"What's the matter? Toothache?"
"No. Only I almost told another somethin' I mustn't."
"Sho! Well, I'm glad you put on the cover just in time."
"So am I. What else was I talking about? Oh, yes, Mamma's
thinking so hard, same as you do, Mr. Winslow. You know," she
added, earnestly, "she acts quite a lot like you sometimes."
Jed looked at her in horror. "Good Lord!" he exclaimed. Then, in
his solemnest drawl, he added, "You tell her to take somethin' for
it afore it's too late."
As he rose from the bench he observed: "Haven't seen you over to
the shop since you moved in. I've been turnin' out another school
of swordfish and whales, too. Why don't you run in and look 'em
over?"
She clapped her hands. "Oh, may I?" she cried. "I've wanted to
ever and ever so much, but Mamma said not to because it might annoy
you. Wouldn't it annoy you, TRULY?"
"Not a bit."
"Oh, goody! And might Petunia come, too?"
"Um-hm. Only," gravely, "she'll have to promise not to talk too
much. Think she'll promise that? All right; then fetch her along."
So, the very next morning, when Jed was busy at the bandsaw, he was
not greatly surprised when the door opened and Miss Barbara
appeared, with Petunia in her arms. He was surprised, however, and
not a little embarrassed when Mrs. Armstrong followed.
"Good morning," said the lady, pleasantly.
Pages:
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127