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page-break-before: always; } - .ol_1 li {font-size: .9em; } - .x-ebookmaker .ol_1 li {padding-left: 1em; text-indent: 0em; } - body {font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: justify; } - table {font-size: .9em; padding: 1.5em .5em 1em; page-break-inside: avoid; - clear: both; } - div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; - page-break-after: always; } - div.titlepage p {text-align: center; text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; - line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 3em; } - .ph1 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: xx-large; - margin: .67em auto; page-break-before: always; } - .ph2 { text-indent: 0em; font-weight: bold; font-size: x-large; margin: .75em auto; - page-break-before: always; } - .box {border-style: solid; border-width: medium; padding: 1em; margin: 0em auto; - page-break-inside: avoid; max-width: 50%; } - .x-ebookmaker p.dropcap:first-letter { float: left; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - -<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Eunice and Cricket, by Elizabeth Westyn Timlow</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -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="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Eunice and Cricket</p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Elizabeth Westyn Timlow</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Illustrator: Harriet R. Richards</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 20, 2021 [eBook #66091]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Richard Tonsing, Louise Davies, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EUNICE AND CRICKET ***</div> - -<div class='tnotes covernote'> - -<p class='c000'><strong>Transcriber’s Note:</strong></p> - -<p class='c000'>The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.</p> - -</div> - -<div id='Frontispiece' class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/ill_001.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>AT THE PARTY.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<div class='titlepage'> - -<div> - <h1 class='c001'><span class='sc'>Eunice and Cricket</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>BY</div> - <div><span class='xlarge'>ELIZABETH WESTYN TIMLOW</span></div> - <div class='c003'>AUTHOR OF</div> - <div>“CRICKET: A STORY FOR LITTLE GIRLS,” “CRICKET AT THE SEASHORE”</div> - <div class='c002'><strong>Illustrated by</strong></div> - <div>HARRIET R. RICHARDS</div> - <div class='c002'><span class='large'>BOSTON</span></div> - <div><span class='large'>ESTES AND LAURIAT</span></div> - <div>PUBLISHERS</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div><span class='small'><i>Copyright, 1897</i></span></div> - <div><span class='small'><span class='sc'>By Estes & Lauriat</span></span></div> - <div class='c002'><span class='small'><strong>Colonial Press:</strong></span></div> - <div><span class='small'>Electrotyped and Printed by C. H. Simonds & Co.</span></div> - <div><span class='small'>Boston, Mass., U.S.A.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>TO</div> - <div>ELMA AND SYLVIA</div> - <div>AND</div> - <div>THE GOAT</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>CONTENTS.</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary='CONTENTS'> -<colgroup> -<col width='18%' /> -<col width='67%' /> -<col width='13%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c006'><span class='small'>CHAPTER</span></th> - <th class='c007'> </th> - <th class='c008'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></th> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>I.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Two Amateur Photographers</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_11'>11</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>II.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Discovery in Films</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_25'>25</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>III.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A “Mumpful” Party</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_37'>37</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>IV.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>In Quarantine</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_59'>59</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>V.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>An Unexpected Visitor</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_68'>68</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>VI.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Philanthropic Scheme</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_83'>83</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>VII.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Mosina</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_99'>99</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>VIII.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Bedfellow</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_110'>110</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>IX.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Christmas Holidays</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_120'>120</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>X.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Boy</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_139'>139</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XI.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Visit to Mosina</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_152'>152</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XII.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Keeping House</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_165'>165</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XIII.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Diamond Ring</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_187'>187</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XIV.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>School Theatricals</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_211'>211</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XV.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Day in the Nursery</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_234'>234</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XVI.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Goat Episode</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_253'>253</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XVII.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Scrape</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_268'>268</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XVIII.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>An Expedition</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_279'>279</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XIX.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Result</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_292'>292</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XX.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Old Mr. Chester</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_299'>299</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c006'>XXI.</td> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Breaking Up</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_307'>307</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c005'>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> -</div> - -<table class='table0' summary='LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS'> -<colgroup> -<col width='50%' /> -<col width='50%' /> -</colgroup> - <tr> - <th class='c007'></th> - <th class='c008'><span class='small'>PAGE</span></th> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>At the Party</span></td> - <td class='c008'><i><a href='#Frontispiece'>Frontispiece</a></i></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Getting Ready for the Party</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_49'>49</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>An Unexpected Visitor</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_79'>79</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Lost Baby</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_85'>85</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>Keeping House</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_173'>173</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>The Diamond Ring</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_191'>191</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>In the Nursery</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_239'>239</a></td> - </tr> - <tr><td> </td></tr> - <tr> - <td class='c007'><span class='sc'>A Sudden Downfall</span></td> - <td class='c008'><a href='#Page_259'>259</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<div class='chapter ph1'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>EUNICE AND CRICKET</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER I.<br /> <span class='large'>TWO AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Two eager heads bent over a small, square, -black object that stood on the stone post at the -foot of the doorsteps.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘Hold the camera steady and push the -lever,’” read the brown-eyed girl with the long, -dark braid, from the little pamphlet she held in -her hand. “Look down in the little round -hole, Cricket; you can see the picture perfectly. -Isn’t it the <i>cutest</i> thing?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket squinted down critically.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s going to be perfectly <i>jolly</i>,” she cried -enthusiastically. “Now stand still as mice, -children, while I count three.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stand still as a mice, Helen,” immediately -admonished the small girl in the dark red coat, -giving a great pinch to the little golden-haired, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>brown-clad lassie who stood beside her, by way -of emphasising her older sister’s words. “Stand -still as a mice, Johnnie-goat,” giving the third -member of the group a tickle on the back that -made him drop his curved horns for more.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Keep still ‘as a mice,’ yourself,” said Cricket, -tapping Miss Red-coat briskly on the head. “All -ready, Eunice. ‘You push the button, and we’ll -do the rest,’” she quoted, clapping her hands -in her favourite fashion. “Hooray! there she -goes! Oh, I hope it will be good! That’s all, -Zaidie and Helen. You stood <i>beautifully</i>. Run -along now. Can’t you go around to the stable -and take Johnnie-goat back, ’Liza?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice swept the trio a low bow.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Thank you, Mr. Johnnie-goat, for standing -still so long,” she said, addressing the horned -member of the party. “I hope your picture -will be <i>very</i> good,” she added, picking up the -camera with a highly professional air.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Take me again,” demanded Zaidie instantly, -when Cricket told her once more that they were -through with this wonderful process, and that -they might go. “I like having my picture -tooken. Don’t you, Helen? Let’s sit on Johnnie-goat, -and be tooken again,” and Zaidie tried -<span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>to climb upon the goat’s white back. This, -however, was a familiarity which Johnnie could -not think of permitting, even from his best -friends. He instantly sidled off, not wishing -to hurt her feelings by a direct butt. Zaidie -unexpectedly sat down on the ground.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, we don’t want any more pictures of you -now, thank you,” said Eunice, examining her -Kodak, while Zaidie demanded a view of the one -already taken.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She thinks it’s like putting a penny in the -slot and a picture drops out. This isn’t that -kind, my dear. There’s a lot of hard, hard -work before you see that picture,” said Cricket -importantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The day before had been Eunice’s birthday, -and this Kodak, which had been a long-desired -possession, was a birthday present. As it was -given to them entirely ready for use, they had -literally nothing to do but “press the button.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Papa had been too busy that morning to explain -the mysterious little affair very particularly, -but he told the children to study the pamphlet -carefully, and follow directions closely. Eunice -and Cricket promptly sat down and read the -pamphlet from title-page to <i>finis</i>.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>Both looked a little blank when they had -finished. <i>Could</i> they ever remember all those -instructions?</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s all <i>plain</i> enough,” said Eunice meditatively, -“but the question is, how are we going -to remember it all at important times? Now, -for instance, about the stops. Listen: ‘Snapshots -can only be made when the largest stop is -in the lens.’ Will you remember that, Cricket?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We might just sit down and learn the whole -thing off by heart,” suggested Cricket, wrinkling -her forehead thoughtfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Horrors, no!” returned Eunice. “Learn -all that? Let’s just carry the pamphlet around -with us all the time. If we take the camera -anywhere, we can certainly take the book, too. -Now let’s go and take a picture.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s easier to take them out doors, everybody -says,” answered Cricket, jumping up. “There’s -’Liza starting out to walk with the twins. Let’s -go and take them sitting on the front doorsteps.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The twins, of course, were perfectly delighted -at the idea of having their pictures taken. -Zaidie straightway sat herself down on the lowest -step, with her hands firmly folded in her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>lap, and her feet out straight before her, trying -vainly to keep the smile out of her dimpled -face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t want you that way,” said Eunice, -laughing, as she turned around. “You must -get in some romantic attitude. No, I don’t -mean romantic, but picturesque.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Couldn’t I be sliding down the railing?” -suggested Zaidie eagerly, thinking she saw a -chance to indulge in her favourite amusement. -“Wouldn’t that be pick-chesk?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You can’t slide down no railings, pick-chesk -or no pick-chesk,” put in Eliza, promptly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You couldn’t, anyway,” said Cricket, “because -you have to sit still, Zaidie. You can’t -hop around when you have your picture taken. -Don’t you remember?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Zaidie, you stand up by the post,” began -Eunice, when Cricket interrupted her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Look! There’s Johnnie-goat trotting up the -street. Do let’s have him in. He <i>would</i> be -picturesque.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“S’pose he’d stand still?” asked Eunice -doubtfully. “I don’t want to spoil my picture.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Johnnie-goat was a very celebrated character -in the neighbourhood. He belonged to a livery-stable -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>that was on the square back of the Wards. -He was famous for eating off his rope and running -away. He was a big white goat, with -unusually long horns, and a very inquiring disposition. -He was such a ridiculous fellow, too, -sometimes munching sedately at a stray banana-skin -or orange-peel, then kicking up his heels -as if an invisible imp had tickled him, and -walking off on his forefeet. He was a very -discerning goat, also, and knew perfectly well -his friends from his enemies. He had goodwill -for the one, and butts for the other. One -way that he knew his friends was that they -always wore dresses, while his enemies were -clad in trousers. That was one invariable mark. -Then, his friends gave him apples to eat, and -scratched the sensitive place between his horns -that he couldn’t possibly reach himself, and -which, therefore, was seldom properly scratched. -His enemies usually saluted him with stones, -and offered him tin cans to eat. Now Johnnie-goat -was perfectly willing to acknowledge that -he <i>could</i> eat tin cans on occasions, but they -were not his favourite diet, and he didn’t care -much for them. He regarded it as something -of an insult to be constantly offered them. It -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>was one thing, if he chose occasionally to pick -one up himself and see if he liked the brand, -but he decidedly objected to having them so -often forced on his attention.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The result of all this was, that Johnnie-goat’s -disposition was somewhat mixed. Like some -people whom we have known, when he was good -he was <i>very</i> good indeed, but when he was bad -he was simply terrific. He seemed to know no -middle course.</p> - -<p class='c010'>I do not know why he was not called Billy, -in accordance with all traditions. His full title -was John O’Rafferty, Esq., and on many occasions -he got the whole benefit of it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He was great friends with all the Ward children, -who, from having so many pets of their -own at Kayuna, had a special predilection for -any stray animal. Johnnie-goat perfectly understood -this fact—for any one who thinks that a -goat is not a highly discriminating creature, is -not acquainted with his peculiarities.</p> - -<p class='c010'>On this particular morning, Johnnie-goat was -quite willing to be treated to some banana-skins, -which the cook brought out to tempt him with. -He fully realised that it was a very solemn -occasion, for he stood like a sentinel, and only -blinked once.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>“We must take all sorts of things, Cricket,” -said Eunice, when the children had trooped -away down the street, with Johnnie-goat marching -sedately behind them, with now and then a -sudden frisk of his hind legs in the air, and then -such an instant return of his composure, that -you doubted the evidence of your eyes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There are only a dozen pictures on one roll, -you know, and we want a good variety. Aren’t -you just wild to develop them? I am. It -sounds so grown-up to talk of the chemicals and -the ‘hypo.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What <i>is</i> the ‘hypo?’” asked Cricket, as they -went down the street in search of a good subject.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, just hypo, I suppose. I don’t believe -it’s anything in particular,” said Eunice vaguely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Donald said Marjorie had the hypo yesterday,” -said Cricket thoughtfully, “when she was -sort of dumpy all day. But I suppose it isn’t -the same kind.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, of <i>course</i> not, goosie. The hypo is that -white powder that comes with all the things. -Didn’t you notice it? Perhaps Donald meant -that Marjorie had been taking some. Oh, look! -wouldn’t that corner of the little park make -the <i>sweetest</i> picture? Let’s take it!”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>“Yes, let’s! and that’s two,” added Cricket, -when the picture was secured. “<i>Isn’t</i> this exciting? -Can’t I take the next one, Eunice? Just -let me look at the pamphlet a moment to see -something.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket buried herself in the book of instructions -for a moment, then darted tragically at -the camera.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, <i>Eunice</i>! See! the pamphlet says that -after you take a picture, you must turn the key -around three or four times, till the next number -appears before the little window, and that will -put a new film ready; and we never did it! -What do you s’pose it will be?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The two girls stared at each other in dismay.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, dear! dear!” exclaimed Eunice. “Then -we’ve taken another picture right on top of -Johnnie-goat and the twins, and they <i>were</i> so -cunning!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There isn’t any way to <i>un</i>take it, is there?” -asked Cricket, in real Mrs. Peterkin fashion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m afraid not. I wonder what it <i>will</i> look -like! It will be a composite photograph, I -suppose, like Marjorie’s class picture.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps it won’t be bad,” said Cricket, the -hopeful. “You see, this last picture is trees and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>shrubbery, and there may be a glimpse of Johnnie-goat -and the twins behind them. It may -look as if we did it on purpose. I shouldn’t -wonder if it would be lovely. Perhaps we’ll -want to take more that way.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps,” assented Eunice, doubtfully. “It -makes me think of Kenneth this morning. I -was in mamma’s room while you were practising, -and Kenneth was there too. He brought a -piece of paper to mamma and asked her to draw -a man, and she drew the side face of one—and -Kenneth asked her where the other side of his -face was, and if it was on the other side of -the paper. Mamma told him the other side -of the face was there, but he couldn’t see it; and -then she turned him <i>her</i> side face to show him. -Well, Kenneth took the paper and ran off, but -came back in a moment with some straight lines -across it, and told mamma that that was a kitty -and a fence, and mamma said she saw the fence, -but where was the kitten? And <i>what</i> do you -think the baby said?—that the kitten was behind -the fence! That it was really there, only -she couldn’t see it. <i>Wasn’t</i> that cute?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s just the dearest, smartest baby that -ever was!” cried Cricket, always enthusiastical -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>over her beloved small brother. “We’ll just -tell people, then, that the children are behind -the trees, even if they can’t see them. There, -now, I’ve turned the film ready, this time. See! -there’s the figure 2 in the little window at the -back. Now, we are all ready. What shall we -take?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let’s take each other,” suggested Eunice. -“I’ll stand here by the park fence. Am I all -right?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The picture-taking went on merrily after -that. They got a fine snap at papa just getting -out of his buggy, and one of mamma, as she -came home from market. They got another -dear little picture of the twins as they came -down the street hand in hand. It did not take -long to use up all the films at this rate, and at -luncheon they were able to announce, triumphantly, -that they were ready to develop their -pictures that afternoon.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But you don’t know how,” objected papa; -“and I have to be out all the afternoon and can’t -help you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Please let us try it by ourselves,” pleaded -Eunice. “We can read the directions, and -they’re <i>terribly</i> plain. A cat could use them. -Do let us!”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>“Better not do it alone, youngsters,” advised -Donald. “I’d show you, myself, if I were going -to be home, but I can’t wait.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald was in college this year, but, being so -near, he often came home to lunch on Saturday, -and sometimes spent Sunday there also.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course we can do it,” returned Cricket, -confidently. “We’ve read the directions a million -times already, and I pretty nearly know them -by heart. Listen: ‘Open one of the developer -powders, then put the contents (two chemicals) -into the beaker and fill it up to the brim with -water. Stir, till dissolved, with wooden stirring -spoon. Next take—’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Spare us,” begged Marjorie. “We’re willing -to take your knowledge for granted.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We can use the linen closet for a dark -room,” said Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By no manner of means,” put in mamma -promptly. “I don’t fancy having every sheet -and pillow-case I own deluged with chemicals. -You can have the bathroom closet, though, if -you’ll promise to put everything you take out of -it back very carefully. But children, I decidedly -think you should wait for papa or Don -to show you how.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>“Do let them, mamma,” advised Marjorie. -“Of course they will make a frightful mess, -and ruin the whole roll, but they will have the -experience.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The idea!” cried Eunice, much injured. -“We’ve done everything right thus far—or -almost right,” with a sudden, guilty recollection -of the double exposure of the first film.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Almost</i> everything!” laughed Donald. “Considering -you only have to aim the thing and -press the button, it would be strange if you -hadn’t. Did you aim the wrong end of it and -try to take something out of the little back -window?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course we didn’t,” said Eunice and -Cricket, in an indignant breath. Then they -exchanged guilty, conscious glances.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We’ll promise about the closet,” said Eunice -hastily, to prevent further inconvenient questions. -“We’ll take the things out carefully; -and may we take the little nursery table to lay -our trays on? It’s just large enough to fit.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>These matters being settled, the two girls, as -soon as luncheon was over, eagerly began their -preparations. They had a free field, for mamma -and Marjorie had gone to a matinée, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>Eliza had taken the children to the park for the -afternoon. The housemaid’s closet in the bathroom -was soon cleared of its brooms and dustpans, -and the small, low table from the nursery -was brought in. The little trays that came with -the outfit, the bottles of chemicals and “hypo” -were duly arranged on it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There!” said Eunice, surveying the preparations -with a professional eye. “Everything -is ready, I <i>think</i>. Let me see,” consulting the -pamphlet. “‘Also provide a pair of shears, a -pitcher of cold water, and a dark room having a -shelf or table’—yes, all here. Trays, stirring -rod, chemicals, and when we shut the door we -have our dark room—why, <i>Cricket</i>!” with a -sudden exclamation of dismay.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER II.<br /> <span class='large'>A DISCOVERY IN FILMS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Eunice’s exclamation was caused by the fact -that when she suited the action to the word, and -shut the door, they were, of course, in total -darkness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I should say so,” returned Cricket, blankly. -“Not being cats, we can’t see in ’Gyptian darkness. -Do open the door. We’ll have to get a -lamp.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, we mustn’t,” answered Eunice, opening -the door, and consulting the pamphlet. “It -says, ‘neither daylight nor lamplight.’ It ought -to be a red light, like this one in the picture.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Although the children did not know it, such -a lamp had come with the outfit, but when Donald -unpacked the things he had left it in his own -room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We might get a lantern from the kitchen,” -went on Eunice, “and wrap it with a red cloth. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>That will do. Will you go for the lantern while -I get the red cloth?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket flew off, and returned in two minutes -with the lantern.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cook says,” she announced, breathlessly, -“that if we put anything over it, we must be -careful not to cover up the breathing-holes at -the top.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Isn’t this fine for the cover!” said Eunice, -displaying a small turkey-red laundry-bag. Its -contents lay on the floor under the table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Now</i>, we’re all ready,” announced Eunice -once more, with much satisfaction. “What do -we do first?—where’s the book?” when the -lantern was carefully covered, with a due regard -for the breathing-holes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The book? why it’s—I <i>do</i> believe we left -it in mamma’s room. No, here it is. And—goodness -gracious! Cricket, we’ve forgotten to -take the roll of pictures out of the camera!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Aren’t we lunatics?” exclaimed Cricket, with -her bubbling laugh, as she threw open the -door. “How do we get the things out, anyway? -Everything is so <i>tight</i>,” she added, turning it -upside down. “I can’t see where anything -comes out. Where <i>does</i> it come to pieces?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>“I’ll read the directions. ‘No dark room is -required to take out the spool of films, but you -must take your position as far from the window -as possible.’ So glad we needn’t stay in this -dark closet to do it! Read the directions very -slowly, Cricket, and I’ll do the things.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All ready,” said Cricket. “‘Unclose the -catch at the bottom, holding the camera <i>taut</i>.’ -What in the world is <i>taut</i>?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice knit her brows.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can’t imagine, unless it means carefully,” -she said, thoughtfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Shan’t run any risks,” cried Cricket, jumping -up and flying away. “I’ll look it up in the -dictionary.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She came back in a moment, looking rather -disgusted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It only means ‘tight,’ ‘firmly.’ Why in -creation didn’t they say so?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Fortunately, the remaining directions were -sufficiently simple, and in a few minutes the -roll of exposures was in Eunice’s hand. The -children went back into the closet, to make ready -the chemicals.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The careful measuring and mixing of the powder -with the required amount of water went on. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>The trays were arranged in due order, and Eunice -announced, for the third time:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Everything is positively ready now, so we -can begin to cut apart the pictures,” taking up -the roll of thick, black paper. “How can we -tell where to cut them? Oh, here are little -white lines on the back. Can you see to cut, -Cricket?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. What’s all this white stuff between -for? It looks like paraffin paper something, -only it smells like fury.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s just to keep the other paper from rubbing -when it’s rolled over the spool,” said -Eunice, sniffling at the paper, which, you all -know, was really the film, on which the picture -had been taken. “I should say it <i>does</i> smell. -Throw it on the floor after you have cut off the -black pieces.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here’s one,” said Cricket. “Oh, I’m <i>so</i> -excited, Eunice. Listen: ‘Put it in the water, -<i>edge</i> down, to prevent air bubbles.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Done,” said Eunice. “Next.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket read on under the dim red light, till -she came to “In about one minute the film -will begin to darken in spots.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There, we have not any watch,” interrupted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>Eunice. “Cut out and get the nursery clock, -Cricket. Cover the roll all up, because you -know the <i>leastest</i> bit of light will spoil it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket obediently “cut out,” and then resumed -her reading.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘The films will begin to darken in spots, -representing the lights.’ Isn’t that the <i>funniest</i>! -how can black paper darken in spots, I’d -like to know?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can’t imagine; but I know that chemicals -make things do all sorts of queer things,” -answered Eunice, lucidly. “Cut some more to -be soaking while these go into the developer.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That first one’s been in more than a minute. -Hold it up, Eunice, and let’s see it darken in -spots. It hasn’t changed a bit, yet,” she added, -disgustedly, after a moment. “Isn’t this waiting -going to be slow work?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The waiting did prove tiresome. Again and -again the children took the thick, black squares -of carbon paper from their bath in the developer, -eagerly scanning the opaque substance, which -naturally showed no trace of change.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Five—ten—fifteen minutes ticked slowly -away.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Goodness gracious me!” groaned Eunice at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>last. “I should think we had been here for -five hours. Isn’t this poky?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This black paper can <i>never</i> darken,” cried -Cricket, despairingly. “There’s some mistake. -If it was that white lining paper there would be -some sense.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was a moment’s pause, and then both -girls exclaimed, in a breath:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eunice!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cricket!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We’ve gone and—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Soaked the <i>wrong thing</i>!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We’ve soaked the <i>carbon paper</i>—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And thrown away the <i>film</i>!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course that white paraffiny-looking paper -was the film!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course this thick stuff is the carbon -paper to wrap around the other and keep out -the light.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Aren’t we <i>geeses</i>?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We just are! Don’t let’s <i>ever</i> tell. Now, -where are the films?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just dropped around anywhere,” said -Cricket, dolefully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Scrabble around carefully, and we’ll find -them. Oh! aren’t we the <i>idioticest</i> girls?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>“We’ll have to mix some more developer, -and change the water in the first tray, too. It’s -all black, for the colour in that old carbon paper -leaked out. Have you found all the films?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I had only cut six, and here they are. I’ll -cover them up while you open the door and fix -some more developer.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last, everything was under way again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Four o’clock,” said Eunice, soberly, “and to -think that we haven’t developed a single one -yet!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But, oh, see!” cried Cricket, joyfully, holding -up the film, after a moment. “It really is -beginning to darken in spots. Hooray! See, -Eunice, that actually looks like an arm sticking -out there! What is it, do you suppose?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know. Looks like a ghost’s arm, -doesn’t it? Put it to soak again. Let’s look -at this one.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Nothing here. Eunice, what makes all -these scratches across it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Probably we stepped on them. You know -you threw them down any way. Probably the -scratches won’t show through. Oh, I do believe -this is mamma! Isn’t that her bonnet that -begins to show?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>“Yes—no—I think it’s the one where we -tried to take that runaway horse. Seems to me -that looks like a leg down there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was a curious effect to watch the films as -they eagerly held one after another up, for the -different parts came out in a ghostly, unattached -way. Here one lonely-looking leg was plainly -to be seen. Then a head, and again a branch of -a tree or an arm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But look at this one,” cried Cricket, surveying -one in deep disgust. “Isn’t this the smallpoxiest-looking -thing?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was pretty liberally sprinkled with dark -spots, but one of them was unmistakably Johnnie-goat’s -head and horns.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This must be the one we took on top of -Johnnie-goat and the twins, shouldn’t you -think? I do believe it is them—it is they—which -<i>is</i> right?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do believe it is,” answered Eunice, ignoring -the grammatical appeal. “It’s spotty -enough to be anything. It’s certainly like -Kenneth and his cat, for I can see Johnnie-goat -behind the trees.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So we can. Look at this one, Cricket. -What we thought was mamma’s bonnet or a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>runaway horse isn’t either. You held it upside -down. See! it’s this one where papa was -getting out of his buggy. What we thought -was mamma’s bonnet is papa’s foot. I guess -they are ready for the last tray now. Go on -with the directions.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Long after five o’clock, two very sober and -tired-looking children emerged from the bathroom -closet, and proceeded to set things to -rights.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you know,” said Eunice, breaking a long -silence as they cleared trays and wiped off the -table, “the book says it only costs five cents -apiece to get the things developed at a photographer’s. -Don’t you <i>really</i> think it would be -worth while to save up our money for a time -and have some done? Of <i>course</i> we could learn -to do it all right after a time, but—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” broke in Cricket emphatically, “I do. -I don’t vote to stay in every Saturday afternoon -and develop smallpoxy pictures, with smelly old -chemicals and nasty, sticky films, and put my -eyes out with red calico lamps. This picture of -papa is the only single one that is going to be -half-way decent; and the horse looks more like -the ghost of a rhinoceros than anything else. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>That post sticks up by his nose just like a -horn.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cricket, don’t let’s <i>ever</i> tell that we soaked -the carbon paper and thought it was the film -that the pictures were taken on,” said Eunice, -scrubbing with much soap and energy at the -dull yellow stains on her hands that stubbornly -grew brighter, instead of fading. “We’d never -hear the last of it; and we <i>were</i> geeses,” she -added thoughtfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Indeed</i>, I’ll never tell,” returned Cricket -with emphasis. “Papa and Donald would tease -us out of our boots.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But at dinner-time there were many inquiries -concerning the success of the amateur photography.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was a little tiresome,” confessed Eunice. -“Marjorie, was the matinée good?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, very. How many pictures did you -develop?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Only one really good one. Papa, don’t you -think you could drive us out to Kayuna next -Saturday?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, if it’s pleasant. So only one picture -developed?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, they all <i>developed</i>,” put in Cricket, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>“only we couldn’t always tell exactly what they -were meant for. Marjorie, wasn’t May Chester -at the matinée? I thought I saw her going.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But we want to know about the pictures,” -persisted papa, much amused at the children’s -fencing. “When will the gallery be opened? -The twins said you took them with Johnnie-goat.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, we did, and it would have been fine, -only we took another picture on top of it,” said -Cricket, regretfully. “We should have turned -the little key around every time we took a new -picture, but we didn’t, and they got a little -mixed up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We took some trees on top of Johnnie-goat,” -broke in Eunice, “and we hoped that it would -look as if he and the children were behind them. -Really, I think that would be a pretty good plan, -any way, if they would only develop right.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So they didn’t, eh?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Papa, you needn’t tease us. Developing -pictures isn’t a bit of fun, and I’m not going to -do it any more,” burst out Cricket desperately. -“It isn’t right to take money from the photographers -anyway, for it’s their business, and they -lose so much if we do it ourselves.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_36'>36</span>“I think so, too,” chimed in Eunice. “We -staid in all this lovely Saturday, shut up in a -hot, smelly closet, and wasted a lot of stuff, and -got our hands all stained, and spoiled a whole -lot of films.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But had your experience,” put in papa. -“Experience is a hard school, but wise men -learn in no other way. How’s that, my Lady -Jane? And now about Kayuna on Saturday,” he -went on, kindly changing the subject.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cricket, don’t <i>ever</i> tell about the film,” -whispered Eunice as they left the table. “Don’t -ever tell <i>any</i> one.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And they never have told but one person, and -she has never told till just now. Don’t <i>you</i> tell, -will you?</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_37'>37</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER III.<br /> <span class='large'>A “MUMPFUL” PARTY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Certain dainty blue billets were causing a -wild flutter of excitement among the ranks of -Miss Lyon’s school, for every girl in “our set” -received one of the fascinating things.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Emily Drayton requests the pleasure -of—” How deliciously grown up! Emily’s -parties were always simply perfect. Emily did -not go to school with the others, for she was a -delicate little girl, and had her lessons with a -governess at home. Her friends rather envied -her at times, since she had short hours and not -half the Latin and arithmetic to do that they -did, and an entire holiday whenever she did not -feel quite well; but, in her turn, Emily often -looked wistfully at the others, and longed with -all her heart for the dear delights of school life. -She always felt “out of it” when her little -friends laughed and chattered and compared -notes over school doings that she knew nothing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_38'>38</span>of. They would kindly explain the jokes and -references, but when she did not know dear -Miss Bates and cross Miss Raymond and slipshod -Susie Dane and stupid Jessie Moore, the things -that the girls laughed over till their sides ached -did not seem very funny to her. It made her -rather a lonely little girl, and, for this reason, -her mother was always getting up some simple -little party or company for her, and having -Emily’s friends to luncheon.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But this special party was to be a particularly -fine affair, for it was not only Emily’s birthday, -but Hallowe’en as well, which double event Mrs. -Drayton always celebrated more elaborately than -any other.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Such an excitement among the children, then, -when the blue notes began to circulate! Such -jabbering at recess, such comparing of notes, -such arrangements for going, such questions -about each other’s dress! Alas! the party was -a whole week off. Could breakfast, and luncheon, -and dinner, and going to bed and getting up, and -school and lessons, ever fill up this long stretch -between?</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose there are new gowns for this important -occasion,” said Donald, who had strolled -<span class='pageno' id='Page_39'>39</span>in to dinner, one night. The family were all in -the back parlour.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” said mamma. “Their organdies are -fresh and nice, fortunately, and new sashes are -all they need.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Fortunately! <i>Un</i>fortunately, I say,” said -Donald, teasingly. “I was going to bring -Cricket a dress of porcelain,” referring to a joke -of last summer, when Cricket had arrayed a -heroine in flowing robes of white porcelain.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket coloured, but answered serenely, as -usual:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If I was a great big boy, eighteen years old, -and a Freshman, too, I’d be ashamed of an old -chestnut joke like that. I described to auntie -what I meant, and she said I meant chiffon—that -gauzy, filmy stuff, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Filmy</i> stuff would be appropriate,” murmured -Marjorie. “With a sash of black carbon -ribbon you would be very swell.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This family is absolutely disgusting,” said -Eunice, looking aggrieved. “Mamma, I should -think you would be ashamed of such perfectly -impolite, teasy children as Donald and Marjorie.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I ’xpect God picked out the bestest children -<span class='pageno' id='Page_40'>40</span>he had around then,” piped up Zaidie, who -always put her oar in.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed, he didn’t,” said Cricket emphatically. -“The good ones were all gone, and -mamma was in a hurry, and He just sent any -He had on hand.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good for you, Cricket!” cried Eunice approvingly, -thumping her sister on the back. -“Now, Mr. Donald, who has come out the little -end of the horn?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eunice, your slang is simply disgusting. Of -course, we men talk it, but girls should never -think of it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hark, oh, hark, to the lordly Freshman!” -chanted Eunice, clasping her hands and rolling -up her eyes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Notice everything he says, Eunice, so we’ll -know how to behave when we go to college, and -are dear, cunning little Freshmen,” chimed in -Cricket.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No more words of wisdom to-night,” announced -Donald, getting up. “I’m off.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The supply exhausted so soon?” murmured -Marjorie, beginning a new corner in her embroidery.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald kissed his mother, ignoring Marjorie. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_41'>41</span>“I’ll order you a Dresden China gown, my -Lady Jane,” he said, twisting Cricket’s brown -curls as he passed her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>On the eventful Tuesday morning, Cricket -awoke bright and early—or rather, I should -say, early but by no means bright. She had had -a most unpleasant dream of having exchanged -heads with an elephant, and her neck was, consequently, -so much larger, that she could not -fasten her collar around it. Eunice suggested -they should make a new collar of the sail of -the <i>Gentle Jane</i>, which she said would be just -large enough. That seemed a good suggestion, -but as they went to get it, they saw the <i>Gentle -Jane</i> being taken out to sea by some playful -seals.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear! dear!” said Cricket in her dreams. -“Now I’ll have to go to the party without -anything around my neck, because there isn’t -anything else big enough to make a collar of, -and my throat is getting bigger all the time.” -Just then she awoke, clutching her neck. Sure -enough, it did feel queer, and was very stiff -on one side. She swallowed, experimentally.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t like that pretty well,” she announced -to herself as the result of her attempt. “I wonder -<span class='pageno' id='Page_42'>42</span>if I have the lumbago in my throat,—and -to-night is Emily’s party! I <i>won’t</i> have a sore -throat. I never did in my life before, and I -won’t begin to-night—provoking old thing!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She swallowed vigorously several times, and -winked back the tears.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There! that didn’t hurt much. Wonder if -it’s swollen.” She hopped out of bed quickly, and -ran to the glass. She opened the neck of her -night-dress and examined her round, white throat -critically. It certainly was a trifle larger on -one side, and was sore, as she pressed it a -little.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my patience, if it should be lumbago!” -she groaned tragically. She hadn’t the faintest -idea what lumbago is, but the name sounded to -her as if it might be something that could come -in the throat. “Wonder how long it would take -lumbago to come on. I <i>won’t</i> have it begin till -after to-night, anyway. How queer my head -feels! I guess I’ll look inside my throat.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket turned quickly to draw up the shade, -that she might see better what inroads the -“lumbago” had already made. The quick -movement made her aching head dizzy. She -stumbled forward, tripped over her long night-dress, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_43'>43</span>and sat down, hitting the water pitcher -which she had left the night before standing -by the wash-stand. Over went the pitcher, and -out came a deluge of water, almost setting bewildered -Cricket afloat, as she lay huddled up -on the floor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cricket, what an awful racket you’re -making,” said Eunice sleepily, from her bed. -“Don’t get up yet. It isn’t time. It isn’t light -enough.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t get up? Do you think I’m going to -lie here and <i>drown</i>?” asked Cricket indignantly, -getting rather weakly on her feet. “I’ve knocked -over the water pitcher.” She pulled the towels -off the rack, and began mopping up the flood -that crawled in every direction. “I’m wet -through to my bones, I do believe, and there -isn’t a dry inch in my night-dress.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Put on another one, and get on your bedroom -slippers. Don’t hop around there another -minute with your bare feet,” ordered Eunice, -sleepily, but sensibly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket mopped dejectedly. “The water -tipped straight into my slippers. There! That -will do till Jane gets at it. Ugh! my feet are -as cold as chopsticks. I’ll change my night-dress, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_44'>44</span>and then I’m going to get into bed with -you, Eunice, and get warm.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>By breakfast time, Cricket felt very queer -indeed. At any other time her mother would -have noticed her lack of appetite and flushed -cheeks; but just now it was, of course, put -down to the excitement of the coming event. -Her throat was stiffer than ever. She managed -to slip down a little oatmeal, but the other things -hurt too much to attempt.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I <i>won’t</i> have lumbago in my throat till after -this party,” Cricket repeated grimly, to herself, -as she went up-stairs to get ready for school. -“Only—I do wish the party was last night, and -I could go into mamma’s room and lie down all -day, instead of going to school. My throat gets -sweller and sweller. Do you suppose it could -swell up so that I couldn’t eat anything, and -would starve to death?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At this cheerful thought, Cricket groaned so -deep a groan that Eunice looked around in -amazement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Was that you, Cricket? Did you hurt -yourself?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I was only thinking. <i>Do</i> you know those -irregular French verbs? Aren’t they awful?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_45'>45</span>“I should think they were. They are enough -to make a cow groan. Ready? Come on. Why, -aren’t you ready?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket swallowed an unhappy lump in her -throat, and winked back a tear. How her throat -did hurt, and how her head ached!</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m not quite ready. I didn’t have ’Liza -brush my hair out, and it’s all full of bones, as -Zaidie says. Upsetting that water pitcher, and -mopping it up, took up so much time. There! -that must do. Where are my books? Oh, here. -I’m ready. Come on,” and Cricket ran out first, -lest Eunice should see her face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The keen, fresh air seemed to do her head -good, and by the time she reached school, she -felt a little better. All the girls were chattering -so hard about the party that night, that, for the -time being, Cricket forgot her throat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Under any other circumstances her manner -and appearance would have attracted notice and -comment. But it must be confessed that from -a school point of view, the day was a general -failure, and among the many flushed faces, hers -passed unnoticed. She was sometimes languid -and dull, and then excited and inattentive, making -all kinds of queer blunders. She finally distinguished -<span class='pageno' id='Page_46'>46</span>herself by announcing in her history -class that Tecumseh, the Indian chief, died of a -severe attack of lumbago, exclaiming as he fell, -“Don’t give up the ship.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really, Jean, it is fortunate that parties do -not come every day,” said her long-suffering -teacher, rather surprised that it should be -Cricket who said this, for the child’s quick -memory rarely failed her. Cricket sat scarlet -and mortified, and did not recover even when -that stupid Mary Blair wrote on the board in -the grammar class, “Troy was concord by the -Greasians.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>However, the day slipped away. By dinner-time, -her throat felt as if a good-sized potato -had taken up its residence there. Her head -ached and her bones ached, and down in one -corner of her heart she began to wish that -some one would say positively that she could not -go to the party.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Meantime, after luncheon Eunice had begun -to feel heavy-headed and stiff-necked herself. -Like Cricket, she carefully concealed the fact, -and resolutely put on a bright face and a very -“smily” smile, if any one looked in her direction. -Each child was so absorbed in concealing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_47'>47</span>her own feelings that neither noticed the -other.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At dinner, both being rather exhausted by -such unusual exertions, they were so silent that -papa asked them finally whether this was the -night they were going to Emily Drayton’s party, -or the night they were going to be hanged. He -himself had forgotten, he said, and he couldn’t -tell by their faces.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They have been going to this party every -day and night for a week,” said mamma, looking -rather anxiously at each flushed face. “No -wonder they are all tired out beforehand. I -had them both lie down for an hour this -afternoon, also. My chickens, you <i>must</i> eat -a little more dinner than that, if you <i>are</i> -excited.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I positively <i>can’t</i>, mamma,” said Cricket, -feeling every moment that the tears <i>would</i> come -if she forced another morsel past that awful -lump, that now felt the size of a watermelon to -her. Eunice resolutely choked down another -bit of mashed potato.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m too excited,” she remarked, with a great -assumption of cheerfulness. “Mamma, will -you excuse Cricket and me, and let us go up-stairs -<span class='pageno' id='Page_48'>48</span>now? I don’t want any dessert, do you, -Cricket?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket jumped up briskly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, indeed. Please ’scuse us, mamma,” -and equally glad to escape, the two children -flew up-stairs. Each began to make conversation -as they dressed. Eliza was there, waiting -to help them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Lawks, how hot your face is!” said Eliza, -her hand touching Cricket’s cheek, as she -brushed the brown curls till the gold light in -them shone out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s excitement,” said Eunice. “Mine’s -hot, too; just feel. Ouch!” with an undignified -exclamation, as Eliza’s hand touched the -lower part of her cheek rather heavily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket suddenly flashed a quick glance at her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eunice,” she said hastily, as Eliza left the -room for a moment, “does your throat feel -queer?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. How do you know?” answered Eunice, -surprised.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Cause mine does, awfully. It has all day. -And my head aches.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So does mine!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I’m <i>so</i> hot—”</p> -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_49'>49</span> -<img src='images/ill_050.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>GETTING READY FOR THE PARTY.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_51'>51</span>“So am I.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I feel so queer all over.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So do I. What <i>can</i> be the matter? It -can’t be the party!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A party we haven’t been to can’t make us -sick. No; I’m afraid we’re going to have the -lumbago in our throats, and I think <i>that’s</i> something -dreadful.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Lumbago? It sounds dreadful. Why, I -never heard of it. What is it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I’ve heard of it. I heard papa telling -mamma that May Chester’s grandmother had -it, and you know how sick <i>she’s</i> been this fall.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This lump in my throat is bad enough for -anything,” sighed Eunice, putting her hand to -it. “But let’s stand it till the party is over, -Cricket.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>I’ll</i> stick it out,” said Cricket, with grim -determination.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mamma came in just here and put the finishing -touches to the dainty dresses, and then they -went down to the back parlour to exhibit themselves -in all their bravery to papa and Marjorie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald sauntered in as they were being duly -admired.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hollo, kids! What giddy-looking girls! -<span class='pageno' id='Page_52'>52</span>I am proud of you. Be sure and be good girls. -Don’t forget to ‘open your eyes and look very -wise, although you feel very silly.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But we <i>don’t</i> feel very silly,” returned -Eunice with dignity. “<i>We’re</i> not Freshmen -in college.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Been polishing your wits for the party, I -see. Good plan, my Lady Greasewrister, and -Madame Van Twister, your ladyship’s sister.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You always did call us names, and I s’pose -you always will,” said Cricket tolerantly. “But -it amuses you, and we don’t care—do we, -Eunice? Isn’t it time to go, mamma?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, the carriage is waiting. Put on my -cloak for me, Donald. Thank you, dear. All -ready, my little maids.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was some distance to Emily Drayton’s, and -during the drive the children were so silent -that mamma was a little worried. So little -excitement of this kind was allowed them, that -generally they were as merry as grigs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is the matter, girls? I never saw -such sober little faces bound for a party. Is -anything wrong?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket longed to confess that her throat felt -like a boiled pudding, that the skin of her neck -<span class='pageno' id='Page_53'>53</span>was queer and stretched, that the lights danced -confusedly before her eyes, and that she wanted -to turn around, go home, and go to bed. However, -since she had borne it all day, she did not -exactly like to sacrifice so much resolution, and -giving Eunice’s hand a tight squeeze, she said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, it’s nothing much; only a joke we’re -going to tell you after the party.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A joke,” said mamma suspiciously. “Hadn’t -you better tell me now?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, really,” said Cricket earnestly. “It -doesn’t have anything to do with anybody but -ourselves, truly, mamma,” quite believing her -words.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t like jokes that make you look so -sober, my chickens. Cricket, are you very warm, -dear? Your cheeks are so red that they are -almost purple.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s warm in the carriage. Don’t you think -so?” struck in Eunice. And then mamma, to -take up their minds, began to talk brightly about -some funny occurrence that she had seen that -morning while she was marketing, and the children -almost forgot their respective woes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When they arrived at the Drayton’s, most of -the children were already there. The lovely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_54'>54</span>house presented a gay scene. Emily greeted -Eunice and Cricket rapturously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I was so afraid that something had happened, -and you weren’t coming,” she said. “We are -just going to play ‘Quack,’ and Cricket is always -so funny in that. Come over here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The classic game of “Quack” was started. -All of you know it, do you not? A large circle -is formed, and one person, blindfolded, stands -in the middle with a cane in her hand. The -circle moves slowly around till the person in the -centre thumps the cane as a signal to stop, and -then it is pointed at some one. This person -takes the other end of the cane, and the blindfolded -one asks any question, which must be -answered by the word “Quack,” uttered in a -disguised voice. The one in the centre must -guess the speaker, and is allowed three questions.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket was always in demand for the centre, -because her quick wits supplied her with funny -questions. To-night, however, she rather lost -her reputation, for her tired little brain could -concoct nothing more original than, “What is -your name?” “Do you like butter?” and all -the other stupid questions that everybody asked. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_55'>55</span>One game succeeded another, but somehow nothing -went very briskly. Presently Mrs. Drayton -drew Mrs. Ward aside, anxiously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is the matter with these children? It -is so hard to get them started at anything. -They don’t seem to be having a good time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ve noticed something wrong,” said Mrs. -Ward, looking about her. “I never knew it so -before, especially at this house. I’ve been watching -my own two pretty closely, and something is -certainly wrong.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“See!” said Mrs. Drayton, “that is the eighth -child that has dropped out of that game, and -it is so with everything we have started.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There is something in the air,” Mrs. Ward -said to her friend. “And look! there is -Cricket actually sitting all alone behind that -palm, with her head in her hand. I asked her -a few minutes ago what is the matter, but she -insists there is nothing. Why not hasten supper?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s always a good suggestion,” answered -Mrs. Drayton. “Will you set them to playing -‘Going to Jerusalem,’ then they will be all -ready to march out. Mrs. Fleming will play -for them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_56'>56</span>Even “Going to Jerusalem” was not a -brilliant success. Most of the children marched -rather listlessly around, dropping into chairs -when the music stopped, without the usual -scramble. Many of the little faces were flushed -a dark red, and eyes were heavy-lidded. The -announcement of supper was a relief, but Mrs. -Drayton’s quick eyes noticed, to her perplexity, -that many of the dainty dishes were passed -by untouched, and that on many a plate -the luscious creams and ices were scarcely -tasted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Directly after supper Cricket sought Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eunice, I can’t stand it any longer. The -party is most out, and I <i>must</i> tell mamma that -I have lumbago in my throat. If I don’t, it may -get so bad it can’t be mended. I mean cured. -Do you mind <i>very</i> much if I ask mamma to -take us home? The party isn’t half as nice as -I thought it was going to be.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t mind a bit,” said Eunice, with an -unexpected readiness. “I feel too queer for -anything. Do you suppose it’s something awful -we’ve got, Cricket?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know. I feel as if I were two -persons plastered together. There’s so much -<span class='pageno' id='Page_57'>57</span>of me. My eyes are pulled sideways down to -my ears. I feel so queer and big,” finished -Cricket, dolefully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>So a few minutes later Mrs. Ward heard a -dilapidated little voice behind her:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mamma dear, we’re ready to go home -whenever you are.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mamma was absolutely paralysed by this -unexpected remark.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cricket! is it you? What is the matter, -dear? Are you ill?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No-o. At least I think not. But—well—my -head aches a little and my throat is stiff -and hot, and my eyes are leaky and I’m sort of -dizzy, and—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My darling child! your throat is sore? -Why didn’t you tell me before? Where’s -Eunice? We will go immediately. Find Eunice, -and both of you slip away to the dressing-room -without speaking to any one. I’ll say -good-by for you to Emily and Mrs. Drayton.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eunice is ready, mamma. She feels queer, -too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Ward’s heart, mother-like, jumped into -her mouth. Cricket’s description of her feelings -might mean any one of so many things! However, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_58'>58</span>she kept a calm face, and hastened to -explain matters to Mrs. Drayton.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you know, I almost believe that all the -children are coming down with something,” said -Mrs. Drayton, anxiously. “That would account -for their all being so heavy and dull, and hard -to amuse. Poor little Emily is in despair. She -has looked forward to this so long!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The next day, seventeen of the children who -had been at the party were down with the -mumps.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_59'>59</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IV.<br /> <span class='large'>IN QUARANTINE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“So it’s only the mumps!” sighed Cricket, -with much relief, after papa’s visit to their -respective bedsides the next morning. “Papa, -do you know I was <i>dreadfully</i> afraid that I had -lumbago in my throat all day yesterday, when -it was all swelly-feeling and hurt so to swallow. -That would have killed me, wouldn’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Papa laughed hard.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It might be a serious matter if you had it -in your throat, but you are in no more danger -of its getting there than you are of having -toothache in your toes, my Lady Jane. Will -you take a look at yourself this morning?” and -papa held up a hand mirror.</p> - -<p class='c010'>All resemblance to Cricket had totally disappeared -from the swollen-faced little maid on the -bed, and the child stared in blank astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is that <i>me</i>?” she gasped.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It is you, grammar and all,” laughed papa, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_60'>60</span>turning to Eunice, who lay in her cot on the -other side of the room. “Admire each other -to your heart’s content, for you are just alike, -my blooming little beauties.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s bad enough to be sick without being such -frights,” said Eunice dolefully. “Cricket, you -look <i>so</i> funny. I want to laugh at you all the -time, and I can’t laugh for my face is so stiff -that I can’t seem to manage it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ve been wanting to laugh at you ever since -we woke up, but I didn’t want to hurt your feelings,” -said Cricket, politely. “I didn’t know -I looked just as worse.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You look ‘just as worser,’ if anything, little -Lindley Murray,” said papa, rising to go.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But I don’t feel so <i>very</i> sick to-day, excepting -my head. Couldn’t I get up by-and-by, -papa? My legs feel so kicky.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, you may get up, but don’t leave this -room, remember. Here comes mamma now. -Have you given Eliza directions about the children, -dear?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, she will keep them on the nursery -floor. So these two can get up? That’s nice. -Mumps may not be very comfortable, my chickens, -but it is nothing dangerous, if you don’t -<span class='pageno' id='Page_61'>61</span>take cold. Think of you two going to the party -last night in that condition!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I guess it was the mumpfulest party there -ever was,” said Cricket musingly. “I don’t -believe there was a single unmumpful child -there. Good-by papa; be sure and stop and see -if Emily has the mumps—and if she hasn’t, -I’ll send her some.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It might be a good plan to have an auction -sale of them,” laughed papa, as he left the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The day was a long and weary one, and in -spite of mamma’s company and of many amusements, -Eunice and Cricket were glad to creep -back into bed again early in the afternoon. -Cricket was much the sicker of the two children, -for she had taken a little cold from her -unexpected plunge the morning before.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just before dinner Donald came in, and went -directly to his father’s office.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Father, I feel confoundedly queer,” he said. -“I wish you’d give me something. My throat -is thick and I can scarcely swallow, and I’ve a -splitting headache, and a toothache around my -entire jaw. Please patch me up, for I have -to go to a society meeting to-night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Doctor Ward lay back in his office-chair -<span class='pageno' id='Page_62'>62</span>and looked up at his tall son with a quizzical -smile.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“H’m! lumbago in your throat too, eh? Sit -down here, old boy, and let me have a look at -you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald sat down, while his father asked him -a question or two. Then Doctor Ward burst -out laughing. Donald looked injured.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I presume it is nothing serious then,” he -said, with so precisely the same air of dignity -that the younger children often assumed when -he teased them, that his father laughed harder.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s serious or not, as you take it,” he said. -“For my part, I think it’s decidedly serious. My -dear fellow, you have the mumps.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald jumped about two feet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mumps!” he ejaculated. “That baby-disease -at my age! Great Cæsar’s ghost! how -the fellows will guy me!” He dropped down in -a chair, with his feet straight out in front of him—a -comical picture of despair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was considerate of you to come home -to have them,” said Doctor Ward comfortingly. -“Eunice and Cricket are just down with them. -We’ll quarantine you all together, and then you -can amuse each other.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_63'>63</span>“The kids, too?” groaned Donald. “See -here! Did they give ’em to me? I’ll wallop -them!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Doctor Ward laughed harder.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know where they came from, yet. -I’ve had twenty cases to-day. Most of the children -at the Drayton party are down. ‘A mumpful -affair,’ as Cricket says. <i>You</i> may have -picked them up on the street-cars. You could -not have gotten them from our children.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I’ll stay home till the confounded -things are over,” said Donald, rising. “I suppose -I mustn’t go to dinner? Are the kidlets -down? No? Well, I’ll go to my room and -stay there. Since Eunice and Cricket are next -door to it, that’s all right. Is mother with the -kids? I’ll look in on them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>So, just as mamma was cudgelling her distracted -brain for more stories to tell her two -forlorn children, a knock was heard at the door, -and Donald’s curly head poked itself in.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hollo, Lady Greasewrister, and Madame -Van Twister, her ladyship’s sister! How are -your noble mumpships?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go ’way, Don,” called Cricket dolefully. -“We’re all mumpy in here. You’ll get them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_64'>64</span>But Donald boldly advanced. “Your humble -servant, Madame Van Twister. Your gracious -majesty was pleased to smile on me last night, and -your native generosity shares even your ailments -with me. Behold, thy servant also is mumpy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You, too, Donald,” shrieked Eunice delightedly. -“Oh, don’t make me laugh,” holding her -hands to her throat. “Isn’t it funny, mamma? -I didn’t know <i>Freshmen</i> ever had mumps and -things.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you going to stay here with us, Don, -really?” said Cricket interestedly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, Miss Scricket, I am. Any objections? -That is, in my cell next door. And as we are -jointly quarantined from the rest of the family, -I foresee we’ll have some high old times. Oh, -how they’ll wish they had the mumps!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Poor boy!” said Mrs. Ward, sympathetically. -“What a nuisance for you!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>For a week the mumps held high carnival -at the Ward’s. Imagine, if you can, the effect -of all those swollen faces in a group. If Eunice -and Cricket looked funny, they were nothing to -lordly Donald, whose face was extended to the -funniest possible proportions, for he had the -affliction only on one side.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_65'>65</span>“We’ve a regular fat man’s picnic,” said -Cricket the day that Zaidie joined the up-stairs -party. For by the usual law of contraries, -Zaidie, who was always strong and well, succumbed -after two days, and delicate little Helen, -as well as Kenneth, entirely escaped.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After Zaidie was promoted to the third floor, -the original occupants had all the delights of -a bear-garden. It was fortunate for her long-suffering -family that Zaidie was seldom ill, for -she was the hardest possible child to take care -of when she was. When she was well, she was -sunny-tempered, like the rest. She was harder -now than she would have been otherwise, for -really the poor little thing was dismally homesick -for her little twin, her other self, from -whom she had scarcely ever been separated an -hour in her life.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After two days of Zaidie’s confinement up-stairs, -Eunice and Cricket were in such a state -of exasperation and excitement over the poor -little thing’s constant wailing and fretting for -Helen, her refusing to be comforted or amused, -that it was plain she must have a room to herself. -Marjorie was detailed to look after her -especially.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_66'>66</span>Marjorie, it fortunately chanced, had had the -mumps when she was small. Moreover, Zaidie -was passionately attached to this eldest sister of -hers. When the little twins were born, Marjorie, -aged nine, had eagerly begged that, since -mamma had two babies now, she might have -one of these to “call hers.” Mamma let her -choose, and her selection instantly fell upon the -big, black-eyed baby, which appealed to her -childish heart much more than the tiny, violet-eyed -one, that was so delicate that for a year it -was scarcely out of its mother’s or its nurse’s -arms.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Marjorie had always petted Zaidie after that, -and made much of her and called her “her -baby,” and the strong-willed little maid obeyed -Marjorie better than any one but her father and -mother. Marjorie delighted in her, because she -was such a fine, noble-looking child, with her -erect, firmly-knit little figure, her short, silky -black hair, her great, dark eyes, and peachy -complexion. She loved to take her to walk, for -strangers would turn and look after her, or perhaps -stop and ask whose child she was.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Helen, with her dainty beauty, her fluffy -golden hair, and tiny figure, was not nearly so -<span class='pageno' id='Page_67'>67</span>striking-looking, though, after all, her caressing, -lovable little ways made her rather the family -pet and baby, even more than Kenneth, with his -sturdy boy-ways. It is very apt to be the case, -however, in a large family, that each one of the -older ones takes a younger one under his or her -special charge. Thus, as Marjorie had adopted -Zaidie, Eunice laid claim to Helen as her baby. -In this same way, Cricket felt that Kenneth was -her particular property.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Therefore, it came about that Marjorie was -quite willing to undertake Zaidie’s amusement, -but she soon discovered that a “mumpy” Zaidie -tried her resources to the uttermost. Mamma -was with her also, all she could be, but with the -other girls needing her also, and with Helen -down with an unusually bad attack of the croup -and fretting for Zaidie quite as much as her -little twin did for her, poor mamma said that -she needed to be three people, in order to satisfy -all the demands upon her. Donald, in spite of -his own mumps, came bravely to the rescue, but -Zaidie managed to keep them all busy.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_68'>68</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER V.<br /> <span class='large'>AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>On the fourth day of imprisonment, Doctor -Ward came up after luncheon and carried mamma, -somewhat against her will, off for a drive, as -she had not been out of the house for a breath -of fresh air since the Drayton party. Marjorie -was left in charge. Zaidie, just in the state -where she wanted whoever she didn’t happen to -have with her, wailed disconsolately, as she -stood at the window watching her father and -mother drive off.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want something to ’muse me with, Margie. -Mamma’s gone and I can’t—see—Helen, -and I hasn’t anything—to ’muse me—with,” -she sobbed, flattening her nose against the window-pane.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You ungrateful little wretch,” said Donald, -trying to make a face at her, but not succeeding -in twisting his features much more than they -were already. “Here are two people devoting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_69'>69</span>their days and nights to keeping your highness -serene—though I must say that I prefer to -be paid according to my efforts rather than my -success.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If we were paid according to our success, -we wouldn’t go to Europe on the proceeds,” -sighed Marjorie. “See, Zaidie, there’s Johnnie-goat -trotting down the street—I do believe his -tail has grown a little longer. Don’t you think -so?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Zaidie dried one eye and peered out. Instantly -she conceived an idea.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want to see Johnnie-goat. I hasn’t seen -him for seventy-ten years, Marjorie. I want -him to come up here and see me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You can see him out of the window, pet. -He couldn’t come up here—goats don’t know -anything about houses, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Zaidie instantly shrieked. Three days of immediate -obedience to her demands had spoiled -her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want him! I want him! My throat’s -hurted me drefful, an’ I want Johnnie-goat. -I want him—up—here!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Great Scott, Zaidie! stop howling. Let’s -have him up, Meg. Anything for a diversion.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_70'>70</span>“But, <i>Don</i>! the goat up <i>here</i>? We can’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the bright lexicon of youth, there’s no -such word as ‘can’t.’ I’ll whistle down the -speaking-tube to Sarah to entice him into the -area, and I’ll go down and bring him up somehow. -He can’t do any harm, and if it quiets the -kidlet for a moment, it’s worth trying. Hollo, -there, Sarah!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Sarah responded, and the order was given. -Zaidie stopped sniffling, and watched the proceedings -eagerly from the window.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Sarah—much amazed, but too well trained -to question any order of Master Don’s, however -peculiar—ran out to induce Johnnie-goat, by -every blandishment in her power, to enter the -basement door. But wary Johnnie-goat, much -more accustomed to being driven away from -doors by the application of broom-sticks than -being politely entreated to enter, suspected -treachery, and backed off, moving his lowered -head from side to side.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The whole “mumpy” tribe eagerly watched the -manœuvres from above. Sarah would approach -him with an indifferent, abstracted air, as if she -didn’t see him at all, and then would suddenly -make a grasp at his horns. Johnnie-goat would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_71'>71</span>stand with an equally abstracted gaze as she -came nearer; then, at the last instant, up would -go his heels skittishly, and off he would go, to a -convenient distance, and again await Sarah’s -approach. She displayed banana-skins temptingly, -and drew him, by means of them, almost -to the area door, when the same performance -would be repeated. All the time she kept up -an uncomplimentary tirade under her breath, -mingled with her enticing words to him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, Johnnie! Johnnie! good Johnnie! -Oh, yer dirty blackguard! yer wretched spalpeen, -you! It’s a clubbin’ with a big shillaly -I’d be after givin’ you! Come here, yer good -goaty! Come and see the purty little gal what’s -waitin’ fur ye! Oh, the capers! takin’ that son-of-a -gun up-stairs! You murtherin’ wretch, I’d -drown yer fur a cint! Come here, good old -goaty! come to Sarah! Ach, murther, howly -saints! git yer evil eye off me!” as Johnnie -suddenly reared and waltzed around on his hind -legs, in a way peculiar to goats, presenting a -low-bent head threateningly in her direction.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Get hold of him now, Sarah,” shouted -Donald, throwing up the window for a moment. -“He won’t really hurt you. Grab his horns!”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_72'>72</span>Here Marjorie slammed down the window -indignantly. Sarah, quaking with terror, but -feeling she must obey Mr. Donald though the -heavens fell, made a desperate rush and really -grabbed the threatening horns with a heavy -hand. She was big and strong, and as soon as -she actually touched him, her Irish blood was -up for a scrimmage. Even Johnnie-goat, to his -own intense surprise and indignation, was as -wax in her hands. Tucking his head well under -her arm, by main strength she dragged him -along, protesting with all his legs, to the area door. -By that time Johnnie had recovered -his presence of mind, and then ensued a tremendous -racket that brought the waitress to the -rescue.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Johnnie-goat, of course, was filled with amazement -at these strange proceedings, and his shrill -“ba-a’s” went all over the house. Sarah and -Jane dragged him, struggling fiercely, along the -basement hall to the stairs. Then Sarah, getting -him by his wrathful horns, and Jane pushing -from behind, wherever she could get hold, -puffing and panting, they propelled bewildered -Johnnie-goat remorselessly up the stairway, his -sharp little hoofs beating a strongly rebellious -<span class='pageno' id='Page_73'>73</span>tattoo as he went, bleating like a whole ranch -of goats.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Over the stair-railing, on the upper floor, -hung five eager faces, each of the older ones -calling out different suggestions, while Zaidie, -her mumps all forgotten, shrieked hoarse applause -to them all. As Eliza was out with -Helen and Kenneth, they missed all this exciting -time.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Arriving on the second floor, panting Sarah -was obliged to sit down on the stairs to rest. -She threw her apron over Johnnie-goat’s head, -thereby reducing him to a still wilder state of -amazement, and hugged his neck tightly under -her arm to keep him quiet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hould on to his hinder-legs, Jane,” she directed, -and Jane immediately got hold of each -wildly kicking hind leg. As Johnnie-goat was -obliged to use his fore legs to stand on, he was, -for the first time in his life, reduced to a condition -of ignominious surrender. His vociferous -cries filled the house.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The children, up-stairs, were in shrieks of -laughter. Sarah looked as grimly determined -as if she were attacking a tramp. She strongly -disapproved of the whole proceeding, but, as is -<span class='pageno' id='Page_74'>74</span>often the case with the servants in a large household -of children, she was absolute devotion to -the whole tribe, and if they had ordered it, -would have attempted to walk up the side of -the house. Jane was doubled up with laughter, -and with difficulty held on to her end of the -captive. Sarah kept up a running comment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Be still, you slathery spalpeen; stop kickin’ -me. Ye’ve kicked me till the futs uv me is -black till the knee, I’ll be bound. Rest yerself -the while; nobody’s going to hurt yer. Come, -then, if yer wants to go, we’ll be off wid yer -now. Take another h’ist, Jane. Shure, Masther -Don, it’s hopin’ ye’ve got a rope up there I am, -else it’s tearin’ yez all to pieces he’ll be.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come on,” shouted Donald, boyishly; “bring -on your plunder. I’ve got a trunk-strap to -fasten him with.” Donald dived into the trunk-room, -and reappeared with a long strap.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my goodness, how he wiggles!” cried -Zaidie, clapping her hands ecstatically, as the -procession started up-stairs again. “Johnnie-goat! -Johnnie-goat! keep still, and let Sarah -carry you, there’s a good goatie!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And thus, pushed and pulled, Johnnie-goat, -bewildered and indignant, was delivered into -<span class='pageno' id='Page_75'>75</span>Donald’s hands, and the hot and panting maids -returned down-stairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald fastened the long strap to his collar, -and then to the balustrade. Being released -from durance vile—that is, from his enforced -retreat under Sarah’s strong arm,—he shook -himself vigorously, and then straightway executed -a war-dance, first on his hind legs and -then on his fore legs, and then, apparently, on -one at a time, alternating the performance with -a succession of dives and butts that sent the -children shrieking and laughing in all directions -out of his way.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, my throat!” sighed Cricket, wiping the -tears from her eyes. “I’ve certainly split my -mumps! <i>Don’t</i> make me laugh so, Johnnie-goat. -Don’t you know your friends?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Apparently Johnnie didn’t, for he instantly -butted fiercely in Cricket’s direction.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I do b’lieve he’s hungry,” said Zaidie, hospitably -offering him a newspaper. In the midst -of his wrath, Johnnie-goat recognised this familiar -object, and, after eying it a moment, he -suddenly dropped his warlike demeanour, accepted -the paper as a peace-offering, and fell -to chewing as placidly as if he stood on his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_76'>76</span>native heath—that is, the livery stableman’s -back yard. Under the calming influence of this -familiar occupation, he soon dropped every appearance -of resentment, and finally ducked his -head in his usual friendly fashion, to let Zaidie -scratch him between the horns.</p> - -<p class='c010'>One of Johnnie-goat’s accomplishments was -jumping over a rope held a foot from the ground. -Cricket now proposed to make him do it, as the -hall was long enough to give him a good run for -it. As they did not dare to let him go entirely, -Donald tied a long, stout cord to each side of -his collar, so that somebody could drive him and -jump the rope with him. Of course that somebody -was Cricket. When the reins were ready, -and Cricket had them well in hand, Donald unfastened -the trunk-strap, and Eunice and Zaidie -each held an end of it in place, so that Johnnie-goat -could jump over it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He knew the programme perfectly well, and -stood quietly while the arrangements were being -made.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All ready,” cried Donald, as much a boy at -heart as ever, in spite of his eighteen years and -his Freshman dignity. “Let him go, Gallagher!”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_77'>77</span>“Get up, sir!” cried Cricket, shaking her -string reins. Johnnie-goat stood provokingly -still, gazing abstractedly out of the window.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Get up, sir,” repeated Cricket, giving him a -gentle push in the rear with her foot.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The touch gave Johnnie-goat the excuse he -had been waiting for. He gave one of his sudden -darts, dragging the strings from Cricket’s -hand, and was free. He pranced forward, escaping -Donald’s hands, knocked down Zaidie, -who promptly howled, and dashed into Eunice’s -room. There he encountered a small table, the -contents of which were instantly strewed over -the floor, while the children ran screaming after -him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My work-basket!” shrieked Eunice, darting -forward to rescue it, as Johnnie-goat stopped, -with one foot through the pretty straw cover, -and nibbled inquisitively at a tape measure. -He kicked out behind and butted in front -when the children tried to catch him, and then -turned his attention to a little silver-topped -emery.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Don! do get it!” cried Eunice, clasping -her hands tragically, as the emery went into -the capacious mouth, and Johnnie-goat meditatively -<span class='pageno' id='Page_78'>78</span>rolled it over with his tongue, to get its -full flavour.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Don deftly seized Johnnie-goat’s horns with -one hand, and bent back his head with the -other, pulling at the silk cord that drooped -gracefully out from his mouth—thus rescuing -the emery from its Jonah-like retreat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh! oh!” wailed Eunice, taking the wet -and dirty object daintily by thumb and finger, -“it’s all spoiled! You bad Johnnie-goat! Box -his ears, Don. Look out, Cricket, there he goes -at your new shoes. Do get him down stairs -now. Ow! there goes my Dresden pin-tray!” -with a shriek of despair. Johnnie-goat, whisking -from side to side of the room, in search of -new excitement, had swept his bearded chin -over the low dressing-table, among the array -of pin-cushions, trays, bottles, photographs, and -brushes. Smash went the dainty Dresden pin-tray -on the floor as Eunice spoke, and Johnnie-goat -danced off.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, you young bull in a china shop, we’ve -had enough of you,” said Donald, diving after -him, and catching him by whatever was nearest. -It happened to be his tail, which was a -short but firm handle. Johnnie-goat whipped -around indignantly, and Donald grabbed at his -horns.</p> -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_79'>79</span> -<img src='images/ill_080.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>AN UNEXPECTED VISITOR.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_81'>81</span>“Whistle down the tube for Sarah to take -him, Meg,” he called. “No, stop; I’ll take him -down myself, the kids are out of the way. Come -this way, young chap,” and Donald pulled and -hauled Johnnie, vigorously rebelling, to the top -of the staircase. As Johnnie looked down to -the floor below, possibly he regarded the stairs -as some curious kind of mountains, which his -inherited instinct made familiar, for he suddenly -plunged headlong down them so fast that Donald -lost his balance, and went heels-over-head after -him, goat and Freshman arriving at the bottom -at the same moment, in an inextricably mixed-up -condition. Overhead the excited girls watched -and screamed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald unwound his long length slowly. -He and the goat had mutually broken each -other’s fall, and nearly each other’s necks. As -it happened, neither was hurt. At least, Donald -discovered that he was not, and as for Johnnie-goat, -he seemed as much alive as ever, but in -such a state of amazement at all the strange experiences -that he was going through, that he -quietly submitted to let Don lay hold of his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_82'>82</span>collar, and escort him at a slow and dignified -walk down the next flight.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They were half-way down when there was a -quick click of a latch-key, and the front door -opened. Doctor Ward and a stranger entered. -Both stared in amazement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How under the canopy—” began Doctor -Ward; but Donald interrupted him, explaining -calmly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Goat ran away from the Odd-Fellow’s Lodge, -over there. The poor creature is nearly starved; -I’m taking it back.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_83'>83</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VI.<br /> <span class='large'>A PHILANTHROPIC SCHEME.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>One morning, when the mumps were a thing -of the past, Eunice and Cricket walked along to -school arm-in-arm. Cricket swung her books, -as usual, by the long strap, and Eunice had hers -snugly tucked under her arm. Both were chattering -as fast as their busy tongues could wag. -As they turned around the corner into a quiet -street, the sound of a crying child attracted -their attention, though at first there was nothing -to be seen.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There it is,” said Cricket. “See that mite -up there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The “mite” was a funny-looking little thing -about three years old, poorly dressed, bareheaded, -with a little flaxen pig-tail sticking out -behind each ear. The child stood at the top of -some steps, wailing steadily, and beating its little -blue fists against the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s been shut out, poor little thing,” said -<span class='pageno' id='Page_84'>84</span>Eunice, running up the steps and ringing the -bell, vigorously. “Wait a moment, Cricket, till -someone comes to the door.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The baby stopped crying and surveyed her -new friend with a pair of staring, pale-blue eyes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was certainly a very dirty baby, and Eunice -wondered at its belonging to such a nice-looking -house. Then a trim maid opened the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I found this baby, here, trying to get in,” -began Eunice, civilly, “so I rang the bell for -her, and waited till you came to take her in.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The trim maid surveyed the baby in indignant -scorn.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It don’t belong here, miss, for sure. The -likes o’ that!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Doesn’t belong here? The poor little thing! -Then she must be lost. She was pounding on -your door and crying dreadfully. What shall -I do with her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Deed, I don’t know, miss,” answered the -maid, backing away and partly shutting the -door, as if afraid that Eunice would insist on -leaving the interesting infant there. It had -immediately adopted Eunice as its protector, -apparently, for it grasped her skirt with one -hand, and with a thumb tucked deep into its -mouth, it stood passively staring from one to -the other. Somebody must do something, that -was clear.</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_85'>85</span> -<img src='images/ill_086.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>THE LOST BABY.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_87'>87</span>“Come on,” called Cricket, who had walked -slowly on. “Won’t she go in?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come back a minute. The maid says she -doesn’t belong here. What shall we do with -her? I suppose she’s lost. Can’t I leave her -here? I have to go to school,” added Eunice, -turning to the girl, who had now left only a -crack of door open.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Deed, no. <i>We</i> didn’t find her,” said the -girl, impertinently. “It doesn’t belong anywhere -about here. Take her to the police -station. We can’t take care of beggar’s brats,” -and with that she shut the door, leaving Eunice -staring as blankly at the door as the baby did -at her dress.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What a horrid, cross girl!” said Eunice, -indignantly, at last, descending the steps slowly -to accommodate her steps to the short, fat legs -beside her. The child still clung closely to a -fold of her dress.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What shall we do with it? We’ll be dreadfully -late for school.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let’s take it to school,” suggested Cricket.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_88'>88</span>“How could we? Baby, what is your name, -and where do you live?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Baby uttered a gurgle that doubtless meant -volumes, but which the girls could not interpret. -She was a Dutchy-looking little thing, with a -wide, chubby face and squat little figure. Her -little flaxen pig-tails were about an inch and a -half long, and were tied with white string.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Shall we take her to the police station? -Let’s hurry, whatever we do. It’s ’most nine.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The police station? and have the poor little -atom locked up in a big, black cell?” exclaimed -Eunice, indignantly. “Never!” for her ideas -as to the exact advantage of taking a lost child -to a police station were somewhat vague.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let’s take her to the little bake-shop woman -by the school, and leave her there for the -morning, anyway. I’m sure she’ll take care -of her. We’ll take her home after school, and -papa will see about her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice assenting to this proposal, they now -took up the line of march. People glanced and -smiled at the funny, dirty baby, with the handkerchief -that Eunice tied over its head, and -the two well-dressed children, but <i>they</i> did not -notice it.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_89'>89</span>“Eunice, we might adopt it!” cried Cricket -suddenly. “Wouldn’t that be fun? It could -play with Kenneth, and ’Liza wouldn’t mind -one more child to take care of.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What fun!” exclaimed Eunice. “And if -’Liza didn’t want the trouble we could do it ourselves. -It could sleep in a crib in our room. -I’d wash it one morning, and you could the -next.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, and we’d spend Saturday mornings -making its clothes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And we’d take it to walk when we got home -from school—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And we’d teach it its letters—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And put it to bed—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Would we have to spank her if she was -naughty?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, do let’s <i>beg</i> them to let us have it for -our very own, and bring it up ourselves. Would -you like to live with us, baby?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The possibility of a distracted mother, searching -around for the child, somehow never occurred -to the girls, in their planning about the little -waif, and they chattered on, in their eagerness, -till they reached the shop of the little baker, -with whom they meant to leave the child.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_90'>90</span>The good-natured little woman, who knew -the children well by sight, was quite interested -in their story, and was entirely willing to take -charge of the lost baby till one o’clock. She -was an ignorant little German woman, and she -never thought of telling the girls to send it to -the police station to be kept till its friends could -look it up.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The thought of the baby kept the girls excited -all the morning. After school they started -off immediately, without waiting, as usual, for -their friends. The baby recognised Eunice as -soon as she appeared, and pulled her dress -delightedly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Could you lend us something to put on her -head?” asked Eunice, eyeing the flaxen pig-tails -doubtfully. “My handkerchief makes her look -so queer, and I’m afraid she’ll take cold without -anything over her head.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The little bake-shop woman good-naturedly -produced a very remarkable-looking cap of her -own baby’s, and tied it on the little waif’s head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I haf ask her the name,” she said, as she -tied the strings, “but I no unnerstan’ her. She -try to talk, but she yust—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Jabbers,” said Cricket. “I should say she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_91'>91</span>did. Good-by! Thank you ever so much for -taking care of her for us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>When the girls arrived at home they found a -free field. Mamma had gone to Marbury to -spend the day with grandma, and had taken -Kenneth with her. Marjorie was out to lunch -with a friend; and papa, Jane said, had been -unexpectedly called out of town an hour ago, -and would not be back that night. They took -the baby up to the nursery, and introduced their -prize to astonished ’Liza and the twins.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But you can’t <i>keep</i> it,” said ’Liza. “I jest -guess its poor mother is running all around the -streets looking for it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, do you think so?” said Eunice surprised. -“Why, I never thought of her. Well, of -course, papa will advertise the baby, and do -everything about it, but if we <i>don’t</i> find anyone -belonging to her, we are going to keep her, -Cricket and I.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Whereupon ’Liza pretended to faint away.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The twins were perfectly delighted with the -addition to the family.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s just like the little boy we finded once,” -piped up Zaidie, “only it’s a girl. Auntie -wouldn’t let us keep it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_92'>92</span>“This is a really, truly, losted baby, though, -and Phelps wasn’t,” explained Helen. “He had -only runned away.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The “losted baby” here took its thumb out -of its mouth, and suddenly began to cry.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s hungry!” announced Cricket, with the -air of one discovering America. “What do you -s’pose it can eat, ’Liza?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Most anything it can get, I rather guess,” -said ’Liza. “That kind generally does, and is -glad to get it, too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She isn’t ‘that kind,’” said Cricket indignantly, -resenting the tone. “Come, baby; we’ll -go down-stairs and get some bread and milk. -You ’ittle tunnin’ sing!” as the baby stopped in -its howl as suddenly as it had begun, and trotted -away contentedly with the girls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cook duly exclaimed over “the find,” but she -reiterated the advice of the cross maid, and -recommended them to take the baby to the -police station.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why does <i>every</i>body want to send this poor -little mite to the police station?” cried Eunice. -“It hasn’t done a thing, only got lost, and -prob’ly it didn’t want to do that; and everybody -wants to shut it up in a big, black cell. Papa -<span class='pageno' id='Page_93'>93</span>can advertise it when he gets home, if he likes, -and if anybody comes for it they can have it. -If no one <i>does</i> come, we’ll keep you ourselves; -won’t we, baby? Drink the milk, now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wish we knew its name,” said Cricket.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let’s name it something ourselves,” suggested -Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“To be sure. Don’t you know when Pharaoh’s -daughter found Moses she named him Moses, -herself? Oh, Eunice, let’s call her <i>Mosina</i>!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, <i>Cricket</i>, how lovely! Just the thing! -We didn’t find her in the bulrushes, but we -did find her on some steps. Oh, you darling -Mosina! I <i>hope</i> your mother won’t come for -you!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>When the new arrival had finished her -luncheon, and the children had had theirs, they -carried Mosina off to their room. Zaidie and -Helen immediately came toiling up from the -nursery, to help entertain their guest. Fortunately -she was not at all shy, and jabbered and -gurgled in her unintelligible baby talk, showing -the greatest readiness to be amused.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“La! she’s awful dirty,” said Eliza, looking -in on them presently. “I wouldn’t touch her -with a ten-foot pole.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_94'>94</span>“Let’s wash her, and dress her up in Kenneth’s -things,” cried Cricket, straightway catching -hold of Mosina, who speedily stood arrayed -only in her own rosy skin; for the dirt which -’Liza had exclaimed at, was really chiefly on her -hands and face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice drew the water in the bath-tub, and all -four, with great laughing and excitement, superintended -a very thorough scrubbing process, to -the infinite amazement of the small child, who -had probably never been so scrubbed before since -she was born.</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was a small bruise on one side of the -round, dimpled thigh, that presently caught -Zaidie’s attention.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here’s another dirt-spot, Eunice,” she said, -with an air of much importance at the discovery. -It was so delightful to be the scrubber instead -of the <i>scrubbee</i>. She seized the nail-brush, and -squeezing in under Eunice’s arm, began vigorously -applying it to the baby’s soft flesh. That -small person instantly howled again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Stop, Zaidie! that isn’t dirt, it’s a bruise,” -said Eunice, taking the nail-brush away. “Can’t -you tell the difference?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not unlets I poke ’em,” said Zaidie, looking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_95'>95</span>surprised. “When I have one I always poke it, -and if it hurts I know it’s a bruise. If it doesn’t -I guess it’s dirt. I couldn’t tell it on the baby, -could I?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You had better experiment on yourself,” -said Cricket, laughing. “There, Miss Mosina, -you’re pretty clean now, I think. Let’s take -her out, Eunice. Put down the big bath-towel, -Zaidie.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Baby had endured the process in awed silence -thus far, but when she stood dripping like a -little cupid on the bath-towel, she patted her -round, fat legs with every appearance of delight, -and even attempted to climb back into the -tub. It was probably her first experience of a -plunge.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You <i>cunning</i> thing!” cried Eunice, as rapturously -as if she had never seen a small child -tubbed before. “Cricket, won’t you run and ask -’Liza for some of Kenneth’s clothes? I don’t -want to put her dirty ones on her again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket ran off and presently came back, -laughing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Liza says she couldn’t dress such little -beggars in gentlemen-folkses’ children’s clothes, -but finally she let me have these old ones, that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_96'>96</span>mamma had put by to give away. Let me see; -where do you begin?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know,” said Zaidie; and by the united -efforts of all four, Mosina was presently arrayed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>This process had taken up a great part of the -afternoon, and at this moment, Marjorie, who -had just returned, came running up-stairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, have mamma and Kenneth come back -so early?” she said, catching sight of a tiny -figure in a familiar blue dress.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, but this is our new baby, and we’re -going to adopt it, if its mother doesn’t come -for it; and I don’t much believe she will, for it -was pretty dirty, and probably she doesn’t care -for it much, so Eunice and I are going to keep -it,” poured out Cricket in a breath.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Marjorie dropped against the newel-post.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Adopt</i> it? What, in the name of common -sense, are you talking about, Cricket? Where -did the atom come from?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We found her in the street this morning,” -explained Eunice, “and we couldn’t find anybody -that belonged to her, so we <i>had</i> to bring -her home, Marjorie. We couldn’t leave her to -starve, could we? Poor little mite! she was -freezing cold.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_97'>97</span>Mosina, quite aware that she was under discussion, -clung to the dress of her first friend, -sucking her thumb, and staring from one to the -other with her solemn blue eyes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But, my dear children,” began Marjorie, in -a very superior, elder-sisterly tone, “that is perfectly -absurd. With all the raft of children we -have now, we can’t adopt a whole orphan asylum. -Besides, her mother will be looking for her; -probably she is nearly frantic. You must send -her to the police station.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There!” cried Eunice, aggrieved, “that old -police station again! Everybody says that. As -if I would have this cunning thing, that loves me -so, shut up in a horrid old black cell. Why, -she’d be as afraid as anything.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They don’t put lost children in cells,” began -Marjorie, and then stopped, not quite certain -what they did do with them. “At any rate, -you ought to take her there. People always -do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I shan’t do it,” said Eunice, stoutly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And, Marjorie, she’d be frightened to death -among all those big men,” expostulated Cricket. -“We have just <i>got</i> to keep her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I’ll tell you what I’ll do,” compromised -<span class='pageno' id='Page_98'>98</span>Marjorie. “I’ll send Jane around to the -police station, and tell them she’s here, and describe -her, and leave our address. If any one -comes, they can send here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just then the door-bell rang.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_99'>99</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VII.<br /> <span class='large'>MOSINA.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>In a moment, Jane came up with a telegram -from mamma, saying that she would stay in -Marbury all night, as it looked like rain, and -Kenneth had a slight cold.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The children looked at each other in blank -dismay. Mamma’s absence, for one night, really -made no difference at all, but they felt as if the -bottom had dropped out of the house. Of course -mamma had not known of papa’s absence for the -night, as he had been telegraphed for after she -had left in the morning.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Conscientious Marjorie looked as if the affairs -of the nation rested on her shoulders.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, dear me!” she sighed. “And this baby -on my hands.” And then she explained to Jane -about the police station, and what she wanted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, if the child is to stay here to-night, we -must arrange about its sleeping,” she added.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In Kenneth’s bed,” piped up Zaidie.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_100'>100</span>“I’ll see ’Liza about it,” said Marjorie, turning -to the nursery. “Take her up-stairs, Eunice, -do, and keep her amused till dinner.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll tell you, Miss Marjorie,” said ’Liza in -confidence, “them children have the notion of -adopting that baby. Of course it’s all nonsense, -but you let ’em have her in their room to-night, -and they’ll get off the notion. Tell ’em I can’t -have the bother of it here. ’Course I’ll sleep -with one ear open, and if they get into trouble, -I’ll go up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well, ’Liza, I’ll do that,” said Marjorie, -turning away.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice and Cricket proclaimed themselves -perfectly <i>delighted</i> with the arrangement. It -was just what they meant to do, anyway.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course, Marjorie, if <i>we</i> adopt the baby, -we’d expect to take all the care of it, you -know,” said Cricket. “’Liza has enough to do -with the younger ones; ’course she’ll sleep here. -Eunice, you can have her half the night, and I’ll -take her the other half.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I may forget to wake up,” objected Eunice. -“Suppose I take her to-night into my bed, -Cricket, and you take her to-morrow night. -There’s the dinner-bell. She can stay in the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_101'>101</span>nursery with ’Liza and the twins, and get her -supper, while we’re at dinner.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, Mosina,” said Cricket. “Oh, Marjorie, -I forgot to tell you, we named her Mosina, -after Moses.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are the most ridiculous children about -names,” said Marjorie, laughing. “Come to -dinner now. After dinner let us try that duet, -Eunice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Marjorie and Eunice were both musical, and -each played exceedingly well for their respective -years. Although Cricket loved music, she had -no aptitude for the piano, and her lessons had -been discontinued. Instead, her talent for her -pencil was being cultivated. But all the children -were more or less musical. Marjorie and -Eunice both had very good voices, and, with -Donald’s aid, they often practised trios, as well -as duets by themselves.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After dinner, Marjorie and Eunice played -duets for a time, but Eunice was so impatient -to get back to her adopted baby, and made so -many mistakes, that presently Marjorie, in disgust, -sent her off. The two younger girls immediately -flew up to the nursery.</p> - -<p class='c010'>’Liza was getting the twins ready for bed, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_102'>102</span>and gave Eunice some night-things of Kenneth’s -for her charge, together with a shower of instructions -for the night. Then the children carried -off the baby, nodding and heavy-eyed, but -quiet and stolid still.</p> - -<p class='c010'>With much giggling and fun, and a feeling of -immense importance, the two girls finally had -Mosina undressed and ready for bed. By this -time she was almost asleep on their hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just see this room!” exclaimed Eunice, -looking about her, after the infant was safely -tucked away in her cot. “Doesn’t it look as if -a cyclone had struck it? It’s more mussed up -than the nursery ever gets with all three children -there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We’ll put it in order to-morrow, for it’s -Saturday, and we’ll have plenty of time,” said -Cricket, gathering up the baby’s things with a -sweep of her arm, and putting them on a chair. -“Come on down-stairs again. Doesn’t it seem -grown-up and motherly just to turn down the gas -and go down and leave the baby asleep? <i>Won’t</i> -mamma be surprised when she comes home?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We must listen to see if she cries,” said -Eunice, beginning to feel the responsibility of a -family.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_103'>103</span>The children went down-stairs again, to the -back parlour, where Marjorie was deep in to-morrow’s -trigonometry. They each took a book -and pretended to read, but each found herself -starting up at every sound, and asking each -other if that was the baby’s voice. A dozen -times Eunice tiptoed to the front hall and stood -listening at the foot of the stairs, with a queer -feeling of the necessity of keeping very quiet, -although she certainly had never felt that necessity -with the twins or her small brother. A -dozen times Cricket started up, fancying she -heard a little wail from above.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Dear me!” sighed the latter, at last, “I -know now what mamma means by saying she -sleeps with her ears open. I have one ear up-stairs, -and the other on my book, and I’ve read -this page six times, and I have forgotten to turn -over.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It shows your distracted condition, if you -are trying to read with your ears,” Marjorie -stopped her studying to observe. “Don’t bother -about that infant, girls. She’s all right. <i>I’m</i> -only thinking about her poor mother. Jane -said there had been no inquiries at the police -station.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_104'>104</span>“Everybody’s been firing that police station at -our heads all day,” said Eunice, “but I couldn’t -bear to have the poor little thing put in a cell.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But they don’t put lost children in cells, -goosie,” said Marjorie. “I suppose they have a -woman to take care of them. They send to the -Central Office and tell them they have a lost -child there. Then anybody who has lost a child -goes to the nearest station and tells about it. -Then they send to the Central and ask if a lost -child has been reported there, and then they telegraph -back if it has, and the parents go and -find it, wherever it is. You know I sent to the -station to say it is here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How very simple,” said Eunice, thoughtfully. -“I wish we had known that this morning. I -didn’t think about the mother’s part of it, as I -do now. How we would feel if Kenneth was -lost for even an hour.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, Eunice,” said Cricket, shutting her -book with a slam. “Let’s go to bed. I’ve had -such an exciting day that I’m just <i>reeking</i> with -sleep. Good night, Meg.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good night, and take care of your infant.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The children tiptoed into their room, and -turned up the gas a very little.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_105'>105</span>“Do look at that child,” said Eunice, stopping -short.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Certainly if Mosina was quiet by day she -plainly made up for it at night. She had twisted, -and wiggled, and kicked, till the clothes were -lying in every direction, and she herself was -curled into a little ball at the foot of the bed, -with her beloved thumb tucked into her mouth -as far as it would go.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How shall we get her back again without -waking her? Would you dare lift her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We’ll have to. You can’t sleep without any -clothes over you, can you? Come up here, you -rascal,” and Cricket lifted the small round ball -gently in her arms and laid her, right side up, at -the other end of the bed. Baby settled down -with a gurgle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After the girls were in bed, and silence and -darkness had reigned for ten minutes, Eunice -suddenly remarked:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you know, Cricket, I never realised -before how small this cot is. This midget -seems to take up all the room. She slips right -down into the middle.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sleep on the other side,” murmured Cricket, -drowsily.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_106'>106</span>“I can’t very well sleep on both sides of her -at once; I’ll move her along once more.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Silence again, broken by a sudden grunt from -Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ugh! she’s planted her feet whack in my -stomach. Cricket, she flops just like a little -fish. I never know where she’s going to land -next; and she’s a regular windmill with her -arms. There she comes, whack, on my nose -again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Tell—her—to—stop,” advised Cricket, in -far-away tones.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Much good that would do! Now, you midget, -get over on your own side, and stay there;” -and Eunice, having lost all fears of awakening -her protegé, placed her with much firmness -back on the other side.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Poor Eunice! As the cot was only three feet -wide, and as she was entirely unaccustomed to -sleeping with any one, much less a wriggling, -squirming baby, she naturally found her present -experience rather a trying one. She listened -enviously to Cricket’s even breathing, which -showed that she was safe in the Land of Nod; -but when she herself was almost there, a tiny -foot or hand was suddenly planted on her, or -<span class='pageno' id='Page_107'>107</span>the soft, round little body came rolling over, -and landed plump upon her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Oh</i>, <span class='fss'>DEAR</span>!” cried Eunice at last, in despairing -capitals, “how do mothers ever sleep at -night, if their babies sleep with them?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She stretched herself on the outermost limit -of her cot, after pushing Mosina well along to -the other side. For a time quiet reigned, and -Eunice’s heavy eyelids fell. She was peacefully -sailing away to dreamland, when suddenly a -thud and a roar awakened them. Of course -Mosina had fallen out of bed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cricket! Cricket! do get up and light the -gas! I’m afraid to get out for fear I’ll step on -her. Do hurry, Cricket!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket tumbled sleepily out of bed and -groped for the matches, which hung in a little -swinging receiver on the gas-jet. She hit it -accidentally, and every match went flying to the -floor. Meanwhile Mosina steadily roared. Eunice -leaned over the edge and felt around for -her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where have every one of those plaguey -matches gone?” demanded Cricket, with emphasis, -groping around on her hands and knees, -and hitting every kind of object save a match. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_108'>108</span>Just at that moment Eliza, aroused by the uproar, -appeared, carrying a candle.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The baby fell out of bed,” explained Eunice, -somewhat unnecessarily, springing out of bed -herself as the welcome light appeared. Mosina -lay sprawled on her back, kicking her fat legs, -and screaming lustily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Tain’t hurt, by the way it cries,” said -Eliza, picking up the baby with a practised -hand. “It’s mad. There now! ’sh! hushaby! -Where was it sleeping, Miss Eunice?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here in my bed. Cricket, perhaps it <i>would</i> -be better to take half a night apiece instead -of every other night. I want <i>some</i> sleep. She -thrashes like a whale. I’m all black and blue -where she has punched me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>By this time Mosina, hushed in Eliza’s arms, -had gradually ceased crying and was shutting -her sleepy eyes again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, give her to me,” said Cricket, hopping -into bed, and holding out her arms. “Isn’t she -soft and warm, though. She’s just like a little -hot-water bag. I’ll put you on the side next the -wall, you cunning thing, so you can’t fall out -again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice jumped into bed and drew up the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_109'>109</span>blankets with a perfect groan of relief, and Eliza -departed, leaving them in darkness and quiet -again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If she kicks <i>very</i> hard, Cricket, I’ll take her -back, after I’ve had a little—snooze—but—I’m -so—” and Eunice dropped off, even as she -spoke. Cricket cuddled the baby in her arms, -where it actually lay still for a minute or two, -and Cricket improved the opportunity to go to -sleep herself.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_110'>110</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> <span class='large'>A BEDFELLOW.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Two or three hours passed, and the household -were all asleep; Cricket, in the intervals of her -disturbed dreams, had fished her little charge -up from her feet, and extricated her from an -amazing tangle of sheets and blankets. She had -awakened from an oppressive dream of drowning -to find the baby sprawling over her chest, with -both legs around her neck. She had patiently -restored her each time to her own corner. At -last, thoroughly tired out with this unaccustomed -wakefulness and responsibility, she fell into a -sleep much heavier than usual, regardless of -Mosina’s continued antics.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last a strange, new sound slowly penetrated -her consciousness, and she gradually awakened -to the fact that there had been a queer, wheezing -noise close to her ear for some time. Still -dazed with sleep; she lay bewildered for a moment -or two, till it suddenly dawned on her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_111'>111</span>that the queer noise came from the small atom -at her side. Mosina was wheezing and choking -in a way that became more alarming every -moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eunice! Eunice!” cried Cricket, suddenly -realising that something was seriously wrong; -“for goodness sake, wake up! Something’s the -matter with the baby!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In a moment,” answered Eunice, sleepily, -thinking that she was being called to breakfast.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Eunice</i>, get up! Run for ’Liza! Baby’s -<i>dying</i>!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What?” cried Eunice, startled into full -wakefulness. “Oh, Cricket! What is it? What -awful noises!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know what’s the matter,” said -Cricket, feeling her way to the gas again. -“Oh, <i>do</i> hurry! Here, you light it, and I’ll -go.” And Cricket flew away barefooted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In a moment she was back again, and directly -after ’Liza appeared, in a trailing flannel wrapper -and felt shoes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Croup!” she had exclaimed to herself, as -she heard the wheezing noises away down-stairs. -“A bad case, too,” she added to herself, as she -entered the room.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_112'>112</span>Eunice had the gas lighted, and the two -shivering, frightened little girls hung over the -cot, where the baby lay fighting for breath, -with that dreadful, whooping noise that mothers -know and dread. Eliza came forward quickly; -although she had not much head for any emergencies -out of her own line, she was a good -and efficient nurse where children’s ordinary ailments -were concerned.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Put on your dressing-gowns and slippers,” -she ordered the children, she herself flying to -the wash-stand, and wringing out a towel in cold -water. “Run up-stairs, Miss Eunice, and wake -Jane, and tell her to go for Dr. Townsend. -Pass me a flannel petticoat out of your drawer, -Cricket, please. I dasn’t wait to go to the -nursery for things.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The children flew on their respective orders, -and in a twinkling Eliza had a cold compress -on the baby’s chest, well protected by Cricket’s -blue flannel petticoat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Jane appeared a few moments later, ready -to go for the doctor, and Marjorie, aroused by -the voices and general commotion, came flying -up-stairs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Them big, fat children always has croup -<span class='pageno' id='Page_113'>113</span>dretful,” said Jane cheerfully. “Like as not -she’ll die.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Die!” echoed ’Liza, scowling at her. “You -get along, Jane Lackett, and bring that doctor, -and tell him Doctor Ward’s away; and don’t let -the grass grow under your feet, neither.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, ’Liza, will she die?” whispered Cricket, -clinging to Eliza’s hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, lawks! I guess not, honey; but she’s -fair to middlin’ sick. Helen ain’t nothin’ to her. -Never heard a worse wheezin’. S’pose she’s took -a fine cold this morning, runnin’ round without -any hat on.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was dreadful to the girls, who had never -seen a bad attack of croup before, to stand there -helplessly, and watch the little creature fighting -for breath, every respiration coming with a -long whoop that seemed to tear the little frame -apart.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can’t you do anything, ’Liza?” begged Marjorie. -“It’s dreadful to see her suffer so. -Aren’t there any medicines to give her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, Miss Marjorie; there’s syrup of squills. -It’s in your ma’s medicine chest. No; it’s all -out, I know. I’ll give her some vaseline, if -you’ll get some.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_114'>114</span>“Make her <i>eat</i> that stuff!” exclaimed -Cricket. “Why, it will choke her! Don’t -do it. It’s cruel!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Eliza, unheeding, took a spoonful of vaseline, -and opening the baby’s already gasping -mouth still further, put the soft, slippery mass -down the poor little throat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Presently the doctor came, and to the children’s -amazement, he nodded approvingly over -the vaseline. Then he ordered them all off to bed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go and finish the night in mamma’s bed, -you and Cricket,” suggested Marjorie. “’Liza, -I’ll be on the lookout for our children, since my -room is next to theirs, and you must stay here. -Is the baby very sick, doctor?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s a pretty bad attack, but nothing to -be frightened about,” said the doctor cheerily. -“But who in the world is the youngster?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>While Marjorie explained, Eunice and Cricket -crept off to mamma’s room, and tucked themselves -into her wide bed, feeling as if they had -been through a lifetime’s experience since nine -o’clock that night. How delightfully peaceful -and care-free it seemed to settle down without -anyone to look after but themselves.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really, Cricket, it may sound funny to you,” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_115'>115</span>said Eunice, squeezing her sister, “but I feel as -if I had had babies in my bed for <i>years</i>. It -actually seems funny not to feel her squirming -around.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I’m very sure, for my part, that adopting -babies is not what it’s cracked up to be,” -returned Cricket, decidedly. “Eunice, don’t let -<i>us</i> adopt her, even if her mother doesn’t come -for her. Mamma can, if she wants to, or papa -can find somebody else to. I think we have -enough children, anyway.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She would take a lot of time,” asserted -Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes; and think of dressing her every morning!” -added Cricket.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And having her sleep with us, and kicking -us black and blue every night!” said Eunice -feelingly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, and keeping us awake. Wonder how -the poor little thing is.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The doctor and ’Liza will take care of her. -Listen, Cricket! There’s the clock actually -striking two o’clock! Mercy! were we ever -awake so late before?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never. I feel forty-six years older than I -did last night, don’t you, Eunice?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_116'>116</span>But a grunt was Eunice’s only answer, and -Cricket speedily followed her to the Land o’ -Nod.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The doctor and Eliza had a busy hour over -the baby, and at the end of that time it was -sleeping quietly, and the night was finished in -peace and quiet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was very fortunate that Eliza was the -most patient, long-suffering nurse imaginable, -for she accepted Mosina as a temporary inmate -of the nursery the next day as a matter of -course, and looked after her as carefully as -after the other children. Jane made another -visit to the police station, after breakfast, but -only brought back the information that no lost -child had yet been reported.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Papa returned about luncheon time, and to -his great amazement, was presented to the new -member of his family.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We thought at first we’d like to adopt her, -but we’ve come to the conclusion we don’t care -much about it,” confessed Eunice frankly, at the -end of her tale; “at least, we don’t if she has to -sleep with us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Because, papa,” chimed in Cricket, “you -see, she’s the restlessest, squirmiest child you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_117'>117</span>ever saw. Oh, yes; she looks mild enough -now, but if you felt her wiggle just one night, -you’d believe it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You both of you look as if you had been on -a prolonged spree,” said Doctor Ward, pinching -the rather pale cheeks of his two ex-philanthropists. -“Never mind, I’ll look out for the baby. -Somebody will be sure to turn up for her.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And somebody did. About seven o’clock -that evening, the somebody marched up the -steps and rang the bell furiously. It was a -distracted little Dutch woman, who in broken -English demanded her baby. Mosina was -brought down, but after the first little gurgle -of pleasure at seeing her mother, sucked her -thumb as placidly as ever, while her mother -hugged and kissed her rapturously, pouring -forth a stream of mingled Dutch and English. -It was some time before she was calm enough -to explain the situation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>She went out to work by the day, when she -could, and, when she was at work, would often -leave the baby at her married sister’s for two -days at a time, as the sister lived at a distance, -and she would sometimes be too tired to go for -her at night. The day before, she had taken -<span class='pageno' id='Page_118'>118</span>her there as usual. However, the little thing -must have slipped out and run after her, and -the sister thought the mother had taken her, -after all. She had to go to work at a place -on the other side of the city for two days, and -so had not gone for the child the night before, -thinking, of course, she was safe, as usual. She -was wild with terror when she went there and -found that her sister thought she had the child -with her. They went immediately to a police -station, and soon had the necessary information -of the baby’s whereabouts.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The little Dutch mother was overwhelmed -with gratitude at the kindness and care her -baby had received. She said that the little -thing often had croup, and very bad attacks, -too.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mamma, who had returned from Marbury -just before dinner, began to talk quietly to the -excited little woman, and learned her story. It -was very short and very simple. They had -come over to this country two years before, and -did well till her husband was killed by an -accident a few months previous. She spoke so -little English that it was hard for her to get -work, and their little savings slipped away -<span class='pageno' id='Page_119'>119</span>quickly. Now she was anxious for all the work -by the day she could get.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Ward listened sympathisingly, promised -to speak to her friends about her, and gave her -a bundle of Kenneth’s clothes to take home, -besides the ones that Mosina was then arrayed -in.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So you don’t want to go into the orphan -asylum business?” said papa, pulling Cricket’s -curls, when the excitement was all over, and -Mosina and her mother had departed, laden -down with bundles.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I <i>might</i> like it,” said Cricket, meditatively, -“if only I didn’t have to sleep with the -orphans.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_120'>120</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER IX.<br /> <span class='large'>CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Christmas time was approaching, and the -Wards’ house was to be full to overflowing of -young people for a week or two. Donald was -to have a college friend of his with him for -several days. Eunice and Cricket were to have -their little Kayuna friends, Edith Craig and -Hilda Mason, to visit them; and, at the last -moment, Mrs. Somers had written, begging that -Will and Archie might be taken in, if possible, -as Edna had just come down with scarlet -fever, and they had to go away. Five extra -people in an already rather full house made a -great deal of planning and arranging necessary, -but I almost think that the children enjoyed -the bustle it all made as much as the expected -visit.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald had an extra bed put up in his room -for his friend. Eunice was to share the spare -room with Edith Craig, and Hilda was to have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_121'>121</span>Eunice’s cot, according to the first plan; but -when Will and Archie had to be arranged for, -mamma could think of nothing else to do but to -give them the girls’ room, and put up two more -cots in the spare room—fortunately a large one—so -that all four girls could sleep there. The -children were ready to stand on their heads -with delight at this arrangement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So boarding-school-y!” beamed Cricket, -surveying the room, when the beds were all -ready. It looked, for all the world, like a hospital -ward. “<i>Oh</i>, what fun we’ll have! You -were such an <i>angel</i>, mamma, to arrange for us -all to be together.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I hope I won’t regret it,” said mamma, -laughing, but looking a little dubious.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed, you won’t,” promised Eunice. -“We’ll be good, truly. Only it will be such -fun to plan jokes on the boys; and they can’t -do much to us when we are all together, you -see.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Remember, I don’t like practical jokes, -dear,” said mamma. “They are dangerous -things.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, we’ll tell you all the things we do,” -promised Cricket, “and we truly won’t do anything -<span class='pageno' id='Page_122'>122</span>you think we’d better not. <i>Please</i> don’t -say we can’t play any jokes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Christmas fell on Thursday, and the guests -were to arrive the next day. Christmas itself -was the gala day it always is in a house full of -happy young people. It began, of course, with -the usual excitement over the stockings, big and -little, that hung on the back-parlour mantel. -Then there were the presents that were too big -to go into stockings to be oh-ed and ah-ed over. -Then came the church service and the Christmas -dinner, and in the evening, a little party at -a neighbouring house.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The girls from Kayuna arrived Friday afternoon. -Doctor Ward took Eunice and Cricket to -the station to meet them, and in due time four -broadly smiling girls walked into the house, -where the little guests were warmly welcomed -by mamma and Marjorie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Edith Craig was a tall, fine-looking girl, a -year older than Eunice, and, being the eldest of -five children, she was very mature for her years. -She was really very companionable for Marjorie -as well as for Eunice. Cricket she regarded as -a mere infant, and her motherly ways towards -that young lady were very amusing. All the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_123'>123</span>family were very fond of Edith, however; she -was a bright, jolly, sensible girl, who seemed -equally happy whether she was exchanging confidences -with Eunice, or sitting with Mrs. Ward -and chatting over her embroidery, or romping -with Cricket, or giving Doctor Ward intelligent -attention when he was talking of some late medical -discovery, or playing duets with Marjorie, or -frolicking with the children in the nursery. A -well-bred, adaptable girl is always charming.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket thought that Hilda had grown very -much in the four months since she had seen her, -but her bronze curls were as smooth, and her -clothes as trim, and she was as plump and -pretty as ever.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The little hostesses had planned enough for -the ten days’ visit to fill a month, as children -generally do; but that was very much better -than not having enough to do. Saturday, the -first day, was a lovely beginning, for Mrs. Drayton -had planned one of Emily’s pleasant little -matinée parties. Ten children, including the -four of the Ward party, were invited to lunch -with Emily and go to the matinée afterwards, to -see “Robin Hood.” This was an especially great -treat for Eunice and Cricket, for they were -<span class='pageno' id='Page_124'>124</span>seldom allowed to go to the theatre, and their -little guests rarely had the chance. The lunch -was perfect; Mrs. Drayton and Emily were as -delightful as they always were; “Robin Hood” -was charmingly given, and the day was a perfect -success.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They found when they reached home that -Will and Archie had just arrived, and as Donald’s -friend had come also, the whole party collected -around the dinner table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Doctor Ward looked around beamingly on the -flock, as he flourished his knife over the big -turkey.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cricket, this is an improvement on your -orphan asylum, I think,” he said. “How is it? -Do you prefer the babies?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I really think, now that I’ve had experience,” -said Cricket reflectively, “that I like -middle-aged people, like ourselves, better. We -aren’t so much trouble, I’m sure.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was a shout at Cricket’s “middle-aged -people.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I mean people who aren’t little things, like -Zaidie and Helen, or grown up, like mamma,” -explained Cricket defensively. “Just scattered -along, like all of <i>us</i>, I mean.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_125'>125</span>The days flew by on wings. Edith was sufficiently -companionable to Marjorie for the -latter to be included in many of the little doings -that mamma planned for the younger girls. -Will and Archie sometimes accompanied them -also, and sometimes were off on their own -account.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Archie was as much of a tease as ever, and -with the four girls right under his thumb, so to -speak, he had a most congenial employment in -tormenting them. Indeed, the various tricks -on both sides formed a large part of the entertainment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The second night of his arrival, Archie carefully -made apple-pie beds, in which he was an -adept, for the occupants of the spare room, and -the girls soon found it wisest not to go to bed -on any night without carefully examining everything -in the room. One night all the sheets -were thickly strewn with salt, which, being white, -did not show at a casual glance, but was painfully -apparent when they lay down. Again, -he cut up the splints of a number of whisk -brooms, and the straws he scattered on the -mattress under the sheet. Did you ever go to -bed under the same circumstances? It is not -<span class='pageno' id='Page_126'>126</span>comfortable. Another night, he lined the pillow-cases -with white paper, carefully basted on -the ticking. Once, by an ingenious arrangement -of some nails tied together with string and hung -outside the window one windy night, a weird -sound, like a clanking chain, was made, and the -girls had a lively hunt for the mysterious noises -that kept them all awake.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mamma watched the fun carefully, but let -them go on, as long as it was all good-natured. -And indeed, the girls found many a way to repay -their ingenious tormentor. They sewed up -the sleeves of his night-shirt securely, not only -of the one he was wearing, but of all he had -with him, and Will’s also, lest Archie should -borrow. They filled his tooth-powder bottle -with soda, and stuffed the fingers of his best -gloves with cotton.</p> - -<p class='c010'>One night, when Archie had been particularly -bad all day, Cricket took her revenge by creeping -stealthily into his room after he was asleep—having -been kept awake herself, for the purpose, -by the united efforts of the other three—and -very cautiously pasted postage stamps over -his eyelids. Like most boys, when once asleep, -he rivalled the “Seven Sleepers,” and he never -<span class='pageno' id='Page_127'>127</span>stirred during the performance. Adorned with -the stamps, he peacefully slept on all night, while -Cricket jubilantly crept back to bed. By morning, -the stamps stuck as tightly as if they had -been nailed there.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When Archie awoke, to his horror, he could -not open his eyes. He felt of them, but the -stamps stuck so close that he could not imagine -what was the matter, and called out in alarm to -Will. Will, of course, when he once opened his -own sleepy eyes, was nearly in convulsions of -laughter over the blue one-cent stamp adornment -on Archie, but, in pretended fright, advised -him not to touch his eyes till he could call his -uncle. He summoned Doctor Ward in hot haste. -Archie, really much disturbed in mind over this -strange disorder, was lying perfectly still when -his uncle entered. The doctor, entering into -the joke, told him that it was nothing serious -yet, only a strange growth that had come during -the night—perhaps from cold—and he would -get his surgical instruments and remove it. -Archie groaned at the sound, but his uncle assured -him that it would not hurt him much, -if he kept perfectly quiet and did not touch his -eyes, while he got his instruments. Then the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_128'>128</span>doctor stepped to the bathroom, and came back -with a sponge and warm water, and, after much -preparation, he began swabbing Archie’s eyes, -talking all the time, till Archie was nearly -frantic.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By Jupiter, uncle! How long will I have -to keep my eyes bandaged after this operation? -What ails the confounded things, anyway? They -<i>feel</i> all right, now, if only I could get them -open.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There!” said his uncle at last, “now try, -<i>very</i> carefully, if you can open your eyes. -Slowly, mind.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Archie raised his eyelids, and looked about -him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, they’re all right,” he cried in great -surprise. “They don’t hurt a bit. Did you -<i>cut</i> something off, uncle? Didn’t it bleed? -Here, you idiot,”—to Will, who was rolling -on the floor in convulsions of laughter,—“what’s -the matter with you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh! oh!” gasped Will. “Did it bleed, -uncle? That’s too much! The dear, brave little -boy! He never whimpered.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Archie, in a state of raging indignation, flung -a pillow at him.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_129'>129</span>“You old lunatic!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Doctor Ward held up one of the stamps by -a pair of nippers.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A nocturnal visit of a certain household -insect, usually harmless, is plainly the cause -of your trouble, my boy,” he said, “but as I -told you, I do not consider it serious. Bathe -your eyes in warm water. Also, I recommend -temporary seclusion, and the cultivation of a -calm and forgiving frame of mind.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Another pillow went whack at Will, as a -partial relief to Archie’s helpless rage. He -only wished he dared throw one at his uncle, -as Doctor Ward went out, laughing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>No remarks were made at breakfast time -relative to the situation. Archie gazed haughtily -past Cricket, and devoted himself ostentatiously -to Hilda, whom, usually, he rather -snubbed. Like most people who love to tease, -he could not easily endure a joke on himself. -So he scorned Cricket’s overtures of peace, and -even meditated refusing to join the skating party -planned for that day. The skating party, however, -had been in prospect for several days, and -as even Donald and his friend, Mr. Herrick, were -to join it, Archie could not quite make up his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_130'>130</span>mind to this sacrifice, even for the sake of punishing -Cricket. In this trait Zaidie and Archie -were comically alike. Both usually took revenge -by making themselves thoroughly uncomfortable.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose Archie will treat me with an air -of cold familiarity all day,” said Cricket, in -confidence to Will, as he took her skates, and -Archie walked on ahead with Hilda. Hilda -was delighted. Archie had usually so little to -say to her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Will went off in a shout of laughter at Cricket’s -remark. She thought it was at the memory -of the morning.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think he ought to mind just a little -joke like that, when he just <i>piles</i> jokes on other -people,” went on Cricket, in an injured tone. -“Look at all the things he’s done to us, and we -smile at him just the same.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The skating party was a grand success. They -went out of town, on the street cars for several -miles, to the lake, which was a glittering sheet -of ice. The day was clear and not too cold. -Everybody skated well, but Archie particularly -excelled. He was up in every kind of fancy -figure, and in the delight of showing off, his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_131'>131</span>wounded feelings were gradually soothed—at -least outwardly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But I’ll get even with that little minx,” he -said, grimly, to himself. “She’s altogether too -fresh,” forgetting, as practical jokers generally -do, that he had had the first innings.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They returned home in time for half-past one -luncheon, with the appetites of anacondas. No -one noticed that Archie whipped into the dining-room, -instead of going up-stairs with the others, -when they first came in, chattering, and laughing, -and glowing with exercise. In ten minutes -time the luncheon-bell rang.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Waffles! hurrah!” cried Will, boyishly, as -Jane brought in his favourite dish.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Auntie, you’re a brick!” chimed in Archie. -“Miss Scricket, don’t you take all this syrup on -yours, for I want some myself, and there isn’t -much in the syrup jug,” and Archie peered in.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You don’t need any, being so sweet yourself,” -returned Cricket, pouring out a liberal -supply of the clear, delicious-looking syrup from -the jug that stood by her plate.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The next instant the family were startled by -a most unmannerly gulp from Cricket, who -clapped her hands over her mouth and bolted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_132'>132</span>from the table without the ceremony of an -“Excuse me” to mamma. Everybody looked -after her in surprise; then mamma, excusing -herself, hastily followed her to the butler’s -pantry, whither she had retired. The sickest, -forlornest-looking child imaginable held up a -white face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It was—the—syrup,” she managed to say -“It’s sour or something. Oh, I’m so sick at -my stomach!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Not waiting to investigate the matter at that -moment, mamma called Sarah, who carried poor -little Cricket up-stairs in her arms. A very -unhappy hour followed. As soon as mamma -could be spared, she flew down-stairs to the -dining-room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Archie stood by the window, drumming on the -window-pane. He turned around as his aunt -entered.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I did it,” he said. “It’s castor-oil. -I slipped in and emptied the syrup jug just before -luncheon, and put some castor-oil in, out -of a bottle in uncle’s office. It won’t hurt her, -will it? I didn’t think she’d get more than a -taste of the stuff.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s nothing serious, only you’ve given poor -<span class='pageno' id='Page_133'>133</span>little Cricket a pretty bad quarter of an hour, -my boy. It chances that oil of any kind, even -salad oil, makes her deathly sick. She never -eats salad or lettuce, if it is dressed; but of -course you did not know that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Archie looked uncomfortable.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course I didn’t, auntie, or I wouldn’t -have been such a brute.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Surely not. It was just the ‘chances of -war.’ It is always so with practical joking. -Each goes a step farther than the other, till -some one—generally the weaker party—gets -the worst of it. Suppose you drop it now, -dear?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“See here, auntie,” said Archie, awkwardly, -“I—you know—well, Cricket really owes me -one now. Let her go on and do me up, if she -wants to. I’d a jolly lot rather she would; -and I won’t do another single thing after that. -Did she bluster much?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” said Mrs. Ward, smiling. “Cricket is -always ‘game,’ as you boys say, and would not -let me blame you. But let me say one more -word, my lad. Since you love to play jokes and -tease people, as well as you do, don’t you think -you might be a little generous, and let them -<span class='pageno' id='Page_134'>134</span>have the same sport with you, without losing -your temper? Turn about is always fair play, -my boy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Archie looked slightly shame-faced—a most -unusual state of affairs for him. But, as Mrs. -Ward never nagged the children, a few words -from her always had their due weight.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In a couple of hours, Cricket was ready to -join the girls, who were clustered about the -cosy open fire in mamma’s room, laughing and -chattering over their embroidery. Now that -the violent nausea, which the least taste of oil -always gave her, was over, Cricket was rather -disposed to look upon the whole thing as very -funny, after all. She was really rather amazed -when the girls sympathised with her and energetically -heaped abuse upon Archie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It wasn’t anything,” she insisted. “I’d -have done it myself, if I’d have thought of it. -Of course it isn’t very pleasant to have your -stomach sick at itself; but he didn’t know I -don’t like oil. But, oh, mamma, I’ve thought -of <i>such</i> a nice little trick to play on him now!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s time to stop, dear,” said Mrs. Ward. -“Don’t let’s carry it any further.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Please, mamma, it’s such a <i>little</i> joke, and it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_135'>135</span>wouldn’t hurt him a bit; and I do think he deserves -a good taking-down,” pleaded Cricket. -“He’ll crow over me, always, if I don’t; he’ll -call me ‘’fraid cat,’ and I’m <i>not</i> a ‘’fraid cat;’ -I’ll leave it to anybody.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let’s hear the joke,” said mamma judicially, -remembering Archie’s own words; and Cricket -unfolded her little scheme.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought of that when I was sickest,” she -finished triumphantly. And mamma said she -might do it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>That evening the boys had planned to go and -make a formal call on May Chester. Formal -calls were rather a new experience for both of -them, and each felt as important as a little dog -with a new collar. They went up-stairs, to get -ready, directly after dinner, and were gone an -unconscionably long time.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I know those boys will try to sneak down-stairs, -and get out without being seen,” said -Eunice, getting impatient for their appearance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They can’t do it. I’m on the lookout with -my little eye,” chirped Cricket, from the portières. -“Isn’t it funny how ashamed boys always -are of being dressed up! ’Sh! there they come -now. Edith, you know you’re to go out and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_136'>136</span>ask them to come in a moment. They won’t -suspect you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Slip out in the hall as if you were looking -for something, and meet them by accident,” -advised Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Edith obediently sauntered out into the hall, -and met the boys as directed. After a moment’s -conversation, she succeeded in coaxing them -into the parlour, for approval from the family. -Archie came in with a lofty expression, as if -making formal calls on young ladies, with pale -yellow kid gloves on, was an every-night affair. -Will looked somewhat conscious.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is that your new suit, Archie?” asked Mrs. -Ward. “How well it fits!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Seems</i> to me,” said Cricket, screwing up her -face critically, “it sort of wrinkles across the -shoulders,” patting his back patronisingly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Archie wheeled around to a mirror hastily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wrinkles, Miss Scricket! You ought to be -wrinkled yourself! It fits like a—a house-afire,” -he said indignantly, nearly twisting his -neck off.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And we all know how perfectly a house-afire -fits,” observed Marjorie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket continued patting Archie’s back, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_137'>137</span>smoothing out imaginary wrinkles. By the time -he had reached the doorway she had succeeded -in what she was trying to do, for as he went -out, after waving a light yellow hand patronisingly -to the girls, there was pinned across his -back a broad slip of paper with good-sized -printed letters on it:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m such a little boy; please to send me -home early.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There!” remarked Cricket with much satisfaction, -as the front door shut, “I think Archie -will be pleased to have May Chester see that. I -winked at Will—he won’t tell; and he helped -him on with his overcoat <i>very</i> carefully. I -peeked to see.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’d like to see his face when he finds it out,” -said Hilda.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, <i>wouldn’t</i> I!” cried Cricket fervently. -“And, mamma, Archie can do anything he likes -to me now—I won’t pay him off again. I’ll -tell him so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Half an hour later, Donald came in.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here’s something I picked up on the doorstep,” -he said. “Probably a circular or something -thrown down. Why, what’s this?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>He held it up. A burst of laughter from the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_138'>138</span>girls greeted it. It was that identical paper, -which had probably been rubbed off by the overcoat, -and had worked down.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket looked perfectly blank for a moment, -and then joined in the laughter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If Archie only knew it,” she cried, -“<i>wouldn’t</i> he crow! Joke’s on me now, for -sure!”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_139'>139</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER X.<br /> <span class='large'>THE BOY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Mrs. Ward came to the luncheon table the -next day, holding up three pink tickets.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A treat for the musical ones,” she said, -gaily. “Mrs. Chester has just sent around these -tickets for the matinée performance of that little -musical wonder, this afternoon. For some -reason they are unable to use them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hurrah!” said Marjorie, clapping her hands -in true Cricket fashion, “I’ve been dying to -hear him. Oh, Edith, people say he’s the -greatest <i>dear</i>!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought you and Edith and Eunice could -go, dear,” said Mrs. Ward. “You will enjoy it -better than the younger ones.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But don’t you want to go yourself, mamma?” -asked Eunice, quickly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; for you know papa and I heard him, -two weeks ago, when we were in New York. -He certainly <i>is</i> a wonder, Edith. I don’t care -<span class='pageno' id='Page_140'>140</span>much about prodigies, as a rule, but <i>his</i> playing -is very wonderful. New York was wild over -him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ve wanted to hear him <i>so</i> much,” said -Edith, enthusiastically. “It’s perfectly lovely!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I’ll take you two down-town with -me,” said Mrs. Ward to Cricket and Hilda. -“Will it be too cold for ice-cream?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The three matinée girls got off in good time. -As they entered the lobby, they encountered -Mrs. Drayton.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m so glad to see you, girls,” she said, in -her cordial way. “I came early, and have been -waiting here in hope of seeing some of you. I -am going to the dressing-room, to see the little -pianist, during the intermission, and I thought if -I could find any of you, you would like to go -too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The girls fairly gasped. To go behind the -scenes into that wonderful, mystical dressing-room, -and actually see and touch a real, live -individual that came out on the stage and -played! Could it be true?</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Mrs. Drayton!” they all cried, breathlessly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have seen him several times,” Mrs. Drayton -<span class='pageno' id='Page_141'>141</span>went on. “The little fellow, with his father -and some others, lunched with us yesterday. -He is a perfect little dear. Just as childlike -and sweet as if he never had been before the -public at all.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Drayton’s husband, though a prominent -lawyer, was a fine amateur violinist, and he -kept closely in touch with all musical matters. -His house was always a centre for amateur -musicians, and he often entertained professionals.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How lovely of you, Mrs. Drayton!” exclaimed -Marjorie, enthusiastically. “It will be -just delightful to see that cunning thing off the -stage!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>This bit of thoughtfulness was just like Mrs. -Drayton.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I have a little box of toys for him,” she -went on, showing the corner of a white paper -parcel under her long cloak. “We will take -them in to him during the intermission. Where -are your seats, Marjorie? Let me see your -tickets. Oh, yes. Fortunately, they are near -mine. You can get up and come out into the -aisle when I do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>In due course of the programme, the marvellous -ten-year-old came forward to take his place at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_142'>142</span>the piano, looking ludicrously tiny among the -big German musicians. The grand piano seemed -to swallow him up as he stood by it for a -moment, bowing in a grave, self-possessed, yet -childlike manner, in response to the applause -that greeted him. He had a sweet, serene -little face, with dark brown hair falling over -his forehead. His broad lace collar made him -look still younger than he really was.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He turned, after his bow, and climbed upon -the piano-stool, settling himself with his small -hands folded in his lap. Then he awaited the -signal to begin, as composedly as if no large -audience listened breathlessly for his first notes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When the number was finished, he turned -sidewise on the stool, and bowed to the audience, -with his little feet swinging. At the -renewed applause, he slipped down, bowing with -a funny, quaint little gesture of his hands, and -then turned and climbed to his perch again. -Some one had started to lift him up, but he had -put him aside with a dignified little motion. -After the third number, his last in the first -part, he slipped down again, made a hasty little -bow, and scampered away like a flash, amid -mingled laughter and applause.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_143'>143</span>At last came the intermission. Mrs. Drayton, -followed by the girls, made her way to the -dressing-room. She was well-known to the -attendants, so she had no difficulty.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The Boy, the marvellous little musician, sat -on the floor playing with a little train of cars -that went choo-choo-ing over the carpet, propelled -by steam made from real water in the -tiny boiler.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Look out for my cars there,” he exclaimed, -with a funny, foreign accent, as his visitors -entered, not even glancing up at them in his -absorbed interest. The lad’s father stood by -the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Get up, my son, and greet these gracious -ladies,” said the father, in German, as he -turned and spoke to Mrs. Drayton, himself. -The Boy got up lingeringly, with a most bored -expression, but his face changed and brightened -as he recognised his kind friend, with whom he -felt quite well acquainted. He sprang forward -quickly, and, throwing his arms about her neck, -he kissed her repeatedly in his pretty, foreign -fashion. The girls looked on, amazed enough -that he proved to be just an ordinary, every-day -little boy.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_144'>144</span>“I thought we’d find him reading Beethoven’s -life, or, at least, studying the score,” whispered -Marjorie to Edith. “Just imagine that genius -sitting down on the floor and playing <i>cars</i>!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ve brought these young ladies to see you,” -said Mrs. Drayton, putting the little fellow -down. “Will you kiss them, dear?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Marjorie and Edith and Eunice, all awe-struck -at the idea of kissing a genius, bent down to the -dear little boy, who dutifully kissed each one of -them, first upon one cheek and then upon the -other, in foreign fashion, as if it were a performance -he was very used to.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What have you brought me?” he demanded, -in German, of Mrs. Drayton, standing before her -in boy fashion, with his small feet somewhat -apart, and his hands deep in his pocket.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We all spoil him by always bringing him -something, I suppose,” said Mrs. Drayton to the -girls, laughing at his tone, as she laid the box -she had brought in his hands. He eagerly tore -off the paper and the cover. The box contained -a curious mechanical toy, which the Boy seized -with delight. He immediately sat down on the -floor to examine it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just at this moment, the strains of the violins -<span class='pageno' id='Page_145'>145</span>sounded again, and the call-boy came to say -that he must go in a moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The Boy uttered an impatient exclamation -that was equal to “Oh, bother!” in English, -but he paid no other attention to his summons. -His father was talking to Mrs. Drayton, and -did not hear the call-boy enter or leave.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In a moment, the call-boy came again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can’t they wait a minute?” the Boy demanded -impatiently, in English, which he spoke -very well. “I <i>must</i> get this together. It’s -almost done.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The applause of the audience came to their -ears. The call-boy repeated the summons in -great impatience, knowing that he would be -scolded for presumably not having given long -enough notice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well,” said the Boy, getting up reluctantly. -“Please go not till I return, gracious -ladies. I will play fast. I do so much wish to -see this strange thing together,” and off the -child scampered, leaving the three girls staring -in amazement at the remarkable manners of a -prodigy.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’s a real little boy,” said Edith, drawing -a long breath of surprise. “To see him playing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_146'>146</span>with these toys, and then imagine what he can -do with those wonderful little fingers of his! -Listen!” as the wonderful strains floated in.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Isn’t he a <i>darling</i>?” exclaimed Marjorie -enthusiastically. “He isn’t spoiled a bit!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The boy’s father had left the room, and Mrs. -Drayton joined the girls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He is very carefully managed and trained,” -she said. “He is allowed to see very few people, -on the whole, and as he has played before -an audience ever since he was five years old, it -is nothing to him. They want to keep him -simple and unspoiled.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>If the girls had been in their seats, they would -have been amused to see the Boy come half running -on the stage. He made a funny little sidewise -bow, and climbed upon the piano-stool. -He had already kept the audience waiting a full -minute, but he placidly took up a programme that -lay on the piano, ran down it with his finger, -found the place, creased the paper across, laid -it down, and instantly was the inspired little -musician again. It was a magnificent concerted -piece, and the programme announced that -the child had seen it, for the first time, the day -before, but his tiny fingers interpreted the large, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_147'>147</span>grave measures in a way that held the great -audience breathless. In a long, elaborate bit, -that belonged to the first violin, he would soundlessly -follow the notes with the fingers of one -hand, as if in pure enjoyment of the swift -motion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The selection came to an end at last, with a -grand succession of chords. The instant the last -notes had died away, the child slipped down, and -ran away without his bow, before any one could -stop him. He darted into the dressing-room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Are you here yet, gracious ladies?” he said, -breathlessly. “I’m so glad! Now I want to -get this together; I don’t play next time. Do -you hear the clapping? They want me to come -back and play again, but I <i>shan’t</i> till it’s time. -See! this is the way it goes!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just then, amid the prolonged applause of the -audience, some one came to lead him back to -make his acknowledgments, and play again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t want to, now, and I <i>shan’t</i>,” he said, -positively. “It isn’t my turn. Let the next one -play.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Another messenger arrived, here, with orders -for him to come at once, as the applause renewed -itself, growing still more insistent.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_148'>148</span>“I’m busy,” the Boy said, sitting still. Just -then his father came in, and bade him go at -once. Reluctantly he put down his plaything, -and went off to the stage. He made his way -down the centre, between the musicians, bowing -this way and that, and making his funny little -foreign gestures with his hands. The applause -redoubled at the sight of him, and a shower of -flowers fell about him. He picked up a big bouquet -of roses, that fell at his feet, and then saying -perfectly distinctly to the first violin:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There! that’s all I’m going to do,” he -marched off again. Everybody laughed and -applauded, although, of course, only the nearest -musicians heard what he said. The conductor -gave the signal for the next number, and the -performance went on. By this time, Mrs. Drayton -had taken the girls back to their seats.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After the last regular number of the programme, -some musician was invited to come -from the audience and give the Boy a simple -theme for him to improvise upon. At this -request, a well-known amateur musician, an old -resident of the city, came forward, and went -upon the stage. He was a tall, peculiar-looking -man, with long hair lying on his shoulders. He -<span class='pageno' id='Page_149'>149</span>sat down on the piano-stool with an odd little -mannerism, which he always had while playing, -bending his head forward in a funny, rather -affected way. For a theme, he played “Home, -Sweet Home,” very slowly. The Boy listened, -with his head on one side, in his little, bird-like -manner. When Professor Sands had played -the air through once, he repeated it more rapidly. -As he began, the boy put out his hand -impatiently to stop him, but the professor played -on. Whereupon, the Boy gave the pedal a petulant -little kick, as if to say:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What in the world is he playing that easy -thing over again for? How many times does -he think I need to hear a theme?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But the professor finished it, and then -resigned his seat to the child. As soon as -he was seated, he placed his fingers stiffly -on the keys, with his head bent forward, in an -irresistibly funny imitation of the professor’s -manner, and played the theme through just as -slowly as he had; then he straightened up, -and darted through it again at lightning speed. -Next he wove it into the most elaborate improvisations, -recurring constantly to the theme. -Whenever he played, even a dozen notes of it, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_150'>150</span>he instantly dropped into Professor Sands’s -mannerism. The audience were soon in convulsions -of laughter, and even the professor -himself, recognising the joke, laughed till the -tears rolled down his cheeks. Not a muscle -of the Boy’s face moved. At last he flashed -into “Yankee Doodle,” slipped again to “Home, -Sweet Home,” playing it so swiftly that it was -only a ripple of melody, dropped, then, into his -imitation of Professor Sands again, and finished -with a series of chords so rich and full that it -seemed scarcely possible those tiny fingers could -evoke them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Between laughter and applause the audience -made the roof ring. The Boy stood, still grave -and demure as always, with his folded hands -hanging in front of him, but those nearest caught -the wicked little twinkle in the dark eyes. Of -course, the three girls clapped their gloves into -rags.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you ever see such a perfectly fascinating -darling?” sighed Marjorie, in pure delight, -as the child was finally allowed to leave the -stage.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Marjorie, <i>do</i> you feel that you can ever -touch the piano again, when you think of that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_151'>151</span>little mouse sitting up there and playing like -that, without half trying?” said Edith mournfully. -“It’s just—just presumptuous to try!” -This was said as they were coming down the -steps, on the way out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Indeed, that is never the way to feel after -listening to a genius,” said Mrs. Drayton, cheerily. -“Certainly you cannot expect to rival -playing like that, but it should be an inspiration -to you, to lift you up, and make you do your -very best yourself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But one’s very <i>bestest</i> is poor and weak after -that,” said Marjorie, earnestly. “I’m simply -ashamed to look at a piano.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do not feel that. Do your best faithfully, -and be patient with yourself. One need never -be ashamed of one’s <i>best</i>. Fortunately, it’s no -disgrace <i>not</i> to be a genius, which is a great consolation -for all of us commonplace people. You -need only be ashamed of a low standard. Aim -high, and keep your eyes fixed on your goal, my -girls. That’s the secret of success.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_152'>152</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XI<br /> <span class='large'>A VISIT TO MOSINA.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>“Mamma, may I take Hilda to see Mosina this -morning?” asked Cricket, the next day at breakfast. -“The girls are going to the Museum, and -we don’t want to go very much, and I do want -Hilda to see our cunning Mosina.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I’m rather afraid, dear,” hesitated -mamma. “You’ve never been there alone, -you know. I’m not quite sure that it’s perfectly -safe for you to go by yourselves. Is it, -papa?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Down in——Street? Why—yes—I think -so. Are you sure you know the way, Cricket?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perfectly sure, papa. What harm could -come to us? <i>Do</i> let us! I know Mosina is -just wild to see us. Oh, Hilda, she is the <i>cutest</i> -thing! She’s just like a little roll of butter, -with blue buttons for eyes; they’re so round.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hilda, if you ever feel any inclination to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_153'>153</span>adopt a little sister—” began Doctor Ward, with -twinkling eyes, but Cricket went straight on:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She’s the fattest thing you ever saw. She’s -all creases. She looks just as if she had strings -tied around her legs and arms—regular <i>corduroy</i> -arms.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’d love to see her. Do let us go, Mrs. -Ward. We’ll be very careful and not get lost.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I will let you. Keep your wits -about you, Cricket, and don’t go wandering off -anywhere. And I’ll send a little bundle of -things down to Mosina’s mother. By the way, -tell her to come up on Saturday, and I’ll have a -big bundle ready for her. You can carry a few -cookies down in a little box, couldn’t you, Hilda, -if Cricket carries the parcel?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The children set off on their expedition, in -great glee, about ten o’clock. To be sure, -Cricket had never been there alone before, but -the way was very direct and simple, and the -neighbourhood where Mosina’s mother lived, -though poor, was perfectly respectable. Mrs. -Ward had fulfilled her promise to little Mrs. -Brummagen—had given her work, and told her -friends about her, and moreover, had been to see -her, herself, several times. The children still -<span class='pageno' id='Page_154'>154</span>called the baby “Mosina,” and the child had -already learned to use the name herself. As -the children walked along, Cricket rehearsed, -for the third or fourth time, the story of the -finding and the temporary adoption of Mosina.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She’s awfully cunning, but I’m <i>glad</i> we -didn’t adopt her,” concluded Cricket. “She -would have been a lot of work. Children always -are, I guess. I’ve thought, ever since that -night, that I wonder how mothers stand it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, mothers are made so!” said Hilda, comfortably.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I wonder if that makes it really any easier -for them,” meditated Cricket, thoughtfully. -“Mamma says that I had colic just steadily -till I was about six months old, and cried all -the time, and would scarcely stay with the nurse -at all. Mamma was up with me most every -night. Think of it! And one night just used -me up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mothers don’t mind,” repeated Hilda. -“Mamma just <i>loves</i> to do things for me, so I -always let her,” she added, superbly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket knit her brows a little, but as they -were already at Mosina’s home, she put the -question away, to think over at her leisure.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_155'>155</span>Mosina and her mother were delighted to -see their visitors. Mrs. Brummagen was hard -at work, washing, and Mosina was tied to the -door-knob by a string. This, at first sight, did -not seem a necessary precaution, for she was -sitting perfectly still, upon the floor, staring into -space, when the girls entered. This one little -room was the whole of Mrs. Brummagen’s residence. -Here she slept and washed clothes and -did her bit of cooking, but it was all clean and -tidy as Dutch neatness could make it. The -girls delivered the box of cookies and the other -things, and gave Mrs. Ward’s message.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hilda stared about her. She had never, before, -been in the home of the very poor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, that’s a bed! Does she sleep in the -kitchen?” she whispered to Cricket, as Mrs. -Brummagen went back to her washing, and -Cricket lifted Mosina in her arms.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This isn’t the kitchen; it’s all she has,” -responded Cricket, in an equally low voice. -“Lots of people have only one room.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do they <i>like</i> it? Don’t they want more -room?” said Hilda, amazed; for she always -found it difficult to realise that people occasionally -did things that they did not like to do. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_156'>156</span>Her own experience, in that way, was very -limited.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They have to do it, goosie,” said Cricket, -who had often been with her mother to see her -poor people. “I like to come here. Isn’t it -story-booky? See this cunning thing? Isn’t -she clean?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She <i>is</i> awfully fat. Can she talk?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just jabbers; you can’t understand her. -Say ‘How do you do?’ baby.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mosina was a fine plaything, for she was -exactly like a big wax doll. The children could -do anything they pleased with her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You wouldn’t think this child could be such -a torment at night,” said Cricket, feelingly. -“In the daytime she is just like a lump of -dough. She stays just where you put her. -But at night—oh, goodness! she was just as if -she had yeast in her. I was black and blue for -a week after she slept with me that night. Oh, -<i>weren’t</i> you bad!” addressing Mosina, with uplifted -finger.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Just then a sharp knock came at the door, -and Mrs. Brummagen, drying her hands on her -apron, hurried to open it. A messenger stood -there, saying that she was wanted immediately -<span class='pageno' id='Page_157'>157</span>for a little extra work at the house of one of -her regular employers. Some servant had unexpectedly -left, and company was expected, and -Mrs. Brummagen was requested to come back -with the messenger for a few hours’ work.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ach, himmel!” cried little Mrs. Brummagen, -uncertainly. “What I do? Mine vash -in ze wassa iss, und mine leetle babby alone vill -be. I cannot.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But you <i>must</i>,” said the boy, impatiently. -“She tole me not to come back widout yer. -Leave de kid wid de naybors. Yer’ll be back -at four o’clock, she said.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Mrs. Brummagen,” said Cricket, eagerly, -“you go, and I’ll stay with the baby. I can -as well as not. Mrs. Whitby lives near us, and -you just stop and tell mamma about it, please. -We’d like to, wouldn’t we, Hilda?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Poor little Mrs. Brummagen, overwhelmed by -the thought of the young ladies staying and -taking care of her baby, and distracted by the -boy, who instantly urged the plan, hardly knew -which way to turn. Cricket and Hilda both -insisted loudly, the boy announced that she must -go anyway, and so, before she really knew what -she was about, she had on her bonnet and shawl, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_158'>158</span>and was borne away triumphantly by the boy, -protesting, all the time, that she mustn’t leave -the clothes in soak.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hilda and Cricket looked at each other, with -broadly smiling faces, when they were left in -possession.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Isn’t this fun?” beamed Cricket. “I’ve -always wondered how it would seem to live in -one room. Just like a baby-house, isn’t it?” -executing a war-dance around the solemn little -Mosina, who watched the proceedings with calm -interest.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Lots of fun!” assented Hilda. “What will -we do about lunch?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Lunch!” replied Cricket, blankly, at this -practical suggestion; “I forgot about lunch. -Oh, I guess there’ll be something to eat in -the ice-box. Why, there isn’t any ice-box! -Well, in the cupboard then! We’ll find something -and cook it! Oh, ‘wot larks!’ as Archie -says;” and Cricket danced gaily around Mosina -again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let’s play we live here all the time,” she -added, stopping, with one foot up. “I’ll be -Mrs. Brummagen. No, I won’t; I can talk -Irish better than Dutch, so I’ll be Mrs. O’Flanagan, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_159'>159</span>sure. You can be—let me see—you -can be my daughter or my sister.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I won’t be either,” said Hilda with dignity. -“I’ll be your mother, and wear a cap, -and say ‘Arrah go bragh,’ and all those things.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, splendid! you always do the old lady -parts so well,” said Cricket, approvingly. “Let’s -see what we can find for a cap. See! here’s a -little white skirt of Mosina’s; guess it’s her -best one. Have you any pins? We can pin -the belt together and double the skirt, and -here’s a beautiful cap with a ruffle and all, and -so becoming!” adjusting the big cap, admiringly, -and tucking up Hilda’s long curls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now pin this funny little shawl around your -shoulders. What a lovely grandma you always -make!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>No wonder Hilda got on so well with Cricket, -who always made things easy for her, and loved -and admired her with all her unselfish little -soul.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You must pin up your skirts like a washerwoman,” -said the old lady, quite delighted with -her own appearance. “Now roll your sleeves -up. Mosina is your baby, you know, and I’m -her grandma. Now, what let’s do?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_160'>160</span>“I wonder what Mrs. Brummagen does when -she isn’t washing? Do you s’pose she reads? -Why, <i>Hilda</i>, there isn’t a book around! Don’t -you s’pose she ever <i>reads</i>?” with the greatest -astonishment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Probably she gets books from the public -library,” suggested Hilda. “Anyway, I dare -say she hasn’t much time to read. I shouldn’t -think washerwomen people would have. Perhaps -she sews.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There isn’t a sign of a work-basket,” said -Cricket, looking around with increased astonishment. -“Do you suppose <i>this</i> is all she sews -with?” pointing to a spool of coarse white thread -with a big needle sticking in it, and a brass -thimble standing by it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It must be. No books and no sewing! -What do you suppose she does in the evening?” -exclaimed Hilda.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s very queer,” said Cricket, thoughtfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Neither child, of course, had much more idea -of the life of the very poor than they had of the -habits of a kangaroo.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But we must do something. We can’t sit -around all day,” added Cricket briskly. “Oh, -let’s finish the washing!”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_161'>161</span>“Do you think that’ll be fun?” asked Hilda, -doubtfully. “The clothes are all wet.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Hilda, of course they are! Who ever -heard of washing clothes in dry water? Come -on! We needn’t splash much, if we’re careful. -Yes, I really think we ought to do it. You -know she didn’t want to go and leave her -clothes in the water. Perhaps they would get -rancid, or mildewed, or something.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t believe I want to,” objected Hilda. -“Ugh! think of putting your hands into that -messy water! I wouldn’t do it for anything!” -peering into the tub disgustedly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It doesn’t look very—appetising,” said -Cricket, hesitating for a word. “But see! -here’s the wringer on this tub. She was ready -to wring them out. That’s fun, anyway. We -can fish up the things with this stick, and poke -them in, and turn the handle and they come out -dry. Then we could iron them, and they’ll be -all done when she comes home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hilda still looked doubtful about this form of -amusement, and, with her ruffled cap very much -to one side, she silently watched Cricket experiment -with a stick.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“These clothes are the funniest! They don’t -<span class='pageno' id='Page_162'>162</span>seem to have any ends; they’re all muddly,” -she said, fishing, vainly, to bring something out -of the wet mass. “Oh, I see! They’re sheets,” -bringing one up slowly. “Shouldn’t you think -it was for a giant’s bed? Look!” raising the -sheet on the stick as far up as she could stretch, -while some of its slippery folds still lay in the -water. “Doesn’t it make a good banner?” -waving it slightly, to and fro.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Look out, Cricket! you’re spattering me! -Ow! look <i>out</i>!” and Hilda dodged hastily, for -the big banner overbalanced itself, and the heavy -sheet fell, with a splash, outside the tub on the -floor.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just like me!” lamented Cricket. “Oh, -Hilda, pick up the baby! she’ll be drowned in -all this water. How can I get this thing up?” -struggling with the stick to raise the unwieldy -mass. This proving impossible, she picked it -up in her arms, getting herself delightfully wet, -and bundled it back into the tub.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your dress is a perfect mess,” remarked -Hilda, who had put the baby on the table, and -was sitting on a chair beside it, with her feet -tucked under her, to get out of the way of the -water.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_163'>163</span>“I know it,” said Cricket, cheerfully. “Can’t -help it. Hilda, you’ll have to sit there till the -water dries on the floor, for there isn’t anything -to wipe it up with. Anyway, I’ve found the -end of this sheet, now, and I’m going to wring -it. Isn’t this fun! It’s just like a hand-organ;” -and Cricket turned the handle gaily.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was fun till the heavy folds were suddenly -all drawn up in a bunch in the wringer, and the -machine stuck.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come and help me, Hilda. Tiptoe over -here. Oh, you can’t leave the baby. Well, I’ll -scatter it out a little.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Scattering the sheet out” was effective, and -Cricket turned the crank with all her might, -not noticing that the long squeezed end was -piling up on the floor till the last corner slipped -through and fell down.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s all on the floor,” observed Hilda from -her perch. “Won’t it get all dirty and wet -again?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So it has,” cried Cricket, disappointedly, -picking the sheet up. “Won’t it brush off?” -rubbing at the dirt that had collected on it, and -thereby making it ten times worse. “I should -have put something there to catch it. Why do -<span class='pageno' id='Page_164'>164</span>I always think behindhand better than beforehand? -How <i>can</i> people think of everything at -once? Never mind; I guess it will come off -when I iron it. I’ll squeeze another; there’s -a pan for it to go into. Don’t you want to come -and help me? Tie Mosina to that chair over in -that corner; it’s dry over there.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Fishing out the ends of the sheets and turning -the wringer was really great fun, and in their -zeal the children quite forgot Mosina for a time. -Suddenly a roar, behind them, startled them. -Mosina seldom cried, but when she did it was -with a ponderousness that was quite in keeping -with her plump body.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_165'>165</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XII.<br /> <span class='large'>KEEPING HOUSE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Poor little Mosina had crawled around her -chair till her length of string had given out, and -then, endeavouring to crawl between the chair-legs, -had fallen forward on her face, and lay -sprawled out like a little turtle. The girls flew -for her, and rescued her by drawing her out by -the heels. She refused to be comforted, however, -and continued to roar.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose she’s hungry,” said Cricket, at last, -in a tone of despair. “Hilda, please look in the -closet and see what there is for her luncheon. -Mosina, <i>do</i> hush, baby! What, Hilda?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I said that there isn’t a thing in the closet -but two plates and a stone mug, and such things,—not -a single thing to eat.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Look in that little cupboard by the chimney, -then. Shouldn’t you think she must have <i>something</i> -to eat around? What <i>shall</i> we do if there -<span class='pageno' id='Page_166'>166</span>isn’t anything to eat anywhere?” in deeper -despair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There <i>is</i> something here,” announced Hilda, -joyfully, having climbed upon a chair to look in -the little chimney-closet. After a moment she -got down, soberly, and proclaimed the contents -of the larder to be two dried herrings, a half -loaf of stale bread, some doubtful-looking butter, -and a piece of very dry cheese.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The children looked at each other in dismay. -Luncheon to them seemed a very serious and -pressing matter, especially as Mosina was still -roaring, and they knew she was hungry.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What shall we do?” said Cricket, mournfully; -“I feel as hungry as a bear, myself. -Oh, Hilda, those cookies!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hilda flew across the room for them, with -her cap flopping.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket popped a big piece of a cookie into Mosina’s -open mouth, and put another in her hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Sit down on the floor now, and be a good -baby,” she said, putting her charge down. “It’s -dry enough. Now, Hilda, what will <i>we</i> eat? -I want something more than cookies.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can’t eat dried herring,” said Hilda, decidedly, -her fastidious nose going up in disgust.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_167'>167</span>“We might toast the bread, I suppose,” said -Cricket. “<i>Do</i> you think they don’t ever have -anything but dried herring? I’ve always wondered -why mamma is always sending things to -eat to poor people, and now I know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can’t they cook, do you suppose, or do they -spend all their time washing?” wondered Hilda. -“Don’t you think they ever have anything to -eat except what people send them?” in an awe-struck -tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t believe they do. Can you cut bread, -Hilda?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of <i>course</i>. Anybody can cut bread, I -should think; where’s the knife?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can’t find any regular bread-knife,” said -Cricket, rummaging in the cupboard. “Here’s -one, take this; it’s awfully dull, though. While -you’re cutting it, I’ll look for a gridiron to toast -the bread on.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hilda took the loaf and the knife confidently, -but soon discovered that cutting bread is a fine -art, and not by any means so easy as it looks.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What <i>is</i> the matter?” she said in despair, -at last. “Well, nobody could cut bread with -this old knife, that’s as dull as a hoe,” she -added, surveying the jagged, uneven wedges, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_168'>168</span>which were all she could manage. “Have -you found the gridiron?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No. She doesn’t seem to have <i>anything</i> -except a teakettle and a saucepan. And here’s -a flat thing like what cook fries potatoes in, and -here’s a tin pan, and that’s every single thing I -can find. What do you suppose she cooks -with?” asked Cricket, with increasing surprise, -and with a vision before her eyes of the quantities -of shining utensils that lined the kitchen -closets at home.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Toast the bread on a fork, then,” said -Hilda; “and can’t we cook the herring in some -way? I’m getting hungry enough to eat nails -now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose we might fry them. Then we -could toast the cheese. I know how to do -that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All right! we’ll fry the herring in the -spider,” said Hilda, brightening; “I believe it -will be real good. But what will Mosina eat? -Ought she to have herring and toasted cheese?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, here’s some milk out on the window -ledge!” cried Cricket, joyfully. “We can crumble -some of this dry bread in it, and feed -Mosina with it. That will be fine for her. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_169'>169</span>Bless the child! she’s as good as a lamb -now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Isn’t she! I’ll toast the bread, and you can -set the table, Cricket.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket assented; but after rummaging a -while, asked Hilda where she supposed Mrs. -Brummagen kept her table-cloths and napkins.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In that cupboard drawer, probably,” said -Hilda, trying to make the uneven chunks of -bread balance on the two-tined steel fork which -she had found.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t suppose we ought to look in her -drawers, even if we <i>do</i> want a table-cloth. Well, -I’ll just peek in. No; there’s nothing there but -a dress of Mosina’s,” after a hasty “peek.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I can’t eat off that faded pink thing on -the table,” said Hilda, with decision. “At -least, I don’t believe I can,” she added, more -doubtfully, as the empty place in her stomach -began to protest against waiting much longer -for something to put in it. “Ow! there goes -the bread into the fire again!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She prodded the scorched wedge of bread -with the fork, and brought it up successfully. -She was growing quite expert in rescuing the -pieces and blowing off the ashes.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_170'>170</span>“Cricket, this bread is simply roasted, instead -of toasted.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It does smell pretty scorchy,” said Cricket, -looking at it anxiously. “We can’t waste it, -though, for there isn’t much of it. Hilda, I -can’t find a single thing to put on for a table-cloth, -excepting a sheet. Wouldn’t you rather -have the pink cloth? It looks clean, anyway. -Probably her white cloths are all in the wash.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’d eat it on the floor now,” said Hilda, -with a decided change of base. “The bread’s -done. Now for the herring.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket proceeded to set the table, by putting -the knives and forks and the two plates on.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There’s the table set. Looks sort of bare, -though. What will you do with the herrings? -Put them in the spider and let them frizzle?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I <i>think</i> so,” said Hilda, doubtfully. “I never -saw any cooked, but how else could we eat them? -This fire doesn’t seem very hot, Cricket. Can’t -we do something to it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Considering that the stove lids had been off -for fifteen minutes during the bread-toasting, it -was not surprising that the top of the fire was a -mass of gray ashes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Put on coal,” said Cricket, with the air of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_171'>171</span>the lady from Philadelphia. “But do let’s cook -the herring first. I’m hungry enough to eat -Mosina. Oh, you fatty! aren’t you happy with -your cookies!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Cricket, here are some cold boiled potatoes,” -cried Hilda, as joyfully as if she had discovered -a gold mine. “They were back in this -corner. Can’t we fry them?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We can,” returned Cricket, promptly. “I’ll -fry them in the saucepan while you do the herring. -I’ll cut them up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Ten minutes later, the two little cooks stood -looking at each other in despair. The thin iron -of the spider and saucepan heated immediately, -even over the dying fire, and the potatoes and -herring being put in without any lard, or fat of -any kind, naturally stuck fast to the bottom of -the pan, and scorched. Most unpleasant odours -filled the air.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you ever imagine it was so hard to -cook?” sighed Cricket. “That toast was -stone-cold long ago. Look at these messy -things!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The worst of it is that we can’t eat the -burned parts,” said Hilda, hungrily, “and -there’ll be so little left.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_172'>172</span>“Hilda, let’s eat what we can of it right -<i>now</i>,” proposed Cricket. “If we cook any more -we’ll <i>never</i> get anything to eat.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I could eat fried boards,” said Hilda. “Yes, -let’s scrape out what of the potatoes isn’t burned -tight down, and eat it up <i>fast</i>;” and Hilda picked -up the saucepan.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Hilda, I forgot about Mosina! Aren’t -you the <i>bestest</i> baby! She ought to have her -milk, Hilda, and I’ll give her some while you’re -fixing luncheon on the table.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket poured some of the ice-cold milk out -into a bowl, and crumbled some dry bread in it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mosina received each mouthful with a series -of solemn smacks.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m ready when you are, Cricket,” announced -Hilda at length, surveying the somewhat scanty -board with a hungry eye.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There goes the last mouthful, Mosina,” said -Cricket, stuffing the spoon so hastily into Mosina’s -open mouth that the baby choked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There! never mind, baby! it didn’t hurt. -Now I’m ready, Hilda. Oh, just think! we’ve -been so busy with washing and cooking that -we’ve forgotten to play for ever so long.”</p> -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_173'>173</span> -<img src='images/ill_174.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>KEEPING HOUSE.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_175'>175</span>“Yes, but don’t let’s play now, for goodness -sake! I’m too starving hungry! Sit down and -begin.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket and Hilda drew up their chairs to the -delicious banquet. On one plate lay a curious-looking -heap of what Hilda called toast. It -consisted of wedges of bread an inch and a half -thick on one side, and nothing at all on the -other, burnt crisp on the thin edges, and -scorched on the thick ones, with the dust of -the ashes which it had collected in its numerous -descents into the fire still sticking to it. It was -perfectly cold, so that the small lumps of white -butter stuck to it unmelted. Two herrings, burnt -perfectly black on one side, and, of course, as -hard as a piece of coal, reposed side by side on -a saucer. Potatoes cut in little chunks, each -very black as to one side and very white as to -the other, were heaped up on another saucer. -These dainties comprised all the meal.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket and Hilda looked at each other a -moment in silence, then Cricket said briskly:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Isn’t this fun? Let’s play this is roast -turkey. Shall I carve? or perhaps I’d better -give you a whole turkey, seeing we are wealthy -enough to have two,” transferring one of the -herrings to Hilda’s plate. “Will you have -<span class='pageno' id='Page_176'>176</span>some scalloped oysters?” passing the potatoes. -“They’re done by a new recipe,” she added, -laughing, and attacking her herring with knife -and fork. Hilda followed her example. Of -course they might as well have tried to cut -their stone plates.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m desperate! please excuse me,” cried -Cricket, lifting her herring, head and tail, with -her fingers, and attacking it this time with her -teeth. She desisted after a vain effort.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s no use,” she sighed. “I got off a few -splinters, but they are not so <i>very</i> good. They -do taste burned, and if there’s one thing I hate, -it’s <i>burn</i>. Well, let’s have some toast.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s burned a little, too,” said Hilda, apologetically. -“Perhaps we can scrape it off where -it’s thicker and eat the inside. Cricket, these—these -oysters seem to need something. They -don’t taste like fried potatoes a bit.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of <i>course</i> they don’t, for they’re oysters. -How could oysters taste fried potatoes? But -they do taste queer, even for oysters,” said -Cricket. “The toast is a little burned, isn’t it?” -nibbling first around one scorched place and -then around another. Finally she laid the piece -down in despair.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_177'>177</span>“Hilda, the more I eat, the hungrier I get! -I think I’ll try some plain bread.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There isn’t any more. I toasted all I cut, -and the rest you gave to Mosina.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The two girls sat hungrily surveying the -remains of their luncheon. The herring had -been abandoned as hopeless. The white top of -each little chunk of potato was eaten, though -every one knows that scorched potato, without -either salt or butter, is not exactly appetising. -The inside of the thick ends of the -bread had been devoured also, but their fragments -were not very satisfying to hearty little -appetites.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There are the cookies,” said Hilda, suddenly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket sprang for them eagerly, at the suggestion.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It seems sort of mean to eat the very things -we brought,” she said, hesitating a moment. -“Oh, well, mamma will send some more things -down to-morrow, when I tell her how we eat up -everything Mrs. Brummagen had in the house. -<i>Don’t</i> these taste good? I feel as if I were at -home again now,” attacking a thin, crisp ginger-snap, -and making way with it almost in one -mouthful. In a minute there was nothing left -<span class='pageno' id='Page_178'>178</span>but the crumbs of the whole supply. Mosina sat -staring wistfully at them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The poor dear!” said Hilda. “We’ve -eaten up every single thing now, and she looks -hungry still.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There’s a little more milk,” said Cricket, -getting it. “Drink this, baby. Hilda, do you -suppose the burned bread would hurt her if we -crumbled it into the milk for her? Perhaps she -won’t taste it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Apparently Mosina did not mind it, for she -eat it eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What let’s do now?” asked Hilda. “When -will Mrs. Brummagen be home, do you think?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know. Let’s clear the table and -iron these sheets. You know we were going to -get them all done.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Flat-irons had been standing on the stove all -the morning, though the girls had pushed them -back in their attempts at cooking. Hilda looked -resigned at Cricket’s proposal, but said nothing. -The two cleared the table of the remains of -their banquet, and piled up the scanty array -of dishes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The sheets were still lying in damp, flattened -coils in the basket, where they had put them. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_179'>179</span>Cricket found the ironing-board and put it between -the table and a chair, as she had seen the -laundress do at home. They unfolded a sheet -and spread it out carefully, wrinkled and wet, -over the board, not noticing that half of it lay -on the floor behind.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket, with a professional air, tested one of -the irons, again imitating the laundress.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pretty hot,” she said. It was really barely -warm, for the fire was fast dying, but to her unaccustomed -finger it felt hot.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, I’m really Mrs. O’Flanagan. We -mustn’t forget to play. You take care of the -baby, mother, and I’ll iron. And—Hilda!” -with a sudden change of tone, “Look here!” -for the half-warm flat-iron on the damp sheet -had left a long, black smooch. “What in the -world is the matter? It keeps doing it;” for -Cricket tried different places, with the result of -producing a smallpox of black spots. “Did -you ever?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps the iron is too hot, and scorches it,” -suggested Hilda, surveying the places critically.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never want to hear the word ‘scorched’ -again,” said Cricket, setting down her iron with -a thump. “If it’s being scorched, I shan’t iron -<span class='pageno' id='Page_180'>180</span>any more. That’s one thing sure;” and Cricket -hastily bundled the sheet back into the basket. -Between lying on the floor and the smooches -from the iron, the colour of the sheet was fast -becoming African.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s the queerest thing! I thought that -ironing was as easy as falling off a log,” using -her favourite comparison, which long experience -had shown her was very easy indeed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When Sarah irons, she leaves smooth streaks -everywhere the iron touches. I thought <i>any</i>body -could iron.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>I</i> thought anybody could fry potatoes. -Cricket, what time do you suppose it is? I -think it must be nearly dinner-time. Don’t -you feel as if you’d been here a week?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, a month. Don’t eat that string, Mosina. -You’re as bad as Johnnie-goat.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And, Cricket, just <i>suppose</i> she shouldn’t get -home before dark!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, papa would send for us,” said Cricket, -securely. “He knows we’re here. But I <i>do</i> -wish Mrs. Brummagen would come home. I’m -getting dreadfully tired of playing I’m poor. -What do you want, Mosina?” picking up the -plump baby that crawled up to her, pulling at -<span class='pageno' id='Page_181'>181</span>her dress. She sat down on the floor, taking -her little charge in her arms.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What you get fat on, Mosina, <i>I</i> don’t know, -unless it’s fattening not to eat much. Mosina, -I used to think it would be fun to live in one -room, and get your own meals, and play housekeeping, -but I’ve changed my mind. When you -have to live on burnt herring—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And stale bread,” burst in Hilda.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And burned potatoes—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And iron with irons that won’t iron—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And have messy washing around all the -time—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And nothing to sew with—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And nothing to cook with, and nothing to -cook in it—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And only wooden chairs to sit down on—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And nothing to read—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, goodness, gracious me! I do believe -I won’t ever scold again at home, and say I -hate things,” said Hilda, drawing a long breath. -“I never thought before how perfectly horrid it -would be <i>never</i> to have anything nice. I wonder -if poor people mind it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, dear, I hope not!” said Cricket, looking -troubled. “When I’m rich, Hilda,”—with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_182'>182</span>the confidence of childhood that such a time -is surely coming,—“I’ll give everything I have -to poor people, so they won’t have to work so -hard, and can get books to read.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But you couldn’t do that,” objected Hilda, -practically, “for you would not have anything -left for yourself, and <i>you’d</i> be poor. And if -nobody was poor, who’d do our cooking, and all -those things?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>This problem was too deep for Cricket’s -troubled little brain.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s a puzzle,” she sighed; then she added, -brightening, “I’ll ask papa; <i>he’ll</i> fix it, when -he’s rich. But—I don’t see <i>why</i>—” she pondered, -struck by another thought, “why <i>I</i> should -have a nice home and such a dear family, and -books, and everything I want, and Mosina have -only this little room and not much to eat. Suppose -<i>I’d</i> happened to be Mosina, and Mosina had -been <i>me</i>! Oh, dear! it gets worse and worse!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Cricket, with a sigh of puzzlement over -this problem of all ages, dropped a kiss on -Mosina’s placid cheek.</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Mosina, herself, suddenly put an end to -the consideration of all hard questions, by setting -up one of her unexpected roars, as she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_183'>183</span>doubled herself up like a little jack-knife. Poor -little thing! the ice-cold milk had naturally -given her a severe attack of colic.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What is the matter, baby?” cried Cricket, -in dismay, cuddling Mosina in her arms, in her -motherly little fashion. Mosina roared on, alternately -doubling herself up and straightening -herself out. Cricket and Hilda began to get -thoroughly frightened.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cricket, she isn’t dying, is she?” whispered -Hilda, trembling. Not having any brothers or -sisters, she was perfectly helpless with children.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know, but I guess not,” said Cricket, -feeling rather disturbed, herself. “There, baby! -hush, dear! What shall I do for you? Mercy, -Hilda, she’s getting black in the face! Do -go for somebody.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where shall I go?” asked Hilda helplessly, -wringing her hands.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Anywhere—down-stairs—in the next -room. Find somebody quickly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hilda flew for the door, and ran plump into -Mrs. Brummagen, who rushed in breathlessly. -In a twinkling, the baby was in her arms. -Mosina was holding her breath, and was purple -in the face. Her mother promptly blew down -<span class='pageno' id='Page_184'>184</span>her throat, and thumped her on the back, and -in a moment the roar began again, but rather -less vehemently. The colic was evidently passing -over.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Poor little Mrs. Brummagen was in a state -of excitement and apology bordering on distraction, -at the idea of the young ladies staying -there all day long, and taking care of Mosina -all that time.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“An’ you eat—vat?” she demanded, tragically. -“Der vas noding to eat. An’ you -been here—four—five—six—hour!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We couldn’t find much to eat,” admitted -Cricket, honestly. “We tried to cook the herrings, -but they were rather tough, and we fried -potatoes, only they wouldn’t fry. They seemed -to burn, somehow.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Brummagen poured out a string of -mingled German and English ejaculations, expressive -of her distress.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And, Mrs. Brummagen, we thought we’d -help you a little and get your sheets all washed -and ironed, but somehow it didn’t go right, and -we made a dreadful mess of it. I guess you -have to know how, if you wash and iron. It -looks so easy, I thought any one could do it. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_185'>185</span>The sheet is dreadfully dirty—the one we did, I -mean,—and it’s all smoochy, too. Will it come -out?” and Cricket shook out the damp sheet -from the basket, and anxiously displayed it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Brummagen was more overcome than -before.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ach, the dear chilt!” she cried. “Ya, it -vill come out, ven I vash him mit soap.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m so glad,” said Cricket, greatly relieved. -“Of course, mamma would have given you -another one, though. Now, we must go, I think. -Oh, Hilda! we forgot your cap! Mrs. Brummagen, -we dressed up to play keeping house, -but we were so busy <i>doing</i> it, that we forgot to -play much.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Brummagen helped them on with their -things, talking all the time, in her broken English, -and telling them how she ought not have -gone at all, and how she hardly knew what she -was doing, and how she couldn’t get away -sooner, and how she had worried all day about -their getting something to eat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind,” said Cricket. “We enjoyed -it ever so much. Good-bye, Mosina. Bring her -up on Saturday, when you come for the bundle, -won’t you? Good-bye.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_186'>186</span>It was getting well into the dusk of the short -winter day, when the children arrived at home. -Cricket flew into her mother’s arms and kissed -her as if she had been gone six weeks.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My little girl, where <i>have</i> you been, and -what have you been doing? I was just sending -Eliza down for you. Somebody left word at -the basement door that you were going to stay -at Mrs. Brummagen’s all day, but I expected -you home long ago.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mamma, we’ve been playing poor, and I -don’t—like—it—one—bit,” said Cricket, -slowly, with her head on her mother’s neck. -“I always thought it would be rather fun to -be poor, but it isn’t. It’s just perfectly horrid. -And I’m so hungry, you can’t think! And -oh, mamma dearest! suppose—just <i>suppose</i>—that -I’d been Mrs. Brummagen’s little girl, -instead of yours!”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_187'>187</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> <span class='large'>THE DIAMOND RING.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The short days of the girls’ visit flew by on -wings.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Only till to-morrow!” sighed Cricket, as -they got up from the luncheon table. “This -time to-morrow you’ll be gone, and we’ll be -left forlorn! I wish people who come here -to visit would stay for always, and never go -away.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What an India-rubber house you’d have to -have,” said Archie, sweeping all her curls over -her face with a nourish of his arm, as he passed -her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Archie, when you get to heaven, you won’t -be happy unless you can muss my hair up,” said -Cricket, resignedly, shaking it back.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t get riled, Miss Scricket,” returned -Archie, whirling her around. “That’s only a -love-pat.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A love-pat!” said Cricket, scornfully. “I -<span class='pageno' id='Page_188'>188</span>shouldn’t like to feel one of your <i>hate</i>-pats, then. -Mamma, what can Hilda and I do this afternoon?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We girls are going to the museum again,” -said Eunice. “Come with us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, we don’t want to. You like to see such -<i>dis</i>interesting things. Mummies and all that. -I only like the pictures and marbles, anyway.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We want something <i>very</i> nice,” put in Hilda, -“because we kept house all day yesterday, and -did very hard work.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” sighed Cricket, “I’ve learned two -things lately. I don’t want to adopt a baby and -have it keep me awake at night, and I don’t -want to be poor and not have any books to read. -Mamma, what <i>can</i> we do?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There is one thing I want you to do,” said -mamma, promptly, knowing by long experience -that when children are begging for something -to do, nothing seems very attractive, if offered -as a choice. The same thing, given as something -from which there is no appeal, will be -done cheerfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want you both to go and see Emily Drayton -for a little while this afternoon. It is -Hilda’s last chance. Eunice and Edith went -<span class='pageno' id='Page_189'>189</span>yesterday. Go about three o’clock. She’ll be -delighted to see you, if she is at home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That will be jolly. I hope she’ll be in. -Must we make a regular call, mamma, or can -we plain go and see her?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“‘Plain go and see her,’” said mamma, smiling. -“Only go and put on your Sunday dress. It -will be more polite to dress especially for it,” -added wise mamma, knowing the process of dressing -would help fill up the afternoon. Papa had -planned to take all the children for a long drive -this afternoon, but as he was unexpectedly called -away, it had to be given up, and the girls were -thrown on their own resources.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At three, the two younger girls, in their Sunday -best, started in high feather for their call. -It was a long walk to Emily Drayton’s, but the -children enjoyed the crisp, cold day and the -brisk exercise. Unfortunately, when they arrived -at their destination, they found that Emily -was out with her mother, and would not be -home till late in the afternoon. Therefore there -was nothing to be done but to turn around and -travel home again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This isn’t very exciting, after all,” said -Cricket, mournfully. “Here it’s nearly four -<span class='pageno' id='Page_190'>190</span>o’clock, and most of your last afternoon is gone -already. What let’s do next, Hilda?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I don’t know. I wish we’d gone to the -museum with the girls. What’s the matter, -Cricket?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket had suddenly stopped, and was poking -at a crack in the sidewalk.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I thought I caught a glimpse of something -shiny in that crack. I <i>did</i>! See, Hilda!” and -Cricket extricated something, triumphantly, and -held it up.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her own amazement grew as she looked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>What?</i> Not <i>really</i>, Cricket?” cried Hilda, -and the two heads clashed over the treasure-trove.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was a ring with a fairly good-sized diamond.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket whooped, there and then, in her excitement. -Fortunately the street was a quiet one, -and no one was near.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A diamond ring, Hilda! A really, truly -diamond! Hooray! It’s as big as the one papa -gave mamma on her birthday. I wonder if he’ll -let me wear it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But somebody has lost it,” said Hilda, in -her practical way. “You’ll have to find the -owner.”</p> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_191'>191</span> -<img src='images/ill_192.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>THE DIAMOND RING.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_193'>193</span>“Why, so I will! How silly of me. I suppose -papa will advertise it. It’s just like our -finding Mosina; we never thought that somebody -owned her. Let’s hurry home and show -papa.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The children skipped home briskly, in the -excitement of so great a discovery, and burst -into Doctor Ward’s office eagerly. He had just -come in for something he needed, and was on -the point of going out again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Found what? A diamond ring?” he asked, -putting down his hat, and taking the ring that -Cricket put in his hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“H’m. Where did you find this?” he asked, -turning it to the light.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket told him about it. Doctor Ward, as -he listened, took down a tiny vial from one of his -shelves, and put a drop of its contents on the -ring, watching the effect.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s gold, but I’m a little uncertain about -the diamond,” he said. “It’s not worth advertising, -if it’s not real,” he said, putting back the -bottle. “You may take it to the jeweller’s, if -you like, and get his opinion.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Not</i> a diamond?” cried the disappointed -children, in a breath.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_194'>194</span>“I think it’s only paste, my dear. However, -you can run around to the jeweller’s and find -out. I must go now.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, dear me!” sighed Cricket, sorrowfully; -“I thought we surely had found some excitement. -Well, come on, Hilda; let’s go to -Spencer’s and find out. If it isn’t a real diamond, -may we have it, papa?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,” answered Doctor Ward, absentmindedly, -turning to find something else he -wanted.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At Spencer’s the clerk took the ring with a -smile.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, it isn’t a diamond,” he said, after giving -it a careless glance. “Found it? No, it isn’t -worth advertising.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The two girls, who had still clung to the hope -that they had found a diamond, looked immensely -disappointed at this decision. They -took the ring and walked slowly homeward, -discussing the affair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If it isn’t a real diamond, and if it isn’t -worth advertising, we might sell it for what it -is worth,” suggested Hilda, brilliantly, at last. -“Let’s go into the first jeweller’s store we come -to, and ask him to buy it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_195'>195</span>“Could we?” said Cricket, doubtfully. “Is -it ours enough for that?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course, goosie. Your father said we -might have it, didn’t he? Of course we have -a right to sell it and keep the money. He -wouldn’t care,” urged Hilda.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I s’pose not,” returned Cricket, hesitating. -“How much do you suppose we’d get -for it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, twenty or thirty dollars, I suppose, or -something like that. Rings cost a lot,” answered -Hilda, vaguely. “What shall we do -with the money?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Buy a bicycle,” said Cricket, promptly. -“Let’s each buy one. I’m crazy for a ‘bikachine,’ -as Kenneth says.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“So am I. What kind would you get?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They say the Humber is a pretty nice -wheel,” said Cricket, reflectively; “but I -guess that they cost too much, for I heard -Donald say that he wanted one but couldn’t -afford it. Perhaps we couldn’t get one of them, -but we might each get a Columbia. Archie -and Will have Columbias. Do you know how -much they cost?” asked Cricket, who never -had any more idea of the value of things than -<span class='pageno' id='Page_196'>196</span>a cat. She had probably heard the price of a -good bicycle mentioned scores of times, without -its making the slightest impression upon her. -Hilda, who, living alone with her mother and -grandmother, never heard bicycles talked about, -really did not know.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think the Columbias would do for us to -learn on,” she said, patronisingly. “You can’t -ride, can you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I learned last fall on some of the girls’ -wheels at school. It’s just as easy as pie. It’s -so funny that people make so much fuss about -learning. I like a boy’s wheel best, though. -Wish I was on one this minute,” said Cricket, -with a little skip.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now what else shall we get with the rest of -the money?” asked Hilda.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A bicycle for Eunice,” answered Cricket -immediately. “Of course, mine would be part -hers, but we couldn’t both ride at a time, unless -I hung on behind, somehow. I suppose I might -get a tandem.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then you <i>never</i> could ride without somebody -on behind,” said Hilda, sensibly; “and -you might not always want it. No, I’d get a -single wheel, if I were you. I think I’ll get -<span class='pageno' id='Page_197'>197</span>a gold thimble with the rest of my half of the -money.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want a lot of new books,” said Cricket, -characteristically. “I wish somebody would -invent a book, that as fast as you read it -would turn into another book that you haven’t -read. Then you’d always have a new book to -read. Will you get anything else?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want a lot of things more, but I guess I’ll -put the rest of my money into the savings bank. -I’ve got three hundred dollars in the savings -bank already.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I tried to make money, once, to buy a bicycle,” -said Cricket, meditatively. “I had a store -on the dock at Marbury for one day. Sold peanuts -and lemonade. It was pretty tiresome though, -and I didn’t make very much. Auntie said I -didn’t make anything, but I never could understand -it, somehow. I had twenty-one cents to -put in my bank at night. I had fifty cents in -the morning, but we spent it buying things to -sell. Business is so queer. I should think -men’s heads would <i>burst</i>, finding out whether -they are making money or losing it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s a great deal nicer not to make money, -but have somebody leave you plenty, then you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_198'>198</span>don’t have to bother,” said Hilda. “Here’s a -store; let’s go in here.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The two little girls marched up to the first -clerk they saw.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We want to see if you’ll buy this ring of -us,” said Cricket, holding it out. “We want to -sell it, please, and please give us all you can for -it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The clerk stared and smiled.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll have to see the old gentleman about -buying the ring,” he said. “You wait here a -moment,” and with that he went off with the -ring, leaving the children looking after him -hungrily, and a little uncertain whether they -would see their treasure again. However, the -clerk returned in a moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mr. Elton says he can’t buy it unless you -bring a note from your father or somebody, saying -it’s all right about your selling the ring, for -he doesn’t want to be let in for receiving stolen -property.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The clerk meant this for a joke, but the horror-stricken -children did not understand this -kind of humour.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I said I <i>found</i> it,” said indignant Cricket at -last, finding her voice.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_199'>199</span>“Oh, it’s all right, I dare say,” said the clerk -carelessly; “you run along and get a note from -somebody, and that will do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The children walked out of the store in a -state divided between indignation and bewilderment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I <i>said</i> I found it,” repeated Cricket. “I -don’t see what he wants a <i>note</i> for.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let’s go somewhere else and sell it, and <i>then</i> -they’ll be sorry,” said Hilda, tossing her head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, we’ll go somewhere else, but first we -had better go home and get a note from papa. -Somebody else might ask for one,” returned -Cricket, learning wisdom by experience. “You -see, papa said we could have it if it wasn’t a real -diamond, and it isn’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>They rushed up to the library and to the -office, but papa was still out, and would not be -back until dinner-time, the waitress told them. -Then they went for mamma, but she had not -returned either.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Let’s write a note ourselves,” said Hilda. -“Any kind of a note will do, I suppose. You -see, it’s really ours. Your father said so.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I suppose it is. What shall we say? -Let’s make up something.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_200'>200</span>“All right! You take the ring,—now give it -to me, and I’ll put in the note that a friend gave -it to me, and I don’t like it, or something, and -that we want to sell it. That will be regularly -story-booky.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>After much writing and giggling and rewriting, -the following note was concocted:</p> - -<p class='c011'><i>Dear Sir</i>: I received this ring from a friend and it’s -too big for me, and I send my daughter with it; and -what will you give me for it?</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c012'> - <div>Your friend,</div> - <div><span class='sc'>J. Jones.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'>The “J. Jones” was actually a flight of fancy -on Hilda’s part. She thought it would be still -more “story-booky” to sign an assumed name, -and Cricket finally consented.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It looks very well,” said Cricket, surveying -the effusion with much pride, when it was neatly -copied in Hilda’s pretty writing on mamma’s -best note paper. “And ‘J. Jones’ might be -anybody, you know. Oh, Hilda! I <i>hope</i> we’ll -get lots of money for it!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We <i>ought</i> to. The gold is worth a good -deal, I suppose.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When we get the money, we might go -<span class='pageno' id='Page_201'>201</span>straight down to the bicycle place, and buy a -bicycle right away, this very day,” proposed -Cricket, with a skip of delight, as the children -went out again. “Just think of calmly walking -into the house at dinner-time, with a bicycle -under our arms! I mean, of course—well, -you know what I mean.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wouldn’t everybody be surprised? Where -will you keep your wheel, Cricket?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“In the basement hall, probably. What -shall you name yours, Hilda?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Name</i> it?” queried Hilda.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. I don’t see why they shouldn’t be -named as well as a horse. Don’t you think -Angelica is a good name? Oh, bicycle, so nice -and dear! I wish you were this minute here! -Why, that’s a rhyme, isn’t it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here’s a jeweller’s,” said Hilda, glancing at -the window of a store they were passing. “It -isn’t very big, but it looks pretty nice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>A clerk with very black hair and a very big -nose came forward to wait on them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket produced the ring for his inspection.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It isn’t a really-truly diamond,” she said, -lifting her honest eyes to his face, “but we’d like -to sell it for what it’s worth. And here’s a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_202'>202</span>note,” she added, producing it with a fluttering -heart. Would he just say it was a joke, and -not do anything about it? They waited breathlessly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not a diamond?” said the clerk, taking it -carelessly. He turned it over and looked at it -closely, glanced at the children, read the note, -and then said:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, it isn’t a diamond. I should say not. -We’ll give you—let me see—well, I’ll have to -ask the boss,” and he went off.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They always have to <i>ask</i> somebody. Oh, -Hilda, how much do you think they’ll give?” -whispered Cricket, eagerly, squeezing Hilda’s -hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Probably thirty dollars, at <i>least</i>,” answered -Hilda, returning the squeeze. “Hush! here he -comes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Boss says,” began the clerk deliberately, -“that the diamond isn’t real, but if it’s all -right about the note,”—the children gasped,—“that -he can allow you, well, as much as seventy-five -cents for the ring.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Two wide-open mouths was all the clerk -could see as he glanced down. The children -were too amazed to speak for a moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_203'>203</span>“Seventy-five cents!” faltered Cricket, at -last.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Seventy-five cents!” echoed Hilda, blankly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>And they turned and stared at each other, not -knowing what to say next.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, do you want it?” asked the clerk, -yawning. “Don’t be all night about deciding.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Is—is that <i>all</i> it’s worth?” at last ventured -Cricket, her round little face really long -with the disappointment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Really, now, that’s a pretty liberal offer,” -said the clerk, assuming a confidential air. -“Come, decide,” tapping the ring indifferently -on the counter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wouldn’t any one give me any more for -it?” persisted Cricket.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hardly think it. Why, like as not the next -person you go to might not offer you a cent -more than fifty. We always do things of honour -here. Liberal old bird, the boss is,” with a sly -wink that half frightened the children. “Highest -prices paid here for second-hand jewelry. -Don’t you see the sign?” with a backward wave -of his hand toward a placard on the wall.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Hilda and Cricket exchanged glances. Hilda -<span class='pageno' id='Page_204'>204</span>nodded, and Cricket said, with a sigh that came -from her very boots:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Very well, we’ll take the seventy-five cents, -if that’s all you can give us for it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Positively all. Fortunate you came here, or -you wouldn’t have gotten that,” said the clerk, -counting out three new quarters into Cricket’s -hand.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Shine’s thrown in,” he said, facetiously, as -the children soberly thanked him and walked out -of the store, feeling very uncomfortable somehow.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What a horrid man!” exclaimed Cricket, as -they reached the sidewalk and drew a long -breath. “Wasn’t he the most winkable creature -you ever saw? I suppose he thought he was -funny.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Greasy old thing!” returned Hilda, both -children being glad to vent their disappointment -on some convenient object. “His finger-nails -were as black as ink.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Cricket could not stay crushed long. In -a moment the smiles began to creep up to her -eyes, and spill over on to her cheeks, and finally -reached her mouth.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Hilda! it’s <i>too</i> funny,” she cried, with -her rippling laugh. “We were going to take -<span class='pageno' id='Page_205'>205</span>our bicycles home under our arms all so grand! -Shall we order them to-night?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>I’m</i> just too mad for anything,” answered -Hilda, whose sense of humour never equalled -Cricket’s. “Seventy-five cents! the <i>idea</i>! for -that <i>beautiful</i> gold ring!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ve another idea,” said Cricket, stopping -short suddenly. “It isn’t worth putting seventy-five -cents in the bank, is it? Let’s stop at that -old peanut-woman’s stand and get some peanuts -with the money. I think we’ll get a good many -for seventy-five cents.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And they certainly did. The old woman -stared at the munificent order, but began to -count out bags with great speed, lest they -should change their minds.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Five cents a bag,” she said; “seven—eight—that -makes quite a many bags—nine—ten—where -will I put this?—eleven—twelve—here, -little miss, tuck it in here,—thirteen—can you -hold it up here?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We have enough, I think,” said Cricket, -rather amazed at the quantity of peanuts you -can get for seventy-five cents.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That ain’t but thirteen, honey. Here, put -this ’un under your arm. Got to go fur?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_206'>206</span>“Not very. Well, Hilda, I never had all the -peanuts I wanted at one time before, I do believe. -I should think these would last a year. Oh, that -one’s slipping off! Fix it, please. Thank you, -ever so much.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hollo, Madame Van Twister! Are you -buying out the whole establishment?” said -a familiar voice behind them, and turning they -saw Donald.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I guess she’s pretty glad to sell out,” said -Cricket, seriously. “I know, for I kept a peanut-stand -once in Marbury; the one I was telling -you about, Hilda. It wasn’t much fun. It looks -so, but it isn’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Buying her out from philanthropic motives?” -queried Donald.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, we’ve been selling diamond rings,” said -Cricket, carelessly, “and we had a lot of money, -so we thought we’d buy peanuts. Want a bag, -Don? we have plenty.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You’re a regular circus, you kid,” laughed -Donald. “Where do you get your diamond -rings?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket told him the whole story. Donald -laughed till he had to hold on to the peanut-stand.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_207'>207</span>“J. Jones! Well, you certainly showed great -originality in the name!” he said. “Sorry I -can’t escort you home, youngster, and carry a -few dozen of those bags for you, but I’m due -elsewhere,” and Donald went off, still laughing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>If you want to know whether the family had -enough peanuts, I will simply remark that by -bedtime, that night, there were only two bags -left,—and shells.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“After all, we girls didn’t eat so many,” said -Cricket, meditatively. “Will and Archie ate -ten bags. I counted. Boys are so queer! The -more they eat, the more they want.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Doctor Ward was out to dinner, and did not -hear the end of the story of the ring till the -next day.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you mean you actually sold it, you little -Jews?” he said. “Then I shall be obliged to -go and buy it back.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Papa!</i> why, we’ve spent the money!” cried -Cricket, alarmed. “Besides, you said we could -have it, didn’t you? I thought we could do -anything we liked with it,” entirely forgetting -that the proposition to sell it had not come from -her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe I did say something about your -<span class='pageno' id='Page_208'>208</span>having it if we couldn’t find an owner, or if the -diamond was not real. However, I want to be -sure on that point for myself. Sometimes mistakes -are made. I must see about it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Suppose they won’t sell it back,” suggested -Cricket, looking uncomfortable.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps they won’t, but I think I can induce -them.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But we haven’t the seventy-five cents,” -repeated Cricket, piteously, “and we’ve eaten -up all the peanuts, so we can’t send them back -and get the money.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where are the peanuts, which we got for the -seventy-five cents, which we got for the diamond -ring, which we found on the street! Now, Miss -Scricket, you’ve got to go to jail,” said Archie, -cheerfully. “Where is the jail, which holds -Miss Scricket, which ate the peanuts, which cost -seventy-five cents, which she got for a diamond -ring, what belonged to somebody else! Regular -House that Jack Built.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You can pay for the peanuts you ate, then,” -retorted Cricket. “That will be pretty nearly -seventy-five cents.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That identical seventy-five cents it will not -be necessary to return,” said Doctor Ward, pinching -<span class='pageno' id='Page_209'>209</span>her cheek. “I’ll supply the money, and -report at luncheon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At luncheon Doctor Ward held up the ring.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I went, I saw, I got the ring, after an hour’s -hard work. I suspected it was really a diamond -as soon as the old Jew opened his lips.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It <i>is</i> a diamond?” cried every one, in -chorus.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I won’t keep you in suspicion, as Cricket -used to say. It <i>is</i> a diamond, though not of -the first water. The old fellow first pretended -he knew nothing about the matter. I had the -clerks called up. He only had two. One of -them—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did he have a big nose?” interrupted Cricket, -eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And greasy hair and black finger-nails?” -added Hilda.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All those,” said Doctor Ward. “Well, it -took an hour, but finally I got it back. Then I -took it to Spencer’s—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The very place we went to,” interrupted -Cricket again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, and I happened to see the very clerk. -The moment I held it out he looked surprised; -I told him I wanted it tested,—not merely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_210'>210</span>glanced at. He took it off, and came back, -presently, looking very sheepish, and told me, as -I said before, that it is a diamond, though not a -very valuable one for its size.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why didn’t he look at it more carefully at -first?” asked Mrs. Ward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He said something about thinking it was a -joke that the children were putting up, and—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“As if we would put up a joke on a perfect -stranger!” cried Cricket, indignantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course not, pet, but he didn’t know that. -It was no excuse for him, though. He should -have given it the proper attention. However, -we have the ring safe now, after all its adventures, -and we’ll advertise it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Papa,” asked Cricket, dimpling suddenly, -“if nobody ever claims it, may I have it for -my own,—not to sell it, I mean,—but just to -wear it when I’m grown-up?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can’t promise. You’d probably pawn it -the first time you wanted peanuts,” teased Doctor -Ward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>That was several years ago, but the ring, which -is still in mamma’s jewel-box, is now called -Cricket’s.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_211'>211</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> <span class='large'>SCHOOL THEATRICALS.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>It seemed very lonely the next day, when -Edith and Hilda had gone. The spare room -was shorn of its two cots, and was restored to its -usual dainty order. Will and Archie left also, -as their school began the next Monday, and -they went to board, in the neighbourhood of -their house, till Edna was sufficiently recovered -for them to be at home. She had had a very -light attack of scarlet fever, fortunately, and was -already improving. As soon as the boys left, -Eunice and Cricket returned to their own domains. -College opened and Don was off. On -Tuesday, the girls’ school, St. Agatha’s, was in -session again, so now they all settled down to -the busy time that lies between Christmas and -Easter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the close of the half-year at St. Agatha’s, -early in February, came the great excitement of -the year. This was an exhibition, consisting of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_212'>212</span>a play, given in French by some of the older -girls, and a short play in English by some of -the children in the junior department. As only -the girls whose scholarship was high, and deportment -uniformly good, were allowed to take -part in the plays, of course it was one of the -chief honours of the year to be selected. The -announcement of the favoured girls was eagerly -awaited.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The French play was learned as class work -during the fall term by all the senior girls in -the French classes. The list of those chosen to -give the plays was read on the first day of school -after the Christmas holidays.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Much rehearsing and genuine hard work on -the part of the actors, as well as of the teachers, -went into this yearly exhibition, but the honour -paid for all the extra hours, and the names of -the girls who took the parts were preserved in -the school year-book.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As Marjorie had been in the French play the -year before, she could not be in it again, this -year, although her marks were well up. Since -Eunice and Cricket had only entered St. Agatha’s -this year, they never thought of the possibility -of either of them being in the play. Therefore -<span class='pageno' id='Page_213'>213</span>you can imagine Eunice’s blank amazement -when her name was read among the others:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Eunice Ward is assigned the part of -Sallie, the maid.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Eunice?</i>” said Cricket, right out loud, her -eyes shining like two stars. “Oh, do you think -she <i>can</i>?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Apparently Eunice’s teachers thought she -could, for they had given her the very good part -of a little housemaid. The “cast” were requested -to wait after school, to be given their -books and be instructed in their parts.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket was on tiptoe with excitement when -Eunice came home, trying to look unconcerned -and every-day-ish. Cricket flew at her with a -little shriek of delight, and squeezed her eagerly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eunice! <i>Eunice!</i> think of your being given -a part in a <i>real</i> play! What will you wear? -Will it be hard to learn? When do you have -to know it? Do they begin rehearsing soon? -Could I go to the rehearsals, do you think?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know <i>every</i>thing yet, Cricket. I -don’t know what I’m to wear. We must know -our parts perfectly in one week, and next Tuesday -will be our first rehearsal. I don’t know -about their letting you in, but I’m afraid they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_214'>214</span>won’t. I don’t think they let anybody be there -but Miss Raymond and Miss Emmet, and us -actors,” with supreme importance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How horrid! I’ll just go somewhere and -<i>peek</i>, then. I <i>must</i> see you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll ask Miss Emmet if you can’t come, -though. She knows we are always together. -But, you see, if they let in one outside girl, -any number may want to come in,” said Eunice, -wisely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s so,” said Cricket, with a sigh. “You -tell them I’ll make myself <i>very</i> small and not -get in anybody’s way. Where’s your book?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here it is. Sallie is my part, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket took the book and dropped down on -the window-seat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Isn’t this <i>delicious</i>? ‘Curtain rising, discloses -Sallie dusting.’ Oh, what cunning little -short sentences you have to say!” After a -moment’s silence: “Eunice, this won’t be anything -to learn. I just about know the first page -already,” and Cricket rattled it off.</p> - -<p class='c010'>For a week the family had to lunch and dine -on the famous play. A stranger could not have -told which was to take part, Eunice or Cricket, -for the two knew it equally well. Indeed, in -<span class='pageno' id='Page_215'>215</span>a week’s time, Cricket knew the whole play by -heart, from reading the other characters, when -she was hearing Eunice. The play was short, -of course, only being about twenty-five minutes -in length. The children declaimed it on the -stairs; they spouted it in the parlour after -dinner, and they interlarded their conversation -with quotations from it. They talked professionally -of entrances and exits, of wings and -flies and scenery and cues, till their long-suffering -family protested in a body.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice had a private interview with Miss -Emmet, the principal, regarding Cricket’s presence -at the rehearsals. At first Miss Emmet -said positively, as Eunice had feared she would, -that it was against the rules for any one to be -present save herself and the teacher who drilled -the girls. But Eunice’s pleading face, as she -urged that she and Cricket were always together -in everything, and she could do it <i>so</i> -much better if Cricket were there, because she -could rehearse it with her at home, finally made -Miss Emmet say, smiling:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, my dear, on second thoughts, we’ll -admit Jean. Only please do not tell the girls -that you asked for her to be present.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_216'>216</span>Eunice promised, radiantly, and flew off to -Cricket with the coveted permission.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The rehearsals went on swimmingly for a -time. Then, after the novelty was over, the -little actors began to realise that the extra -time required of them interfered, now and then, -with their own plans for amusement. There -began to be absences from rehearsals. The -rehearsals themselves began to be a bore, for -any one who has ever trained children for any -exhibition knows the tiresome repetition of -scenes and sentences that is necessary to ensure -success in the simplest performance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice and Cricket felt it, with the others. -They wanted to go skating, to go down-town -with mamma, or made plans with their schoolmates, -only to remember, at the last minute, -that there was a rehearsal that afternoon.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice was very faithful, however, for her -mother would not permit anything to interfere -with these rehearsals. Cricket, of course, was -free, but, as her father said, she would “never -desert Mr. Micawber.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No; you agreed to take a part in the play, -dear,” said mamma firmly, when the children -begged to “cut just <i>once</i>, for the other girls did -<span class='pageno' id='Page_217'>217</span>sometimes,” since something unusual had come -up; “what you agreed to do, you must do, at -any cost of inconvenience or disappointment to -yourself. No amusements, of any kind, must -prevent your being punctual at every rehearsal.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just sometimes, mamma,” begged Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Not even once. Your teachers are taking -all this trouble for your benefit, and the least -you can do is to be depended upon for your -punctual presence. You know how provoking -you say it is when any one is absent, and how -badly the rehearsal goes on then.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s so: like a chicken on one leg,” -said Cricket, thoughtfully. “Everything hitches. -But I do wish I were <i>in</i> the play. I know all -Isabel Fleming’s part <i>much</i> better than she does. -Miss Raymond scolds her all the time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How did she get in if she is stupid?” -asked Marjorie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She isn’t stupid. I believe she’s lazy. She -just stumbles along, and it makes me so mad -when she gets all mixed up in her best speeches. -There’s one part, with Eunice, that she spoils -entirely, every time. That about the bonnet, -Eunice, when you come in and find her trying -it on. She’s all alone before the glass first, and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_218'>218</span>she has some awfully funny things to say, and -she just forgets half of them, every time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You do it lots better, Cricket,” said Eunice. -“She really does, mamma. She’s practised it -with me, you know, up-stairs. Let’s do it now, -Cricket.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And Cricket, nothing loath, jumped up, and -the children went through the scene. Cricket -was always such an enthusiastic little soul about -everything she did, that she made herself literally -the character she was acting.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I’m just pining away to be in the play,” -she said, sinking down on a couch and fanning -herself, amid the applause of the family.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You look pretty healthy for one who is in -that state,” said Doctor Ward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They were all in the parlour for the jolly half-hour -after dinner.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t show it much, I suppose,” said -Cricket thoughtfully, “but, really, it just pines -inside all the time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you remember, mamma,” put in Marjorie, -“how Eunice, when she was a little thing, -used to like to sit up at the piano and sing, and -pretend to play her accompaniments? There -was one particular song she always tried. It -<span class='pageno' id='Page_219'>219</span>had a chorus, ‘Maggie, dear Maggie, I’m <i>pinning</i> -for thee!’ as Eunice used to say it. Cricket -might sing now, ‘Oh, Nancy, dear Nancy, I’m -pining for <i>thee</i>!’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By the way, what is that ghostly song you -are so fond of singing about the house, Marjorie?” -asked Doctor Ward, looking up from his -evening paper. “I only can make out the -chorus, ‘Repack, repack, repack my body to -me,—to me.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was a shout of laughter that nearly -drowned Marjorie’s astonished protest that she -never sang anything so sepulchral.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You certainly do, often,” insisted Doctor -Ward. “This very afternoon, not long before dinner, -I heard you and two or three of your friends, -in the music-room, singing, and one of the things -you sang was that very song, only you sang it -this way: ‘Repack my body to me,—same old -body.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>There was another shout.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, papa, you <i>funny</i>!” cried Marjorie. -“It isn’t <i>body</i> at all. It’s ‘Bring back my -<i>Bonny</i> to me.’ It’s a girl’s name. The first -line is, ‘My Bonny lies over the ocean!’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s it,” said the doctor. “When you -<span class='pageno' id='Page_220'>220</span>sang, ‘My <i>body</i> lies over the ocean,’ I thought -it was a strange thing to mislay.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Whereupon Marjorie went to the piano and -insisted on playing the whole thing through, -and having Eunice join her in singing it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The next rehearsal day, Eunice and Cricket -were promptly on hand. Presently all the girls -were there but Isabel Fleming. Miss Raymond, -the elocution teacher, came in, herself, at the -last moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I was unexpectedly detained. All here? Isabel -Fleming isn’t missing again to-day, is she? -What a provoking child! This is the third -time she has been absent, and she really needs -more drill than any one of you, for she is so -careless.” Miss Raymond’s black eyes snapped -impatiently, and the girls were glad they were -not the delinquent Isabel. “Wouldn’t she catch -it the next day?” the girls’ silent exchange of -glances said.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here <i>I</i> leave pressing work to come here -and drill you, for your own benefit and advantage, -outside of school hours,” went on Miss -Raymond, indignantly; “I often give up engagements -that I wish to make, for ungrateful girls -who are not even responsible for what they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_221'>221</span>undertake. You ought to be as ashamed to -break an engagement as you would be to tell -a lie.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That is very true,” said Miss Emmet quietly. -“However, we won’t scold the girls who <i>are</i> -here, on account of those who are not. I will -see Isabel to-morrow.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They all need a talking-to, though,” cried -irate Miss Raymond. “They all happen to be -here to-day; but I believe every one of them -has missed rehearsals, with the exception of -Eunice Ward.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mamma won’t let me,” said Eunice honestly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your mother’s a sensible woman, then,” said -Miss Raymond. “Now, Miss Emmet, what are -we to do? It spoils the play so, to have me -read Isabel’s part. I can’t drill them properly, -and they don’t do justice to their own parts.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If you like, Miss Emmet, I will take Isabel’s -part,” said Cricket, in her bright, unconscious -way, after a telegraphic despatch to Eunice, -with her eyebrows.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But you don’t know it, child, and it’s the -reading it at all that I object to. Not acting -it, puts the others out,” said Miss Raymond, -pulling off her gloves.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_222'>222</span>“I mean, I can say it,” explained Cricket. -“I can’t act it very well, of course, but perhaps -it would do. I know all the part.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you? Well, then, you can try it. It -won’t be worse, at any rate, than my reading -it, and keeping my eye on the girls at the same -time. Stand here, and be ready for your -cue.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The speech was ungracious, for Miss Raymond -was always sharp-tongued, but she patted -Cricket’s cheek, approvingly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The rehearsal began. Cricket was excited, -but she had her wits about her, for this work -was what she loved.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You are doing very well, child,” said Miss -Raymond, when she went off the stage. Cricket -was so eager to fill in just right, that she never -thought of herself. The little play was rehearsed -twice through, and the second time -Cricket did still better. Of course not as well -as the girls who had been drilling for two weeks -already, for she did not always get the right -position on the stage, sometimes turned her -back to the imaginary audience, did not leave -at the right moment, every time, and never -spoke loud enough.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_223'>223</span>Nevertheless, on the whole, the rehearsal was -very satisfactory.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Raymond said a few words to Miss -Emmet while the children were resting. Miss -Emmet nodded assent. When the girls were -leaving, Miss Emmet detained Eunice and -Cricket a moment.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Miss Raymond and I spoke of replacing -Isabel Fleming two or three days ago,” she said. -“I told her, the last time she was absent, that I -should fill her place if she failed again. Now, -Jean, I wish you would ask your mother if she -has any objection to your taking the part of -Nancy. You know the part already, and we -can soon train you in the acting.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket’s eyes grew bigger and bigger. To -act a part in that wonderful play!</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will your mother permit her, do you -think?” Miss Emmet asked Eunice. “Jean -is rather younger than the girls are when they -first take part, usually, but I think she will do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, indeed, I think mamma will be willing,” -beamed Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I come to all the rehearsals now,” said -Cricket, eagerly, “and I know the part perfectly, -and I am sure mamma will let me.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_224'>224</span>The girls almost danced down the street.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’d rehearse every day in the week, and all -night too,” said Cricket, fervently, to mamma, -when the latter warned her again that she -must not let anything interfere with rehearsing. -“We will not ask to shirk it once, no matter -what we want to do.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s the only condition you can undertake -it on,” said mamma. “If you do it at all, you -must do it thoroughly, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The condition seemed a very small one to the -children, as only a week remained before the -eventful Friday night. The rehearsals were -never more than an hour long, and generally -not more than three-quarters of an hour at a -time, but they came every other day.</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was Monday afternoon,—the Monday before -the play. A rehearsal was appointed for three -o’clock. As the girls came out into the street -from school, one of their friends joined them, begging -them to come and see her in the afternoon. -Her mother, she said, had just come home from -New York, and brought her many pretty things, -as well as a great box of Huyler’s candy. She -wanted Eunice and Cricket to see the things -and help eat the candy. Eunice, remembering -<span class='pageno' id='Page_225'>225</span>the rehearsal, said no very firmly, though her -resolution was somewhat shaken when she -learned that most of the candy was chocolate.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s so far over there that we wouldn’t have -time to come before rehearsal, but we might go -over at four, couldn’t we, Eunice?” asked -Cricket, hopefully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, how provoking! You see, I have a -music lesson at four, and Mr. Schwarz is <i>so</i> -cross if I’m a minute late; and I know there -won’t be anything left of that candy to offer -you, after the children get hold of it. Can’t you -skip rehearsal, just once?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, we’ve engaged not to,” said Eunice. -“It would be nice, but we mustn’t, Elsie. -Good-bye. Cricket, we’ll be late to luncheon -if we don’t hurry.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It chanced that mamma had an engagement -at the dentist’s, and had to hurry away from the -luncheon table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I shan’t be home till late in the afternoon, -girls,” she added, “for, after I leave the -dentist, I have several people to see on Guild -business. Be prompt with Miss Raymond, my -little maids, and do well.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She was hardly out of sight when a group of -<span class='pageno' id='Page_226'>226</span>little school friends trooped up the steps. Eunice -and Cricket, standing in the window, saw them -coming, and flew down to the hall to meet them.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Get your things on right away,” they cried, -in a chorus. “They say there is splendid skating -on the lake, and we’re all going out there. -It will probably be gone by to-morrow, they say. -Do hurry, girls!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, jolly!” cried Cricket, flying away. -Then she stopped short, and looked at Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We can’t go, girls,” said Eunice, soberly. -“We have rehearsal at three.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, cut for once! All the girls have cut -sometime, you know. You can’t be there -always.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s such a nuisance when everybody isn’t -there, though. But I’m just dying for a skate,” -said Cricket, wistfully. “How I wish we <i>could</i> -go!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come, <i>do</i> cut,” some one urged. “Let Miss -Raymond scold. Ask your mother. She’ll let -you.” Eunice wavered. Wouldn’t mamma let -her if she only knew about this? Such a <i>very</i> -special occasion! They had been so very punctual -and regular,—not a single time had they -missed rehearsal, and they knew their parts -<span class='pageno' id='Page_227'>227</span>perfectly. Indeed, this was an extra rehearsal, -appointed for the special benefit of some girl -who had been absent twice. <i>Could</i> not they let -it go for once? Eunice and Cricket looked at -each other wistfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I believe—” began Eunice, slowly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, goody! fly up-stairs <i>fast</i>, and get your -things on. It’s getting awfully late, now, to get -off.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice still hesitated; then she suddenly -braced herself.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No,” she said, backing off, with her hands -behind her back, as though there were something -she was forbidden to touch. Then she -spoke very fast, lest her determination should -waver again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We can’t possibly go. We’ve promised -mamma we wouldn’t shirk once, no matter -what came up, and we can’t. We’re awfully -sorry, but we can’t. You go on, girls. It’s -getting late.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It certainly required much resolution to say -this, in the face of those glittering skates and -beseeching eyes, but Eunice’s tone was so firm -that the girls wasted no further coaxing, and -went off with many an expression of regret.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_228'>228</span>Eunice and Cricket each drew a long breath, -and looked at each other resignedly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now let’s get ready to go straight off before -anything else happens,” said Eunice, with -assumed briskness.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t feel as if the self-denying part of me -could do that again. It’s most worn out,” said -Cricket, mournfully, as they went up-stairs. -“Think! the skating will surely be gone to-morrow! -It never lasts but two or three days.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>As they finally shut the front door behind -them and went down the steps, Mrs. Drayton’s -carriage drew up before the house, and Emily’s -eager head popped itself forward.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Girls! girls! where are you going? I’m <i>so</i> -glad I’m in time to catch you. I want you to -go for a drive.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, <i>Emily!</i>” cried Eunice, despairingly. -“Don’t say one word about anything. I’m just -about crazy! <i>Every</i>thing nice is happening -this afternoon, when we’ve just <i>got</i> to go to -rehearsal.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Must</i> you go?” said Emily, disappointedly. -“I’d made up my mind to have a nice, long -drive. I’ve had such a cold that I have not -been out for a week, but to-day is <i>so</i> clear and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_229'>229</span>bright that mamma said I might come out and -get you both, and I want you <i>so</i> much!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m <i>just</i> as much disappointed as you, -Emily,” sighed Eunice. “I’m tired to death of -rehearsals, but we <i>must</i> go, because we promised -mamma we wouldn’t shirk.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You can get some one else to go with you, -Emily,” said Cricket, who had waited, younger-sister -fashion, for Eunice to decide the matter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course I can get plenty of people,” said -Emily, petulantly; “but I want <i>you</i>. Oh, <i>do</i> -come! We’ll stop at the school and say I -wouldn’t let you get out.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Emily was very used to having her own way. -Eunice opened her eyes wide.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, we couldn’t tell Miss Raymond <i>that</i>!” -she exclaimed, in great surprise. “Please don’t -coax, Emily. It makes it so hard.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There’s three o’clock now,” put in Cricket, -as the hour struck from a neighbouring tower. -“Rehearsal is at three, and we’ve never been -late before.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Emily looked ready to cry.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s too bad of you. You might come if -you wanted to. You’d rather go to a mean old rehearsal -than come with me. I know you would.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_230'>230</span>“Emily, how silly!” cried Cricket, in despair. -“As if we wouldn’t rather go with you -a billion times,—yes, a virgintillion. Don’t -you see? We’ve <i>promised</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Please don’t be cross about it,” begged -Eunice. “You can get somebody and have -a lovely drive, and we have to miss everything -and be scolded for being late, besides. We -<i>must</i> go, Cricket, or we’ll have our heads taken -off.” And Eunice, as she spoke, sprang up on -the carriage steps and kissed her little friend, -coaxingly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Emily sighed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can you drive to-morrow then? I’ll come -early.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“If we don’t have rehearsal. We’ll ride with -you now as far as the school, if you’ll take us.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All this trial and temptation,” sighed Cricket, -soberly, as they went up the school steps, “and -probably being scolded for being late into the -bargain.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Fortunately, however, when they reached the -room, Miss Raymond herself was late, having -been detained by some lesson. All the girls -were already there, and soon they were at -work.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_231'>231</span>“This has been a thoroughly satisfactory -rehearsal,” said Miss Raymond, with unusual -cordiality. “Everybody is on hand, and you’ve -all done well. I thought last Saturday you -would have to rehearse every day this week, -but now we will do no more till the dress-rehearsal -on Thursday. You’ve done <i>splendidly</i>.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Praise from Miss Raymond was so rare that -the girls beamed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Isn’t</i> it fortunate that we didn’t cut?” said -Eunice, as they went homewards. “Now we can -go to-morrow with a clear conscience, and this -afternoon we would have felt guilty all the -time.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, and had to rehearse to-morrow, too, if -we’d cut this afternoon.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The eventful Friday evening arrived in due -course of time, and an enthusiastic and expectant -audience crowded the schoolroom at St. -Agatha’s. The juniors’ play was first on the -programme. Eunice, in her part of maid, was -very taking in her becoming costume, with its -little mob-cap and jaunty apron. Cricket, as -saucy Nancy, who was always listening behind -doors, and getting into trouble, made a decided -<span class='pageno' id='Page_232'>232</span>hit. The other girls were all so good in their -parts that it was hard to say, after all, which -was best. Everything went smoothly, as it should -with a well-trained, well-disciplined set of girls. -The French play was beautifully given by the -seniors.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The programme closed with some pretty drills -and marches, for which they had been trained -by their teacher of physical culture, as part of -their school work. For this they had had no -other preparation than their regular daily half-hour -in the gymnasium.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All this means much work on your part, -Miss Emmet,” Mrs. Ward said, appreciatively, to -the head of the school, as people were congratulating -her on her beautifully trained girls.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And much on the girls’ part, as well,” -answered Miss Emmet, cordially. “They learn -many valuable lessons, during the time we -take to prepare all this, besides their school -work.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Certainly lessons in self-denial and persistency -and promptness,” said Mrs. Ward, smiling. -“My little girls have certainly learned the necessity -of keeping engagements, no matter what -more interesting things come up.” And she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_233'>233</span>told Miss Emmet of the Monday before, and its -accumulation of disappointments.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Miss Emmet laughed, but she looked sympathising, -also.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s exactly what I mean. It all goes -into character-building.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_234'>234</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XV.<br /> <span class='large'>A DAY IN THE NURSERY.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Have I said that George Washington—and, -of course, Martha—had accompanied the children -to town when they returned home? He -became as much an institution at No. 25——Street - as at Marbury. He had his apartments -in the nursery, and behaved himself very haughtily -to the kitchen cat, when the latter was occasionally -brought up from the regions below for -a visit.</p> - -<p class='c010'>George Washington had grown up to be a big, -black, lustrous creature, with emerald eyes, and -a bit of white fur under his chin, just like a -cravat. The boys called him the bishop for his -stateliness. He no longer played with Martha, -nor chased her around. Unmolested, she waved -proudly over his back in a stately curve.</p> - -<p class='c010'>George Washington was moderately obedient, -but went his own way just often enough to assert -his perfect independence. He submitted with -<span class='pageno' id='Page_235'>235</span>quiet dignity to the many performances that the -children put him through, yet if they went a step -too far, he would look at them so severely with his -emerald eyes that the mere glance would immediately -make them change their minds and pretend -they meant something altogether different.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Thursday was Eliza’s afternoon out. On this -particular Thursday, Marjorie was left in charge -of the nursery. Mamma was obliged to attend -some important club meeting, and Eunice and -Cricket had gone to see Emily Drayton. It -was a damp, drizzling day, so that the little -nursery people could not get their usual walk, -and they all missed it. Zaidie, particularly, -was always very dependent upon the out-of-door -exercise, which her vigorous little body needed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Marjorie, who often took charge of the nursery -in Eliza’s off-days, sat reading by the broad -window, curled up on the window-seat, while the -children played about the room. As they were -always used to entertaining themselves, and were -usually left, as far as possible, to their own devices, -the person in charge only needed to keep -a general oversight.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The twins were playing church, which was -one of their favourite amusements. George -<span class='pageno' id='Page_236'>236</span>Washington was the minister. He was clad -in a doll’s petticoat, fastened about his neck -for a surplice, and a black ribbon for a stole. -He was sitting up in state behind a pile of -books that served for a lectern. He knew his -part perfectly, and sat as still as any bishop. -By pinching his tail very slightly and carefully, -he could be made to mew at the proper moments, -without disturbing him much.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Helen played the mother, bringing her child, -Zaidie, to church. Zaidie, of course, pretended -she was a naughty girl, and talked out loud in -service. Kenneth played the father, who was to -take Zaidie out of church, when she grew <i>too</i> -naughty. It was also his business to pinch -George Washington’s tail at the right time,—which -was whenever Zaidie gave him orders. -Just a <i>little</i> pinch, most carefully given, was -all that was required, but now and then Kenneth -forgot, and gave too hard a squeeze. -When this happened, George Washington turned -and slapped at them with his paw, with a very -emphatic mew, which plainly meant, “I am -quite willing to do my part towards your amusement, -but if you take too many liberties, I won’t -play.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_237'>237</span>On one of these occasions, Zaidie suddenly -stopped in the midst of a pretended roar at having -her ears boxed by Helen,—very tenderly -boxed,—and listened.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think that George Washington has -his usual kind of mew to-day,” she said, criticisingly. -“Don’t you think he <i>squeaks</i> a little?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Helen listened, with her head on one side.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pinch him again, Kenneth,” she said. “Just -a little, <i>very</i> carefully. Yes, I think he <i>does</i> -squeak. Do you think he is getting rusty inside? -He drinks a lot of water, and it made -the sewing-machine all rusty when you poured -water over it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here George Washington mewed again vigorously, -in response to Kenneth’s invitation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where does the mew come from, I wonder,” -said Zaidie, thoughtfully, surveying the -cat. “Is it in his mouth, or down in his -throat?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She poked her fingers in his mouth, and -felt around a little. George Washington rebelled.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t scratch me, George. I aren’t hurting -you a bit,” said Zaidie, reprovingly. “I want -to know where your mew is, cause, if it’s getting -<span class='pageno' id='Page_238'>238</span>rusty, I’m going to oil you, same as ’Liza does -the machine.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Can <i>cats</i> be oiled?” asked Helen, doubtfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, yes, I ’xpect so,” returned Zaidie, cheerfully. -“Don’t you think so? Don’t you s’pose -they get dried up inside sometimes? Kenneth’s -little squeaky lamb does. I’ll get the machine-oiler.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Marjorie, curled up on the window-seat, did -not heed the children’s chatter. Zaidie got the -little machine-can, which once, in an evil hour, -Eliza had shown her how to use.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Mew again, George Washington,” ordered -Zaidie, “so I can find out where it comes from. -If he mews in his mouth, I can put the oil on -his tongue.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>A slight pinch immediately brought an answer -from George Washington. Zaidie listened -carefully, with her ear close at his head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It isn’t in his mouth,” she said, positively. -“I think it’s down his throat. How can I oil -him down there? I’m afraid I’ll hurt him if I -stick this long end down.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you s’pose those little holes in his ears -are oil-holes?” asked Helen, brightening.</p> -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_239'>239</span> -<img src='images/ill_240.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>IN THE NURSERY.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_241'>241</span>Zaidie immediately experimented with her -tiny finger, much to George Washington’s disgust.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They go pretty far down,” she said, soothing -and petting him.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind, I’m not going to hurt you,” -she said, reassuringly. “I’m just going to put -some nice, soft oil down your little oil-holes, -and then you’ll feel so <i>better</i>, you can’t think! -Your voice is all rusty. ’Liza says things won’t -go if they’re rusty, and bimeby your voice won’t -go, and you’d be sorry, for you like to talk, -you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>As she spoke, Zaidie tried to poke the oil-can -down his ears. George Washington jerked -away.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Here, Helen, you hold his hands, and Kenneth, -you hold his feet tight. That’s right. -Don’t let go,” ordered Zaidie, getting her assistants -into place. “Now, George, I won’t hurt you -much, and it’s for your own good, you know,” -with a funny imitation of Eliza’s tone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Zaidie tipped the little oil-can and poked it -carefully down into George Washington’s unwilling -ear. It tickled him, and he shook his head -impatiently. The children held him rigidly, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_242'>242</span>and Zaidie let the cold oil trickle down. At -the first touch of it, George Washington gave a -wild yelp, and with extended claws and uprising -fur, he sprang from the children’s grasp, leaving -such a dig in Kenneth’s soft little hand that he -immediately set up an unearthly howl, which -brought Marjorie to the rescue.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The astonished twins stood staring at each -other. Marjorie took up Kenneth in her arms, -kissed the hurt place, and asked the children -what they had been doing to excite George -Washington to such an unusual pitch of wrath.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We only tried to <i>oil</i> him in his little oil-holes -in his ears, ’cause he squeaked so, Marjorie,” -explained bewildered Zaidie, “and I -don’t <i>believe</i> he liked it. But his voice was -<i>dreffully</i> rusty,—truly it was.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Oil</i> him?” said Marjorie. “You absurd -child! Animals don’t need oiling.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, they <i>do</i>,” insisted Zaidie. “’Liza oiled -Kenneth’s baa-lamb the other day. The big -woolly one, up there, you know. She oiled it -down in its squeaks. And she rubbed something -greasy on my chest when I had the croup. -Don’t you remember how my breath squeaked? -She said she oiled me. There!”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_243'>243</span>“Oh, you funny little things!” said Marjorie, -laughing at them. “Well, don’t try it again, -anyway, on George Washington. He doesn’t -like it, you see, and you don’t want to be -scratched, do you? Don’t cry any more, baby, -dear. You’re a little man, and men don’t cry -for a scratch like that, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Marjorie set the children playing something -else, and then returned to her book. She was -usually a capable and efficient guardian in the -nursery, eldest-daughter fashion, but this afternoon -she was deep in a fascinating book that -must go back to the library to-morrow. In two -minutes she was absorbed in it again, to the -exclusion of her little charges.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Zaidie looked around for pastures new. The -children were not usually a mischievous set, but -now and then, like grown people, they delighted -in the unexpected.</p> - -<p class='c010'>As Helen wanted a drink, all three trooped -into the nursery bathroom, which opened off -the nursery. It was a pretty bathroom, with -the walls covered with blue and white sanitary -paper, in a pretty tile-pattern, each tile having -on it a Mother-Goose figure. A big, white, fur -rug lay by the white porcelain bath-tub. A -<span class='pageno' id='Page_244'>244</span>small water-cooler stood on a shelf, low enough -for the children to help themselves to water.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After the little flock had been watered all -around, Zaidie’s quick eyes spied a bottle of -vaseline on the wash-stand. It had been left -there by mistake. All those things were generally -put away in a little medicine closet, safely -out of the children’s reach. It was quite a -good-sized jar, and entirely full. Zaidie took -out the cork.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think I’ve got a sore spot on me somewhere,” -she said, feeling carefully all over her -face. “I think I need some vasling on it. Do -you see a sore spot on me, Helen?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Helen looked, but could not find any place -that seemed to need vaseline, even after the -closest study of Zaidie’s round, satin-cheeked -little face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Put it on anywhere,” she advised. “Perhaps -it may get sore, and then the vasling will -be already on.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Smearing vaseline all over Zaidie’s face led, of -course, to bedaubing Helen and Kenneth, also, -with a liberal plaster of the sticky stuff.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Doesn’t it stay on <i>beautifully</i>? Let’s paint -the bathroom with it?” suggested Zaidie, “and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_245'>245</span>make it all pretty. We can take our teeth-brushes.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>This idea was an inspiration. In a moment, -arming themselves with their tooth-brushes, the -children fell energetically to work. In five minutes -the bathroom was a perfect bower of vaseline, -and the small workers were sticky from -head to foot.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Meanwhile Marjorie read on, obliviously.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Doesn’t it make the room look <i>beautiful</i>?” -cried Zaidie, rapturously. “I guess ’Liza’ll be -pleased when she sees how pretty we’ve made it. -And see the wood, too. It shines splendidly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here an unguarded flourish on Kenneth’s part -left a long smear of vaseline on Zaidie’s short, -smooth locks.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, it makes it look like mine!” exclaimed -Helen, struck by the yellow gleam on Zaidie’s -black hair.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Does it?” asked Zaidie, eagerly. Each little -girl was smitten with a boundless admiration of -the other’s hair, for Helen’s fluffy corn-silk mop -was a great trial to her quiet little soul, and she -admired Zaidie’s smooth, silky black hair, with -all her heart; while Zaidie, on the other hand, -longed to possess Helen’s golden tangle.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_246'>246</span>“Put vasling thick all over my head,” she -demanded, instantly, “to make it yellow. Perhaps -mamma will let me wear it all the time, -and then perhaps it will grow yellow like yours. -I’d love that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then I wish I could make mine black like -yours,” sighed Helen, wistfully. “Couldn’t I -paint it, do you suppose?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Zaidie clapped her hands over this delightful -idea.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then we would have changed hairs! What -fun! Let’s find something to paint it with, -Helen. Here’s ’Liza’s shoe-blacking. Wouldn’t -that do? It makes her shoes so shiny and -black.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At the sight of the black liquid, dainty Helen -shrunk back a little.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It—it wouldn’t get on my face, would it?” -she asked, doubtfully. “I’d like to paint my -hair, but I don’t want my face painted too.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Pooh, no!” said Zaidie, drawing out the -sponge. “We’ll be careful. Now hold <i>very</i> -still, Helen.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The little hair-dresser drew a long dab with -the dripping sponge over Helen’s yellow curls. -Helen held her breath. Zaidie repeated the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_247'>247</span>dabs, growing more reckless, till a careless flirt -of the sponge sent a liberal spatter down Helen’s -face, and on her white apron.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ow! ow!” wailed Helen, who could bear a -scratch better than dirt, or a stain. She instinctively -put up her hands to her face, to rub -it dry, and, of course, her hands were all -streaked, also.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There, Zaidie!” she half sobbed, “you <i>have</i> -painted my face, too, ‘n’ I’m afraid it won’t come -off, and I’ll have to go round looking like a little -nigger-girl!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At this tragic picture, Zaidie looked frightened, -and instantly applied her wee handkerchief, -with dire results to the handkerchief, and -no good effect on the face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“See how her looks!” cried Kenneth, gleefully, -with his hands deep in his small trousers’ -pockets.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Helen wailed. There were large tracts of -shoe-polish on her pearly skin, and her tears -chased little furrows along them. Zaidie -scrubbed harder and harder with her handkerchief, -but she began to grow rather frightened -at the results of her painting.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It doesn’t come off <i>very</i> well,” she admitted -<span class='pageno' id='Page_248'>248</span>at last, pausing in some dismay. “And I don’t -think I like your hair painted, anyway, Helen. -It looks so <i>mixy</i>, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Truly, poor little Helen was a spectacle. Her -soft hair was plastered down in black patches on -her forehead, and big drops of blacking, gathering -on the end of each plastered lock, dropped -down on her nose and cheeks. Of course it did -not stick where the vaseline had been rubbed, so -her face was well smeared with a mixture of -greasiness and shoe-polish. Her white apron was -well spattered, and her hands were, by this time, -like a little blackamoor’s.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Her won’t ever get white any more, I -’xpect,” said Kenneth, cheerfully. “I blacked -my Noah’s Ark once, and it didn’t ever come -off. Don’t you remember?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here the children’s feelings completely overcame -them, and Zaidie and Helen set up a -shriek in concert that brought Marjorie to the -bathroom.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, you naughty, naughty children!” she -cried, in blank despair. “How shall I ever get -you clean? <i>Shoe-polish?</i> Oh, horrors!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Marjorie was really frightened lest the stain -should not come out of Helen’s hair.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_249'>249</span>Zaidie roared louder, and Helen sobbed, while -Kenneth, suddenly overcome by sympathy, added -his voice to the uproar.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Children, how <i>could</i> you?” said Marjorie -again, walking around Helen, and wondering -where to get hold of her best.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You ought to have come here and told us -to don’t,” sobbed Zaidie. “We always don’t -when ’Liza tells us to. You readed and readed -all the time, and you never told us to don’t.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t shriek so, Zaidie; I’m not deaf,” -said Marjorie, ignoring the other point for the -present. “Don’t cry so, Helen. You may get -the blacking in your eyes. Stand still, and I’ll -try to strip your clothes off. Don’t touch me, -dear, or you’ll stain my things.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Whatever’s the matter, Miss Marjorie?” -said Eliza’s voice from the doorway. “Oh, -you naughty children! How have you been and -gone and gotten yourselves into such a mess?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, <i>’Liza</i>!” cried Marjorie, thankfully. -“I’m so glad you’ve come! Will this black -ever come out of her hair?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Land knows! Did I ever see such a place -in all my born days?” casting a hurried glance -around at the sticky, shiny bathroom.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_250'>250</span>“She readed all the time, and she didn’t ever -tell us to don’t,” said Zaidie, pointing a reproachful -finger at Marjorie, and thereby easing -her own small conscience of a load.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I jest guess you knew better’n that yourself,” -said ’Liza. “But how <i>could</i> you let ’em -do so, Miss Marjorie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I was so interested in my book,” stammered -conscience-stricken Marjorie. “They’re usually -so good, you know.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“When you take care of children, you’ve got -to <i>take</i> care of children,” returned Eliza, somewhat -tartly. “’Taint <i>all</i> their badness. I dunno -what their mother will say to it all. You go on, -Miss Marjorie. I’ll tend right up to ’em now, -myself. Shoe-polish, of all things! Hope to -goodness I’ll get it out of that child’s hair.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eliza’s deft, experienced fingers flew while -she talked. Only stopping to throw off her out-of-door -things, she had turned the water on in -the bath-tub, had taken a cloth and wiped off -the sides of the tub, which were reeking with -vaseline, and had gotten hold of Helen at arm’s -length and stripped her clothes off. She -plunged the sobbing, frightened child in the -tub, and began scrubbing her vigorously.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_251'>251</span>Marjorie retreated, feeling very low in her -mind, because she had so neglected her little -charges in the nursery. Mrs. Ward was always -strict about the thorough, conscientious performance -of any duty, and would never overlook -any carelessness or neglect, either from children -or servants. Besides the thought of her -mother’s displeasure because she had not been -faithful, she was really dreadfully worried lest -the black stain should not come out of Helen’s -hair. Kenneth was only just beginning to look -like himself again, after his last-summer experience -with the fire. It would be such a -shame if Helen had to lose her lovely hair, too.</p> - -<p class='c010'>An hour later the nursery door opened and -Helen, fresh and sweet and clean, ran joyfully -across to Marjorie’s room.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“See! I’m all un-painted, Marjie! I’m never -going to try to get black hair again,” she cried. -“Look! it’s all out!” holding up with both -hands her silken topknot, which, washed and -dried, was shining again like spun gold.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“’Liza said she scrubbed me nearly out of the -roots, but it’s all dry now, and the vasling is all off -too. ’Liza doesn’t like the bathroom that way, -either. She’s scrubbing the vasling off that now. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_252'>252</span>I can’t stay any longer, ’cause ’Liza said only -stay two minutes, else I’d get into some mischief -here,—but I wouldn’t, truly.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Marjorie winced, but there was nothing to -be said. She kissed Helen and sent her back.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_253'>253</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> <span class='large'>A GOAT EPISODE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>Eunice sat curled up in a little bunch on the -floor. Her forehead was very much knit, and -her eyes were very much screwed up. She was -fussing busily with a piece of red ribbon and a -red Tam o’Shanter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What are you doing, Eunice?” asked Marjorie, -looking in, in passing the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m fixing my Tam,” Eunice replied, cocking -her head critically on one side, and surveying -the cap as she held it up on her fist. “It -doesn’t fit my head very well, and I thought -I’d poke it up on one side with a red ribbon bow -and this red quill, like May Chester’s.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think Eunice has a very <i>Tammy</i> -head,” struck in Cricket, from the window-seat. -“Her Tam never stays on a minute; her hair’s -so slippery. Frousy hair like mine has <i>one</i> -advantage.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket’s curly topknot kept her scarlet skating-cap -<span class='pageno' id='Page_254'>254</span>always in the right place, but Eunice’s -satin-smooth hair did not afford a good foundation -for her hats.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I <i>can’t</i> get it right, though,” said Eunice, -despairingly. She was hot and tired, and if the -truth must be told, a little cross. “This ribbon -won’t go in the right place, somehow.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I tried to make a rosette, but it wouldn’t -<i>rosettate</i>,” said Cricket, putting down her book -and coming forward to help look on. “Let -Marjorie do it, Eunice. It looks so un-stylish -the way you have it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I don’t want to,” said Eunice, holding -on to her cap. “I want to do it myself. Marjorie -doesn’t know what I want.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I do, child,” said Marjorie, trying to -take the ribbon. “I can do it in a moment. -Let me have it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, I won’t,” said Eunice, decidedly. “I can -do it myself.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But why won’t you let me?” urged Marjorie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I haven’t any reason. I just want to <i>won’t</i>,” -answered Eunice, half laughing. “There, go -away, Marjorie. I’m so cross that I want to -bite nails.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice was always an independent little body, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_255'>255</span>so Marjorie, with a pat on her head, left her -struggling with the Tam. Cricket went back to -her book, and Eunice worked on for ten minutes -in silence.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There!” she said at last, in a tone of triumph, -holding up her cap on her hand. “It’s -done. That looks all right, too, doesn’t it, when -I put it on? You see, when it’s on crooked, then -it’s straight. Do you see that quirk? That’s -very stylish,” and Eunice paraded up and down -before the glass.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>Isn’t</i> it quirky?” said Cricket, admiringly. -“Let’s go down to the library now for mamma. -You know she wanted us to go before this afternoon -with those books. You can wear your cap.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Exactly what I meant to do, Miss Scricket. -Get the books and come on.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>It was Saturday morning. The night before -had been rainy, but it had cleared off bright and -very cold, leaving all the sidewalks covered with -a glare of ice. Ashes and sand were liberally -sprinkled, but walking was, nevertheless, a matter -needing some care.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The girls went carefully down the front steps, -which were somewhat slippery, although they -had already been scraped.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_256'>256</span>“And there comes Johnnie-goat, prancing -along as if he were on his native rocks,” said -Eunice, looking personally injured, as the big, -white goat came sauntering abstractedly down -the street, in the distance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t think he looks as goatified as usual, -though,” said Cricket, glancing over her shoulder. -“Poor old Johnnie! I haven’t seen him -for ages. Let’s get another picture of him, -sometime, Eunice.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The camera had by no means been forgotten -all winter. Many pictures had been taken, -although the girls had never developed any -more by themselves. They had taken many -pretty views of different things. They had the -twins in nearly every possible attitude, and -numberless pictures of each other. Only the -out-door views were much of a success, though, -and they were looking forward with great anticipation -to Kayuna, next summer, where they -meant to photograph every stick and stone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice and Cricket walked along rather -slowly, swinging hands. Each had a library -book under the outside arm. Cricket was describing -very vividly something she had seen on -the street, the day before.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_257'>257</span>“It was the <i>funniest</i> thing! Those two -ladies, all dressed to kill, came flying out of -the house and down the steps, signalling to the -street-car to stop; and just at the same time a -cart was going by, with some long planks on it -that waved way out behind. And the lady was -looking so hard at the car that she never noticed -the planks out behind, and as soon as the cart -itself was past her, she rushed for the car, and -then she struck the planks just <i>plump</i>, and went -right over them, and hung there. Her head -and arms were waving on one side—just <i>waving</i>—and -her legs on the other, and she hung over -it; and the cart man didn’t know it, and just -went on serenely. I felt <i>awfully</i> sorry for her, -but oh, she looked so funny! just like a turtle.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Didn’t she hurt herself dreadfully?” asked -Eunice, with interest.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know. Well, the car stopped, and -then it went on, for I suppose the conductor -saw that the lady couldn’t get unhitched from -the cart right off, and the cart trundled on, and -the other lady ran after it, calling the man to -stop, and <i>he</i> thought they were calling to the -car all the time, and he waved too, and called -out, ‘Hi, there! lady wants yer to stop!’ and -<span class='pageno' id='Page_258'>258</span>the conductor called back, ‘Stop yourself, you -old lummox, and let off your passenger,’ and -all this time the poor lady just sprawled over -those planks. I was so sorry for her! but the -sorrier I got, the more I laughed, but I ran -after the cart, too, and called it to stop, and -some small boys ran after it, and called to the -man, too, and the other lady kept calling—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But just here, without a word of warning, -Cricket suddenly went down with a thump on -her knees, to her intense surprise. It was not -icy just there, and there was no apparent reason -for Cricket’s sudden humility.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Upon my word, wasn’t that queer?” she -said, getting up slowly, and ruefully rubbing -her knees.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice had gone off into fits of laughter, -after a glance behind her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I never saw anything funnier,” she gasped. -“Talk of your lady! she isn’t a circumstance to -you. Oh, <i>dear</i>!” and Eunice fairly doubled up.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What <i>could</i> have been the matter? I went -down as quick as a wink, and it isn’t icy here, -either,” said bewildered Cricket. “Somehow -my knees just went forward. I should think -they had hinges on them. I just—”</p> -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_259'>259</span> -<img src='images/ill_260.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic001'> -<p>A SUDDEN DOWNFALL.</p> -</div> -</div> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_261'>261</span>And here she straightway went down on her -knees again. Eunice leaned against a lamppost, -breathless with laughing.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, oh! don’t you see? It’s only—<i>oh</i>, -dear! my sides ache so! it’s—” and Eunice -went off again into a peal of laughter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket was up by this time, more puzzled -than ever.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you suppose I’ve got anything the matter -with me? I declare my knees feel cracked. -Do you suppose I’ve got to go all the way to -the library bumping along on my knees? Something -seemed to <i>whang</i> into my back knees, and -I—oh, <i>Johnnie-goat</i>! was it you? Eunice, was -it Johnnie-goat?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice nodded weakly. She had no breath -left for words. Johnnie-goat stood placidly behind -Cricket, wagging his long beard socially, -and making little corner-wise motions of his -solemn head, as he always did when he was -playfully inclined.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He just walked right up and bunted you -under the knees, and down you went. I believe -he did it for a joke,” gasped Eunice. “See! he -doesn’t seem angry a bit.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>He</i> doesn’t seem angry?” asked Cricket, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_262'>262</span>somewhat indignantly. “I should say he’d -better not. I don’t know what should have -spoiled <i>his</i> temper. <i>I’m</i> the one to be angry, I -should say. You wretched old Johnnie-goat! -breaking my knee-pans, and making everybody -laugh at me,—only there isn’t anybody around.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, there are three children up in that window, -across the street,” said Eunice. “They’re -laughing as if they’d kill themselves.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m glad there’s something to amuse them,” -said Cricket, cheerfully. “Oh, Eunice! that’s -the very house my lady came out of yesterday! -Well, I laughed at her, and those children are -welcome to laugh at me. Tell me how he did -it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just as I told you,” said Eunice, breaking -out into a peal of laughter again, as they walked -along. “He simply came up and bunted you -under the knees, and the first thing I knew, you -were on the ground, and then he did it again.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go home, Johnnie-goat,” said Cricket, turning -and shaking her finger reproachfully at the -goat, who was stalking solemnly on behind, trailing -his bit of rope, which, as usual, he had eaten -through, in order to make his escape. “You’ve -distinguished yourself enough for to-day.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_263'>263</span>“If we wanted to, I could call a policeman -and have you arrested,” added Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m ashamed of you, Johnnie-goat, when -we’ve always been such friends,” went on -Cricket, “and I’ve scratched your head between -your horns lots of times, where you can’t reach -it yourself. Go straight home and think how -sorry you are, and maybe I’ll forgive you,—only -you’ll have to behave yourself pretty well, -else you won’t <i>stay</i> forgiven.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Johnnie-goat stood still and meditated a moment. -Then, with the air of one who is somewhat -bored by circumstances, he turned and -wandered slowly back, with a meditative cock to -his short tail.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He always means mischief when he looks -mildly and meekly playful like that,” Cricket -said, turning to watch him, and to guard against -another attack in her rear.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cricket, where is your library book?” asked -Eunice, presently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know,” said Cricket, stopping short. -“Oh, that Johnnie-goat! I dropped it when he -butted me, I suppose. We’ll have to go back. -It was just around the corner. I hope nobody -has picked it up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_264'>264</span>The children turned and quickened their steps. -As they went around the corner they saw a -knot of little gamins collected further down the -street, an evidently excited crowd, but the book -lay where Cricket had dropped it a few minutes -before.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What are these boys doing?” asked Cricket, -curiously. “I wonder if anything has happened. -Just hear them hoot!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They’re up to some mischief, probably,” -said Eunice. “Come on, Cricket.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But Cricket lingered, with her head over her -shoulder.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They’re certainly teasing something, Eunice,” -she said, in sudden excitement. “Some animal,—perhaps -it is a cat—no, it isn’t—it’s Johnnie-goat! -Those horrid wretches!” as an unmistakable -bleat rose long and loud. “Eunice, -I must stop them!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Bang went the book on the pavement, and off -darted Cricket.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come back, Cricket! Don’t go there,” called -Eunice, urgently. “They might hurt you. You -can’t stop them. <i>Cricket!</i>”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But she called to deaf ears, for Cricket flew -on, and Eunice, with the instinct never to desert -<span class='pageno' id='Page_265'>265</span>Mr. Micawber, picked up the library book, and -followed in much trepidation.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket dashed into the centre of the group -like a small cyclone, and the little gamins fell -back, right and left, in sheer amazement. Her -scarlet Tam was on the back of her head, -her curls were rampant with the wind, and her -eyes were blazing with indignation like two -stars.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Poor Johnnie-goat was indeed in trouble. A -tin can dangled from his short tail, and on his -horns were two similar ornaments, which bumped -and clattered as he made ineffective plunges at -his enemies. Besides these, stout strings were -tied to each horn, so that his head could be -jerked this way and that, as he jumped about, -half frantic with rage and terror. One of the -boys prodded him with a sharp stick.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“You shameful wretches!” rang out Cricket’s -clear tones. “I wish some big giant would -come and torment <i>you</i>, so! How dare you!” -she snatched the strings from the boy’s hands, -and held them firmly in her own strong little -fingers.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Where is your knife?” she said, imperiously, -to the biggest boy.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_266'>266</span>He took it from his pocket and awkwardly -held it out to her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“No, open it, and cut those cans off. <i>You</i>, -boy, hold his head still. <i>Gently</i>, mind. Poor -Johnnie-goat!” With one hand she grasped a -jerking horn, and with the other she rubbed the -sensitive little place on his head. Johnnie-goat -almost instantly stood quiet, with drooped head.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A fine thing for you great boys to torment -a poor, helpless animal,” Cricket said, scornfully. -She flung the tin cans into the street.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, be off with you, every one,” she -ordered. “I’ll take Johnnie-goat home. <i>Go</i>, -I say,” stamping her foot imperiously, as the -boys showed signs of lingering. They had -actually said not a single word, so amazed were -they all at the valiant onslaught of the little -maid.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Her finger still pointed unwaveringly down a -neighbouring alleyway, and slowly the boys, one -after another, slouched off. Any sign of indecision -on the part of Cricket, and they would -have refused to go. But, with her shoulders -well back, and her head erect, she stood steadily -pointing down the alley. She watched them -round a corner, and never stirred till the last -<span class='pageno' id='Page_267'>267</span>one, with many a sheepish glance backward, -had disappeared.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Got my book, Eunice?” said Cricket, briskly. -“I’m going to take Johnnie-goat home myself, -and can’t we go to the library round that way? -’Tisn’t much further. Gracious! how hot I -am!” and Cricket unbuttoned her long coat -and threw it open. “Do you mind carrying -my book for me, Eunice? I’d better hold Johnnie-goat -with both hands. He seems sort of -excited.”</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_268'>268</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> <span class='large'>A SCRAPE.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>One Saturday morning towards the end of -March, Marjorie and Eunice and Cricket were -all in mamma’s room. Mrs. Ward had not -come home from market yet, and Cricket was -watching for her from the window, eager to -ask permission for something she wanted to do.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There’s Donald!” she suddenly exclaimed. -“How funny! What can he be doing here at -this time?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She ran to the hall, and hung over the banister, -calling down a greeting as Donald let -himself in. To her surprise, he made her no -answer, but with a curt word to Jane to tell -his father that he was in the study and wanted -to see him as soon as he came in, he bolted into -his father’s private room behind the office, and -shut the door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket came back and reported, with much -amazement.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_269'>269</span>“I <i>hope</i> he isn’t going to have mumps again,” -said Eunice, anxiously. “Or, perhaps it’s scarlet -fever. Did Donald ever have scarlet fever, -Marjorie?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I think so. Oh, I don’t suppose he’s -going to have any more baby diseases,” said -Marjorie. “There’s papa now!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Doctor Ward entered the house, and the listening -girls heard the maid deliver Donald’s -message. He removed his coat in his leisurely -way, whistling softly in a fashion he had, and -went into his office for a moment. Then they -heard him go into his study.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The girls waited, breathlessly, but they only -heard their father’s cheery:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, my son?” and then the door -closed.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The room was directly under them, and they -could hear the faint, steady murmur of voices, -but nothing more.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Presently Mrs. Ward came home, and the -children flew to meet her.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Donald here, and talking with his father? -Well, my little maids, what is the mystery in -that? Sick? Oh, I dare say not. Probably he -only wants advice from your father about something. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_270'>270</span>Whatever it is, we’ll know presently, if -it’s any importance.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>A little later, mamma was called into the -conference. She did not stay very long, however, -and she soon came out, leaving the door -open. The girls, who were now down in the -back parlour, could hear their father’s voice -distinctly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There’s nothing to do but stand it, my son. -I’d rather you’d be suspended for a <i>year</i> than -have you clear yourself at others’ expense. -Loyalty is paramount in this instance, and I’ll -support you in the stand you’ve taken.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Jove! father, you’re a brick!” said Donald, -gratefully. “I was jolly afraid you’d cut up -rough, for it’s pretty tough on you to have your -son rusticated.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A trifle tough on you, my lad,” returned -Doctor Ward. “But there are worse things -than rusticating for a time. One is—deserving -it.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The Faculty think I do,” answered Donald.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Never mind that. Suppose those of you -who can, do clear yourselves. That fastens -the blame definitely on the few, where now it -is distributed among twenty. And the whole -<span class='pageno' id='Page_271'>271</span>thing is not serious in itself, only the Faculty -had promised to suspend the next offenders and -to expel the ringleaders, if they could be found.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This is the next time, as it happens,” said -Donald, gloomily. “Worse luck!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, worse luck for you. But you are -entirely right. Don’t prove your alibi. Do -you all stand by the others; you fellows can, -as you say, stand three months’ rusticating -better than the half-dozen could stand expulsion.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald drummed his heels together. He was -seated on a corner of the library table, throwing -up a paper-weight, and catching it carefully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, we’ll stand by the men,” he said. -“See here, dad, you know I didn’t mean to -let on all this even to you. I only meant to -tell you that your promising son is suspended. -But,” he added, ruefully, “somehow I forgot you -weren’t one of the fellows.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Doctor Ward gave his big son a crack on the -shoulder that nearly sent him under the table.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I <i>am</i> one of the fellows, old boy. I wasn’t -a college man for nothing; and though it’s -twenty-one years since I graduated, I haven’t -forgotten college-feeling.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_272'>272</span>“And yet,—I <i>did</i> hate to have you think -I’d disgraced you,” said Donald, lifting honest -eyes to his father’s. “I haven’t done wonders, -I know, but still I haven’t done so very badly. -And I suppose this will spoil my chances of -getting on the team. Hang it all!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’d like to see Professor Croft casually in a -day or two, and find out the attitude of the -Faculty in the matter. This morning was the -sentence read?” And here the door shut -again.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The girls looked at each other in horror. -What dreadful thing had happened to this -big, handsome Donald of theirs, of whom they -were so proud? They did not understand all -that had passed; and that their father plainly -sympathised with Donald did not remove the stubborn -fact that he was in some dreadful disgrace.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice and Cricket looked at each other with -bated breath. Marjorie flew to her mother.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did he say he was going to be—<i>suspended</i>?” -faltered Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes,—or rusty-coated,” said Cricket, her -eyes getting large and dark. “Eunice, do you -suppose it hurts?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know. Oh, Cricket, isn’t it <i>too</i> -<span class='pageno' id='Page_273'>273</span>dreadful! What can he have done? But papa -doesn’t seem to think he’s to blame, anyway,” -added Eunice, hopefully. “He said he’d stand -by him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But—<i>suspended</i>, Eunice!” repeated Cricket, -with a direful vision of a dangling rope. “It—it -wouldn’t be by the <i>neck</i>, would it? How -long would they keep him there? Oh, Eunice! -my heart is all jumpy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It couldn’t be by the neck,” said Eunice, -positively. “Because then he’d be regularly—hung, -and they only hang people for murder -and those things. I’m sure of that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But papa said he might be rusty-coated, -and he said that wasn’t the worst thing that -could happen. What is it, Eunice?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t know,” answered Eunice, miserably. -“Do you suppose it <i>could</i> be like being tarred -and feathered like Floyd Ireson?” she added, -almost below her breath.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eunice, I won’t let them!” cried Cricket, -springing up furiously. “Don’t let them dare -to touch my brother! I’d scratch them and I’d -bite them and—oh, Eunice! papa <i>wouldn’t</i> let -them, would he?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps he couldn’t help it. If the President -<span class='pageno' id='Page_274'>274</span>said he had to be rusty-coated, perhaps it -would <i>have</i> to be done,” said Eunice, wretchedly, -for she had an exalted idea of the authority -of the powers that be. Eunice was a born -Tory.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t care if five billion presidents said -so,” cried Cricket, defiantly. She was a born -Radical, though her sweet temper and wise -training had saved her from any desire to revolt. -Now all the love and loyalty of her -stanch little soul surged up.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’d kick him and I’d bite him,” repeated -Cricket, “and I’d—don’t you remember that -I made those big boys stop teasing Johnnie-goat?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, I know,” returned Eunice, who had -been very much impressed by that short scene.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What <i>can</i> Don have done?” queried Cricket, -recurring to the starting-point. “Oh, dear! I -wish Faculties would be reasonable!” With this -modest desire, she pounded viciously on the -window-sill.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’ll be <i>so</i> ashamed to have the girls know,” -said Eunice. “There’s May Chester. Her -brother is in the same class.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Perhaps he’ll be suspended, too,” said -<span class='pageno' id='Page_275'>275</span>Cricket, hopefully. Misery loves company. -“But—<i>suspended</i>, Eunice,” with a fresh wave -of dejection. “And I’m <i>so</i> afraid it will hurt.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here the luncheon-bell rang. Directly after, -the study door was thrown open, and Doctor -Ward and Donald came out. The father’s arm -was thrown across his tall son’s shoulder, in a -boyish fashion that the doctor often used.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t tell the kids more than you can help,” -said Donald, hurriedly, as they came out, not -aware that the children knew anything.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Well, Lady Greasewrister and Madam Van -Twister, her ladyship’s sister,” he called out, as -he entered the dining-room, with the assumption -of his usual teasing manner. Doctor Ward had -stepped into his office for a moment, and the -others had not yet come down. To his immense -surprise and embarrassment, Eunice instantly -burst out crying.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hallo, Waterworks! what’s wrong?” he -exclaimed, in dismay. Tears were rare with any -of the children.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, Donald, I can’t stand it! Will it hurt -you?” wailed Eunice, completely overcome by -the sight of the big, handsome fellow, and associating -him suddenly with Cricket’s image of a -<span class='pageno' id='Page_276'>276</span>dangling rope. “How long will you have to do -it?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do <i>what</i>?” stared Donald.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And will you have to be rusty-coated, <i>too</i>?” -burst in Cricket, very red as to her cheeks and -very shiny as to her eyes. “How do they put -it on? Donald, I don’t care if the President -himself does it, I’ll bite him till he’s all chewed -up!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Hal-lo!” whistled Donald. The others not -having arrived yet, the three were still alone. -“What have you two kids got in your -heads?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We heard what father said when the door -was open,” confessed Eunice, honestly. “We -couldn’t help it. He said you’d have to be -suspended—”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Or rusty-coated,” put in Cricket.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And what is it all about? and will it hurt? -Oh, Don, tell us!” and Eunice threw a pair of -imploring arms around his neck, while Cricket, -with a gush of defensive affection, hugged one -of his legs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>We’ll</i> stand by you, too, Don, whatever it is, -and papa will, for he said so. Don, don’t go -back to that nasty old college, <i>ever</i>. Go to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_277'>277</span>Princeton. It has such pretty colors. I always -loved that black and orange,” urged Eunice, -tightening her clasp.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald, much touched, swept both his loyal -little sisters into his muscular arms, and sat -down on the window-seat.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“See here, you monkeys, I didn’t mean to -tell you, but I must now. There was a jolly -row on Wednesday night, and one of the professors -caught on, and about twenty of us were -hauled up. We’re suspended for the rest of -the year,—that is, can’t go back till college -opens in the fall. We’re not going to be hung, -as you evidently think, if that’s what you’re -fussing about.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, is <i>that</i> all?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“But Don, <i>you</i> didn’t do anything?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And if you’re rusty-coated, will that hurt -you?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We thought maybe you’d be tarred and -feathered.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And suspended! I <i>did</i> think it was some -kind of hanging up.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why don’t you tell the President you didn’t -do anything?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Donald put his hands over his ears as the girls -<span class='pageno' id='Page_278'>278</span>poured out their chorus, one on each side. Just -then the rest of the family arrived.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s very nice for Donald to have a vacation -again,” said mamma, patting her big boy’s -shoulder as she passed him. The younger fry -fell on him rapturously. Donald was always -popular among them.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_279'>279</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> <span class='large'>AN EXPEDITION.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>But Eunice and Cricket were not altogether -satisfied yet. They were very silent during -luncheon, which was rather an uncomfortable -meal, in spite of the older people’s efforts to -make it as usual.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Whatever face he put on it, to be rusticated -under any circumstances was a hard thing for -a proud fellow like Donald, to say nothing of -his athletic aspirations.</p> - -<p class='c010'>After luncheon, Donald stepped into his -father’s office for another word or two, while -the others went up-stairs. A few minutes after, -Mrs. Ward sent Cricket back to the kitchen with -a message to the cook. The office door was -still open, and Donald’s voice was plainly -audible.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, this is terribly hard on Chester, for he -has had the reputation of being a regular daredevil, -and the Faculty immediately put him down -<span class='pageno' id='Page_280'>280</span>for one of the ringleaders, whereas, you see, he -wasn’t in it at all. A great chum of his <i>was</i> -concerned, and the Faculty have pretty well got -hold of that, and there’s still a chance that -three or four of them may be expelled. Of -course he won’t peach, for the only thing that -will save anybody is for us all to hold our -tongues.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And Chester was with you, you said?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes. We were especially lamb-like that -night,—calling on Miss Vassar. It was so -pleasant that we started to walk home, and met -another fellow who rooms in town, and turned -in for a smoke. We left him about twelve. -We fell in with some others on the way out, -who had likewise been in town, and then we -suddenly got into the crowd of the others, and -were all pounced upon together. Of course, sir, -I can’t give the names of those who were really -guilty.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“By no means. And old Chester takes it -hard, you say?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He will, when he knows of it. I’m sorry -for Chester. He’s a good fellow,—first-rate -stuff,—but he’s chuck-full of mere mischief. -You see, after that other row in the winter, his -<span class='pageno' id='Page_281'>281</span>father swore that if he got into any rumpus -again, he’d take him out of college, and put him -in the office; and Chester hates that like poison. -And old Chester isn’t like you, dad. He never -was a college man, and he doesn’t understand.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I suppose not. H’m! I’m sorry for Chester. -I like the lad. It would be rough on him -to spoil his career.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Here Cricket suddenly awoke to the fact that -she was hanging on to the banisters, listening -with all her might. Much mortified, she flew -on to the kitchen and delivered her message, -and then darted up-stairs to share her story -with Eunice.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eunice, <i>something</i> must be done about it. -Sidney Chester is awfully in it, and Don says -he didn’t do a thing, either. They were both -calling on Miss Gwendoline Vassar, the pretty -one with red hair,—what Donald calls Tissue -hair,—he’s awfully struck on her, you know,—and -the boys were both there that very night.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Then they have only to tell the President -so,” said Eunice, much relieved.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s just it. They won’t say so, and some -others who were caught, and didn’t really do -anything, won’t say so either, because then the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_282'>282</span>President would know just who did it, and expel -those very ones.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s all dreadfully muddled, seems to me,” -sighed Eunice. “College things are always so -funny.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I think they’re very unsensible, myself,” -said Cricket, decidedly. “I think they <i>ought</i> -to tell. If the other fellows did it, let them -say so, and <i>be</i> expelled. It’s like Zaidie, the -other day. I was in the nursery, and mamma told -her not to run the sewing-machine, and Zaidie -did, and mamma tied a handkerchief around her -hands. And yesterday, Zaidie got at the machine -again, when ’Liza wasn’t there, and then -she went and twisted a handkerchief around her -own hands, and sat down in the corner, and -wouldn’t play with Helen and Kenneth for a long -time. ‘I just <i>wanted</i> to run that machine again,’ -she said, ‘and now I’ve got to tie my hands up, -’cause I was naughty; but it was fun, anyway.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“That’s the way those boys ought to do,” -said Eunice. “If they want to go and do bad -things, they ought to speak up like a man and -say so. Think of Don and Sidney Chester and -the others being expelled, and they just calling -on Miss Vassar!”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_283'>283</span>“And Don’s just crazy to get in the team!” -added Eunice, almost in tears again. “Oh, -Cricket, I <i>wish</i> the President could know about -it. I’m sure he’d do something.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket sprang up with sparkling eyes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Eunice, let’s go and tell him! Come on, -straight off, and don’t let’s tell anybody till we -get back, ’cause they wouldn’t let us, I suppose. -Grown people are <i>so</i> funny. And somebody -<i>ought</i> to tell.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice stared helplessly at Cricket, aghast -at this daring proposal. Her younger sister’s -rapidity of thought and action often took her -breath away.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Go to the President’s house? Oh, Cricket, -would you dare?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Of course I would,” answered Cricket, boldly. -“He’s only a man. He couldn’t eat us, could -he? We’ll just tell him we’re Doctor Ward’s -daughters, ’cause he knows papa. Don’t you -remember that papa dined with him last week? -And we’ll just tell him that Don and Sidney -Chester were calling on Miss Vassar, and that -some of the others weren’t in it, too, and -ask him please to give them all another -chance.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_284'>284</span>Cricket was flying out of one dress and into -another all the time she talked. Eunice still -stared.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Would papa like it?” she hesitated.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It won’t make any difference after it’s done; -and if he doesn’t like it, why,—I’ll never do it -again. I’ll have the satisfaction of doing it -once, though. Come on, you old slowpoke. -I’m nearly ready.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We don’t know where he lives,” objected -Eunice, feebly, but getting up and going to the -closet.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“<i>I</i> do. Or rather, I know the house when I -see it, and anybody will tell us the way. I know -what cars to take from here, and the conductors -can tell us where to change. We’ll be all right,” -finished Cricket, confidently. “Do hurry, Eunice,” -and Eunice hurried, feeling as if she were -pursued by a small cyclone.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A little later, the two girls went quietly down-stairs, -and slipped out of the front door.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Will mamma be anxious, do you think?” -asked Eunice, suddenly, feeling very guilty, for -the girls never thought of going out for a whole -afternoon without asking permission.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Guess not. She’ll think we’ve gone to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_285'>285</span>Emily Drayton’s. She said this morning we -might go, you know. There’s our car.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The two girls, with fluttering hearts and excited -faces, got on the car, feeling as if they -were bound for Japan or the North Pole. -Cricket’s buoyant, hopeful nature was serenely -confident of gaining her end, while Eunice’s -more apprehensive temperament made her quake -at the process.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What shall we say, Cricket?” said Eunice, -doubtfully.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just tell the President all about it,” answered -Cricket, easily. “I hope we can get him -to let the other boys off, too. Perhaps he could -just rusty-coat them for just a week or two. -They ought to be willing to stand <i>that</i>; for, after -all, what could you expect of <i>Freshmen</i>?” with a -tolerant air and accent that amused some ladies -sitting by them immensely.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We change here. Come on,” and Cricket -jumped up briskly. Eunice followed more -slowly. Generally, she was the leader in their -joint doings, even if Cricket was, as usually happened, -the originator. To-day both felt that -Cricket was in command of the expedition.</p> - -<p class='c010'>They reached the house at last. Eunice -<span class='pageno' id='Page_286'>286</span>quaked more and more, but Cricket, though in a -quiver of excitement, was as bold as a lion. -The feeling that she was going to rescue her -beloved brother from the clutches of that hawklike -Faculty, who always hovered about, lying -in wait to tear unsuspecting Freshmen to bits, -gave her unbounded courage. Donald was in -difficulty, and some curious code of honour kept -him from saving himself. Somebody else must -do it, then. That was very simple; and she -was the person to do it. With this small -maiden, as we know, to think and to act were -always in close connection,—so close that often -there was some apparent confusion of precedent. -But now she was sure she was right, and she -valiantly went ahead.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice was white with excitement. She, -forming the rank and file of the attacking -army, had less to sustain her courage than -General Cricket had. Definite action is always -easier than to await an issue. Then, also, -Cricket’s sublime unconsciousness that any one -was particularly interested or concerned in what -<i>she</i> did, saved her from the wonder, “What will -people think?” which so often nips one’s finest -projects in the bud.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_287'>287</span>“What shall we do if the President is out?” -it suddenly occurred to Eunice to wonder, as -they rang the bell.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Wait till he comes in,” answered Cricket, -instantly. Having made her plans, she proposed -to fight it out on that line, if it took all summer.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Suppose he doesn’t get home till evening? -We would be afraid to go home alone then.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He could get a carriage, and send us home,” -said Cricket, magnificently.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice gasped. The children seemed to have -changed places. Eunice was generally the one -who had the practical resources.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The maid opened the door. “Yes, he was in,” -was the welcome answer to the eager question. -“But it’s afraid I am that he can’t see any one -this afternoon. He’s particular engaged.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Dismay filled the children’s hearts. So near -to their goal and not to be able to reach it!</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, please tell him we <i>must</i> see him!” cried -Cricket, imploringly. “It’s dreadfully, awfully -important, and we’ve come a long way; but we’ll -wait as long as he likes, till he’s quite through, -but we <i>can’t</i> go away without seeing him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The maid hesitated. Her orders were strict, -but this was plainly something out of the ordinary -<span class='pageno' id='Page_288'>288</span>course. “I don’t know if I can tell him,” -she hesitated.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We won’t take but just a few minutes. -We’ll be very quick, and something <i>must</i> be -done, and there’s nobody else to do it. Please -ask him to let us come in, and we’ll talk very -fast, and tell him all about Donald and the -others, and—and I <i>can’t</i> go away without seeing -him!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket’s earnest voice grew almost to a wail -as she ended, clasping her hands entreatingly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A door in the distance opened, and a gentleman -came out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What’s the matter, Mary?” he asked.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want to see the President <i>so</i> much,” -pleaded Cricket, twisting her fingers in her -eagerness. “I know he must be awfully busy, -for I suppose presidenting is very hard, and -takes lots of time, but <i>won’t</i> you tell him we’ll -be very quick? And it’s <i>terribly</i> important.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The gentleman looked first amused, then interested.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Come in, my little friends. I am the President, -and I will very willingly hear what you -have to say, and help you if I can.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>At this announcement, Cricket, finding that -<span class='pageno' id='Page_289'>289</span>she was really in the much desired presence, -drew a quick breath, feeling, for the first time, -the importance of what she was doing. The two -girls, holding each other’s hands tightly, followed -their kindly guide to the pleasant library.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My legs wobble so, I can hardly walk,” -whispered Cricket to Eunice, “and there’s <i>such</i> -a hole in my stomach! It feels all gone.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The gentleman placed chairs for his little -guests, with the utmost courtesy of manner, and -then seated himself.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, what can I do for you?” he asked, -pleasantly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket gripped her fast-retreating courage -with both hands, drew a long breath and plunged -head foremost in her subject, as one might jump -from a burning steamer into the ice-cold ocean.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“It’s about Donald, and <i>he</i> can’t tell, because -it wouldn’t be quite honourable to the others, and -I found it out accidentally, and papa says he’ll -stand by him, though really Donald wasn’t in it -at all, for he and Sidney Chester were calling on -Miss Gwendoline Vassar, that very night,—that -pretty Miss Vassar that all the boys are so stuck -on, you know,—and they stopped and smoked -with another man coming home, and then they -<span class='pageno' id='Page_290'>290</span>met some other men, who hadn’t being doing -anything either, and then they all got mixed up -with the ones who <i>did</i> do something, but I don’t -know what, and they were all caught together, -and none of them would say a word, ’cause perhaps -the right ones would be expelled if they -were known, and so they’re all going to be rusty-coated, -or suspended, or something, and that’s -<i>dreadful</i>; and poor Sidney Chester, who didn’t -really do a thing this time, may have to leave -college entirely and go into his father’s office, -and he hates it so, and he really isn’t bad, only -full of fun, and papa understands things better -than old Mr. Chester does, because he was at -college himself, you know, and he says he’ll stand -by Don, for he must be loyal to the others, only -now perhaps Don can’t get on the team, and he -hasn’t done wonders, but he hasn’t done so badly -in his work, and he’s such a dear fellow.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket drew a long breath here, and dashed -on.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And you see he didn’t really do anything -himself, and nobody knows we’ve come to you, -and I guess papa would take my head off if -he knew it, but I knew somebody ought to do -something, and you’d feel so badly to punish -<span class='pageno' id='Page_291'>291</span>somebody who didn’t do anything, and Donald -didn’t even mean to tell papa about it, but papa -always understands, and, oh, dear, if he’s—rusty-coated—I—can’t—bear—it!”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And here Cricket, perfectly unstrung by the -nervous tension and the long strain, suddenly -surprised herself, and paralysed Eunice, by bursting -into convulsive sobs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>In a moment she was on the presidential -knees, and her head was on the august shoulder, -where she wept a perfect flood of tears into a big -collegiate handkerchief which speedily replaced -her small, drenched one. Eunice was so overcome -by the astonishing spectacle of Cricket in -tears that she sat wide-eyed with amazement, -staring at her with bated breath.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_292'>292</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> <span class='large'>THE RESULT.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>But so far as any surprise or discomfiture -showed itself on his face, the President seemed -to be perfectly accustomed to having strange -little girls invade his sanctum, break in on his -sacred quiet, pour forth an incoherent tale, and -end up by bursting into a flood of tears, and -submitting to be taken into his arms to be -comforted. He mopped away Cricket’s tears -most scientifically, and presently pulled still -another handkerchief from some other pocket.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Soon the storm passed, and Cricket, spent -with fatigue, found her curly head nestled as -confidingly against the President’s shoulder as -if it had been her father’s, with only a long-drawn, -sobbing breath now and then.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, my little girl, I want to know more -about all this,” said the kindly voice, when she -was quite calm and quiet again. “You see, I -don’t know who my little friend is, yet, either,” -<span class='pageno' id='Page_293'>293</span>he added, smiling down into the gray eyes, in -which all the usual mischief and light were -nearly drowned out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Oh, I quite forgot,” exclaimed Cricket, apologetically, -instantly sitting up. “I beg your -pardon, if you please. I meant to tell you the -very first thing that we are Doctor Ward’s -daughters, and then I went and cried, and I’m -so ashamed, for, indeed, I’m not a cry-baby, truly -I’m not, and I <i>don’t</i> see what made me cry.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The earnest little voice and wistful eyes emphasised -the words.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The President hid a smile.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I’m sure you’re not, my little friend. So -you are Doctor Ward’s little daughters.” He -held out his hand to Eunice, also, who immediately -found herself within the kind shelter of -his encircling arm.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Doctor Ward of——Street? Then I know -your father very well indeed, and am very glad -to know the children of a friend I value so -much; but I wish it had been in some way -pleasanter to them. But now let’s talk business -first,” with a smile. “Suppose I ask you -some questions and you answer them. That -will be best.”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_294'>294</span>Every qualm gone now, and sure that they -were in the presence of a kindly judge, Cricket, -who was still spokesman, answered the few -clear, direct questions that the President put. -He was soon convinced of the fact that the -children’s own impulse was at the bottom of -the expedition,—that no older person had -any knowledge of it, and that the loving, -loyal little hearts had carried out their -undertaking, instinctively feeling that here -was a case where weakness was stronger than -strength.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Then came a few minutes of silence, during -which the President meditated, knitting his -brow, and Eunice and Cricket gazed breathlessly -at him. What would he say? Donald’s -fate seemed hanging in the balance.</p> - -<p class='c010'>At last the President opened his lips:</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Won’t you have a cup of tea with me? I -usually take one about this time, if I am at -home.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>That was all. The girls exchanged startled -glances.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The President intercepted them, and smiled -down at the eager little faces so tender and -reassuring a smile that they felt the load roll -<span class='pageno' id='Page_295'>295</span>off their hearts. It was all right, somehow, -they instantly felt.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket smiled back with such glad confidence -and good comradeship that the President suddenly -stooped and kissed the sweet, upturned -little face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, we’ll make it all right somehow,” he -said, answering her unspoken thought; and then, -gently putting her down, he went across the -room and rang a bell. The trim maid presently -responded to the order given, with a tray -containing tea and fancy cakes.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The President put his little guests in low -chairs, and served them himself, talking all -the time as if he were one of their intimate -friends. They soon chattered away fearlessly -in response, telling him about their school life -and the theatricals, and their mother and brother -and sisters, and repeating some of the twin’s -funny sayings and doings, as if he had no other -interests than theirs.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Zaidie is the <i>funniest</i> child,” said Cricket, -confidentially. “She has the queerest ideas. -The other day, ’Liza said to her, ‘Don’t wiggle -so when I’m dressing you, because I can’t get -on your dress.’ And Zaidie said, ‘If you’re -<span class='pageno' id='Page_296'>296</span>dressing me when you put on my dress, when -God puts skin on people, is that called skinning -them?’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“She is young to be interested in etymology,” -said the President, laughing; “but that is certainly -logical.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And the other day,” chimed in Eunice, -“mamma had been reading the first chapter -of Genesis to the twins, and she asked Zaidie -what God made the world out of, and Zaidie -said, ‘Out of <i>words</i>,’ and mamma asked her -what she meant, and Zaidie said, ‘He made it -out of <i>words</i>, because He said, “Let there be -light and there was light,” and everything else -like that, so He must have made it out of the -words, ’cause there wasn’t anything else to make -it out of.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I want to make Zaidie’s acquaintance,” said -the President. “She should have a chair in a -theological seminary one of these days. Now, -my little friends, it’s nearly five o’clock, entirely -too late for you to go home alone. I’ll send -somebody with you—or stay—I’ll go myself. -Could I see your father a few minutes, do you -think?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Couldn’t you come home to dinner?” said -<span class='pageno' id='Page_297'>297</span>Cricket, eagerly. “You could see papa, anyway, -for he’s always home at half-past five. -He doesn’t see any office people then, either.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Some other day I shall hope to have the -pleasure of dining with you, and making acquaintance -with those interesting brothers and -sisters of yours,” said the President, smiling his -delightful smile, as he rose. “To-night, however, -I’ll just see your father for five minutes, -as I have an engagement, later.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>So, escorted by the President of the great -university, homeward went two ecstatic little -maids, in a perfect tumult of triumph and happiness. -Cricket could hardly keep her elastic -feet on the pavement.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The hole in my stomach is all gone,” she -confided to Eunice’s ear, “and I’m so happy -that I could walk straight up the side of that -house.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Mrs. Ward, who was watching from the parlour -window for their arrival,—not anxiously, -however, as she supposed they were safe with -Emily Drayton,—was filled with amazement -at the sight of their escort.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Your little daughters have given me the -great pleasure of a call,” he said, courteously. -<span class='pageno' id='Page_298'>298</span>“They will perhaps explain better than I can, -but I cordially hope it was a pleasure that may -be soon repeated. And now, may I see your -husband for five minutes or so?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>And then, when the President was safely in -papa’s study, the eager children poured out the -story of the afternoon to mamma’s astonished -ears.</p> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_299'>299</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XX.<br /> <span class='large'>OLD MR. CHESTER.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>With the clue that the children had given -the President, the affair was more closely investigated. -Donald was furiously angry at the -children’s exploit at first, as it certainly compromised -him, but, with a little management, -the source of information was kept entirely a -private matter between the President, one or -two of the Faculty, Doctor Ward, Donald, and -Sidney Chester. Donald and some of the others -whom Cricket had named were called up at a -special meeting of the Faculty, but they still -steadily refused to say a word at the expense of -their classmates. At last, by much quiet management, -the whole sentence was conditionally -repealed, and private interviews were held with -those now pretty well known to be the ringleaders. -They knew that they owed their escape -to some private influence, and were well -<span class='pageno' id='Page_300'>300</span>warned that the next offence would give them -the weight of this one also.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A few days later, old Mr. Chester came over -to see Doctor Ward. He was a stern old man, -who had made his own way in the world, and -he wanted his son to have the education he had -so sorely longed for and never had.</p> - -<p class='c010'>He had been puzzled and distressed that -Sidney did not regard his college course as a -sacred privilege, and had been cut to the heart -by some of the lad’s previous escapades. He -could not comprehend that the boy was really -doing good work, and was only working off his -animal spirits by all sorts of what his father -called “Tom-fool tricks.” He scowled upon -athletics, which to his mind involved only an -infinite waste of time and money. That classroom -lore is but half the value of college life -he could not in the least comprehend. At the -last of Sidney’s escapades, Mr. Chester had -raged furiously, and vowed that the next time -the boy was caught in anything of the sort, -it should end his college career, and land him -in the hated office.</p> - -<p class='c010'>When the old gentleman learned of the little -girls’ part in the affair, he came to Doctor -<span class='pageno' id='Page_301'>301</span>Ward to express his gratitude that they had -saved his lad, as he put it.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“The obstinate young donkey would tell me -nothing about the matter,” he growled. “He -would actually have let me take him out and -put him to work, without saying a word.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>But for all his scolding, the old man secretly -felt a thrill of pride at the loyalty—whether -mistaken or not, it is not the place here to discuss—which -made this possible.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Now, as for your little girls,” Mr. Chester -said to Doctor Ward, “I would like to do something -for them—something they will remember -this by. I thought this might do, if you -have no objections.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This” was a small morocco case which he -slowly drew from a side pocket. Then he -produced a similar one from the other pocket, -and laid them both on the desk in front of -Doctor Ward. Then he touched the springs, -in his deliberate way, first of one case and then -of the other. The covers flew back, and on the -satin linings there lay two exquisite little -watches. Two little hunting-cases they were, -with graceful monograms on the respective -covers.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_302'>302</span>“For my little piccaninnies?” exclaimed Doctor -Ward, in astonishment. “Indeed, Chester, -that’s too munificent altogether. Why, I -haven’t quite settled in my own mind yet -but that the little witches ought to be sent -supperless to bed for such a daring performance, -without consulting anybody. The accident -of its having turned out well does not -by any means make up for their having taken -matters into their own hands. Under some -circumstances, they might have done unbounded -mischief. It’s too serious a matter for such -small hands to meddle with the affairs of state, -so to speak.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The doctor laughed as he spoke, but he had -been seriously in doubt, as he said, whether to -reprove or commend. He had finally compromised -by a long, serious talk with his little -daughters, and they had promised that, after -this, they would duly consult the powers that -be.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“All that is your affair,” answered Mr. -Chester, grimly smiling. “I can’t undertake -to say what discipline other people’s children -should have. But on my own account, and -because I like pluck wherever I see it, I would -<span class='pageno' id='Page_303'>303</span>like the children to have these watches. It <i>was</i> -a plucky performance, doctor, you must admit -that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“They certainly bearded the lion in his den,” -answered Doctor Ward, smiling also. “Yes, I -think they <i>are</i> plucky little women. But, my -dear Chester, some very much more trifling -things will show your appreciation just as well, -and make me more comfortable.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Tut! tut! This is all in the trade, you -know. I know my May was crazy for a watch -like these, so I thought they would suit your -girls also. And you must remember that, -since I deal in these things, they are no more -to me than a bottle of physic would be to -you.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Doctor Ward admitted the truth of this -argument, as Mr. Chester was at the head -of one of the largest jeweller’s stores in town, -and he finally agreed to accept the watches -for the children, subject to his wife’s approval.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Everything being satisfactorily settled, and -Mr. Chester utterly refusing to deliver the -watches himself, the next morning, when Eunice -and Cricket came down to the breakfast-table, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_304'>304</span>each viewed with astonishment the little -morocco case at her plate.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Why, it isn’t our birthdays or anything,” said -Cricket, wonderingly. “Has anybody else anything?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“This is your special celebration,” said mamma, -gaily. “Open and see.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The speechless children stared at what the -little morocco cases held.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“What—where—why—” stammered Eunice -at last, and their mother explained, while -the rest of the family looked on beamingly.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“A momentum!” shrieked Cricket, snatching -up the golden, gleaming thing from its pink -satin pillow, and dancing around the room with -a perfect whoop of delight. “Mine? ours? that -dear old duck! Eunice, let’s go and thank -him straight off. I want to hug him and kiss -him, and I always used to be so scared of -him.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>She was bolting for the door, but her father -called her back.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“He’d be ‘scared’ of you if you did. Write -him a nice little note after breakfast. He would -much prefer that.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Aren’t they too deliciously sweet for -<span class='pageno' id='Page_305'>305</span>words?” murmured Eunice, hugging her treasure -to her heart.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“See those dear little curly letters on the -cover,” said Cricket, rapturously examining -them. “J. M. W.,—Jean Maxwell Ward. -And inside,—<i>oh</i>, Eunice! do you see? Here’s -a date! It’s the day we went to the President! -Isn’t this the very loveliest momentum -he could have given us?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Memento, dear,” suggested mamma.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Yes, memento. What did I say?”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And Donald wants to give you the gold pins -to wear them with. He is going to take you -down-town to-morrow afternoon,—to choose -them yourselves,—if you have no previous -engagements.” Doctor Ward’s eyes twinkled.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Don’t tease, papa! Isn’t that lovely of Don. -What fun to choose our own pins, Eunice! And -I love to go down-town with Don, anyway. -He’s such a treaty fellow. He always gives us -ice-cream and candy.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>The pins were duly selected, after much comparing, -choosing, and rejecting. Donald quietly -slipped a card into Cricket’s case, and when she -reached home and displayed their final choice, -she found Donald’s inscription with it.</p> - -<div class='lg-container-b c013'> - <div class='linegroup'> - <div class='group'> - <div class='line in7'><span class='pageno' id='Page_306'>306</span>To</div> - <div class='line in2'>Lady Greasewrister</div> - <div class='line in6'>and</div> - <div class='line in2'>Madame Van Twister</div> - <div class='line in6'>Her</div> - <div class='line in2'>Ladyship’s Sister.</div> - <div class='line'>This little “momentum”</div> - <div class='line'>For thanks have I sent ’em,</div> - <div class='line'>In closest resemblance to</div> - <div class='line'>Bright glaring brass;</div> - <div class='line'>For Brass it was took ’em</div> - <div class='line'>(Nor ever forsook ’em)</div> - <div class='line'>To give to the President</div> - <div class='line'>Some of their “sass.”</div> - </div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_307'>307</span> - <h2 class='c005'>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> <span class='large'>BREAKING UP.</span></h2> -</div> - -<p class='c009'>The June days had come again, and the -children were beginning to look forward to the -summer exodus to Kayuna. Their school closed -the second week in June, and the flitting was to -take place on the 11th. Eunice and Cricket -were to go to Marbury in July for a two weeks’ -visit to their grandmother. The Somers family -were to be there, as usual, and Edna had written -imploring letters that the girls might be -with her there for a little while. Then Edna -was to be with them in Kayuna the entire -month of August.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Doesn’t it seem six years since last June, -when we were all flying around, and mamma -was getting ready to go to Europe?” said -Cricket on the last night at the house in town. -“Seems to me I was such a <i>little</i> girl then.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>Indeed, Cricket, as well as Eunice, had grown -much older in the last year, and was more -<span class='pageno' id='Page_308'>308</span>responsible and self-reliant in every way. Both -girls had grown tall, Cricket especially, for she -had shot up within half an inch of Eunice this -winter.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Cricket was very proud of this, and was -hugely delighted when people took her to be -Eunice’s twin, as they quite often had of late. -But her curly hair was getting to be a great -grievance, as it still tumbled about her shoulders, -and wouldn’t grow long.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Do you suppose my hair will <i>always</i> stay -short and curly?” she asked, anxiously. She -was sitting perched on her father’s knee. The -younger children were in bed, and the others -were all in the back parlour. The furniture -was in its summer dress of brown holland, the -pictures had retired behind mosquito nets, and -everything wore a shut-up-for-the-summer expression, -except the family.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Just think how I’ll look when I’m eighty,” -went on Cricket, in an aggrieved tone, “going -about with little flippy-floppy curls all over my -head, like old Mrs. Crazy-Beecher, round on -Jones Street. Don’t you know how her curls -always jiggle up and down, because she nods all -the time like a Chinese mandolin?”</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_309'>309</span>“Mandarin, dear. Yes. You might wear a -wig then,” suggested mamma.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Ugh! I’d hate to wear store hair.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Did you hear Kenneth’s latest? He watched -Eliza this morning putting on that funny jute -braid she wears, and it seemed to strike him -for the first time, so he said, ‘’Liza, what makes -you wear <i>cloth</i> hair? Mamma doesn’t.’”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“I don’t want cloth hair, either,” said Cricket, -decidedly. “Papa, can’t anything be done to -straighten my curls out? Couldn’t you give -me some medicine for it? I’d like to put it -up in plaster of Paris. Wouldn’t that do it? -It straightened out the little Smith boy’s leg.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We might put your mind up in plaster of -Paris, to take some of the kinks out of <i>that</i>,” -observed Donald.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“My mind’s the best I’ve got, and you’ll -please be respectful to it,” said Cricket, with -dignity. “You’re a model of sarcasticity, I -suppose you think. Anyway, I <i>do</i> wish I had -‘plain hair,’ as Zaidie says. Eunice just gives -hers a good brushing in the morning, and braids -it up all smooth and nice, and there it stays. -While mine!”—a gesture of despair finished the -sentence.</p> - -<p class='c010'><span class='pageno' id='Page_310'>310</span>“I don’t know what I can do for you, little -Gloriana McQuirk,” said her father, tumbling the -obnoxious curls affectionately over her face.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“There!” exclaimed Cricket. “Nobody would -ever think of throwing Eunice’s braid over her -face, and it wouldn’t disturb it a bit if they did, -and nobody minds tossing mine every which -way, as if I hadn’t a feeling to my name.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Cricket’s trials with her hair are like Amy -March’s with her nose,” said Marjorie.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“Good idea,” said Donald. “Braid your hair -into pig-tails, and put a patent clothes-pin at the -end of each one, Miss Scricket,” and only the -fact that none were to be found in the kitchen -regions, whither Cricket instantly repaired, prevented -the suggestion from being carried out.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“How different things will be when we come -back next fall,” Mrs. Ward said, presently, when -Cricket had resumed her place on her father’s -knee. “It will seem strange to have Marjorie -gone, and the little ones in school.”</p> - -<p class='c010'>For the next year was to see several changes. -For one thing, Marjorie was to go to boarding-school -for a year. She would soon be seventeen, -and her father and mother wished her to have -the training in self-reliance and independence -<span class='pageno' id='Page_311'>311</span>that a year away would give her. Marjorie did -not aspire to college life, but was eager to cultivate -her musical talent especially. Later, she -was to have a year in Germany for that purpose.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Eunice and Cricket were to be collegians, -however, and were already planning with regard -to Wellesley days.</p> - -<p class='c010'>Next year, also, the twins were to be launched -on their school career. They had never been -even to a kindergarten, for Helen had been too -delicate, and Mrs. Ward did not wish to separate -the children. Now Helen seemed to be -growing stronger all the time, and Doctor Ward -thought that school would be quite feasible the -next fall. Even Kenneth was to begin at the -kindergarten, and it was no wonder that Mrs. -Ward, as she said, began to feel that she really -had a grown-up family.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The girls would miss Marjorie immensely -next year, but, by way of compensation, Eunice -thought she would enjoy the dignity of being -the oldest daughter at home.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“And I think people really ought to begin to -call me Miss Ward,” she said, meditatively.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div>THE END.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_312'>312</span></div> -<div class='box'> - -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div><span class='small'>THE</span></div> - <div class='c003'>“Queen Hildegarde” Series.</div> - <div class='c003'><span class='large'>By Laura E. Richards.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<p class='c009'><strong>HILDEGARDE’S HARVEST.</strong></p> - -<p class='c014'>The <i>fifth volume</i> of the Hildegarde Series. Illustrated with -eight full-page cuts. Square 16mo, cloth, $1.25.</p> - -<p class='c010'>A new volume in the “Hildegarde” series, some of the best -and most deservedly popular books for girls issued in recent -years. This new volume is fully equal to its predecessors in -point of interest, and is sure to renew the popularity of the -entire series.</p> - -<p class='c009'><strong>HILDEGARDE’S NEIGHBORS.</strong></p> - -<p class='c014'>Fourth volume. Illustrated from original designs. Illustrated -by L. J. Bridgman. Square 16mo, cloth, $1.25.</p> - -<p class='c009'><strong>HILDEGARDE’S HOME.</strong></p> - -<p class='c014'>Third volume. Illustrated with original designs by Merrill. -Square 16mo, cloth, $1.25.</p> - -<p class='c009'><strong>HILDEGARDE’S HOLIDAY.</strong></p> - -<p class='c014'>Second volume. Illustrated with full-page plates by Copeland. -Square 16mo, cloth, $1.25.</p> - -<p class='c009'><strong>QUEEN HILDEGARDE.</strong></p> - -<p class='c014'>First volume. Illustrated from original designs by Garrett -(292 pp.). Square 16mo, cloth, $1.25.</p> - -<p class='c010'>“We would like to see the sensible, heroine-loving girl in -her early teens who would not like this book. Not to like it -would simply argue a screw loose somewhere.”—<cite>Boston Post.</cite></p> - -<p class='c009'><strong>THE HILDEGARDE SERIES.</strong></p> - -<p class='c014'>as above. 5 vols., square 16mo, put up in a neat box, $6.25.</p> - -<p class='c010'>⁂ Next to Miss Alcott’s famous “<span class='sc'>Little Women</span>” series -they easily rank, and no books that have appeared in recent -times may be more safely put into the hands of a bright, intelligent -girl than these five “Queen Hildegarde” books.</p> - -</div> - -<div><span class='pageno' id='Page_313'>313</span></div> -<div class='box'> - -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>Other Books by Laura E. 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Handsomely illustrated -with a series of portraits in etching and photogravure. -Square 12mo, cloth, neat cover design, gilt top, $1.50.</p> - -<p class='c009'><strong>SAME.</strong></p> - -<p class='c014'><i>Handsomely bound in celluloid, boxed</i>, $2.00.</p> - -<p class='c010'>The History of France, during the eighteenth century, is a -treasure-house of romantic interest, from which the author has -drawn a series of papers which will appeal to all who care for -the picturesque in history. With true literary touch, she gives -us the story of some of the salient figures of this remarkable -period.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><strong>Estes & Lauriat, Publishers, Boston.</strong></div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c003' /> -</div> -<div class='tnotes x-ebookmaker'> - -<div class='chapter ph2'> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES</div> - </div> -</div> - -</div> - - <ol class='ol_1 c002'> - <li>Silently corrected obvious typographical errors and variations in spelling. - - </li> - <li>Retained archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings as printed. - </li> - </ol> - -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EUNICE AND CRICKET ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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