Mary's Rainbow Part 17

"That's jes' 'zactly what we thinked, too, w.i.l.l.y-mean; but Mary says the good times are jes' beginning; so you is making a 'stake, a most drefful 'stake, you see."

"So I am, Beth. The very idea for me to be growling when I ought to be so thankful that you are living out here instead of in the city, and that I shall come in on ever so many of the good times you are going to have."

"It is a quarter to, Wilhelmina. I looked everywhere for your books, but couldn't find them."

"I had to hide them from Jack. He was bound that he would tear a picture of some soldiers out of my history. Wait for me." Wilhelmina bounded up the steps and ran into the house.

"Fluff and m.u.f.f and Puffy-buff were making a great fuss when I went to look for you on the back porch. Have they had any breakfast to-day?

and King Cole and all our other pets? I won't have time to help you take care of them in the morning, because I have to practice a half hour before I leave for school."

"We's going to ask Liza for some nice milk for the kitties and for a big plate of crumbs for the peac.o.c.ks and ev'ything this very 'zact instinct." And hand in hand, the twins hippity-hopped along the walk leading around to the kitchen.

Mary went slowly across the lawn, stopping at the little gate to wait for Wilhelmina. She turned and looked back over the beautiful grounds of her new home, and her eyes rested lovingly on her father on the front porch, then on her little sisters busily feeding their pets. She thought of the wonderful change which had come into her life since the first day of school a year ago. Then, returning from her visit to Wilhelmina's home, she had believed that she would never again see her dear ones in this life. Now, her heart beat high with the hope that they would be spared for many, many years to a peaceful, happy home life at beautiful Bird-a-Lea.