A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

 The "Dear Little Girl" Series

 A Dear Little Girl A Dear Little Girl at School A Dear Little Girl's Summer Holidays A Dear Little Girl's Thanksgiving Holidays

 A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

 _Amy E. Blanchard_

 [Illustration]

 WHITMAN PUBLISHING CO. Racine, Wisconsin

 Copyright 1912 by George W. Jacobs & Co. 

 Printed in 1924 by Western Printing & Lithographing Co. Racine, Wis. 

 Printed in U. S. A. 

CONTENTS

 CHAPTER PAGE

 I THE INVITATION 9

 II RELIANCE 30

 III WHERE'S THE KEY? 50

 IV A HEARTY DINNER 71

 V THE RED BOOK 93

 VI THE OLD HOUSE 113

 VII THE MILL STREAM 134

 VIII JETTY'S PARTY 154

 IX THE ELDERFLOWERS 174

 X WHAT BEN DID 196

 XI FAREWELLS 215

 XII HOW ARE YOU? 234

A DEAR LITTLE GIRL'S THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS

CHAPTER I

THE INVITATION

"Any news, mother?" asked Edna one Friday afternoon when she came homefrom school. 

"There's a letter from grandma, " replied Mrs. Conway after kissing thelips held up to hers. "There isn't any real news in it, but there is aninvitation. "

"What kind of an invitation?"

"A Thanksgiving kind. "

"Oh, mother, what do you mean?"

"I mean that grandma wants us all to spend an old-fashioned Thanksgivingwith her; the kind she used to have when she was young. She says sheand grandpa are both getting old and they may not be able to have thewhole family there together again. "

"And are we going?"

"Yes, I think so. "

"The whole family?"

"I think perhaps you and I will go on a day or two ahead and let theothers follow. Celia and the boys can come with your father, whoprobably could not get off till Wednesday afternoon. Grandma asks that Ibring my baby with me. "

"And that means me, " returned Edna, hugging herself. "How long shall westay, mother?"

"That depends upon several things which will have to be learned later, so I can't tell just yet. "

Edna danced off to hunt up her brothers that she might tell them thenews. She found them in their little workshop over the stable. Charliewas making a new box to put in his pigeon house and Frank was watchinghim. They had not seen their little sister since Monday for she and hersister Celia went to school in the city, remaining until the Fridayafternoon of each week. 

"Hello!" cried Charlie, looking up. "When did you come?"

"Oh, we've just come, only a few minutes ago, and what do you think isthe news?"

"The Dutch have taken Holland, " returned Charlie, hammering away at hisbox. "Just hand me that box of nails, Frank, won't you?"

"That's a silly answer, " said Edna with contempt. 

"Well, if it's news, how did you expect me to know it?"

"I didn't expect you to know it, only to guess. "

"Well, I guessed, " replied Charlie teasingly. "I suppose it's a foolishsort of thing; Uncle Justus has grown another hair in his eyebrows oryour friend Dorothy has a new hat. "

"It's nothing so unimportant, " Edna continued; "for it concerns youboys, too, but if you don't want to know I'll go up to Dorothy's; she'llbe interested even if she isn't going. "

"Going? Where?" cried both boys. 

"That's for me to know and for you to find out, " retorted Edna, beginning to scramble down the ladder. Both boys darted after; Charlieswung himself down ahead of her to the floor below and was ready to grabher before she reached the last rung. Then there was much laughing, scrambling, tickling and protesting till at last Edna was compelled togive up her secret, ending triumphantly with: "And I'm going first withmother. "

"Who said so?" questioned Charlie. 

"Mother did. We are to go two or three days ahead of anyone else. "

"Oh, well, I don't care, " returned Charlie. "There wouldn't be any boysfor me to play with anyhow. "

"How many are coming for Thanksgiving?" asked Frank. 

"I don't know exactly, " Edna answered, "but I suppose all the aunts andcousins and uncles that can get there. Aunt Lucia and Uncle Bert and ofcourse Aunt Alice and her boys, Ben and his brother. Ben will have togo, and I'm awfully glad; he's my favoritest cousin. "

"How about Louis?"

"He is not any relation to grandma and grandpa Willis, is he?"

"I don't know; I never could get relations straight. I hope he isn't anykin to them and I am sorry he is to us, for he is a pill. You know heis, no matter what you say. Just look how he acted last summer. Youneedn't try to excuse him, for Dorothy told me all about it. "

Edna could not deny facts, for it was quite true that her cousin Louiswas not above blame in sundry instances, so she changed the subject bysaying, "I think I'll go over to Dorothy's anyhow. "

The boys did not try to detain her and she ran out along the road and upto the old-fashioned house where her friend Dorothy Evans lived. Dorothywas playing with her kitten out on the side porch. She had dressed thelittle creature in long clothes and was walking up and down singing toit as it lay contentedly in her arms, it's two gray paws sticking outfrom the sleeves of a little red sacque belonging to one of Dorothy'sdolls. 

"Doesn't Tiddlywinks look funny?" said Dorothy by way of greeting. "Andisn't he good? I believe he likes to be dressed up, for he lies asstill as anything. Of course, if he fussed and meowed, I would take offthe things and let him go. "

Edna touched the soft silvery paws gently. "I believe he does like it, "she returned. "See, he shuts his eyes exactly as if he felt nice andcozy. Oh, Dorothy, guess what! We are all going to grandpa Willis's nextweek. We are all going for Thanksgiving, only mother and I are goingfirst. Isn't that lovely?"

"Lovely for you, I suppose, " replied Dorothy dejectedly, "but I shallmiss you dreadfully. "

"Oh, no, you won't, when you have Margaret and Nettie so near. Besides Ishall not be gone long, not more than a week. "

"Are there any girls there?" asked Dorothy, a little jealously. 

"Not like us. There is a little girl, mother says, that grandma hastaken in to help her and Amanda; Amanda is the woman who lives thereand cooks and churns and does all sorts of things. "

"Is it in the real country?"

"It is real country and yet it isn't, for it is a village. Grandpa has afarm, but just across the street is a store and the church is only a fewsteps away, and there are lots of neighbors; some have big places andsome have little ones. Grandpa's isn't as big as the biggest nor aslittle as the littlest. "

"Does he keep horses and cows and chickens and things?"

"Oh, my, yes, and ducks and turkeys and sheep. "

"I should think it would be a pretty nice sort of place. "

"It is lovely and I am always crazy about going there. "

"But please don't stay too long this time, " urged Dorothy. 

"I'll have to stay till mother brings me back, " returned Ednacheerfully. "I wish there were another kitten, Dorothy, so I could havea live doll, too. "

"You might take the mother cat, " Dorothy suggested; "she is very gentleand nice. "

They went in search of Tiddlywinks' mother, but Madam Pittypat objectedto being made a baby of, for, though she was gentle enough, she squirmedand twisted herself out of every garment they tried upon her, and, atthe first opportunity, walked off in a most dignified manner, as thoughshe would say: "Such a way to treat the mother of a family!"

So the two little girls concluded that they would free Tiddlywinks andturn him again into a kitten. They left him stretching himself andyawning lazily, as they trudged off to see their friend, MargaretMcDonald, that they might tell her Edna's news. 

The days sped by quickly until Tuesday came, when Edna and her motherwere to start on their journey. Edna at first decided to take her dollAda "because she is more used to traveling, " she said, but at the lastmoment she changed her mind saying that Ada had been on so many journeysthat she thought someone else should have a chance and, therefore, itwas her new doll, Virginia, who was dressed for the trip. The previousyear Edna had spent Thanksgiving Day with her Uncle Justus; this year itwould be quite a different thing to sit at table with a whole company ofcousins instead of dining alone with Uncle Justus. 

It was a journey of three hours before the station of Mayville wasreached, then a drive of four miles to Overlea lay before them. Butthere was grandpa himself waiting to help them off the train, to seethat their trunks were safely stowed into the big farm wagon, and atlast to tuck them snugly into the carriage which was to bear them to thewhite house set in behind a stately row of maples. These had lost theirleaves, but a crimson oak still showed its red against the sky, and thevines clambering up the porch waved out scarlet banners to welcome theguests. 

Grandma Willis was standing on the porch to greet them as they drew upbefore the door. Behind her stood Amanda and behind Amanda a little girlabout twelve or thirteen. Behind the little girl trailed a cat and threekittens. At the sight of these Edna gave a squeal of delight. "Newkittens, grandma? How lovely! I'm so glad, " she cried. 

Grandma smiled. "Well, give me a good hug and kiss first and thenReliance can let you take one of the kittens to hug. "

"Who is Reliance? Is that what you call the mother-cat?"

"No, her name is Tippy. Reliance is the little girl who, we hope, isgoing to carry out the promise of her name. "

Edna did not understand this latter speech but she smiled encouraginglyat Reliance who smiled back at her. Then after the huggings and kissingswere given to Mrs. Willis, Reliance picked up one of the kittens andheld it out to Edna who cuddled it up to her and followed the othersinto the house. 

It was a big old-fashioned place where the Willis family had lived formany generations. In the large living-room was a huge fireplace in whichnow a roaring fire crackled and leaped high. There was a small seatclose to it and on this Edna settled herself. 

"Here, here, aren't you going to stay a while?" cried grandpa who hadgiven over the carriage into the hands of Ira, the hired man, and whohad just come in. 

"Why, of course we are going to stay, " replied Edna. 

"Then why don't you take off your things? Mother, isn't there any placethey can lay their bonnets and coats? It seems to me there should be abed or cupboard somewhere. "

"Now, father, " protested Mrs. Willis, "you know this house is big enoughto hold the hats and coats of the entire family. "

"Didn't know but you were house-cleaning and had every place turnedupside down. "

"Now, father, " Mrs. Willis continued, "you know we've been days gettingthe house cleaned and that everything is in apple-pie order forThanksgiving. "

Grandpa gave Mrs. Conway a sly wink. "You'd think it ought to be inapple-pie order, " he said, "by the way they have been tearing up theplace. Couldn't find my papers, my sticks, my umbrella or anything whenI wanted them. I am glad you all have come so you can help me hunt forthem. "

"Why, father, how you do go on, " Mrs. Willis interposed. The oldgentleman laughed. He was a great tease, as Edna well knew. 

"Where shall we go to lay off our things, mother?" asked Mrs. Conway. 

"Up to your own old room over the dining-room. Here, Reliance, take thekitten and you, Edna, can come along with your mother. "

"There's no need for you to go up, mother, " said Mrs. Conway. "I havebeen there before, you know, and I think I can find the way. " Then thetwo smiled wisely at one another. 

But grandma would go and presently Edna found herself in a large roomwhich looked out upon the west. Mrs. Conway stood still and gazedaround her. "How natural it all seems, " she said, "even to the picturesupon the walls. I went from this room a bride, Edna, and when I comeback to it I feel not a day older. This is the same furniture, but thisis a new carpet, mother, and new curtains, and the little cot you haveput in for Edna, I suppose. "

"Yes, there are some things that will not last a lifetime, " answeredMrs. Willis, "and we must furbish up once in a while. I thought youwould rather have Edna here with you than elsewhere, and at such acrowded time we have to stow away as we can. I have put another cot inmy room for one of the other children and Celia is to go in with Becky. "

While they were talking Ira brought up the trunks and Mrs. Conwaycommenced the task of unpacking, so very soon they were settled andready for dinner, which was served in the big dining-room where wasanother open fireplace not quite so large as the first, but ampleenough. Reliance waited upon the table and helped to clear away thedishes afterward. 

"When you are through with your tasks, Reliance, you can take Edna outand show her the chickens and pigs and things, " said grandma. 

"Reliance is quite a recent addition to the family, isn't she?" saidMrs. Conway when the little maid went out. 

"Yes, " Mrs. Willis replied. "Amanda isn't as young as she was and wethought it would be a good thing to have someone here who could save hersteps and who could be trained to take her place after a while. I thinkReliance promises to be very capable in time. "

While her mother talked to the grandparents, Edna walked softly aroundthe room looking at the different things, the pictures, books andornaments. There was a high mantel upon which stood a pair of Dresdenvases and two quaint little figures. In the middle was a china housewith a red door and vines over the windows. Edna had always admired itand was glad to see it still there. She stood looking at it for a longtime. She liked to have her grandmother tell her its history. "That wasbrought to me by my grandfather when he returned from England, " Mrs. Willis always said. "I was a little girl about six years old. Later hebrought me those two China figures. He was a naval officer and that ishis portrait you see hanging on the wall. "

"I love the little house, " remarked Edna, knowing that the next wordwould be: "You may play with it if you are very careful. It is one of myoldest treasures and I should be very grieved if it were broken. "

The little house was then handed down and Edna examined it carefully. "It is so very pretty, " she said, "that I should like to live in it. Iwould like to live in a house with a bright red door. "

"I used to think that same thing when I was a little girl, " hergrandmother told her. 

"I think maybe you'd better put it back so I won't break it, " said Edna, carefully handing the treasure to her grandmother, "and then will youplease tell me about the pictures?"

"The one over the mantel is called 'The Signing of the Declaration ofIndependence, ' and that small framed affair by the chimney is a key toit, for it tells the names of the different men who figure in thepicture. "

"I will look at it some day and see if I can find out which is which, "said Edna. "That is Napoleon Bonaparte over there; I know him. "

"Yes; and that other is General Washington, whom, of course, you know. "

"Oh, yes, of course; and I know that little girl, the black head overthere; it is my great-great-grandmother. "

"The silhouette, you mean? Yes, that is she, and she is the same one whodid that sampler you see hanging between the windows. She was not so oldas you when she did it. "

Edna crossed the room and knelt on a chair in front of the sampler. Itwas dim with age, but she could discern a border of pink flowers withgreen leaves and letters worked in blue silk. She followed the letterswith the tip of her finger, tracing them on the glass and at lastspelling out the name of "Annabel Lisle, wrought in her seventh year. "

"Poor little Annabel, how hard she must have worked, " sighed Edna. "Iam glad I don't have to do samplers. "

"You might be worse employed, " said her grandmother, smiling. 

"Did you ever do a sampler?" asked Edna. 

"Not a sampler like this one, but I learned to work in cross stitch. Doyou remember the little stool in the living-room by the fireplace?"

"The one with roses on it that I was sitting on?"

"Yes; that I did when I was about your age, and the sofa pillow with thetwo doves on it I did when I was about Celia's age. I was very proud ofit, I remember. "

"May I go look at them?"

"Assuredly. "

So Edna went into the next room and carefully examined the two pieces ofwork which now had a new importance in her eyes. A little girl abouther age had done them long ago. She discovered, too, a queer-lookingpicture behind the door. It was of a lady leaning against an urn, aweeping-willow tree near by. The lady held a handkerchief in her handand looked very sorrowful. Edna wondered why she seemed so sad. Therewere some words written below but they were too faint for her todecipher, and she determined to ask her grandmother about this picturewhich she had never noticed before. While she was still looking at it, Reliance came to the door to say, "I can go now; I've finished what Ihad to do. " Edna turned with alacrity and the two went out together. 

CHAPTER II

RELIANCE

"How long have you lived here?" Edna asked her companion when they wereoutside. 

"About six months, " was the reply. 

"Are you 'dopted?" came the next question. 

"No, I'm bound. "

Edna looked puzzled. "I don't know what that is. I know a girl that wasa Friendless and she was 'dopted so now she has a mother and a beautifulhome. Her name used to be Maggie Horn, but now it is Margaret McDonald. Is your name Reliance Willis?"

"No, it is Reliance Fairman, and it wasn't ever anything else. I wasfriendless, too, till Mrs. Willis took me. "

"Oh, and did you live in a house with a lot of other Friendlesses?"

"No, I wasn't in an orphan asylum, if that's what you mean, but I reckonI would have had to go there or else to the almshouse. "

"Oh!" This seemed even more dreadful to Edna and she looked at hercompanion with new interest, at the same time slipping her hand into theother's to show her sympathy. "Tell me about it, " she said. 

"Why, you see, my parents died. We lived about three miles from here, and your grandmother used to know my grandmother; they went to the sameschool, so when us children were left without any home or any money yourgrandmother said she would take me and keep me till I was of age, sothey bound me. "

"How many children were there?"

"Three boys and me. Two of the boys are with Mr. Lukens and the other isin a home; he is a little chap, only six. If he'd been bigger maybe yourgrandfather would have had him here, and perhaps he will come when he isbig enough to be of any use. "

"I think that would be very nice and I shall ask grandfather to be sureto take him. Do you like it here?"

"Oh, yes, I like it. Amanda is awful pernickity sometimes, but I justlove your grandmother and it is a heap sight better than being hungryand cold. "

"Would you have to stay supposing you didn't like it?" Edna wasdetermined to get all the particulars. 

"I suppose so; I'd have to stay till I was eighteen; I'm bound to dothat. "

Edna reflected. "I suppose that is what it means by being bound; youare just bound to stay. I wonder if anyone else was ever namedReliance, " she went on, being much interested to hear something about sopeculiar a name. 

"My grandmother was, her that your grandmother knew. "

"Oh, was she? Then you are named after your grandmother just as mysister Celia is named Cecelia after hers. Yours is a funny name, isn'tit? I don't mean funny exactly, for I think it is quite pretty, but Inever knew of anyone named that. "

"I don't mind it when I get it all, but when my brothers called me Li Ididn't like it. Your grandmother gives me the whole name, and I am gladshe does; but she said they generally used to call my grandmother Lyleywhen she was a little girl. "

"I think that is rather pretty, too, don't you?"

"Yes, but I like the whole name better. "

"Then I will always call you by the whole name, " Edna assured her. "Canyou tell stories, Reliance?"

"Do you mean fibs or reading stories like--let's see--Cinderella andJack and the Beanstalk?"

"Oh, I mean the Cinderella kind; I'd hate to think you told fibs. "

"I can tell 'em, but I guess I don't care to. I know two or three of theother kind and Bible stories, some of them: Eli and Samuel, and Davidand Goliath, and all those. "

"Do you go to school?"

"Half the year, but I guess I won't be going very much longer. I'll soonbe going on fourteen; I'll stop when I'm fifteen. "

"Oh, shall you? Then what will you do?"

"I'll learn to housekeep and cook, and to sew and all that. Mrs. Willissays it is more important for me to be educated in the useful things, that I'll get along better if I am, and I guess she is right. My mothercouldn't cook worth a cent and she just hated it, so we didn't get verygood vittles. "

"Was it your mother's mother after whom you were named?"

"No, my father's mother. The Fairmans lived around here, but there ain'tmany of them left now. My father was an only child, and he married mymother out of town; she hadn't ever been used to the country. She usedto work in a store and that's why she couldn't cook, you see. "

Edna pondered over this information, wondering if everyone who worked ina store must necessarily turn out a poor cook. 

"You ought just to see what's getting ready for Thanksgiving, " saidReliance, changing the subject, "I never seen such a pile of stuff. Itfair makes my mouth water to think of it; pies and cakes and doughnutsand jellies and I don't know what all. I guess there's as many as twentyor thirty coming, ain't there?"

"Let me see; I shall have to count. There will be Aunt Alice and her twoboys, Ben and Willis, and Uncle Bert Willis with his five children andAunt Lucia; that makes ten, and then there will be all of us, papa andmamma and us four children; that makes--let me see--" she countedhurriedly on her fingers. "How many did I say, Reliance? Ten? Oh, yes, and six make sixteen. Then there are the greats; great Aunt Emmeline andher brother, Wilbur Merrifield, and his daughter, Cousin Becky. Sixteendid I say? and three make nineteen. Oh, yes, Cousin Becky's sweetheartthat she is going to marry soon; he is coming and he will make it justtwenty. Counting grandpa and grandma there will be twenty-two, andcounting you and Amanda there will be twenty-four to eat the goodies. "

"You didn't count the two men, Ira and Jim, " said Reliance; "they willeat here, too. "

"Oh, yes, I forgot them. What a crowd, twenty-six people. If they cut apie in six pieces it would take over four to go around once, wouldn'tit?"

"I suppose we would be allowed a second piece on Thanksgiving Day, "remarked Reliance, "though maybe with the other things no one would wantit. "

"How many kinds of pie will there be?" asked Edna. 

"Three at least. I heard Amanda say that she would make the fillingsto-day for pumpkin, lemon and apple; she has the crust all done. Shehas made the jelly, too; it's to be served with whipped cream. Yourgrandma was talking about having plum pudding, but Amanda said shedidn't see the sense of having it when it wasn't Christmas, and therewould be such lots of other things, all the nuts and apples and suchthings. There is going to be chicken pie, besides the turkeys and theoysters. "

"Dear me, " sighed Edna, "I am afraid I shall eat a great deal and bevery uncomfortable. I was last year for a little while because I ate twoThanksgiving dinners. What did you do last year, Reliance?"

Reliance looked very sober. "We didn't have much of a Thanksgiving lastyear, for it was just before my mother died and she was ill then, so uschildren just had to get along the best we could. Somebody sent us in apie and some jelly for mother and that is about all we had to bethankful for. I suppose it was much better than nothing. We ate all thepie at one meal. Billy said we might as well for it wouldn't last twodays anyhow unless we had little bits of pieces, so each of us had awhole quarter. Billy tried to trap a rabbit or shoot a squirrel orsomething, but he hadn't enough shot and the rabbits didn't trap. "

Secretly Edna was rather glad to hear this, even though it meant thatthe Fairmans went without meat for dinner. She walked along ponderingover these facts and wondering which were to be preferred. She could nottell whether to be glad the squirrels and rabbits had escaped or to besorry that the Fairmans could not have had game for Thanksgiving. It wasrather a hard matter to settle, so finally she dismissed the subject andgave her attention to the pigs whose pen they now had reached. Edna didnot think them very cleanly or attractive creatures, however, and wasvery soon ready to leave them that she might see the chickens and duckswhich she found much more interesting. 

The short November day was already so near its end that the fowls werethinking of going to roost, though the hour was not late, and afterwatching them take their supper, which Edna helped Reliance todistribute, the two girls went on to the garden, now robbed of most ofits vegetables. There were a few tomatoes to be found on the vines;though celery, turnips and cabbages made a brave showing. Edna felt thatshe was quite a discoverer when she came across some tiny yellowtomatoes which the frost had not yet touched, and which she gathered intriumph to carry back to her mother. 

"I know where there's a chestnut tree, " announced Reliance suddenly. 

"Oh, do let's find it, " said Edna. "I will put the tomatoes in myhandkerchief and carry them that way. We ought to gather all thechestnuts we can, for I know mighty well after the boys come there won'tbe a nut left. " There was a rush down the hill to the big chestnut treeabout whose roots lay the prickly burs which the frost had opened toshow the shining brown nuts within. 

"I don't see how we are going to carry them, " said Edna after a while, when she had gathered together quite a little heap. 

"I'll show you, " Reliance told her, and began tying knots in the cornersof the apron she wore. "There, " she said, "that makes a very good bag, and what we can't carry that way we can leave and come back forto-morrow. We'd better take as many as we can, though, for to-morrowwill be such a busy day I may not be able to come, and if we don't, thesquirrels will get them all. "

"I could come alone, now that I know the way, " said Edna, "or maybemamma would come with me. "

"I suppose we'd better be going back, " said Reliance when she lifted theimprovised bag to her arm. "It is near to milking time and that meansgetting ready for supper. "

"What do you do to get ready for supper?" asked Edna taking hold of oneside of the bag. 

"Oh, I set the table and go down to the spring-house for the butter andcream. I can skim milk now, but I couldn't at first, I got it all mixedup. "

"Do you skim all the milk?"

"Oh, no, that we put on the table to drink is never skimmed. The skimmedmilk goes to the pigs. "

"Oh, does it? I think you feed your pigs pretty well. Are we going towatch them milk?"

"You can if you like; I've got to go right back. "

"You don't help with the milking then?"

"No; Ira does it. Your grandpa says it is man's work, but Ira lets me doa little sometimes so I will learn. "

"Aren't you afraid of the cows?"

"No, indeed, are you?"

"Kind of. They have such sharp horns sometimes, " answered Edna by way ofexcusing her fear. 

"Your grandpa's don't have; he keeps only dehorned cattle. "

"What are they?"

"The kind that have had their horns taken off so they don't do anydamage. "

"I think maybe I wouldn't mind that kind so much, " said Edna, afterconsidering the matter for a moment. "If you don't mind, I think Iwould like to stop and see Ira milk. "

Reliance said she didn't mind in the least and, therefore, she left thelittle girl at the bars of the stable yard which was quite as near asshe wished to stand to the herd of cows gathered within. 

"Want to come in and learn to milk?" asked Ira, looking up with a smileat the little red-capped figure. 

"Oh, no, thank you, " returned Edna hastily. "I'd rather watch you. " Shewould really have like to try her hand if there had been but one cow, but when there were six, how could a young person be certain that one ofthe number would not turn and rend her? To be sure, they were much lessfearsome without horns, but still they were too big and dreadful to beentirely trusted. So she stood watching the milk foam into the shiningtin buckets and then she walked contentedly with Ira to where Amandawas waiting to strain the milk and put it away in the spring-house. 

"Do you keep it out here all winter and doesn't it freeze?" asked Edna. 

"In winter we keep it in the pantry up at the house. If it should turncold suddenly now, we'd have to bring it in, " Amanda told her, as shecarefully lifted the earthen crocks into place. "There comes Reliancefor the cream and butter, " she went on. "Reliance, I'll carry up themilk and you come along with the rest. Don't tarry down here, and besure you lock the spring-house door and fetch in the key. " Then she wentout leaving the two little girls behind. 

Reliance carefully attended to her duties, Edna watching her admiringly. It must be a fine thing to be so big a girl as this, one who could betrusted to do work like a grown-up woman. "Let me carry something, " sheoffered, when Reliance stepped up the stone steps and outside, carryingthe butter in one hand and the pitcher of cream in the other. 

"If you would lock the door and wouldn't mind taking the key along, Iwouldn't have to set down these things, " Reliance said. 

Edna did as she was asked, standing tip-toe in order to turn the big keyin the heavy door. 

"When we get to the house you can hang the key on its nail behind thekitchen door, " Reliance told her. "It is always kept there. "

Edna swung the big key on her finger by its string and trotted along bythe side of Reliance, asking many questions, and delighting to hearReliance enlarge upon the all-important subject of the Thanksgivingfestivities. 

"We've got to get up good and early, " Reliance remarked, "for there'sa heap to be done, even if we are ahead with the baking. I expect tobe up before daylight, myself, and I reckon Ira will be milking bycandlelight, " she added, as she entered the kitchen door. Mrs. Conwaywas in the kitchen talking to Amanda, and Edna hastened to show herlittle hoard of tomatoes. "We gathered a whole lot of chestnuts, too, "she told her mother. "They were all on the ground down the hill behindthe barn. "

"I know the very tree, " Mrs. Conway told her. "We must roast some in theashes this evening. Come along, supper is ready and you must getyourself freshened up. "

Edna followed along and, in the prospect of supper and then of roastingchestnuts, she forgot all about the spring-house key. This, by the way, was lying on the door-mat where she had dropped it. A little later on, it was picked up by Reliance and was slipped into the pocket of hergingham apron. "I won't remind her that she dropped it. Likely as notshe forgot all about it, " said Reliance to herself. "I ought not to havetrusted it to as little a girl as she is. "

It was not till after she was in bed that Edna remembered that she hadever had the key. Where had she put it? She had no recollection of itafter she had swung it by its string upon her finger on the way to thehouse. "It must be on the kitchen table, " she told herself. "I opened myhandkerchief there to show mother the tomatoes. " She sat up in bedwondering if she would better get up and go down, but she finallydecided to wait till her mother should have come to bed and then confidein her. 

However, try as she would, she could not keep awake. It had been anexciting and fatiguing day and she was in the land of dreams in a fewminutes, not even having visions of keys, spring-houses or Thanksgivingdinners, but of the mother cat and her three kittens who were climbingchestnut trees and throwing down chestnuts to her. 

CHAPTER III

WHERE'S THE KEY?

Very, very early in the morning Edna was awake. She was not used tofarmyard sounds and could not tell if it were a lusty rooster, aninsistent guinea-fowl or a gobbling turkey whose voice first reachedher. But whichever it was, she was quite broad awake while it was yetdark. She lay still for a few minutes, with an uncertain feeling ofsomething not very pleasant overshadowing her, then she remembered thekey. "Oh, dear, " she sighed, "if they can't get into the spring-housethere will be no cream for breakfast and no butter, either. The key mustbe found. "

She got up and softly crept to the window. A bright star hung low in thesky and there was the faintest hint of light along the eastern horizon. Presently Edna saw a lighted lantern bobbing around down by the stableand concluded that Ira must be up and that it was morning, or at leastwhat meant morning to farmers. She stood watching the light grow in theeast and finally decided that she would dress and be all ready by thetime it was light enough to hunt for the lost key. 

By now she could see well enough to find her clothes, but, fearing lestshe should waken her mother, she determined to go to the bathroom at theend of the hall rather than use the wash-stand in the room where shewas, so she gathered up her clothing in her arms, and went down theentry, made her toilet and crept down stairs. There was a light burningin the lower hallway, but it was dark all through the rest of the houseand she was obliged to feel her way through the rooms. There was anoise of some one stirring in the pantry. She opened the door of thekitchen gently and peeped in. A lamp was burning on the table, but nokey lay there. Edna tip-toed in quietly and felt on the nail where thekey should hang, thrusting aside a gingham apron belonging to Reliancewhich hung just above its place, but the nail was empty and she wasforced to believe she had dropped the key somewhere between thespring-house and the kitchen. She tip-toed out of the kitchen, turnedthe key of the outside door and closed it after her as noiselessly aspossible, and in another moment was outside in the chill November air. It was rather fearsome to make one's way down dim paths where some wildcreature might still be lurking after a night's raid from the woods nearby, and she imagined all sorts of things. First, something stole softlyby her and was off like a shot through the tall weeds growing beyond thefence; it was only a rabbit who was more frightened at Edna than she atit. Next, the bushes parted and a small white figure crept stealthilyforth. The child's heart stood still and she stopped short. Then came aplaintive meow and she discovered one of the three kittens out on anadventuring tour. She picked up the little creature which purredcontentedly as she snuggled it to her, continuing her way. 

The garden left behind, there was the lane to be passed through, andhere some real cause for fear in Edna's opinion, for the cows that Irahad just finished milking were coming through the bars he had let down. They stumbled along clumsily, following one another over the rail, andambled on to another set of bars where they stood till Ira should letthem through. At first, Edna did not realize that they were not makingfor the spot where she stood and she took to her heels, fleeingfrantically back to the garden, banging the gate behind her and standingstill waiting till the cows were through and the bars up again. Seeingthe cows safely shut out from the lane she ventured forth again andfollowed Ira's lantern to the barn. Here she stood looking around andpresently the beams from the lantern fell upon her little figure withthe white kitten still clasped in her arms. 

Ira looked up in surprise. "Hello!" he cried. "What's took you up soairly? Why, I jest got through milkin', and, doggone it, it ain'tskeerce light yit. "

"I know, " said Edna, "but I had to get up early, you see, so as to findthe key before breakfast. "

"Key? What key?"

"The key of the spring-house. Reliance gave it to me to carry and I wasto have hung it up on a nail behind the kitchen door, and I forgot allabout it till I was in bed. You see if it isn't found nobody can haveany milk or cream for breakfast. "

"Oh, I guess we could manage, " returned Ira reassuringly. "Didn't dropit indoors, did you?"

"I don't think so. I looked in the kitchen as I came out and I didn'tfind it there. If it had been picked up, it would be on the nail, Ishould think. "

"Most likely it would; it would be there sure if 'Mandy found it; shedon't let nothin' stay out of place very long, I kin tell ye. "

"As long as I didn't find it in the kitchen I thought I would come herebecause I saw you had a lantern, and it really isn't quite light enoughto see very plainly, is it?"

"No, it ain't. Sun don't rise till somewheres around seven this time o'year. Well, you come with me and we'll work our way long the path fromthe spring-house and if we don't find the key we will go inside andinquire. I alwuz find it don't do no harm to ask questions, and thatthere key is bound to be somewheres betwixt this and the house. "

He swung his lantern so its rays would shed a broad light along the way, and Edna pattered along just behind him, trying very hard to keep upwith his long strides. When at last they reached the spring-house, heslackened his pace and began carefully to look to the right and to theleft. 

"You come right straight along, did you?" he questioned. "Didn't gocavortin' off nowheres pickin' weeds or chasin' cats, did you?"

"No, we came as straight as could be. Reliance had the butter and creamand we didn't stop once. "

"Then I guess you likely dropped it inside, for I've sarched careful andI can't find it. Maybe when it comes real bright daylight you could lookagain, but I should advise askin' at the house next thing you do. "

He led the way into the kitchen where Amanda was briskly stirring about. "Well, " she began, "what's wanting? Well, I declare if there ain't Edna. What's got you up so early, missy? I guess you're like the rest of us, couldn't sleep for thinking of all that's to do for Thanksgiving. "

"You ain't picked up the spring-house key nowheres about, have you?"asked Ira. 

"Why, no. You had it?"

"No, I ain't, but sissy there says 'Liance gave it to her to carry andshe ain't no notion of what she done with it, thought mebbe she mightha' drapped it in here. She got so worried over it she riz from her bedand come out to hunt it up, says she was afraid nobody couldn't get nobreakfast because of her losing of it. "

"I guess we won't suffer for breakfast, " said Amanda, looking downkindly at the little girl. "I don't carry back the milk nights this timeof year. Any that's left I just set in the pantry and there is what wasleft from supper this blessed minute; butter, too, and cream, plenty forbreakfast. You just rest your mind on that score. "

"But, " said Edna, "you will want a whole lot of things for theThanksgiving cooking and what will you do with them all locked up?"

Ira laughed. "'Twouldn't be such an awful job to lift the door from itshinges, and if a body was right spry he could climb in at the windowafter he'd prised it open and the things could be handed out. Besideswe've got all the morning's milk and there'll be the night's milk andto-morrow's milk, so I don't see that we shan't get along first-rate. There is more than one way out of that trouble, ain't there, 'Mandy?"

"I should say so. Wait till the sun's real high and I guess we'll findthe key fast enough, " she said to Edna. "Now, you stay right here anddon't go running about in the cold; you'll be down sick traipsing aboutin the wet grass, and then where will your Thanksgiving be?"

Thus warned, Edna was content to stay in the kitchen into which themorning light was beginning to creep and which was already warm from thebig stove. In a few minutes, Reliance appeared from the next room whereshe had been setting the table. She was much astonished to learn thatEdna had been down before her. "What in the world did you get up so soonfor?" she asked. 

"To find the key, " Edna answered, and then told her all about thesearch, ending up with, "You haven't seen anything of it, have you, Reliance?"

Reliance's face broadened into a smile, as for answer she went behindthe kitchen door and produced the key from its nail, holding it up toview. 

"Why, where in the world did you get it?" inquired Edna in a tone ofsurprise. "It wasn't on the nail when I looked there for it a littlewhile ago. "

"You dropped it on the door-mat last evening, " Reliance told her. "Ifound it there and slipped it into the pocket of my apron, and thismorning when I went to get my apron, there it was so I just hung it upwhere it belonged. "

"Well, I'm sure, " said Amanda, "that's easily explained. "

"Who'd ha' thought it, " said Ira. "Well, that let's us out of anotherhunt. I won't have to wrastle with the door after all, will I?"

So, after all, Edna's early rising was unnecessary, but she did not feelsorry that she had had such an experience, and was content to sit andwatch Amanda mould her biscuits and to help Reliance finish setting thetable. Amanda insisted upon giving her a drink of buttermilk from thespring-house to which she despatched Reliance, advising Edna not to gothis time. "You've had one tramp, " she said, "and moreover you'll bestarved by breakfast time if you don't have something to stay you. "

The sausages were sizzling in the pan, and the griddle was ready for thebuckwheat cakes when Mrs. Conway appeared. "Well, you did steal a marchon us, " she said to her little daughter. "How long have you been up? Ididn't hear a sound. You must have been a veritable mouse to be soquiet. "

"I've been up since before daylight, " Edna told her. "I took my thingsinto the bathroom so as not to disturb you; it was lovely and warm inthere. " Then again she repeated her story of the lost key. 

"Reliance had the joke on her, " said Amanda, "for she had the key allthe time. "

"Why didn't you tell me you had found it?" asked Edna a littlereproachfully as she turned to Reliance, who had by this time returnedfrom the spring-house. 

"I thought you would forget all about it, and I didn't think it wasworth while to mention. Besides, " she added, "I ought to have carriedthe key myself anyway. "

"You're right there, " remarked Amanda. "It is your especial charge andyou oughtn't to have let anyone else fetch it in. Moreover, you'd oughtto have hung it up the minute you found it, and there it would have beenwhen it was looked for. "

"Oh, don't scold her, " begged Edna. "It was all my fault, really. "

Amanda smiled. "I don't see it just that way. Folks had ought to learnwhen they're young that in this house there's a place for everything, and everything should be in its place. I rather guess, though, that thatspecial key won't get lost again right away. "

Edna felt that she had brought this lecture upon Reliance and feltrather badly to have done so, but the prospect of buckwheat cakes soondrove her self-reproach away and she went in to say good morning to hergrandparents, well satisfied with the world in general and content tolook ahead rather than at what was now past and gone, and which couldnot be altered. 

Before the day had far advanced, came the first of the arrivals, AuntAlice Barker and her two boys, Ben and Willis. Ben and Edna were greatchums, though he was the older of the two boys. Ben was alert, full offun and ready to joke on every occasion, while Willis was rather shy andhad not much to say to his little cousin, whom, by the way, he did notknow so very well. 

Edna would fain have spent the morning in the kitchen from which issueddelectable odors, but Amanda had declared she wanted all the room therewas, that she had scatted out the cats and dogs and she would have toscat out children, too, if they came bothering around. Therefore, toavoid this catastrophe, Edna took herself to a different part of thehouse, and was standing at one of the front windows when the carriagedrove up. 

"Oh, grandpa, " she sang out, "here come Aunt Alice and her boys! Hurry!Hurry! or they will get here before we can be there to meet them. "

Her grandfather threw down his newspaper and laid aside his spectacles. "Well, well, " he said, "it takes the young eyes to find out who iscoming. I didn't suppose Allie would be here till afternoon. What teamhave they. Why didn't they let us know so we could send for them!"

He followed Edna, who was already at the front door tugging at the bolt, then in another moment the two were out on the porch while yet thecarriage was some yards away. Ben caught sight of them. "Hello!" hecried out. "Here we are, bag and baggage. Didn't expect us so soon, didyou grandpa?"

"No, son, we didn't. How did you come to steal a march on us in thisway?"

"The express was behind time so we caught it at the junction, instead ofhaving to wait for the train we expected to take. It didn't seem worthwhile to telephone; in fact we didn't have time, so we just got thisteam from Mayville and here we are. How are you Pinky Blooms?" He dartedat Edna, tousled her hair, picked her up and slung her over his shoulderas if she were a bag of meal, and dropped her on the top step of theporch, she laughing and protesting the while. 

"Oh, Ben, " she panted, "you are perfectly dreadful. "

"Why, is that you, Edna?" said Ben in pretended surprise. "I thought youwere my valise; it is too bad I made the mistake and dumped you down sounceremoniously. "

Edna knew perfectly well how to take this so she picked herself uplaughing, and started after Ben who leaped over the railing of the porchthus making his escape. By this time Mrs. Willis and Mrs. Conway hadcome out and the whole company went indoors, Ben the last to come, peeping in through a crack of the door, and then slinking in with apretense of being afraid of Edna. An hour later, these two were trampingover the place, hand in hand, making all sorts of discoveries, leavingWillis deep in a book and the older people chatting cozily before theopen fire. 

Aunt Emmeline, Uncle Wilbur and Becky were the next to come, Becky beingin a pout because her sweetheart had failed to make the train, and AuntEmmeline fussing and arguing with her. 

"You know, Becky, that he is coming, and I don't see what difference acouple of hours will make, " she said as she gave her hand, to hersister, Mrs. Willis. "I am just telling Becky, Cecelia, that she is veryfoolish to make such a fuss because Howard is detained; he missed thetrain, you see, and can't arrive till the next comes in. " She passed oninto the house still talking, while Edna made her escape upstairs. Shehad not noticed the little girl, and Edna felt rather slighted. 

However, this was all forgotten a little later when her own brothers andsister as well as her father were to be welcomed. You would suppose Ednahad been parted from them for at least a year, so joyous were hergreetings, and so much did she have to tell. She had scarcely unburdenedherself of all her happenings, before in swarmed Uncle Bert and hisfamily. There was so many of these that for a little while they seemedto fill the entire house, for, first appeared Aunt Lucia and after herthe nurse carrying the baby, then Uncle Bert with little Herbert in hisarms, and then Lulie and Allen and Ted. Cousin Becky's sweetheart, Howard Colby, came on the last train and ended the list of guests. Whata houseful it was, to be sure, and what long, long tables in thedining-room. Reliance was not able to wait on everybody, and so Amanda'sniece Fanny, took a hand, thus everyone was served. 

Edna was rather shy of those cousins whom she had not seen for two orthree years, and after supper preferred to stay close to her sisterCelia and Ben, though her brothers were soon hob-nobbing with Allen andTed, and were planning expeditions for the morrow. Ben told such a funnystory about the lady by the willow tree, that Edna could never look atthe picture again without laughing, but he had scarcely finished itbefore some one called out: "Bedtime for little folks!" and all theyounger ones trooped off upstairs, grandma herself leading the way tosee that each one was tucked in comfortably. 

CHAPTER IV

A HEARTY DINNER

It would be quite a task if one were to try to compute the number ofbuckwheat cakes consumed at the long tables the next morning, and theremight have been more but that Charlie stopped Frank in the act ofhelping himself to a further supply by saying: "Look here, son, if youkeep on eating cakes you won't give your Thanksgiving dinner any show atall. I'm thinking about that turkey. "

This remark was passed down the table and had the effect of bringing thebreakfast to a conclusion. The boys scampered off out of doors to scourthe place for nuts or to dive into unfrequented woodsy places, while thegirls gathered around the crowing baby, in high good-humor with herselfand the world at large. Then the nurse bore baby off and Edna turned toher mother for advice. 

"What can I do, mother?" she asked. 

"Why, let me see. Your Aunt Alice and I are going to help your grandmato arrange the tables, after a while. We shall want a lot of decorationsbesides the roses your Uncle Bert brought. Suppose you little girlsconstitute yourselves an order of flower girls with Celia at your head, and go out to find whatever may do for the tables. "

"There are some chrysanthemums, little yellow ones, and there are a fewwhite ones, too; I saw them yesterday down by the fence. "

"They will do nicely; we will have those and anything else that will bepretty for the table or the rooms. "

"Shall we ask Lulie to go with us?" whispered Edna. 

"Certainly I would. She isn't quite so old as you, but she is the onlyother little girl here, and it would be very rude and unkind to leaveher out. "

"You ask her, " continued Edna in a low tone. 

For answer Mrs. Conway smiled over at Lulie. "Don't you want to be aflower girl?" she asked; "Celia, I propose that you take these twolittle girls in tow and go on an expedition to gather flowers to deckthe tables and the house, I know you will enjoy it. "

"Indeed I shall, " replied Celia. "Come on, girls, let's see what we canfind. " And the three sallied forth to discover what might be of use. 

An hour later they came back laden with small branches of scarlet oak, with graceful weeds, with the little buttony chrysanthemums, and withactually a few late roses which had braved the frost and were showingpale faces in a sheltered corner when the girls came upon them. By thistime, the three cousins were well acquainted, the two younger the bestfriends possible, so that when dinner was really ready they were quitehappy at being allowed to sit side by side. 

It would fill a whole chapter if I were to tell you about all the goodthings on that table. Grandpa carved a huge brown turkey at one end, while Uncle Bert carved an equally huge and brown one at the other end. Grandma served the flakiest of noble chicken-pies at her side of thetable, while Aunt Alice served an oyster-pie of the same proportions andquite as delicious. The boys, not in the least disturbed by the memoryof the buckwheat cakes, were ready with full-sized appetites, while thegirls, after their scramble in search of decorations, had no reason tocomplain of not being hungry. To Cousin Becky's lot fell one of thewishbones, and to Edna's joy she had the other. Cousin Becky put hers upover the front door after dinner, and it was the strangest thing in theworld that Mr. Howard Colby should be the first to come in afterward. Edna decided to save hers till it was entirely dry. 

"What are you going to do with it then?" asked Lulie. 

"I haven't quite decided. I shall take it home, and maybe I'll pull itwith Dorothy or maybe I will make a pen-wiper of it for a Christmasgift. I might give it to Ben. "

"I never heard of wishbone pen-wipers, " said Lulie. "Are they very hardto make?"

"Not so very, if you have anyone to help you with the sealing-wax head. Celia could help me with that. You make a head, you know, and then thewishbone has two legs and you dress it up so it is a pen-wiper. " Thiswas not a very clear description, but Lulie was satisfied, especially asat that moment Ben came to them and said that everyone was going to playgames, in order that their dinners might properly digest. 

"Everybody?" inquired Lulie. "The grandparents, too?"

"Of course, " Ben told her. "We are going to begin with something easy, like forfeits, and work up to the real snappy ones after. "

"What are the snappy ones?" asked Edna. 

"Oh, things like Hide-and-Seek and lively things that will keep us onthe jump. "

The two little girls followed Ben into the next room and before longeveryone was trying to escape from grandpa who was as eager for a gameof Blind Man's Buff as anybody, and who at last caught Becky, who inturn caught Howard Colby because he didn't try to get out of her way. This ended that game, but everybody was so warmed up to the fun thatwhen it was proposed to carry on a game of Hide and Seek out of doorsall agreed, and Edna was so convulsed with laughter to see herdignified, great-uncle Wilbur crouching behind a wood-pile and peepingfearfully over the top that she forgot to hide herself properly and wasdiscovered by Ben in a moment. 

"You're no good at all at hiding, " Ben told her. "Anybody could havefound you with half an eye. "

"Oh, I don't care, " replied Edna; "I'll have just as much fun findingout some one else, " and she it was who made straight for Uncle Wilbur'swood-pile to which he had returned with the fond belief of its servingas good a turn a second time. 

It was not so very long before the older persons declared that they hadhad enough of it. The men returned to the house to have a smoke and theladies to chat around the fire. As for the children, it was quite toomuch to expect them to go in while there was a twinkle of daylight left, and, as Amanda expressed it, "They took the place. " The girls did notroam far from the house but the boys wandered much further afield, bringing caps and pockets full of nuts, and clothes full of burs andstick-tights, even Ben brought back a hoard of persimmons touched by thefrost and as sweet as honey. 

He poured these out on a flat stone near which Edna was standing. "Comehere, Edna, " he said, "let's divvy up. I'll give you half; you can takewhat you don't eat to your mother and I'll take what I don't eat to mymother. "

Edna squatted down by the stone and began delicately to nibble at thefruit which still bore its soft purple bloom. "I don't believe I shalleat very many, " she said, "for my dinner is still lasting, and therewill be supper before I am ready for it. We are not going to have areal, regular set-the-table supper, because grandma thinks Amanda andReliance should have some holiday, too, but we are going to havesandwiches and cakes and nuts and apples and cider and a whole lot ofthings; something like a party you know. Aren't you going to eat any ofyour persimmons, Ben?"

"No, that coming supper party sounds too seductive; I'll wait so that Ican do it justice. "

"What did you see out in the woods?" asked Edna. 

"Foxy grape-vines and bare trees, " he answered promptly. 

"Do you mean b-e-a-r trees or b-a-r-e trees?"

"Which ever you like; I've no doubt there were both kinds. "

"Oh, Ben, " Edna glanced around fearfully, "do you really think there arebears around here?"

"I know there are, sometimes. " He drew down his mouth in a way whichmade Edna suspect a joke. 

"When is the sometimes?" she asked suspiciously. 

"When they have a circus at Mayville. "

"Oh, you Ben Barker, you are the worst, " cried Edna roguishly pullinghis nose. 

"Here, here, " he exclaimed, "look out, it might come off like the fox'stail. "

"What fox?"

"Don't you know the story of 'Reynard, the Fox'? It is in one of thosebig, red books that lie on that claw-footed table in the living-room. "

"Here, in this house?"

"Yea, verily. You don't mean to say you have never read those books!Why, there is not a year since I was eight years old that I haven'tpored over them. Every time I have been here, and that is at least oncea year, I go for those books, I'd advise you to make theiracquaintance. "

"You tell me the story; then I won't have to read it. "

"No, my child, I shall not allow you to neglect your opportunitiesthrough any weakness on my part. Read it for yourself, and thereafter, the red book will be one of your prized memories of 'Overlea. '"

"Then tell me again about the lady and the willow tree, " begged Edna;"that was so funny. "

Ben laughed. "I am afraid I don't remember that so well as I do the foxstory, but maybe I will think of some more about her. Come, it is timeto go in. They may be eating those chicken or turkey sandwiches thisvery minute. "

Hanging on his arm, Edna skipped along to the house to find that it wasquite too early to think of sandwiches, though the lamps were lighted inall but the living-room where a cheerful fire made the place lightenough. Around the fire sat grandma, Aunt Emmeline, Aunt Alice and Mrs. Conway. Aunt Lucia was upstairs with the babies. Uncle Wilbur was takinga nap, and grandpa and Uncle Bert were out looking after the stock, asIra and the other man had been allowed a holiday. Over in the corner ofthe sofa sat Cousin Becky and her lover talking in low tones. 

"Dear me, " said grandma, as the children all trooped in, "we must havea light; these little folks may not like to sit in the dark. "

"This is the best kind of light, " declared Ben, "and the very time fortelling tales. Let's all sit around the fire and have a good time. We'llbegin with the oldest and so on down to the youngest If we don't havetime to go all the way down the line, we'll stop when we're hungry. How's that, grandma? Do you like the plan?"

"It is just as the others say, my dear, " she answered. 

"It's a lovely plan, Ben, " said Mrs. Conway. "You will have to begin, mother, and Aunt Emmeline can come next. "

"Oh, dear, " protested that lady, "I never was one for telling tales; youwill have to count me out. "

"I am sure if I can, you can, " grandma assured her. "What shall it beabout, children?"

"Oh, about when you were a little girl, " cried Edna. 

"About the time the horse ran away with you, " spoke up the boys. 

"About your first ball please, " begged Celia. 

Grandma laughed. "Just listen to them. They have heard all those thingsdozens of times. I'll tell you what we will do. I will tell about therunaway horse, that belongs to the time when I was a little girl, andEmmeline shall tell about her first ball, and I can remind her if sheforgets anything. I remember her first ball even better than my first, for it was at hers I met your grandfather. "

This was all so satisfactory that there was not a murmur of dissent, andgrandma began: "It was when I was about ten years old that I went oneday with my father to the nearest village. He was driving a pair ofspirited horses, and on our way home a parcel we were bringing home, fell out of the buggy. My father stopped the horses and ran back to pickup the parcel, but before he could get to the buggy, the horses tookfright at a piece of paper blowing along the road in front of them andoff they started, full tilt, down the road. In vain my father cried, 'Hey, there! Whoa, Barney! Whoa Pet!' on they went faster and faster. Imanaged to hold on to the reins but my young hands were not strongenough to control the wild creatures, and I thought every minute wouldbe my last, for up hill and down dale we went at such a pace I had neverknown. Over a stump would jounce the buggy, and I would nearly pitchout. Around the last curve they went with a swing which I thought wouldland me on my back or my head, but I managed to keep my seat and atlast saw the open gate of our own lane before me. Would the horses gothrough without hitting a gate post? Would they run into a fence or overa pile of stones at one side? My heart was in my mouth. I jerked thereins in a vain attempt to guide them, but on they went, pell-mell, making straight for the open gate. Presently I saw some one rush fromthe house and then another person come flying from the stables. Justbefore we reached the gate, it was flung to with a bang. The horsespranced, swung a little to one side and stopped short, and I heard someone say, 'So, Barney, so Pet!' I didn't know what happened next but thefirst thing I knew I was lying on the lounge in the sitting-room, mymother bending over me, and holding a bottle of salts to my nose, 'Oh, dear, oh, dear, ' my mother was crying, 'another minute and the childmight have been killed. '"

"Who was it shut the gate?" asked Allen eagerly. 

"Amanda's mother, who was living with us at that time. "

"And who caught the horses?" queried Ted. 

"Jim Doughty, who was our hired man. "

"Weren't you nearly frightened to death?" Lulie put the question. 

"Very nearly, and so was my father. He was as pale as a ghost when hegot home. He had to walk all the way, and said he thought he shouldnever get there. The country wasn't as thickly settled as it is now, andthere were no houses between us and the spot where the horses tookfright. "

"Where is the place you lived?" asked Allen. 

"About five miles from here. "

"I should like to see it, " said the boy musingly. "I suppose thosehorses are dead. I'd like to see horses that could run like that. "

"They would be somewhere in the neighborhood of sixty-five or seventyyears old by this time, " said grandma with a smile, "and the oldesthorse I ever knew was forty. "

"Gee! but that was old, " remarked Frank. "Whose was it, grandma? Yours?"

"No, my grandfather's. Her name was Dolly, and she took my grandparentsto church every Sunday for many years, up to a little while before shedied. Now, Emmeline, let's hear about the ball. "

"It was just a ball, " began Aunt Emmeline. 

"The County Ball, " put in grandma. "They always have one every year atFair time. Emmeline was sixteen and I was eighteen. Now go on, Emmeline. "

"I wore white tarlatan trimmed with forget-me-nots, " said Aunt Emmeline, "and I danced my first dance with Steve Hardesty. " She paused and gave alittle sigh. "He took me into supper, too, poor Steve. " Grandma leanedover and laid her hand softly on her sister's. "It is such a long time, such a very long time ago, " she said softly. 

Aunt Emmeline smiled a little sadly. "Yes, a long time, " she repeated. "You wore, what was it you wore, Cecelia?"

"I wore pink tarlatan trimmed with rosebuds and a wreath of them in myhair. The skirt was caught up with bunches of the little buds and greenleaves, and I thought it the prettiest dress I ever saw. "

"It was a great ball, " Aunt Emmeline went on, brightening. "I dancedevery set, and so did you, Cecelia. "

"And how everyone did talk because I danced so many with Ben Willis whomI had met for the first time that night. He would see me home, youremember, although Uncle Phil and Cousin Dick were both there to lookafter us; we were staying at our uncle's, my dears. It was during theearly days of the war, and there was much talk of what would happen nextand who would be going off to join the army, you remember. "

"It was not till two years after, that Steve went, " said Aunt Emmelinewistfully. 

"Tell us about Steve, " spoke up Frank. "Did he become a soldier?"

Celia shook her head warningly at her little brother, for she knew AuntEmmeline's story, and of how her young lover was killed in battle, butAunt Emmeline did not hesitate to answer. "Yes, he went, but he nevercame back. "

Silence fell upon the little group for a moment till Aunt Emmelineherself broke it by saying, "Do you remember, Cecelia, how angry youwere with Polly Parker because she copied your dress, and how you weregoing to have yours trimmed with daisies, and changed all that at thelast moment? I can see you now, ripping off those inoffensive daisiesand flinging them on the floor. "

Grandma laughed. "Well, after all, hers wasn't a bit like mine, for itwas a different shade of pink and wasn't made the same way. Yes, I wasfurious, I remember, because it wasn't the first time Polly had copiedmy things; she had a way of doing it. "

"Here comes grandpa, " announced Herbert who did not find all this talkof dress and balls very interesting. 

The entrance of grandpa and Uncle Bert broke up the party by the fire, for soon the sandwiches and other things were brought in, then camesongs and games till, before anyone realized it, bedtime came andThanksgiving Day was over. 

CHAPTER V

THE RED BOOK

Whether it was the search for the key in the chill of the early morning, or whether it was that she ate too heartily of grandma's good things, certain it was that when Edna waked up the morning after Thanksgiving, she felt very listless and miserable. Her father was already up anddressed, and her mother was making her toilet when the little girlturned over and watched her with heavy eyes. 

"Well, little girl, " said Mrs. Conway, "it seems to me that it is timefor you to get up. "

Edna gave a long sigh, closed her eyes, but presently found the courageto make an effort towards rising. She threw aside the covers, slippedher feet into her red worsted slippers, and then sat on the side of hercot in so dejected an attitude that her mother noticed it. "What, " shesaid, "are you so very sleepy still? I suspect you are tired out fromyesterday's doings. "

"My head aches and there are cold creeps running up and down my back, "Edna told her. 

Her mother came nearer, and laid her cool hand on the throbbing temples. "Your head is hot, " she declared. "I am afraid you have taken cold. Cuddle back under the covers and I will bring or send your breakfast upto you. "

"I don't think I want any breakfast, " said Edna, snuggling down with agrateful feeling for the warmth and quiet. 

"Not want any breakfast? Then you certainly aren't well. When wafflesand fried chicken cannot tempt you, I know something is wrong. "

Mrs. Conway went on with the finishing touches to her dress and hairwhile Edna dozed, but half conscious of what was going on around her. She did not hear her mother leave the room, and did not know how long itwas before she heard Celia's voice saying: "Mother says you'd better tryto drink this. "

"This" was a cup of hot milk of which Edna tried to take a few sips andthen lay back on her pillow. "I don't want it, " she said. 

"Poor little sister, " said Celia commiseratingly. "It is too bad youdon't feel well. Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No, thank you, " replied Edna weakly. 

"Mother is coming up in a minute, " Celia went on. "Uncle Bert and all ofthem are going this morning, but as soon as they are off she will comeup to see how you are. "

"Is everyone going?" asked Edna languidly. 

"No, not this morning. Uncle Bert and his family take the morning trainbecause they have the furthest to go, and Aunt Lucia wants to get homewith the children before dark. Uncle Wilbur, Aunt Emmeline and all thoseare going on the afternoon train. Father thinks he must get back to-day, too. "

Edna made no answer, but closed her eyes again drowsily. 

"I'll set the milk down here, " Celia went on, "and maybe you will feellike drinking some more of it after a little while. "

She set the cup on a chair by Edna's bedside and stole softly out of theroom, leaving her sister to fall into another doze from which she wasawakened by hearing a timid voice say: "Excuse me. I hope you are notasleep, but I want to say good-bye, " and turning over, Edna saw herlittle Cousin Lulie. 

"Oh, are you going?" came from the little girl in bed. 

"Yes, we are all ready. I am so sorry you are sick. I like you so muchand I wish you would come to our house some day. "

Edna was too polite not to make some effort of appreciation, so she satup and held out her little hot hand. "Oh, thank you, " she answered; "Ishould love to come, and I wish you could come to see us. Ask Uncle Bertto bring you real soon. "

"Mother said I had better not kiss you, " remarked Lulie honestly, "for Imight take your cold, but I have folded up a kiss in this piece of paperand I will put it here so you can get it when I am gone. "

Edna smiled at this and liked Lulie all the better for the fancy. "Iwon't forget it, " she said earnestly. "I will send you one when I getwell, but you'd better not take a feverish one with you. Good-bye, andsay good-bye to all the others. "

"They would have come, too, " Lulie informed her, "but mother thought oneof us was enough when you had a headache, and that I could bring all thegood-byes for the others. Now I must go. Get well soon. " And she was offleaving Edna with a consciousness of it's being a wise decree whichprevented more visitors, for her headache was so much the worse forhaving had but one. 

She lay very still wishing the noises below would cease, the runningback and forth, the shutting of doors, the calling of the boys to oneanother and the crying of the baby. But last of all she heard thecarriage wheels on the gravel, and then it was suddenly silent. The boyshad all gone off to play, and the only sounds were occasional footstepson the stair, the stirring of the kitchen fire, and outside, the distant"Caw! Caw!" of the crows in the trees. For a long time she was veryquiet. Once her mother came to the door and peeped in, but, seeing nomovement, believed the child asleep, but later she came in and Ednaopened her eyes to see her standing by her bedside. 

"Poor little lass, " said her mother, "you're not feeling well at all, are you? I am afraid you have a little fever. I will give you somethingthat I hope will make you feel better. "

"Not any nasty medicine, " begged Edna. 

"No, only some tiny tablets that you can swallow right down with alittle water. " She went to the bureau and found the little phial she wasin search of. After shaking out a few pellets in her hand, she broughtthem to Edna with a glass of water and the child took the doseobediently, for she knew these small tablets of old. 

"Now, " Mrs. Conway went on, "I will cover you up warm, and you must tryto get to sleep. Grandma is trying to keep the house quiet and Ben hastaken off the boys. I am going to tidy up the room and stay here withyou for awhile. There, now; you will be more comfortable that way, " andunder her mother's loving touches Edna felt happier already and in ashort time fell into a sound sleep from which she awakened feelingbrighter. Her mother was sitting by the window crocheting where the sunwas streaming in. 

Edna sat up and pushed back the hair from her face. Her mother noticedthe movement. "Well, dearie, " she said, "you have had a nice nap and Ihope you feel ever so much better. "

"Yes, I think I do, " said the child a little doubtfully. 

"That wasn't a very enthusiastic voice. You can't be sure about it?"

"Yes, I can. I do feel a great deal better. "

"And as if you would like a little something to eat?"

"Why--what could I eat?"

"How would some milk toast and a soft-boiled egg do?"

"I like milk toast pretty well, but I don't believe I want the egg. "

"Not when it will be freshly laid this morning?"

"I couldn't have it fried, I suppose?"

"Better not. I'll tell you what I will do; I will go down and askgrandma what she thinks would be best for you. Would you like to sit upin bed? I can put something over your shoulders and prop you up withpillows, or how would you like to get into my bed? There is more roomand you can look out of the window. I will bundle you up and carry youover. "

"I'd like that, " returned Edna in a satisfied tone; it was always atreat to get into mother's bed. 

Mrs. Conway turned down the covers of her own bed, slipped Edna into herflannel wrapper, threw a shawl around her and carried her across theroom to deposit her in the big bed. "There, " she said, "you can keepyour wrapper on till you get quite warm. Let me put this pillow behindyour back. That's it. Now, then, how do you like the change?"

"Oh, I like it, " Edna assured her. "And my head is much better. "

"I think you'd better stay in bed, however, for we want to break up thatcold. There is no better way to do it than to keep you in bed for to-dayat least. Now I will go down and interview grandma. "

She left the room, and Edna heard her talking to some one in the entry. Then the door opened and grandma herself came in. "Good morning, dearchild, " she said. "I wanted to come up before, but it seemed best tokeep you quiet. I am so glad to hear that you are feeling better, butyou must be careful not to take more cold. Would you like to have Serenato keep you company?"

"Oh, I should like her very much, " returned Edna. 

Her grandmother left the room returning presently with an old-fashioneddoll which had been hers when she was a little girl. The doll wasdressed in the fashion of sixty years ago and was quite a differentcreature from Edna's Virginia. She always liked Serena in spite of herblack corkscrew curls and staring blue eyes. Whenever she visitedOverlea, Serena was given to her to play with, as a special privilege. Her grandma knew that Edna was careful, but she would not have broughtout this relic of her childhood for everyone. "I will put this littleshawl around her before you take her, for she has been in a cooler room, and it might chill you to touch her, " said grandma, as she wound a smallworsted shawl over Serena's blue silk frock. "I will put her on the bedthere right by you and then I will go down to see if Amanda has anythingthat is fit for a little invalid to eat. " She kissed the top of Edna'shead and went out leaving her to Serena's company. 

It was not long before Edna heard some one coming slowly up the stair, then there was a pause before the door, next a knock and second pausebefore Edna's "Come in" was answered by Reliance who carefully bore atray on which stood several covered dishes. 

"I asked Mrs. Willis to please let me bring this up, " said Reliance. "Iam so sorry you are sick, I am dreadfully afraid you took cold huntingthat key. "

"Oh, I don't suppose it was that, " Edna tried to reassure her. "I mighthave taken cold yesterday, for I got so warm running when we wereplaying Hide-and-Seek. Oh, how lovely, Reliance, you have brought upgrandma's dear little dishes that were given her when she was a littlegirl. I love those little dishes with the flowers on them. "

"You're to eat this first, " said Reliance, uncovering a small tureen inwhich some delicious chicken broth was steaming. "There is toast to gowith it. Then if you feel as if you wanted any more, there is a littlepiece of cold turkey and some jelly. "

But in spite of her belief that she could eat every bit of what wasbefore her, Edna could do no more than manage the broth and one pieceof toast, Reliance watching her solicitously while she ate. "You're notvery peckish, are you?" she said. "Well, anyhow I am glad this didn'tcome on before you had your Thanksgiving; it would have been dreadful ifit had happened yesterday. "

"I am glad, too, " returned Edna. "What time is it, Reliance?"

"It's most dinner time. As soon as the boys come in, it will be ready. I'll take back the tray, but I have to go awful careful, for I wouldsooner break my leg than these dishes. " She bore off the tray as Ednasnuggled back against her pillows, holding one of Serena's kid hands inhers in order that she might feel less alone. She was not left long toSerena's sole company, however, for first came her father to saygood-bye, then Aunt Emmeline stopped at the door, and behind her, CousinBecky and Uncle Wilbur, all ready with sympathy and good wishes. Alittle later, she heard the carriage drive off which should take allthese to the train. There was silence for a time which finally wasinterrupted by a tap at the door. 

"Come in, " called Edna. 

The door opened, and in walked Ben with a large red book under his arm. "Hello, you little old scalawag, " he said. "What in the world did you goand do this for?"

"I couldn't help it, " said Edna apologetically. 

"You poor, little, old kitten, of course you couldn't. Well, I havebrought you up Mr. Fox, and I wanted to tell you that the lady by thewillow has had another accident; she dropped her last chocolatemarshmallow and the dog stepped on it. Of course, that wasn't as bad asthe first, but when you have only one handkerchief it is pretty hard tohave to cry it twice full of tears. Fortunately, hers has had a chanceto dry between whiles. "

Edna smiled. It was good to have Ben come in with his nonsense. "Hasn'tshe found her eyelash yet?"

"No, and it was a wet one which is awfully hard to find unless it israining; it is hard enough then, goodness knows. How did you stand allthe racket this morning? If a noisy noise annoys an oyster, how much ofa noisy noise does it take to annoy Pinky Blooms? That sounds like aproblem in mental arithmetic, but it isn't. Shall I read to you alittle?"

"Oh, please. "

"About Reynard, the Fox, shall it be?"

"Oh, yes. I do so want to know how he lost his tail. "

"Then, here goes, " said Ben, as he opened the big, red book. Ednasettled herself back against the pillows and Ben began the story, whileEdna was so interested that she forgot all about her headache. Hefinished the tale before he put the book down. "How do you like it?" heasked. 

"It is perfectly fine. Are there other stories in that book?"

"Yes, some mighty good ones. Here, do you want to see the pictures? Theyare funny and old-fashioned, but they are pretty good for all that. " Helaid the book across Edna's knees and showed her the illustrationsrelating to Reynard, the Fox, all of which interested her vastly. 

"I am so glad I know about this book, " she said as she came to the lastpage. "I always thought it was only for grown-ups, and never even lookedat it. Will you read me some more to-morrow?"

"Sorry I can't, ducky dear, for I am off by the morning train to afootball game which I can't miss. "

"Oh, I forgot about that. Are the boys going, too?"

"Yes, and Celia. We are all going back together. There is something onat the Evanses Saturday night, and Celia wouldn't miss that. "

"Neither would you, " said Edna slyly. 

"You're a mean, horrid, little girl, " said Ben in a high, little voice. "I'm just going to take my book and go home, so I am. "

"It isn't your book; it is grandma's. "

"I don't care if it is; I'm not going to play with you, and I will slapyour doll real hard. "

"Do you mean Serena? She isn't my doll; she is grandma's. Her name isSerena, don't you remember? I've known her ever since I was a little, little thing. "

"And what are you now but a little, little thing, I should like toknow. "

"I'm bigger than Lulie Willis, but I'm not big enough to go to Agnes'sparty Saturday night. " She spoke somewhat soberly, for she did want tobe there. 

"Oh, never mind, " said Ben, with an air of comforting her, "I shall bethere and I am as big as two of you. "

"I don't see how that makes it any better, " said Edna, after searchingher mind for a reason why it should be of any comfort to her. 

"Oh, yes it does, " returned Ben, "for if I were only as big as you Ishouldn't be there either. "

"As if that helped it. "

"Oh, yes it does, for, you see, they will have a lot of good things andI can eat enough for you and me both, I am sure, " he added triumphantly. "That is an excellent argument. If a thing can be done for two personsinstead of one, it makes all the difference in the world. "

Edna put her head back against the pillows. Ben was too much for herwhen he took that stand. 

"There, " said the lad contritely, "I'm making your head worse by myfoolishness. Are you tired? Is there anything I can do for you? Wouldyou like one of the kittens?"

"Oh, yes, Ben, I would. They are so comforting and cozy. I am glad youthought of that. "

"Shall I leave the red book or take it down?"

"Leave it, please; I might like to look at it after a while. "

So Ben went off, returning directly with one of the kittens which hedeposited on the bed and which presently cuddled close to the child. Then Ben left her, Serena by her side and the kitten purring contentedlyin her arms. 

CHAPTER VI

THE OLD HOUSE

Although Edna was much better the next day, it was thought prudent tokeep her indoors. All the guests departed with the exception of hermother, her Aunt Alice and her own self, the house resumed its ordinaryquiet and seemed rather an empty place after its throng of Thanksgivingvisitors. 

"You'd better make up your mind to stay another week, daughter, " saidgrandma to Edna's mother. "This child isn't fit to be out, and won't befor two or three days. "

"Oh, I think she will be able to go by Monday, " replied Mrs. Conway. "Ishouldn't like to keep her out of school so long. "

"Her health is of much more importance than school, " grandma went on. "She is always well up in her studies, isn't she? You remember that Ididn't have the usual visit last summer, and as Alice is going to staywe could all have a nice cozy time together. "

"But how would things go on at home without me?"

"Plenty well enough. I am sure Lizzie can take care of Henry and theboys. "

"I am not so sure about the boys, though I suppose Henry could get alongvery well, and Celia is in town all through the week. "

"Why couldn't Charlie and Frank stay with the Porter boys till we getback?" piped up Edna from her stool by the fire. "You know, mother, thatMrs. Porter has asked and asked them, for her boys have already stayedweeks with us in the summer. "

"Ye-es, I know, " returned Mrs. Conway, a little doubtfully. 

"I am sure that is an excellent plan, " said grandma, beaming at Ednaover her knitting. "Edna will be all the better for a week here, andindeed for a longer time. "

"Oh, we couldn't stay longer than next Saturday at the very outside, "put in Mrs. Conway hastily. "I'd love to stay, mother dear, but you knowa housekeeper cannot be too long away, especially when she has notarranged beforehand to do so. "

Grandma nodded at Edna. "We'll consider it settled that you are to stayfor another week. Let's have it all arranged, daughter. Call up longdistance and let Henry know. "

"I promised him, anyhow, that I would let him know to-day how Edna wasgetting along. He was afraid when he went away that she might be in fora serious illness. I shall be glad to let him know she is better. "

"And he will be so glad to hear that, he won't mind your telling him youwill stay longer, " remarked grandma with a little laugh. 

Mrs. Conway went to the telephone and soon it was settled that they wereto remain. "I don't know what Uncle Justus will say, " Mrs. Conwayobserved when she reëntered the room. "He will think I am a veryinjudicious mother to keep you out of school so long. "

"Not if you tell him I was sick, " returned Edna, who secretly ratherenjoyed the prospect of making such an announcement. Like most children, she liked the importance which an illness gave to her small self. 

Saturday was an indoors day spent with Serena, Virginia and the big, red book. Sunday, too, Edna was shut in except for the few minutes shewas allowed to walk up and down the porch in the sun. She was wellwrapped up for this event, and was charged not to put foot on the dampground. 

It had been rather a lonesome morning, with everyone at church exceptAmanda, but the little girl stood it pretty well. She read aloud to anaudience consisting of the two dolls and the three kittens, she sanghymns, in rather a husky voice to be sure, and she stood at the window along time watching the people pass by on their way to and from church. 

In the afternoon, her grandfather took his two daughters to see somerelative, Reliance went off to Sunday school, and Edna was left alonewith her grandmother who told her stories and sang, to the accompanimentof the melodeon she had used when a little girl. Edna enjoyed thisperformance very much, but after a while grandma was tired of aninstrument that skipped notes and wheezed like an old horse, so theywent back to the big chair by the open fire. Grandma continued thesinging, rocking Edna in her arms till the child fell fast asleep, thedrowsy hum of the tea-kettle, hanging on the crane, helping to make alullaby. When she woke up it was nearly dark. She heard her mother'svoice in the hall and realized that the long Sabbath day was nearlyover. 

This was the last shut-in day, for the weather was clear and bracing, and, well wrapped up, Edna was able to enjoy it. Reliance always joinedher when the work was done in the afternoon, and she led her to theacquaintance of two or three other little girls: Alcinda Hewlett, thedaughter of the postmaster, Reba Manning, the minister's daughter, andEsther Ann Taber who lived just across the way. These three wereplaying with Reliance and Edna in front of Esther Ann's one day whensuddenly Esther spoke up: "I know where there is an empty house andanyone can go into it who wants to. "

"Where is it?" asked Reba, with interest. 

"Down past old Sam Titus's. Don't you know that brown house back thereby the orchard?"

"Oh, but it is haunted, " cried Alcinda. 

"Nonsense, it couldn't be, " put in Reba. "My father says there aren'tsuch things as haunted houses, and he ought to know. "

The word of such high authority as the minister could not be gainsaid, though the suggestion gave the girls rather a creepy feeling. 

"I'll dare you all to go in there with me, " spoke up Esther Ann. 

"Oh, Esther Ann, dast we?" said Alcinda. 

"Why not? Nobody lives there, and I don't believe anyone owns it, forthere is never a person goes in or out, even to do spring cleaning. Iheard my mother say that two old ladies lived there, sisters, and theydidn't speak to one another for years; that was long ago and since theydied nobody knows who the place belongs to, for it isn't ever lived in. "

"Like that place where we go to gather chestnuts, " spoke up Reba. "Anybody can go there and get all they want. My father said I could go, and that it was all right, and he knows. "

"Of course he does, " agreed Esther Ann. "Come, who is going with me?"

"I'd as soon go as not, " Reliance was the first to speak. 

"How do you get in?" asked Alcinda, a little doubtfully. 

"Walk in, goosey. Just open the door and walk in. "

"Isn't the door locked?"

"The back door isn't, I tried it one day, " replied Esther Ann. 

"Why didn't you go in then?" asked Alcinda. 

"Well, I was all by myself, and--and--I thought it would be nicer tohave some one with me; it always is when you want to explore. "

This seemed a perfectly reasonable answer, and the others werereassured, moreover, to a company of five, nothing was likely to happen, they thought, and the spirit of adventure was high in the breast of morethan one. 

"We'd better start right along, " suggested Reliance, "for I have to beback, and Edna mustn't stay out after dark. "

"Then, come along, all that want to go, " cried Esther Ann, taking thelead. 

Off they started down the wide street bordered by maples, now shorn oftheir leaves, but furnishing a carpet of yellow underfoot, past thechurch, the store, the schoolhouse and on to the old brown house sittingback behind an orchard of gnarled, crooked apple trees. The place wasall grown up with weeds, though here and there were signs of a formergarden. Up the rotting pillars of the porch a woodbine still clambered, and around the door, lilac bushes kept their green. 

Though she had come thus far without mishap, Alcinda's courage suddenlyfailed her and she turned and ran. 

"'Fraid cat! 'Fraid cat!" called Esther Ann after her. 

This had the effect of arresting Alcinda in her flight and she stoodstill. 

"Come on, " cried Esther Ann. 

"I don't want to, " called back Alcinda. "I'll wait out here for you. "

"You don't know what you're missing, " Esther Ann called back, tryingonce more to persuade her. 

"I'll wait for you here, " repeated Alcinda taking up her position on thehorse block by the gate. 

"All right, " responded Esther Ann, and opened the door which gave easilyas she turned the knob. 

The four little girls found themselves in a dingy kitchen whosebelongings remained as they had been left years before. Cobwebs hungfrom the ceiling; dust was everywhere. The stove rusty and falling topieces, still held one or two pots and pans. There was crockery on thedresser, and a lamp on the table. 

Esther Ann led the way to the next room. "I don't think this one is abit interesting, " she made the remark as she penetrated further. 

"Do you think we ought to go?" whispered Edna to Reliance, as these twolagged a little in the rear. 

"Why not? Anyone can come in if it belongs to no one, and they say itdoesn't belong to a soul. Nobody lives here and why haven't we a rightas well as the rest of the world?"

This argument satisfied Edna and she followed along through the desertedrooms, catching sight of a moth-eaten cover here, a bunch of witheredflowers there. Books, long untouched, lay half open on a table in oneroom, the bed was still unmade in another, and everything was confusion. 

"Isn't it lovely and spooky?" said Esther Ann, tingling with excitement. "I'm going to see what is in those bureau drawers. "

She darted toward an old-fashioned bureau which stood in the room, flopped down on her knees, and drew out the lower drawer. "Oh, girls, "she cried, "look here. "

The others gathered around her to see boxes in which were the treasuresof a forgotten owner, --strings of beads, half-worn white kid gloves, afan with ivory sticks, combs, and ornaments of various kinds. 

"Let's each take something home to her mother, " proposed Esther Ann. "Ispeak for the fan. "

"Oh, Esther, do you dare?" asked Reba. 

"Why not? They don't belong to anyone, " came back the old argument. 

"Some one else will most likely take them if we don't, " remarkedReliance conclusively. 

This satisfied the less venturesome, and they all sat down on the floorto make a selection. Reba chose a quaint, silver buckle, Relianceselected a mother-of-pearl card-case, Edna decided upon atortoise-shell comb. 

"Wasn't it lovely that we should find them?" said Esther Annenthusiastically. "It will be so nice to be able to take home presents. I am glad no one else found them before we did. "

"I wonder how long the back door has been opened, " said Reba. "Has italways been?"

"I don't know. I never tried it till the other day, " Esther Ann toldher. 

After rummaging a little further and discovering frocks and coats ofunfamiliar cut hanging in the closets and wardrobes, and coming uponmouldy slippers, and queer-looking hats in other places, they concludedthey must go. Alcinda had wearied of waiting and had gone off longbefore, therefore, the four, after shutting the door behind them, tooktheir way through the leaf-strewn path to the gate, then up the streetto their respective homes. 

"Don't you think Mrs. Willis will be pleased with the card-case?" askedReliance, as they were entering the gate at Overlea. 

"I'm sure she will. She can use it when she goes to the city to seeUncle Bert, and I know mother will like this comb, " returned Edna. 

Reliance had no time to present her gift at that moment for Amandacalled her to come at once to attend to her duties, remarking that shewas late, but Edna hunted up her mother who was upstairs. "Oh, mother, mother, " she cried, entering the room where her mother was, "see what Ihave for you. Isn't it pretty?"

Her mother looked up from the letter she was writing. "What is it, dear?Why, Edna, what a beautiful comb. Where did you get it?"

"I found it, " replied Edna in an assured tone. "We all found lovelythings. " Then she launched forth upon an account of the afternoon'sadventures. 

Her mother listened attentively, and when the child had finished hertale, she drew her close to her side, kissing the little, eager face, and saying, "Dear child, I am afraid you have made a mistake. The thingswere not for you little girls to take. "

"But mother, they didn't belong to anyone. They have been there foryears and years, and nobody wants them. "

"They would have to belong to some one, dear child. We will ask grandmaabout the house and whose property it is. Let us go find her. "

They hunted up Mrs. Willis who listened interestedly to what they had totell. "The old Topham house, " she said when they had finished. "Itbelonged to two sisters, Miss Nancy and Miss Tabitha Topham. These twolived together for years, but finally they quarreled and each vowed thatshe would never speak to the other. They died within a few weeks of oneanother and there were no nearer heirs than distant cousins who havenever troubled themselves to look after the place. Old Nathan Holcombwas the nearest neighbor and he used to keep things pretty well secured, but since his death the place has been going to rack and ruin more andmore each year. There is some fine, old furniture there and it is awonder everything in the house has not been stolen before now, but asthe place has the reputation of being haunted it has been more or lessavoided. I never heard of its being open to the public and I shall speakto some one who will see that it is made secure. Even if it is notvalued by the present owners, it should not be left for tramps or anychance vagrant to make use of. "

Edna looked down at the comb which she still held in her hand. "Whatmust I do about this?" she asked. 

"You must take it back to-morrow and restore it to its place, " hermother told her. "I am perfectly sure that not one of you little girlsdreamed that she had no right to take the things, but nevertheless theywere not yours, and I am very certain that the other mothers will saythe same thing. "

"Reliance has a lovely card-case, " said Edna, regretfully. "She wasgoing to give it to you, grandma. "

Mrs. Willis smiled. "I appreciate the spirit, but she must not beallowed to keep it, my dear. "

Edna's face sobered. She felt much crestfallen. She wondered what Reba'sfather would say. 

She did not have long to wait to find this out for after supper came twoyoung callers who sidled in with rather shamefaced expressions. "Supposeyou take Reba and Esther Ann into the dining-room for a little while, "suggested grandma encouragingly. "Little folks like to chatter abouttheir own affairs, I well know. "

Edna shot her grandma a grateful look and soon was closeted with thelittle girls. "Oh, Edna, what did your mother say?" began Esther Ann. 

"She said I must take back the comb, because I had no right to take it. "

"That's just what my mother said, " returned Esther Ann. 

"My father said it's dishonest, " put in Reba, "I mean dishonest to keepit. He knew we didn't mean to steal. "

"Oh, Reba, don't say such a dreadful word, " said Edna in distress. 

"It would be stealing, you know, if we were to keep the things, "continued Reba bluntly. "My father says you couldn't call it by anyother name, and that to break into a house is burglary. "

This sounded even more dreadful, though Esther Ann relieved the speechof its effect by saying: "But we didn't break in; we just opened thedoor and walked in. There wouldn't have been anyone to answer if we hadknocked. "

"That makes me feel kind of shivery, " remarked Edna. "I would rather notgo back, but I suppose we shall have to. "

"Yes, we shall have to, " Reba made the statement determinedly. 

Therefore, it was with anything but an adventurous spirit that the fourlittle girls went on their errand the next afternoon. There was nopoking into nooks and corners this time, but straight to the bureau wentthey. Solemnly was each article returned to the box from which it wastaken. Silently they tip-toed down the dusty stairs and through thesilent rooms to the outer air where each drew a sigh of relief. EstherAnn was the first to speak. "There, that's done, " she said. "I don'tever want to go there again. "

"Nor I. "

"Nor I. "

"Nor I, " chanted the other three. 

CHAPTER VII

THE MILL STREAM

On their way home from the old house, the four girls saw Alcindaapproaching. "Don't let's say anything to her about where we've been, "said Esther Ann. 

"No, don't let's, " returned Reba; "you know she didn't want to go therein the first place. "

"It was only because she was scared to, " rejoined Esther Ann. 

"Well, anyhow, don't let's say anything about it, " continued Reba. "Don't you say so, girls?" She looked over her shoulder at Edna andReliance who were walking behind. 

"I don't see any reason why we should, " said Reliance. "Of course, ifshe should ask questions, we wouldn't tell her a story. "

"Oh, no, we wouldn't do that, " agreed the other girls. 

But Alcinda had no thought of old houses or anything else at this timebut her little dog, Jetty, a handsome, black Pommeranian to whom she wasdevoted and of whom she was very proud. "Oh, girls, " she exclaimed asshe came up, "have you seen or heard anything of Jetty? We haven't seenhim since morning, and I am so afraid he has been stolen. "

"Oh, wouldn't that be dreadful?" said Edna sympathetically. 

"I don't see who would steal him, " said Esther Ann, practically. "Everyone knows he belongs to you, and there aren't many strangers thatcome through the village. "

"There are a few. There was a tramp at our back door only a few daysago. "

"But you didn't lose Jet a few days ago; it was only to-day that youmissed him. "

"I think it's more likely he is shut up somewhere, " decided Reba. "Wherehave you looked, Alcinda?"

"Oh, pretty near everywhere I could think of, and I have asked everybodywho might have seen him. "

"Maybe he has gone off with some other dogs, " suggested Reliance. "Dogswill do that, and sometimes they don't come back for two or three days. Mr. Prendergast had a dog that did that way. He lives near where we usedto, you know, and he had a collie named Rob Roy that would go off nowand then, and the other dogs would bring him back after a while. Hewould come in looking so ashamed, while they stood off to see how hewould be treated. "

"Jetty never did run away before, " said Alcinda, doubtfully, althoughReliance's words were comforting. 

"When did you see him last and what was he doing?" asked Esther Ann. 

"Mother heard him barking at a wagon that was going by. He doesn't barkat everyone, but there are some people he can't bear. "

"What people?" inquired Esther Ann, trying to get a clue. 

"He doesn't like the butcher boy nor the man that drives the mill wagon, nor the man that brings the laundry. He always runs out and barks atthem. "

"Have you asked any of them about him?"

"No, not yet. "

"Then I'll tell you what let's do, girls, " proposed Esther Ann. "Two ofus can go around by the mill, two of us can go to the butcher's andAlcinda can go to the laundry place. "

"All right, " exclaimed Alcinda hopefully. "It would be lovely if you allwould do that. "

"I speak to go to the butcher's, " spoke up Esther Ann. She was alwaysready to arrange affairs for everyone. "Reliance, you and Edna can go tothe mill; it isn't such a very great way, and Reba can go with me. "

The girls all accepted this arrangement and set off in the threedifferent directions. 

"Do you like going to the mill?" asked Edna when she and Reliance werefairly on their way. 

"Oh, yes, much better than going to the butcher's. Although it is quitea little further, it is a much prettier walk. I always did like millponds, didn't you, Edna?"

"Why, I don't know much about them, but I should think I would likethem. Do we turn off here?"

"Yes, this road leads straight to the mill; you can see it presentlythrough the trees. "

"It isn't so very far, is it?"

"No, but it is a little further to the mill pond. I wonder if the milleris there. "

"Isn't he always there?"

"He is always there in the morning, but not always in the afternoon. No, the mill is shut down. "

"How do you know?"

"I don't hear it, and see there, the wheel isn't moving. "

"Oh!" Edna thought that Reliance was very clever to know all this beforethey had even reached the mill which now loomed up before them, a greystone structure in a little nest of trees which climbed the hill behindit, and spread along the sides of the stream, flowing on to join theriver. 

"It is very pretty here, isn't it?" said Edna admiringly. "What do theycall the stream, Reliance?"

"Black Creek. The mill pond and dam and sluice and all those are higherup. Do you want to go see them?"

"Why, yes, if we can't do anything about finding Jetty. "

"I thought we might go around by the miller's house on our way back; itisn't much further, and we could ask there. "

This seemed a wise thing to do, Edna thought, and she cheerfullyfollowed Reliance to where the mill pond lay calm and smooth beforethem. "It must be lovely here in summer, " remarked Ednaenthusiastically. 

"It is one of the prettiest places anywhere about. We come heresometimes for our picnics, all of us school children and the teacher. Would you dare go across, Edna?"

Edna looked around but saw no bridge. "How could we get across?" sheasked. "I don't see any way but to swim. "

Reliance laughed. "There, " she said, pointing to the heavy beam whichstretched from shore to shore and below which the water was slowlytrickling, "that's the bridge we children always use. "

Edna drew back in dismay. "Oh, how can you? I wouldn't dare. It is sonear the water and suppose you should fall in. I would be sure to getdizzy, and over I would go. "

"Oh, pooh, I don't get dizzy, " returned Reliance. "I will show you howeasy it is, " and in another minute she was standing on the beam, Ednashivering and with a queer sensation under her knees. "Oh, do come back, Reliance, " she cried; "I am so afraid you will fall in. "

But Reliance did not hear her, or if she did hear, she paid no heed, butstood looking earnestly at a point beyond her in the water. "Edna, Edna, " she presently called. "You will have to come. I really believe itis Jetty out there in the water. "

Edna wrung her hands. "Oh, I can't, I can't, " she wept. 

"You must help me try to get him in. I'll come back for you. "

Edna shrank away from the shore, divided between her fear of crossingand her desire to help in the rescue. Reliance lost no time in reachingher. "You will have to come, " she cried excitedly. "He is nearer theother side. I must go over and try to find a board or two, and you muststay on the beam and watch so as to see which way he heads. Poor littlefellow, I wonder how long he has been in there. Come, Edna, you can putyour arms around my waist and I will go ahead; you mustn't look at thewater, but just step along after me; I won't let you fall. "

Terrible as this effort promised to be, Edna decided that she must makeit if they would save Jetty, and she followed Reliance, who, encouraging, coaxing, and leading the way step by step, managed to getthe child safely across. "Isn't there any other way of getting back?"quavered Edna when they were over. 

"I think there is a little bridge further down, but never mind that now, Edna; you stay there and watch, while I get a board and put it outtoward him. I shouldn't wonder if I could find one somewhere about. "

Fearfully, Edna crouched on the beam, which seemed but a few inches fromthe water. She kept her eyes fixed on the water that she might not losesight of the little black head now not so very far away. "Jetty, Jetty, "she called, "we'll get you out. Nice doggie. Please don't drown beforeReliance comes. "

The little dog renewed his struggles and began to swim toward her, Ednacontinuing her encouraging talk. 

Presently Reliance came down the bank up which she had scrambled; shewas dragging a board behind her and finding some difficulty in doing so. "Is he still there?" she panted. 

"Yes, and trying to swim over to me. "

"Don't let him, don't let him. Come over on the bank; it will be easierto get him from there. There's another board up there. I will go get itif you will hold on to this one. " Edna hesitated to cross the few feetbetween her and the shore. "Quick, quick, " insisted Reliance. "He mightdrift to the dam and get caught there. We must get him before he reachesit. Get down on your hands and knees and crawl. "

Edna obeyed and in another moment was running along the bank towardReliance, forgetting everything but her eagerness to save the littledog, who, seeing both girls, turned and feebly swam to where they werestanding. His strength was almost spent, and he had hard work to keepfrom being borne along by the current which was swifter in the center ofthe pond. 

"I'll have to shove out the board so he can reach it, " said Relianceexcitedly. "Here, take this pole and try to keep the board from driftingtoward the dam while I go get the other board. " And she thrust theforked pole into Edna's hands and then sprang up the bank, while Ednacrouched down, as near the water as possible, in order to make best useof her pole. 

It was not easy to keep the board from drifting out, but along theshallows it was quiet water and it did not go so very far, and beforelong, the little dog was able to reach it, crawling upon it andshivering while he wagged his tail feebly as Edna continued to cheerhim. It was harder work now that the board was heavier by reason of theadded weight, and once or twice Edna was afraid that after all herefforts would be in vain. It would be dreadful to abandon Jetty when hewas so near to land, and she wished he would attempt to swim to her. Butthe little creature was too exhausted to make further effort now that hehad reached footing, though he whined a little when the board driftedout. 

Just as she was afraid it would go beyond her reach, Reliance camescrambling back, breathless from her exercise. "I had such a time, " shepanted. "Oh, Edna, he is really safe, and it is really poor littleJetty. How glad Alcinda will be. Here, don't let the board go. " Shesnatched the pole from Edna's hands. "I'll hold on to it while you pushout the other board. I can wade in and get him if I can't do anythingelse. "

But once so near shore as the second board brought him, Jetty was notafraid to swim the remaining distance, having gathered up a little addedstrength, and after coaxing, ordering and cajoling, the girls wererewarded by seeing the little creature creep to the edge of the board, take to the water again and paddle ashore, crouching at their feet in anecstasy of joy. 

"He is so sopping wet I am afraid he will take cold, " said Reliance. "Iam going to wrap him up in my sweater and carry him. "

"But won't you take cold, " said Edna anxiously. 

"No, for I am too warm with struggling up that bank and down again. Wecan walk fast. "

At first Jetty did not even have power to shake himself, but before manyminutes, his dripping coat was freed of many drops of water, whichfreely sprinkled the girls, who laughing ran at a safe distance, andthen Reliance wrapped him up in her jersey and carried him away from thescene of his late disaster. 

"How do you suppose he got in the water?" asked Edna as they trudgedalong. 

"I think someone threw him in. "

"Oh, Reliance, do you really?"

"Yes, I do. We go right by the miller's house and I am going to stopthere and ask them what they know about it all. "

"Do you think the miller did it?"

"Oh, no, he wouldn't do such a wicked thing; he is a very nice man, buthe might have seen Jetty about the place and we may be able to find outsomething. "

To Edna's satisfaction a small footbridge was discovered a shortdistance below and on this they crossed, reaching the miller's housejust after. The miller himself was just going in the gate. Reliancemarched up to him and without wasting words, said: "Do you know how thislittle dog happened to get into the mill pond?"

The miller paused and looked down at the black nose peeping from itsscarlet wrapping. 

"That little dog? I saw him around the mill this morning. A man that hasbeen driving for me said he found it along the road. Is it your dog?"

"No, it belongs to Alcinda Hewlett. "

"Bob Hewlett's daughter?"

"Yes, her father keeps the store and is the postmaster. "

"Humph!" The miller stroked his chin and looked speculatively at thelittle dog. 

"How do you suppose he got so far from home?" ventured Edna. 

"Shouldn't wonder if he was brought in my wagon in an empty sack. Badman, bad man, that Jeb Wilkins. "

"Jetty always barked at him, " said Edna. 

"I guess that accounts for it. Jeb got mad and thought he'd pay thelittle creature back. Barked at him, did he? Well, I don't blame thedog. I did some pretty tall growling myself before I discharged the man. He's gone now for good, or bad, whichever you like. "

"Do you think he threw the dog in the water?" asked Reliance comingdirectly to the point. 

"That's just what I do think. I shouldn't wonder if he meant to stealhim at first, and sell him, for it is a valuable dog, they tell me, butthe dog got out, and I was keeping an eye on Jeb so he couldn't make waywith the beast. I meant to take him home and advertise for his owner, but when I came to look for him, the dog was gone, though Jeb was there. Said, as innocent as you please, when I made inquiries, that some peopledrove by and took the dog back to town where he belonged. "

"Oh!" exclaimed Edna, her eyes and mouth round with surprise anddisapproval. 

"Just what he said. Made it up out of whole cloth, of course, andmeantime had taken his spite out on me and the poor little dog bythrowing him overboard. How did you happen upon him?"

Reliance gave an account of the rescue and received approving nods. "Smart girls, you two, " he commented. 

"Oh, I wasn't smart at all, " piped up Edna. "It was all Reliance. Icouldn't have done a thing without her. "

"Well, " said Mr. Millikin with a smile, "you did your part, and that'senough said. I was just going to unhitch, but there is my buggy allready, and I guess the quickest way to get you back to the village is totake you there behind Dolly. "

"Oh, but we can walk, thank you, " protested Reliance. 

"It's pretty much of a walk, and the sooner you get there the morepleased several people will be, I for one, because I don't want BobHewlett's little girl to mourn for her pet any longer than she need, andagain, because I am in a way responsible for what has happened. I'll goget the buggy right off. You wait here; it won't take a minute. " Sopresently they were driving along toward home, Reliance with a horseblanket around her which Mr. Millikin fished out from under the seatand insisted upon her putting around her shoulders. 

To say that Alcinda was overjoyed at the sight of her little pet whichshe had given up for lost, would be speaking mildly. "I'll never forgetyou two girls, never, " she cried. "I shall thank you forever and ever, and you, too, Mr. Millikin. "

"Me? I'm partly to blame, for I ought to have discharged thatgood-for-nothing scoundrel long ago, but he was a good driver, and I waswaiting to fill his place. Well, it's all come out right, after all. Ihope your little dog will be none the worse for the experience. I'll payhis doctor's bills if he gets sick. " After which speech, the millerdrove off, and the rescuers darted across the street to their home, where the tardiness of their appearance was entirely forgiven after theyhad told their story. 

CHAPTER VIII

JETTY'S PARTY

Grandma was so concerned lest Edna had taken fresh cold by reason ofthis latest adventure that she insisted upon putting the little girlthrough a course of treatment to prevent possible evil results. "Afterdabbling in that cold water and getting her feet wet it will be a wonderif she isn't laid up, " said grandma, coming into the room just as Ednawas going to bed. "She must have her feet in mustard water, and Amandais making a hot lemonade for her. "

So Edna's feet were thrust into the hot bath, and she was made to sipthe hot drink, then was bundled into bed with charges not to allow herarms out from under the covers. It was rather a warm and unpleasantexperience, and the worst of it was that grandma said the next morningthat she mustn't think of going out-of-doors that day. 

"Oh, dear, " sighed the little girl, when she was alone with her mother, "don't you think grandma is very particular? Did she used to do so whenyou were a little girl?"

"She did indeed, and when she was a little girl it was even worse, forinstead of lemonade to drink, she was made to take a very bitter dose ofherb tea, or a dreadful mess called composition which had every sort ofnauseous thing in it you can think of. Little folks nowadays get offvery easily, it seems to me. "

"I didn't mind the hot lemonade a bit, but I shall never forget thesmell of that mustard water, " said Edna after a pause. 

Her mother laughed. "You must be thankful that it is no more thanthat. "

"What am I going to do to-day?" inquired the little girl. "I was goingto do ever so many nice things out-of-doors and now I can't. "

"Then we must think up some nice things to do indoors. "

"What kind of things?"

"I shall have to put on my thinking cap in order to find that out. Meanwhile, suppose you run down to grandma with this tumbler; it hadyour lemonade in it and should go down to be washed. "

Edna ran off to her grandma, coming back presently with a much brightercountenance than she took away. "Grandma is going to let me help withthe turtle cakes, " she said eagerly. "That's a very nice thing, don'tyou think?"

"I think that is very nice indeed. "

"Amanda is mixing them now, and when they are cut out, I am going tohelp with the turtles. Good-bye, mother; I will bring you one of myturtles as soon as they are baked. "

These turtle cakes were much prized by the Conway children. When grandmasent a box from the farm there was always a supply of these famouscookies. Grandma had promised that Edna should take some home with herwhen she went on Saturday morning. She watched Amanda roll them out, cutthem in rounds and place them in the pans; then came Edna's part in thepreparation. Amanda showed her how to put first a big fat raisin in thecenter of the cake, then a current for the turtle's head, four cloveswere then stuck in, part way under the raisin, thus making the feet, andfor the tail, another clove with the sharp end out. Amanda could do themmuch faster than Edna, but the child was greatly pleased to havecompleted a whole pan all by herself, and when these were baked shecarefully carried some of them to her mother and Aunt Alice. Grandmahad already seen the results of her granddaughter's labors. 

"I know just how to do them now, mother, " said Edna, "and I think it isgreat fun. Grandma is going to save the pan I did so I can have them tocarry home. "

"You might have a tea-party for the dolls this afternoon, and use someof your cookies for refreshments. "

"Could Reliance come?"

"Why, I should think so. I have thought of something else for you to dothis morning; you could begin a Christmas gift for Celia. You know youalways have a hard time keeping her gift a secret. "

"What kind of thing could I make?"

"I noticed that your sister's little work bag was getting rather dingyand I am sure she would be delighted to have a new one. "

"But where will I get anything to make it of?"

"No doubt grandma has something in her piece-bag; she always has allsorts of odds and ends, and it would give her pleasure to let you haveanything that might serve the purpose. I will ask her, and we can getthe ribbons for it any time between now and Christmas. "

Her mother was as good as her word, and leaving the room came back in afew minutes with a large bag whose contents she emptied on the bed. "There, " she said, "take your choice. Grandma says you are perfectlywelcome to anything you find. "

Edna began turning over the pieces. "You help me choose, mother, " shesaid presently. "I don't know just how big the piece ought to be. "

Her mother drew up her chair and began to look over the bits of gay silkbefore her. "I declare, " she said presently, "here is a piece of a partyfrock I wore when I was about Celia's age. It was almost my first realnew party frock, for before that I always wore a simple white muslin. This is perfectly new, and must have been left over. To think of itsbeing in this bag all those years. It appears to be sufficiently strong, however. " She shook it out and held it up to the light. The material wasa pale green silk with tiny bunches of flowers upon it. Edna thought itvery pretty. 

"I think Celia will be perfectly delighted to have a bag made of yourfirst party frock, mother, " she said. "Do you think grandma would mindmy having it?"

"I am sure she will be very much pleased. We will decide upon that, andyou can put back the rest of the pieces. There will be an abundance inthis for a nice, full bag I am sure. I will cut it out for you and showyou just how to make it. "

The time passed so rapidly in planning and making the bag that it wasthe dinner hour before they knew it, and after dinner came an unexpectedcall from Alcinda. She was a sedate-looking little girl with big blueeyes and straight, mouse-colored hair, but upon this occasion she wasdimpling and smiling as she handed a tiny, three-cornered note to Edna. Upon opening this Edna discovered, written in a childish hand, thefollowing words, "Mr. Jetty Hewlett requests the honor of Miss EdnaConway's company to a tea-party at four o'clock this afternoon. "

"Oh, dear, " sighed Edna, "I'm awfully afraid I can't go, for grandmasaid it was as much as my life was worth to go out of the houseto-day. "

"Oh, but you aren't ill, are you?" asked Alcinda. 

"No, but she is afraid I will be. "

"But you must come, " persisted Alcinda, "for it is in honor of you andReliance, and Jetty is going to help receive. "

"I will go ask mother, " returned Edna, and running off she returned withMrs. Conway. 

"Mayn't Edna come to Jetty's tea-party?" begged Alcinda. "We haveeverything planned, and it will be perfectly dreadful if she stays away. She won't take cold, just going across the street, and our house is aswarm as anything. "

Edna looked beseechingly at her mother. "Do please say yes, mother, " shebegged. 

"I don't see how you could take cold going just across the street, ifyou wrap up well and wear your rubbers, " said her mother. 

"Goody! Goody!" cried Alcinda. "Here is an invitation for Reliance, too. Be sure to come at four o'clock. I have some more invitations to deliverso I must go. "

"Now I needn't have a tea-party for the dolls, " said Edna when Alcindahad gone. Her mother smiled. "You speak as if that would be a greathardship, " she remarked. 

"No, I don't mean that, but I would so much rather go to Alcinda's. Shall I wear my best frock, mother?"

"Why, yes, I think you may. "

"I wonder if grandma will let Reliance go, and what she will wear, " saidEdna, after a moment's thought. "I think I will go ask, mother, for Idon't want to be better dressed than Reliance; it was really she whosaved Jetty, you know. "

"That is the proper feeling, dear child. "

Edna flew off to find Reliance who had received her invitation, andhoped for the permission from Mrs. Willis. "I do hope she will let mego, " she said fervently. "Come with me, Edna, when I ask her, won'tyou?"

Edna was very ready to do this, and hunted up her grandmother. "Oh, grandma, " she cried, "we've been invited to a party over at Alcinda's. Jetty is giving it in honor of Reliance and me. Mother says I won't takecold just going across the street, and you are going to let Reliance go, too, aren't you?"

"What's all this?" inquired grandma. 

Edna repeated her news, but her grandmother did not reply for a moment. "I am afraid Reliance will not be back in time to do her evening work, "she said at last. 

"Oh, but--" this was an unexpected objection, "couldn't she do some ofit before she goes?"

"She might do some, but not all, however, we will see. Reliance, youbustle around and see how smart you can be, and I will think what can bedone. "

"I can set the table, " said Edna eagerly. "Would you mind if it weredone so much ahead of time for just this once?"

"No, " replied her grandmother very kindly. 

"And may I skim the milk and bring up the butter for supper? I can setit in the pantry where it will keep cool, " Reliance said. 

"You may do that, " Mrs. Willis told her. 

"What else will there be to do?" asked Edna, as the two little girlshurried from the room. 

"I have to turn down the beds and light the lamps when it gets dark. "

"That isn't very much to do. Maybe Amanda wouldn't mind seeing to thosethings for just this one time. I am going to ask her. "

Reliance was only too glad to have Edna take this request off her hands, herself having a wholesome awe of Amanda, but to her relief Amanda wasin a good humor and promised to look after these extra duties, so ingood season Reliance was free to prepare for the party, while Edna wentto her mother to be dressed. 

"Mother, " she said, "do you think it is funny to go to a party with abound girl? Is a bound girl the same as a Friendless? You know MargaretMcDonald is our friend, and she used to be a Friendless. "

"I don't think it is funny at all. Reliance had no home, to be sure, till your grandmother took her, but she is a good, little girl, and Iused to know her father when I lived here. "

"Oh, mother, did you?"

"Oh, yes, he was quite a nice, young man. I never knew his wife, but Iam afraid he did not marry very well. Reliance will probably have towork for her living, but that is no reason why she should not be treatedas an equal. The people about here know she comes of good stock and thatthe poverty of the family was due more to misfortune than misbehavior. Ihave no doubt but Reliance will make a fine woman, as her grandmotherwas, and when she is grown up, she may marry some farmer of theneighborhood, and take the place she should. "

This was all very interesting to Edna, and she sat looking at theoutstretched feet upon which she had just drawn her stockings till hermother reminded her that time was flying. "Wake up, dearie, " she said. "Why, what a brown study you are in. Reliance will be ready long beforeyou are. Hurry on with your shoes, and then come let me tie your hair. "

At this Edna jumped and bustled around with such promptness that she wasready by the time Reliance came to the door neatly dressed in her brightplaid frock and scarlet hair ribbons. She was a dark-haired, dark-eyedlittle girl with rosy cheeks, and though not exactly pretty, had apleasant, intelligent face. Edna had finally decided not to wear herbest white frock, but had on a pretty blue challis, quite suited to theoccasion, her mother told her. 

The two little girls set out in high feather and arrived at Alcinda'shouse to find that several had reached there before them. Jetty, with ahuge red bow on his collar, barked a welcome, and Alcinda beamed uponthem as they entered. "I was so afraid something would happen to keepyou, " she said. 

Esther Ann hurried forward to talk as fast as she could, as was herhabit, her words tumbling over one another in her effort and excitement. "Wasn't it splendid that you two found Jetty? I wish we had gone thatway, but then maybe we wouldn't have found him after all. I think it isreal nice of Alcinda to ask Reliance when she is a bound girl, don'tyou?" This in an aside to Edna. "I'm sure she is as good as anybody. Howlong are you going to stay? Here, I'll show you where to take off yourthings; you needn't go, Alcinda. " And she swept the little hostess asidewhile she led the way to an upper room. 

By this time, the latest comers had arrived, so there were about adozen in all, enough for almost any game they might choose to play. Inthe first, Hide the Handkerchief, Jetty joined with great zeal, beingalways the first one to find the handkerchief. "You see he does it withhis nose, " said Alcinda by way of explanation, a remark which madeeveryone laugh, and set the lively Esther Ann to sticking her nose intoevery corner the next time the handkerchief was hidden. 

"You ought to put cologne on it and then maybe we could find it, " shesaid, and this, too, raised a laugh as she meant it should, for it tookvery little to amuse them. 

At five o'clock a tray was brought in. Delicious cocoa and home-madecakes were served, followed by candies, nuts and raisins. While thegirls were busy over these, Alcinda cast many glances toward the doorand once or twice whispered to her mother, who nodded reassuringly. Itwas evident that some matter of surprise was to follow. What it was, came to light a little later when Mr. Hewlett came in. He knew eachlittle girl, for even Edna was no stranger to him, so he spoke to eachby name. Then he stood up by the fireplace and said: "You have all heardof the medals which are given for the performance of brave deeds. Well, my little girl thinks her small dog would like to show his appreciationof the act which saved his life the other day, and so I have preparedtwo medals for the heroines of that occasion; they are not gold medals;in fact they are not real medals and of no special value except thatthey represent her, and our, gratitude to the little girls who were thelife savers. " He paused and looked at Alcinda who bustled forward andgave into his hands two tiny baskets. 

"Here, Jetty, " called Mr. Hewlett, and Jetty, who had been sitting inMrs. Hewlett's lap, jumped down and danced over to see what was requiredof him. Mr. Hewlett stooped down and gave the dog one of the smallbaskets which he took in his month with much wagging of tail. 

"Take it, Jetty, " ordered Mr. Hewlett. Jetty started off toward hislittle mistress, who quickly left her place and stood by Edna's chair. Jetty dropped the basket, not knowing exactly what was expected of him. 

"Bring it here, Jet, " said Alcinda. Therefore, being sure of himself, Jetty frisked over to where Alcinda was standing. "Give it to Edna, "said Alcinda, laying her hand on Edna's lap. Jetty did as he was toldand then scampered back to repeat the operation, this time it beingReliance to whom he was directed to go. 

"Do let's see, " urged Esther Ann, edging up to Edna. 

Edna uncovered the basket and saw a box lying there. Inside the box wasa new quarter in which a hole had been drilled; a string had been passedthrough this and to the string was attached a bow of blue ribbon. Reliance found the same in her basket, only her ribbon was red. 

"You must put them on and wear them, " said Alcinda, "so everyone can seehow honorable you are. " She didn't just know why her father and mothersmiled so broadly. 

The girls proudly pinned on their medals and wore them home, for verysoon came grandpa to say they must get ready to go. 

"I'm going to keep mine forever and ever, aren't you?" whisperedReliance, as she started around to the kitchen door. 

"'Deed I am, " returned Edna. 

CHAPTER IX

THE ELDERFLOWERS

Edna's account of the G. R. Club, to which she and most of her friendsbelonged, had quite excited the ambition of the little girls at Overleato have a similar one. 

"I told my father about it, " said Reba to Edna when they met at Jetty'sparty, "and he thought it was a most beautiful club, didn't he, EstherAnn, and he ought to know. He said we could have one just like it. "

"Oh, we don't want to do that, " put in Esther Ann scornfully. "We don'twant to be copy-cats. We want to have something all our ownty downtyselves, and not just like somebody else. "

"That's just what I think, " spoke up Emma Hunt. "Not that I don't thinkyours is the best I ever heard of, and I don't see why we couldn't haveone something like it, just a little different. "

"There aren't so very many girls of us, for there are more old peoplethan children in this place, " said Alcinda. "Would that make anydifference, Edna? Yours is such a big club. "

"It wasn't big when we began; there were only six of us to begin with. "

"Oh, were there? Then we could do it easily. Let me see how many arehere; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, and there is Mattie Bond who couldn't come because she is sick; shewould make twelve. "

"How many are there in your club?" asked Reliance. 

"Oh, I don't know just how many by now. Uncle Justus has a pretty bigschool and almost every girl belongs to it, " replied Edna. 

"The real big girls?"

"Yes, and we have one very grown-up lady, an honorary member; I'll tellyou all about Miss Eloise some day. Agnes Evans was our first president, and she is really grown up, for she is at college. "

"I think a little club would be nicer, " Esther Ann spoke her mind. 

"But what shall it be and what shall we call it?" asked Alcinda. 

"I'll tell you what, " proposed Edna, "you all ask your mothers what theythink and I will ask my mother what she thinks, and we can meetsomewhere to-morrow to talk it over. "

"I haven't any mother, " came a sorrowful little voice from the corner. Big Reliance put her arm around the younger girl. "Never mind, Letty, "she whispered; "neither have I, but we can ask somebody else's mother. "

"I'll lend both of you my mother, " whispered Edna from the other side. 

So it was that the company of little girls went home from Jetty's partywith quite a new plan. Even Edna, who would really have no part in theclub, was much interested, and could scarcely wait to talk it over withher mother at bedtime. She began as soon as they were upstairs together. "Mother, " she said, "do you think grandma would let Reliance come upwhile I am getting ready for bed?"

"Why, dearie, I don't know, I am sure. Why do you want her on thisspecial night?"

"Because there is something we girls are going to talk over with ourmothers, and Reliance hasn't any mother, neither has Letty Osgood, and Itold them I would lend them my mother. You don't mind, do you, motherdear?" Edna put her two hands on each of her mother's cheeks and lookedat her very earnestly. 

"Why, my darling, of course not, " returned Mrs. Conway, kissing her. "You know mother is always very glad to mother any little girl who mayneed her. What is this wonderful something you are to talk over?"

"I think we'd better not begin until we know about Reliance though. Iwish I had asked grandma before I came up, but I wanted to speak to youfirst, mother dear. "

"Then I will go down and ask her. Where is Reliance?"

"I suppose she is in the kitchen with Amanda; I don't believe she hasgone to bed yet. "

Her mother left the room, and while Edna unlaced her shoes, she listenedfor her return. In a few minutes she heard voices on the stair andrealized that Reliance was coming up. "We haven't said a word about ityet, " she nodded to Reliance who came in behind Mrs. Conway. "You begin, Reliance. "

"No, you, " said Reliance drawing back shyly. 

"Well, " began Edna, addressing her mother, "you see the girls want toget up a club something like ours, only not just like it, and they don'twant the same name either. There aren't such a lot of girls here, because there are so many more old people than young ones in thisvillage, and so you see--what kind of club would be nice, mother?"

"Why, dearie, I shall have to think it over. "

"We ought to decide very soon, " said Edna, "for I should hate to go awaywithout knowing. Could Reliance bring Letty Osgood home with her fromschool to-morrow? I lent you to her, too, and maybe by that time youmight think of something?"

"We'll ask grandma about it, dear, though I am sure she will not object. Is that all now?"

Edna thought it was, and now that she was ready to pop into bed, Reliance left her with a happy "Good-night!" It was like sunshine in thehouse to have such a dear little girl as Edna, she thought as she wentdownstairs, and though Amanda reprimanded her sharply for not being inbed, she did not answer back, for, in fact, she scarcely heard her, sobusy was she with pleasant thoughts, and so excited over the idea of theclub. 

The next morning, Edna and her mother did a great deal of talking aboutthe new club, so much, in fact, that when it was time for Reliance toreturn from school, Edna was on the lookout for her, feeling that shehad so much to tell that there should be no time wasted. "Here theycome, mother, " she sang out. "Reliance and Letty. May I bring themright up here?"

"To be sure you may. "

"I'm going down to tell Amanda to 'scuse Reliance for just a fewminutes. " She flew downstairs to the kitchen. "'Manda, " she said, "mother is going to talk over something very important with Reliance andLetty, so will you please not call her for a few minutes? I'll help herset the table. "

"It seems to me you are making too much of Reliance, " returned Amanda;"she can't be brought up to look for nothing but ease and pleasure; shewill have to work for her living. "

"But this isn't anything that is going to keep her from doing that, "explained Edna, "and grandma said she could have a little time to playwhile I am here, specially when I help her. "

"Oh, well, go 'long, " returned Amanda, "only don't keep her too long;there's more to do than set the table. "

Though the permission was accorded rather ungraciously, Edna wassatisfied, and ran to welcome Letty who was just coming in the gate. "Iam so glad you could come, " she said. "You are going to stay to dinner, aren't you? Did you ask your father?"

"Yes, and he said I might. "

"Good! Then come right upstairs and take off your things. Oh, girls, mother has a lovely plan for a club, and the dearest name you everheard. You can come, Reliance, grandma said so, and so did Amanda. I'mgoing to help set the table. "

She led the way up to where her mother was sitting, her face bright witheagerness as she brought Letty forward. "This is Letty Osgood, mother, Dr. Osgood's daughter, you know. "

Mrs. Conway drew the shy little girl nearer. "It is very nice to seeLetitia Osgood's daughter, " she said. "I knew your dear mother verywell, and I am glad to have my little girl making friends with herlittle girl. "

"Now, mother, " began Edna, breaking in, "won't you please not talk muchat first about anything but the club, because Reliance has only a fewminutes to stay. "

Her mother smiled and nodded to Letty. "Very well, Letty, " she said, "well have a nice, little, cozy chat all to ourselves after awhile whenthis impatient young person has had her subject discussed. I wasthinking, girlies, that as long as there are so many elderly and oldpeople in the village, some of whom are poor and some who are partialinvalids, that it would be a very sweet thing if you little girls couldform yourselves into a club which would help to make their lives alittle less sad. It would mean a great deal to old Miss Belinda Myers, for instance, if one of you would drop in once in a while with a flower, or any little thing for her. She is so crippled up with rheumatism thatshe can't leave her room, and must sit there by the window all day long. She is fond of children, too. Of course she has plenty of this world'sgoods, and her old friends do not neglect her, yet I am sure that youcould give something to her by your mere presence which none of theolder persons could. Then there is poor old Nathan Keener. "

"Oh, but he is such an old cross patch, " interrupted Edna. 

"So he is, but he has had enough to make him so. I wonder if any one ofus would be very amiable if she were poverty-stricken, half sick all thetime, had lost all her friends and had been cheated out of the littlewhich would make old age comfortable? It is very easy to be smiling andagreeable when everything goes right, but when things go wrong, it isn'thalf so easy, especially when one hasn't a good disposition to beginwith. "

"But what in the world could we do for him?" asked Reliance. "If westopped to speak to him, very likely he would get after us with astick. "

"Did any of the boys and girls ever try the experiment of speaking tohim pleasantly? I am quite sure the boys do their best to annoy him inany way they can contrive, and even some of the girls tease him slylyand call him names, I am told. "

"Yes, they do, " replied Reliance, doubtfully, who herself was notentirely innocent in this regard. 

"Suppose you were to try the experiment of beginning by smiling when yougo by and saying, pleasantly, 'Good-morning, Mr. Keener?' Then next day, even if he chased you away the first time, you might say, 'Isn't this alovely morning, Mr. Keener?' and you could always make a point of sayingsomething pleasant to him when you go by. Then some day when it israining or too cold for him to sit in his doorway----"

"Like a great big, ugly spider, " remarked Letty. 

Mrs. Conway paid no heed to the comment, "you could leave a big apple onthe doorsill for him, and so on, till in time I will venture to say hewill learn that you wish him well and are trying to be friends. You mustkeep in your mind all the time that he is a poor, neglected, friendless, unhappy old man and that if you can succeed in bringing even a littlesunshine into his life, you will be doing a great deal. "

The girls were very sober for a few minutes, then Reliance saidthoughtfully, "I believe I should like to try it anyway. "

"Of course, " Mrs. Conway went on, "the girls may have found other andbetter ideas for a club, and a better name than I can suggest, but itseemed to me that this might be made something like the G. R. , yet wouldnot be exactly the same, and it could have quite a different name. "

"Oh, mother, " exclaimed Edna, "do tell the name you thought of, I thinkit is so lovely. "

"I thought you might call yourselves 'The Elderflowers, ' because yourgood deeds would be directed toward your elders, and you would becheerful, little flowers to bring sweetness to sad lives. "

"I think it is the most beautiful idea, " exclaimed Letty earnestly, "andI shall be dreadfully disappointed if the girls want somethingdifferent. I begin to feel sorry for old Nathan Keener already. "

"That is an excellent beginning, " said Mrs. Conway, with a smile. 

Here came a call from Amanda, so Reliance and Edna scampered off leavingLetty to be entertained by Mrs. Conway. 

When Reliance came home from school that afternoon, she brought theinformation that the girls were going to meet in Hewlett's oldblacksmith shop that afternoon, and that Edna was to be sure to come. Toher own great disappointment, she could not go herself, for Amandadeclared that she could not get along without her, and that all thisgallivanting about was a mistake, and that if Mrs. Willis was going tohave a bound girl there for her to bother with and get no good of, sheguessed it was time for younger folks to take her place. A girl thatspent half her time at school and the other half skylarking wouldn'tamount to much anyway was her opinion. 

So because the old servant had to be pacified and because it was a dayon which Reliance could really be ill spared, she did not attend themeeting. 

"I am sorry, dear, " said Mrs. Willis, when Edna begged to have thedecree altered, "but I am afraid we really cannot spare Reliance thisafternoon. You know she has had a lot of time for play this past week;we have been very indulgent to her because of your being here. " Edna sawthat this was final and went to her mother with rather a grave face. 

"Mother, " she said, "isn't it too bad that Reliance can't go? She saysshe wouldn't mind so much if it were not for the voting, but you see ifshe isn't there, she will lose her vote, and we do so want theElderflower plan to be the one. "

"Why couldn't you be her proxy?" said Mrs. Conway. 

"Proxy? What is proxy, mother?"

"It is some one appointed in the place of another to do what wouldotherwise be done by the first person; for instance, in this case youcould be proxy for Reliance and vote for her. She could sign a paperwhich would make it very plain. "

"Oh, mother, will you write the paper and let me take it to her tosign?"

"Certainly I will. " She drew the writing materials to her and wrote afew lines. "There, " she said, "I think that will do. "

"Please read it, mother. "

Mrs. Conway read: "I hereby appoint Edna Conway to be my proxy and tovote upon any question which may come up before this meeting. 

"Signed--"

"That sounds very important, " said Edna, clasping her hands. "Show mewhere she is to sign her name, mother. I know she will be perfectlydelighted that I can speak for her. "

Reliance truly was pleased, the more that the sending of such animportant legal document gave her a certain position with the others. She signed her name with a flourish, and Edna, armed with theindisputable right to take her place, started off for Hewlett's oldblacksmith shop. This sat back some distance from the store, and wasused as a storage place for empty boxes and such things. 

Edna found most of the company gathered when she arrived. They were allchattering away with little idea of what must be done first. "Here comesEdna Conway, " cried Esther Ann; "she can tell us just what to do. Comealong, Edna. What was the first thing you did when you got up a club?"

"We had a president and a secretary the first thing; the president wascalled _pro tem. _; she wasn't the real president till we elected her. "

"Then you be _pro tem. _, for you know just what to do. "

"Oh, no, I couldn't, " Edna shrank from such a public office, and herlittle round face took on a look of real distress at such a prospect. 

"Somebody's got to be then, " said Esther Ann. "I will. "

"I will, I will, " came from one and another of the girls, too eager forprominence to care about what was expected of them. 

"We can't all be, " remarked Milly Somers. "We're wasting time and weought to have had this all settled at first. I wish there were someolder person to get us started. "

"Everyone isn't here yet, " spoke up Alcinda. "Isn't Reliance coming, Edna?"

"No, she can't. She has too much to do this afternoon, but I am herproxy. I've got a paper that says so. "

The girls giggled. "Isn't she cute?" whispered Esther Ann. "Let's seethe paper, Edna. "

Edna solemnly drew it from the small bag she carried, and handed it toEsther Ann. 

"Read it, Esther Ann, read it, " clamored the girls. And Esther Ann readit aloud. 

"How in the world did you know about such a thing, " said Milly Somers. 

"Oh, I didn't think of it, " she answered; "it was my mother. "

"She must be awfully smart, " said Esther Ann admiringly. "I wish shewere here to tell us just what to do, if you won't do it. "

"Maybe she would come for just a little while, " said Edna, feelingassured that if her mother were there to tell of her own ideas about theclub that there would be no doubt of its being "The Elderflowers. ""Suppose I go and ask her, " she added. 

"All right, " agreed the girls. "Tell her if she will stay just longenough to tell us how to get started, it is all we ask. "

Edna rushed back to the house and upstairs, where she breathlesslyexplained her errand. "You will go? won't you, mother, just for a fewminutes, " she begged. "You won't have to change your dress, or even puta hat on if you don't want to. We need you so very, very much. Nobodyknows what to do, and they all talk at once, and giggle and say sillythings. It ought to be real serious, oughtn't it?"

"Not too serious, I should say, " returned her mother. "Very well, dear, I will come. " She threw on a long coat and followed the little girlacross the street to where the prospective club members waitedexpectantly. 

It did not take long to set the ball in motion, and in less than half anhour Esther Ann was made president _pro tem. _, Milly Somers wasappointed secretary, and the business of choosing came up. There werenot very many original ideas offered. Few of the girls had any. Mrs. Conway listened to them all, and at last explained her own plan soclearly and with such earnestness that it was a matter of only a fewminutes before it was decided that "The Elderflower Club" should startits existence at once. 

To cap the climax, Edna was elected an honorary member, "for, " said thegirls, "if it hadn't been for you we should never have had a club atall. And when you come to your grandfather's, you will always know thatyou must attend the club meetings. "

Therefore, it was a very happy little girl who went back to report toReliance the happenings of this first meeting of the club. 

CHAPTER X

WHAT BEN DID

The members of the Elderflower Club were so eager to begin business thatthey could scarcely wait till the next day. The more retiring ones, likeAlcinda, contented themselves with beginning their ministrations torelatives or those they knew, but it was to adventurous spirits likeEsther Ann and Reliance that a difficult case such as old Nathan Keenerappealed. Reliance, following out Mrs. Conway's advice, gave a cheery"Good-morning, Mr. Keener, " as she went by his dilapidated house on herway to school. She reported this performance to the other girls atrecess. 

"Oh, Reliance, you didn't dare, did you?" exclaimed Alcinda. "What didhe do? Did he run after you?"

"No, he only frowned and grunted. "

"Did you walk very fast when you went by?" asked little Letty Osgood, being very sure that she would not have loitered upon such an occasion. 

"No, not so very. I just walked as I always do. "

"Then I think you were very brave, " continued Letty. 

"Pooh!" exclaimed Esther Ann, "that wasn't anything to do. Just waittill you see what I am going to do. "

"What, Esther Ann? What?" clamored the girls. 

"Wait till this afternoon and you will see, " was all Esther Ann wouldsay to satisfy their curiosity. 

This being Friday and Edna's last day at her grandmother's, her friendsbegged that she be allowed to go with them to school that afternoon. "We don't have real lessons, " Reliance told her, "for Miss Fay reads tous, and we have a sewing lesson. "

"I'd love to go, " said Edna, "and I could take the work bag I am makingfor Celia. I could finish it, I think. May I go?"

"I haven't the slightest objection, " Mrs. Conway assured her. So she setoff with Reliance, and felt quite at home since she knew all the girlsof her own age, and older, and, as she said, "the littler ones don'tcount. "

Everything moved along pleasantly during the school session, and thegirls started along in a bunch toward home. "You just come with me, Edna, " said Esther Ann. "You see you are a member of the club, too, andthis will be your only chance to do a deed. The others can follow alongif they want. I'll tell you what I am going to do and you can takepart, if you like. "

The others were both timid and curious, and were quite content to obeyEsther Ann's suggestion to "follow on. " Edna, it may be said, was notinspired with that wholesome dread of old Nathan which possessed theothers, for she had not been brought up under the shadow of hisogre-like actions, and she felt that this was an opportunity which shecould not neglect. She trotted along valiantly by Esther Ann's side, theothers keeping a safe distance behind. 

"Tell me what you are going to do, " said Edna to her companion, as theyproceeded on their way. 

For answer, Esther Ann dived down into her school-bag and produced firstone then another big, red apple. "I am going to give these to Nathan. You can give one. I mean just to walk right up to him and say, 'Won'tyou have an apple, Mr. Keener?'"

"Suppose he isn't there, " returned Edna. 

"Oh, he'll be there; he always is when it is a bright day like this. Hesits in an old chair on that broad doorstep in front of his house, andleans on a big, thick stick he always carries. "

"Who cooks for him?"

"Oh, he cooks for himself, when he has anything to cook. He has a littlegarden, but it doesn't amount to much. He has no apple trees except anold one that is nearly dead and never has but a few little, measly, knerly apples on it; that's why I thought he'd like these. "

Their walk was carrying them nearer and nearer the old man's door. "There he is now, " whispered Esther Ann. "I'll go first and you comeright up behind me. Here, take your apple. " She thrust the fruit intoEdna's hand and hastened her own pace a little. Edna's heart began tobeat fast, for surely Nathan Keener was anything but an attractivefigure as he sat there glowering and muttering, his gaunt hands restingon his knotted stick, and his grizzly old face wearing a wrathful look. 

True to her guns, Esther Arm dashed forward and held out her applesaying in a shrill, excited voice, "Won't you have----"

But she got no further, for with a snarl the old man reached out onelong, bony arm and grabbed her by the shoulder, raising his stickthreateningly, "I'll larn ye, ye little varmint, " he began. 

Esther screamed. Edna, paralyzed with fright, looked on with affrightedeyes, but presently found voice to quaver out, "Please don't hurt her!Oh, please don't!"

The other girls a little distance off stood huddled together like aflock of sheep. No one was brave enough to venture within reach of thatterrible stick, but just then along came a crowd of boys from school. The foremost took in the situation in a glance, and in another instantwas on the platform by Esther's side. 

"Here, you old mut, what are you doing to my sister?" he cried, at thesame time trying to wrest the stick from the old man's grasp. 

But Nathan had too long wielded the stick with effect to lose it soreadily. Loosing his hold upon Esther, he swiftly shifted his weapon tohis other hand and brought down a blow on the boy's back. 

By this time the other boys had come up; there were cries, threats, screams from the girls, shouts from the boys. All was in a dreadfulhub-bub when along the road approached a young man who stood for amoment and then dashed to the scene of battle. "Here, boys, here, " hecried, "what are you doing to that old man?"

"He was going to beat my sister, " spoke up the one who had first hurriedto the front. 

"You old scalawag, " cried the young man, "what were you up to? If youare yearning to hit somebody, take a fellow your own size. " He wrenchedthe stick from the man's grasp and threw it away. "Now, " he said, "haveit out if you will. I'm ready. " He squared off, but the old man hadneither strength nor desire to grapple with such a masterful opponent, and he slunk back against his door. 

"I guess if your life was pestered by a set of young wretches likethese, you'd threaten, too, " he said surlily. "I guess I'm getting toosmart for their tricks, and know enough not to take anything they offerme. I don't have to have more'n one apple full of red pepper set on mydoorsill. I guess I know who hides my loaf of bread, and puts salt in mycan of milk. I guess I cut my eyeteeth a good many years ago, and cancatch 'em at their tricks. "

The young man looked around at the group of boys, now rather shamefaced, at the group of girls now gathered around Esther Ann. On the edge ofthis latter group he recognized a little round face now tear-stained andaffrighted. In a moment he was by Edna's side. "Well, I'll beeverlastingly switched, " he exclaimed, "Edna, my child, what are youdoing in this mix-up?"

"Oh, Ben, " returned Edna, "it was all a mistake. Nobody meant to play atrick. "

"Come over here and tell me all about it, " said Ben, leading her aside. Edna poured forth her tale of woe, during the recital of which morethan once Ben's mouth twitched and his eyes grew merry. "It doesn't doto be too zealous, does it?" he said at the close of the story. "Here, old fellow, come back here. " He made a dash at old Nathan who was nowretreating within his own doorway. Ben pulled him back by hiscoat-tails. "We aren't through with this yet, " he went on as the manturned upon him with a few smothered words. "That isn't a pretty way totalk. You have something of a case, I admit, but you happened tooverreach yourself this time. No, you're not going in yet. A little morefresh air won't hurt you. Sit down there and be good and I will tell youa pretty little story. " He pushed the old man gently into his chair andstood guard over him. "No, you don't need your stick yet; you might getcareless with it. I'll just lean it up against the house. Now, then, those little girls hadn't a notion of playing you a trick; they weretrying to do you a kindness. They knew you were lonely and hadn't muchchance to run around with the boys, or run an automobile, so theythought they would chirk you up a little by presenting you with a large, sweet, juicy, red apple. Their little hearts were throbbing withgood-will; they had an unconquerable desire to bring a smile to yourlips and a gleam of happiness to your eye. To prove this to you, I willnow dissect this large, sweet, juicy, red apple. I will eat half and youwill eat the other. If it isn't a good apple, I'll eat my hat. " Hecarefully cut the apple, which Edna had given him, pared and quarteredit, stuck a piece on the end of his knife and offered it to the old man, who pushed it away contemptuously. "Let me insist, " Ben went on. "We arenot playing Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. There is no serpent insight, not so much as a worm, and if you find so much as a grain of redpepper I'll acknowledge myself beaten. "

The old man muttered incoherently as Ben finished his harangue, but madeno motion to take the apple. "You don't know what you are missing, " Benwent on. "Now just for the sake of old times, let's try to be jolly andremember when we were boys. Why, many a time you and I have raced downthis shaded street, shouting with mirth, have climbed the wall by theorchard and stuffed our pockets with apples like these. You never couldtake a joke, as I remember, but still you weren't a bad fellow, and I'llbet you were a wonder at baseball. I shouldn't wonder if your battingdidn't beat the town. The way you swing around that stick of yours showsthere is 'life in the old land yet. '"

The old man's face had relaxed a little and he no longer muttered underhis breath. Ben winked at the boys who had drawn nearer and wereenjoying the situation to the utmost. "Now, just for old times' sake, "continued Ben, "just tell me what was the last real, good, old-fashionedtrick you ever played?" The old man cast a half-suspicious look at thesmiling young man by his side, but made no reply. "Too bad you forget, "said Ben, "but I'll bet an apple to an oyster you don't forget that lastgame you played. "

"Who told you about it?" snapped out the old man. 

"Never mind. Do you suppose such a game as that will ever be forgotten?I'm going to tell these boys all about it some day, see if I don't. "

Nathan wheeled around in his chair and glanced over the row of youngfaces before him. Then he leaned back in his chair and sighed. 

"I'll bet you wouldn't mind a good game now, but you've no use for theseboys and they haven't much for you. When's the next game, boys?" Heturned to the row of faces. 

"We've stopped playing baseball for this year, " came in a chorus. 

"Don't have football up here?"

"No, we haven't any team. "

"Too bad. I might join you on that. Well, Mr. Keener, some of these daysyou and I will go to a game together; we'll get that fixed up. Which ofyou boys was it who so doughtily sped to the rescue of the youngmaiden?"

"Jim Tabor; it was his sister the old man was after, " piped up the boys. 

"All right, and mighty little respect I would have had for him, if hehadn't pitched in the way he did. Step up here, Jim. "

Jim came forward, a little awkwardly, the other boys snickering. "Mr. Keener, this is Jim Taber. I want you to look at him and tell me if, when you were a boy of his size you had seen anyone threatening yoursister with a stick, you wouldn't have pitched in and fought for her forall you were worth. You weren't any slouch in those days when it came tofighting, I know. That's all, Jim, no apologies necessary. Now, Mr. Keener, there is just one thing more. I don't believe these children arereally bad, only mischievous as you used to be when you were ayoungster. The girls, I know, are all ready to be friends, bless theirdear little hearts. As for the boys, I'll venture to say we can patch upa treaty of peace with them. If you will promise to be a little lessfree with that stick and not get a grouch on you every time a boy looksyour way, they will promise to play no more tricks. If they don'tpromise, I'll give every mother's son of them Hail Columbia when I comethis way again, " and by his looks, the boys knew he meant what he said. They were conscious that Ben was standing up for old Nathan, and yetthat he meant to be perfectly fair to them. Ben looked up and down theline. "Well?" he said. 

The boys looked at one another. "If he'll promise, we will, " spoke upJim Taber. 

"It's a go, " said Ben. "Now, Mr. Keener, it's up to you. "

Old Nathan gave a grunt which might have meant anything, but Ben choseto interpret it his own way. "I think that is meant for assent, " hesaid. "The gentleman seems to be speaking a foreign language to-day, Choctaw, I should say, or maybe Hindostanee. However, it is all right. Now, Mr. Keener, allow me, sir. " He opened the door with a flourish andhanded the old man his stick. Without a word, Nathan took the stick andwent in, Ben bowing and scraping and saying, "Thank you for a very goodtime, " then receiving no reply, not even a grunt, he added, "Not at all, the pleasure is entirely mine. " The door closed and that was the end ofit. 

Edna came running up. "Oh, Ben, " she said, "how glad I am to see you. Oh, wasn't it dreadful? How did you happen to come along?"

"Why, Pinky Blooms, I was on my way to grandpa's, thought I would cometo take mother back to-morrow, and, as it was a fine afternoon, Iconcluded, to walk up from the station. Happened by just in the nick oftime, didn't I? Funny old curmudgeon, isn't Nathan?"

"Oh, he is terrible, " responded Edna, with a remembrance of the upliftedstick. "Are you going home with me?"

"No; you trot along with the rest of the brood; I am going to stay herea few minutes and have a chat with the boys; I'll be along directly. "

So Edna left him, the boys crowding around and asking all sorts ofquestions. Ben was no new figure in the town, and most of them knew himat least by sight. Just what he said to the boys, Edna never knew, butit is a matter of comment that from that day on there were no moretricks played on old Nathan Keener, and though the big stick was not somuch in evidence, it was a long time before any of the Elderflowers madeany headway in winning even so much as a grunt from him. It was a greatsetback to the enthusiasm of the girls, but as Reliance told Esther Ann, she should not have tried so venturesome a thing at the very outset. "Mrs. Conway says we should have worked up to it gradually. It's justlike training a wild animal, you have to win its confidence first. " ButEsther Ann declared she wanted no more of Nathan Keener, and Reliancewas perfectly welcome to try any methods she liked so long as Esther Annwas not asked to share in the effort. It was a very exciting afternoon, taking it all in all, and was the means of bringing some ridicule andsome censure upon the little club. One or two of the girls resigned, saying their mothers did not approve of such proceedings. All this, however, did not happen during Edna's Thanksgiving visit, but she heardof it afterward, and of further matters concerning the Elderflowers. 

CHAPTER XI

FAREWELLS

Edna had not finished telling her mother about the afternoon'sadventures when Ben came in. The family had gathered in the living-room, Edna sitting on her grandfather's knee, and the others ranged around thebig fireplace. "There comes Ben now, " Edna sang out, catching sight ofher cousin's figure, and running to meet him. 

"Halloo, young man, " was grandpa's greeting. "I hear you have beenhaving a set-to with Nathan Keener. It isn't the first time that he hashad a fisticuffs with a member of this family. He and I used to becontinually at it when we were boys together. "

"Oh, but isn't he much older than you, grandpa?" said Edna, insurprise. "He looks like a very, very old man. "

"And I don't? That's a nice compliment, missy. No, he and I are about ofan age, and went to school together in the little, old, red schoolhousethat was burned down some years ago. It is ill health and trouble thatmakes him look so old, I suppose. Poor old chap, he has lost most of thefriends who would have stood by him, for he has taken such an attitudeit is impossible to be on good terms with him. "

"Ben thinks he used to play baseball, " spoke up Edna. "Did they play itso many, many years ago?"

Her grandfather laughed. "They certainly did, and he was tremendous atit. Let me see, forty, fifty years ago isn't so long, and I can wellremember the time the Overlea boys beat the Boxtown boys, and it was allbecause of Nat Keener's good playing. The Boxtown fellows thought allthey had to do was to walk in and win, but we gave them a big surprisethat day. I remember how we cheered and, after the game was over, carried Nat around the village on our shoulders. "

Ben smiled and nodded as if this event came within his recollection, too. Edna looked at him in surprise. "Why, Ben, " she said, "you weren'tthere. "

Ben laughed. "No, but I heard about it all years ago, and it came to mymind to-day when I was having it out with Nathan. I'll venture to say heis thinking more of those old times, at this very minute, than he is ofhis troubles. "

"Poor old Nat, " grandpa shook his head. "He was as high-spirited a youngchap as ever lived, but uncontrolled and always fighting against thepricks. It must be pretty hard for him, pretty hard. He has grown somorose and snappish that no one takes the trouble to do more than nodto him nowadays. He wasn't a bad sort, too free and open-handed, toofond of pleasure, maybe. "

"He doesn't have much chance to indulge himself there in these days, "remarked grandma. 

"False friends, a worthless wife and a bad son have about finished upwhat he had. With good money after bad all the time there is nothingleft but that little tumbledown house he lives in. "

"What does he live on?" asked Ben. 

"Ask your grandpa, " answered Mrs. Willis smiling across at her husband. 

"Oh, pshaw!" exclaimed Mr. Willis, "nobody counts a load of wood or abag of potatoes once in a while. I must stop and see if I can't draw himout of his shell some of these days. "

"Talk to him about when you were boys, grandpa, " said Ben; "that willfetch him. "

Just here, Reliance came to the door to say that Ira would like to speakto Mr. Willis, and Mrs. Barker appropriated Ben, so Edna was left to hergrandmother and her mother. 

"So we are going to lose our little girl to-morrow, " grandma began. 

"You won't be left without any little girl, " replied Edna cheerfully, "for you will have Reliance. "

"But that isn't the same thing as having my own little granddaughter, "responded Mrs. Willis. 

"No, " returned Edna. "When are we coming here again, mother?"

"Why, my dear, I don't know. We have made grandma a good, long visitthis time. "

"It isn't what I call a long visit, " grandma observed. "When I was achild I spent months at a time at my grandparents. "

"I spent months at Uncle Justus', but then I was there at school, "remarked Edna. "I don't see why I couldn't come here on holidays, mother. "

"You can do that sometimes, surely. We have promised you to Uncle Bertfor the Christmas holidays, but maybe you could come at Easter, ifgrandma would like to have you. "

"Grandma would like very much to have her, " said that lady. 

"Even if I came without mother?" questioned Edna. 

"Even if you came by your own little self. We shall claim her for theEaster holidays, daughter, and you must let nothing prevent her coming. If it is not convenient for any of the rest of you to come, just put heron the train upon which Marcus Brown is conductor and he will see thatshe gets off safely at Mayville. "

Edna looked a little doubtful at the idea of making the journey byherself but she did not say anything. 

"However, " grandma went on, "I don't see why Celia couldn't come withher, or perhaps Ben could. "

"Well, we shall see, " responded Mrs. Conway. "Well try to get her herein some way. "

"Then we shall consider that quite settled, " said grandma with asatisfied air. 

"I've had an awfully good time, " said Edna thoughtfully. 

"Even though you have been sick abed, and have had all sorts ofunpleasant adventures?" said grandma with a smile. 

"I wasn't so very sick, " returned Edna, "and I wouldn't have minded thatexcept for the mustard bath. "

Her grandmother laughed. "Well hope that you won't need one the nexttime. "

"I didn't mind the adventures very much, either, and now that they areall over, I am awfully glad that I will have something so interesting totell the girls at home. I think a great deal has happened in the time Ihave been here, don't you, grandma?"

"From the standpoint of a little girl I suppose that is true, though ithasn't seemed such a very exciting time to the rest of us. This is aquiet old village and we jog along pretty much the same way year in andyear out, without very many changes. "

"I think it is just lovely here, " replied Edna, "and I like all thegirls, too. I shall be glad to see them again. I sort of remembered someof them, but you know I haven't been here before for ever so many years, and I had forgotten lots of things, even about the house and the place. "

"Then don't stay away so long as to forget anything again, " hergrandmother charged her. 

"I'm forgetting that this is the last chance I will have to helpReliance set the table, " said Edna, jumping up. 

She found Reliance had already begun this task and that Amanda wasmaking some specially good tea-cakes in honor of this last evening. Shewas in a good humor and did not object, as she did sometimes, to Edna'sbeing in the kitchen while supper was being prepared. "Just think, "remarked Edna, as she leaned her elbows on the table to watch Amanda, "where I shall be to-morrow evening at this time. "

"And are you sorry?" asked Amanda. 

"No, not exactly. I am glad and sorry both. I should love to stay andyet I want to see them all at home. "

"That's perfectly natural, " Amanda returned, pricking the tea-cakesdaintily. 

"What do you have to do that for?" asked the little girl. 

"To keep 'em from blistering, " Amanda told her. "There, open the ovendoor, Reliance, and then bring me that bowl of cottage cheese from thepantry. I didn't know as it would be warm enough to allow of us havingany more this week, but you see it was. "

"I just love cottage cheese, " Edna made the remark, as she watchedAmanda pour in the yellow cream and stir it into the cheese. "I wish wekept a cow, so we could have all the milky things you have here. "

"Ain't your place big enough for one?" inquired Amanda, in rather asurprised tone. 

"No; it isn't just country, you know. Mrs. McDonald has a big place, andthe Evanses have a nice garden and a grove of trees. We have some treesand some garden, and we have a stable, but we haven't any pasture forcows. "

"You might pasture her out, " Amanda suggested, scraping the contents ofthe bowl into a glass dish. "Here, Reliance, take that in and set it onthe table, and then go after your milk and butter. The dark will catchyou if you don't hurry. "

"I'm going, too, " announced Edna. "I can carry the butter, but I won'tbring the key. " The two little girls laughed, for this was a standingjoke between them. 

They started out through the rustling leaves to the spring-house; theleaves gave forth a queer, though pleasant odor, as they pushed theirfeet through them. A big star blazed out against the pale rose of anevening sky. Over in the cornfields, crows were calling, and a fewcrickets, not yet driven to cover by the frost, chirped in the grass. The cows were standing in the stable yard. They had been milked, andIra had brought the pails to the spring-house before this. The littlewhite kitten which Edna had made a great pet of, followed her down thewalk, frisking away after a falling leaf, or dancing sideways inpretended fear of its own tail. Edna picked it up but it had no desireto stay when this, of all hours in the day, was the best to play in, soit scrambled down from her arms and was off like a flash, darting halfway up a tree, with ears back and claws outspread. 

"I do hate to leave the kitten, " said Edna. "I hope it won't miss me toomuch. You will try to give it a little attention, even though you lovethe grey one best, won't you, Reliance?"

Reliance promised, and leaving the kitten to its own wild antics theywent into the spring-house, issuing forth with the various things theyhad gone for. "Just think, " sighed Reliance, "this is the very lasttime you will help me bring up the things. I shall miss you awfully, Edna. You have been so good to me. "

"Why, no, I haven't, " answered she; "you have been good to me. I'mcoming back at Easter, Reliance, and it will be so nice, for I shallhave so many questions to ask about the girls and the club and allthat. "

"Are you really coming at Easter? I didn't know that. "

"Yes, mother just now promised grandma I should. "

"Goody! Goody! I must tell the girls when I see them. "

The girls, however, found out before Reliance saw them, for knowing thatEdna was to leave in the morning, they gave her a surprise that veryevening. Supper was hardly over before Reliance, trying very hard tosmother laughter, had a whispered consultation with Mrs. Willis, who, after it was over, came back to her place by the fire. In a few minutesshe said, "Edna, dear, I wish you would go up to my room and see if youcan find my other pair of glasses. Look on the bureau and the table inmy room, and, if you don't find them there, look in the other rooms. "

Very obediently Edna trotted off upstairs, searched high and low, lookedin this room and that, but no glasses were to be found. After muchhunting, she came down without them. She stepped slowly down the stair, humming softly to herself. It was very quiet in the living-room, or didshe hear whispers, and subdued titters? Was Reliance or maybe Ben goingto play a trick on her? She heard a sudden "Hush! Hush!" as she reachedthe door of the living-room, but she made up her mind that she wouldappear perfectly unconcerned, and entered the room in a very don't-caresort of manner. "I couldn't find----" she began and then stopped short, for there, ranged around the room, were twelve little girls all smilingto see the look of surprise on her face. So that was what the trick was. 

"We're a surprise party, " spoke up Esther Ann. 

"And we're a good-by party, too, " added Reba. 

"We've all brought you something, " Alcinda spoke. 

"We are going to stay an hour, " Letty added. 

Here Esther Ann darted forward with a bag of nuts which she plumped downin Edna's lap. "There, " she said, "you must take those along with you. "

Next, Reba presented a neat little book. It looked very religious, Ednathought, but the cover was pretty and there was an attractive picture init. 

Alcinda came next with a very ornate vase which Edna remembered seeingon the glass case in Mr. Hewlett's store. 

Letty brought the figure of a cunning cat playing with a ball; this Ednaliked very much. Some brought candy, some brought cakes, one brought apaper doll, another a little cup and saucer, but each one had somethingto contribute till Edna exclaimed: "Why, it is just like a birthday, andthese are lovely presents. "

"Oh, they're nothing but some little souvenirs, " remarked Esther Annloftily. "We wanted you to have them to remember us by. "

"I shall never forget you, never, " said Edna earnestly, "and I thank youever and ever so much. " She gathered up her booty and piled it on thetable, then some one proposed a game, and they amused themselves tillgrandma sent out for nuts, cider, apples and cakes, which feast endedthe entertainment, though it is safe to say it lasted more than anhour. At the last, the girls all crowded around Edna to kiss hergood-night and to make their farewells, and then, like a flock of birds, they all took flight, scurrying home by the light of their lanterns, some across the street, some down, some up. 

As the sound of the last merry voice died away, Edna threw herself intoher grandmother's arms. "Oh, grandma, " she cried, "wasn't it a lovelysurprise? Did you know about it?"

"Not so very long before. Reliance came and told me what the girlswanted to do, and I promised to help in any way that I could. "

"And was that why you sent me up for the glasses? I didn't tell youafter all that I couldn't find them. "

"I didn't expect you to, " said her grandmother, laughing. "I only toldyou to go see if you could find them so as to get you out of the wayand keep you occupied long enough to allow the girls to come in. "

"I didn't hear the front door shut. "

"No, for they came around by way of the side door, and tip-toed in byway of the dining-room. "

"Well, it was lovely, " sighed Edna in full content. 

Although the real farewells had been said on that evening, that was notquite the last of it, for the girls were gathered in a body by thechurch the next morning when Edna drove by on her way to the train. Shewas squeezed in the back seat of the carriage between her mother and herAunt Alice. Ben was on the front seat with his grandfather. Reliance atthe gate was waving a tearful farewell, a white kitten under one arm anda grey one under the other. Grandma herself stood in the doorway. "Good-by! Good-by!" sounded fainter and fainter from Reliance, but theword was taken up by the girls who shouted a perfect chorus of good-bysas the black horses trotted nimbly along and bore Edna out of sight. 

CHAPTER XII

HOW ARE YOU?

In what seemed an incredibly short time, Edna was getting out at thestation nearest her own home. Ben and his mother had parted from them anhour before and were now on their way to their own home. Ben, however, would return on Monday to take up his college work again. 

"There they are!" were the first words Edna heard as she and her motherdescended from the train. And then the boys rushed forward to hug andkiss both herself and her mother and to make as much fuss over them asif they had been gone a year. 

"Gee! but I'm glad to see you, " cried Charlie. "It hasn't seemed likehome at all without you, mother. "

"Didn't you have a good time at Mrs. Porter's?" asked Edna. 

"Had a high old time, " responded Frank. "Here, let me take some of thosethings. You look like country travellers with all those bundles. Whatyou got there?"

"Oh, things, " returned Edna vaguely. "All sorts of things the girls gaveme to bring home. "

"You look like a regular old emigrant with so many boxes and bags. "

"We couldn't get them all in the trunk, " Edna explained, "and so we hadto bring them this way. When did you get back, Frank?"

"Last night. We came home with father. "

"Then you haven't had such a very long time in which to miss us, " saidMrs. Conway, with a smile. 

"Well, it seemed like a long time, " returned Frank, "Nothing ever doesgo right when you're away, mother. "

"What special thing has gone wrong this time?" asked his mother. 

"Oh, I couldn't find anything I wanted this morning, and nobody knewwhere anything was, and Celia didn't know how to fix anything, and allthat. "

Mrs. Conway laughed. "That shows how I spoil you all. I am afraid Imissed my boys, too, and am glad to get back to them. "

"Where's Celia?" asked Edna. 

"She's home. We all came up together last night. Lizzie had waffles forsupper, and Frank ate ten pieces, " spoke up Charlie. 

"Well, that was all I could get, " said Frank, in an injured way. "Lizziesaid there were no more. "

"Oh, Frank, Frank, " laughed his mother. "Well, at any rate, I am gladto know my absence has not affected your appetite. "

"Tell us what you did at the Porter's, " said Edna. 

"Oh, we just racketed around. We went to a fierce old football game, andwe did all sorts of stunts in the house. Steve and Roger have a finelittle workshop. I don't believe I like living right in the city, though. We boys have a heap more fun at a place like this where we canget out-of-doors. Roger and Steve say so, too. "

"I am glad you are so well content, " observed Mrs. Conway. 

"There's Celia, " Edna sang out, seeing some one on the porch watchingfor them. It was a chill, wintry morning, and they were all glad tohurry indoors to the warm fire. The house looked cozy and cheerful, yellow chrysanthemums in tall vases graced the hall and library; in thelatter, an open grate fire glowed, and Edna looked around complacently. "It is kind of nice to get home, " she remarked. "I love it at grandma's, but I reckon we all like our own home better than other people's. Howare you, Celia? Tell me everything that has been going on at school. Howis Dorothy? Did you have a club-meeting and was it a nice one? Oh, Imust tell you about the Elderflowers, mustn't I, mother? Has Agnes goneback to college? Have you seen Miss Eloise?"

"Dear me, " cried Celia, "what a lot of questions. I wonder if I cananswer them all. Let me see. I'll have to go backwards, I think. Ihaven't seen Miss Eloise, but some of the girls have. She and her sisterdined at the Ramseys on Thanksgiving Day. "

"I know they had a good dinner, then, " remarked Edna, "for I was theremyself last Thanksgiving. "

"Agnes has gone back to college. Dorothy is well. We had a niceclub-meeting, and I missed my little sister's dear, round, little face. Dorothy has been so impatient that she can hardly wait to see you. Shehas been calling me up at intervals all morning to know if you had comeyet. There is the telephone now. No doubt it is Dorothy calling. "

Edna flew to the 'phone and Celia heard. "Yes, this is Edna. Oh, hello, Dorothy. I'm well, how are you? I don't know; I'll see. Oh, no, you comeover here; that will be much nicer. I have some things to show you. What's that? Yes, indeed, I am glad to get back. " Then a little tinkleof laughter. "You are a goosey goose; I'm not going to tell you. Comeover. Yes, right away if you want to, Dorothy. "

She went back to her sister, and established herself in her lap, puttingone arm around her neck and stretching out her feet to the warmth ofthe fire. "It was Dorothy, " she said. 

"That was quite evident, my dear, " returned Celia. "What was it youwouldn't tell her?"

"Oh, Dorothy is such a goose. She was afraid I had gotten to like someof the Overlea girls better than I do her. Just because I wrote to herabout Reliance and Alcinda and all of them. Just as if I couldn't likemore than one girl. Don't you think it is silly, sister, for anyone towant you to have no other friend, I mean no other best friend? Of courseI love Dorothy dearly, but I love Jennie, too, and I am very fond ofNetty Black, and, oh, lots of girls. Are you that way about Agnes, Celia?"

Celia felt a pang of self-reproach, for it must be admitted that she hadfelt a little jealous of the new friends Agnes was making at college. "Idon't suppose I should be?" she answered after a pause. "I suppose itis very selfish and unfair to feel that way about it. Mother says it isvery conceited of a person to think she can satisfy every need of afriend, and that it shows only love of self, and not love of yourfriend, when you want to exclude others from her friendship, and I amsure I don't want to be either selfish or conceited, and I should hateto be called a jealous person. "

"Do you think Dorothy is conceited and selfish?"

"I don't think she means to be, but when she wants to deprive you ofgood times with other girls, or is jealous of your friendship for them, she is encouraging conceit and selfishness. I'm glad you asked me aboutthe way I feel toward Agnes, for it makes me see that I am by no meansthe true friend I ought to be. If I loved her as I should, I'd want herto have all the good times, all the love, all the benefit she could getfrom others, and I mean to fight against any other feeling but the rightone. I don't believe my little sister will be the jealous kind, " shesaid hugging Edna up. 

"If you see me getting that way, I hope you won't let me, " returned Ednaearnestly. 

"There's Dorothy now, " said Celia, putting down the plump little figurefrom her lap. And Edna ran out to greet her friend. 

There was so much to talk about, so many things to show, that Dorothymust needs stay to lunch. A little later, over came Margaret McDonald tosay "How do you do" and to bring some flowers from her mother'sgreenhouse. Edna's tongue ran so fast and she had so much to tell thatthe afternoon seemed all too short. Dorothy and Margaret, too, had theirown affairs to talk about, and it was dark before the two littlevisitors were ready to go. 

The next excitement was the coming of her father, for whom Dorothywatched and who appeared almost gladder than anyone that his wife andlittle girl were at home again. "This is something like, " he said as hecame in, his face wreathed in smiles. 

"You poor dear, " said Edna, in a motherly way, "it has been a lonelytime for you, hasn't it?"

"Pretty lonely, but then it teaches me how to appreciate my family whenthey get back. My, my, my, what a difference it does make, to be sure. Idon't think I can stand you all skylarking off again very soon. "

It was all very cozy and natural after dinner to be back again in thelibrary, Mrs. Conway on one side the table with her fancy work, Mr. Conway on the other with the evening paper, the boys reading, orscrapping in the hall, Celia in the next room at the piano, and Ednaherself with the Children's Page of the paper spread out before herwhere she lay at full length on the big rug before the fire. Somehow thepage of stories and puzzles did not absorb her as much as usual. Shewondered what Reliance was doing, if her grandmother felt lonely withouther little granddaughter, and if the white kitten missed her. She sawthe long street bordered by maples, the store and the postoffice, thewhite church. Presently she got up and went over to her mother. "Wouldn't it be nice, " she said, "if one could be in two places at thesame time?"

Her mother nodded. "I shouldn't wonder if you and I were in two placesat the same time, or that we had been during the last few minutes, for Iam sure while our bodies are here our thoughts have been in Overlea. "

"That is just where my thoughts have been, " answered Edna. "Do yousuppose they miss us, mother?"

"I am afraid they do, very much, " said her mother, with a soft, littlesigh. "I know if either of my daughters ever goes away to a home of herown, I shall miss her very much when she has left me after making avisit. "

Edna stood with her arm still around her mother's neck. This was rathera new thought. Once her mother had been a little girl like her, ofcourse, and had stood by her mother's side just like this, and now shewas living in quite a different home. Edna tried to imagine how it wouldseem to come back to this, her childhood's home, from one of her veryown, but it was entirely too difficult a matter so she gave it up andwent back to her paper. But in a few minutes, the pictures on the pagebefore her became pictures of Overlea. She was taking the spring-housekey to old Nathan Keener that he might unlock his door and let out thewhite kitten. Then she was half conscious of hearing a voice say: "No, never mind; she is all tired out; I'll carry her up. " Then she washelped to her feet, a pair of strong arms lifted her up, and she wasborne up the stairs. She hardly knew who undressed her and stowed heraway in bed. She felt a soft kiss on her cheek and then she sank into adeep slumber. The dear little girl's Thanksgiving holidays were over. 

Transcriber's Note:

Alternative spelling for good-bye and good-by has been retained as itappears in the original publication.