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Yesm, again came from the abashed, if not repentant, Sammy.
Think what you might make of yourself, young man, if you desired. Do you realize that every boy born in this country has a chance to be president?
Huh! ejaculated Sammy, suddenly looking up. Be president, Miss Maltby? Huh! I tell you what: Ill sell you my chance for a quarter.
The irrepressible laugh from the other young folks that followed might have offended Aunt Sarah had not the front door bell rung at that very moment. Agnes, who was nearest, and much quicker than rheumatic Uncle Rufus, ran to answer the summons.
Oh, Ruthie! her clear voice instantly sounded as far as the dining-room, heres Mr. Howbridges man, and hes got a great big sleigh at the gate, and Why, theres Mr. Howbridge himself!
Not only the oldest Kenway ran to join her sister at the door, but all the other young folks trooped out. They forgot their plates at the announcement of the appearance of the girls guardian.
Did you eer see such bairns before? demanded the housekeeper of Aunt Sarah. They have neither appetite nor manners on a Saturday!
In the big front hall the girls and boys were delightedly greeting Mr. Howbridge, while the coach-man plowed back to the gate through the snow to hold the frisky pair of bay horses harnessed to the big pung. Bits of straw clung to the lawyers clothing, and he was rosy and smiling.
I did not know but what you would already be out, young folks, Mr. Howbridge announced. Although I had John harness up just as soon as the weather broke.
Oh, Mr. Howbridge, Ruth said, remembering her manners after all, wont you come in?
Wont you come out, Miss Ruth? responded
the man, laughing.
Oh! Oh! OH! cried Tess, in crescendo, peering out of the open door. That sleigh of Mr. Howbridges is full of straw.
A straw-ride! gasped Agnes, clasping her hands. Oh, Mr. Howbridge! have you come to take us out?
Of course. All of you. The more the merrier, said their guardian, who was very fond indeed of his wards and their young friends, and missed no chance to give them pleasure.
At that statement there was a perfect rout while the young people ran for their wraps and overshoes. The dessert was forgotten, although it was Mrs. MacCalls famous whangdoodle pudding and lallygag sauce.
Never mind the eats now, Mrs. Mac! cried Agnes, struggling into her warm coat. Have an extra big dinner. Well come home tonight as hungry as crows see if we dont!
In ten minutes the whole party, the four Kenway sisters, Neale, and Sammy, and Tom Jonah, had tumbled into the body of the big sleigh which was so heaped with clean straw that they burrowed right into it just like mice! The big bay horses were eager to start, and tossed their heads and made the little silver bells on the harness jingle to a merry tune indeed.
Mr. Howbridge and Ruth sat up on the wide front seat the only seat with the driver, John. The guardian wished to talk in private with the oldest Kenway girl. He considered her a very bright girl, with a very well-balanced mind.
While the younger folks shouted and joked and snowballed each other as the horses sped along the almost unbroken track, Ruth and her guardian were quite seriously engaged in conversation.
I want to get some good advice from you, Miss Ruth Kenway, said the lawyer, smiling sideways at her. I know that you have an abundant supply.
You are a flatterer, declared the girl, her eyes sparkling nevertheless. She was always proud to be taken into his confidence. Is it something about the estate?
No, my dear. Nothing about the Stower estate.
I was afraid we might be spending too much money, said the girl, laughing. You know, I do think we are extravagant.
Not in your personal expenditures, answered their guardian. Only in the Kenways charities do I sometimes feel like putting on the brake. But this, he added, is something different.
What is it, Mr. Howbridge? I am sure I shall be glad to help you if I can, Ruth said earnestly.
Well, now, Miss Ruth, said the lawyer, a quizzical smile wreathing his lips. What would you do, for instance, if a pair of twins had been left to you?
CHAPTER III TWINS AND TROUBLE
Twins? she repeated, smiling up at him over the top of her muff. Twin what ? Twin puppies, or kittens, or even fish? I suppose there are twin fish?
You joke me, and I am serious, he said, while the younger ones shouted and sang amid the straw behind. I really have had a pair of twins given to me. I am their guardian, the administrator of their estate, just as I was made administrator of the Stower estate and guardian of you girls. It is no joke, I assure you, and he finished rather ruefully.
Goodness me! you dont mean it? cried Ruth.
Yes, I do. I mean it very much. I do, indeed, think it rather mean. If all my friends who die and go to a better world leave me their children to take care of, I shall be in a worse pickle than the Little Old Woman Who Lived in the Shoe.
Like old Mrs. Bobster at Pleasant Cove, laughed Ruth. But even she did not have twins. And if your new family is as troublesome as the Corner House crowd, what will you ever do?