The Project Gutenberg eBook, Dick and Dolly, by Carolyn Wells, Illustrated by Ada Budell This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. Title: Dick and Dolly Author: Carolyn Wells Release Date: September 29, 2016 [eBook #53166] Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 ***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DICK AND DOLLY*** E-text prepared by Mardi Desjardins and the online Distributed Proofreaders Canada team (http://www.pgdpcanada.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) Note: Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/dickdolly00well “She saw a little girl coming eagerly toward her” (Page 95) DICK AND DOLLY BY CAROLYN WELLS AUTHOR OF THE MARJORIE BOOKS, THE PATTY BOOKS, THE TWO LITTLE WOMEN SERIES, ILLUSTRATED BY ADA BUDELL GROSSET & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS NEW YORK Made in the United States of America Copyright, 1909, by DODD, MEAD AND COMPANY Published, October, 1909 CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I The Brook 1 II The Arrival 15 III An Early Stroll 29 IV Gardens 43 V A Playground 57 VI A Social Call 72 VII Pinkie 87 VIII A Secret 102 IX Phyllis 118 X An Auction Sale 132 XI Fun with Lady Eliza 147 XII Obeying Orders 161 XIII Aunt Nine 177 XIV A Coronation 191 D XV Punishment 207 XVI The Playhouse 222 XVII The Fate of Dana Cottage 236 XVIII A Lovely Plan 249 XIX The Big Chief 264 XX A Gay Party 279 ILLUSTRATIONS “She Saw a Little Girl Coming Eagerly Toward Her” Frontispiece “Oh, How Good the Cool Ripply Water did Feel!” Facing page 40 In the Garden ” ” 124 Lady Dusenbury’s Party ” ” 200 CHAPTER I THE BROOK ick and Dolly were twins and had been twins for nine years. Most of these years had been spent with Grandma Banks and Aunt Helen, for Dick and Dolly were orphaned when they were tiny tots, and Aunt Helen Banks was their mother’s sister. Then, about two years ago, Grandma Banks had died, and now Aunt Helen was to be married and go far away across the sea to live. So their Chicago home was broken up, and the twins were sent to the old Dana homestead in Connecticut, to live with their father’s people. This transfer of their dwelling-place didn’t bother Dick and Dolly much, for they were philosophical little people and took things just as they happened, and, moreover, they were so fond of each other, that so long as they were together, it didn’t matter to them where they were. But to the two people who lived in the old Dana place, and who were about to receive the twin charges, it mattered a great deal. Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie Dana were maiden ladies of precise and methodical habits, and to have their quiet home invaded by two unknown children was, to say the least, disturbing. But then Dick and Dolly were the children of their own brother, and so, of course they were welcome, still the aunts felt sure it would make a great difference in the household. And indeed it did. From the moment of the twins’ arrival,—but I may as well tell you about that moment. You see, Aunt Helen was so busy with her wedding preparations that she didn’t want to take the time to bring Dick and Dolly all the way from Chicago to Heatherton, Connecticut, so she sent them East in charge of some friends of hers who chanced to be coming. Mr. and Mrs. Halkett were good-natured people, and agreed to see the twins safely to Dana Dene, the home of the waiting aunts. And the aunts were waiting somewhat anxiously. They had never seen Dick and Dolly since they were tiny babies, and as they had heard vague reports of mischievous tendencies, they feared for the peace and quiet of their uneventful lives. “But,” said Miss Abbie to Miss Rachel, “we can’t expect children to act like grown people. If they’re only tidy and fairly good-mannered, I shall be thankful.” 1 “Perhaps we can train them to be,” responded Miss Rachel, hopefully; “nine is not very old, to begin with. I think they will be tractable at that age.” “Let us hope so,” said Miss Abbie. The Dana ladies were not really old,—even the family Bible didn’t credit them with quite half a century apiece,—but they were of a quiet, sedate type, and were disturbed by the least invasion of their daily routine. Life at Dana Dene was of the clock-work variety, and mistresses and servants fell into step and trooped through each day, without a variation from the pre-arranged line of march. But, to their honest souls, duty was pre-eminent, even over routine, and now, as it was clearly their duty to take their brother’s children into their household, there was no hesitation, but there was apprehension. For who could say what two nine-year-olds would be like? But in accordance with their sense of duty, the Misses Dana accepted the situation and went to work to prepare rooms for the new-comers. Two large sunny bedrooms, Dolly’s sweet and dainty, Dick’s more boyish, were made ready, and another large room was planned to be used as a study or rainy-day playroom for them both. Surely, the aunts were doing the right thing,—if the children would only respond to the gentle treatment, and not be perfect little savages, all might yet be well. Now it happened that when Mr. and Mrs. Halkett reached New York with their young charges, the trip from Chicago had made Mrs. Halkett so weary and indisposed that she preferred to remain in New York while her husband took the twins to Heatherton. It was not a long trip, perhaps three hours or less on the train, so Mr. Halkett started off to fulfil his trust and present Dick and Dolly at the door of their new home, assuring his wife that he would return on the first train possible after accomplishing his errand. Mrs. Halkett took pride in seeing that the children were very spick and span, and prettily arrayed, and gave them many injunctions to keep themselves so. Sturdy Dick looked fine in his grey Norfolk jacket and knickerbockers, with wide white collar and correct tie. Pretty little Dolly was in white piqué, very stiff and clean, with a tan-coloured coat and flower-trimmed hat. The twins looked alike, and had the same big, dark eyes, but Dick’s hair was a dark mass of close-cropped curls, while Dolly’s was a tangle of fluffy golden ringlets. This striking effect of fair hair and dark eyes made her an unusually attractive-looking child, and though they had never thought of it themselves, the twins were a very beautiful pair of children. Docilely obedient to Mrs. Halkett’s injunctions, they sat quietly in the train, and did nothing that could by any possibility be termed naughty. Truth to tell, they were a little awed at the thought of the two aunts, whom they did not yet know, but had every reason to believe were not at all like Auntie Helen. They chatted together, as they looked out of the window at the landscape and stations, and Mr. Halkett read his paper, and then looked over his timetable to see how soon he could get back to New York. There was a train that left Heatherton for New York about half an hour after their own arrival, so he hoped he could leave the twins at Dana Dene and return to the metropolis on that train. But owing to a delay of some sort they did not reach the Heatherton station until about twenty minutes after schedule time. After the train Mr. Halkett desired to take back to New York, there was no other for two hours, and greatly annoyed was that gentleman. When they stood at last on the station platform, a pleasant-faced Irishman approached and informed Mr. Halkett that he was from Dana Dene, and had been sent to meet Master Dick and Miss Dolly. As the man appeared so capable and responsible, Mr. Halkett was tempted to put the children in his care, and return himself at once to New York. He explained about the trains, and told of his wife’s illness, and the intelligent Michael said at once: “Shure, sor, do yez go back to New York. I’ll be afther takin’ the childher safe to the house. Don’t yez moind, sor, but go right along. Lave all to me, sor.” Impressed with the man’s decisive words, and sure of his trustworthiness, Mr. Halkett assisted the children into the carriage, and bidding them good-bye turned back to the station. Dolly looked a little wistful as he turned away, for though no relative, he had been a kind friend, and now she felt like a stranger in a strange land. But Dick was with her, so nothing else really mattered. She slipped her hand in her brother’s, and then Michael picked up his reins and they started off. It was early May, and it chanced to be warm and pleasant. The carriage was an open one, a sort of landau, and the twins gazed around with eager interest. “Great, isn’t it, Dolly?” exclaimed Dick, as they drove along a winding road, with tall trees and budding shrubs on either side. “Oh, yes!” returned Dolly. “It’s beautiful. I love the country a whole heap better than Chicago. Oh, Dick, there’s woods,—real woods!” “So it is, and a brook in it! I say, Michael, can’t we get out here a minute?” “I think not,” said the good-natured coachman. “The leddies is forninst, lookin’ for yez, and by the same token, we’re afther bein’ late as it is.” “Yes, I know,” said Dick, “but we won’t stay a minute. Just let us run in and see that brook. It’s such a dandy! I never saw a brook but once or twice in all my life.” “Yez didn’t! The saints presarve us! Wherever have yez lived?” “In the city,—in Chicago. Do stop a minute, please, Michael.” “Please, Michael,” added Dolly, and her sweet voice and coaxing glance were too much for Michael’s soft heart. Grumbling a little under his breath, he pulled up his horses, and let the children get out. “Just a minute, now,” he said, warningly. “I’ll bring yez back here some other day. Can yez get under the brush there?” “We’ll go over,” cried Dick, as he climbed and scrambled over a low thicket of brush. Dolly scrambled through, somehow, and the two children that emerged on the other side of the brush were quite different in appearance from the two sedate-looking ones that Mr. Halkett had left behind him. Dick’s white collar had received a smudge, his stocking was badly torn, and his cheek showed a long scratch. Dolly’s white frock was a sight! Her pretty tan coat had lost a button or two, and her hat was still in the bushes. “Hey, Doddy, hey, for the brook!” shouted Dick, and grasping each other’s hands, they ran for the rippling water. “Oh!” cried Dolly, her eyes shining. “Did you ever!” To the very edge of the brook they went, dabbling their fingers in the clear stream, and merrily splashing water on each other. All this would have been a harmless performance enough if they had been in play clothes, but the effect on their travelling costumes was most disastrous. Leaning over the mossy bank to reach the water caused fearful green stains on white piqué and on light-grey knickerbockers. Hands became grimy, and faces hot and smudgy. But blissfully careless of all this, the children frolicked and capered about, rejoiced to find the delightful country spot and quite oblivious to the fact that they were on their way to their new home. “Let’s wade,” said Dick, and like a flash, off came four muddy shoes, and four grass-greened stockings. Oh, how good the cool ripply water did feel! and how they chuckled with glee as they felt the wavelets plashing round their ankles. Across the brook were the dearest wild flowers,—pink, yellow, and white. “We must gather some,” said Dolly. “Can we wade across?” “Yep; I guess so. It doesn’t look deep. Come on.” Taking hands again, they stepped cautiously, and succeeded in crossing the shallow brook, though, incidentally, well dampening the piqué skirt, and the grey knickerbockers. Sitting down on the mossy bank, they picked handfuls of the flowers and wondered what they were. “Hollo! Hollo!” called Michael’s voice from the road, where he sat holding his horses. “All right, Michael! In a minute,” shrilled back the childish voices. And they really meant to go in a minute, but the fascination of the place held them, and they kept on picking flowers, and grubbing among the roots and stones at the edge of the water. “We really ought to go,” said Dolly. “Come on, Dick. Oh, look at the birds!” A large flock of birds flew low through the sky, and as they circled and wheeled, the children watched them eagerly. “They’re birds coming North for the summer,” said Dick. “See those falling behind! They don’t like the way the flock is going, and they’re going to turn back.” “So they are! We must watch them. There, now they’ve decided to go on, after all! Aren’t they queer?” “Hollo! Hollo! Come back, yez bad childher! Come back, I say!” “Yes, Michael, in a minute,” rang out Dolly’s sweet, bird-like voice. “In a minute, nothin’! Come now, roight sthraight away! Do yez hear?” “Yes, we’re coming,” answered Dick, and together they started to wade back across the brook. Then there were shoes and stockings to be put on, and with sopping wet feet, and no towels, this is not an easy task. They tugged at the unwilling stockings and nearly gave up in despair, but succeeded at last in getting them on, though the seams were far from the proper straight line at the back. Shoes were not so hard to put on, but were impossible to button without a buttonhook, so had to remain unbuttoned. Meantime, Michael was fairly fuming with angry impatience. He could not leave his horses, or he would have gone after the truants, and no passers-by came along whom he could ask to hold his restive team. So he continued to shout, and Dick and Dolly continued to assure him that they were coming, but they didn’t come. At last they appeared at the thicket hedge, and as the two laughing faces peeped through, Michael could scarcely recognise his young charges. Torn, soiled, dishevelled, unkempt, there was absolutely no trace of the spick and span toilets Mrs. Halkett had looked after so carefully, in spite of her aching head and tired nerves. “Yez naughty little rascals!” cried Michael. “Whativer possessed yez to tousel yersilves up loike that! Shame to yez! What’ll yer aunties say?” For the first time, the twins realised their disreputable appearance. What, indeed, would their new aunties say to them? Aunt Helen would have laughed, in her pretty, merry way, and sent them trotting away to clean up, but with new and untried aunties they couldn’t be sure. Moreover, they had an idea that Aunt Rachel and Aunt Abbie were not at all like pretty, young Auntie Helen. Rescuing her hat from the thorn bush where it hung, Dolly looked ruefully at its twisted flowers. The more she tried to pull them into shape, the worse they looked. She put it on her head, dismayed meanwhile to find her broad hair-ribbon was gone, and her sunny curls a moist, tangled mop. Dick was conscious of a growing feeling of wrong-doing, but there was nothing to be done but face the music. “Get in,” he said, briefly to his sister, and they clambered into the carriage. Michael said no more; it was not his place to reprimand the children of the house, but he sat up very straight and stiff, as he drove rapidly toward home. To be sure, his straightness and stiffness was to conceal a fit of merriment caused by the thought of presenting these ragamuffins at the portals of Dana Dene, but the ragamuffins themselves didn’t know that, and regretful and chagrined, they sat hand in hand, awaiting their fate. CHAPTER II 15 I THE ARRIVAL n the dark and somewhat sombre library at Dana Dene, Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie sat awaiting their guests. The room might have been called gloomy, but for the sunshine that edged in through the long, narrow, slit-like windows, and made determined golden bars across the dark-red carpet. Both the Misses Dana showed clearly their anxiety to have the children arrive and end their suspense. “If only they’re tidy children,” said Miss Rachel for the fiftieth time; and Miss Abbie responded, as she always did, “Yes, and quiet-mannered.” Miss Rachel Dana was of rather spare build, and sharp features. Her brown hair, only slightly tinged with grey, was deftly arranged, and every curled lock in its right place. Her pretty house-dress of dark blue foulard silk, with white figures, was modishly made and carefully fitted. Miss Abbie was a little more plump, and her gown was of a shade lighter blue, though otherwise much like her sister’s. The ladies had a patient air, as if they had waited long, but though they now and then glanced at the clock, they expressed no surprise at the delayed arrival. Trains were apt to be late at Heatherton, and they knew Michael would return as soon as possible. They had not gone themselves to the station to meet the twins, for it had seemed to them more dignified and fitting to receive their young relatives in their own home. Meantime, the young relatives were drawing nearer, and now, quite forgetting their own untidy appearance, their thoughts had turned to the waiting aunts, and the welcome they would probably receive. “I don’t believe they’ll be as nice as Aunty Helen,” said Dick, candidly, “but I hope they’ll be jolly and gay.” “I hope they’ll like us,” said Dolly, a little wistfully. She had always missed a mother’s love more than Dick had, and her affectionate little heart hoped to find in these aunties a certain tenderness that merry Aunt Helen had not possessed. Dick eyed his sister critically. “I don’t believe they will,” he said, honestly, “until we get some clean clothes on. I say, Dollums, we look like scarecrows.” “So we do!” said Dolly, fairly aghast as she realised the state of her costume. “Oh, Dick, can’t we get dressed up before we see them?” “’Course we can’t. Our trunks and bags haven’t come yet; and, anyway, they’ll probably be on the porch or somewhere, to meet us. Buck up, Dolly; don’t you mind. You’re just as nice that way.” “Is my face dirty?” “Not so much dirty,—as red and scratched. How did you get so chopped up?” “It was those briers. You went over, but I went through.” “I should say you did! Well, I don’t believe they’ll mind your looks. And, anyway, they’ll have to get used to it; you ’most always look like that.” This was cold comfort, and Dolly’s feminine heart began to feel that their appearance would be greatly in their disfavour. But she was of a sanguine nature, and, too, she was apt to devise expedients. “I’ll tell you, Dick,” she said, as an idea came to her; “you know, ‘a soft answer turneth away wrath’; no,—I guess I mean ‘charity covereth a multitude of sins.’ Yes, that’s it. And charity is love, you know. So when we see the aunties, let’s spring into their arms and kiss ’em and love ’em ’most to death, and then they won’t notice our clothes.” “All right, that goes. Let me see,—yes, your face is clean,”—Dick made a dab or two at it with his handkerchief. “How’s mine?” “Yes, it’s clean,” said Dolly, “at least, there aren’t any smudges; but you’d better wash it before supper.” “All right, I will. Here we go now, turning in at the gate. Be ready to jump out and fly at them if they’re on the porch.” They weren’t on the porch, so the twins went in at the great front door, which was opened for them by a smiling maid, whose smile broadened as she saw them. Then, repressing her smile, she ushered them to the library door and into the presence of the two waiting aunts. “Now!” whispered Dick, and with a mad rush, the two flew across the room like whirlwinds and fairly banged themselves into the arms of Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie Dana. This sudden onslaught was followed by a series of hugs and kisses which were of astonishing strength and duration. What Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie thought can never be known, for they had no power of thought. Victims of a volcanic visitation do not think,—at least, not coherently, and the Dana ladies were quite helpless, both mentally and physically. “Dear Auntie,” cooed Dolly, patting the cheek of the one she had attacked, though not knowing her name; “are you glad to see us?” Miss Rachel stared stupidly at her, but the stare was not reassuring, and Dolly’s heart fell. “Jolly glad to get here,” cried Dick, loyally trying to carry out Dolly’s plan, as he nearly choked the breath out of the other aunt. Miss Abbie had a little more sense of humour than her sister,—though neither of them was over-burdened with it,—so she said to Dick: “Then do stop pommeling me, and stand off where I can see what you look like!” But this was just what Dick was not anxious to do. So he only clung closer, and said, “Dear Auntie, which is your name?” “I’m your Aunt Abbie,” was the response, not too gently given, “and now stand up, if you please, and stop these monkey-tricks!” Of course, since she put it that way, Dick had to desist, and he released his struggling aunt, and bravely stood up for inspection. Miss Rachel, too, had pushed Dolly away from her, and the twins stood, hand in hand, waiting for the verdict. It was an awful moment. The physical exertion of the manner they had chosen of greeting their aunts had made their flushed little faces still redder, and the scratches stood out in bold relief. Also, their soiled and torn garments looked worse in this elegantly appointed room even than they had in the woods or in the carriage. Altogether the twins felt that their plan of defence had failed, and they were crestfallen, shy, homesick, and pretty miserable all ’round. But the funny part was, that the plan hadn’t failed. Though the aunts never admitted it, both their hearts were softened by the feeling of those little arms round their necks, and those vigorous, if grimy kisses that fell, irrespectively, on their cheeks, necks, or lace collars. Had it not been for this tornado of affection, the greeting would have been far different. But one cannot speak coldly to a guest who shows such warmth of demonstration. “Well, you are a pretty-looking pair!” exclaimed Miss Rachel, veiling her real disapproval behind a semblance of jocularity. “Do you always travel in ragged, dirty clothes?” “No, Aunt Rachel,” said Dick, feeling he must make a strike for justice; “at least, we don’t start out this way. But you see, we had hardly ever seen a brook before——” “And it was so lovely!” put in Dolly, ecstatically. “And wild flowers to it!” cried Dick, his eyes shining with the joy of the remembrance. “And pebbly stones!” “And ripply water!” “And birds, flying in big bunches!” “Oh, but it was splendid!” “And so you went to the brook,” said Aunt Rachel, beginning to see daylight. “Yes’m; on the way up from the station, you know.” “Did Michael go with you?” “No; he sat and held the horses, and hollered for us to come back.” “Why didn’t you go when he called you?” “Why, we did; at least, we went in a minute. But, Aunt Rachel, we never had seen a real live brook before, not since we were little bits of kiddy-wids,—and we just couldn’t bear to leave it.” “We waded in it!” said Dolly, almost solemnly, as if she had referred to the highest possible earthly bliss. The Dana ladies were nonplussed. True, the affection showered on them had tempered their severity, yet now justice began to reassert itself, and surely it would not be just or fair to have these semi-barbaric children installed at Dana Dene. “Did your aunt in Chicago let you act like this?” asked Aunt Abbie, by way of trying to grasp the situation. “Well, you see, there never was a brook there,” said Dick, pleasantly. “Only Lake Michigan, and that was too big to be any fun.” “Oh, isn’t Heatherton lovely?” exclaimed Dolly, her big, dark eyes full of rapture. She had again possessed herself of Miss Rachel’s hand and was patting it, and incidentally transfering some “good, brown earth” to it, from her own little paw. Though Dolly had planned their mode of entrance, she had forgotten all about it now, and her affectionate demonstrations were prompted only by her own loving little heart, and not by an effort to be tactful. In her enthusiasm over the beautiful country-side, she fairly bubbled over with love and affection for all about her. “Are you both so fond of the country, then?” said Miss Abbie, a little curiously. “Yes, we love it,” declared Dick, “and we’ve ’most never seen it. Auntie Helen always liked fashionable places in summer, and of course in winter we were in Chicago.” “And we were naughty,” said Dolly, with a sudden burst of contrition, “to go wading in the brook in our good clothes. Mrs. Halkett told us ’spressly not to get soiled or even rumpled before we saw you. And we’re sorry we did,—but, oh! that brook! When can we go there again? To-morrow?” “Or this afternoon,” said Dick, sidling up to Aunt Rachel; “it isn’t late, is it?” The twins had instinctively discerned that Miss Rachel was the one of whom to ask permission. Aunt Abbie seemed more lovable, perhaps, but without a doubt Aunt Rachel was the fixer of their fate. “This afternoon! I should say not!” exclaimed Miss Rachel. “It’s nearly supper time now, and how you’re going to be made presentable is more than I know! Have you any other clothes?” “In our trunks,—lots of ’em,” said Dick, cheerfully. “But these are our best ones. Mrs. Halkett put them on us purpose to come to you. I’m sorry they’re smashed.” Dick’s sorrow was expressed in such blithe and nonchalant tones, that Miss Rachel only smiled grimly. “Are you hungry?” she said. “No’m,” said Dick, slowly, and Dolly added, “Not very. Of course we’re always some hungry. But Aunt Rachel, can’t we go out and scoot round the yard? Just to see what it’s like, you know. Of course, this room is,—beautiful, but we do love to be out doors. May we?” “No,” said Miss Rachel, decidedly, and though Miss Abbie said, timidly, “Why don’t you let them?” the elder sister resumed: “Go out on my lawn looking like that? Indeed you can’t! I’d be ashamed to have the chickens see you,—let alone the servants!” “Oh, are there chickens?” cried Dolly, dancing about in excitement. “I’m so glad we’re going to live here!” She made a movement as if to hug her Aunt Rachel once again, but as she saw the involuntary drawing away of that lady’s shoulders, she transferred her caress to Dick, and the tattered twins fell on each other’s necks in mutual joy of S anticipation. “You are a ridiculous pair of children,” said Aunt Abbie, laughing at the sight; “but as I hope you’ll show some of your father’s traits, you may improve under our training.” “If we can train such hopeless cases,” said Miss Rachel. “Has nobody ever taught you how to behave?” “Yes,” said Dick, growing red at the implication. “Auntie Helen is a lovely lady, and she taught us to be honourable and polite.” “Oh, she did! and do you call it honourable to go off wading in your best clothes, while we were waiting for you to come here?” Dick’s honest little face looked troubled. “I don’t know,” he said, truly, but Dolly, who was often the quicker-witted of the two, spoke up: “It may have been naughty, Aunt Rachel, but I don’t ’zackly think it was dishonourable. Do you?” Thus pinned down, Miss Rachel considered. “Perhaps ‘dishonourable’ isn’t quite the right word,” she said, “but we won’t discuss that now. I shall teach you to behave properly, of course, but we won’t begin until you look like civilised beings, capable of being taught. Just now, I think hot baths, with plenty of soap, will be the best thing for you, but as you have no clean clothes, you’ll have to go to bed.” “At five o’clock! Whew!” said Dick. “Oh, I say, Aunt Rachel, not to bed!” “Anyway, let us go for a tear around the yard first,” begged Dolly. “We can’t hurt these clothes now; and I don’t believe the chickens will mind. Are there little chickens, Aunt Abbie?” “Yes, little woolly yellow ones.” “Like the ones on Easter souvenirs? Oh, please let us see them now,—please!” More persuaded by the violence of her niece’s plea than by her own inclination, Miss Rachel said they might go out for half an hour, and then they must come in to baths and beds. “And supper?” asked Dick, hopefully. “Yes, bread and milk after you’re clean and tucked into bed.” “Only bread and milk?” said Dolly, with eyes full of wheedlesomeness. “Well, perhaps jam,” said Aunt Abbie, smiling, and somehow her smile augured even more than jam. Out they scampered then, and soon found Michael, who introduced them to the chickens and also to Pat, who was the gardener. “I like you,” said Dolly, slipping her little hand into Pat’s big one, both being equally grimy. “Please show us all the flowers and things.” There was so much to look at, they could only compass a small part of it in their allotted half-hour. Dana Dene covered about thirty acres, but it was not a real farm. A vegetable garden supplied the household wants, and the rest of the estate was park and flower beds and a bit of woods and an orchard and a terrace, and the poultry yard and stables, and other delights of which the children could only guess. “Aren’t you glad we came?” said Dolly, still hanging on to Pat’s hand. “I—I guess so, Miss,” he replied, cautiously; “but I can’t say yet, for sure. Ye’re rampageous, I’m afraid. Ain’t ye, now?” “Yes,” said Dick, who was always honest, “I think we are. At least, everybody says so. But, Pat, we’re going to try not to make you any trouble.” “Now, that’s a good boy. If ye talk like that, you ’n me’ll be friends.” Dolly said nothing, but she smiled happily up into Patrick’s kind eyes, and then, with their usual adaptability to circumstances, the twins began to feel at home. CHAPTER III AN EARLY STROLL oon after daybreak next morning, Dolly woke, and surveyed with satisfaction her pretty room. Pink roses clambered over the wall paper, and over the chintz hangings and furniture, and over the soft, dainty bed- coverlet. It was much more attractive than her room at Aunt Helen’s, and as Dolly loved pretty things, she gave a little sigh of content and nestled comfortably into her pillows. Then she heard Dick’s voice whispering through the closed door between their rooms. “Hi, Dolly; I say! Aren’t you up yet?” “No, are you?” “Yes, and ’most dressed. Hustle, can’t you? and let’s go out and chase around the place.” “Before breakfast?” “Yes; breakfast isn’t until eight o’clock, and it’s only six now.” “All right, I’ll hustle,” and Dolly sprang out of bed, and began to dress. The twins were a self-reliant pair, and quite capable and methodical when they had time to be. Dolly dressed herself neatly in a clean blue and white plaid gingham; and as she could tie her hair ribbon quite well enough, except for special occasions, the blue bow on her golden curls was entirely satisfactory. “I’m all ready, Dick,” she whispered at last, through the door, “and we mustn’t make any noise, for maybe the aunties 29 are asleep yet.” “All right; I’ll meet you in the hall.” So both children went on tiptoe out into the big, light hall, and softly down the stairs. No one seemed to be stirring, but they unfastened the locks and chains of the front doors, and stepped out into the beautiful fresh morning. “I’ve got to holler!” said Dick, still whispering. “They can’t hear us now.” “Yes, they can; wait till we get farther away from the house.” So, hand in hand, they ran down the garden path, and when a grape arbour and a cornfield were between them and their sleeping aunts, they decided they were out of hearing. “Hooray!” yelled Dick, as loud as he could, at the same time turning a jubilant handspring. Dolly was quite as glad as her brother, but contented herself with dancing about, and giving little squeals of delight as she saw one rapturous sight after another. “Oh, Dick,” she cried, “there’s a fountain! ’way over there on the little hill. Do you s’pose that’s on our grounds?” “’Course it is. This is all ours, as far as you can see, and more too. That woodsy place over there is ours; Pat told me so.” “We’ll have picnics there. And Dick, maybe there are fairies in the woods.” “Sure there are. That’s just the kind of woods that has fairies. But they only come out at night, you know.” “Yes, but it’s only just a little past night now. The sun has only been up a short time. Maybe there are some fairies there yet.” “Maybe; let’s go and see.” With a skip and a jump the children started for the woods, which, however proved to be farther away than they had thought. They trudged merrily on, stopping now and then to speak to a robin, or kick at a dandelion, but at last they came to the edge of the grove. “Oh, Dick!” cried Dolly, in ecstasy, “think of having a real woods, right in our own yard! Isn’t it gorgeous!” “Great! but go softly now, if we want to see fairies. I’m ’fraid they’ve all gone.” Hand in hand the children tiptoed into the wood. They moved very cautiously, lest they should step on a twig, or make any noise that should frighten the fairies. “There’s where they dance,” whispered Dick, pointing to a smooth, green mossy place. “But of course they always fly away when the sun rises.” “Yes, I s’pose so,” said Dolly, regretfully. “Shall we come out earlier to-morrow?” “Yes; or we might come out to see them some night. Moonlight nights; that’s the time!” “Would you dare? Oh, Dick, wouldn’t it be grand!” “Hey, Dolly, there’s a squirrel; a real, live one! That’s better’n fairies. Oh, look at him!” Sure enough, a grey squirrel ran past them, and now sat, turning his head back to look at them, but ready for instant flight if they moved. But they didn’t move, they knew better; and scarce daring to breathe, they sat watching the wonderful sight. Meantime, there was consternation in the household. At seven o’clock Miss Rachel had sent Hannah, the waitress, to call the twins. The maid returned with a scared face, and announced that the children had gone. “Gone!” cried Miss Rachel, who was engaged in making her own toilet; “where have they gone?” “I don’t know, ma’am; but they’re not in their rooms, and the front door is wide open.” “Oh, they’ve run away!” cried Miss Rachel, and hastily throwing on a dressing gown, she went to her sister’s room. “Get up, Abbie,” she exclaimed. “Those children have run away!” “Run away? What do you mean?” “Why, they’ve gone! I suppose they didn’t like us. Perhaps they were homesick, or something. Abbie, do you suppose they’ve gone back to Chicago, all alone?” “Nonsense, Rachel, of course they haven’t! Children always rise early. They’re probably walking in the garden.” “No, I don’t think so. Something tells me they’ve run away because they don’t like us. Oh, Abbie, do you think that’s it?” “No, I don’t. Go on and dress. They’ll be back by the time you’re ready for breakfast. If you’re worried, send Hannah out to hunt them up.” So Hannah was sent, but as she only looked in the verandas and in the gardens near the house, of course, she didn’t find the twins. By the time the ladies came downstairs, Hannah had impressed Pat and Michael into service, and all three were hunting for the missing guests. But it never occurred to them to go so far as the woods, where Dick and Dolly were even then sitting, watching the grey squirrel, and looking for fairies. “I’m thinkin’ they’ve fell in the pond,” said Pat, as he gazed anxiously into the rather muddy water. “Not thim!” said Michael; “they’re not the sort that do be afther drownin’ thimsilves. They’re too frisky. Belikes they’ve run back to the brook where they shtopped at yisterday. Do yez go there an’ look, Pat.” “Yes, do,” said Miss Rachel, who, with clasped hands and a white face was pacing the veranda. “Don’t take it so hard, sister,” implored Miss Abbie. “They’re around somewhere, I’m sure; and if not,—why, you know, Rachel, you didn’t want them here very much, anyway.” “How can you be so heartless!” cried Miss Rachel, her eyes staring reproachfully at her sister. “I do want them; they’re brother’s children, and this is their rightful home. But I wish they wanted to stay. I’m sure they ran away because they didn’t like us. Do you think we were too harsh with them yesterday?” “Perhaps so. At any rate, they have run away. I thought they were in the garden, but if so, they would have been found by now. Do you suppose they took an early train back to New York?” “Oh, Abbie, how can you say so! Those two dear little mites alone in a great city! I can’t think it!” “It’s better than thinking they are drowned in the pond.” “Either is awful; and yet of course some such thing must have happened.” The two ladies were on the verge of hysterics, and the servants, who had all been hunting for the children, were nonplussed. Pat had jumped on a horse, and galloped off to the brook which had so taken their fancy the day before, and Michael stood, with his hands in his pockets, wondering if he ought to drag the pond. Delia, the cook, had left the waiting breakfast and had come to join the anxious household. “I’m thinkin’ they’re not far off,” she said; “why don’t ye blow a horn, now?” “That’s a good idea,” said Miss Abbie; “try it, Michael.” So Michael found an old dinner-horn that had hung unused in the barn for many years, and he blew resounding blasts. But unfortunately, the babes in the woods were too far away to hear, and forgetful of all else they watched two squirrels, who, reassured by the children’s quiet, ran back and forth, and almost came right up to Dick and Dolly’s beckoning fingers. “If only we had something to feed them,” said Dick, vainly hunting his pockets for something edible. “If only we had something to feed ourselves,” said Dolly; “I’m just about starved.” “So’m I; let’s go back now, and come to see the squirrels some other time, and bring them some nuts.” “All right, let’s.” So back they started, but leisurely, for they had no thought of how the time had slipped by. They paused here and there to investigate many things, and it was well on toward nine o’clock when they came within hearing of Michael’s horn, on which he was blowing a last, despairing blast. “Hear the horn!” cried Dick. “Do you s’pose that’s the way they call the family to breakfast?” “Oh, it isn’t breakfast time, yet,” said Dolly, confidently. “I’m hungry enough, but it can’t be eight o’clock, I know. And, besides, I want time to tidy up.” The clean frock had lost its freshness, and the blue bow was sadly askew, for somehow, try as she would, Dolly never could keep herself spick and span. They trudged along, through the barnyard and the garden, and finally came to the kitchen door, which stood invitingly open. “Let’s go in this way,” said Dolly; “it’s nearer, and I can skin up to my room and brush my hair. I don’t want Auntie Rachel to think I’m always messy.” In at the back door they went, and as the kitchen was deserted, they looked around in some surprise. “Might as well catch a bun,” said Dick, seeing a panful of rolls in the warming oven. The hungry children each took a roll, and then sped on up to their rooms, intent on tidying themselves for breakfast. “For goodness’ sake, Dolly!” exclaimed Dick’s voice through the door, “it’s after nine o’clock! Do you s’pose they’ve had breakfast, and where is everybody?” “After nine o’clock!” said Dolly, opening the door, to make sure she had heard aright. “Well, if this isn’t the queerest house! Hurry up, Dick, and brush your hair, and we’ll go down and see what’s the matter. I know they haven’t had breakfast, for the kitchen range was all full of cereals and things.” A few moments later, two neat and well-brushed children tripped gaily downstairs. They went into the library, where their two aunts, nearly in a state of collapse, were reposing in armchairs. “Good-morning, aunties,” said the twins, blithely. “Are we late?” Miss Abbie gasped and closed her eyes, at the astonishing sight, but Miss Rachel, who was of a different nature, felt all her anxiety turn to exasperation, and she said, sternly: “You naughty children! Where have you been?” “Why, we just got up early, and went to look around the place,” volunteered Dolly, “and we didn’t know it got late so soon.” “But where were you? We’ve searched the place over.” “We went to the woods,” said Dick. “You see, Aunt Abbie, I felt as if I must screech a little, and we thought if we stayed too near the house, we might wake you up. It was awful early then. I don’t see how nine o’clock came so soon! Did we keep breakfast back? I’m sorry.” “Why did you want to screech?” said Miss Abbie, quickly. “Are you homesick?” “Oh, no! I mean screech for joy. Just shout, you know, for fun, and jump around, and turn somersaults. I always do those things when I’m glad. But as it turned out, we couldn’t, very much, for we were watching for fairies, and then for squirrels, so we had to be quiet after all.” “And so you wanted to shout for joy, did you?” asked Aunt Rachel, much mollified at the compliments they paid so unconsciously. “Oh, yes’m! Everything is so beautiful, and so—so sort of enchanted.” “Enchanted?” “Yes; full of fairies, and sprites. The woods, you know, and the pond, and the fountain,—oh, Dana Dene is the finest place I ever saw!” Dick’s enthusiasm was so unfeigned, and his little face shone with such intense happiness, that Miss Rachel hadn’t the heart to scold him after all. So, resolving to tell the twins later of the trouble they had caused, she went away to tell Delia to send in breakfast, and to tell Michael to go and find Patrick, for the twins had returned. “N “Oh, how good the cool ripply water did feel!” (Page 10) “You see,” explained Dolly, as they sat at breakfast, “we went out of the house at half-past seven, by the big, hall clock. And I thought then we’d stay an hour, and get back in time to fix up before we saw you. We’re not very good at keeping clean.” “So I see,” said Aunt Abbie, glancing at several grass stains and a zigzag tear that disfigured Dolly’s frock. “Yes’m; so we ’most always try to get in to meals ahead of time, and that ’lows us to spruce up some.” “We try to,” said Dick, honestly, “but we don’t always do it.” “No,” returned Dolly, calmly; “’most never. But isn’t it ’stonishing how fast the time goes when you think there’s plenty?” “It is,” said Aunt Rachel, a little grimly. “And now that you’re to live here, you’ll have to mend your ways, about being late, for I won’t have tardiness in my house.” “All right,” said Dolly, cheerfully; “I’ll hunt up my watch. It doesn’t go very well, except when it lies on its face; but if I put it in my pocket upside down, maybe it’ll go.” “It must be a valuable watch,” remarked Aunt Abbie. “Yes’m, it is. Auntie Helen gave it to me for a good-by gift, but I looked at it so often, that I thought it would be handier to wear it hanging outside, like a locket, you know. Well, I did, and then it banged into everything I met. And the chain caught on everything, and the watch got dented, and the crystal broke, and one hand came off. But it was the long hand, so as long as the hour hand goes all right, I can guess at the time pretty good. If I’d just had it with me this morning, we’d been all right. I’m real sorry we were late.” Aunt Rachel smiled, but it was rather a grim smile. “I don’t set much store by people who are sorry,” she said; “what I like, are people who don’t do wrong things the second time. If you are never late to breakfast again, that will please me more than being sorry for this morning’s escapade.” “I’ll do both,” said Dolly, generously, and indeed, the twins soon learned to be prompt at meals, which is a habit easily acquired, if one wishes to acquire it. CHAPTER IV GARDENS ow, children,” said Aunt Rachel, as they all went into the library, after breakfast, “you may play around as you choose, but I don’t want you to go off the premises without permission. No more wading in the brook, and coming home looking disreputable. You may go to our wood, or anywhere on the place, and stay as long as you like, provided you are here and properly tidy at meal-times But outside the gates, without permission, you must not go: Can I trust you?” “Yes, indeed, Aunt Rachel,” said Dick; “I’m sure we don’t want to go anywhere else, with all this beautiful place to play in. Why, we haven’t half explored it yet. Pat says there are thirty acres! Think of that!” “Yes, it’s a fine old place,” said Miss Rachel, with justifiable pride in her ancestral home. “And I’m glad to have you young people in it, if you’ll only behave yourselves, and not keep us everlastingly in hot water.” “We do want to be good, Auntie,” said Dolly, in her sweet way; “and if we’re bad a few times, just till we learn your ways, you know, you’ll forgive us, won’t you?” Pretty little Dolly had a wheedlesome voice, and a winning smile, and Miss Rachel found it difficult to speak sternly, when the big, dark eyes looked into her face so lovingly. “Yes, I’m sure you want to be good, my dears, and also, we want to do the right thing by you. So we’ll learn each other’s ways, and I’m sure we’ll get along beautifully.” Miss Rachel was not used to children, and she talked to them as if they were as grown-up as herself, but Dick and Dolly understood, and sat patiently while she talked, though, in truth, they were impatient to get away, and run outdoors again. “I shall send you to school,” went on Miss Rachel, “but not for a week or two yet. I want to learn you myself a little better first.” “Yes’m,” said Dolly, who was equally well pleased to go to school or to stay at home. But Dick wanted to go. “Let us go pretty soon, won’t you, Auntie?” he said; “for I want to get acquainted with the Heatherton fellows.” “Boys, Dick,” corrected Aunt Abbie, who was beginning to think the twins rather careless of their diction. “Yes’m, I mean boys. Are there any who live near here?” Miss Rachel pursed her lips together. “The Middletons live in the place next to this,” she began, and Dolly broke in: “Oh, that pretty place, with the stone pillars at the gate?” “Yes,” went on her aunt. “But Mrs. Middleton and we are not—that is—” “Oh, you’re not good friends, is that it?” volunteered Dick. “Well, yes; I suppose that is it. You children are too young to understand, but let it be enough for you that I prefer you should not play with the little Middletons. There are other neighbours equally pleasant for your acquaintance.” “All right, Auntie,” agreed Dick. “Cut out the Middletons. And now mayn’t we run out to play?” “First, I’ll take you up and show you your playroom. It’s more for rainy days, as you seem to like to be out of doors in 43 fine weather. But come and see it, anyway.” The two aunts led the way, and the children followed to a large, delightful room in the third story. There was a big table in the middle, and smaller tables and chairs about. There was a pleasant little writing-desk for each, well furnished with pretty writing materials. Low bookshelves ran round two sides of the room, and the other side showed a jolly big fireplace, and pleasant windows with deep seats. A roomy, comfortable old sofa and a chest of drawers completed the furnishing. “It isn’t finished,” said Miss Abbie, “because we don’t yet know your tastes.” “It’s lovely, Aunties!” cried Dolly, flinging her arms round the neck of one after the other, and finally embracing Dick in her enthusiasm. “Oh, it’s just gay!” Dick cried. “I’ve always wanted a big playroom, and now we’ve got one. Can I whittle and jigsaw up here?” “Yes, you may do just exactly as you please. You may bring your young friends up here, and entertain them whenever you choose.” “That is, after we get the friends,” supplemented Dolly. “Yes, but you’ll soon get acquainted. There are many nice children in Heatherton. Do you play dolls, Dolly?” “Yes, I do, when I have any little girls to play with. But, you see, I play with Dick so much, I get out of the habit of dolls. But I do love ’em. When our big box of things comes, I’ve lots of dolls in it, and Dick’s tool-chest and jigsaw—oh, it will be splendid to fix them all up here!” “Yes, Michael will help you. He’ll fix a good workbench, for you, Dick, if you’re fond of fussing with tools. Do you cut your fingers much?” “Sometimes, Aunt Rachel, but not always. Say, you’re awful good to us. We’re ever so much obliged.” Dick was more awkward at expressing his appreciation than Dolly, but the honest joy on the boy’s face showed his admiration of the room, and Aunt Rachel’s heart warmed toward him, for she too was sometimes unable to express herself aptly. “Now we’ll skiddoo,” said Dolly, as she patted Miss Abbie’s hand by way of farewell. “We want to see Pat feed the chickens.” “Yes, dearie, run along, but,—would you mind if I ask you not to use those—those unusual words?” “Skiddoo? Oh, that’s an awful useful word, Aunt Abbie. I don’t see how I could get along without it, but I’ll try if you say so.” “Yes, do try, Dolly; I want my niece to be a refined, ladylike little girl, not a slangy one.” “Yes’m.” Dolly drew a little sigh. “I want to do what you want me to do. But I’m pretty forgetful, Aunt Abbie, so don’t be ’scouraged, will you, if I don’t get good all at once?” Dolly had a childish trick of omitting the first sy...