Run along now, my bonny bairns! Run along! counseled the old Scotch woman. Tis late its getting, and the lassies will be here to lunch before we know it.
Yes, do run along, begged Ruth. And then come back to be washed and have your hair combed. I want you to look nice if, accidentally, you appear on the scene.
Thus bidden, and fortified with another cookie each, Tess and Dot hurried on to the store, Dot tenderly trying to pinch into shape the flattened nose of her Alice-doll.
Rufus got a broom and began to clean the scattered trash to put back into the barrel, and Mrs. MacCall hurried into her kitchen, where Linda was humming a Finnish song as she clattered amid the pots and pans.
Oh, we must finish the parlor and library, declared Ruth. Do come and help, Agnes.
Coming, Ruth. Oh, heres Neale! she added, pausing to look toward the gate through which at that moment appeared a sturdy lad of pleasant countenance.
He acts as though he had something on his mind, went on Agnes, as the youth broke into a run on seeing her and her sister on the steps. Wait a moment, Ruth. He may have something to tell us.
The fates forbid that
it is anything more about Tess and Dot! murmured Ruth, for the children had some minutes before disappeared down the street.
News! cried Neale ONeil, as he swung up the steps. Ive got such news for you! Oh, its great! and his face fairly shone.
CHAPTER III THE ELEVATOR
The boy had reached the porch, panting from his run, and he had been about to burst out with the news, which he could hardly contain, when Ruth addressed him.
Whats the matter? Dont you want to hear it? he asked, fanning himself vigorously with his hat.
Oh, yes, it isnt that, said Agnes, with a smile, which caused Neales lips to part in an answering one, showing his white teeth that made a contrast to his tanned face. But we have just passed through rather a strenuous time, Neale, and if you have anything more startling to tell us about Tess and Dot
Oh, it isnt about them! laughed Neale ONeil. Theyre all right. I just saw them going down the street.
Thank goodness! murmured Ruth. I thought they had got into more mischief. Well, go on, Neale, and tell us the news. Is it good?
The best ever, he answered, sobering down a little. The only trouble is that there isnt very much of it. Only a sort of rumor, so to speak.
Sit down, said Agnes, and she herself suited her action to the words. Uncle Rufus has the spilled trash cleaned up now.
Yesm, its done all cleaned up now, murmured the old colored servant as he departed, having made the side porch presentable again. But I suah does wish dat trash mand come roun yeah befo dem two chilluns come back. Deys gwine to upsot dat barrel agin, if dey gets a chanst; dey suah is! and he departed, shaking his head woefully enough.
What happened? asked Neale. An accident?
You might call it that, assented Ruth, sitting down beside her sister. It was a combination of Tess, Dot, Alice-doll and Almira all rolled into one.
Thats enough! laughed the boy, to whom readers of the previous volumes of the series need no introduction.
Neale ONeil had once been in a circus. He was known as Master Jakeway and was the son of James ONeil. Neales uncle, William Sorber, was the ringmaster and lion tamer in the show billed as Twomley & Sorbers Herculean Circus and Menagerie. Some time before the opening of the present story, Neale had left the circus and had come to Milton to live, making his home with Con Murphy, the town cobbler.
Well, go on with your news, Neale, said Ruth gently, as she gazed solicitously at the boy. She was beginning to have more and more something of a feeling of responsibility toward him. This was due to the fact that Ruth was growing older, as has been evidenced, and also to the fact that Neale was also, and at times, she thought, he showed the lack of the care of a loving mother.
Yes, I want to hear it, interposed Agnes. And then we simply must get the house in shape, if the girls arent to find us with smudges of dust on our noses.
Is there anything I can do? asked Neale eagerly. Are you going to have a party?
Some of Ruths young ladies are coming to lunch, explained Agnes. I dont suppose I may be classed with them, and she looked shyly at her sister.
I dont see why not, came the retort from the oldest Kenway girl. Id like to have you come to the meeting, Agnes.
No, thank you, civics are not much in my line. I hated em in school. Though maybe Ill come to the eats. But lets hear Neales news. It may spoil from being kept.
Not much danger of that, said the boy, with another bright smile. But are you sure there isnt anything I can do to help?
Perfectly sure, Neale, answered Ruth. The two irrepressibles brought me the flowers I wanted to decorate with, and it only remains to put them in vases. But now Im sure we have chattered enough about ourselves. Let us hear about you.
It isnt so much about me; its about father, and Neales voice sank when he said that. He spoke in almost a reverent tone. And then his face lighted up again as he exclaimed: