Hell run if I do, objected Sammy.
Let him run, you ninnie! cried Mrs. MacCall. An if ever ye fetchet him yon again Ill Ill
But she could not call up a sufficiently severe punishment, and had to subside.
Meanwhile the mischievous boy had led Billy Bumps off to one side, by the simple process of loosening the rope from the wagon harness to which it was fastened. Mr. Howbridge then took a firm hold of the cable and, after loosening it from where it had jammed in the pulley block, he braced his feet in the earth, against the downward pull of the basket, and so gently lowered Tess and Dot to the ground.
Im never going to play with you again, Sammy Pinkney! cried Tess, climbing out of the basket and shaking her finger at the boy.
Nor me, either! added Dot, smoothing out the rumpled dress of her Alice-doll.
Well, you asked me to make some fun and I did, Sammy defended himself.
Yes, and you made a lot of excitement, too, added Ruth. You had better come into the house now, children, she went on. And, Sammy, please take Billy away.
Yesm, he murmured. But they asked me to elevator em up, an I did!
To which I shall bear witness, said Mr. Howbridge, laughing.
Mrs. MacCall shooed Tess and Dot into the house, murmuring her thanks to providence over the escape, and, after a while, the excitement died away and Ruth went on with her meeting.
The Civic Betterment League was formed that afternoon and eventually, perhaps, did some good. But what this story is to concern itself with is the adventure on a houseboat of the Corner House girls. Meanwhile about a week went by. There had been no more elevator episodes, though this does not mean that Sammy did not make mischief, nor that Tess and Dot kept out of it. Far from that.
One bright afternoon, when school was out and the pre-supper appetites of Dot and Tess had been appeased, the two came running into the room where Ruth and Agnes sat.
Hes here! Hes come! gasped Tess.
And hes got, oh, such a dandy! echoed Dot.
Whos here, and what has he? asked Agnes, flying out of her chair.
You shouldnt say anything is a dandy, corrected Ruth to her youngest sister.
Well it is, and you told me always to tell the truth, was the retort.
Its Mr. Howbridge and hes out in front with a the er the beautifulest automobile! cried Tess. Its all shiny an its got wheels, an an everything! Its newer than our car.
Ruth was sufficiently interested in this news to look from the window.
It is Mr. Howbridge, she murmured, as though there had been doubts on that point.
And he must have a new auto, added Agnes. Oh, he has! she cried.
A moment later they were welcoming their guardian at the door, while the smaller children formed an eager and anxious background.
What has happened? asked Agnes, while Ruth, remembering her position as head of the family, asked:
Wont you come in?
Id much rather you would come out, Miss Ruth, the man responded. It is just the sort of day to be out
not in.
Especially in such a car as that! exclaimed Agnes. Its a
Be careful, murmured Ruth, with an admonishing glance from Agnes to the smaller girls. Little pitchers, you know
Its a wonderful car! went on Agnes. Is it yours?
Well, I sometimes doubt a little, when I recall what it cost me, her guardian answered with a laugh. But I am supposed to be the owner, and I have come to take you for a ride.
Oh, cant we go? came in a chorus from Tess and Dot.
Yes, all of you! laughed Mr. Howbridge. Thats why I waited until school was out. They may come, may they not, Miss Ruth? he asked. Always he was thus deferential to her when a question of family policy came up.
Yes, I think so, was the low-voiced answer. But we planned to have an early tea and
Oh, I promise to get you back home in plenty of time, the lawyer said, with a laugh. And after that, if you like, we might take another ride.
How wonderful! murmured Agnes.
Wont you stay to tea? asked Ruth.
I was waiting for that! exclaimed Mr. Howbridge. I shall be delighted. Now then, youngsters, run out and hop in, but dont touch anything, or you may be in a worse predicament than when you were in the clothes basket elevator.
We wont! cried Tess and Dot, running down the walk.
You must come back and be washed! cried Ruth. It was a standing order that, and the two little girls knew better than to disobey.
But first they inspected the new car, walking all around it, and breathing in, with the odor of gasoline, the awed remarks of some neighboring children.
Thats part our car, Dot told these envious ones, as she and Tess started back toward the house. Were going for a ride in it, and dont you dare touch anything on it or Mr. Howbridgell be awful mad!
Um, oh, whut a lubly auto, murmured Alfredia Blossom, who had come on an errand to her grandfather, Uncle Rufus. Dats jest de beatenistest one I eber see!
Yes, it is nice, conceded Tess, proudly, airily and condescendingly.
A little later the two younger children and Agnes sat in the rear seat, while Ruth was beside Mr. Howbridge at the steering wheel. Then the big car purred off down the street, like a contented cat after a saucer of warm milk.