wrong things from
+sheer thoughtlessness and gaiety of heart. But
+they are never wilfully mischievous, and never
+deceitful about it afterward. They do need
+firm guidance, but they do not need to be
+taught the difference between right and wrong,
+for they already know it. They are true
+Danas.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>When Miss Penninah announced that last
+fact, she felt that she had given the last word
+of praise to the twins, and indeed, the other two
+aunts thought so too.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So clannish were they, and so proud of their
+fine old family, that they greatly preferred Dick
+and Dolly to be “true Danas” than to possess
+many other admirable traits. And so, the three
+stitched away, quite agreed, at last, on the management
+of the children, and hoping they would
+grow up to manhood and womanhood, with the
+inherited traits of dignity, honour, and refinement
+that characterised their family.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Meanwhile the “true Danas” upstairs were
+sleeping soundly, and only awoke when the sun
+peeped in at their windows and winked and
+blinked right into their eyes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And when, later, they danced down to breakfast,
+there in a row on the sofa sat a smiling and
+well-dressed family, all ready to take up their
+abode in “Dana Cottage.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly went into ecstasies over the mother doll,
+who wore a trailing house dress of light blue
+satin trimmed with lace. The aunt, too, was
+resplendent in crimson velvet, and the children
+were in the daintiest of white or light frocks.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The father-doll had been difficult to dress,
+but though a professional tailor might have
+taken exception to the cut, the aunties had made
+his neat suit fit him very well indeed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick was interested in the new family, and
+admired them duly, but he was already thinking
+of how he could build a yard around the
+house itself, and he confided his plans to
+Dolly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We’ll fence off a space all round the house,”
+he said. “I’ll make a little picket fence with
+splints. It’s just as e-easy! Then we’ll get
+green velvet carpet for the grass.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, carpet isn’t a bit like grass,” objected
+Dolly. “It’s so thick and dusty. Let’s have
+real dirt,—or sand.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think sand is messy.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, so do I. Oh, I tell you what, Dick!
+Let’s cut green tissue paper into fine fringe, and
+put it round where we want grass,—paste it to
+something, you know,—like we made fairies’
+wings,—only green.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, that’s the ticket!” exclaimed Dick.
+“Then we’ll make little paths of,—of brown
+paper, I guess,—pasted down.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; take a big sheet of pasteboard first, and
+then stick everything on it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, that’s what I mean. Then bits of evergreen
+for trees, and perhaps real flowers, growing
+in little bits of pots.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, it will be lovely! Dick, you’re splendid
+to think of it all!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins joined hands and jumped up and
+down, as was their custom when greatly pleased
+with each other. Then the aunties came in, and
+they all went to breakfast.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The children told their plan for the yard
+around the house, and the ladies agreed that
+it would be lovely.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll help you to make a pond, Dickie,” said
+Aunt Penninah, “like one I had when <span class='it'>I</span> was a
+little girl. That dates farther back than Aunt
+Rachel’s childhood.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How do you make a pond?” asked Dick,
+not much interested in comparative dates of past
+Danas.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We must get a piece of mirror,—without a
+frame, you know,—and put it in the middle of
+your grass plot, and then put pretty stones or
+shells round the edge of the mirror, and it looks
+just like water.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And little tin ducks on it,” shouted Dick,
+“like a real pond! Oh, Auntie, that will be
+tip-top!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And I’ll make you a pond on the other side
+of your house,” put in Aunt Abbie, “of real
+water. In a big flat pan, you know; and little
+sprigs of fern all round the edge.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right; we’ll have both,” declared Dick.
+“I don’t know which’ll be nicest, they’re both
+so splendid. And I’ll make a little boat to sail
+on the water. I can whittle it out of a stick.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And I’ll make a sail for it.” said Aunt
+Abbie, “and we’ll rig up a sail-boat.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Such interest did the aunts take in the cottage
+yard, it was almost as if they were children too,
+and Dick and Dolly became more and more enraptured
+with the wonderful things they made.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Abbie fashioned a little hammock with
+her crochet needle and some green and white
+cord. When she put fringe along its edges, and
+suspended it from two evergreen trees in the
+“yard,” Dolly thought she had never seen anything
+so cunning. Two little dolls were put
+into it, and the nurse doll was set to swing them
+until they fell asleep. Michael, who was
+greatly pleased with the whole affair, fashioned
+a tiny arbour just like their own in their playground
+outside. It was made of tiny twigs,
+and when the gardener brought it in, as his
+offering to the general gaiety, it was accepted
+with hilarious thanks. Very small green vines
+were twisted about it, and tiny blossoms of
+forget-me-not or lilies-of-the-valley were entwined.
+But the little flowerets faded so soon
+that Aunt Abbie made some diminutive roses
+of pink tissue paper, which would stay fresh all
+summer.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Many plans were made for future additional
+beauties, and the little estate grew rapidly to an
+elaborate country place, when Michael declared
+that he should build a barn for it. This announcement
+was heralded with delight, and for
+many days, Michael spent all his spare time in
+the tool-house, Dick and Dolly bobbing about
+him, and helping or hindering as best they could.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The barn, when done, was a grand affair
+indeed. Not of very elaborate architecture, but
+provided with stables, carriage house, feed bins,
+and even a chicken coop.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Again Aunt Nine took the twins to town on a
+shopping expedition, and this time they returned
+with all the four-legged and two-legged toys
+necessary to complete the barn’s use and beauty.
+Also there were carriages for the dolls to drive
+in, and sleighs, too, for in doll land the lack of
+snow makes no difference in the sleighing season.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Penninah’s visit of a week lengthened
+out to a fortnight, but not until the last tiny
+carriage robe was finished, and the last hat and
+cape made for the smallest doll, did Aunt Nine
+make her farewells to Dana Dene.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And, then, she went away, promising to return
+for another visit as soon as possible, and insisting
+on a promise that the twins should some
+day visit her in her own home.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='236' id='Page_236'></span><h1>CHAPTER XVII</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>THE FATE OF DANA COTTAGE</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>P</span>inkie was enraptured at her first sight
+of Dana Cottage. She sat down in
+front of it and gazed in silence, seemingly
+unable to take it all in at once.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well,” she said at last, “it’s a lovely home
+for dolls, but wouldn’t it be a fine place for
+fairies?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly laughed, for she hadn’t the firm belief
+in fairies that Pinkie had. Dolls were good
+enough for her, and as Pinkie loved dolls too,
+they spent many happy hours with the playhouse.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Sometimes Dick and Jack played with them,
+and sometimes the boys went off on their own
+sports, while the girls were absorbed in the dolls’
+house.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>One afternoon the boys were busily engaged
+in making and flying kites, and the girls, up in
+the playroom, were having lots of fun with
+Dana Cottage, but paused in their play frequently,
+to run and look out of the window to
+see how the kites were flying.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t believe they’ll ever make them go,”
+said Pinkie, as she and Dolly leaned out of
+the playroom window. “The kites are too
+big.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Then they’ll have to trim ’em off, or make
+smaller ones,” said Dolly, philosophically. “I
+don’t see any fun in kite-flying anyway, just because
+they ’most never do fly.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Wouldn’t it be funny,” said Pinkie, “if you
+could fly a kite, ’way—’way up in the air, and
+then pull it down again, and find a whole lot
+of fairies perched on it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; that would be fine. But fairies don’t
+live up in the air.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No; they live in the woods, hidden by the
+ferns and leaves. I wish I could ever see them.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, you can’t, ’cause they only come out
+at night. You can’t go to the woods at night,
+can you?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I will, when I’m grown up. ’Course,
+mother won’t let me now, but when I’m big,
+the first thing I’m going to do is to go to the
+woods, and camp out all night, and watch for
+fairies.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right; I’ll go with you. We’ll surely
+see them then.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, indeed, we will. Oh, I wish we could
+go now!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, we can’t. Aunt Rachel wouldn’t let
+me, and I know your mother wouldn’t let you.
+Come on, those kites will never fly; let’s go on
+with the party.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The doll family in Dana Cottage were giving
+a very grand party. As there were no other
+dolls to invite, Pinkie and Dolly had made a lot
+of paper dolls for the guests. These were not
+elaborate, being hastily cut from brown paper,
+but they wanted a lot of guests, so they chopped
+out a multitude of dolls, and stood them around
+in the various rooms of the doll house.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I wish we’d made them prettier,” said
+Dolly, regretfully, for her artistic sense was
+jarred upon by the crude brown paper guests
+in the dainty, pretty rooms.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So do I,” agreed Pinkie. “Let’s dress
+them up a little, somehow.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So they found colored tissue paper, and bedecked
+the dolls with floating sashes and scarfs
+and head-dresses, until they presented a much
+more festive appearance.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s lots better,” declared Dolly, as they
+placed the improved ladies and gentlemen at
+the party. So many did they have, that the
+parlour was filled with dancers, and the
+dining-room with supper guests at the same
+time.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pinkie was of a realistic turn of mind, and
+insisted on having bits of real cracker or cake
+or apple in the dishes on the table, and real
+water in the pitchers and coffee pots on the sideboard.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly was quite content to have scraps of
+paper for cakes, or even empty dishes filled
+merely with imagination, but when Pinkie played
+with her they usually had real things wherever
+possible.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The china dolls of the family, and the paper
+guests kept up a continuous conversation, and
+the voices were either Pinkie’s or Dolly’s as occasion
+required. A deep, gruff voice represented
+a gentleman talking, and a high, squeaky voice,
+a lady.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“What a beautiful party we’re having,” said
+a brown paper man in Dolly’s deepest chest
+tones.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” squeaked a lovely lady, in light blue
+crinkled tissue paper. “Please get me a glass
+of lemonade.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The brown gentleman deftly poured about
+two drops of water from a tiny pitcher into a
+tinier cup, and gallantly offered it to the lady.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It accidentally soaked her tissue paper scarf,
+as she drank it, but two drops wouldn’t hurt
+anybody’s costume seriously, so the incident was
+overlooked, and the gay chatter went on.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Are you going to opera to-morrow night?”
+asked one bewitching belle of another.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes,” was the reply. “I’m so fond of
+music. I practise an hour every day.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So do I. I’m learning to sing, too. That’s
+why I wear this boa, I have to take such care
+of my throat.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Are you warm enough here?” inquired the
+china hostess, who overheard her paper guests’
+conversation; “because, if you aren’t, we can
+light a fire for you.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I do feel a little chilly,” began the paper
+belle, and then Pinkie’s voice suddenly resumed
+its natural tones:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Dolly, let’s make a fire in the little
+stove,—a <span class='it'>real</span> fire. You said your aunt used to
+do it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, she did,” said Dolly. “Do you know
+how?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, yes; you only put in snips of paper
+and light ’em. The smoke goes out through
+the pipe.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Carefully, the girls put crumpled bits of paper
+into the little iron stove, and then Dolly brought
+a match.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You light it,” she said, and Pinkie struck
+the match, and touched off the paper.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They shut the tiny stove door, and the paper
+blazed away merrily. Some smoke came out
+through the tin pipe, but there wasn’t much of
+it, and as the windows of the playroom were
+all wide open, the smoke soon drifted away.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This was a great game indeed, and the guests
+from the parlour all crowded down into the
+dining-room to get warm.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>There was much laughing and chatter, as the
+paper dolls came down to the dining-room, and
+packed themselves in groups against the walls.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, how good that fire feels,” exclaimed a
+lady in pink paper. “Why, it’s all gone out!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was astonishing how fast the paper in the
+stove burned itself out, and the girls had to
+renew it repeatedly, and light it afresh each time.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’m ’bout tired of playing this,” said
+Pinkie; “let’s make one more fire and that’ll
+be the last. It’s getting awful hot.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, make one more,” said Dolly, “for
+Mrs. Obbercrombie has just come down to get
+warm.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right; stand her up by the stove.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pinkie touched off the newly-laid fire, and
+Dolly stood paper Mrs. Obbercrombie up near
+the stove; so near, in fact, that the lady fell over
+against it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly reached out to pick her up, but her
+finger touched the hot stove, and she drew it
+back with an “Ouch!” The little stove, from
+the burning of much paper, was nearly red-hot,
+and when the paper doll fell over against it, she
+blazed up immediately.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then the paper dolls nearest her caught fire
+at once, and in two seconds the paper dolls were
+all ablaze. The tissue paper scarfs communicated
+the flames like tinder; the thicker paper
+of the dolls themselves burned steadily, and in
+a few moments the curtains caught, then the
+wooden house itself, and as the breeze from the
+open windows fanned it, a real conflagration
+of Dana Cottage ensued!</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Soon the paper grass in the cottage yard
+caught fire, and the wooden animals served as
+further fuel.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly, her smarting finger still in her mouth,
+was too frightened even to scream, but Pinkie
+showed real presence of mind.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She grasped a pitcher of water from the
+table, and dashed it into the burning house.
+This was good as far as it went, but it merely
+checked the flames in one room, and there was
+no more water about. Then Pinkie seized the
+big rug from the floor, with intent to throw it
+over the house. But it was so anchored with
+heavy tables and other furniture that, of course,
+she could not budge it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh!” she gasped at last. “Do something,
+Dolly! Yell, can’t you? I don’t seem to have
+any voice!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Sure enough, poor little Pinkie was so frightened
+that her voice had failed her, and Dolly
+was so frightened, she couldn’t <span class='it'>think</span> what to do.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So, at Pinkie’s suggestion, she yelled, and
+Dolly’s yell was that of a young, sound pair of
+lungs.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Auntie!” she screamed. “Michael!”
+But as the playroom was on the third floor, and
+the aunts were down in the library, they did not
+hear her. Nor were the servants within ear-shot,
+so poor Dolly screamed in vain.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But as the flames grew bigger and threatened
+the window curtains of the playroom, Dolly
+shouted again, and this time a wild, despairing
+shriek of “Dick!” seemed to be her last resort.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And, by chance, the boys, with their kites,
+were not far from the house, and they heard the
+cry ring out of the playroom window.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Hello, Dolly!” shouted Dick, back again,
+not thinking of danger, but merely supposing
+Dolly was calling to him.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>His voice reached Dolly’s ears like a promise
+of hope, and flying to the window, where the
+curtains were already scorching, she screamed,
+“Fire, Dick! Call Michael! Pat! Bring
+water! Fire! Fire!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Even as Dolly shouted, Dick and Jack saw
+the flames, and Dick cried out, “I’ll go for
+Michael; you go upstairs, Jack, and screech for
+Aunt Rachel as you go.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So the two Dana ladies were startled from
+their quiet reading, by seeing Jack Fuller dash
+madly in at the front door, and whipping off
+his cap by instinct, almost pause, as he said
+politely, but hastily, “Please, Miss Rachel,—good-afternoon.
+Your house is on fire! Excuse
+me!” and he ran breathlessly by the library
+door and up the stairs.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>He couldn’t do a thing when he reached the
+playroom, for the flames were beyond the efforts
+of a ten-year-old boy.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Dolly, who had found her wits, cried,
+“Pull down the curtains,” and she and Jack
+bravely pulled down a pair of light muslin
+curtains that had already begun to burn. They
+stamped on these, and so extinguished their
+flames, and Pinkie, in her excitement, pulled
+down another pair and stamped on them, although
+they had not caught fire at all, and,
+indeed, were in no danger of it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But by that time, Michael and Pat had
+arrived. Passing the trembling aunties on the
+lower landing, they tore upstairs, and Dick followed
+closely at their heels.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Michael took in the situation at one glance.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Take holt av the table,” he said to Pat,
+and the two strong men hustled the big table off
+the rug. Then they flung aside the chairs and
+other furniture that held the rug down, and,
+picking up the big carpet, flung it over the burning
+playhouse. The house toppled over with a
+crash, and the men trampled on the whole
+pile.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They smashed everything belonging to Dana
+Cottage, but it was the only way to conquer the
+flames, and Michael did not hesitate.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Keep it up!” he said to Pat, and as Pat
+obediently stamped his big feet about, Michael
+turned to other parts of the room.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>He stepped on a few smouldering papers, he
+pinched out a tiny flame in a curtain ruffle, and
+he threw a small rug over an already blazing
+waste-basket.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>He unceremoniously pushed aside any children
+who got in his way, for Michael was very
+much in earnest. And he had reason to be.
+His prompt and speedy action had probably
+saved the whole house from burning down, and
+after he was sure there was no lurking flame
+left anywhere, he turned to the two ladies, who
+stood white-faced and trembling on the threshold.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right, Miss Rachel,” he said, cheerily;
+“the baby-house is done for, but we’ve saved
+Dana Dene from burnin’ up intirely.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Is everybody safe?” asked Miss Rachel,
+bewildered with the suddenness and terror of
+it all.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Safe an’ sound, ma’am. Now, don’t dishturb
+yersilves further, but you an’ Miss Abbie
+an’ the childher go back downstairs, an’ me an’
+Pat’ll be afther cleanin’ up some here.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But Dolly is burned!” cried Miss Abbie,
+seeing Dolly still holding out her blistered
+finger, and screwing her face in pain.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Dolly, “I did that before the
+fire. It’s nothing.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s an awful blister,” said Dick, looking at
+it. “But how did the fire start, Dollums?
+Did you do it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Dolly, “but I didn’t mean to
+burn up the cottage.” And then, as Michael and
+Pat were removing the big rug, and she saw the
+dreadful devastation of the beautiful dolls’
+house, she burst into paroxysms of weeping.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pinkie did the same, and as the aunts were
+both softly crying, too, Dick and Jack had to
+be very careful lest they join the majority.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Go downstairs, all of yez,” said Michael,
+again, who had, by reason of his common sense,
+assumed dictatorship. “Oh, are ye there, Hannah?
+Take the ladies down, and mend up Miss
+Dolly’s finger. Boys, ye can shtay, if ye like,
+but the rest of yez must go.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Obediently, the aunties followed Hannah,
+who led the weeping Dolly, and with Pinkie
+trailing along behind, they went downstairs.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Now, boys,” said Michael, “ye can help
+if ye like, an’ ye needn’t, if ye don’t like. Pat
+an’ me, we’ll clear out this burnt shtuff, but
+Mashter Dick, suppose ye look about now, an’
+see if anny of the toys is worth savin’.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Dick and Jack picked out some few things
+that the flames hadn’t destroyed. But only
+china or metal toys escaped utter destruction,
+and these were so smoked and charred, that they
+weren’t much good. Pinkie’s hat and jacket
+were scorched, but Jack laid them aside, and
+the work of salvage went on.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“There now, ye’d betther go,” said Michael;
+“ye’re good boys, an’ ye’ve helped a lot, but
+now, me’n Pat, we’ll cart this shtuff down oursilves.
+An’ be the same token, I’m thinkin’
+we’ll dump it out the windy,—that bein’ the
+quickest way.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Dick and Jack ran downstairs, really
+anxious to join the girls and find out how it all
+came about.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='249' id='Page_249'></span><h1>CHAPTER XVIII</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>A LOVELY PLAN</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>W</span>hen the boys reached the group
+assembled in the library, Dolly
+had just begun to tell the story
+of the fire.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Up to that time, the aunts had been employed
+in dressing the burned finger, and in recovering
+their own mental poise.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You see,” Dolly was saying, “it was an
+accident, Aunt Rachel, but it <span class='it'>wasn’t</span> mischief,
+for you told me yourself how you used to make
+a fire in that little stove.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh,” said Aunt Rachel, comprehending at
+last. “Did you girls make a fire in the playhouse
+stove?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m; the pipe was up, you know, and it
+burned all right,—it hardly smoked at all.
+Then one of the paper dolls fell against it and
+set fire to all the rest.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“The stove got so awful hot,” observed
+Pinkie, “and it was trying to pick up that paper
+doll that Dolly burned her finger.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And upset the stove?” asked Aunt Abbie.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, Auntie, the stove didn’t upset. But
+Mrs. Obbercrombie caught ablaze, and then she
+fell over against the other paper people, and
+they all flared up.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Whew, Dolly!” exclaimed Dick. “Then
+you kindled that whole fire yourself! You
+ought to have known better than to stuff a place
+with paper dolls and then set a match to it!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But I didn’t, Dick,” declared Dolly. “The
+fire was all right at first, only it kept making
+the little stove hotter and hotter, until it went
+off.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, it’s lucky Dick heard you yell,” put
+in Jack, “or the whole of the big house would
+have burned as well as the little one.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know what to say to you, Dolly,”
+said Aunt Rachel. “I remember that I did
+tell you I used to have a fire in that stove, but
+I only burned a tiny bit of paper and let it go
+right out. I never thought of a continued fire.
+And I really think you ought to have realised
+the danger of a fire near so much light paper.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, I never once thought of that, Aunt
+Rachel. I never s’posed fire could jump through
+an iron stove, and burn up a paper doll! I
+thought if we kept the little door shut, the
+flames would stay inside.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Dolly,” said Aunt Abbie, smiling a
+little in spite of herself, “you should have
+known better. But you’re not entirely to blame.
+We did tell you that we used to have real fire
+in that stove, but father was always with us to
+look after it. Children should <span class='it'>never</span> play with
+fire alone.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why didn’t you tell me that before, Aunt
+Abbie?” said Dolly, looking at her with a gentle
+reproach in her big dark eyes. “If you had,
+I’d have called you up, ’fore we lit it the first
+time!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Phyllis,” said Miss Rachel, turning to the
+little guest, “does your mother let you play
+with fire.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, no, Miss Rachel,” said Pinkie, in
+surprise. “But then, mother never lets us do
+any of the things you let Dick and Dolly do.
+We haven’t any garden or arbour or Lady Eliza
+or playhouse——”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>At this, both Pinkie and Dolly began to cry
+afresh, for they remembered that now Dolly
+had no playhouse either! That beautiful house
+and barn and lawn and ponds,—all a mass of
+black, smoking ruins!</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly flew to her Aunt Rachel and buried
+her head on her broad, comforting shoulder as
+she sobbed out her woe.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Auntie,” she wailed; “isn’t it dreadful!
+Those lovely little beds and bureaus, and the
+dolls Aunt Nine dressed,—and the looking-glass
+lake, and that little spotted pig,—he was <span class='it'>so</span>
+cunning,—and the gilt clock in the parlour,—oh—ooh—o-o-ooh!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“There, dearie, there, there,——” soothed
+Miss Rachel, wondering whether Aunt Nine
+would think Dolly ought to be punished, and
+if so, what for.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I wasn’t naughty, was I, Auntie?” went on
+Dolly, between her sobs. “I wouldn’t be so
+naughty as to burn up my dear playhouse on
+purpose!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Of course you didn’t do it on purpose, dear;
+and I don’t believe you were really naughty.
+But never mind that, now. Even if you were,
+you’re punished enough by the loss of the playhouse.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I think I am. We were having <span class='it'>such</span>
+fun, Pinkie and I. And, Auntie, it wasn’t a bit
+Pinkie’s fault either. We wouldn’t either of
+us have thought of making a fire, if you hadn’t
+said we could. I mean, you said you used to
+do it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Dolly, dear; I fully realise how it all
+happened, and I’m not going to blame either
+you or Phyllis. I think you should have known
+it was a dangerous pastime, but if you’ll promise
+never to play with fire or matches again, we’ll
+count this affair merely as an accident. But it
+was a pretty bad accident, and I’m very thankful
+that only the playhouse was burned. I shudder
+to think what might have happened to you
+two little girls!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And to the whole house!” said Miss Abbie.
+“If Dick hadn’t heard you scream, and if
+Michael and Pat hadn’t been at home, we might
+have no roof over our heads now!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then Phyllis and Jack went home, and the
+others went up to the playroom, to see what was
+left in the ruins. Michael and Pat were still
+cleaning up, but the whole room had been more
+or less affected by the smoke, if not by the flame.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The rug, being a thick, Oriental one, had
+not suffered much, but the wallpaper and woodwork
+were sadly marred, the curtains were a
+wreck, and the furniture was scratched and
+broken.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As to the playhouse, the actual framework
+was fairly intact, except where the dining-room
+had been burned away, but it was blackened and
+charred everywhere.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Rachel directed the men to take it to
+the cellar, and leave it there for the present.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Sometime,” she said, “we may have it rebuilt
+and re-decorated, but I can’t seem to think
+about it just now. Do you want to keep any
+of these things, Dolly?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly looked over the half-burned toys that
+Dick and Jack had picked out of the ruins, and
+more tears came as she recognised what had been
+the blue satin sofa, and the baby’s crib.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, I don’t want them,” she said; “they
+only make me feel worse.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then they found the little stove, that had
+been the immediate cause of the catastrophe.
+It was unharmed, except that it looked dull instead
+of shiny, as before.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think you’d better set this on the mantel,
+Dolly,” said Aunt Abbie, “to remind you not
+to play with fire.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I’ll never play with fire again, Auntie,” said
+Dolly. “But I will put it on the mantel, to
+remind me of my dear playhouse. Oh, I did
+love it so!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly had a great fondness for all her
+belongings, and the playhouse, with its myriad
+delights was her dearest and best beloved
+possession.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s too bad, Dollums,” said Dick. “If
+Aunt Rachel ever does decide to have the house
+done over, I’ll do the yard all over again for
+you.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“An’ I’ll make yez a new barn,” said Michael,
+who was just removing the burned remnants of
+the old one; “but I can’t be doin’ it this summer;
+there’s too much other wurrk. Next winter,
+when the wurrk is lighter, I’ll have a thry
+at it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And none of them felt like doing right over
+again the work they had done so recently, so
+the burned-out cottage was put in the cellar,
+and stayed there for a long time. The playroom
+itself had to be done over at once.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A carpenter had to come first, and replace the
+burned window sill, where the curtains had
+blazed up; then the paper-hangers and painters;
+so that it was several weeks before the room
+could be used.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Meantime, Dick and Dolly played out in
+their out-of-doors playground.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was now late in May, and the flowering
+vines had almost covered the long arbour, making
+a delightful place to sit and read, or make
+things at the table. The twins loved to make
+things, and often they thought they’d make furniture
+for the renovated playhouse, but it’s hard
+to do things so far ahead, and so they didn’t
+get at it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Fortunately Lady Eliza had been on the other
+side of the playroom during the fire, so had escaped
+without even a scorch.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Dick and Dolly played she was a great
+heroine, and often congratulated her on her
+narrow escape from the fearful conflagration.
+They never grew tired of Lady Eliza. She was
+useful for so many games, and all the children
+who visited the twins learned to look upon
+Eliza as one of their own crowd.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s have a party for Eliza,” said Dolly,
+one day, as she and Dick were working in their
+gardens. “Oh, Dick, there’s a thrush! Sh!
+don’t frighten him.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Silently the children watched, as a thrush
+perched on a nearby branch, and sang his best
+musical selection. There is more sentiment in
+a thrush’s song than in that of any other of
+our birds, and though the twins didn’t recognise
+exactly that fact, they loved to listen to the
+thrush.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was their habit, after carefully watching a
+bird, to look it up in their big, illustrated “Birds
+of North America,” and learn its name and
+habits.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s a Hermit Thrush,” whispered Dolly.
+“See the lots of spots on his chest.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Maybe,” said Dick, softly; “but I think
+it’s the Olive-Backed Thrush. See how brown
+his back and tail are.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, perhaps it is. Listen to his call,—he
+says ‘Whee-oo! Too-whee!’ We must look him
+up to make sure. Oh, there comes a robin after
+him! Now they’ll fight!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Go ’way, you horrid thing!” called Dick
+to the big, fat Robin Redbreast, but unheeding,
+the robin flew at the thrush, and bothered him,
+until the thrush flew away, and Dick and Dolly
+saw it no more.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think it’s too bad robins are so cross,”
+said Dolly, “and they’re so pretty, too. I’d
+love them, if they wouldn’t pick-peck at the
+other birds.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“They are horrid,” said Dick; “but if we
+didn’t have robins, we wouldn’t have much of
+anything. There are so few of the other birds,—’ceptin’
+sparrows.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s so; well, as I was saying before
+the thrush came, let’s give Lady Eliza a
+party.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Let’s ask Aunt Rachel first,” said Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins were learning to ask permission
+beforehand, when they planned anything out of
+the ordinary. This had already saved them
+trouble, and the aunts were already congratulating
+themselves that the children were learning
+to “think.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, we will. But don’t let’s go in now.
+Let’s plan it, and then we’ll ask auntie before
+we really do anything about it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, who’ll we invite?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s ’cordin’ how big the party is. If
+Auntie Rachel ’grees, let’s have a big party,
+’bout a dozen, you know. And if she thinks
+bestest, we’ll only have Pinkie and Jack.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But what’ll make it Eliza’s party?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, we’ll ask each child to bring a doll
+or something, so’s to be comp’ny for her.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Boys can’t bring dolls.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I know; I’m thinking. Well, the boys can
+bring Teddy bears, or rocking horses or anything
+that isn’t alive, and that part of it’ll be
+’Liza’s party, and the people part will be
+ours.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Sounds good enough. Where’ll we have
+it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Here, of course; in the playground. We’ll
+fix it all up partified, and have Japanese lanterns
+and everything.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We can’t have ’em lighted. It’ll have to
+be a daytime party.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know. Maybe auntie will let us
+have it ‘four to seven.’ We can light the
+lanterns by six. It’s ’most dark then.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right. Let’s go ask her now, ’fore we
+plan any further. It’d be horrid to get it all
+fixed up and then have her say ‘No.’”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins clasped hands and ran toward the
+house. Dolly’s golden tangle of curls bobbed
+up and down in the breeze, and Dick’s dark
+ringlets clustered tighter on his brow, as his face
+flushed with the exercise, but they ran evenly
+and swiftly together, keeping perfect step as
+they flew over the ground.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Bang! In at the library door they went, and
+tumbled upon Aunt Rachel, who sat in her usual
+chair, placidly holding her hands.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, Auntie, may we——” gasped Dick,
+and, “Oh, Auntie, the loveliest plan!” panted
+Dolly, when <a id='they'></a>they suddenly realised their aunt
+was not alone.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A lady was calling, a lady very much dressed
+up and formal-looking, who eyed the children
+with some severity and much curiosity.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Dick and Dolly had not proved dull
+pupils in the matter of etiquette as taught in
+Heatherton households. By no means. As
+quickly as a soldier stands “at attention,” they
+stood up straight, advanced decorously to the
+lady, and Dolly made her most careful courtesy,
+while Dick bowed correctly.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“How do you do, Mrs. Witherbee?” they
+said, in decorous tones, and though they were
+flushed and warm from their run, and just the
+least mite out of breath, they reflected no discredit
+on their aunts by boisterous or informal
+behaviour.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie sat proudly
+watching them, silently grateful for the twins’
+exhibition of good manners, for Heatherton
+matrons were critical of other people’s children,
+and Mrs. Witherbee was one of the most particular
+of all.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You may go,” said Aunt Rachel to the
+twins, after they had been duly questioned by
+the visitor, and with proper ceremonies of farewell,
+the twins noiselessly left the room.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, I ’spect we behaved all right that
+time,” said Dick, as they strolled back to the
+garden.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I promised Aunt Rachel I’d ’member
+my manners carefuller ’n ever. She does love
+to have us be polite.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I know it; and it isn’t much trouble, after
+you get used to it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It seemed as if Mrs. Witherbee never would
+finish her call, but it was really only about ten
+minutes later, when the twins saw her carriage
+drive away. Again they raced to the house,
+this time to find the aunties alone and expecting
+them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, what’s it all about?” said Miss
+Abbie, after both ladies had been treated to a
+fine demonstration of regard and esteem.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, we want to have a party,” began
+Dick.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“For Lady Eliza,” broke in Dolly; “she’s
+never had a party, and she’d just love one.
+How many do you think we’d better ask?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“A party! For Eliza!” said Aunt Rachel,
+helplessly. “What do you mean?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, a party. Girls and boys, you know,
+and Teddy Bears, and dolls, and everybody bring
+something.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Bring something! to eat?” exclaimed Aunt
+Abbie, in dismay, for it sounded like a general
+picnic.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no, not to eat!” explained Dolly; “but
+to be company for Eliza, ’cause it’s her party.
+And if you say so, we’ll only have Pinkie and
+Jack, but we’d like to have more.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Tell us about it more slowly,” suggested
+Aunt Abbie; “and don’t both talk at once.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You tell, Dick,” said Dolly. “You can
+talk slower ’n I can.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well,” said Dick, “we thought it would
+be fun to have a party of about a dozen boys
+and girls, but have it for Lady Eliza’s party,—just
+for fun, you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And what’s this about bears?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; have each boy and girl bring a doll or
+a bear, or a hobby horse or a Jack-in-the-box,
+or anything like that, so it will be Eliza’s party
+too.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, I begin to see,” said Aunt Rachel. “I
+like the party idea; I’ve been thinking you children
+might have a little party. But the Eliza
+part of it is crazy.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, no, it isn’t, Auntie,” said Dolly, who
+was patting her aunt on both cheeks as she
+talked. “You see, all the boys and girls love
+Lady Eliza ’most as much as we do. And
+they’d be glad to have it be her party, too.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, we’ll have to talk it over, and see
+about it,” said Miss Rachel; “but now it’s time
+for you to run and get ready for tea.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right, Auntie. But <span class='it'>do</span> decide soon, for
+Eliza is <span class='it'>so</span> impatient to know.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Tell her she’ll have to wait, Dolly. But
+I’ll let her know by to-morrow, if that will do.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Auntie, that will do, I’m sure;” and
+with a final pat and a kiss, Dolly skipped away.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='264' id='Page_264'></span><h1>CHAPTER XIX</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>THE BIG CHIEF</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>A</span>fter further discussion, and some coaxing
+on the part of the twins, Miss
+Rachel decided that the party, though
+of course for Dick and Dolly, might be nominally
+for Lady Eliza. And so they made up
+an invitation like this, and Miss Abbie wrote
+them in her neat hand:</p>
+
+<div class='lgc' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>Miss Dolly Dana</p>
+<p class='line'>Master Dick Dana</p>
+<p class='line'>and</p>
+<p class='line'>Lady Eliza Dusenbury</p>
+<p class='line'>request the pleasure of</p>
+<p class='line'>Miss Phyllis Middleton’s</p>
+<p class='line'>company</p>
+<p class='line'>on Thursday afternoon</p>
+<p class='line'>from four to seven o’clock</p>
+<p class='line'>at Dana Dene.</p>
+<p class='line'>You are invited to bring a friend whose</p>
+<p class='line'>company will be congenial to</p>
+<p class='line'>the Lady Eliza.</p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Aren’t they the greatest ever!” exclaimed
+Dick, dancing about the table where Aunt Abbie
+was writing the notes.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I doubt if those who are invited will
+know what that last clause means,” said Aunt
+Abbie.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, yes, they will, for we’ll tell them,” said
+Dolly. “Of course we’ll see them all between
+now and the party. There’s a whole week, you
+know. I’ll tell every one to bring a doll or
+something for Eliza’s part of the party. And
+she must have a new dress, auntie.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes; something gay and festive, of course.
+What would you like?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Pink tarlatan,” said Dolly, promptly.
+“With lots of ruffles, and a lace bertha, and a
+pink sash, and let her wear my pink coral beads.
+Oh, Auntie! won’t she look just sweet!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And flowers in her hair,” chimed in Dick;
+“and a big, big bouquet, in her hand. Whew!
+She’ll be a stunner!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>As tarlatan was an inexpensive material, and
+easy to make up, Aunt Abbie humoured Dolly’s
+whim, and Lady Eliza had a beautiful new
+frock for the occasion.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dolly herself picked out just the right shade
+of watermelon pink, and she helped a little, too,
+gathering flounces, and running up breadths, but
+Aunt Abbie made most of the pretty gown, and
+it didn’t take very long either.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was to be worn over one of Aunt Abbie’s
+own lace-trimmed petticoats, and two whole
+days before the party, Eliza was dressed and
+set away in the guest room to await the hour.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I believe I’ll send an invitation to Aunt
+Nine,” said Dolly, as they were making out
+the list of those who were to be invited. “I
+don’t s’pose she could come, but I think it
+would be nice to ask her, don’t you, Aunt
+Rachel?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, yes, dear; send one, if you like.
+Though, as you say, of course she won’t come,
+yet I think she’ll appreciate your thought of
+her.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So one invitation was sent to Miss Penninah
+Dana, and twelve more were sent to boys and
+girls in Heatherton.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Every one of the dozen accepted, and after
+conversation on the subject with Dick and Dolly,
+they quite understood about the extra guests
+they were to bring.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But they were very secret about them.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I won’t tell you,” said Jack Fuller, giggling,
+“but I’m going to bring the funniest person you
+ever saw! Oh, I know Lady Eliza will be
+pleased!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And Pinkie declared that her guest would be
+the “belle of the ball.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>All these secrets greatly whetted the twins’
+curiosity, and they could think of nothing but
+the coming party. A few days before the event
+they received a letter from Aunt Penninah, expressing
+her regret that she could not be with
+them. In it was also a letter addressed to
+Lady Eliza Dusenbury. Chuckling with glee,
+the twins tore it open and read:</p>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:left;margin-left:0em;'>“<span class='sc'>Lady Eliza Dusenbury</span>:</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Most charming and beautiful lady, I salute
+you. To your party I come, and there with
+you at Dana Dene will I ever after remain.
+As your friend and protector I will stand ever
+by your side. Unless, however, you should
+attack me with a carving knife (as is sometimes
+your playful habit), in which case, I will run
+away and never return. Expect me on Thursday,
+by express. Your true friend,</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:right;margin-right:2em;'>“<span class='sc'>Saskatchewan</span>.”</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh,” cried Dick, “it’s an Indian doll!
+Saskatchewan is an Indian name, you know.
+Won’t it be fun?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” cried his twin. “And do you suppose
+<a id='aunt'></a>Aunt Nine dressed it herself, in wigwam and
+feathers?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Ho, ho! Dolly. You mean wampum, not
+wigwam!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, it’s all the same; I don’t care. Oh,
+I wish Saskatchewan would come. I’m crazy
+to see him!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So’m I. Do you s’pose the box’ll come
+addressed to Lady Eliza Dusenbury, Dana
+Dene?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, I guess it’ll be addressed to Aunt
+Rachel, or maybe to us. What does Dene
+mean, auntie?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Dene?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, Dana Dene, you know?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why, Dana Dene is the name of our place,
+you know. Not only the house, but the whole
+estate.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m; I know it. But what does Dene
+mean? Just as a word?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, well, it doesn’t mean anything nowadays,
+just as a word. But in old times, long
+ago, it meant den or cave.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, this house isn’t a cave.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No,” said Miss Rachel, laughing. “We’re
+not cave-dwellers. But long ago, there was
+another house where this stands now. You
+know, this estate has been in our family for
+many generations.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“And was the other house a cave?” asked
+Dick, with vague visions of primitive ancestors
+floating through his mind.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, of course not! The name cave came
+from the fact that there was a deep den or cave
+somewhere on the place.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Where is it?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know, Dicky. It may be only
+tradition, or there may have been a real
+cave, now filled up or covered over. I
+suppose it is in the woodland part, if it’s
+anywhere.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But it must be somewhere, Aunt Rachel,”
+persisted Dick. “If they, my great-grand-fathers,
+I mean, named the place Dana Dene
+because of a big den, the den must be here
+yet.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, perhaps it is, child, but it hasn’t been
+seen or heard of for many years, anyway. You
+may hunt for it, if you like, but I doubt if you’ll
+find it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Come on Dollums,” cried Dick, jumping
+up. “Let’s go and look for it. It would be
+lots of fun if we could find it in time for the
+party!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Indeed it would not!” returned their aunt.
+“Find it if you want to, but don’t play in it
+on the day of the party. I’d like you to keep
+yourselves tidy on that occasion, and not go
+burrowing in caves. But I’ve no idea you’ll
+find it. For, a cave that hasn’t been used for
+over a hundred years, is likely to be filled up with
+earth and leaves. It has, probably, entirely
+disappeared.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Well, we’ll have the fun of hunting,” said
+Dick, and away went the twins on their new
+quest.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Michael and Pat were first interviewed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Did you ever see a cave or a den anywhere
+about the place?” they inquired.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Cave, is it?” said Michael. “Faith an’ I
+didn’t. Whativer are yez up to now?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, think!” cried Dick, impatiently.
+“Didn’t you see one, Pat, when you were mowing
+the grass, or anything like that? Digging,
+you know.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I did not. There’s no cave around these
+diggin’s, unless so be it’s in the woods. There
+may be a dozen caves in thim six acres of woodland.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins were disappointed. It seemed a
+forlorn hope to try to investigate six acres of
+doubtful territory.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But do yez go and look,” said Michael.
+“It’s jist what ye need to use up yer extry
+energy. Yer so cockylorum about yer party,
+that ye need a scape valve fer yer overflowin’
+sperrits. Go, now, an’ hunt yer cave.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Come on, Dolly,” said Dick. “We can’t
+do anything for the party, there’s nothing for
+us to do. So we may as well go to the
+woods.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right. I’d just as lieve go, and if the
+cave is there, I should think we’d see it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Av coorse ye will,” said Michael, grinning.
+“First, ye’ll see a signboard, wid a finger
+pointien’ ‘This way to the Big Cave,’ thin ye
+go right along to the entrance.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“An’ pay yer quarter to the gateman, an’
+walk in,” supplemented Pat.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins never minded the good-natured
+chaff of these two Irishmen, and they only
+laughed, as hand in hand they trotted
+away.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>They had been often to the wood, but heretofore
+they had noticed only the trees and the
+stones and the low-growing vegetation. Now
+they carefully examined the formation of the
+ground, and any suspicious-looking hollow or
+mound.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Maybe it was a smuggler’s cave,” said Dick,
+“and in it perhaps are lots of things they
+smuggled and hid away.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I s’pect so,” said Dolly, who was of
+an amiable nature, and quite willing to agree
+with Dick’s opinions, whenever she had no
+knowledge to the contrary.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Or maybe it’s a fairy cave,” she added.
+“That would be more likely, ’cause I think
+these are awful fairyish woods.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why do you? You’ve never seen a fairy
+in ’em.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, but I ’most have. I’ve seen lots of
+places where they come out and dance at night.
+Pinkie shows ’em to me.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Pooh, she doesn’t know for sure.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, not for sure. Nobody does. But she
+says most prob’ly that’s where they dance. Do
+fairies ever live in caves, Dick?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Not ’zactly fairies. But dwarfs do, and
+gnomes and things like that?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Sprites?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes, I guess so. And brownies,—real
+brownies, I mean; not the picture-book kind.
+Hello, Doll, here’s a place that looks cavy!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick paused before a rough mass of soil and
+stones and mossy overgrowth, that did seem to
+bear some resemblance to the blocked-up mouth
+of a cave.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But it was just as much like a mere natural
+formation of ground, and after digging and
+poking around with sticks, the children concluded
+it was not a cave, after all.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, pshaw, we’ll never find a real cave,
+Dick; let’s go home. I’m getting hungry.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So’m I. We can come back and hunt some
+other time. Aunt Rachel wouldn’t let us play
+in it on party day, anyway.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So back they went, and no one seemed surprised
+that they hadn’t discovered a long-forgotten
+cave, perhaps full of hidden treasure.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The day before the party, Aunt Rachel and
+Aunt Abbie drove to town to order the feast
+from the caterer’s.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins accompanied them, for the selection
+of the goodies was to be partly left to their
+choice.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The caterer’s was a fascinating place, and
+Dick and Dolly exercised great care and
+discretion in choosing the prettiest forms
+for the ices, and the loveliest kinds of little
+fancy cakes, and the gayest sort of snapping
+crackers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The sandwiches and lemonade would be made
+at home, but all the rest of the feast must be
+ordered, and Dick and Dolly were overwhelmed
+with delight, as the aunties kept on adding bonbons,
+fruits, nuts, and all sorts of delectable
+things to the long list.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We never had such lovely parties at Auntie
+Helen’s,” said Dick, reminiscently, as they drove
+home.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We never had a real party there, anyway,”
+rejoined Dilly; “just only little play-teas of an
+afternoon. This is different.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes,” said Miss Rachel, complacently, “this
+is a real party. It will be one of the prettiest
+children’s parties ever given in Heatherton.
+That is, if your foolish Eliza performance
+doesn’t spoil it.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, that won’t spoil it, auntie,” said Dolly,
+confidently; “that will only make it nicer.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Sure!” said Dick. “Just a boys’ and girls’
+party wouldn’t be near so much fun. Why,
+Auntie, Bob Hollister says he’s going to bring
+his Punch and Judy, and Lucy Hollister has an
+awful big rag doll she’s going to bring.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I think it will be funny,” said Aunt Abbie.
+“But you must leave all those creatures out
+in the playground when you come in to
+supper.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Yes’m, we will,” agreed the twins.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The very morning of the party day an immense
+box came by express.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Shure, it’s a big sofy, like your aunts has
+in the droring-room,” said Michael, as he and
+Pat helped the expressman to take it from the
+wagon.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“No, it’s Saskatchewan!” shrieked Dick and
+Dolly, as they danced round the box in glee.
+“Open it, Michael; oh, do hurry up!”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Arrah, now, wait till I can get me sledgehammer,”
+and Michael went to the tool-house
+for his strongest tools.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But after some diligent prying and hammering,
+the box was opened, and buried in a nest
+of old newspaper and excelsior, was “Big Chief
+Saskatchewan,” as a card tied to his wrist announced.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And if you please, instead of an Indian <span class='it'>doll</span>,
+he was a big wooden Indian, of the kind that
+stands out in front of cigar stores. The children
+screamed with glee, and even Michael and
+Pat exclaimed in admiration as the heavy figure
+was finally set upright on his own wheeled
+pedestal.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Where do you suppose she ever got it?”
+said Aunt Rachel, as the two aunts came out
+to view the new arrival.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I don’t know, I’m sure,” said Miss Abbie,
+“but he does make a fine companion for Lady
+Eliza.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Saskatchewan, though a trifle weather-worn,
+was not marred or broken, and the bundle of
+cigars had been cut away from his hand, and
+instead, he held an Indian basket. But this was
+removable, and the twins saw at once that they
+could put anything into his outstretched hand,
+from a tomahawk to a pipe of peace. His
+blanket wrapped round him was painted gorgeous
+red and yellow, and high-standing feathers
+surmounted his noble brow. His expression was
+ferocious, but that was Indian nature, and Dick
+and Dolly were so delighted with their new
+toy, that they embraced him with the same vigorous
+affection they often showed their aunts.
+Then, clasping hands with the aunties, the four
+danced round Saskatchewan and bade him welcome
+to Dana Dene.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The Indian was too heavy to be moved around
+much though he could be dragged, owing to the
+casters on the pedestal. But Aunt Rachel said
+she thought he’d better be placed in the playground
+as a permanent inhabitant thereof. For
+wind and weather would not hurt him, as it
+would the more delicate Lady Eliza.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So Michael and Pat trundled the chief off
+to the playground, followed by the admiring
+family.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>He was given a choice position in a pleasant
+corner, and the twins said they would build a
+bower over him some day.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But we must make it big enough for two,”
+said Dolly, “so Lady Eliza can stand beside
+him to receive their guests.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“All right,” agreed Dick. “But I wish we
+could have it for this afternoon. They’d look
+lovely under a bower.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“So ye shall, thin,” said Michael. “Me an’
+Pat, we’ll fix ye up a timporary bower, that’ll
+gladden the eyes of ye,—that we will.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So, the two kind-hearted men, anxious to
+please the children, hastily erected a “bower”
+by making an arch of two-foot width “chicken-wire.”
+This, when decorated with vines and
+flowers, was as pretty a bower as one would
+wish to see, and Saskatchewan was placed beneath
+it, or rather the bower was built over the
+Indian, where he stood awaiting the Lady Eliza.</p>
+
+<div><span class='pageno' title='279' id='Page_279'></span><h1>CHAPTER XX</h1></div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1.5em;font-size:1em;'>A GAY PARTY</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span style='float:left; clear: left; margin:0 0.1em 0 0; padding:0; line-height: 1.0em; font-size: 200%;'>A</span>fter dinner, the final preparations for
+the party were made.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The day was perfect, bright with sunshine,
+and not too warm.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Lady Eliza was taken out to the playground
+and introduced to her new companion.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Her large blue eyes showed no especial emotion
+as she was placed beside him, under the
+bower, nor did Saskatchewan seem at all embarrassed
+by the presence of the lovely lady.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Eliza, in her ruffled pink tarlatan, and wreath
+of pink blossoms, was a charming creature indeed,
+and she held gracefully a massive bouquet,
+tied with pink ribbons, while her cavalier, held
+his Indian basket, which had also been filled with
+flowers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So entrancing were the pair, that Dick and
+Dolly could scarcely leave them, to go and get
+on their own party raiment.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The playground, of course, had been specially
+adorned for the occasion.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Japanese lanterns hung from the trees, and
+rugs were laid here and there, extra seats were
+provided, and everything was decked with flowers
+and made gay with flags and bunting.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Truly, the Dana ladies knew how to arrange
+a gala occasion, and this bade fair to be a fine
+one.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins at last scampered back to the house
+to dress, and Dolly was beautifully arrayed in
+a new white frock of fine muslin and a broad
+Roman sash.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Her curls were tied up with a Roman ribbon
+to match, and white stockings and white slippers
+completed her costume.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Dick, too, had a new summer suit, and
+the twins promised the aunties not to roll on the
+grass or do anything naughty or ridiculous.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“I know you mean to do just right,” said
+Aunt Rachel, as she kissed the two beaming little
+faces, “but you know, you ‘don’t think,’ and
+then you cut up some absurd dido, that makes a
+lot of trouble.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins vowed they <span class='it'>would</span> think, and they
+would <span class='it'>not</span> “cut up didoes,” and then they
+danced away to receive their guests, for it was
+nearly four o’clock. Pinkie came first, of course.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>She brought her biggest wax doll, which she
+had dressed up as a fairy. The doll had a
+spangled white tulle frock on, and gauzy wings,
+and a gilt paper crown, sparkling with diamond-dust.
+She carried a long gilt wand, and was
+really a beautiful fairy.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A row of seats had been placed for Lady
+Eliza’s guests, and the fairy was the first to
+be seated there. Jack Fuller came next, and
+he brought a funny creature, which his mother
+had fashioned for him out of a feather bolster.
+She had tied a string about it to form a head,
+and this, covered with a pillowcase, had features
+worked in it with colored embroidery cotton.
+Then the doll was dressed in a white dress of
+Mrs. Fuller’s, and a huge frilled sunbonnet
+adorned its head. Jack came, lugging his
+somewhat unwieldy guest, and the bolster lady
+was made to bow politely to Lady Eliza.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Why! who’s that?” exclaimed Jack, looking
+with admiration at the wooden Indian.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“That’s Big Chief Saskatchewan,” announced
+Dick, proudly. “He’s ours. Aunt Nine sent
+him to us. Isn’t he great?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Gorgeous!” assented Jack. “How do you
+like Betty Bolster?”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Oh, she’s just lovely,” declared Dolly, kissing
+Betty’s soft, white cheek. “Set her down
+there, next to Pinkie’s fairy.” Then the other
+children began to flock in.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Maddy Lester brought a big Teddy bear, with
+a huge ribbon tied round his neck, and a bunch
+of flowers held in his paw. He made profound
+obeisance to Lady Eliza and her friend, and
+then he was seated next to Betty Bolster.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Clifford Lester had a fine personage to introduce
+as his guest. He had taken his father’s
+clothes-tree, and on the top had fastened a
+smiling mask and a wig made of curled hair.
+This he had dressed up in some nondescript
+garments, and though the strange-looking lady
+could not sit down, she stood beautifully, and
+seemed quite worthy of Lady Eliza’s approval.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>One boy brought a rocking-horse, and one a
+’possum.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Roguish Lily Craig brought a Jack-in-the-box,
+which she sprang in the very face of Lady Eliza
+and the Big Chief, without, however, scaring
+them a mite.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The Punch and Judy, too, created great
+amusement, and Spencer Nash raised shouts of
+laughter, when he arrived, proudly carrying a
+scarecrow from his father’s cornfield.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This scarecrow was of the conventional type,
+with flapping coat tails, and old, soft felt hat,
+jammed down over his face.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>When all had arrived, the fourteen children
+were in gales of merriment at the strange collection
+of creatures that made up Lady Eliza’s
+part of the party, and they made a procession
+to march round the grounds.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Saskatchewan was too heavy to travel, so they
+left him standing guard, but took lovely Lady
+Eliza, who was easily carried by two of the boys.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The reviewing stand was the front veranda,
+where the two aunties sat, and greatly did they
+enjoy the parade that came rollicking, frolicking
+by.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then the guests, both animate and inanimate,
+went into the big parlour for a dance. Aunt
+Abbie played the piano, and though some of
+the children had been to dancing school, many
+had not, and the dance was really more of a
+frolic.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The scarecrow, carried by Spencer Nash, politely
+asked Lady Eliza to be his partner, and
+Dolly, in behalf of the lady, consented. So
+these two, assisted by Spencer and Dolly, took
+their places, and opposite them were the clothes-tree
+lady and the big Teddy bear, each guided
+in their steps by their laughing owners.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Bolster Betty was partner to Jack-in-the-box,
+and the fairy danced with the ’possum.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Aunt Rachel guided the uncertain figures of
+this quadrille, and the others all danced round
+as they chose. Then, fearing the new member
+of the Dana family would be lonesome, they all
+trooped back to the playground, where Saskatchewan
+stood, meekly holding his basket of flowers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“You dear old thing!” cried Dolly, throwing
+her arms round him. “Did we leave you all
+alone? Well, here we are back again, and now
+we’ll play with you.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So they played “Copenhagen,” and “Oats,
+Peas, Beans, and Barley Grows,” and as Lady
+Eliza’s guests were chosen to step inside the
+ring, their absurd appearance made uproarious
+fun and laughter.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then, by way of quieting them down, Aunt
+Abbie suggested that all the dolls and bears be
+set aside, while the children played some games
+by themselves.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So, ranged in a semicircle, the queer guests
+sat or stood on either side of Lady Eliza’s
+bower, and the children grouped themselves on
+the rugs on the ground.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>First, Aunt Abbie read them one or two
+lovely stories, and then she proposed some guessing
+games and some forfeit games, and it was
+six o’clock before they knew it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So then it was time for the feast, and, leaving
+Lady Eliza and the Big Chief to entertain their
+guests, Dick and Dolly led their own guests to
+the house.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The dining-room table, extended to its full
+length, was a gay and festive sight. In the
+centre was a big pyramid, built of macaroons
+and fancy cakes and bonbons, and surmounted
+by a sugar Cupid holding a big red balloon by its
+string.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>At every plate was a little sugar figure, bird
+or animal, holding the string of a red balloon,
+and the balloons, themselves bobbing above the
+table, made a jolly effect.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The two aunties assisted Delia and Hannah
+to wait on the guests, whose appetites proved
+to be of the normal nine-year-old variety. Sandwiches
+disappeared as if by magic; chicken croquettes
+seemed to meet with general approval,
+and lemonade was willingly accepted.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Then the ice cream came, in the various shapes
+that Dick and Dolly had selected,—a different
+design for each one. Pinkie had a fairy, of
+course. Jack Fuller, an automobile, because he
+was so anxious for his father to get one.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Spencer Nash had a fish, because he liked to
+go fishing, and Maddy Lester a boat, because
+she loved the water. Each had some appropriate
+joke or allusion, and, as the fun was appreciated,
+the ices were all the more enjoyed.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Cakes and bonbons followed, and, last of all,
+the snapping German crackers.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>These each held a tissue paper cap, which
+was donned by its owner, and Dolly’s little
+Dutch bonnet proved becoming to her rosy face
+and sunny curls.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Pinkie’s was a crown, and after it was put in
+place, Aunt Rachel declared she looked like a
+fairy herself. The boys had sailor caps, and
+soldier caps, and Scotch caps, and when all were
+be-hatted, they adjourned to the parlour for
+a final game.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This proved to be “Stick and Ball.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>From the middle of the wide arched doorway
+hung, suspended by a single cord, a large ball,
+apparently of white paper. A long, light stick
+or wand, was supplied by Aunt Abbie, who then
+blindfolded one of the little girls, and asked her
+to take the wand, turn round three times, and
+then hit at the ball.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Geraldine did so, but by the time she had
+turned three times, she was standing almost with
+her back toward the ball, though she didn’t know
+it.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So, when she struck, she hit only empty air.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A shout of laughter arose, but the children
+were surprised to find, as one after another tried
+it, that it was far from easy, to turn three times,
+and then stand facing in the right direction.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>So it was not until nearly all had attempted it,
+that at last one of the boys hit the ball a smart,
+sharp, <span class='it'>whack!</span> which burst the paper, and down
+tumbled a lot of neat white paper parcels tied
+with red ribbons.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A name was written on each, and as the children
+scrambled for them, they were quickly exchanged
+until each had his or her own. The
+parcels contained pretty little gifts which were
+souvenirs of the party to take home.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Though not of great value, they were all attractive
+presents, and the young guests were
+greatly pleased.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The party was over now, except for one last
+visit to the playground to recover their dolls
+and strange creatures who still waited out there.
+But as they neared the spot, a delighted “Oh!”
+burst from the children.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'><a id='party'></a>Michael had lighted the Japanese lanterns
+and turned the place into what looked like fairy-land.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>It was dark now, and the lanterns cast
+shadows of Lady Eliza and her guests, as well
+as of the trees and hedges.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Isn’t it beautiful!” whispered Pinkie to
+Dolly. “I wish we could stay here awhile.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“We can’t,” returned Dolly. “Aunt Rachel
+says it’s too damp to stay out here in the evening.
+So she just let us have the lanterns lighted
+for a few minutes to see how pretty it is.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“It’s lovely!” declared everybody.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>And Dick said, “Perhaps in summer, when
+it’s real warm, we can stay out here after dark,
+and have the lanterns again.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The twins put this question to Aunt Rachel,
+after all the party guests had gone home.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“Perhaps,” she replied, “when it’s really
+warm weather. But now, you must scurry to
+bed, and we’ll discuss the subject some other
+time.”</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>“But we must bring in Lady Eliza,” said
+Dick, and with Michael’s help, Lady Eliza,
+with her pretty pink frock and ribbons quite unharmed,
+came smilingly in at the front door.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>But Big Chief Saskatchewan stood grimly on
+guard, all through the night, looking steadily
+ahead at the stars just above the horizon, and
+holding firmly his Indian basket of gay blossoms.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;'>THE END</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk100'/>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.5em;font-weight:bold;'>CAROLYN WELLS BOOKS</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>May be had wherever books are sold. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ask for Grosset &amp; Dunlap’s list.</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk101'/>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.3em;'>THE MARJORIE BOOKS</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;'>Happy Books For Happy Girls</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>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>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This series is the American Girl’s very own. Each book is
+attractively bound in cloth, and wrapped in a charming colored
+individual wrapper.</p>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Marjorie’s Vacation</span></p>
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Marjorie’s New Friend</span></p>
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Marjorie’s Maytime</span></p>
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Marjorie’s Busy Day</span></p>
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Marjorie in Command</span></p>
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Marjorie at Seacote</span></p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+</div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.3em;'>THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Miss Carolyn Wells here introduces 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='blockquote'>
+
+<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Two Little Women</span></p>
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Two Little Women on a Holiday</span></p>
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Two Little Women and Treasure House</span></p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+</div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.3em;'>THE DICK AND DOLLY BOOKS</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>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='blockquote'>
+
+<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Dick and Dolly</span></p>
+<p class='line'><span class='bold'>Dick and Dolly’s Adventures</span></p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+</div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'><span class='sc'>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</span></p>
+
+<hr class='tbk102'/>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.5em;'><span class='sc'>The Polly Brewster Series</span></p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'>By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;'>Durably Bound. Colored Wrappers</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:0.9em;'>Illustrated By H. S. BARBOUR</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A delightful series for girls in which they
+will follow Polly and Eleanor through many
+interesting adventures and enjoyable trips, and
+will learn something of the fascination of interior
+decorating. “Pebbly Pit” is the name
+given to the Rocky Mountain ranch where
+Polly lived with her parents.</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk103'/>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span class='bold'>Polly of Pebbly Pit</span></p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Tells about a Rocky Mountain ranch girl and her many
+adventures.</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk104'/>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span class='bold'>Polly and Eleanor</span></p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Eleanor Maynard visits Polly at the Ranch and they
+have lively times.</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk105'/>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span class='bold'>Polly in New York</span></p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Polly and Eleanor visit New York and have a number of
+very interesting experiences.</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk106'/>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span class='bold'>Polly and Her Friends Abroad</span></p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The girls go abroad and spend most of their time with
+other American travelers.</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk107'/>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span class='bold'>Polly’s Business Venture</span></p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Polly and Eleanor take up interior decorating. They attend
+sales of antiques and incidentally fall in love.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'><span class='sc'>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</span></p>
+
+<hr class='tbk108'/>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:1.5em;'>LITTLE</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.5em;'>JOURNEYS TO HAPPYLAND</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:0.9em;'>(Trademark Registered)</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.2em;'>By DAVID CORY</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1em;'>Individual Colored Wrappers. Profusely Illustrated.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:0.9em;'>Printed in large type—easy to read.  For children from 4 to 8 years.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>A new series of exciting adventures by the author of
+LITTLE JACK RABBIT books.</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk109'/>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The Happyland is reached by various routes: If you should happen to
+miss the Iceberg Express maybe you can take the Magic Soap Bubble, or in
+case that has already left, the Noah’s Ark may be waiting for you.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This series is unique in that it deals with unusual and exciting adventures
+on land and sea and in the air.</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk110'/>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span class='bold'>The Cruise of the Noah’s Ark</span></p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>This is a good rainy day story. On just such a day Mr. Noah invites
+Marjorie to go for a trip in the Noah’s Ark. She gets aboard just in time
+and away it floats out into the big wide world.</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk111'/>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span class='bold'>The Magic Soap Bubble</span></p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The king of the gnomes has a magic pipe with which he blows a wonderful
+bubble and taking Ed with him they both have a delightful time in
+Gnomeland.</p>
+
+<hr class='tbk112'/>
+
+<p class='noindent'><span class='bold'>The Iceberg Express</span></p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>The Mermaid’s magic comb changes little Mary Louise into a mermaid.
+The Polar Bear Porter on the iceberg Express invites her to take a trip with
+him and away they go on a little journey to <a id='hap'></a>Happyland.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'><span class='sc'>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</span></p>
+
+<hr class='tbk113'/>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.5em;'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS BOOKS</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1em;'>For Little Men and Women</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.2em;'>By LAURA LEE HOPE</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:0.9em;'>Author of “The Bunny Brown” Series, Etc.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:0.9em;'>12mo.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;DURABLY BOUND.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ILLUSTRATED.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere.
+Books that charm the hearts of the little ones,
+and of which they never tire.</p>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE COUNTRY</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT THE SEASHORE</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SCHOOL</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT SNOW LODGE</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON A HOUSEBOAT</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT MEADOW BROOK</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS AT HOME</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN A GREAT CITY</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON BLUEBERRY ISLAND</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS ON THE DEEP BLUE SEA</p>
+<p class='line'>THE BOBBSEY TWINS IN THE GREAT WEST</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+</div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'><span class='sc'>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</span></p>
+
+<hr class='tbk114'/>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.5em;'>THE BUNNY BROWN SERIES</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.2em;'>By LAURA LEE HOPE</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1em;'>Author of the Popular “Bobbsey Twins” Books</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;font-size:0.9em;'>Wrapper and text illustrations drawn by</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1em;'>FLORENCE ENGLAND NOSWORTHY</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1em;'>12mo.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;DURABLY BOUND.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ILLUSTRATED.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>These stories by the author of the “Bobbsey Twins” Books
+are eagerly welcomed by the little folks from about five to ten
+years of age. Their eyes fairly dance with delight at the lively
+doings of inquisitive little Bunny Brown and his cunning, trustful
+sister Sue.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Bunny was a lively little boy, very inquisitive. When he did
+anything, Sue followed his leadership. They had many adventures,
+some comical in the extreme.</p>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE</p>
+<p class='line'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON GRANDPA’S FARM</p>
+<p class='line'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE PLAYING CIRCUS</p>
+<p class='line'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CAMP REST-A-WHILE</p>
+<p class='line'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT AUNT LU’S CITY HOME</p>
+<p class='line'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE IN THE BIG WOODS</p>
+<p class='line'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE ON AN AUTO TOUR</p>
+<p class='line'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AND THEIR SHETLAND PONY</p>
+<p class='line'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE GIVING A SHOW</p>
+<p class='line'>BUNNY BROWN AND HIS SISTER SUE AT CHRISTMAS TREE COVE</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+</div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'><span class='sc'>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</span></p>
+
+<hr class='tbk115'/>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.5em;'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS SERIES</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.2em;'>By LAURA LEE HOPE</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>Author of “The Bobbsey Twins Books,”</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;'>“The Bunny Brown Series,”</p>
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;'>“The Make-Believe Series,” Etc.</p>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-bottom:1em;font-size:1.2em;'>Durably Bound.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Illustrated.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Uniform Style of Binding.</p>
+
+<p class='pindent'>Delightful stories for little boys and girls which sprung
+into immediate popularity. To know the six little Bunkers
+is to take them at once to your heart, they are so intensely
+human, so full of fun and cute sayings. Each
+story has a little plot of its own—one that can be easily
+followed—and all are written in Miss Hope’s most entertaining
+manner. Clean, wholesome volumes which ought
+to be on the bookshelf of every child in the land.</p>
+
+<div class='blockquote'>
+
+<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDMA BELL’S</p>
+<p class='line'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT AUNT JO’S</p>
+<p class='line'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COUSIN TOM’S</p>
+<p class='line'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT GRANDPA FORD’S</p>
+<p class='line'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT UNCLE FRED’S</p>
+<p class='line'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT CAPTAIN BEN’S</p>
+<p class='line'>SIX LITTLE BUNKERS AT COWBOY JACK’S</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+</div>
+
+<p class='line' style='text-align:center;margin-top:1em;margin-bottom:0.5em;font-size:1.2em;'><span class='sc'>GROSSET &amp; DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK</span></p>
+
+<hr class='tbk116'/>
+
+<p class='line' style='margin-top:2em;font-size:1.1em;font-weight:bold;'><a id='notes'></a>Transcriber’s Note:</p>
+
+<p class='noindent'>Hyphenation has been retained as in the original.</p>
+<p class='noindent'>Punctuation has been corrected without note. Other
+errors have been corrected as noted
+below:</p>
+
+<div class='lgl' style=''> <!-- rend=';' -->
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+<p class='line'>page 22, their seevrity, yet now ==>&ensp;their <a href='#sev'>severity</a>, yet now</p>
+<p class='line'>page 79, and he consideerd it his ==>&ensp;and he <a href='#con'>considered</a> it his</p>
+<p class='line'>page 140, too creap for this ==>&ensp;too <a href='#cheap'>cheap</a> for this</p>
+<p class='line'>page 144, “Yes, I’ll help yez ==>&ensp;“<a href='#yis'>Yis</a>, I’ll help yez</p>
+<p class='line'>page 157, little voice sad: ==>&ensp;little voice <a href='#said'>said</a>:</p>
+<p class='line'>page 182, and ran of errands, ==>&ensp;and ran <a href='#lots'>lots</a> of errands,</p>
+<p class='line'>page 208, Eliza’s difficult transportantion ==>&ensp;Eliza’s difficult <a href='#trans'>transportation</a></p>
+<p class='line'>page 209, I’ll have getttin’ ==>&ensp;I’ll have <a href='#get'>gettin’</a></p>
+<p class='line'>page 260, when the suddenly ==>&ensp;when <a href='#they'>they</a> suddenly</p>
+<p class='line'>page 268, suppose Aune Nine ==>&ensp;suppose <a href='#aunt'>Aunt</a> Nine</p>
+<p class='line'>page 293, journey to Hapyyland ==>&ensp;journey to <a href='#hap'>Happyland</a></p>
+<p class='line'>&#160;</p>
+</div> <!-- end rend -->
+
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK AND DOLLY***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 53166-h.htm or 53166-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
+<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/3/1/6/53166">http://www.gutenberg.org/5/3/1/6/53166</a></p>
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+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will
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author	nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org>	2025-02-06 10:19:24 -0800
committer	nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org>	2025-02-06 10:19:24 -0800
commit	e03fd1c2059a83db1bd18d25d54574b017198c3a (patch)
tree	0885a5529a9754b3c06e6c642b76d91cc0b29f24