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A SWEET LITTLE MAID

BYAMY E. BLANCHARD

Author of "Little Miss Oddity, " "Little Miss Mouse, ""Little Sister Anne, " "Mistress May, " etc. 

NEW YORKHURST & COMPANYPUBLISHERS

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Copyright, 1899, by GEORGE W. JACOBS & CO

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To

MY DEAR LITTLE GODDAUGHTERAGNES BLANCHARD WILLIAMSI LOVINGLY DEDICATE THIS STORY OF ANOTHERSWEET LITTLE MAID

A. E. B. 

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CONTENTS

 CHAP. PAGE

 I. DIMPLE AND BUBBLES 9 II. DOLLS 26 III. A QUARREL 44 IV. HOUSEBREAKERS 62 V. ROCK 81 VI. THE TEA-PARTY 97 VII. HOUSEKEEPERS 119 VIII. ADRIFT 139 IX. DOWN TOWN 158 X. THE PICNIC 177 XI. AN UNCLE AND A WEDDING 196

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CHAPTER I

Dimple and Bubbles

"Is yuh asleep, Miss Dimple?"

"No, " said Dimple, drowsily. 

"I'm are. "

"Why, Bubbles, " replied Dimple, "if you were asleep you wouldn't betalking. "

"Folks talks in their sleep sometimes, Miss Dimple, " answered Bubbles, opening her black eyes. 

"Well, maybe they do, but your eyes are open now. "

"I have heerd of people sleepin' with their eyes open, " returnedBubbles, nothing abashed. 

"O, Bubbles, I don't believe it; for that is how to go to sleep; mammasays, 'shut your eyes and go to sleep, ' she never says, 'open your eyesand go to sleep;' so there!"

Bubbles sat thoughtfully looking at her toes, having nothing to say whenDimple brought her mamma into the question. 

"I'll tell you what, Bubbles, " said Dimple, after a moment's pause, rising from the long grass where the two had been sitting. "Let's playIndian. You make such a lovely Indian, just like a real one. I am almostafraid of you when you are painted up, and have feathers in your head. "

Bubbles grinned at the compliment. 

"I will be the white maiden to be captured, " said Dimple, as Bubblescoolly proceeded to take off her frock, displaying a red flannelpetticoat. 

"I'll hunt up the feathers, and you get ready, " Dimple went on. "And theshawl--we must have the striped shawl for a blanket, " and, running intothe house, she soon came out with a little striped shawl, and a handfulof stiff feathers. The shawl was arranged over Bubbles' shoulders, andproduced a fine effect, when the feathers were stuck in her head. 

"Now if you could only have the hatchet. You go get it, Bubbles. "

"I dassent, " said Bubbles. 

"Oh yes, you dare, " Dimple said, coaxingly. "I'd go ask mamma, but it isso hot and I've been in the house once. "

"'Deed, Miss Dimple"--Bubbles began. 

"Don't you 'deed me. I tell you to go and I mean it. I'll send you tothe orphan asylum, if you don't, and I wonder how you will like that; nomore cakes, no more chicken and corn-bread for you, Miss Bubbles. Mushand milk, miss. "

This dreadful threat had its desired effect, and Bubbles' bare blacklegs went scudding through the grass, and were back in a twinkling. 

"Hyah it is, " she said. "I was skeered, sho' 'nough. "

"Oh well, you are a goose, " said Dimple. "Who ever heard of an Indianbeing scared at a hatchet? Now I will go into the woodshed--that is myhouse, you know--and you must skulk softly along, and when you get tothe door bang it open with the hatchet, and give a whoop. "

So Dimple went in her house and shut the door, fearfully peeping throughthe cracks once in a while, as the terrible foe crept softly nearer andnearer, then with a terrific yell burst in. 

"Please, Mr. Indian, don't scalp me. "

"Ugh!" said the Indian. 

"What shall I do?" said Dimple. "Make me take off my stockings andshoes, Bubbles. You know the captives must go barefooted. "

"Ugh!" said the Indian, pointing to Dimple's feet. 

"My shoes and stockings? Well, I will give them to you, " and she quicklytook them off. The Indian gravely tied them around his neck, and takingDimple by the hand he led her forth in triumph. 

But here a disaster followed, for the captive, thinking it her duty tostruggle, knocked the hatchet out of the Indian's hand, and it fell withits edge on Dimple's little white foot, making a bad gash. 

"Oh, you've killed me, sure enough, " she cried. "Oh, you wicked, wickedthing!"

Poor Bubbles cried quite as hard as she, and begged not to be sent tothe orphan asylum. 

"Oh! your mother will whip me, " she cried. "I 'spect I ought to bekilled, but 'deed I didn't mean to, Miss Dimple; I wisht it had been myold black foot. "

"I wish it had, " sobbed Dimple. "Oh, I am bleeding all to nothing! Takeme to mamma, Bubbles!"

Bubbles stooped down and, being a little larger and stronger, managed tocarry her to the house. 

Dimple's mamma was horrified when they appeared at her door. Bubbles inwar-paint and feathers, carrying the little barefooted girl, from whosefoot blood was dropping on the floor. 

"What on earth is the matter? Oh, Dimple! Oh, Bubbles! What have youbeen doing?"

But Bubbles was so overcome by terror, and Dimples by the sight of theblood, that neither could explain till the foot was washed and bandaged. 

Then poor Bubbles flung herself on the floor and begged not to be sentto the orphan asylum. 

"You ridiculous child, " said Dimple's mamma. "Of course you ought to becareful, but it is not your fault any more than Dimple's. She should nothave sent you for the hatchet. I am very sorry for my little Dimple; itis not so very serious, but she will not be able to walk for severaldays. Next time you want to play Indian, do without a hatchet. Put onyour frock, Bubbles, and go into the kitchen, for I'm sure I heard Sylvycall you. "

Bubbles went meekly out and Dimple was soon asleep on the sofa. 

Bubbles' real name was Barbara. She was the child of a former servantwho went away, leaving her, when she was about five years old, with Mrs. Dallas; as the mother never came back, and no one could tell of herwhereabouts, Bubbles gradually became a fixture in Dimple's home. 

Dimple, when she was just beginning to talk, tried hard to say Barbara, but got no nearer to it than Bubbles, and Bubbles the little darkey wasalways called. 

Dimple herself was called so from the deep dimple in one cheek. Everyone knew her by her pet name, and most persons forgot that her name everwas Eleanor. 

She and Bubbles were devoted comrades. Bubbles would cheerfully have letDimple walk over her and never forgot to call her _Miss_ Dimple, therebyexpressing her willingness to serve her. 

Dimple was the dearest little girl in the world, but considering Bubblesher special property, made her do pretty much as she pleased, and hermost dreadful threat was to send her to the orphan asylum. 

She had once said, "Mamma, if you hadn't let Bubbles stay here, wherewould you have sent her?"

"To the orphan asylum, I suppose, " her mamma answered; and Bubbles, hearing it, was ever after in mortal terror of the place, for Dimplegave her a graphic description of it, telling her she would never haveanything to eat but mush and milk. 

Dimple's foot did not get well as fast as she expected, and the littlegirl found it rather tiresome to lie on a lounge all day, although hermamma read to her, and tried to amuse her. Bubbles, too, was as obedienta nurse as could be, and, because she had been the cause of theaccident, considered it her first and only duty to wait on Dimple. 

"Mamma, " said Dimple, "for a colored girl, Bubbles is the nicest I eversaw; but indeed, I should like a white girl to play with, just for achange. Couldn't you get me one?"

"Perhaps so, " said her mamma. "We will see what can be done. "

"Good-bye, little girl, " said her papa the next morning. "I am goingaway and will not be back till to-morrow. What shall I bring you? A newdoll?"

"Oh, please, papa; and papa a white girl if you can get one that is realnice, something the same kind of girl that I am. "

"A girl like you would be hard to find, I think, " said he, laughing, "but I'll inquire around and see if there is one to be had. "

Bubbles looked very sober all day, and rolled her eyes around at Dimplein such a reproachful way that finally she said:

"I know just what you think, Bubbles. You believe I am going to send youto the orphan asylum and get a white girl, but I am not at all. If I geta white girl I shall want you all the same, because you will have towait on her too. "

Bubbles' face lighted up, as she said, "'Deed, cross my heart, Miss Dimple, I didn't fo' sure think yuh wasgwine to send me off, but I tuck and thought yuh was conjurin' upsomethin' agin me. "

"Why, Bubbles, I wouldn't do such a thing, unless you were out and outbad. It has been such a long day, " she said, turning to her mamma. "Whenwill it be to-morrow?"

Mrs. Dallas drew up a little table, and Bubbles brought Dimple's bestset of dishes, and with a clean cloth spread on first, the dishes werearranged. Then Bubbles brought in a little dish of chicken, a glass ofjelly, light rolls, little cakes, a pitcher of milk, tea, sugar, andbutter; and then Mrs. Dallas said, "We will have our supper together, because papa is away, and Bubbles canwait on us here. "

Bubbles had disappeared, but presently came back with a bunch of roses, which she put in the middle of the table. 

"Why, Bubbles, that is quite fine, " said Dimple, and she ate her supperwith a relish; after which, the time seemed very short until to-morrow, for she was soon asleep. 

"I believe this day is long too, " she said, toward the afternoon of thenext day. "When will papa come?"

"Not till six o'clock, " replied her mamma. "You must try to be patient, for I think you will be very glad when he gets here. I have sent Bubblesfor a book, and I will read to you, to pass the time away. "

Six o'clock came at last, and soon after Dimple heard her papa's voicein the hall. 

"Come right up, " she heard him say. 

"I do believe he has brought the white girl, " she said, clasping herhands; and, to be sure, when he opened the door, some one was behindhim. 

"This is the nearest like you I could get, " he said, and led forwardsome one in a grey frock and hat. 

Dimple screamed, "Why, it is Florence. Oh! papa, you didn't say you weregoing to auntie's!"

"No. I wanted to surprise you, " he replied. "And I thought your owncousin ought to be more like you than any one else. "

"Well, I am delighted. You are sure to stay a long, long time, Florence. Take off your hat and sit right here, " she said, moving up on thelounge. "I never had such a surprise. "

"You forgot I promised a doll, too, " said her papa, as he opened apackage. "I thought Florence would like one, so I brought two, as nearalike as if they were cousins, " he added. 

"Oh! you preciousest papa, " said Dimple; "let me hug you all to pieces. I do think you are the most delightful man. I don't wonder mammamarried you. When you go down please send Bubbles up here, so I can tellher I am almost glad she cut my foot, for it is worth it, to haveFlorence and a new doll too. "

Bubbles came in beaming. 

"Bubbles, " cried Dimple, "see Florence and our new dolls, --and Bubbles, you shall have one of my old ones, --and Bubbles, when I grow up, youshall live with me always, because you cut my foot, and you must never, never think of the orphan asylum again. 

"Now, tell me, Florence, " she said, turning to her, "all about yourcoming. Didn't you have to get ready in a hurry?"

"Yes, indeed, " replied Florence, "and, oh Dimple, I was so glad whenuncle asked mamma and she said 'yes, ' and she just packed up my thingsin a jiffy, and we stopped at papa's office, and said good-bye to him, and uncle bought me oranges and papers on the cars, and we didn't seem abit long coming. "

"Well, I am too glad, " returned Dimple. "Won't we have fun with thedolls? O, Florence, do eat your supper up here with me instead of goingdownstairs. "

"Of course, " said Florence, "unless you would rather go down, for unclesaid he would carry you. "

"I know, " said Dimple, "but it is more fun to have it up here with mytea-set, and Bubbles to wait on us. "

So they had their tea upstairs, with the table set by the window, wherethe wistaria peeped in to look at them, and a little brown bird, quiteenvious, put his head on one side, and stood on the sill a full minutebefore he flew away. 

"Oh! I think it is just lovely here, " said Florence. "Ever so much nicerthan at our house. "

"Do you think so?" said Dimple, quite pleased. "You have a lovely house, though, Florence; it is four stories high, and has such beautiful thingsin it, and when you look out of the windows there is so much to see, carriages, and people all dressed up. "

"Yes, and dirty old beggars and ragmen, " said Florence, "and nasty, muddy streets. "

They both laughed. 

"What cunning little doylies, " said Florence. "Who worked the littlefigures on them?"

"Mamma, " said Dimple. "Aren't they sweet? She always sends them up withmy supper, one over the milk pitcher, and one over the cake. Do you likelots of sugar in your tea, Florence?"

"Two lumps. "

"Only two! Why I like three, and I believe I could take another; mammasays I have a sweet tooth, but I don't know where it is, for I have putmy tongue on all of them and they all taste alike. Bubbles, go down andask mamma if we mayn't have a little teensy-weensy bit more honey, weare both so hungry. "

Bubbles took the little glass dish, and went off. 

"I wish I had a Bubbles, " said Florence. "We have a black man, but Ithink a little girl is ever so much nicer; then there is nurse, shetakes us to walk; and then there is Kate, the cook, and Lena, thechambermaid, they are always fussing and quarreling. I get tired of somany. "

"We only have Sylvy and Bubbles, " said Dimple. "Sylvy is black too; sheis real nice but she will get mad with Bubbles sometimes. Bubblescleans knives, and runs errands, sets the table, wipes the dishes, andis a lot of help. You don't know how much she can do, and she learnssomething new every little while. Have some more honey, Florence, forthat piece of bread. I never can come out even; sometimes I have to takemore bread for the honey, and then more honey for the bread, till I doeat so much. Have you finished? I believe I have too. "

"It is _so_ nice here, " said Florence, as they settled themselves aftertheir tea, "just delicious. It is so much pleasanter to see green grass, and trees, and flowers, than brick walls, and pavements. Do you play outof doors much?"

"Yes, all day, nearly; but I haven't since my foot was hurt. I couldn'trun about, and I should have to wait for some one to bring me in; then Ialways want to be close to mamma when anything is the matter with me. Are you that way?"

"Yes, " said Florence. "Aren't mammas the best thing in the world? I hopemine doesn't miss me. "

"Now, Florence, don't get homesick, for I shall be distressed if you do. Let's talk about the dolls. Here comes mamma. We will ask her what wecan dress them in. 

"Mamma, mamma, did you see our beauty dolls? Won't you get out yourreserve bag to-morrow? I have looked over my piece box so much, and itwould be perfectly splendid to have something I had never seen before. "

"What is a reserve bag?" asked Florence. 

"Why, you see, " said Dimple, "mamma has a lot of bags, one for silkpieces, and one for white pieces, and one for pieces like our frocks, and so on, but the nicest is the one she keeps for occasions, likeChristmas and birthdays and fairs, and there are the prettiest bits ofvelvet and silk in it. Mamma, bring out your reserve bag, that is alovely blue-eyed mamma, " said Dimple, coaxingly. 

"You are very complimentary, " said her mamma, laughing. "If you won'ttease or worry me, to-morrow I will bring it out and you can each choosewhat you want. "

"Oh! mamma, you are lovelier and more blue-eyed than ever, " said Dimple, "let us both kiss you. We will be good as gold, won't we, Florence?"

"Yes, indeed, " said she. "Auntie, you are lovely. "

"I think if you don't go to bed, " said Mrs. Dallas, "you will keep meawake all night with your flattery. "

"Florence is to sleep with me, isn't she, mamma?"

"Certainly, and the sooner you go, the sooner it will be to-morrow. "

"Well, we will go now. See me ride, Florence, " said Dimple, as her mammaput her in a rocking-chair and pushed the chair along through the doorinto Dimple's little blue and white room. 

It was a dear little room, and Dimple, with the help of Bubbles, tookcare of it all herself. 

There was a white curtained window around which roses and honeysucklegrew, and threw their tendrils about in a such a reckless way, that oneor two had made up their minds to live in the room instead of outdoors, and were climbing around the window sash. 

A little brass bedstead, a mantel with a blue and white lambrequin, ablue and white toilet set, pretty pictures on the wall, and a smallbookshelf, made a very cozy looking nest for a little girl, and soFlorence thought, who had no room of her own, but slept with an oldersister. 

They were both tired, and even the delightful topic of dolls could notkeep them awake very long, for a half hour later when the moon looked inon her way across the sky, she saw them both sound asleep, an auburnhead on Florence's pillow, and a yellow one on Dimple's. 

CHAPTER II

Dolls

Florence and Dimple were on the back porch where it was always cool inthe morning. 

Bubbles was cleaning knives on the steps, the temptation to watch thedressing of the dolls being too great to keep her in the kitchen. 

"I declare, " said Dimple, "we haven't named them yet. "

"That is so, " returned Florence. 

"You take first choice, then, " said Dimple. "I shall have to think, forI've had a Rose and a Violet and a Lily, besides one named Victoria, andone Aurelia. "

Florence sat still watching Bubbles briskly scouring her knives. "Dearme, " she said, presently, "it's awfully hard. How do you suppose ourmothers found names for us?"

"Oh! that was easy enough, " answered Dimple. "I was named Eleanor afteryour mamma, and you were named Florence after mine; but, you see we arenot sisters, so we can't do that. I'll tell you what let's do; you tellmamma the names you like best, and I will tell her those I like; thenshe can write them down and put them in a hat, and we will draw lots forthem. "

"That will be a good plan, " said Florence. "She is coming now with thereserve bag. "

"Oh! Oh! Oh!" they cried, as Mrs. Dallas shook out its contents. 

"Let Florence choose first, dear, " said she as Dimple began making divesat the fluttering ends of silk. "You may each have two pieces. "

Dimple looked a little disappointed; being an only child she was used tofirst choice herself, but she yielded with a very good grace. 

Florence finally chose a piece of maroon satin, and another of yellowbrocaded velvet, while Dimple picked out a piece of silk with velvetstripes of a lovely pink, and another bit of blue silk brocade. "Mamma, "whispered she, "give Bubbles a little piece, if she is black, " and sothe brightest bit of scarlet was picked out for Bubbles, who was madeperfectly happy by it. 

"Now, names, " exclaimed Dimple, as the rest of the pieces were returnedto the bag. "First Florence one and then I one. How many, Florence?"

"Four, I think. Ethel first, for me. No, you choose first, Dimple. I hadfirst choice in the pieces. "

"No, you're company. "

Being company, Florence took her rights, and Ethel went down. 

"Blanche, for me, mamma, " said Dimple. 

"And Celestine for me, auntie. "

"Irene, " said Dimple. 

"Geraldine, " said Florence. 

"Adele, " said Dimple. 

"My last, " said Florence. "Rubina. "

"Oh, what a lovely name!" exclaimed Dimple. "If you don't draw it, Ishould like it, so I won't say any more till you have drawn. "

The slips were shaken up in a hat, and Florence, with eyes shut, drewout Celestine. 

"I am glad, " she said. "I believe I like that best; it has a sort of aheavenly sound, and my doll is angelic. "

"Well, mamma, I will take Rubina. You don't care, do you, Florence?"

"No, indeed. I am glad you like it. "

"Now they are named, we will dress them. "

"How are you going to dress yours, Dimple?"

"I think I'll have a skirt of the blue and a waist of the pink. No, theother way, will look best, because the velvet is thickest, the skirt ofpink and the waist of blue. "

"Well, I will have to make my doll's frock of all the same, with velvettrimming. Will that look well?"

"Lovely! What are you going to do with your piece, Bubbles?"

"Make a overskirt for Floridy Alabamy, " said Bubbles, importantly. 

"Who?" said Dimple, with her scissors ready to cut into the pink. 

"Floridy Alabamy, " said Bubbles, gravely. 

"What a name!" shrieked Dimple, throwing back her head in a fit oflaughter. "Florence, _did_ you hear? Floridy Alabamy. "

And the girls laughed till the tears ran down their cheeks. 

"Bubbles, you are too ridiculous, " said Dimple, while Bubbles pinned herbit of scarlet on her doll. 

Just then Sylvy called her, and she ran off, holding her doll admiringlyat arm's length. 

"She will dress it just like a darkey. You see, " said Dimple, "she has apurple dress on it now; think of that, with a scarlet overskirt; and Iknow she will make it a blue waist out of one of my old sash ribbons Igave her. "

And sure enough, Floridy Alabamy did wear the three colors in triumph. 

"Do you like big or little dolls best?" asked Florence. 

"I don't know, " said Dimple. "I think rather big or real little. Middlesizes are so hard to dress. They have to have such little fidgetysleeves and waists. I have two little dolls upstairs, and we can dressthem up next. I believe one of them has an arm off, but it can bemended. How many dolls have you?"

"Four, now, " answered Florence. "I had five, but Gertrude broke one. Gertrude is such a mischief, I have to keep all my things locked up. Ihope to goodness they won't let her get at them while I'm away. "

"Oh, you must make a traveling dress for your Celestine. I have a pieceof grey linen that will just do. "

By the time the dinner bell rang, both the dolls were dressedgorgeously. 

"Aren't they lovely, papa?" said Dimple, as she hobbled out to meet him. 

"Yes; they look like two butterflies, " he said, lifting her up, doll andall. 

"Are you having a good time, Florence? I hope Dimple hasn't pinched orscratched you yet. "

"Why, papa, " said Dimple, looking very much hurt. "Florence will think Iam a regular little cat, " but seeing a twinkle in his eyes, she knew hewas only in fun, and was consoled by the kiss he gave her as he put herin her chair at the table. 

There was a long afternoon before them, and, although Dimple could notwalk very well with her bandaged foot, she managed to get down to herfavorite place, under a big tree, where the grass was long and thick. 

"Now we can play beautifully with our dolls, Florence, " she said, "andhave no one to disturb us, for Bubbles doesn't count. She has to be inthe kitchen for a while anyhow. "

They had not been out very long before Bubbles came running to them. "There is a lady and a boy in the house, Miss Dimple, " she said, "andyour mamma's a bringin' the boy out hyah. "

"A boy!" said both the girls in horror. 

"Think of it, Florence, a horrid boy! What will we do with him? I can'trun, and boys despise dolls. As for talking, I never could talk to boys. They shut me up like a clam. I always feel as if they wanted to getaway, and I believe they would if they could, " said Dimple in adisgusted tone. 

But, by this time, Mrs. Dallas had come up to them. 

"This is Rock Hardy, girls, " said she. "As Dimple is a little lame, Ibrought him out here, rather than take her in the house, " and so saying, she left them. There was a deep silence after they had shaken hands; alllooking rather bashful for a few minutes. 

Finally Rock took courage to say, "What pretty dolls. "

This was encouraging; Florence and Dimple exchanged pleased glances. 

"Do you think they are pretty?" asked Dimple. "I thought boys hateddolls. "

"I don't, " said Rock. "I played with them myself for a long time, and Ihave one now, but I don't play with it because I like to read better. "

"He _is_ a nice boy, " thought the girls. 

"How funny, " said Florence. "How came you to play with dolls?"

"Why, you see, I haven't any brothers and sisters. When I was a littlefellow I used to get so lonely, that my mother dressed a boy doll forme, and I talked to it and pretended it was another boy. "

"I haven't any brothers, or sisters either, " said Dimple, "but Florencehas. I have Bubbles, though. Everybody can't have a Bubbles; she is nextbest to a sister, or a cousin. "

"Who is Bubbles?" asked Rock. 

"She is the little colored girl you saw when you came out of the house;she has lived here ever since I was a baby; she is a year older than Iam; her mother ran off and left her, and she is real nice to play with. "

Dimple was fast getting over her embarrassment. 

"Don't you go to school?" asked Rock. 

"No, mamma has always taught me at home, but I am going next year. It isvacation now. "

"Yes, I know, " said Rock, "that is why we came here. We are going tostay for some time. I like to play with girls. Will you let me come andplay with you sometimes?"

"Yes, indeed, " said Dimple, in her warm-hearted way. "My foot is nearlywell, and I can soon run about. I think I should like to play with anice boy. "

"I hope I'm a nice boy, " said Rock, "but I don't know. I supposeeverybody is mean sometimes. "

"I think you look nice, " said Dimple, honestly, looking at him from headto foot. 

"Why don't you say something, Florence?"

Florence thus appealed to, could say nothing. 

"Florence is my cousin, " said Dimple. "She lives in Baltimore and shecame here yesterday. "

"Why, I live in Baltimore, " said Rock. "What street do you live on, Florence?"

Florence told him, and they found it was in the next street to that onwhich Rock lived, so they all began to feel like old friends. 

"If I had my scroll saw here, I could make you each a chair for yourdolls, " said Rock. "Maybe my mother will let me send for it. I will askher. "

"Oh, that would be lovely, " said the girls. 

"And I will lend you some of my books to read, " said Dimple. "If youwill please hand me that little cane, we will go in and you can choosethem. "

"Oh, thank you, " said Rock. "I shall like to have them, for I like toread better than to do anything else. "

They all went in and found Rock's mother and Mrs. Dallas in the parlor. 

Dimple told her mamma what they had come for, and her mamma suggestedher taking Rock into the library first, as he might find something therethat he liked. 

So Rock was taken to the bookcase, and found there a book of travels hehad been wanting to read, so he bade them good-bye, with it under hisarm, promising soon to come again. 

Then Dimple and Florence returned to the garden where they had left acolony of grasshoppers imprisoned in a small house built for them out ofbits of wood and bark. 

"Baby Grasshopper has gone, " said Florence, in dismay, as she peeped into see the prisoners. 

"I knew he would get out; he was so little, " returned Dimple. "Let's setthem all free, Florence. We'll pretend that they escaped in the night, or that peace has been declared. "

"Or that a tornado blew down their prison. "

"Yes, that will be the best. We'll blow real hard, and maybe it willcome down. "

So, with cheeks much puffed out they blew and blew, but without avail, and finally they picked up their hats and fanned the little barkstructure so vigorously that it toppled over, and the grasshoppersescaped in every direction, the children laughing to see how quicklythey disappeared. 

They sat there in the grass wondering what to do next when Dimpleexclaimed, "There comes papa with Mr. Coulter, --he's the carpenter, youknow--I wonder what he is going to do. See, Mr. Coulter is measuring theground, and papa is explaining something. I can tell by the way hekeeps doing so, with his hand. He always does that when he isexplaining. Help me up, Florence, and let's go over there and see what'sgoing on. Papa must mean to have something built. I hope it isn't afence. No, it can't be that, for it would be too near the other one. Isn't it funny to watch men talking? They do so many funny things. Mr. Coulter keeps nodding his head like a horse. "

Florence laughed and they made their way over to where the two menstood. As soon as they were within speaking distance, Dimple began toput her questions. "Are you going to build something, papa? What is it?Please don't say it's a fence, or a--a pig-sty. "

Mr. Coulter chuckled as he went on laying his foot-rule along theground. 

"I hope it won't turn into a pig-sty, " Mr. Dallas replied, with a smile. "It won't unless little pigs get into it. "

"Are you going to keep little pigs?" Dimple asked. 

"I didn't say so. "

"Oh, papa, you are so mystiferious. I wish you would tell us all aboutit. What are you going to build? Any sort of house?"

"Yes, one sort of house. "

"What is it to be for?"

"Little chicks. "

"Ah!" Dimple was quite satisfied. "I see. You need a new hen house. Isn't the old one big enough? To be sure we don't get very many eggsjust now, for so many of the hens are sitting. Oh, I know, maybe you aregoing to build a place like Mr. Lind's, with a--what is that thing? Ainkybator. Are you going to have one of those? and a brooder? Are you, papa?"

"I haven't decided exactly what is to be in it, just yet. I think we'lllet mamma see to that--she knows best what is needed. You shall know allabout it in good time. But, Dimple, I don't want you to worry Mr. Coulter with questions, and I want you two little girls to keep awayfrom the building while the work is going on. "

"Yes, uncle. " Florence gave her promise promptly. 

"Yes--papa--but--" Dimple was disappointed. She dearly liked to watchthe workmen when they came on the place, and she felt this was adeprivation which seemed unnecessary. "Why, papa, can't we look at theworkmen? We won't ask questions and bother them, " she said. 

"I think it is best that you shouldn't this time. Can't you trust papa?When the proper time comes I'll show you the whole thing, and explain itall. Meantime I want you to be an obedient little girl, and keep out ofthe way. "

Dimple looked up wistfully. 

"Won't you please your father by minding what he says?" continued Mr. Dallas. 

"Yes, papa, " replied Dimple, faintly, "I will be sure to mind, only Iwish you could let me see the house going up. It is such fun to climbabout over the boards and things. "

"I know it is, and I know I'm requiring a great deal of you, but I thinkin the end you will see why, " returned her father. 

"Have we many little chicks to go in it. I mean will there be a greatmany?"

Mr. Dallas and Mr. Coulter glanced at each other and smiled; then Mr. Dallas said, "It might be a good plan to go to the barn and see how oldSpeckle is getting on. Her time is about up, so perhaps we'll find somelittle chicks. I'll carry you there on my back. "

"And maybe we'll find some eggs, " spoke up Florence, who dearly liked tohunt eggs. "We found two yesterday. Indeed, uncle, I think you do needmore hens, for auntie said yesterday that she didn't get all the eggsshe wanted. "

They found old Speckle ready to be quite flustered when they took heroff the nest, for they found that four little chicks were alreadyhatched, and the shells of several other eggs were chipped. 

Mr. Dallas gave the children each two of the little chicks to carry upto the house, that they might be kept safely till Speckle came off withthe rest of the brood, and Bubbles, who had followed them, trotted alongbehind with her hands full of the eggs they were fortunate enough tofind. 

The new building was begun at once, and Dimple found it hard to keepaway from it, but she resolutely stuck to her promise. One day, to besure, she did not venture nearer than usual, but suddenly she exclaimedin a loud voice, "Get thee hence, satan!" and turning ran directly intoBubbles who, as usual, had followed her. 

"What dat yuh call me, Miss Dimple, " exclaimed Bubbles, in an aggrievedtone. 

"You! Oh, I wasn't talking to you. "

This seemed rather a lame excuse to Bubbles, since no one else was near. "Yass 'm, yuh is call me sumpin', " she insisted. "Dey ain't nobodyelse. "

"There was somebody else, " Dimple replied, with dignity. "And don't youcontradict me. I reckon I know what I'm talking about better than youdo. "

This puzzled Bubbles, but it also silenced her, although she lookedfurtively around to see where Dimple's hidden acquaintance might be;that somebody else to whom she spoke so defiantly. "Hit's dat no 'countlittle niggah Jim, I'll be bound, " she muttered, under her breath. "Hedone shy a stone at the de birds and dat mek Miss Dimple mad. She don't'low nobody 'buse de birds. " Thus settling the matter, she cheerfullysmiled when Dimple gave her a glance, and Dimple laughed. Then she stoodstill. 

"Bubbles, " she said, "papa never said you mustn't go near that house, did he?"

"No 'm. "

"Well, just go peep in and tell me what it looks like. From the looks ofthe outside, I should say that it is nearly done. You peep in at thewindow. "

Bubbles obeyed, and came back with the information. "Hit's got a flo'an' a stove. "

"Ah!" Dimple pondered. "Oh yes, that's to keep the baby chicks warm, Isuppose. I wish I could see for myself. Is that all, Bubbles?"

"Yass 'm. "

"I wish I hadn't told you to peep in, " Dimple remarked, after a pause. "I don't believe it was quite honest for me to do it, and I'll have tobe uncomfortable till I tell mamma or papa. You oughtn't to have peeped, Bubbles. "

"Yuh tole me to. "

"So I did, but--well, you shouldn't have done it, just the same. "

Bubbles rolled her eyes reproachfully, and began to mutter. 

"There, never mind. It wasn't your fault, " Dimple confessed, hastily. But although Bubbles' countenance cleared, Dimple herself did not feelat ease till she had told her mother, which she did that night atbedtime. 

"It was not right, " her mother told her, "and was a bad example toBubbles. That is where the trouble often comes in. Not so much in theactual wrong we do, but its effect upon others. "

"I do want to see, so very much. Papa never made it so hard for mebefore. "

"I know it, dear. I have realized very clearly all along how hard itmust be for you, but I think when you do know you will be so pleasedthat you will forget this part of it. I am glad my little girlie wasbrave enough to tell of her asking Bubbles to peep. "

And kissing her good-night, Mrs. Dallas left her little girl feelingcomforted. 

CHAPTER III

A Quarrel

"Raining! Isn't that too bad?" said Florence, leaning on one elbow inbed, and looking out of the window. 

"Hm, hm, " said Dimple, sleepily, from her pillow. 

Florence slipped out of bed and stood looking dolefully at the fallingdrops. 

"What do you suppose the birds do, Dimple?" she asked, going up to her, and softly shaking her. 

"Oh, " said Dimple, now awake, and sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes, "I suppose they get under the leaves just as we do under an umbrella, orthey go under the eaves, and places like that. I have seen them lots oftimes. It is raining, isn't it, Florence?"

"I said so, long ago, " answered Florence; "now we can't go out of doorsto play, and it is so nice outdoors. I don't see the sense of itsraining in summer. "

"Why, " returned Dimple, sitting down on the floor to put on her shoesand stockings, "that is the very time for it to rain, or everythingwould dry up. "

"Well, I wish it didn't have to, " said Florence, coming away from thewindow, and sitting on the floor too. "What color stockings do you likebest, Dimple?"

"I don't know; black, I think. Don't you?"

"I believe I do. My! there is the breakfast bell, and we are onlybeginning to get dressed. You fasten my buttons, and I will fastenyours, Dimple, so we will get dressed in a hurry. "

Their fingers flew, and they rushed down to breakfast two steps at atime. 

"It was so dark this morning that we went to sleep again after youcalled us, mamma, " explained Dimple. 

"I will excuse you this time, but your breakfast is not as warm as itwould have been earlier, " said Mrs. Dallas, "and papa had to go awaywithout his morning kiss. "

"I am sorry, " said Dimple. "Cold eggs aren't very good, " she went on, pushing away her plate. "What can we do to-day, mamma?"

"What should you like to do?"

"I don't know, " returned Dimple. "My feelings hurt me rainy days, and Idon't know what I want. "

Mrs. Dallas smiled, as she replied, "You might make paper dolls, theyare good rainy day people; that would be one thing. Then you can paint. "

"I haven't but one brush, and I have used up all the books and papersyou gave me to paint in. "

"I can find some more, perhaps, and you and Florence can take turn aboutwith the paint brush. "

Dimple looked as if that would not suit very well, and Florence seeingher look, felt a little hurt. 

Paper dolls did not amuse them very long; and when Dimple was ready tocolor the pictures Mrs. Dallas had found for them, Florence declinedabsolutely to paint at all. So they both sat with their elbows on thewindow-sill, decidedly out of humor. 

"Florence, " said Dimple, presently, "I have an idea. Do you see thathogshead down there? It is running over. "

"I see it, " said Florence. "What of it; it isn't anything verywonderful. "

"Well, you needn't be so disagreeable, " said Dimple. "What I was goingto say, is this; let's make paper boats, and put paper dolls in them. Wecan pretend the hogshead is Niagara Falls, and the water that runs downthe gutter can be Niagara river. "

"We will get sopping wet. "

"Oh no, we won't; it isn't raining so awfully hard. I will put on myrubber waterproof, and you can put on mamma's. We can slip around therewithout any one seeing us, for mamma is busy on the other side of thehouse. Don't you think it would be fun?"

"Ye-es, " said Florence, doubtfully. 

"Let's hurry and make the boats then. Which paper dolls shall we take?The ugliest, I think, because they will all be drowned anyhow; and don'tlet's take any pretty frocks, because we can make dolls to fit thefrocks when these are drowned. "

With paper boats, dolls and waterproofs they stole softly down the frontstairs, and shutting the door after them very gently, ran around thehouse to the hogshead. The roses were heavy with rain, and thehoneysuckle shook big drops on them, as they ran by. 

The boats went topsy-turvy over the falls, upsetting the dolls, who wentcareering down the stream, to the great delight of the children. 

They played till the last boat load was lost beyond all hope, and then, with wet feet and streaming sleeves, they crept back to the house. 

"Now, what shall we do? It was lots of fun, Dimple, " said Florence, "butI know your mother will scold, when she sees how wet our feet are, andyour foot just well too, and see my sleeves. If we change our clothesshe will wonder and then--What shall we do?"

"I don't think it was a bit of harm, " said Dimple, determined to braveit out, "but it won't do to keep these wet frocks on. I know. We will goup into the attic, take them off, and hang them up to dry; then we candress up in other things. There are trunks and boxes full of clothes upthere, and we can play something. "

"So we can, " exclaimed Florence. "That is a perfectly lovely plan. Doyou think our clothes will dry before supper?"

"Of course, " said Dimple; "anyhow it will be funny to put on trains andthings. Come on. "

They raced up to the garret, and were soon diving into the boxes andtrunks of winter clothing that Mrs. Dallas had packed away. 

"Here, " said Dimple, on her knees before a trunk, "take this skirt ofmamma's, " and she dragged out a cashmere skirt. "Florence, see what isin those band-boxes, and get us each a bonnet, while I hunt for a shawlor coat, or something. "

After much tumbling up of clothing, she found what she wanted, and theyhad taken off their frocks when they heard Mrs. Dallas calling, "Children, where are you?"

Both were silent for a moment, and stood with quickly beating hearts. 

After a second call, Dimple mustered up courage to answer, "Up here, mamma. "

"Where?"

"In the garret. "

"What are you doing?"

"Just playing. "

"Well, don't get into any mischief, " came from the bottom of the stairs, and then Mrs. Dallas went off. 

Presently there came another fright: a footstep on the stairs. 

"Who is that?" asked Dimple, fearfully. 

"Me, " came the answer, as Bubbles' woolly head appeared. 

"It is only Bubbles, " said Dimple, much relieved. "Come up, Bubbles; weare dressing up, and you shall too; but if you dare to tell on us--offyou go to the orphan asylum. "

"I wouldn't tell fur nothin', Miss Dimple, " said she, as Dimple threwher an old wrapper. 

"I am going to be Lady Melrose, and Florence Lady Beckwith. You canbe--Oh, Florence, let's dress Bubbles up in a coat and trousers, andhave her for a footman. "

"All right, " said Florence, and shaking with laughter, Bubbles wasattired in coat, trousers, and tall hat. 

"Oh, she is too funny, " said Florence, holding her sides. "Where is mybonnet?"

"That's mine, " exclaimed Dimple, as Florence possessed herself of abonnet with feathers in it. 

"No, I chose this first, " said Florence. 

"Well, it's my mother's, I reckon, and I have the best right to it. "

"Well, I'm company, and you're very impolite. "

"I'm not, " retorted Dimple, getting very red in the face. 

"You are. I'd have my mother teach me how to behave, if I were you, Dimple Dallas. "

"You horrid, red-headed thing!" cried Dimple, now thoroughly angry. "I'dlike to know how you would look in a garnet velvet bonnet anyhow. You'dbetter take something that's not quite so near the color of your hair. "

"My hair isn't red, it's auburn, " said Florence, bursting into a sob, "and I'm not going to stay here another minute. I'm going straight hometo my mother. " And she tore off the clothes in which she had deckedherself, leaving them in a heap on the floor. She snatched up her wetfrock and ran downstairs. 

Dimple sat quite still after Florence left her. She did not dare to godownstairs for fear of encountering her mother, and yet, supposeFlorence should really mean to go home. How dreadful! She considered thequestion till she could bear it no longer, and, slowly putting on herown clothes, she crept downstairs, hoping as she went from room to roomthat she would find Florence. She even peeped cautiously in upon hermother, busy with her sewing, but no Florence was to be seen. 

"Perhaps she has started to go home, " Dimple said to herself, in realalarm. "Oh, dear, I hope there hasn't been any train along that shecould take. " She put on her hat, seized an umbrella from the rack, andsallied forth. It was still raining hard, and as she splashed along, thelittle girl was very miserable. 

It was quite a walk to the railway station, and Dimple hurried hersteps, fearing she might be too late to intercept her cousin. Sheentered the waiting-room of the station, and looked anxiously around. NoFlorence was there. Her heart sank and she turned to go. Florence hadreally meant what she said. And her aunt and cousins in Baltimore, whatwould they think of her? The tears began to roll down Dimple's cheeksas she looked up and down the long track. She did not know what to donext. It would be so dreadful to go home and tell her mother that shehad driven her cousin away by her rudeness. She was about to turn towardhome, when she bethought herself of making some inquiry about thetrains; and she entered the waiting-room again. 

Standing on tiptoe she asked the ticket agent. "When was the last trainto Baltimore?"

"Next train leaves at 4:50, " said the man, without looking up. 

"Not the next train, but the last train. When did it go?"

"Last train!" the man glanced up. "Last train left at 2:15. "

"Thank you. " It was with a sense of relief that she heard him give thetime. Florence had not left the house so long ago as that. It was nowafter four, and two hours had not elapsed since they were playing in thegarret. So she went slowly out, but suddenly remembered that Florencewas not at home. Where was she? Perhaps she was lost. She didn't knowher way about very well, Dimple reflected, and she could easily havetaken a wrong turn. 

"I'll just have to look for her, that's all, " thought Dimple; and thelittle feet pattered along in the rain, getting wetter and wetter eachmoment. 

Up one street and down another went Dimple, but there was no sign ofFlorence, and the child's repentance grew stronger as she traveled on. Her imagination saw Florence in a dozen different plights, each oneworse than the last. Accidents of various kinds, disasters of everypossible nature, even the very improbable idea that she had been stolenby gypsies, rose to the child's mind, till, terror stricken, she flewalong, scarcely knowing which way she went. 

She was conscious of steadily pursuing footsteps behind her, but she didnot turn to look until the feet came nearer and nearer and a softplaintive voice called, "Oh, Miss Dimple, stop, please stop. " Lookingaround, she saw that Bubbles had followed her. 

It was a relief to see the familiar face, and Dimple forlornly droppedinto her little maid's arms crying: "Oh, Bubbles! Oh, Bubbles, Florenceis lost. "

"No 'm, she ain't, " replied Bubbles, with confidence. 

"Oh, how do you know?"

"'Cause she come in de front do' jis' as I was gwine th'ough de yard. Inever stopped to ast her nothin', fo' I seen yuh a kitin' down street, an' I put after yuh, lickety-split. All of a suddent I los' sight ofyuh, an' I been a standin' on de cornah waitin' fo' yuh to come back. Iknow yuh 'bleedged to cross to git home, an' I been a waitin' fo' yuh. "

"Oh Bubbles! Oh Bubbles! I'm so glad, but I'm so tired and so wet, and--oh dear--I'm afraid to tell mamma, and I'm so miserable. I neverwas so miserable. "

Bubbles looked as sympathetic as the occasion required, and trottedalong by Dimple's side, holding the umbrella over her, and trying tosuggest all manner of comforting things. 

"Hit'll all be ovah befo' yuh is twict married, Miss Dimple, and hitmought be wuss. S'posin' Miss Flo'ence was los' sho 'nough, den yuhmight tek on. She safe an' soun'. Jes' yuh come in de back way, an'I'll git yuh some dry things. An' Sylvy won't say nothin'. I jes' knowshe wont, an' yuh can git dry by de kitchen fire. I reckon Miss Flo'encemighty 'shamed o' herse'f, kickin' up all dis rumpus 'bout nothin'. "

But Dimple shook her head. "It wasn't about nothing. I behaved just asmean as could be, and I'm the one to be ashamed. I'll go straight tomamma; it will be best, for she would find out anyhow, and besides, I'dfeel a great deal worse if I deceived her about it. "

Bubbles was not to be convinced that her beloved Miss Dimple was at allin the wrong, but Dimple would not change her mind, being in a state ofgreat humility and penitence, and finally Bubbles gave up trying todissuade her. 

Florence had reached home long before. Indeed she had not gone very farbefore her anger cooled, although she was still very much hurt; but sheconcluded it would not be right to start off for her own home without aword to her aunt, who had been so kind to her. This thought added to herunhappiness, and she went to Dimple's room, throwing herself on thefloor, crying bitterly. 

The sound of her sobs brought Mrs. Dallas from the next room. 

"Why, Florence, " she said, seeing the little girl prone upon the floor. "What is the matter? Why have you taken off your frock?"

"Oh! auntie, " sobbed Florence, "please let me go home; indeed, I can'tstay. "

"Are you homesick?" asked her aunt, as she took her up on her lap, andpushed back the damp hair from her face. "Poor little girl!"

A fresh burst of tears was the only answer. 

"Where is Dimple?" asked Mrs. Dallas. 

But Florence only cried the harder, and her aunt was forced to put herdown with an uncomfortable sense of there being something wrong. Shewent directly up to the attic, but it was silent. Dimple was not there, neither was Bubbles, and no amount of search revealed them. She wentback to Florence, who dried her tears and unburdened her heart, and thenin her turn became alarmed about Dimple, since no amount of huntingdisclosed her whereabouts. 

Mrs. Dallas was, herself, becoming much worried, when the door slowlyopened and a disheveled little figure stood before them, with soakinggarments and sodden shoes. 

For a moment Dimple stood, then ran forward and buried her head in hermother's lap. 

"Mamma, " she sobbed, "it was all on account of the weather. I coaxedFlorence out to the hogshead, and then we got wet, and didn't know howto get out of it, and we went up into the attic, and I felt naughty allthe time, and we got mad, and oh dear! I wish the sun would shine. "

"I am afraid from all I hear, that you have been the one to set all thismischief astir, " said her mother. "I thought I could trust my littlegirl. Think, Dimple, what a day's work. You have tempted your cousin todo wrong, first by going out in the wet, and again by meddling with theclothing upstairs; then you hurt her feelings, and quarreled with her, and now you blame the weather for it all, besides setting a bad exampleto Bubbles. Where have you been, my child?"

"Trying to find Florence, mamma. I walked and walked, and I was soworried, and--oh, mamma, I thought all sorts of dreadful things. I wentto the station, Florence, and I found out there that you hadn't reallygone home; then I thought you were lost, or that the cars had run overyou, or the gypsies had stolen you, or that--oh I'm so miserable, " shecaught her breath, and shivered with cold and excitement. 

Her mother was unfastening her wet garments. She felt that Dimple'snaughtiness had brought its own punishment. "I think Florence haschanged her mind about going home, " she said, quietly. 

Dimple raised a tear-stained face. "Oh, Florence, have you?" sheexclaimed. "I'm so glad. I don't want you to think I don't love you, forI do. I love you dearly, dearly, Florence, and I think your hair islovely. "

This was too much for Florence's tender heart, and she sobbed out, "Itwas my fault too, Dimple. I said hateful things, and I couldn't forgivemyself when I thought you had gone, I didn't know where. I had nobusiness to scare you so. Please, Aunt Flo, kiss us and forgive us, andplease, for my sake, don't scold Dimple. "

Mrs. Dallas gathered the two little penitents into her loving arms. Theywere so truly sorry, and had suffered really more than they deserved. "Ithink Dimple sees her fault quite plainly, dear, " Florence was told, "but I am afraid you will both be ill, and so I think I must put you tobed, not for punishment, but because you must be kept warm, and musthave something hot to keep you from taking cold. Where is Bubbles, Dimple? Wasn't she with you?"

"Not all the time, mamma, but she came after me, and found me on thecorner. Please don't punish her. She only went out because she wanted tofind me. "

"I understand that, and I know she did not mean to do wrong. She didwhat she felt to be her duty to you. I'll not scold her, nor punish her, daughter. "

Dimple gave a sigh of relief, and pressed her wet cheek against hermother's. "Please kiss me, mamma, " she whispered, "and then I'll knowyou forgive naughty me. "

Mrs. Dallas immediately consented, and when she left the room, two verycontrite little girls cuddled up close to each other, and took withouta murmur the hot herb tea which Mrs. Dallas brought to them. And thenext morning when they woke, lo! the sun was shining, and not an achenor a pain did either little girl feel to remind her of the drearyyesterday. 

CHAPTER IV

Housebreakers

Despite all this unpleasant experience, it was only about a week laterthat Dimple and Florence came near getting into trouble again. Thistime, however, it was Florence who set the ball rolling. It was notexactly from a spirit of mischief, but because her fancy was appealedto, and because she did not see any harm in what she proposed. 

The two little girls had been to take a note to Mrs. Hardy, and on theirway home they passed a pretty house and grounds which greatly attractedFlorence. 

"Oh, do let us stop and look in, " she said. "I think this is the veryprettiest place here, don't you, Dimple?"

"Yes, " was the reply, "I like it best. The grounds are so lovely. Seethose roses. "

The two pressed their faces against the iron railing, and let theireyes wander over the lawn and to the garden beyond. 

"How very quiet it is, " Florence remarked, presently. "We can't hear asound except the wind among the trees, and the robins singing. Theredoesn't seem to be a soul about. Who lives here, Dimple?"

"The Atkinsons. Mamma and papa know them. "

"Are there any little children?"

"Not now; there used to be a little girl named Stella, but she died twoyears ago, and now there is only their eldest son living; he has justgone abroad with his mother. That is why it's so quiet. They are allaway. You see the house is shut up. "

"Ah, I wonder if they would mind if we went in and looked around. Do youthink they would mind? I should love so to go and sit on that porch fora few minutes. "

Dimple hesitated. She wasn't quite sure that it would be right for themto go in, especially when no one was at home. 

"You know, " Florence went on, "it would be just exactly the same as ifwe went there to call, and they should happen to be out. It won't hurtanybody or anything for us to walk around and look at the grounds. "

At last Dimple consented. So they lifted the latch of the gate and shutit behind them very gingerly. 

"Do you often come here?" asked Florence, when they had made their tourof the grounds and were sitting on the porch in the shadow of the vines. 

"Not so very often, but I have been here with mamma when she came tocall. I remember Stella very well. She died of diphtheria, and they havea lovely portrait of her. She was such a pretty little girl, and theportrait shows her with a great big dog she used to have. "

"How I should like to see the portrait. Wouldn't it be nice if the doorshould suddenly open, and we could walk right in?"

Dimple laughed. "I'd be scared if that should happen. The house isbeautiful inside. I never saw so many pretty things. Mrs. Atkinson'sfather was a naval officer, and she has curiosities from all over theworld. "

"I wish Mrs. Atkinson had said, 'Dimple, here are the keys, come in asoften as you like while we are away; in fact, I wish you would try tocome in and look around once in a while to see if everything is allright. '"

"Maybe she would have said that if she had thought of it, " returnedDimple, "for she is always so nice and pleasant. "

Florence cast wistful eyes up and down the side of the house; then shewent out on the lawn, at the side, and looked up. "Dimple, come here, "she called, and her cousin obeyed. "We could get in as easily asanything, " said Florence. "See, that's a very easy tree to climb, andthat long branch goes right over the upper porch. We could reach that;then we could go in by raising the window. "

"If the window is not fastened down. Maybe there is some one in thehouse, after all. I shouldn't think they would leave it with no one everto look after it. We might go around to the back door and see. "

"Let's try climbing the tree anyhow. It will be easy enough to do that, and won't do a bit of harm. See, I'm going, " and Florence put her footagainst the rough bark, and swung herself up, reaching the porchwithout difficulty. But Dimple would not follow and her cousin climbeddown again, not, however, as easily as she had gone up. 

"It was nothing at all to do, " she declared. "I think you might try it, Dimple. I'll tell you what we'll do: let's bring our dolls to-morrow, and go up there and play. I'm sure if I had a pretty place like this, Ishould be glad if two little girls, like us, could come and enjoy it. Ah, Dimple, you don't know how fine it is on that upper porch. It wouldbe the finest place in the world to play in. "

The idea took such possession of her that the next morning she broachedthe subject again. 

"I'll ask mamma, " said Dimple, at last consenting with this proviso. ButMrs. Dallas had gone out to spend the morning with a friend, and finallyFlorence's persuasions overcame Dimple's scruples, and with Celestineand Rubina they set forth. 

At first Florence was contented to play on the corner porch, but thememory of the day before was too much for her, and she again climbed tothe upper porch. "Do come up, Dimple, " she coaxed. "You've no idea howfine it is, with the tree all around. It's just like a nest, " and Dimpledecided that she would try it too. 

"Wait, we mustn't leave the dolls, " Florence said. "I wish we had apiece of string. See if you can find a piece, Dimple. "

After much searching Dimple hunted up an end of rope, which she found bythe kitchen shed, and brought around. "Will this do?" she asked. 

"Finely. Can you throw it so I can catch it?"

"I don't know. Maybe I could if I tied a stone to it. Don't let it hityou, Florence. "

After several attempts the rope was landed, and when the dolls werefastened to it, they were drawn safely up, and then Dimple made herascent successfully. 

"It is nice, " she declared. "Isn't it fun to be here, where no one cansee us? I wonder if that window will open. " She gave the shutters alittle shake and lo! they offered no resistance, but opened easily, and, the latch being out of order, the window, too, yielded to their efforts, and before they knew it, they were inside. 

"Now we're here, we might as well go through the house, " said Florence. "And you can show me the portrait. "

They proceeded stealthily through rooms whose furniture was swathed insheets to keep away the dust. It all looked rather bare and desolateupstairs in the dim rooms, but it was better below, especially in thedining-room, where a big bay window let in a flood of light when theinside shutters were opened. 

"Let's pretend it's our house, and keep house really, " Florenceexclaimed. "Here is a broom and a duster. I'll sweep and you can dust. Then if we can find some dishes, we'll set the table. I wish we hadbrought something to eat. Oh, Dimple, you haven't shown me the portraityet; where is it?"

"In the library. Come, we'll go there now. "

"My, but it's dark in here!" Florence exclaimed, as they entered theroom. "Let us open the shutters a little so we can see the picture. "

This they managed to do, shutting the window carefully. 

"It seems dark still, " Dimple remarked. "I wonder what makes this such adark room. " Just then they heard a mighty crash and both started, thenclung to each other, whispering, "What's that?"

"It is thunder, " said Dimple, when a second peal was heard. "Oh, howdark it is. Come, Florence; we must hurry. Open the window and shut theshutters as quick as you can and I'll go to the dining-room. We mustleave everything as we found it. "

"Don't leave me, " Florence implored. "I can't bear to be alone when thelightning flashes so. " And together they fastened the shutters and thewindows, then ran to the porch, where they had left their dolls. 

An angry gust was blowing the dust about furiously. The trees swayed andcreaked, lashing their branches about in a very terrifying way. Thethunder growled and muttered, while sharp flashes of lightning zigzaggedacross the sky almost incessantly. 

"We would never dare to go down the tree while it is blowing so, " saidFlorence, after they had surveyed the scene for a moment in silence. 

"But it is beginning to rain. Oh, dear! What shall we do? It's comingdown a perfect torrent. Come back, Florence; we'll have to go inside, "cried Dimple. And snatching up their dolls, they retreated into thehouse in no enviable state of mind, between fear of the tempest andalarm at being obliged to stay alone where they were. 

"We might as well make ourselves comfortable, " Florence said at last. "Suppose we go down to the library or the dining-room. We can open theinside shutters, and it won't seem so gloomy. I'd rather see thelightning than stay up here in the dark. "

"Oh, dear! I wish we hadn't come at all, " sighed Dimple. "I wish we weresafe at home. Mamma will be so worried, for she won't know where we are. I do wish we hadn't come. "

Florence was very uncomfortable, but she tried to brave it out. "Anyhow, " she said, "it's a great deal better than to be out in thestorm. I am sure auntie will be very glad when she knows we were safehere, and it isn't as if you had come to a perfectly strange house. TheAtkinsons are your friends, and they won't mind a bit our coming herefor shelter. I know they won't. They'd be very hard-hearted if they didmind. "

"Yes, I s'pose so, " returned Dimple, somewhat comforted. 

"Very likely your mamma isn't bothering at all about us, " Florence wenton. "She probably hasn't gone home herself, on account of the storm. "

They had been conversing together at the top of the stairs, and now madetheir way to the dining-room, where, after opening the shutters, theystood looking out at the rain. The peals of thunder had died away intodistant mutterings, but it was still raining hard. 

"Somehow we always get into trouble when it rains, " Dimple remarked. 

"Don't let's talk about that, " returned Florence. "See how the raindropsdance up and down. Little water fairies they are. Don't they look as ifthey were having a good time?"

"Yes; but I'm getting hungry. I wonder if it isn't most dinner time. Doyou suppose it will rain all afternoon, Florence?"

"I don't know. If it holds up we'll have to run between the drops. "

"But how can we get out? We could never climb down that sopping wettree, and we would be very wicked to leave any part of the house downhere unfastened. Some one might see us and try to get in. "

They lapsed into a grave silence which was presently broken by astartled "What's that?" from Dimple. She heard a sound like the click ofa key turning in a latch. They listened fearfully, as the sound wasfollowed by the shutting of a door, and the noise of footsteps along thehall. The two girls looked at each other. "Let's hide, " whisperedFlorence, but before they had decided what to do, a man was seenstanding in the doorway. It was Mr. Atkinson. 

"Well, well, well, " he exclaimed, "where did you little girls come from?You came in out of the rain, I suppose, but how did you manage it? Why, Eleanor, is it you? I declare, I didn't know you. It is fortunate youmanaged to escape the storm; it was a hard one. "

Dimple stood very much confused, her color coming and going, and hereyes very bright. But she summoned up courage to make the confession:"We did come in out of the rain, Mr. Atkinson, but no one let us in, andwe didn't happen to come here on account of the storm. "

"You didn't! Come here, then, and tell me about it. " He drew her to hisside and looked down at her very kindly. 

She dropped her eyes and hung her head in confusion, but she went on, "We, --we thought it was so pretty here, and--and we thought you wouldn'tmind if we came and brought our dolls and sat on the porch a littlewhile; we didn't think you'd care if we were very good and didn't touchanything. Then it was so easy to climb the tree and get on the otherporch, and when we got there, --why I wanted to show Florence theportrait of your little girl, and we did not have to force the shutterat all; it opened just as easy, and so did the window; and we wentdownstairs, and while we were looking at the portrait the storm came upand we were afraid to climb down the tree; it was blowing about so, andwe didn't like to go out any other way and leave the windows downstairsunfastened. So--we stayed. "

Mr. Atkinson listened quietly. "So you were housebreakers. Don't youknow that's a prison offence? Burglary is a pretty serious crime. " Helooked very serious, and Dimple did not see the twinkle in his eyes. Her own grew round with horror. 

"Oh!" she gasped. "Oh! we didn't mean--" The tears began to gather, andthe child's lips quivered. She was overcome with dismay. "I am so sorry, so dreadfully sorry, " she quavered. 

Mr. Atkinson put his hand on her sunny head. "There, dear, never mind, "he said, "you were a very innocent pair of housebreakers, and you are avery brave and honest little girl to tell me the truth about it, whenyou might easily have allowed me to think it happened another way. Ofcourse, on general principles, it isn't right to break into any one'shouse, but I think you may have done me a good turn by letting me knowabout that weak place upstairs, and you may have prevented a real thieffrom breaking in. You see, I come down from the city every Saturday tolook after things while my wife and son are away, and I am glad Ihappened to be here just now. Let us forget all about the unpleasantpart of this, and make ourselves comfortable. You are my guests. Who isyour little friend?"

"My cousin Florence. "

"Ah, yes. I am glad to see you, Florence. Now don't you think it wouldbe wise, Eleanor, if I were to speak to your father over the 'phone, andlet him know you are safe?"

"Oh, yes, thank you. Is there a telephone in the house?"

"Yes, and I can call up your father at his office. You can speak to himyourself, if you like. What time does he go home to dinner?"

"About half-past one o'clock. "

Mr. Atkinson consulted his watch. "We shall catch him, I think. " And ina few minutes Dimple, listening, heard her father's voice in reply toMr. Atkinson's "Hallo! is that you, Dallas?"

"Don't you want to speak to him yourself?" asked Mr. Atkinson, when hehad told Mr. Dallas that Dimple and her cousin were safely housed. Helifted the little girl up so she could call her father. "I'm safe here, papa, and so is Florence, " she said; "please tell mamma. "

The answer came, "I will, daughter; I'm glad you are in good hands. I'lltell mamma to send Bubbles for you when it has stopped raining. "

"Let them stay till I take them home, " spoke up Mr. Atkinson. "I cantake care of them, and it will be a great pleasure to have them here. "

"Very well, if you like. I shall be satisfied to have them in such safehands. Good-bye, " came Mr. Dallas's parting words. 

"Good-bye, " and Mr. Atkinson hung up the receiver, and turned to hisguests. "Now, young ladies, I suspect you are hungry. I am, for one. Suppose we see what we can find to eat. " He took out his keys andunlocked the pantry door. The girls looked at each other. There weredelightful possibilities before them. 

"I'll forage in here, " continued Mr. Atkinson, "while you set the table. You'll find dishes in there. " And he pointed to a china-closet. 

This was such an unexpected outcome of the morning's affair, that thetwo little girls retired behind the door and hugged each other, and thenbriskly went to work to set the table, upon which Mr. Atkinson placedvarious articles. 

"I keep a lot of such truck in here, " he told them. "So, in case I gethungry, I can find a bite to eat. Do you like sardines or canned salmonbest?"

"Sardines!" exclaimed both the girls. 

"That settles it. We haven't any ice, or we could have some lemonade. We'd better have chocolate. What do you say?"

"It would be very nice, but we have no fire. "

"Fire enough. See here. " He turned on the gas, and lighted a littlestove over which the chocolate was made, condensed milk being at handfor use. 

"Now, let me see. I've some ginger-snaps somewhere, and some marmalade. This is rather a mixed meal, I am thinking, but it will keep us fromstarving. "

"I should think so, " said Florence, surveying the table. "I think it isfine. "

"And we can wash the dishes afterward. Will you let us?" asked Dimple. 

"I shall be charmed to have you, " Mr. Atkinson assured her. "It was oneof the points upon which I felt uncertain. I confess to disliking, verymuch, that part of the business; and now you relieve my anxiety. "

They made a merry meal of it, and became very well acquainted with theirhost before it was over. He told them funny stories and kept themlaughing so that they were a long time getting their appetitessatisfied, and as it had become much cooler, Bubbles appeared with wrapsfor them before they had finished with the dishes. 

"We have had such a lovely, lovely time, " said Dimple, as she raised abeaming face to Mr. Atkinson. "You know just what to do to make littlegirls have a good time, don't you?"

He stooped and kissed her. "I had a little girl once, " he replied, gravely. 

Dimple put her two arms closely around his neck. She felt so very, verysorry when she remembered pretty little Stella. "I'd like to be yourlittle girl, if I had to be any one's but papa's and mamma's, " shewhispered. 

"Thank you, dear child, I appreciate that. It is a very greatcompliment, " he answered, slowly. "I want you two little girls to comeover whenever you can. I am always here on Saturday afternoons. Will youcome to see me often?"

"If mamma will let us. I'm afraid maybe she will not, because we werenaughty about coming when we had no right to. "

"Well, we'll see how we can manage it. I will tell your father aboutit, myself, or, better still, I will walk home with you, and you cantell your story to your mother, and let me beg pardon for you. How willthat do?"

Dimple's eyes spoke her thanks, and she turned to Florence who answeredwith a satisfied smile. 

And so by Mr. Atkinson's kind request the culprits were forgiven, andwere promised that they should go again since Mr. Atkinson really wantedthem. "And you must feel at liberty to play about the grounds all youchoose, " he told the girls. "They can run about, and sit on the porchesand do as they please, so long as they do not trample the flower-beds, or get into any mischief, " he said to Mrs. Dallas. 

"We wouldn't hurt anything for the world, " put in Florence and Dimple, eagerly. And they bade their good friend farewell, feeling very humbleand thankful that matters had turned out so well for them. 

"We don't deserve it, and I feel dreadfully ashamed of myself, " saidFlorence, meekly. 

"I think Mr. Atkinson put our heads in the fire, " said Dimple, soberly. 

"What do you mean?" her mother asked. 

"Why, isn't that what the Bible says when any one does something verykind to you after you have been mean to him?"

Mrs. Dallas laughed. "You mean he heaped coals of fire on your head;that is the expression the Bible uses. "

"It's a funny one, " Dimple responded, thoughtfully. "Anyhow, mamma, Ishall never, never try to break into any one's house again. "

"I hope not. "

"I really meant to ask you if we could go over there, mamma, but you hadgone out. We were in a dreadful trouble for a while. "

"Yes, I know, dear. One very little wrong beginning sometimes leads to agreat deal of trouble; even grown people find that out. "

"Do they? It always seems as if you must know everything, mamma. "

She smiled and shook her head. Thus ended this incident, but neitherDimple nor Florence ever forgot it. 

CHAPTER V

Rock

Florence and Dimple with Rubina and Celestine were on the back porch, when they heard some one whistle, and looking up they saw Rock comingaround the corner of the house. 

"Good-morning, " said he, "I am glad you have your dolls here; I want tomeasure them. "

"Why, are you a tailor?" asked Florence. 

"No, " he said, laughing, "only a cabinetmaker. I came over with amessage from my mother to Mrs. Dallas, and a message from myself toyourselves. "

"Have you given mamma her message?" asked Dimple. 

"Yes, " said he, "and mine is that I want you to come to tea with meto-morrow evening, you and Florence and the dolls. "

"Oh, the dolls?"

"Yes, the dolls. I will come for you, if you like, at half-past four. "

"Did mamma say we might go?"

"Yes, so it is all settled. "

"Now, " said Florence, "we _must_ make the dolls new frocks. Do tell us, Rock, what they ought to wear. "

Rock turned over the bits of stuff in Dimple's box. "White, I think, "said he; "that dotted stuff is pretty. "

"Oh, yes, " said Dimple, "and I have plenty of that. We can trim themwith this lace, Florence, and they will look so cool and nice. Now ifmamma only had time to make hats for them!"

"I'll make them hats, " said Rock. 

"You! Whoever heard of boys making hats for dolls?"

"Did you never hear of a man-milliner?" asked Rock. "And mendressmakers? I have. You stay here. I am going to ask your mamma forsomething to make them of. "

"Isn't he a funny boy, Florence?" said Dimple, as Rock disappeared; "butI think he is real nice. Just hand me the scissors, won't you? Which waydoes this go, so, or so?"

"So, like mine. Are you going to make a wide or a narrow hem?"

"Wide, if the stuff is long enough; it isn't so easy, but it looksnicer. I wonder if mamma will give us fresh ribbons for sashes for thedolls; it will set them off so. "

"Here comes Rock, " exclaimed Florence, "and what has he in his hand? Anold bonnet, I declare. "

"Now, " said Rock, "if you will tell me where I can get a basin of water, I will make the hats. "

"With water?"

"I shall need water. Don't get up--Bubbles will get it for me, " asDimple was about to put down her work. 

Bubbles brought the water, and Rock began to rip the straw bonnet topieces; then he dampened it a little and sewed it into shape, once in awhile dampening it more to give it the right turn. "Will you have a wideor a narrow brim?" he asked. 

"Oh, just a between brim. Don't you say so, Florence? Isn't it going tobe lovely? Did you ever?" as Rock handed her a cunning little straw hat. 

"Now for the other one, " said he, and he soon had that done too. 

A little narrow ribbon and one or two flowers made the hats perfect. 

"Oh, Rock, I wish you were my brother, " sighed Dimple, as she held herdoll off at arm's length to admire her. "Rubina, you are a darling! blueis _so_ becoming to her. "

"I almost wish I had trimmed mine with blue, " said Florence, regretfully. 

"Oh, I think pink is just as pretty, " exclaimed Rock, "and it is nicernot to have them both alike. "

"Now what are you making?" asked Dimple, as Rock went on sewing straw. 

"Baskets. "

"Baskets, for the dolls?"

"Yes, for the dolls, or you either. "

Dimple put her chin in her hands, and leaned on the arm of her chair towatch him. 

"How clever you are, " she said, "I wish you were my brother, really andtruly, Rock. "

"Well, we will pretend I am, " said he. "What shall I put in your basket, sister?"

They all laughed. 

"I don't think it will hold much, but Rubina can put her work in it. See, if I pin her arm up so, she can hold it nicely. There! I must goand show it to mamma. I'll tell her to adopt you, " she called back, asshe ran off. 

"Now I must clear up my scraps, " said Rock, as he put the finishingtouches to the other basket. 

"Mamma says I may gather you some flowers, " said Dimple, coming outagain with a pair of shears in her hand, "and she says you are a verynice boy, a very nice boy indeed. "

Rock laughed. "She wouldn't think so sometimes, " said he. "I don'tbelieve she wants to change children with my mother. "

"I hope she doesn't want to, " said Dimple, then added quickly, "Not thatI don't think your mother is real nice, Rock, but you know I am so usedto mine, and she is so used to me. "

"Of course, " said Rock, laughing again. "I didn't mean they wouldchange, or even think of it. "

"Now let's get the flowers, " said Dimple; "you are to choose just whichyou like best, Rock, " she said, leading the way to the flower-beds. "Thepansies are almost gone, but there are plenty of roses yet, andverbenas, and mignonette, and lots of things. "

"Now, Rock, " she said, as they went along the paths, "you are notchoosing the prettiest ones at all. I believe you are picking out themean ones on purpose; I am going to choose myself. You tell me, Florence, whenever you see a real pretty one. "

Florence promised, and Rock looked on, secretly pleased that they hadtaken the matter into their own hands. 

"What lovely ones you have chosen, " he said, as Dimple gave the bunchinto his hands. "Thank you so much. "

"And thank you, so much, " said the girls, "for the hats, and thebaskets, and the invitation. "

"You will be sure to be ready, " he said, at the gate. 

"Yes, " they cried. 

"At half-past four?"

"Yes. "

"Good-bye sister; good-bye Florence; go in out of the sun. "

"Good-bye, brother, keep in the shade. "

Then they laughed and ran in. 

"Mamma, " cried Dimple. "Auntie, " cried Florence, "where are you?"

"Upstairs, " she answered. 

Up they ran. "Aren't you glad Rock is such a nice boy? Did you know boyscould be so nice?" asked Dimple. 

"I knew they could be, if they would. "

"What makes Rock so gentle and kind and good?"

"Well, you see he lost his father when he was a very little boy, and ashe had no brothers or sisters, he has been almost constantly with hismother, who is a very gentle, sweet woman. "

"He doesn't seem silly, like some boys, either, " said Florence. "I knowa boy, we call him 'sissy, ' he is so like a girl, and he is alwayswhining, and afraid of cold, and afraid of sun, and afraid ofeverything. "

"I shouldn't like that kind of boy, " Dimple said. "Mamma, I call Rock mybrother, and he calls me sister. "

"Do you?" said her mother, smiling. "Now it is nearly dinner time, andif I am not mistaken, two little girls have left their new dolls, andall their scraps and things out on the porch. "

"So we have!" they exclaimed, and ran down to bring them in. 

The dolls were laid away in state for the next day, and at the sound ofthe dinner bell, the girls went into dinner. 

Since the arrival of Florence, Dimple had not cared so much for Bubbles'society, and sometimes objected to her joining in their plays; butBubbles, by the gift of Floridy Alabamy, did not lack amusement, andcould be seen almost any afternoon happy with her doll. 

She was singing, "Oh Beurah lan', sweet Beurah lan', " when Florencecalled her. 

"What are you singing, Bubbles?"

"Beurah lan', " answered she. 

"What does she mean, Dimple?"

"Beulah land. She does get things so twisted. We are going down to thewoodshed to play till mamma calls us. Bubbles, do you want to go?"

Of course Bubbles did, and off they all went. 

The woodshed was at some distance from the house, out in a shady place. Sometimes the children took to the roof, which could be reached by aladder, and it was the scene of many a bold adventure. 

"What shall we play?" said one to another. 

"Injun, " suggested Bubbles. 

"No Indian for me, since my foot was cut, " said Dimple. 

"Let's play house afire and climb from the roof by the ladder, " saidFlorence. 

"No. I tell you, " said Dimple, "let's be cats and get on the roof andmeow like they do at night. "

They all laughed at this, but finally concluded to be birds, and buildnests, but why they should take leaves in their mouths and climb up anddown the ladder no mortal could tell, and indeed this proved too tediousa play, and they all sat on the roof to decide what should be done next. 

Suddenly Dimple cried out, "What is that sticking out of your pocket, Bubbles?"

Bubbles quickly thrust whatever it was back into her pocket, and wasabout to get down from the roof, when Dimple held her. 

"Pull it out, Florence, " she cried. "I believe it is a piece of mydotted swiss. "

And so it was. Bubbles had been consumed with envy ever since Rubina andCelestine had been dressed in white, and wanted her doll to look aswell. 

"You wicked girl! where did you get it?" asked Dimple, fiercely. 

"Found it. "

"You didn't. You've been stealing. You stole it from my box that I lefton the porch yesterday. What were you going to do with it?"

"Make a frock for Floridy Alabamy. "

"Why didn't you ask for something, instead of taking what didn't belongto you?"

Bubbles was silent. 

"You told a story too, when you said you found it; you knew it was mine. Now you shall be punished. "

"Don't send me to the orphan asylum, " said Bubbles, beginning to cry. 

"No, I promised mamma I wouldn't say that any more, but I shall dosomething. The idea of your doing such a thing. I really used to thinkyou were nearly as nice as a white girl, Bubbles, but I never shall anymore. "

Bubbles cried harder than ever at this. 

"What shall I do with her, Florence?"

"Take her doll away, " suggested she. 

"No! no! no! please, Miss Dimple, I'll never do so no mo', " criedBubbles, "'deed an' 'deed, I won't. Don't take my doll away. Yuh canwhup me, or anything, but don't tek my doll away, " and she hugged ittightly, rocking herself to and fro. 

Dimple thought a moment, and then she said, "I know, we will leave herhere on the roof, and take the ladder away; then when mamma calls us tocome in to dress we can put the ladder up again, and she can get down. "

This was agreed upon, and Bubbles was left a lofty prisoner. 

The girls concluded to play under the big tree, and became sointerested, that when Mrs. Dallas called them, they forgot all aboutBubbles, and went into the house without ever putting up the ladder. 

"What am I to wear, mamma?" asked Dimple. "One of my white frocks, Isuppose. "

"Yes, " said her mother. 

"And Florence too? Yes, Florence, then we will all be in white, thedolls too. Mamma, may we carry our parasols?"

"I don't think you will need them. Now, girls, I will send papa for youat half-past eight. I hope you will be little ladies, both of you, because I particularly want Mrs. Hardy to be fond of you. "

"Oh, we will, mamma, " replied Dimple. "Why do you want Mrs. Hardy tolike us?"

"I have two or three reasons. I will tell you when we have more time. Hurry, Florence, and put on your frock; it is nearly half-past four. "

"I hear a carriage stopping, " said Dimple, running to look out of thewindow. "Florence, Florence, do hurry; Rock and his mother are out therein a carriage; where are the dolls? Oh, here they are. No, I haveyours, " she exclaimed, excitedly. "Do, Florence, get your hat. "

"Don't get so excited, Dimple, " said her mamma. "There is no need ofsuch a very great hurry as all that. I will go down and you can come. You have forgotten your handkerchief; it is there on the bureau. "

"Oh Dimple, do get me a handkerchief too, " said Florence, "I don't knowwhat does make me so behindhand. "

"Perfume, Florence?"

"Oh, please, just a wee drop, not too much. "

"Cologne or violet water?"

"Which have you?"

"Cologne. "

"Then I will take the other. Now I'm ready. Do you suppose we are goinganywhere? It is such a little way to drive only to the house. "

"I don't know, " returned Dimple. "We'll soon see. "

"We thought it was so early, " said Mrs. Hardy, "that we could take ashort drive before tea, if these little girls would like it. "

"Indeed we should, " said they. 

"Then help them in, Rock, " and they were soon seated, driving off ingreat style, dolls and all. 

Meanwhile, Bubbles sat on the roof, waiting for their return. As thetime passed and they did not come, she made desperate efforts to getdown, but there was no way. The tree that shaded the woodhouse was justtoo high to reach, and she crept to the edge of the roof, making up hermind to jump, but when she saw the distance her heart failed her, andshe went back. 

"Leave me hyah all night I s'pose, " she said, "mebbe I'll ketch cold anddie; 'most wisht I would. "

Then she heard some one call "Bubbles, Bubbles, " but though sheanswered, no one came. 

It grew later and later, the sun went down, and the sky sent up littlepuffs of pink clouds overhead. 

Bubbles lay down on her back, and looked up at the sky. After a while alittle star peeped out, then disappeared again, like a baby playing"Peep-bo. "

"Angels, I reckon, " thought Bubbles. "S'pose I won't git to see 'em. Ireckon stealin's awful, " and she lay there in a very humble frame ofmind, till she went to sleep. 

"I cannot imagine what has become of Bubbles, " said Mrs. Dallas to herhusband when he came in. "I have looked the house over, and called herin every room. She cannot have followed the children. I never knew herto stay away before. "

"Hasn't Sylvy seen her?"

"Not since early in the afternoon. She has looked all over the place. "And so she had, but Bubbles asleep on the roof did not hear her, and alimb of the tree on that side hid her from view. 

"There is no reason for her running off, is there?" asked Mr. Dallas. 

"No, unless Dimple has threatened her with the orphan asylum once toooften. She has such a horror of it, but I told Dimple not to do soagain, and she is not apt to disobey. "

They sat down to tea, and it was not till an hour later that Bubbles wasrescued. Mr. Dallas was walking about, smoking his cigar, when he hearda doleful voice saying, "Lordy, Lordy, I'm awful bad, just as well go to the orphan asylum. I'lldie hyah, plum sho'. "

He listened, and walked a few steps further. 

"Wisht I was a bird, I'd get up in that tree. Wisht I had a raven tobring me my supper--s'pose I'll starve and die too. "

"Bubbles, where are you?" called Mr. Dallas. He heard a scramblingoverhead, and a delighted reply. 

"Hyah, sah, hyah I are. "

He looked all around, but did not see her. 

"Where are you?" he asked again. 

"On de roof, sah. "

"Well, why don't you get down?"

"Ain't no way, sah; done tucken de ladder away. "

Mr. Dallas found the ladder and put it up, and Bubbles scrambled down. 

"Have you been up there all this time?"

"Yas, sah, " said Bubbles, scraping one foot with the bare toes of theother. 

"How came the ladder down?"

"Miss Dimple done did it. "

"What for?"

Bubbles hung her head, and began scraping the other foot. 

"What for?" again asked Mr. Dallas. 

"I done stole, " said Bubbles, solemnly. 

"And she did it to punish you?"

"Yas, sah. "

Mr. Dallas could not avoid smiling, but he said, "Go along into thehouse, and tell Mrs. Dallas about it. By the way, didn't you see any onelooking for you?"

"No, sah. I was clean tuckered a waitin', and I went to sleep. 'Specsthey came then mebbe. "

"Well, go along, " he said, and Bubbles started for the house, while hewent to bring home the girls. 

CHAPTER VI

The Tea-Party

When the carriage left the house Mrs. Hardy directed the driver to gothrough one of the pleasant roads leading from the town. 

"Which is your favorite drive, Dimple?" she asked. 

"Oh, Pleasant Valley and Big Run, " answered she. "Don't you think so?"

"I hardly know, " said Mrs. Hardy. "I have been around so little; youwill have to be our guide and tell us the pretty places. "

Dimple felt quite important, and chatted away at a great rate. 

"Didn't Rock make our dolls pretty hats?" she asked. "Mrs. Hardy, I wishhe were my brother. He couldn't be, could he? Even if he could only bemy cousin, I should like it. "

Mrs. Hardy looked at Rock, who laughed and said, "That is more likelythan the other. "

"I don't see how, " said Dimple. 

"You will see, " said Rock. But at a look from his mother he was silent. 

They leaned back on the soft cushions, breathing the sweet air, spicywith the scent of the pines through which they were driving. 

At Big Run they all begged to get out, to see if there were any fish inthe water. They clambered about on the bank and over the stones, tillMrs. Hardy told them it was too late to stop longer, and they drovetoward town. 

After they had reached the house where Rock and his mother wereboarding, they took off their hats and were ready for tea. They wonderedif they were all to sit with Mrs. Brisk's family at the table, anddreaded it a little. However, when Rock said, "Come this way, girls, "they were a little mystified, for he took them out into the garden. 

Under a trellised summerhouse there was set a little table for three, and on the bench a very small table with two little chairs. 

"That is for the dolls, " explained Rock. 

"Oh, Rock!" exclaimed the girls. "Where did they come from? Did you makethem?"

"Yes, " said he. "Do you like them?"

"They are perfect, " said Florence. "Dimple, do see how nicely Celestinesits up to the table. "

"And Rubina, too, " said Dimple, as she took off her doll's hat. "Don'tthey look lovely? Look, Rock. What a boy you are. "

Rock laughed, and they turned to their own table, which had a tinybouquet by each plate and a pyramid of fruit in the centre. 

The long drive had given them all an appetite, and they did full justiceto the croquettes, muffins and fried potatoes before they thought of thejelly, fruit and cake. 

"How will we get our chairs and table home?" said Florence. 

"I will take them to-morrow, " said Rock. 

"Oh, no, " said Dimple. "It was enough for you to make them, withouttaking them home, too. "

"Well, " said Rock, "if the cabinetmaker can't take home his own goods, Ithink it is a pity. "

The girls laughed, and so the matter rested. 

"What shall we do now?" asked Rock. "Will you look at pictures, or playgames, or what?"

Dimple looked at Florence, and Florence looked at Dimple. 

"I think pictures are nice in winter, when you can't be out of doors, "said Florence, who never could get enough of out of doors. 

So they concluded to play out of doors. 

"What nice long grass this is, " said Dimple. "We could almost hideourselves. We might play we were rabbits, and hop about and make nests. "

"Let's hide ourselves, " cried Florence. "I speak for first count. 

 "'Onery Twoery, Dickery Day, Illava, Lullava, Lackava Lay, One condemn the American line. Umny Bumny, Twenty-nine. Fillason, Folloson, Nicholas John. Queevy, Quavy, English Navy, Signum, Sangnum, Buck!'

"You're out, " she sang out to Rock and then went again rapidly over thecount, making herself "It. "

Then Dimple and Rock stole softly off to hide themselves, whileFlorence covered her eyes by a tree. 

"Whoop!" called Dimple, presently. 

"Whoop!" called Rock, a moment later. 

And Florence went in search of them, but before she found them, shediscovered something else and called out:

"Rock! Dimple! Come here, quick. I have found something so funny andcunning. "

Out of their nests started the children to see Florence standing overanother nest in a trellis, in which was a family of little baby wrens, opening their small beaks and clamoring to be fed. 

"Sh! Sh!" Dimple said, softly. "Don't let's scare them, poor littlethings. See, there is the mother bird. She is distressed because we havefound her babies. Oh Rock, don't let any one else know they are here, for they might hurt them. "

"Let us go away now, " said Rock, in a whisper. "The poor mother bird isflying around, and is so troubled. She doesn't know that we wouldn'tharm her little ones for anything. " So they tiptoed away and left themother in possession. 

"What kind of bird was it?" Florence asked, in a low voice. 

"Why, don't you know? That was Jenny Wren, " returned Dimple, moreaccustomed to creatures of woods and fields. 

"Was it really Jenny Wren?" exclaimed Florence, delightedly. "I'm soglad I've seen her. "

"Didn't you ever see her before? You have heard Mr. Wren sing, haven'tyou? Oh, how he sings! I think house-wrens are such dear, dear birds. Wealways put up boxes and cans and such things for them, for we like tohave them around, and they can build their nests in quite small places. The other big birds try to drive them away sometimes, but we always tryto protect them. Mamma says Jenny Wren is a very neat housekeeper, andtakes excellent care of her family. They are such friendly little birds. I love them better than any others. "

"Do you believe you have any wrens' nests near the house, this year?"Florence asked. 

"Yes, indeed, ever so many. I know just where to look for them. I'llshow you some to-morrow. There's one in the funniest place. You knowwhere the bamboo shade is rolled up at the side of the front porch:well, in one end of that a wren has built a nest, and mamma will nothave the shade let down till the little birds are ready to fly. "

Florence gave a sigh of content. She enjoyed such things so heartily, and saw none of them in her city home. 

"I like the robins, " put in Rock, "they are such cheerful fellows. Listen to that one whistle. Doesn't it remind you of juicy cherries?"

Dimple laughed. "Yes, and don't they love cherries! I believe they eathalf on our trees, and they always pick out the very finest ones. "

"Of course. So would you, if you were a robin, " Rock returned. "Speakingof birds, Florence, have you ever watched the swallows--the chimneyswifts--come home? It's a sight. "

"No, I never saw them. Are there any here?" returned Florence, eagerly. 

"Lots of them. They build in that old chimney, and they come every yearon a certain day of the month. They seem to have a sort of system in theway they circle around, and go down the chimney; just as if they wereregularly drilled for it. It's about time for them now. Suppose we sithere and watch them. "

This they did, and when the last belated swallow had dropped down intothe tall old chimney, they went up to the house where Mrs. Hardy waswaiting for them, and where they were glad to listen to her tales ofCalifornia; its big trees, its fine fruits, and the lovely flowers thatgrow wild there; and she told many funny tales of the Chinese, till Mr. Dallas made his appearance, and with regretful good-byes they took theirleave. 

All this time the girls had not once remembered Bubbles. They werehaving such a good time, and it was not till they were on their wayhome, when Mr. Dallas questioned them, that they thought of how they hadleft her on the roof. 

"Mrs. Hardy is just lovely, mamma, " said Dimple, when they reached home. "I hope she liked me, for I liked her, and, oh mamma! I am so sorryabout Bubbles. "

"I am glad you like Mrs. Hardy, " said her mother, "but the next timeBubbles does wrong, I hope you will tell me, and not punish heryourself. You must remember that she is only a little ignorant, coloredgirl, and that it is no wonder she wants what you have, for you haveplayed with her, and been with her so much. Of course it was wrong forher to take anything without leave. Were you and Florence good girls?"

"Yes, I think so. Mamma, what did Rock mean when he said he was morelikely to be my cousin than my brother?"

"Did he say that?" said Mrs. Dallas, smiling. "Well, so you are. "

"Mamma, I don't understand. "

"No. I know you don't. You will in a few days. Now go to bed. "

"Florence, " said Dimple, after they were in bed. "There is anothersecret somewhere, and I cannot puzzle it out. Mamma wants Mrs. Hardy tobe fond of me, and Rock is likely to be my cousin, and all that. "

"I can't imagine, " answered Florence, sleepily. 

"I don't see into it, " said Dimple, after thinking a while. "Florence, are you asleep?"

But Florence made no answer, having by that time arrived in dreamland, and Dimple soon followed her, dreaming that she was feeding the littlewrens on croquettes, and was taking her doll to drive in California, when a big tree came up to her, and insisted on shaking hands, becauseit said it was her cousin. She laughed right out in her sleep, andfrightened a little mouse back into its hole. 

 * * * * *

When the two little girls ran down to breakfast the next morning, theywore very happy faces, for Dimple had just discovered that her birthdaywas only a week off, and she and Florence had been planning for it. 

"Papa always does something very specially nice for me, " Dimple had justannounced, "and I always have a lovely birthday-cake with icing andcandles. Mamma makes it herself, because I always think it tastes betterwhen she does. And she lets me choose what we are to have for dinner. You tell what you like best, Florence, and we'll have that. "

"I like fried chicken better than anything, except, of course, ice creamand cake. "

"So do I. I'm so glad you like what I do, and I'm very glad my birthdayis in June, for it is such a rosy month, and we can have strawberrieswith the ice cream. There are so many good things to eat in June;strawberries, and peas, and asparagus and--oh, I don't know what all. "This conversation took place before breakfast, and Dimple was sitting onthe floor hugging her knees, and looking as contented as it was possibleto be. 

They were still talking on the important subject when they entered thedining-room. 

"What's all this about birthdays?" asked Mr. Dallas, looking up from hismorning paper. 

"Why, papa, don't you know my birthday will be next week?" returnedDimple, as she went up to give him his morning kiss. "Aren't you glad?"she added. 

"Is it an occasion for great joyfulness? I'm not so sure of that. Don'tyou know it makes mamma feel very serious to have a daughter eight--oris it nine--years old? And as for myself, I begin to feel the grey hairspopping out all over my head at the very thought of it. "

"I shall be nine years old. But, papa, you are always making out thatyou are old and that makes me feel sorry. I don't see a single greyhair. People are not very old till they are forty, at least, are they?"

"Well, no, but they are rather decrepit when they reach such extreme oldage as that--Uncle Heath is forty you know, and see what a tottering oldman he is. "

"Now, papa, you are laughing at me. I don't believe you'll have greyhairs for years and years. "

"They are starting, I am sure. However, we'll change the subject, if youwish. What do you expect me to give you on that festal day? Not anotherdoll, surely?"

"No--I don't know--perhaps. "

"Oh, you are insatiable as to dolls. I believe if any one were to giveyou a dozen at Christmas you would be glad to have a dozen more on NewYears. I don't believe Florence is so doll-crazy. "

"Yes, she is. Aren't you, Florence?"

Florence nodded. 

"Nevertheless, " continued Mr. Dallas, "I'll promise no doll this time. Shall it be books? Perhaps we'd better consult mamma. Come to think ofit, I had an idea about this same birthday. It seems to me I thought itwouldn't be a bad plan to provide some amusement for rainy days. "

The two little girls looked at each other, and Dimple hung her head. 

"What do you think?" Mr. Dallas asked, quizzically. "It seems to me thatI have heard that the rain produces a singularly bad effect upon twolittle girls I know. "

"Yes, papa, we were horrid, especially one time. We didn't know what todo, and so--and so----"

 "'Satan found some mischief still For idle hands to do;'

was that the way of it?"

Dimple glanced at Florence shamefacedly. "Yes, papa, I'm afraid it wasjust that way, " she replied, meekly. 

"Well, as I said before, I think it wouldn't be a bad plan to provideagainst such trouble. Perhaps that birthday will show you a way out offuture difficulty. "

And so it proved, for on her birthday morning the secret of the littlehouse was revealed. 

"You must wait till after breakfast to see your birthday gifts, daughter, " Mrs. Dallas said, as Dimple came bounding into the room toreceive her nine kisses. 

"Oh, mamma, why? I always have them the first thing. Do tell me wherethey are. Downstairs or up here?"

"Downstairs, in one sense, but they are not in the house at all. "

Dimple's eyes opened wide. "Not in the house? Florence, just listen. There is a great secret. Oh, dear, how can I wait?"

"Well, dearie, " returned her mother, "the sooner you are dressed thesooner the secret will come. See, I am nearly ready to go down. "

"Please help me, just this morning, mamma. It will make it so mucheasier, and it's my birthday, you know. "

"Very well, since you are the person of importance to-day, I will helpyou. "

"Hurry up, Florence, " cried Dimple. "Come in here and I'll fasten yourbuttons while mamma does mine; then we'll get through all the sooner. "

Although Dimple, the day before, had carefully selected the day's billof fare, the breakfast was scarcely tasted, her favorite wafflesoffering no inducement for her to linger over them, so great was herexcitement, and she watched eagerly till her father pushed back hischair, and declared himself ready for orders. It seemed to Dimple thathe had never had such an appetite before, and she watched with anxiousinterest as he helped himself to waffles from each plateful that Bubblesbrought in. There was a twinkle in his eyes as Dimple at last heaved along sigh, and he immediately arose and led the way through the gardento the little new house between the house and the stable. 

"We'll look in here, " he remarked, as he unlocked the door. 

Although Dimple had been quite curious to see the inside of the "housefor little chicks, " she was rather disappointed at the delay, for shethought, perhaps, her papa had something for her in the stable, a foxterrier, or maybe a goat, since she had expressed a wish for both. Butwhen the door of the little house was opened her surprise was so greatthat she gave expression to one long-drawn "Oh-h!" and looked from oneto the other half bewildered. 

For, instead of a brooder and an "inkybator, " she saw before her thedearest little room with white curtains at the window, a rug upon thefloor, a small cooking stove in one corner, a table, chairs, and all tosuit a little girl. Upon the shelves were ranged plates, cups, saucersand dishes, and a cupboard in the corner looked as if it might holdother necessary things for housekeeping. Moreover, her family of dollssat along in a row on the window-seat, looking as expectant as is thenature of dolls to look. 

"Well, Dot, how do you like it?" asked Mr. Dallas, smiling down at thechild whose color came and went in her fair little face. 

"Oh, papa! Oh, papa! is it truly my house?" she asked, clasping himclosely. 

"Yes, it is truly yours. I thought a rainy day house might help to keepour little chicks out of mischief, because here they can peep as loud asthey choose and it will not disturb any one. "

"You said it was for little chicks, and I never once thought you meantus. Did you, Florence? It is lovely, lovely. Oh, papa, you are toogood. "

"I think it is a matter of self-defence, for if you and Florence are soambitious as to take violent possession of your neighbors' houses, itseemed to me there would be no end of complaints, and the best way toprevent further housebreaking was to give you a house where you couldcook and sweep and exercise your domestic tastes to your hearts'content. "

Dimple understood all this banter, and she laughingly said, "Florence, we are like the birds that try to take the wrens' houses to live in. Butnow we have a nest of our own we won't do it any more, papa. Thank youso much. It is the most lovely surprise I ever had in all my life. "

"I'm glad you like your house, Mistress Eleanor Dallas; but, dear me, Ican't stand here chattering. I must be off. "

Dimple gave him an ecstatic parting hug, and returned to a survey of herhouse. 

"Papa gives you the house, and I the furniture, " her mother told her. "You must try to keep the place neat and clean. Of course, Bubbles canhelp you, sometimes, but I want you to learn to take care of it yourselfand to be a good housekeeper. "

"Like Jenny Wren. Oh, yes, mamma, I will try. Florence, we'll put upboxes for the wrens, up there by the door, and maybe they will come andbuild. Mamma, may we have our ice cream and cake out here thisafternoon?"

"Yes, if you like, and you may go over and ask Rock Hardy to come, andLeila and Eugene Clark too, if you like to have them. That will makequite a nice little party. You can use your own dishes, and have all thefun you choose. "

"Won't that be fine!" cried Dimple, softly clapping her hands. "Shall wego now?" she asked. 

"Yes, unless you would rather wait. "

"No, I'd rather go now, so I won't have to think about it, for I shallnot want to leave my house to-day; it is so dear and cunning. And, Florence, when we come back, we'll gather some flowers and makeeverything look as pretty as possible. Just think, we'll be likegrown-up ladies, with a house, and a servant, and--oh, mamma, please letBubbles wear a cap. "

Mrs. Dallas laughed. "I don't believe we will insist upon that, but youcan rig up one for her if you like, when she is out here. Now I must goin. "

"Come, Florence, we'll go and invite the company, and get that overwith, and then we'll have nothing to interrupt us the rest of the day, "said Dimple. "Won't it be fine to come out here on rainy days and makeall the noise we want. What time shall we tell the children to come?"she called after her mother, who was just stepping off the little porch. 

"At four o'clock, I think. "

"That's the time Rock had his tea-party, " said Dimple. "I am glad we caninvite him to our feast, because we had such a nice time over there. Iwonder if he knows anything about this being our little house. If hedoesn't, won't he be surprised!"

It proved that Rock didn't know, and he was as interested as any onecould wish;--so much so, indeed, that he begged to go over at once tosee it, and his mother allowed him to do so. 

"My! but it's fine, " he declared, examining both outside and in. "Youmight have a pretty little garden out here, and plant some vines to growover the porch. "

"So we might, " Dimple responded, "I never thought of that. It will makethe little porch so much prettier. Just think, I never dreamed that itwas being built for me. "

"Your father is awfully good, " returned Rock, adding soberly, "I hope itruns in the family. "

Dimple laughed, but looked sober herself, immediately after. "I'm afraidI'll never be as good as papa and mamma, for I do horrid things, " shesaid. She looked at Florence wistfully, then lifted one of her cousin'ssoft auburn curls, and laid her cheek against it; to which Florenceresponded by giving her a sudden kiss. They both remembered that day inthe garret. 

Rock became so interested in the idea of a garden, that, after Mrs. Dallas's consent was gained, he spent most of the day in digging up alittle patch in which the children planted a remarkable collection ofplants, both wild and cultivated. They even put in some corn, so as tohave roasting ears, Dimple said, and a pumpkin seed, because she likedpumpkin pies. 

They were so busy all day that they were scarcely willing to go in toprepare for their feast. 

Leila and Eugene Clark were properly impressed with the new house; yet, with the others, were quite ready to stop their play that they might dojustice to the big cake with its nine candles, and its wreath offlowers; while the amount of ice cream eaten showed plainly that therefreshments were quite to the taste of the guests. Leila brought Dimplea box of candy, and Eugene presented her with a bunch of beautifulroses. Rock, too, although he hardly could spare the time to rush homeand get his gift for her, had something to donate; an exquisite littlefan with carved ivory sticks, that he said was made in China, and whichhis mother had bought in California. Mrs. Hardy added to the gift adainty pink sash, and Florence had struggled in secret to make Rubina anew frock, and had succeeded very well. So Dimple felt herselfbountifully remembered. 

"It's been just the very happiest day I ever had, " said the little girlas she stood in her white night gown, ready for bed. 

"I ought to be a very, very good girl, mamma; and I have done so manynaughty things lately, but I didn't think. "

"Didn't Think is a bad enemy to most little girls, " said Mrs. Dallas, holding her daughter's fair head against her shoulder. 

"Did _you_ have to fight him?"

"I did, indeed. "

"That's a comfort. Perhaps when I grow up, I may be a little weeny, weeny bit like you, darling mamsey. Please give me nine more kisses. "

"One on your forehead; one on each cheek; one on each eyelid; onebetween the eyes; one on your chin; one on your mouth, and where shall Iput the other?"

"Here, in the tickley place under my chin. Now say 'my blessed child';that always makes me feel good, and then I'll pop into bed. "

But the head was no sooner on the pillow than it was bobbed up again, and there came the whisper, "Mamma, please kiss Florence more than onetime, and call her something nice. " And when this was done, two verytired, but very happy, little girls kissed each other, and in a fewmoments were fast asleep. 

CHAPTER VII

Housekeepers

"Mamma, " said Dimple, with her elbows on the arm of her mother's chair, "what are you thinking about so hard? You have a little puckery frownbetween your eyes, whenever you look at Florence and me. What have webeen doing?"

"Nothing, " replied Mrs. Dallas, smiling. "I was wondering if it would bewise to leave you two alone here with Bubbles for a day. Mrs. Hardywants me to go to the city with her to-morrow, and I promised Sylvy sometime ago that she should have the day; she wants to go off on anexcursion, and has been making great preparations. I could not have theheart to disappoint her, and your papa will not be at home for anotherweek, so I am very doubtful about leaving you. "

"Oh! do go, mamma, " cried Dimple, clapping her hands. "We can keep housebeautifully, can't we, Florence?--and it will be such fun. Do go, there's a darling. We'll be just as grown-up as possible, and doanything you tell us. "

"And you will not be afraid?"

"Not in the least. We'll have Bubbles, you know, and she can run awfullyfast, if we get ill, and want the doctor, " replied Dimple, cheerfully. 

"I hope no such effort will be needed on Bubbles' part. You must notturn the house upside down, nor empty all the trunks and chests upon thefloor of the attic. "

"Now, mamma, " exclaimed Dimple, reproachfully, "why do you remind us ofthat?"

Mrs. Dallas laughed at the woe-begone tone. 

"That you may remember not to do it again, " she replied; then she added, "Well, I'll think about it a little longer. I promised to let Mrs. Hardyknow this afternoon. Now run along and let me think. "

"You will tell us as soon as you make up your mind, " said Dimple, as sheleft the room with Florence. 

"Yes, yes; don't keep me any longer from my 'think. '"

"Don't you hope she will go?" asked Florence. "I think it would be lotsof fun to have the house all to ourselves for a whole day. What shall wedo, Dimple?"

"Oh, there will be lots to do, " replied Dimple, importantly. "There willbe the beds to make, and the house to put in order, and dinner to get. Oh, Florence! What shall we have for dinner? What should you like?"

"I don't know, exactly; baked custards are nice. "

"Yes, " assented Dimple, doubtfully, "but I'm afraid we couldn't manageto make them just right; they seem sort of hard; and you don't likehuckleberry pudding. "

"Then let's have apple 'cobbler;' we both like that. "

"Yes, and it is easy, at least I think it is, just crust and apples. Well, we'll have that. I do wish mamma would hurry up and tell us. "

The two established themselves on the lowest step, as near as possibleto the library, where Mrs. Dallas was sitting. 

"Don't make such a noise, " said Dimple, as Florence, to while away thetime, began to sing; "you will keep mamma from thinking. Just let'swhisper. " So for a half hour or more a little whispering sound went on, interspersed by stifled laughter. Then at the noise of Mrs. Dallas' handupon the door knob, the two girls sprang to their feet. 

"Hurry up, mamma, tell us, " cried Dimple, as the door opened. 

"When you give me a chance, " replied Mrs. Dallas, smiling. "I am going. Does that please you?"

"Oh! oh!" cried the two, dancing up and down. 

"How flattering you are, " said Mrs. Dallas, laughing; "I never hadpleasure so fully shown for such a cause. So you will be delighted toget rid of me?"

"Now mamma! Now auntie!" came in chorus. "It isn't that at all, but itwill be such fun, and we are going to make an 'apple cobbler' fordinner. "

"Are you! Who said so?"

"Why, mayn't we?" asked Dimple, somewhat taken aback. 

"Who will make it?"

"Why, we will, of course. I've seen Sylvy do it often, and I knowexactly how. Do, do let us, mamma. "

It seemed too bad to dampen their ardor, and Mrs. Dallas, ratherdubiously, consented, but charged them not to eat under cooked dough, orraw apples. 

Every one was up betimes the next morning. Sylvy had set everything inreadiness for breakfast, and had taken an early departure, and Mrs. Dallas was to leave on the nine o'clock train. 

"I shall be back by eight o'clock, " she told the children. "Don't setthe house afire, and don't make yourselves ill. "

"Now, don't worry over us, " said Dimple, loftily; "we shall do finely. "

But she did feel a little sinking of heart as her mamma's form was lostto view, and the two girls turned from the gate. 

"I wish Rock were not going with them, " remarked Dimple. "It would benice to have him here. "

"I don't think it would, " replied Florence; "we'd have to entertain him, and maybe he doesn't like 'apple cobbler. '"

"That is true, " returned Dimple, her spirits rising at the suggestionof some active employment. "Now let us go and make the beds, whileBubbles does the dishes. " And they set to work, with much chattering, tofollow out this duty. 

"There, now, it looks as neat as possible, " pronounced Dimple, as sheclosed the shutters to keep out the glaring sun. "Just hang up thattowel that has fallen down, Florence, and then we'll go downstairs andshut up the rest of the house; by that time Bubbles will be through herwork, and we can all play till it is time to get dinner. "

Bubbles had just emptied her dish-pan and was about to scour the kniveswhen they entered the kitchen. 

"Hurry up, Bubbles, " said Dimple, "so we can all go out and play. Wewant you to take care of Celestine and Rubina, while we go out shopping. Mamma said we might use the pieces in this, " holding out a calico bag. "That is, we are just going to roll them up and have them for dry goods. The dry goods shop is to be at the end of the porch, where the bench is. We have cut out a great big newspaper man to sell the goods. We'll haveto pin him against the railing, Florence, or he won't stand up, he is solimp. Isn't he fine and tall? His name is Mr. Star, because we cut himout of the _Evening Star_. "

Their play proved to be so very interesting that it was after twelveo'clock before the little housekeepers remembered that they had a dinnerto prepare, and that the making and baking of their apple pie would takesome time. Then it appeared that Bubbles, in her haste to join the play, had forgotten the fire, which was nearly out. 

"Never mind, we'll put in some wood, " concluded Dimple, cheerfully. "I've seen Sylvy do it lots of times, to hurry up the oven. Run, Bubbles, and get some wood. Then you can pare the apples, while I makethe crust. "

"Let me pare the apples, " suggested Florence; "it is such fun to putthem on that little thing and turn the crank, while the skin comes offso easily. "

"Well, you do that, " agreed Dimple. "And Bubbles can set the table. "

"Why doesn't this apple go right?" said Florence. "It wabbles around soand--there!--it has gone bouncing off to the other side of the kitchen;how provoking!"

"It is a sort of 'skew-jawed' one, " pronounced Dimple. "I can never doanything with those on the parer. Pick out the ones that are perfectlyround and smooth, and they will go all right. I wonder how muchshortening I ought to put in. Does that look like enough to you?"

Florence viewed the pan critically. "I don't know, " she replied, doubtfully. "I don't believe I know much about it; it looks like apretty big lump. "

"Oh, I'll call it enough, " decided Dimple. "There, it is ready to rollout. Somehow, it doesn't roll very easily. "

"Let me try, " offered Florence, who, having finished paring the apples, was watching her cousin. 

"It is not easy, " she said, after banging away with the rolling-pin. "Maybe Bubbles can do it; her arms are stronger;" and, after this thirdeffort, some sort of crust was ready, with which to line the pan. 

"It seems pretty thick, " Dimple declared, looking at it with adissatisfied eye; "but it is the best we can do. "

"Oh, it will taste all right, " encouraged Florence. "Now for the apples;what else, Dimple?"

"Sugar, and little bits of butter and--what else? Oh, yes, a littlesprinkling of flour. Now the top goes on, and it can go into the oven. Iwonder how long it will take to bake. It is one o'clock, and I ambeginning to get hungry. 

"The oven isn't very hot, " she presently pronounced. "Put some more woodin, Bubbles. Oh, what is the matter, Florence?" as an exclamation madeher turn in her cousin's direction. 

"I have burned my hand, " said Florence, trying hard not to cry. "Iwanted to look at the fire, and when I lifted the lid, the steam fromthe kettle came just where I put my hand. I didn't know steam couldburn so. "

"It is worse than anything else, " informed Dimple. "It is too bad. I'llget something to put on it, to take the burn out. "

"Kar'sene's mighty good, " suggested Bubbles. 

"Yes, and so is flour; and linseed oil is good; that will be the best, "and the bottle being brought, the wounded hand was bound up andFlorence retired from action and sat on the step watching the others, while she nursed her hurt. 

"Let me see, " went on Dimple, bustling about. "We have chicken, andbread and butter, and sliced tomatoes, and milk, and the 'cobbler. ' Itis doing, Florence; it is beginning to brown. "

"I wish it would hurry up, " Florence said. "I'm hungry, and, oh! how myhand hurts. "

"Isn't it any better?"

"A little; but it doesn't feel a bit good. "

"It is too bad, " said Dimple, sympathetically, coming over and putting afloury hand on her cousin's. 

"I smell the pie, " she exclaimed, jumping up. "It must be burning, " andshe ran to the oven. 

"Is it burned?" asked Florence, anxiously. 

"No, only just a weeny bit caught. I'll take it out. Doesn't it lookgood?"

Florence gave an admiring assent, and they proceeded to take their meal;but alas!--when the pie was cut a mass of sticky dough and raw apple wasdisclosed to the disappointment of them all. 

"We'll have to put it back and eat it after awhile, " said Florence. "Itwill taste just as good then. "

"Yes, and we can eat cake for dessert, " and the pie was again placed inthe oven. 

Not long after, a rapping was heard at the side porch. "Who in the worldcan that be around there!" exclaimed Dimple. "Go and see, Bubbles. "

Bubbles looked out, cautiously, for it was not the usual place for anyone to make an appearance. Presently she came back with big eyes and asomewhat scared expression. "Hit's a man, Miss Dimple, " she said, in anexcited whisper, "with a gre't big haid an' long hair, an' somethin' onhis back. "

Florence and Dimple looked at each other. "Let's peep and see, "whispered the latter, as the rapping, which had ceased, began again. 

They peeped timidly through the shutters. "He looks queer, " said Dimple, "maybe he is crazy. "

"Oh!" cried Florence, with a stifled scream, "maybe he is an escapedlunatic. Dimple, let's lock all the doors, and hide, " and the two raninto the kitchen, barring and locking the door, and then raced upstairsas fast as they could go, with Bubbles close following at their heels. 

Florence buried her face in the pillows and covered up her head with thebed clothes; Bubbles crawled under the bed, then, as the rappingcontinued louder than before, interspersed with calls of "Hey, there!Hey, there!" Dimple, feeling very brave, opened the window and criedout, "Go away!" then she shut down the window with a slam, and spranginto the middle of the room with very red cheeks and a beating heart. 

After a little time all was quiet, and the three timidly ventureddownstairs to find the pie baked to such a crisp brownness, that itbarely escaped being called black. It was set aside to cool, and after ashort parley, the children set out to reconnoitre, armed with suchweapons as they thought most useful. Bubbles carried an axe, Florence abottle of ammonia, which she meant to throw in the face of the intruder"to take his breath away, " she declared; and Dimple bore a long rope anda pair of large scissors. She intended, she said, to snip at the man ifhe came near her, and, when he was overpowered by Florence's ammonia, to bind him hand and foot with the rope. 

But, after a long and thorough search, no one was found about thepremises, and they all returned to the house to eat the "cobbler, " whichby this time was cool. 

"It doesn't taste like Sylvy's, " said Dimple. "I believe I forgot to putany salt in the crust, and where it isn't hard it is tough; there! Ididn't put any water in it, of course there is scarcely any juice. I wasgoing to save some for mamma, but I don't think I shall. We'll give itaway to the first person we can, " she continued to Florence. 

This happened to be an organ grinder, who made his appearance at thegate. Bubbles was despatched with the message that they hadn't anymoney, but there was some pie, and the organ grinder departed, whethergrateful or not, they did not learn. 

"It seems to me it has been a pretty long day, " said Dimple, as theafternoon wore on. "Five o'clock. Three hours before we can possiblyexpect mamma. I should think she would get dreadfully tired ofhousekeeping, " she continued, remembering her discouraging pie. "Idon't feel as if I wanted any supper, do you, Florence?"

"Not now, " replied Florence; "but your mamma will want some. "

"Oh, well, Bubbles can attend to it, " decided Dimple. "I'm tired ofseeing dishes and dabs. What shall we do next, Florence?"

"We haven't cleared up the porch yet. Mr. Star is out there and all thepieces. "

"Sure enough. Well, we'll get those put away, and then we can dress. Iwonder what became of the crazy man. "

"Why do you remind me of him?" said Florence, plaintively. "I had almostforgotten, and now I shall dream of him. "

"I don't believe he was crazy, " said Dimple. "I suppose he had somethingto sell. I thought so at the time, but I began, to get scared andcouldn't stop. Roll up Mr. Star, Florence, we may want him again. There!I have the bag and all the rest of the things. You bring Mr. Star andthe dolls. "

Just here came a "Hallo!" from around the corner of the house. Thechildren gave a suppressed scream which changed into a hearty laughwhen Rock appeared; and with words tumbling over each other they beganto give a breathless recital of the day's experiences which amused Rockvastly. 

"But how did you happen to be here?" the girls remembered at last toask. "We thought you had gone to the city. "

"No, I didn't go after all. Mr. Brisk was going off in the country, andmamma gave me my choice of places, so I thought I'd not enjoy goingshopping very much, and I decided to go with Mr. Brisk. We got backabout half an hour ago, and I came over to see if you wouldn't go backto the house with me. I want to show you something I found. "

"What is it?"

"Wait till you see. "

"I'm afraid we oughtn't to leave the house, " said Dimple. 

"Can't you lock it up? We won't be gone long, and I'll come back andstay with you till your mother comes. Then I can walk home with mymother, for she'll stop here first. "

"That will be very nice, but I don't believe we dare lock it up. "

"Let Bubbles stay. "

But Bubbles' eyes nearly popped out of her head at this suggestion; and, finally, after many plans Rock went over to the house of the man whomMr. Dallas employed to take care of the garden and stable, and hepromised to stay on the place to give Bubbles countenance, till theothers should return. 

"I've got a job over there, anyhow, " he said, "though I mostly leavesabout this time, but I can do what I have to do as well now as in themorning. " Therefore the children felt perfectly safe in leaving Bubbles. 

Rock led the way to Mr. Brisk's workhouse. "What I've to show you is inhere, " he said. The girls followed him somewhat timidly, but werereassured when Rock drew out a box of shavings where, cuddled up, theysaw a cat and three little bits of kittens. 

"Oh! how cunning, " cried Dimple, getting down on her knees. "You littletootsy-wootsy, deary things. Aren't they soft? Oh! if we might havethem. There are three, just one a piece. Rock, don't you believe wemight have them?"

"We'll go and ask, " said Rock, and they ran pell-mell into the house. 

"What is the matter?" said Mr. Brisk, starting up lest something werewrong. 

"We are only going to ask Mrs. Brisk if we may have the kittens, " theycried, breathlessly. 

Mrs. Brisk was standing in the hall, and heard their story. 

"Well! Well! Well!" she said. "If old Topple hasn't another lot ofkittens. Have them? To be sure you may, and welcome, when they are bigenough to take from their mother. "

The girls clapped their hands delightedly and went back to the littleblind things, who, with their tight shut eyes, were mewing and nosingagainst each other. 

"Now let's choose, " said Rock, after they had taken them out on thegrass where it was lighter. "Two black, and one black and white. If yougirls like the black ones best I'll take the other, or if either of youlike that best, I'll take one of the black ones. "

So, after much talking, Dimple chose a black one, and Florence the blackand white, while Rock expressed himself delighted with the other blackone as really what he liked the best. 

"I shall name mine Jet, " said he. 

"And mine I'll name Onyx, and call it Nyxy for short, " said Dimple. 

"And mine shall be Marble, " said Florence. 

So that question being decided they left them, "like birds in theirnest, " said Dimple, and started for home, for it was growing late. 

"We couldn't carry the kittens home to-night, anyhow, " said Florence;"but I do hope we can see them often, and that I can take mine home. "

She did take it home, and it grew to be a big cat; though before shewent, the children often laughed to see Rock coming in with the threelittle things in a basket, bringing them over for a visit. He did thisseveral times, taking them back to their mother, until one day they cameto stay. 

Although time dragged, eight o'clock did come at last, and the hourbrought Mrs. Dallas. 

"And you are really glad to have me back again, " she said, with an armaround each little girl, "though you were so glad to have me go. And howdid the pie turn out?"

"It wasn't good, " admitted Dimple, candidly; "so we gave it to anorgan-grinder. "

"What charitable, generous children, to be sure, " laughed Mrs. Dallas. "By the way, Dimple, I forgot to tell you that possibly the paperhangermight be here; he was to come one day this week to paper the upperhall. "

Dimple looked at Florence and Florence looked at Dimple. "We thought hewas a crazy man, " presently said the latter, in a shamefaced way. 

"Crazy! Why, what do you mean?"

"He came to the side door, " explained Dimple. "Those were rolls of paperon his back, Florence, and we got frightened and wouldn't let him in. "

"You silly little geese! I see I must not leave you again. "

"But everything else was all right, " Florence informed her, "only Iburned my hand a little. I had almost forgotten it, Dimple. "

"Then you don't want me to go away, altogether, " said Mrs. Dallas. 

"No indeed, " said they both, in the most emphatic manner. 

"You dearest, loveliest, " continued Dimple; "it is too delicious to seeyou again. "

"And I didn't dream about the crazy man after all, " said Florence, thenext morning. 

CHAPTER VIII

Adrift

During this time Mr. Atkinson was not forgotten, and the two littlegirls spent many a happy morning in his beautiful garden, for even thesmall house which Mr. Dallas had built for Dimple, was not proof againstthe attractions Mr. Atkinson's place had to offer. They were careful notto venture beyond bounds, and kept in the walks and on the porches, butone hot day they wandered down to where a fence marked the limits of theplace in that direction. Then came a steep bank sloping down to Big Runwhich, a little further on, emptied into the river. 

It was a wild, romantic spot and full of charm for the two little girlswhose fancies pictured all sorts of possible things. The hollows, in thescraggy willows bending over the stream, might be the hiding-places ofnymphs or fairies; yonder soft sward dotted with buttercups and daisies, might be the favorite spot for a midnight revel; among those rocksqueer little gnomes might live. Florence was especially struck with itall. She had never been quite so near to such a picturesque spot, andnow nothing would do but that they should climb the fence and explorefurther. 

"There isn't a soul anywhere to be seen, " said Florence, "and it will beperfectly safe. "

"Suppose we should meet a fierce dog, " Dimple, a little more cautious, suggested. 

"Oh, no, we're not likely to at all. Dogs are not going to such a placeas that, at least, I don't think so. It would be perfectly fine to goout on one of those willow trees, and hang our feet over the water. "

"Suppose we should slip and fall in. "

"Oh, we'll be careful; besides the branches of the trees hang so farover the stream that we couldn't fall very far, anyhow, and it is veryshallow there. We'll only get a wetting and it's such a hot day Ishouldn't mind if we did. If we should sit there very quietly we mightsee fairies. "

"Do you believe there are fairies, really?"

"Why, yes, --I'm not sure. There may be, you know. Wouldn't it be funnyto see a tiny little being, in a red cloak or a spun-silver robe, comeout from the hollow of a tree and say, 'Maiden, your wish shall begranted'?"

"What wish?"

"Any wish we happen to be making at the time. Come on, Dimple, I am justcrazy to go. " And Florence put her foot on the fence and was soon over, Dimple following. 

It was not so easy as it seemed, to get out on the trees, and theydecided not to attempt it, but thought they would wander along the brinkof the stream, and in doing this they discovered all sorts of wonderfulthings in what Florence called the Fairy Dell: moss-grown rocks fromwhich sprung tiny bell-shaped flowers; a circle of wee pink toadstools, which indeed seemed fit for the elfin folk; a wild grapevine with a mostdelightfully arranged swing on which the two girls "teetered" away ingreat joy; shining pebbles, bits of rose-colored quartz, a forest ofplumy ferns, and all such like things, over which the city childexclaimed and marveled. 

At last they were obliged to cross a little bridge, for the bank becamehigher and higher on that side, and a little further walking showedthem the river. 

"Oh!" Florence exclaimed. "Isn't this fine? I wish we could go outrowing. See those girls over there by that funny flat sort of boat. Theyare going to get on it. Come, let us go down and watch them. "

They clambered down and were soon on the brink of the river. Two orthree girls, much older than Dimple and Florence, were pulling a smallflat barge up on the sands. One of the girls recognized Dimple. "Hallo, Eleanor, " she cried. "Where did you come from? Don't you want to get onwith us?"

"Oh, do let us, " whispered Florence. 

"Are you going out on the river?" asked Dimple. 

"No, we are only going to get on this flat boat, and sit here where wecan get the breeze, and maybe we will fish. We brought some tackle alongwith us. Come, give me your hand. There, you are landed. Come, littlegirl, there is plenty of room. " She held out her hand to Florence, whoeagerly accepted the invitation, and was soon by her cousin's side. 

"Isn't it nice?" said Dimple. 

"Fine, " Florence responded, heartily, as she sat down in the bottom ofthe boat. 

"It's rather sunny, though, " Dimple remarked. 

"Oh, you mustn't mind that. We're going to fish. Don't you want to tryyour luck?"

Dimple looked rather disgustedly at the can of angle-worms and decidedthat she would look on. 

"What are you going to do, Libbie?" Dimple's acquaintance inquired ofone of the other girls. 

"I'm going to try to get the boat out where it will float. It's such funto have it bob up and down, " replied the girl addressed. She had a longpole and was pushing the boat off from the shore. It was fastened to astake, so it could only career around a little, and Dimple's friendCallie Spear assured the little girls that it was perfectly secure, andso they gave themselves up to their enjoyment. 

Both Florence and Dimple felt very proud of being invited to join thiscompany of older girls; and, while the latter amused themselves byfishing, the two little ones set afloat small chips, freighted with thedaisies they had gathered, and wondered how far they could go beforethey should upset. 

"Wouldn't it be funny if they sailed all the way to the ocean and wereseen by the people on one of the big steamers. They would wonder how inthe world the daisy people got out so far. " Florence said this as shewas watching a chip rapidly drifting down stream. Suddenly she becameaware that the shore was further away than she supposed, and she cried, "Oh, how wide the water is! See how far it is to the shore. "

The other girls looked up, startled, and to their dismay discovered thattheir boat had slipped its moorings and was fast drifting down theriver, nearer and nearer to the current of midstream. They looked ateach other with scared faces, but they did not want to alarm the littlegirls, and so Callie said, with a forced laugh: "Oh, that's all right. We'll get in easily enough. Some one will see us from the shore, or aboat will come along that can tow us in. It's rather fun to have alittle adventure. " However, she eagerly scanned the shore and thewater; but no help seemed to be near, and the boat was drifting on andon. 

Dimple realized that they were moving further and further away fromhome, as she saw the objects on the shore grow smaller and smaller. Thebig tears began to gather in her eyes. 

"Don't cry, dear, " said Callie, soothingly. "We'll get home all right. "

"But suppose we shouldn't. Suppose we should drift on and on down towhere the steamboats come up, and we should keep going till it got dark, and nobody should see us, and we should get run into and drowned. Ohdear! I want my mamma, and my papa. "

Florence took alarm at this, and, putting her head in Dimple's lap, began to cry too. 

The older girls were scarcely less frightened, for they knew there was adanger in their reaching the rapids, and in being whirled around betweenthe rocks, when they would be very likely to upset, even in a boat likethe one in which they were. They managed, however, to show less fear, intheir endeavor to calm the younger children. 

"Why, we'll get home long before we reach the steamboats, " said EmmaBradford, cheerfully. "Haven't you seen the river in a freshet? anddon't you know how it carries all sorts of things along? haystacks, andsheds, and even houses with people in them, I've seen, and they arealways rescued. "

Libbie Jackson was looking over the side of the boat. "It is veryshallow here. We could almost walk ashore, " she said. 

"We are right over the old ford, " said Callie. Suddenly she sprang toher feet and began to tear off the skirt of her frock. As soon as shewas freed from it she began to wave it frantically. "I see some one onshore, " she exclaimed, excitedly. "All shout as loud as you can, girls;"and across the water rang the shrill cry of "Help! Help! Help!"

The man riding along the shore caught sight of the flapping skirt, ofhats waving frantically, and the cry of "help" came faintly to his ears. He stopped his horse and looked around. "Them gals is adrift, " he saidto himself. "Whatever possessed 'em I don't know, but I reckon I'll haveto see if I can't stop 'em. "

He rode to the water's edge and looked across. "We're right at theford, " he remarked, as if his horse could understand what he said. "Itwon't hurt you to go out, " he continued. "It's a hot day, and you canget cooled off good. " And the girls in the boat were rejoiced to see thehorse headed toward them. 

"Oh, how lucky that we're at the ford, " said Callie, "otherwise the manmight not venture. See, Eleanor! See, Florence, he can tow us in. Haulup that bit of rope, girls, while I put on my skirt. "

The man was not long in coming alongside. "What happened ye?" he asked. "A lot o' gals like you ain't no business gittin' into such a fix. Whardid ye start from, anyhow? How long ye been driftin'?"

They told him how the trouble had occurred, and he replied with, "Humph!I reckon ye'd better not try that agin. You're a matter o' five milefrom home, and the boat don't belong to ye, ye say. How do ye expect togit back? And how are ye going to manage about the boat? Do ye knowwhose it is?"

"No, but we can find out, " said Callie. "What do you think would be thebest way to get it home again? Isn't it a dreadful fix to be in? Can yousuggest any way to help us?"

"I might take it up for ye to-morrow, maybe, but ye'll have to pay forit. "

"How much would you charge us?"

"Lemme see; a couple of dollars. "

The girls looked at each other, and held a whispered consultation whichresulted in Callie's agreeing to the amount, each girl promising to putin her share. 

The boat was easily towed to the shore; but here it was wet andslippery, and it required considerable agility to get ashore withoutslipping in the soft mud. Every one accomplished it safely but Dimple, whose foot slipped, and over she went, full length into the mire. Asorry sight she was indeed, when she was picked up; plastered from headto foot; face, hands and hair full of the soft ooze. But after she hadbeen scraped off, Callie concluded that it would be better to let thesun dry her well, before attempting to get rid of the rest. 

"About this job, " said the man, "it's worth somethin', ain't it? It'sconsiderable out of my way, travelin' to the middle of the river;besides I've got to look out for that boat, that nobody don't steal it. "

"How much do you expect?" asked Callie, meekly. This was getting moreand more serious. 

"A couple of dollars ain't much when ye consider there's five of ye, andif I hadn't stopped ye, ye'd be goin' yet. My name's Bill Hart, and anyone'll tell you I'm safe. Ye needn't be afraid but what I'll bring backthe boat. "

"Well, if you will come to my house, you shall have your money, " saidCallie. "Do you know where Mr. Harley Spear lives?"

"Big white house, left side the main street. Yes, I know. You his gal?"

"I'm his daughter. "

"All right. I reckon ye can git home now, can't ye? It's a straight roadalong the river. I must be gettin' on. I'll fetch the boat backto-morrow. "

The girls saw him disappear, and stood, a most subdued little group. Dimple felt herself to be in a very unhappy plight, and dreaded meetingany one. How should she get home through the town without being seen?She looked very miserable and woe-begone as she thought of all this. 

"Well, girls, we'll have to be up and doing, " said Callie. "We've a fivemile walk before us, and it's a pretty hot day, so we'll have to take itslowly. You'll have plenty of time to get dried off, before we getthere, Eleanor, so don't look so unhappy, you poor little midget. Thinkhow dreadful it is for me who got you into this scrape. I can neverforgive myself for it. "

"I'll tell you what let's do, " said Libbie. "Let Eleanor take off herfrock, and we'll wash it out in the river, and dry it as we go along. We're not likely to meet any one, and it's so hot she'll not take coldgoing without it. We can hold it out between us as we walk along, so itwill dry before we get home, and it will be clean at least. "

Dimple was so grateful for this suggestion that she could have huggedLibbie; but she did not know her very well, and only expressed herthanks very fervently. At the first opportunity the frock was washedout, and really looked much better. "I wish I could do my stockings, too, " said Dimple, "but I couldn't go barefoot. Mamma wouldn't like meto, although I'd like to. " So this part of her dress had to remain as itwas, and the girls took up their line of march again. 

"I am so thirsty I don't know what to do, " said Callie. "If I don't havea drink I'll drop by the way. I hate to think of drinking that warmriver water; besides, it isn't so easy to get it. "

"There's a spring somewhere further along, " said Emma Bradford. "If wecan manage to exist till we reach it, we can rest there. We shall behalf starved, too, by the time we get home. "

"If we only had something to eat we could sit down by the spring till itgrew cooler, and we'd have a sort of a picnic. Oh, girls, we left allour fishing tackle in the boat! I never once thought of it. "

"Nor I. "

"Nor I. "

"Perhaps Bill What's-his-name will bring it back when he comes with theboat. We've made a pretty expensive trip of it, as it is, withoutlosing our fishing tackle. Think what that four dollars would buy: sucha lot of ice cream and soda water, " said Callie. 

"Don't mention such things when we are consumed with thirst, and are sowarm, " said Emma. 

"We may have to pay for the use of the boat, too, " said Libbie. "Isuppose we are out at least a dollar apiece, and maybe more. It willtake all my pin money for a month. No more soda water for a while, unless some one treats me. "

"I suppose we ought to be thankful to get home at all, " Dimple spoke up. 

"Yes, when you consider it in that light, we're let off cheaply enough, "Callie replied. "Oh, dear, where is that spring?"

"Just beyond that turn, " Emma told her. And they toiled on till theyreached the spot where the cold water bubbled out from a pebbly hollowunder an old tree. 

"We must cool off before we drink, " Libbie warned them. "We'll bathe ourfaces and hands, and sit here for a while. We are so overheated we oughtnot to drink right away. "

"It's very hard not to, " said Callie, "but I suppose you are right. "

"I am as hungry as I am thirsty, " Libbie remarked. "If we only had onebiscuit apiece, it would be something. "

They had refreshed themselves with the cool spring water, and were idlysitting under a tree, when Dimple sprang up, crying, "I see something!"And she scrambled up the bank to a ledge beyond. "Girls! girls! here arelots of huckleberries, " she called. 

"Are you sure?"

"Certain sure. I wish you'd see. Come up. " And they clambered up to thespot to find that she spoke truly: there was a patch of huckleberrybushes full of fruit. They set to work with a will and bore their feastdown to the spring, near which they seated themselves on a fallen log. 

"Did you ever taste anything so good?" said Emma. "I never care much forhuckleberries at home, but I shall never despise them again. "

Being refreshed they took up their journey again. Weary and warm they atlength reached home, glad indeed to see the familiar streets, shady andquiet. 

"I am going to see you safely in your mother's hands, " Callie assuredDimple; "for it was my fault that you got into trouble. I had nobusiness to tempt you. "

"But you only meant it out of kindness, " replied Dimple, appreciatively. "I think you were very good to want us; and it would have been all rightif the boat had not floated off that way. "

"But we did float off, and I want to explain matters to your mother. "

"I'll give you the dollar I have in my bank, " said Dimple. 

"No, wait till we find out about the other man; the one who owns theboat. When he understands that we didn't mean any harm, and that it wasan accident, perhaps he won't charge for the boat, and then we'll onlyhave to pay eighty cents apiece. I don't want to take any money of yoursif I can help it. "

"Oh, but you must. I'm sure mamma will say so. "

"Well, we'll see. Just look how nicely your frock has dried. It doesn'tlook bad at all. A little limp maybe, but it's better that than muddy. I hope your mamma isn't very much worried. I don't believe it is so lateafter all. " And although it seemed to Dimple that she had been days awayfrom home, she was surprised to find that it was only about fouro'clock, when hot and hungry they arrived at home. 

Callie made her excuses and apologies as contritely as possible, andMrs. Dallas was so relieved to find that nothing worse had happened, that she said very little in the way of reproof to the two runaways. 

"You must never go down to the river again, my children, " she said;"that is, unless papa or I, or some trustworthy person is with you. Ishould have forbidden you to go this time, but you have never venturedthere before. "

"I know, mamma, " replied Dimple, "but it was so easy getting there fromMr. Atkinson's place, that we were there before we knew it. Was it'Didn't think, ' mamma?"

"Not exactly. I suppose you hardly realized that you were doing wrongsince there were older girls with you, and it was more of an accidentthan actual wrongdoing. I think we shall have to keep you at homehereafter, for it seems very easy for little folks to get into troublewhen they are away from their mothers. You have your own garden and yourown little house to play in, so I think we must set the bounds there, and only allow you to go outside our premises by special invitation. "

"Not even to Mr. Atkinson's?"

"No, I think not, dear. It is safer for you at home. Mamma has beengreatly worried and distressed, and I am sure you do not want her topass through such an anxious time again. It is for mamma's sake, dear, as well as your own, that she keeps you close to her. Suppose you hadfallen overboard. " She drew the child nearer to her, while her eyes grewmoist at the thought. 

"Dear, dear mamma, I'll never go away again without your leave. I don'twant to make you unhappy, mamma. I do love you. "

"I know you do, darling; but little girls sometimes forget that it ismore by the doing than by the saying that their mothers are made awareof their love. You know papa always tells you that if you really loveyour parents, you will do the things that please them, otherwise, nomatter how much you say 'I love you, ' it doesn't mean anything. "

Dimple looked very sober, and Florence, too, listened to all this with avery grave face. It had really been a very trying day for the two littlecousins, and now that they were safe, they realized how uncomfortable ithad been. Therefore, from that time there never was a question of theirgoing outside the gate without permission, and Mr. Atkinson's place wasno longer visited unless by his express invitation on Saturdayafternoons. 

"I feel as if I had been sort of ungrateful, " said Dimple, the next dayafter their rescue. "I just love my home, Florence, and somehow I don'tfeel a bit bad about not going to Mr. Atkinson's. I believe I knowexactly how the little birdies feel when they get back to the nest, after they have been trying to fly. I hope I shall never go so far awayagain, until I am much older. " And the two returned contentedly to theirold playground, only too glad to feel the security of familiar sightsand sounds. 

CHAPTER IX

Down Town

"Don't you want to go down town for me, girls?" said Mrs. Dallas, onepleasant morning. "I can't send Bubbles very well. "

"Oh, yes, " said Dimple. "What are we to get?"

"Several things, " replied her mother. "Go and get ready and I will tellyou. "

"May we take Celestine and Rubina?" asked Florence. 

"I don't think I would, for you will have packages, and they will be inthe way. "

"Don't let's take them anyhow, Florence, " said Dimple. "I was thinkingthis morning that their frocks are too thick for summer. " So they ranoff to get ready. 

"Now, " said Mrs. Dallas, as they came back, "I want you to go to Fink'sand get me four yards of trimming like this sample; if they haven'texactly like it, the nearest will do. Then I want you to get me fourlemons. You may go to old Mrs. Wills for those, and if she has any fresheggs you may get a dozen, and--oh, yes, a bottle of vanilla extract. Nowdon't be too long, for I shall want to use some of the things thismorning. "

They promised, and went off without delay. It was a pleasant Julymorning, and they started gaily down the street, which was shaded bytrees and bordered on each side by pretty cottages, with gardens infront. 

"There is Mrs. Brown, " said Dimple; "let's cross over, Florence, shewill be sure to stop us if we don't. "

"Who is Mrs. Brown?" asked Florence. 

"Oh, she's a woman, " returned Dimple. "I suppose she is very nice, butshe is so solemn, and is always telling me that she hopes I will grow upto be a comfort to my mother and not a care and burden; and she alwayssays it as if there wasn't the least doubt but that I would be a careand a burden, and I don't like her. Do you know mamma and Mrs. Hardyhave been friends for over twenty years, and mamma is Rock'sgodmother?"

"How do you know?"

"Mamma told me. I asked her how she came to know Rock's mother, and shesaid she used to know her when she was a little girl like me--and whenthey were young ladies they were great friends. Then mamma was marriedand came here, and Rock's mother was married and went to California. When her husband died she came back to Baltimore to live. Here isFink's; we have to go in here. "

This was the largest dry goods shop in the town, and the clerks all knewDimple. 

"What can we do for you this morning, Miss Dallas?" said one of them, leaning over the counter. 

"Mamma wants four yards of this trimming, " said Dimple, holding out hersample. 

The man took it, turned it over to examine both sides, and took down abox. 

"Four yards, did you say?"

"Yes, " said Dimple. 

He measured it off, saying, "Don't you want some cards? We have somejust in with a lot of goods. "

"I would rather have a box, " said Dimple; "for I have a new doll, and Iwant it to put her sashes in. "

"You don't object to having both, do you?" said he. "Suppose I put thecards in the box. How would that do?"

"Oh, that would be very nice, " said Dimple; "you are very kind. "

As he went off, she turned to Florence and said in a low tone, "I didn'tlike to ask him for two boxes, but I will give you the cards. "

"No matter, " said Florence. "I don't care very much for a box. "

However, when the man returned he had two boxes with four pretty cardsin each. 

"Thank you so much, " said the girls, highly pleased. 

"He is a real nice man, " said Florence, when they were in the street. "Ididn't believe he would think of me. "

"Yes, I think he is nice, " said Dimple; "besides he has known me eversince I was a baby; he mightn't be so nice to a stranger. "

They next came to a little low brown building with one window. As theywent in at the door, a small bell over it tinkled and a voice said, "Ina minute. "

While they waited they looked about the shop, which was quite acuriosity to Florence. In the window were jars of candy, red and white, gingerbread horses, shoestrings, oranges, lemons, and dolls strung alongin a line, the largest in the middle and the smallest at each end;besides these there were tops, whistles, writing paper, pencils, scrappictures, and a variety of other things, all jumbled up together. Inside, the glass case and the shelves were full, and from the ceilinghung rolls of cotton in tissue paper, toy wagons, jumping-jacks andhoops. 

"What a funny place, " whispered Florence; but just then a funnier oldwoman came in. Her face looked like a withered apple, it was so wrinkledand rosy; her eyes were bright and her grey hair was combed back under ahigh white cap. As she came behind the counter, Florence saw that one ofher hands was very much scarred, and the fingers bent. She wondered whathad happened to it. 

"Well, little Dallas girl, it's you, is it? And how is my pretty withher dimples and curls? Hm! Hm! Hm! The little Dallas girl, " said theold woman. 

"Mamma wants four lemons, Mrs. Wills, " said Dimple. 

"Four lemons; four--four--" said the old woman, going to a box andtaking them out. 

"And she wants to know if you have any fresh eggs?"

"Fresh eggs. Hm! Hm! Fresh eggs. How many? I'll see. "

"A dozen if you have them. "

"Well, we'll have to go and find them, little girls. Who is the otherlittle girl?"

"My cousin, " said Dimple. 

"A Dallas?"

"No; her name is Florence Graham. "

"Graham, Graham. A Dallas and a Graham. Come you two, then, and we'llsee if we can find any eggs. "

They followed Mrs. Wills through the back room into the yard. The roomthey passed through was very clean, and held a stove with a little tinkettle on it, a bed with a patchwork quilt, a shining little table andseveral chairs with flowers painted on them. 

The yard was quite a curiosity, and seemed to be given up entirely topigeons and chickens, who made a great fuss, flying up on the oldwoman's shoulder and pecking at her; while an old duck waddled solemnlyafter, giving a quack once in a while to let them know she was there. 

Mrs. Wills took them to the hen-house, and told them where to look foreggs. 

As Dimple had been there before, she knew where to look, and they soonmade up the dozen. 

The old duck followed them into the house, and was waddling after theminto the shop, when Mrs. Wills with a "Shoo! Shoo!" drove her out. 

"Now, Dallas girl, and Graham girl, " said Mrs. Wills, "does the motherneed anything else to-day?"

"There was something else, " said Dimple, "but I can't think what. Canyou, Florence?"

"There were four things, I know, " said Florence. "But I don't rememberthe fourth. "

"A--apples, B--brooms, C--crackers, D--dust-pans, " went on Mrs. Wills, rapidly, and then paused. 

"No; not any of those, " said Dimple. 

"E--extract, " said Mrs. Wills. 

"Yes, that's it. You have guessed, Mrs. Wills, vanilla, please. "

"E--extract, E--extract, " said the old woman, as she hunted in a darkcorner. 

"And C--cocoanut cakes. Red or white?" she asked, opening the case. 

"White, " said Dimple. "But Mrs. Wills----"

"Tut! Tut! Don't you say it; don't you say it, or I'll take back myeggs, " she said, as she handed each of the children a cake. 

"Thank you, Mrs. Wills. When I'm grown-up I'll make you a great big cakeand send it to you, " said Dimple. 

That pleased the old woman mightily, and she nodded good-bye to them, saying, "Lemons, eggs and extract, " over and over to herself. 

"What a ridiculous old woman!" said Florence. "Is she crazy?"

"No, " said Dimple. "But she is queer. She is good, though, and mammaalways buys everything from her that she can, and she feels so bad if Idon't take the things she offers me that I have to accept them. "

"What is the matter with her hand?"

"She burned it trying to save her child from burning. "

"Did she save it?"

"No; and that is what makes her so queer. She has never been the samesince. "

"My! how warm it is getting, " said Florence. "I am glad we have broadbrimmed hats. Let's hurry home. There is your Mrs. Brown again. "

"Oh, dear!" said Dimple. "Let us turn up this street; it is just as nearto go home this way. " So they turned the corner and reached home beforeMrs. Brown knew which way they had gone. 

"Suppose we watch Sylvy make cake, " said Dimple, when they had deliveredtheir packages. "She always lets me watch her. And then we can scrapethe bowl. Don't you like to?"

"I never do at home, " said Florence. "Our cook is so cross and mammadoes not like me to go into the kitchen. "

"My mamma doesn't care; she lets me go whenever I please, and sometimesI help Bubbles clean knives and do such things, so she can get through, and play with me sooner. "

"Sylvy, we are coming to watch you make cake; may we?"

"I'm not a carin'!" said Sylvy. "Git 'round on the other side of thetable. "

"See her break the eggs, " said Florence. "Could you do it, Dimple? I'dbe sure to get the yolks all mixed with the whites, and she just turnsone half into the other as easily. "

"I'd be afraid to try, " said Dimple; "but when I am a little bigger, Imean to make a cake myself. I believe I could now if I had some one totell me. "

"I wouldn't try just yet, " said Sylvy, briskly beating the whites of theeggs to a froth. 

"Could you, Sylvy, when you were a little girl?" asked Florence. 

"Laws, no. I was nigh as big as I am now, and then I made a poor fist atit, " said Sylvy, laughing at the recollection. 

"What was the matter?" asked Dimple. 

"Too much butter and sugar, and not enough flour; it rose up beautifulat first and then down it went; when I took it out of the oven it waslike taffy. I felt plum bad, I tell you; but I did better next time;" sosaying, she turned her cake into the pans and giving each of thechildren a spoon, bade them take the bowl between them out on the steps, and "lick" to their hearts' content. 

"You aren't going to make another cake right away, are you, Sylvy?"asked Dimple, looking up from her bowl. "And--oh, Florence, see allthose turnovers. Are you really going to make another cake, Sylvy?"

"Yass, miss, some suveral of 'em. "

"What for?"

"Yo' ma done tole me to, " replied Sylvy, with a smile. 

"I'm going to ask her about it. I know she doesn't intend we shall eatthem all. Perhaps there is going to be a church supper, or a strawberryfestival, or something. Come on, Florence, let's go and see about it. "And throwing down their spoons, they went to hunt up Mrs. Dallas. 

They found her in the dining-room, making salad dressing, and upon thetable was a newly-boiled ham, and a quantity of chopped chicken. 

"There, now, mamma is doing something about eating, too, " exclaimedDimple. "I'd just like to know what it is all for. Won't you tell us, mamma? Are you going to have a tea or anything like that?"

"Not exactly like that; but we are going on a picnic. "

"Oh! oh! a picnic! Tell us, mamma. Who is going? Are we children to go?"

"Yes. You children, Mrs. Hardy and Rock, the Spears, the Neals, and theJacksons. Mr. Atkinson, too, I think. "

"Which Jacksons?"

"Mr. David Jackson's family. Mr. Atkinson is not sure of being here, buthe hopes to be able to get off. "

"Oh, good! Tell us some more, mamma. "

"We are going to start early to-morrow afternoon, if it is pleasant. Wewill take supper with us. We are going up the river to the island, andhave our meal there. "

"Fine! fine! Oh, Florence, you have never been to the island, and it isjust lovely there. I think you are very good to let us go, mamma, afterour running away in a boat. "

"Who ever heard of any one's running away in a boat?" laughed Mrs. Dallas. "Now be good children, and keep out of the way, for Sylvy and Ihave a lot to do. "

"We'll be good as possible, mamma, but just one more question: are yougoing to take Bubbles?"

"I hadn't thought of it. "

"Oh, do, please; she'd be a lot of help, and she'd simply jump out ofher skin if she thought she would be allowed to go. "

"Then we'd better let her stay in her skin. She would be veryuncomfortable without it, even in this warm weather. "

"Please, mamma. "

Mrs. Dallas considered for a moment, and then said: "Well, yes, upon thewhole, I think it would be rather a good plan, but she must not neglecther work to-day. If she gets through all that she has to do by the timewe start she may go, but not otherwise. She will have extra work to-day, because Sylvy is more than usually busy. "

"May we help her a little bit? We could clean the knives, and shell thepeas. "

"I think that would be very kind if you did. "

"And may we tell her?"

"If you like. "

The two little girls ran off to where Bubbles was washing out dishtowels by the kitchen door. "Bubbles! Bubbles! You are going on apicnic, " cried Dimple. 

Bubbles dropped the dish towel she was dousing up and down in the water. "Me, Miss Dimple? Me? Who say so?"

"Mamma. There is to be a picnic to-morrow, and you are to go along withus. Aren't you glad?"

"Hm! Hm! I reckon I is. All dem cakes an' pies an' good eatin's, an' Igwine have some fo' dey gits mashed up an' soft, an' I gwine wait on deladies and gent'mans. Ain't dat fine?" She gave a twist to her towel andshook it out with a snap. Then she was overtaken by a sudden fear. "Yuhain't a-foolin' me, is yuh?"

"No, of course not. I wouldn't be so mean as to fool you about such athing. But mamma says you mustn't dawdle to-day. So hurry up and getthose towels done. Sylvy is going to be awfully busy, so you'll have tohelp her, but we're going to clean the knives for you, and shell thepeas. Bring them down to the little house; we're going down there. Wemight set the table, too, Florence. "

"Thanky, ma'am, Miss Dimple. Thanky, Miss Flo'ence. " Bubbles' face wasbeaming, and her slim, black legs went scudding into the house with morethan their usual agility. 

"I shouldn't wonder if Rock were to come over, Florence, " said Dimple;"then he can help us to shell the peas, so we can have some time toplay. Rock will want to talk over the picnic, and he will want to seehow the garden is coming on. I think the pumpkin vine is coming up. Ican't tell whether it is that or a weed, but Rock will know. "

"Rock always thinks of such nice plays; I hope he will come, " returnedFlorence; and, indeed, they had hardly established themselves on theporch of the little house before the boy's cheery whistle was heard, andthe three children, after faithfully fulfilling the promise to Bubblesto relieve her of some of her tasks, determined to invent a new play. 

"I'll tell you what we'll do, " said Rock. "We'll dig a cave over here, and we'll pretend a company of bandits live in it, and they willcapture one of your dolls. Then we will go to the rescue. "

"Who'll be the bandits?"

"Why, let me see. We'll take sticks of wood; little branches with twoprongs, like this; they make the legs, you see; and then we'll stick onsomething round for the heads, turnips or onions or something likethat. "

"There aren't any turnips this time of year, " returned Dimple, "andonions smell so strong. We can get potatoes, though, and they have eyes, so I should think they would make very good heads. "

Rock laughed. "So they will. "

"I'll go and see if mamma will let me have--how many?"

"Oh, half a dozen or so. "

Dimple started for the house; then suddenly remembered that she hadpromised not to bother her mother, and she stood still for a moment. Butthe idea of the bandits was too alluring, and so she proceeded to thehouse, putting her head timidly in at the dining-room door, where hermother was still busy. 

"Mamma, " she said, "are potatoes very expensive?"

"No, not very. What a funny question. Did you come all the way in hereto ask that?"

"No, mamma, not exactly; but do they cost too much for you to give ushalf a dozen for our bandits?"

"For your bandits! What do you mean?"

"Why, we are going to have a lovely play--Rock made it up--and we can'thave any bandits unless we have heads for them, and I said potatoeswould do, because they have eyes. May we have half a dozen?"

Mrs. Dallas smiled. "Yes, but you must not ask Sylvy or Bubbles to getthem for you. "

"I'll get them if you will tell me where they are. "

"They are down in the cellar. Please, Dimple, don't bother me again. Tryto play without coming up after things all the time. "

"Yes, mamma, " Dimple replied, very meekly. "I wouldn't have come thistime if it had been for anything but the bandits. "

Mrs. Dallas let her go, and then called her back, for she had seen alittle wistful look in the child's face when her mother spoke shortly. "Come, kiss me, dear, " she said. "I want you to know that you are quitewelcome to the potatoes. They will make very inexpensive and harmlessplaythings, and I hope your bandits will turn out just as you want themto. "

Dimple gave her a grateful hug. 

"You may stop in the kitchen and get a turnover apiece for you threechildren. Tell Sylvy I said you might. "

"Oh, mamma, how dear you are, " and the happy little face disappeared. 

The six potato-headed bandits proved most venturesome creatures, andkept their captive safe from her would-be rescuers, till she wasredeemed by the payment of a hundred pieces of gold, represented bybuttercup petals, and the morning passed so quickly that the childrencould scarcely believe it, when Bubbles came--as they had told her todo--to tell them it was time to set the dinner-table. 

"Shall I fill up the cave?" Rock asked. 

"Oh no, we might want to use it again, " Dimple decided. "That was such alovely, exciting play, Rock. "

"Then we'd better cover up the cave. Some one might step in it, and gethurt. "

After hunting around, an old battered tin pan was found, which was laidover the entrance, but, alas! it was not proof against Bubbles'unfairy-like tread, for she stepped on it that very evening, and downshe went, but, as luck had it, she did nothing worse than scratch hertoes upon the very rough body of the bandit chief; although, be itconfessed, he fared worse by the encounter than she did, for he had bothlegs broken beyond hope of saving. The next morning he was carefullycarried away to a hospital and devotedly nursed by one of Dimple'sdolls; but he never recovered, though he lingered for several days. Hisfuneral was quite a magnificent affair, and he was buried with properceremonies under the very tree upon which he originally grew. 

CHAPTER X

The Picnic

The children awoke on the morning of the day set for the picnic, toview, with anxious eyes, a grey sky. 

"Oh, if it should rain, wouldn't it be just too bad for anything, " saidFlorence. "I should be so dreadfully disappointed, shouldn't you, Dimple?"

"Yes, I am afraid so, " returned Dimple, despondently, watching the smokerising from a distant chimney. Then more cheerfully, "See Florence, Idon't believe it will rain, for that smoke is going straight up. Youknow that is a sign it is going to clear. Maybe it is only misty and notcloudy. "

This it proved to be, for, as the day advanced, the sun came out and itwas as beautiful an afternoon as one could wish to see. Therefore verygaily they started forth to meet the rest of the party down at theriver's brink. 

"Oh, there's Mr. Atkinson, " cried Dimple, catching sight of thisgentleman's pleasant face, "I am so glad he could come. I wonder if hesees us. I hope we can go in his boat, don't you, Florence?"

"Yes, indeed, I do. He sees us. He is waving his hat. "

The two little girls ran forward and to their satisfaction were helpedinto Mr. Atkinson's boat with Mr. And Mrs. Dallas and Bubbles asfellow-passengers, Bubbles grinning from ear to ear and looking veryspick and span in a clean pink calico frock and a white apron. A stringof blue beads adorned her neck; she had added it as a finishing touch toher toilet. 

The boats pushed off and, after an hour's rowing, the party ofpicnickers landed at a pretty little island in the river. It was coveredwith trees and underbrush, but not so densely as to prevent theirfinding a space big enough for a camping ground where they could build afire and spread their supper. 

Most of the party preferred to go out on the river to fish, for somefine black bass could be caught here. Dimple, however, preferred to staybehind with Mrs. Dallas and one or two of the other ladies, even thoughMr. Atkinson said he would bait her hook for her, and would lend her hisfinest line and reel. 

"I feel so sorry for the poor little earth worms, first, and for thefish afterward, that I don't believe I should enjoy it, " Dimple said, seriously. 

"But you can eat a piece of bass after it is cooked, can't you?" Mr. Atkinson returned, smiling. 

"Yes, if I don't see him caught. "

"Your little girl reminds me of those very tender-hearted children, who, when they saw the picture of the Christian martyrs, were overcome withpity, not for the martyrs, no indeed, but because there was one poordear lion that hadn't any martyr to eat, " Mr. Atkinson said to Mr. Dallas. 

"That was a little extreme, I admit, " returned Mr. Dallas, laughing, "but we do try to cultivate a humane spirit in our little daughter, andyou may be sure she will never wear a stuffed bird in her hat when shegrows older. "

Mr. Atkinson nodded in approval. "I'm glad of that, " he returned, "and Imust say I think useless sport is wicked, but when one wants fish forfood, I think he may be excused the catching. And so, Dimple, itresolves itself into your going without the fish or the fishing, doesit?"

Dimple nodded. She didn't exactly understand, but she supposed he meantthat if she wanted the fish for supper, she'd better remain where shecould not see them caught. 

Florence, however, had less compunction, and consented to go out in theboat, though she wasn't sure whether or not she should want to catch anyfish. But Rock, like most boys, was very eager for the sport, and hopedhe would be able to catch the first fish, and also wanted it to be thebiggest caught. 

"May Bubbles and I go anywhere on the island that we want?" Dimple askedher mother, after they had watched the boats start off. 

Mrs. Dallas, with Mrs. Hardy's help, was putting up a hammock betweentwo of the big trees. "I think it will be perfectly safe, " she replied, after a moment's thought. "The island isn't very big, and you will notgo too near the water's edge, will you? I can see you from here--Isuppose in whatever direction you go. "

"I will keep away from the water, mamma, although I should dearly liketo paddle about. "

"You can take off your shoes and stockings and paddle right here on thisbit of shore when you come back from your exploring trip. I can watchyou then, and shall feel perfectly easy about you. "

"Where are the lunch baskets, mamma?"

"Over there behind that tree. "

"What is that covered up with that grey blanket?"

"Something Mr. Atkinson brought. "

"I didn't see it in our boat. May I peep at it?"

"No, dear, I think I wouldn't. It isn't just the thing to indulge one'scuriosity about such matters. Mr. Atkinson had it sent up here, and ashe meant it as a sort of a little secret for you children, it wouldn'tbe polite to try to find it out. "

So Dimple with her little maid, walked away, not, however, withoutseveral backward looks at the grey blanket. 

There was not very much to see on the island, after all, for it was asmall place, and the most interesting discovery they made was a pile ofbig rocks at the upper end of the narrow strip of land. Here theyestablished themselves to watch the boats and the fishers. 

"I think Rock has caught a fish, " exclaimed Dimple, when she had beenwatching for some time. "See, Bubbles, he is hauling in his line as fastas he can. There goes the reel again. Oh, I hope if he must catch them, that he will catch big ones. See that lovely red flower growing downthere between the rocks. I wish you would get it for me, Bubbles, andthen we will go back to where mamma is. I am as hungry as I don't knowwhat, and I want to ask mamma for a turnover or a biscuit or something. Get me the flower, Bubbles, and I'll watch to see if Rock really didcatch a fish. "

Bubbles promptly obeyed, but she had just stooped to pick the flowerwhen she heard a piercing shriek from Dimple. Mrs. Dallas heard it, too, and came running in the greatest alarm, to find, when she reached thespot, Dimple almost paralyzed with fright, continuing her screams, whileBubbles, dancing about, getting more and more excited every minute, wasvaliantly hurling pieces of rock at a large black snake. 

"Hyar come anudder, " she cried, as a stone went flying through the air. "Take dat. Hit yuh, didn't it? Skeer Miss Dimple outen her senses, willyuh? Yuh gre't, ugly black crittur!" and rock after rock came with suchforce and precision that the unfortunate snake, in a few minutes, was"daid as a do' nail, " as Bubbles expressed it. 

Dimple clung to her mother, trembling with fright, even after the snakewas killed. 

"Is it dead, really dead? Oh, Bubbles!" she quavered. "What would I havedone if you hadn't been so brave?"

Bubbles laughed. "Dat wan't no snake to pison yuh, " she said. "Itcouldn't hurt yuh. All it could do was to race yuh. "

"Don't talk about it, " said Dimple, shuddering. "Do let us leave it, andgo back. "

But Bubbles was too proud of her performance to allow it to be setaside; so she picked up the snake, and started to carry it back on aforked stick. 

On the way, however, she too fell into a fright at sight of an innocentlittle land terrapin traveling along with his house on his back. "Don'ttech it, don't, Miss Dimple, " she cried in terror. "Dey has de evilesteyes. I wouldn't tech one fer nothin'. "

"But you aren't afraid of snakes, " replied Dimple, "and these littleterrapins are much more harmless. " Nevertheless Bubbles had in some wayacquired a superstition about "Bre'r Tarrapin, " from Sylvy, who, likemost colored people, stood in terror of the innocent creatures. 

But when the boats returned, the big snake, hanging over the limb of atree, was triumphantly displayed and attested to Bubbles' courage; sothat she was made very proud by the praise she received for havingkilled it, Dimple generously refraining from saying anything about theterrapin. 

Although Rock did not catch the first fish, he caught the biggest one, and was quite proud of it. 

There was a fire built, and the fish, nicely cleaned, were cooked overthe coals. Florence thought all this delightful. She had never enjoyedsuch an experience, and watched the proceedings with the greatestpleasure. Every one was ready to enjoy the supper when it was prepared, saying that fish never tasted so good, and that the coffee, made in avery ordinary tin coffee-pot, could not be improved. 

Dimple whispered to Florence that there was a secret under the greyblanket; and that she half suspected what it was, but she didn't intendto look. Even a delighted giggle from Bubbles did not cause her to turnher head, but when that small hand-maiden, who was bustling aboutwaiting on every one, offered her a saucer of ice cream, Dimpleexclaimed, "I guessed it! I guessed it to myself. "

"Guessed what?" said Mr. Atkinson, at her side. 

"Guessed that it was an ice cream freezer under the blanket, " returnedDimple. 

"Oho! so you've been trying to find out, have you?"

"No. I didn't try. I only hoped, " replied Dimple, gravely. At which Mr. Atkinson laughed heartily; just why, Dimple was puzzled to discover. 

When the supper was over and the baskets repacked, they played allmanner of games till the great round moon rose over the river, and thenthey rowed home, singing as they floated along in the silvery moonlight. 

Florence and Dimple sat side by side, in a sort of waking dream; andBubbles dreamed too, as was very evident when the boat landed, for shewas sound asleep, and had to be called and shaken before she knew whereshe was. Then she blundered along behind the others, still so sleepythat she forgot to take off her precious blue beads when she went tobed, and in the night the string broke; consequently when she awoke inthe morning she found the beads straggling over the floor and strewingthe sheets. 

"Didn't we have a good time?" said Florence, looking out on themoonlight, as she stood at the window in Dimple's room. 

"Yes, " was Dimple's reply, "all but the snake. I don't like snakes. "

But the next evening it was evident that Bubbles still bore the subjectof snakes in her mind. Mr. And Mrs. Dallas had gone out. Dimple, Florence and Bubbles were sitting on the floor by one of the frontwindows. 

The air was full of the scent of the honeysuckle, and the katydids werecontradicting each other in the trees. 

"What quarrelsome things they are, " said Florence. "Do you suppose theywill ever find out whether katy did or not? I'd like to know what shedid, anyhow. "

"Or what she didn't, " said Dimple. "Bubbles, are you asleep?" giving hera shake. 

"Thinkin', " said Bubbles, sitting up straight and rubbing her eyes. 

"Then what are you rubbing your eyes for?"

"'Cause it's dark. I can't see good, " returned Bubbles. 

"I declare, " Dimple said, "I never know what to do with myself whenmamma goes out; it seems to me she is very intimate with Mrs. Hardy. Florence, suppose you tell a story. "

"Oh, I can't, " replied Florence. "I never could. I never know what totell about. You tell. "

"I don't know any except Cinderella and the Seven Swans, and those. Bubbles will have to do it. Go on Bubbles, you've got to tell us astory. "

"Laws! Miss Dimple, " giggled Bubbles. 

"You needn't 'laws, ' you know you can, for you've often told them to me;now begin, right away; it will keep you awake if it doesn't do anythingelse. "

"Well, " said Bubbles, smoothing down her apron, "oncet they was abummelybee, and a snake, and a bird. "

"What kind of a bird?" interrupted Florence. 

"Erra--erra--bluebird, " said Bubbles. 

"All right, go on. "

"The snake wanted fur to git the bluebird, and the bummelybee wasa-flyin, and a-buzzin' so, it made such a 'straction the snake couldn'tgit fixed fur to chawm the bird nohow. 

"'Jess yuh quit yo' foolin', ' said the snake. 

"'I no foolin', ' said the bummelybee, 'what's got yuh anyhow?'

"'I ain't had no brekfuss, ' said the snake. 

"'Well go 'long 'n git it; I'm not a hinderin'. '

"'Yes, yuh is, ' said the snake, 'I can't do nothin' fur yo' buzzin'. '

"Then the bummelybee flown off, but he didn't go very fur, he wanted tosee what the snake was up to. He kinder suspicioned it wasn't up to nogood, so he jess watched the snake, and bimeby he seen the bluebird comeup as peart as anythin', and he set down on the limb of a tree. "

Here Bubbles stopped to take breath, and then went on, "Well, he seen the snake a-crawlin' along the grass, a-crawlin', a-crawlin', as crafty till it got right in front of the bluebird, andthe bluebird he jess set and looked, and didn't move, or say nothin'. 

"'Hm! hm!' says Mr. Bummelybee, 'hit's time I was a movin', ' so he madefur the snake and giv' him one sting on the haid, and he jess rolled uphe eyes, and quirled up ontil the grass; and the bluebird said, 'I'mmuch debliged of you, Mr. Bummelybee. I'm glad to perform yo'acquaintance. I was jess about as nigh chawmed as a bird could be. '

"'Don't say no more about it, ' said Mr. Bummelybee, and off he flown. "

"I didn't know bumblebees could sting, " said Florence. 

"Law now don't they?" said Bubbles, "mebbe they doesn't, hit might abeen a wass, wasses sting I know. Come to think of it, hit was a wass. "

"Is that all of it?" asked Dimple. "I don't think it is a very longstory. "

"Laws, Miss Dimple, you didn't reckon that was all, " said Bubbles, loftily. "I laid out to tell more, soon ez my tongue got rested. "

"Rest it then, and go on, " said Dimple, settling back against a chair, with her hands behind her head. 

"Well, " said Bubbles, going on with her story, "the wass he flown off, and the bluebird he flown off, and after a while the bluebird he met asquirl. 'Howdy?' says he. 'Howdy, ' says the squirl. 'How's all to yo'house?'

"'Tollable, thank you, ' says the bluebird. 'Ef yuh see a wass comealong--' Laws, Miss Dimple, I can't get along without'n hit's being abummely, " said she, stopping short. 

"Well, have it a bummely then, " said Dimple. "You don't care, do you, Florence?"

"No, " said Florence, "have it a bummely if you want to, Bubbles. "

"'Well, ' says the bluebird, 'ef you see a bummelybee, don't you letnobody take his honey from him, fur he's a pertickeler fren' of mine. 'He was sorter shamed to let on to the squirl how nigh chawmed he was. 

"'I promise, cross my heart, ' says the squirl, and Mr. Bluebird flownoff. 

"Aftern awhile, up flown Mr. Bummely, and smack behind him comes alittle boy layin' out to git his honey. 

"Mr. Bummely he flown along and went to hide hissef in a big flower. That's jess what the boy wanted. 'Now I've got yuh, ' says he, but he wastoo forward, fur the squirl clim' down the tree and popped onto theboy's haid jess ez he was gwine to take off his hat to ketch Mr. Bummely, and Mr. Bummely he flown off, and Mr. Squirl he laugh, and Mr. Boy he got mad, and made tracks fur home, and that's all. "

The girls laughed, and hearing Sylvy call her, Bubbles went out. 

"Isn't she funny?" said Florence. "I never could have made up a storylike that, could you, Dimple?"

"No, " said Dimple, "she tells me the funniest ones sometimes, so mixedup, and I laugh till I can scarcely speak, and she sings the mostabsurd songs; she gets the words all twisted, she has no idea what theymean. Oh! Florence, I do believe there is a bat in the hall. I hope togoodness it won't come in here. "

Florence screamed and hid her head under the piano, while Dimple tookrefuge in the same place, and called loudly for Bubbles, who camerunning in with Sylvy after her. 

"What's de matter? Where are yuh?" they cried. 

"Oh, a bat! a bat!" shrieked Florence, as the creature came swooping infrom the hall, beating its wings against the wall. 

Sylvy, armed with a broom, and Bubbles, with a duster, soon put an endto the poor bat, and the girls came out from their hiding-place. 

"I suppose it is silly to be afraid of them, but they nearly frighten meto death, " said Dimple. 

"So they do me, " Florence said, "and spiders too. Ugh! it makes coldchills run down my back to think of one; let's go to bed, Dimple. We canundress anyhow, and sit in our nightgowns and talk, if we want to. "

This Dimple agreed to, and they went upstairs to their rooms to find onthe bureau two little white paper packages addressed to "Miss FlorenceGraham, " and "Miss Eleanor Dallas. "

"Papa did it, " said Dimple, "it is just like him; let's see what isinside. No, we'll guess. I say chocolates. "

"I say burnt almonds: no, marshmallows, " said Florence, giving herpackage a little squeeze. "Marshmallows and chocolates, " exclaimedFlorence, as she untied the little pink string and peeped in. 

"So are mine, " said Dimple. "I don't think we had better eat them allto-night, do you? Suppose we count them and take out some for to-morrow. One, two, three, twelve chocolates, and sixteen marshmallows. How manyhave you?"

"Thirteen chocolates and fifteen marshmallows, " announced Florence. 

"Well, let's eat six of them, and put the rest away. "

So they were carefully counted out, and the packages retied. 

"Now we will undress and sit here in our nightgowns, till we've eatenour candy, " said Florence. 

"Dear me, " said Dimple, as the last one disappeared, "I wish we had saidseven of them. "

"Suppose we do say seven. "

"Well, suppose we do, " and the packages were again untied and again putup. They had hardly finished when Mrs. Dallas came in with a telegram inher hand. 

"Not in bed yet?" said she. 

"No, mamma, we have been eating candy. Did you see papa put it on thebureau?" said Dimple. 

"Yes, and I have a piece of news for you. Your Uncle Heath will be hereto-morrow. "

"Uncle Heath! I am so glad. Is the telegram from him?"

"Yes, it just came, and he will be here to breakfast. "

"How long will he stop?"

"Not very long. Now jump into bed and be ready to get up before hereaches here. "

"Is your Uncle Heath your papa's brother?" asked Florence, when theywere in bed. 

"Yes. Oh! Florence, he is so nice. "

"Is he young or old?"

"Not so very old, about forty, I think; he is two years older thanpapa, but he looks older; he has grey hair, a little bit grey, not very, and he looks like papa, only he has blue eyes. 

"I wonder why he is coming, " mused Dimple. "Now I think of it. I heardpapa say yesterday, 'I am so glad for dear old Heath. ' I wonder why. Don't grown folks know lots of things, Florence? And we have to justguess and wonder till they choose to tell us. 

"Never mind, I am going to sleep, and I shall ask him myself to-morrow. Just think, Florence, he is in the cars now, and they are steamingalong, coming nearer and nearer, while we lie still here and sleep. Good-night, " and she turned over and was soon fast asleep. 

CHAPTER XI

An Uncle and a Wedding

Dimple was up betimes the next morning. Creeping quietly out of bed, sheleft Florence sound asleep. 

"Mamma, " she whispered, softly, as she opened her mamma's door, "whattime is it? Has Uncle Heath come?"

"It is half-past six, " said her mamma, "and Uncle Heath will be here inhalf an hour. "

"May I put on my blue frock?"

"Yes. "

Dimple slipped back, and was not long in dressing. Florence sleepilyopened her eyes as Dimple was ready to leave the room. 

"Oh Dimple, are you dressed?" she said, sitting up in bed. "Has the bellrung?"

"No, " said Dimple, "but Uncle Heath is coming, you know, and I want tomeet him. Come down when you are ready. "

Florence being wide awake by this time, concluded to get up, and Dimpleran downstairs, patting the baluster with one hand as she went. 

When she reached the lowest step she was caught up by a pair of arms, and found her face close to her Uncle Heath's whiskers. 

"Oh! Uncle Heath, " she cried, "do let me hug you. I am so glad to seeyou. I'm gladder than anybody. "

"I hope not, " said her father from the doorway. 

"Yes, I am, " said Dimple, as her uncle carried her into the parlor, andheld her on his knee. "Uncle Heath, are you very happy?"

"Indeed, I am, " said he, laughing, as did Dimple's papa and mamma. 

"Quite a home thrust, " said her papa. 

"The reason I asked, " she went on, playing with her uncle's watch chain, "is, that I heard papa say the other day, 'I am so glad for dear oldHeath. '"

"He has reason to be, " responded her uncle. "Dimple, how should you likea new aunt and cousin?"

"Oh, uncle! Is it Rock?"

"Well, not Rock altogether, " laughed he. "Rock's mother, as well. "

"Please tell me, Uncle Heath. "

"So I will, little girl. Rock's mother is going to be your grey-headeduncle's wife. That makes Rock your cousin, doesn't it?"

"Yes, " said Dimple, cuddling up to him, "but you are not grey-headed, Uncle Heath, only grey-templed, " she said, softly patting each side ofhis face. 

"She seems perfectly satisfied, " said he, looking at his brother. 

"Perfectly, " he answered. "You could not have pleased her better. "

"But, Uncle Heath, " said Dimple, "I didn't know you knew Mrs. Hardy. "

"I knew her long ago, when she wasn't Mrs. Hardy, but Dora West. Longago, " he repeated, gently stroking her hair. 

"Why didn't you marry her then?"

"I wanted to, " said he, simply, "but I couldn't. Do you want to bebridesmaid, Dimple?"

"Oh, uncle! Could I?"

"Yes, indeed; and Rock groomsman. We are such a young, frivolous couple, we couldn't think of having a grown-up young lady for bridesmaid. "

Dimple laughed, and sat in supreme content on her uncle's knee till thebreakfast bell rang. 

"Florence, I know all about it, " she cried, as Florence came in, "and Iam going to be bridesmaid, and I know why Uncle Heath is happy, and whyRock can be my cousin. Isn't it lovely?"

Florence looked puzzled, but after a clearer explanation agreed withDimple that it was "perfectly lovely. "

Rock came over after breakfast, with a message for Mrs. Dallas, andDimple ran out to meet him, crying, "Oh, Rock! your papa is here, andyou are going to be my cousin, really and truly. Did you know it?"

"Yes, I knew, " said he, "and I'm real glad. Where is Mr. Dallas?"

"My Uncle Heath, or papa?"

"Your Uncle Heath. "

"He has gone to see your mamma, I think. And oh, Rock! we are going tobe bridesmaids, you and I. No, I mean I am going to be bridesmaid, andyou groomsman. "

"Yes, and something else I know, too, " said Rock. "While mamma goes onher wedding trip I am to come here to stay. "

"Oh! Rock, " exclaimed Dimple, clapping her hands, "that will be lovely, too. How long?"

"Three days, I think. "

"Won't we have good times?" laughed Dimple, dancing up and down. "Docome sit down and talk about it. Are you glad you are going to have myUncle Heath for your papa?"

"Yes, indeed, " said Rock. 

"And are you going to live here?"

"No, in Baltimore. "

"Oh, dear, that is all that spoils it. "

"Never mind, " said Rock. "I shouldn't wonder if we were to come heresummers, and I'll tell you, Dimple, maybe your mother will let you comevisit us next winter, and I will take you sleighing. "

That comforted Dimple somewhat. 

"Where is the wedding to be? I never thought to ask, " said she. 

"At church, at half-past nine Thursday morning. Then we come back toyour house to breakfast, and mamma and Mr. Dallas go away on the twelveo'clock train. "

"When you say Mr. Dallas I think you mean my papa, " said Dimple. "I wishyou would call Uncle Heath papa. "

"But he isn't my papa yet. "

"Well, three days doesn't make much difference, and you need only say itto me. "

"Well! papa and mamma, " said Rock, laughing, "will be back Sundayevening, and Monday we all go away. "

"Don't talk about that part of it. I don't want to think of it. "

Here Dimple's mamma called her, and she went upstairs. "Wait till I comeback, Rock, " she said, as she went out, "I want to talk some more. "

"What do you want with me, mamma?" she asked as she entered her mamma'sroom. 

"I want to try on your bridesmaid frock. "

"Oh, mamma! Is that it?" she exclaimed, as her mamma lifted a soft whitemull from the bed. 

"Yes, and you are to wear a white hat and carry a basket of flowers. Isn't it odd that my little daughter should be bridesmaid for some onewho was once her mamma's bridesmaid, and who used to play with her whenshe was a little girl?"

Dimple laughed at the idea, as she put her arms through the arm-holes, and said, "It is all so funny, mamma, that I can't straighten it out atall. It is like a fairy tale, and, O! mamma, I look like a fairy in thisfrock. Isn't it lovely? I wish I might go down and show it to Rock andFlorence. "

"Very well, you may, only be very careful not to catch it on anything. "

"I will be, mamma, " and she danced off to display her finery. 

"See, Rock! See, Florence! Don't I look almost like a fairy?" sheexclaimed, as she went into the library, where they both were sitting, each in a big chair. 

"Oh! you do look sweet!" they said, and Dimple smiled and blushed at thepraise, quite delighted with herself; but presently she looked atFlorence a little gravely, and said:

"Florence, I feel so selfish. Do you care very much that I am to be abridesmaid, and you not?"

"No, indeed, for I am to be bridesmaid when my sister is married, anyhow, and I would so much rather see it all than to be right in it. "

So Dimple went up to take off her frock quite reassured. 

"Mamma, what are you going to wear? White, too?" she asked. 

"No, grey, with pink roses; and Mrs. Hardy will wear pale lavender andwhite roses. "

"I thought brides always wore white. "

"Not always, " answered her mamma. 

Long before half-past nine on the eventful morning Dimple stood ready, slippers, hat and all; her basket of flowers tied with white ribbons onthe piano; and she felt very grand, indeed, when the carriage, with Rockin it, drove around for her. She had been up by daybreak, around to thechurch with flowers, upstairs to see that her bridesmaid toilet was allright, down into the kitchen to ask Sylvy for a peep at the weddingcake, which, black with fruit inside and white with frosting out, stoodon the sideboard. 

Then there was the table to see, and little helpful things to do for hermamma, while she arranged it; flowers to gather, a great bowl of freshroses in the centre. 

Then it was such a delight, after she and Florence were dressed, towatch her mamma get ready; to see her dainty laces, and hold herflowers ready for her to pin on. 

At last the great moment really arrived, and she found herself steppingup the aisle with Rock, feeling a little embarrassment, though it was avery quiet wedding, only a few near friends being present; but she boreherself very bravely, holding her flower basket very tightly, andkeeping time with her slippered feet to the wedding march. 

She did not dare even to look at Rock, but kept her eyes steadfastlycast down. 

She and Rock were the first to get back to the house, and when the newMrs. Dallas reached there, Dimple rushed up to her and gave her afrantic hug, calling her "dear Aunt Dora;" then as frantic a hug wasbestowed upon her uncle. 

She danced through the rooms like a will-o'-the-wisp, hardly willing tosit at the table long enough to eat anything at all. 

When the bridal pair drove away to the depot, a shower of rice and oldshoes were flung after them by all the children, Bubbles included. 

After the house was quiet again, Dimple, Florence and Rock sat talkingit all over in the parlor. 

"Were you frightened when you walked up the aisle?" asked Florence. 

"A little; but I thought about looking at my slippers, and didn't seethe people. Did I look all right?"

"Yes; as lovely as possible, and I never should have thought you werefrightened. What did you do with the flowers? And, oh Dimple, who hadthe lovely little figure on top of the cake?"

"I know, " said Rock. "I heard mamma tell Dimple's mother that thebridesmaid ought to have that; and I think so, too. "

"Oh!" said Dimple. "I think you ought to have it, Rock. "

"No, indeed. That would be a fine way to do, I must say. It is to beyours. Mamma said so, and that settles it. "

"Well, " said Dimple. "But I have so much, it seems to me. Florence, isn't it funny for Rock to have a new papa? Everything turns out sooddly. Don't you know how provoked we were that day when Bubbles told usthat mamma was bringing a boy out to see us?"

"And now that boy is your cousin, " said Rock. 

"Yes; and I am glad, too, " replied Dimple, giving his hand a littleaffectionate pat. "I never knew boys could be so nice, till I saw you. "

Rock laughed. "That's a pretty big compliment, " he said. 

"It isn't a compliment; it's the truth. "

"And a compliment can't be the truth, I suppose?"

"Why, I don't know. Can it?"

"Of course; though just flattering words aren't always the truth. I'veheard ladies who came to see mamma say, 'What a sweet child your littleone is!'" Rock said this very affectedly, and the girls laughed. "Andyou know, " Rock went on, "they didn't know a thing about me; they justsaid it to make mamma feel pleased, and that's what I call flattery. "

"Oh, yes; I think I see, " said Dimple. 

The three days that followed were very merry ones for the children. Theyfrolicked from morning till night, and did more wonderful things thanever they had dreamed of doing before. 

Rock was the nicest sort of comrade, and they got along without anyfusses whatever. Sunday was their last day together, for Florence wasto go the next day, too, under the care of Mr. And Mrs. Heath Dallas, and her trunk was standing, packed, ready to be sent. 

"Won't we have a pew full this morning?" said Dimple, at the breakfasttable. "Five people. Rock, you must sit between Florence and me. I cansit next to mamma, and Florence next to papa. "

"Oh, no; let me sit by auntie, " said Florence. 

"Very well, " said Dimple. "I can sit by papa just as well, and if I getsleepy I can tumble over on him. "

Papa laughed and said it was a pleasant prospect for him. 

The church windows were open, a soft breeze fluttered the leaves outsideand the slow rustle of fans fluttered bonnet strings inside. 

Dimple leaned her head back against the pew, and looked out at the whiteclouds drifting across the sky, so dreamily and softly; she heard thebirds singing in the trees, and now and then came back to aconsciousness of the minister's voice, and she caught a sentence hereand there; but she could not fix her attention on the sermon at all; shewas thinking of the dreaded to-morrow that would take her playmatesaway from her. The quiet and solemnity of the place only added to thesadness of her thoughts, and as the last hymn was being sung, the tearsgathered in her eyes and dropped silently down on her book. 

Finally she could stand it no longer, but slipped down on her knees, buried her face in the cushions, and fairly sobbed. 

No one knew what was the matter, and Mrs. Dallas looked distressed, fearing she was ill. Mr. Dallas leaned down toward her, and whispered, "Are you ill, Dimple?"

But she shook her head, and when the hymn was ended, he drew her closeto him, and put his arm around her, while she kept her face hidden onhis shoulder. 

No one could tell what ailed her, as every question only brought a freshburst of tears, and she walked home in silence. 

It was not until they were in the house, that she could tell whataffected her. 

Then her mother took her on her lap, and she had her cry out there, while Florence and Rock, looking much concerned, stood by. 

"Tell me, daughter, what ails you, " her mother said, pushing back thecurls from the little tear-stained face. 

"It was so solemn--and--I was thinking about everybody's going awayto-morrow, " she said, between her sobs. "Then they sang--'Where friendholds fellowship with friend. Though sundered far'--and all that--and Icouldn't stand it any longer, " and the tears still rained down her face. 

At this Florence's eyes filled up, and she put her arms around Dimple, and they cried together, while it took Mrs. Dallas, Rock, and Mr. Dallas, all three, to comfort them. 

"You will soon be going to school, Dimple, " said her papa, "and then youwill have ever so many playmates. "

"And you are coming to see us next winter, " said Rock. 

"And you will have mamma left, anyhow, " said her mother, hugging her upclose. 

So among them all, the tears were dried; and before dinner was over, they were all laughing as joyously as ever. 

The only excitement left was to watch for the arrival of Rock's papaand mamma, who were to come that evening. 

In the meantime, while Rock and Florence were reading, Dimple heardBubbles her Sunday lesson. She always taught her one of the hymns shehad herself learned, and a Bible verse or two. 

Bubbles was not very quick at learning the verses, but delighted in thehymns, and sang them with Dimple, with great vigor. 

This afternoon, however, it was quite wearisome to Dimple, for her cryhad given her a headache, and she cut the lesson very short so as to getback to Rock and Florence. 

"I shouldn't like to be a teacher, " she said, throwing herself down onthe lounge. 

"I should, " said Florence. "I love my teacher at school dearly; she isthe sweetest, dearest thing, we girls almost fight over her. "

"Do you? How funny, " said Dimple. 

"Why, yes, we take her flowers, and candy, and big apples and oranges;sometimes her desk is full. "

"I am afraid I shan't like my teacher, " said Dimple. 

"Do you know her?"

"Yes, a little; she has been here to tea. She isn't so awful, and Ishould like her, perhaps, if I didn't know I had to go to school toher. "

"Do you know many of the girls?"

"One or two. You saw that girl who sat in front of us at church, she isone. "

"You will get used to it real soon, " said Rock. "I felt just as you dobefore I went to school, and it is worse for a boy; the other boys justgo for him, and I had a hard time for the first few weeks, but now Ilike it first-rate. "

"It is the getting used to it, that I dread, " sighed Dimple; "that hasto come first. "

"No, " said Rock, "papa and mamma come first, and it is nearly time forthem now; let's go on the front porch and watch. "

"It is so sunny there, " said Dimple. 

"Not if we sit at the end. Come on. "

So they went out and took up positions at the end of the porch. 

"I want to see mamma and Gertrude, and all, awfully, " said Florence, "but, indeed I hate to leave here, " looking around. "I shall miss thetrees, and flowers, and all the sweet things. "

"So shall I, " said Rock. "What a good time we have had this summer. "

"Yes. Haven't we?" said Dimple, looking sober. 

"Don't talk about it any more, " said Rock. "It makes my Cousin Eleanorfeel bad. "

This made Dimple smile, and presently they saw coming up the street acarriage, which they felt sure would stop. 

They all ran down to the gate, and the carriage did draw up by thesidewalk, and Rock was the first to open the door of it, and in anotherminute was in his mother's arms. 

Then they all went into the house, and made ready for tea. 

All that evening Dimple sat with one arm around Florence; and, althoughRock was so glad to see his mother, he said that he would have Dimple soshort a time that he must sit by her, and the three children sat on thesteps, Rock holding Dimple's hand and trying his best to cheer her up. 

But a more doleful face than appeared at the breakfast table could notbe found. 

"You must get your Aunt Dora and Florence some nice flowers to takewith them, " said Mrs. Dallas to Dimple. 

"My Aunt Dora! How queer that is, mamma. I have been wondering, is heRock Hardy or Rock Dallas?"

"He is Rock Hardy. "

"I never will get it straight, " she said, as she went to get theflowers. 

"Uncle Heath, " she said, after she had laid the flowers in damp cotton, and put them in boxes, "you may be very happy, but I am not, and I wishyou'd leave Rock with me. "

He smiled as he looked down at her, and said, "I can't, dear child, butyou shall see him often. Baltimore is not very far away. "

"Well, I am much obliged to you for making a cousin of him, " she said, as she turned away. 

"Poor little girl, " said he to her mother, "she takes this parting verymuch to heart. "

"Yes, " said her mother, "she has never had any very intimate friends, and her cousins have never paid her as long a visit as Florence has thistime. As for Rock, he is the only boy she has ever liked at all, and heis a nice boy. You have quite a model son, Heath. "

"Yes, I think so too, " said he. 

At last the trunks were all off, Celestine was dressed in her travelingfrock, a grey veil on her hat; the children thought her very stylish. 

"Poor Rubina!" sighed Dimple, bravely trying to keep back the tears. 

Rock had volunteered to take charge of the two kittens, so Jet andMarble were mewing in a basket. 

"And poor little Nyxy, you will be lonely too, " said Dimple, hiding herface in his furry coat. 

"You will be sure to write to us, won't you Dimple, " said Florence, "andtell all about school, and everything. "

"I will, " said Dimple, choking up. 

"Don't cry, " said both Rock and Florence, coaxingly. 

"No, I will not, I made up my mind not to, because mamma might think Ididn't love her, " answered Dimple, while her tears slowly trickled downher cheeks. 

At last all was ready, --doll, kittens, and boxes, and the good-byes weresaid. Bubbles and Dimple at the gate waved handkerchiefs as long as theycould see the carriage. 

Then Dimple turned slowly into the house, unable to keep back thetorrent of tears, and after she went into the library she buried herface in the sofa pillow, sobbing aloud; then she felt a pair of armsclasp her knees and saw two tearful black eyes looking up into her face, while Bubbles' caressing voice said, "Never min', Miss Dimple, I'sehyah. "

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THE GIRL AVIATORS' SKY CRUISE. 

To most girls a coaching or yachting trip is an adventure. How much moreperilous an adventure a "sky cruise" might be is suggested by the titleand proved by the story itself. 

THE GIRL AVIATORS' MOTOR BUTTERFLY. 

The delicacy of flight suggested by the word "butterfly, " the mechanicalpower implied by "motor, " the ability to control assured in the title"aviator, " all combined with the personality and enthusiasm of girlsthemselves, make this story one for any girl or other reader "to gocrazy over. "

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HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

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MOTOR MAIDS SERIES

Wholesome Stories of AdventureBy KATHERINE STOKES. Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. Per vol. , postpaid

THE MOTOR MAIDS' SCHOOL DAYS. 

Billie Campbell was just the type of a straightforward, athletic girl tobe successful as a practical Motor Maid. She took her car, as she didher class-mates, to her heart, and many a grand good time did they haveall together. The road over which she ran her red machine had many anunexpected turning, --now it led her into peculiar danger; now intocontact with strange travelers; and again into experiences by fire andwater. But, best of all, "The Comet" never failed its brave girl owner. 

THE MOTOR MAIDS BY PALM AND PINE. 

Wherever the Motor Maids went there were lively times, for these werecompanionable girls who looked upon the world as a vastly interestingplace full of unique adventures--and so, of course, they found them. 

THE MOTOR MAIDS ACROSS THE CONTINENT. 

It is always interesting to travel, and it is wonderfully entertainingto see old scenes through fresh eyes. It is that privilege, therefore, that makes it worth while to join the Motor Maids in their first'cross-country run. 

THE MOTOR MAIDS BY ROSE, SHAMROCK AND HEATHER. 

South and West had the Motor Maids motored, nor could their education bytravel have been more wisely begun. But now a speaking acquaintance withtheir own country enriched their anticipation of an introduction to theBritish Isles. How they made their polite American bow and how they werereceived on the other side is a tale of interest and inspiration. 

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. 

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK. 

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BOY INVENTORS SERIES

Stories of Skill and IngenuityBy RICHARD BONNERCloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. Per vol. , postpaid

THE BOY INVENTORS' WIRELESS TELEGRAPH. 

Blest with natural curiosity, --sometimes called the instinct ofinvestigation, --favored with golden opportunity, and gifted withcreative ability, the Boy Inventors meet emergencies and contrivemechanical wonders that interest and convince the reader because theyalways "work" when put to the test. 

THE BOY INVENTORS' VANISHING GUN. 

A thought, a belief, an experiment; discouragement, hope, effort andfinal success--this is the history of many an invention; a history inwhich excitement, competition, danger, despair and persistence figure. This merely suggests the circumstances which draw the daring BoyInventors into strange experiences and startling adventures, and whichdemonstrate the practical use of their vanishing gun. 

THE BOY INVENTORS' DIVING TORPEDO BOAT. 

As in the previous stories of the Boy Inventors, new and interestingtriumphs of mechanism are produced which become immediately valuable, and the stage for their proving and testing is again the water. On thesurface and below it, the boys have jolly, contagious fun, and the storyof their serious, purposeful inventions challenge the reader's deepestattention. 

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. 

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

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BORDER BOYS SERIES

Mexican and Canadian Frontier SeriesBy FREMONT B. DEERING. Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. Per vol. , postpaid

THE BORDER BOYS ON THE TRAIL. 

What it meant to make an enemy of Black Ramon De Barios--that is theproblem that Jack Merrill and his friends, including Coyote Pete, facein this exciting tale. 

THE BORDER BOYS ACROSS THE FRONTIER. 

Read of the Haunted Mesa and its mysteries, of the Subterranean Riverand its strange uses, of the value of gasolene and steam "in running thegauntlet, " and you will feel that not even the ancient splendors of theOld World can furnish a better setting for romantic action than theBorder of the New. 

THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE MEXICAN RANGERS. 

As every day is making history--faster, it is said, than ever before--sobooks that keep pace with the changes are full of rapid action andaccurate facts. This book deals with lively times on the Mexican border. 

THE BORDER BOYS WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS. 

The Border Boys have already had much excitement and adventure in theirlives, but all this has served to prepare them for the experiencesrelated in this volume. They are stronger, braver and more resourcefulthan ever, and the exigencies of their life in connection with the TexasRangers demand all their trained ability. 

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. 

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

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BUNGALOW BOYS SERIES

LIVE STORIES OF OUTDOOR LIFEBy DEXTER J. FORRESTER. Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. Per vol. , postpaid

THE BUNGALOW BOYS. 

How the Bungalow Boys received their title and how they retained theright to it in spite of much opposition makes a lively narrative forlively boys. 

THE BUNGALOW BOYS MAROONED IN THE TROPICS. 

A real treasure hunt of the most thrilling kind, with a sunken Spanishgalleon as its object, makes a subject of intense interest at any time, but add to that a band of desperate men, a dark plot and a devil fish, and you have the combination that brings strange adventures into thelives of the Bungalow Boys. 

THE BUNGALOW BOYS IN THE GREAT NORTH WEST. 

The clever assistance of a young detective saves the boys from theclutches of Chinese smugglers, of whose nefarious trade they know toomuch. How the Professor's invention relieves a critical situation isalso an exciting incident of this book. 

THE BUNGALOW BOYS ON THE GREAT LAKES. 

The Bungalow Boys start out for a quiet cruise on the Great Lakes and avisit to an island. A storm and a band of wreckers interfere with theserenity of their trip, and a submarine adds zest and adventure to it. 

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. 

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

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MOTOR RANGERS SERIES

HIGH SPEED MOTOR STORIESBy MARVIN WEST. Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. Per vol. , postpaid

THE MOTOR RANGERS' LOST MINE. 

This is an absorbing story of the continuous adventures of a motor carin the hands of Nat Trevor and his friends. It does seemingly impossible"stunts, " and yet everything happens "in the nick of time. "

THE MOTOR RANGERS THROUGH THE SIERRAS. 

Enemies in ambush, the peril of fire, and the guarding of treasure makeexciting times for the Motor Rangers--yet there is a strong flavor offun and freedom, with a typical Western mountaineer for spice. 

THE MOTOR RANGERS ON BLUE WATER; or, The Secret of the Derelict. 

The strange adventures of the sturdy craft "Nomad" and the strangerexperiences of the Rangers themselves with Morello's schooner and amysterious derelict form the basis of this well-spun yarn of the sea. 

THE MOTOR RANGERS' CLOUD CRUISER. 

From the "Nomad" to the "Discoverer, " from the sea to the sky, the scenechanges in which the Motor Rangers figure. They have experiences "thatnever were on land or sea, " in heat and cold and storm, over mountainpeak and lost city, with savages and reptiles; their ship of the air isattacked by huge birds of the air; they survive explosion andearthquake; they even live to tell the tale!

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. 

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

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DREADNOUGHT BOYS SERIES

Tales of the New NavyBy CAPT. WILBUR LAWTONAuthor of "BOY AVIATORS SERIES. "Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 50c. Per vol. , postpaid

THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON BATTLE PRACTICE. 

Especially interesting and timely is this book which introduces thereader with its heroes, Ned and Herc, to the great ships of modernwarfare and to the intimate life and surprising adventures of UncleSam's sailors. 

THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ABOARD A DESTROYER. 

In this story real dangers threaten and the boys' patriotism is testedin a peculiar international tangle. The scene is laid on the SouthAmerican coast. 

THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON A SUBMARINE. 

To the inventive genius--trade-school boy or mechanic--this story hasspecial charm, perhaps, but to every reader its mystery and cleveraction are fascinating. 

THE DREADNOUGHT BOYS ON AERO SERVICE. 

Among the volunteers accepted for Aero Service are Ned and Herc. Theirperilous adventures are not confined to the air, however, although theymake daring and notable flights in the name of the Government; nor arethey always able to fly beyond the reach of their old "enemies, " who arealso airmen. 

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. 

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

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FRANK ARMSTRONG SERIES

Twentieth Century Athletic StoriesBy MATHEW M. COLTON. Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. Per vol. , postpaid

FRANK ARMSTRONG'S VACATION. 

How Frank's summer experience with his boy friends make him into asturdy young athlete through swimming, boating, and baseball contests, and a tramp through the Everglades, is the subject of this splendidstory. 

FRANK ARMSTRONG AT QUEENS. 

We find among the jolly boys at Queen's School, Frank, thestudent-athlete, Jimmy, the baseball enthusiast, and Lewis, theunconsciously-funny youth who furnishes comedy for every page that bearshis name. Fall and winter sports between intensely rival school teamsare expertly described. 

FRANK ARMSTRONG'S SECOND TERM. 

The gymnasium, the track and the field make the background for thestirring events of this volume, in which David, Jimmy, Lewis, the "WeeOne" and the "Codfish" figure, while Frank "saves the day. "

FRANK ARMSTRONG, DROP KICKER. 

With the same persistent determination that won him success in swimming, running and baseball playing, Frank Armstrong acquired the art of "dropkicking, " and the Queen's football team profits thereby. 

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. 

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK

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OAKDALE ACADEMY SERIES

Stories of Modern School SportsBy MORGAN SCOTT. Cloth Bound. Illustrated. Price, 60c. Per vol. , postpaid

BEN STONE AT OAKDALE. 

Under peculiarly trying circumstances Ben Stone wins his way at OakdaleAcademy, and at the same time enlists our sympathy, interest andrespect. Through the enmity of Bern Hayden, the loyalty of Roger Eliotand the clever work of the "Sleuth, " Ben is falsely accused, championedand vindicated. 

BOYS OF OAKDALE ACADEMY. 

"One thing I will claim, and that is that all Grants fight open andsquare and there never was a sneak among them. " It was Rodney Grant, ofTexas, who made the claim to his friend, Ben Stone, and this story showshow he proved the truth of this statement in the face of apparentevidence to the contrary. 

RIVAL PITCHERS OF OAKDALE. 

Baseball is the main theme of this interesting narrative, and that meansnot only clear and clever descriptions of thrilling games, but anintimate acquaintance with the members of the teams who played them. TheOakdale Boys were ambitious and loyal, and some were even disgruntledand jealous, but earnest, persistent work won out. 

OAKDALE BOYS IN CAMP. 

The typical vacation is the one that means much freedom, littlerestriction, and immediate contact with "all outdoors. " These conditionsprevailed in the summer camp of the Oakdale Boys and made it a scene oflively interest. 

THE GREAT OAKDALE MYSTERY. 

The "Sleuth" scents a mystery! He "follows his nose. " The plot thickens!He makes deductions. There are surprises for the reader--and for the"Sleuth, " as well. 

NEW BOYS AT OAKDALE. 

A new element creeps into Oakdale with another year's registration ofstudents. The old and the new standards of conduct in and out of schoolmeet, battle, and cause sweeping changes in the lives of several of theboys. 

Any volume sent postpaid upon receipt of price. 

HURST & COMPANY--Publishers--NEW YORK