But, I no like! The honest Kenway say here, in the paper
As he began to tap upon the newspaper again Neale, who was a sturdy youth, crowded him out upon the veranda of the old Corner House.
Now, go! advised Neale, when he heard the click of the door latch behind him. Youll make nothing by lingering here and talking. Theres your horse starting off by himself. Better get him.
This roused the junk dealers attention. The horse was tired of standing and was half a block away. Costello uttered an excited yelp and darted after his junk wagon.
Agnes let Neale inside the house again. She was much relieved.
There! isnt this a mess? she said. I am glad you thought of Mr. Howbridge. But I do wish Ruth had been at home. She would have known just what to say to that funny little man.
Humph! Maybe it would have been a good idea if she had been here, admitted Neale slowly. Ruth is awfully bossy, but things do go about right when she is on the job.
Well have to see Mr. Howbridge
But that can wait until to-morrow morning, Neale declared. We cant do so this afternoon in any case. I happen to know he is out of town. And we have promised Mr. Pinkney to take him on a hunt for Sammy.
All right. It is almost noon. Youd better go and wash your face, Neale, and she began to giggle at him.
Dont I know that? I came in here just to remind you to begin to prink before dinner or youd never be ready.
She was already halfway up the stairs and she leaned over the balustrade to make a gamins face at him.
Just you tend to your own apple cart, Neale ONeil! she told him. I will be ready as soon as you are.
At dinner, which was eaten in the middle of the day at this time of year at the old Corner House, Agnes appeared ready all but her hat for the car.
Oh, Aggie! can we go too? cried Dot. We want to ride in the automobile, dont we, Tess?
We maybe want to go riding, confessed the other sister slowly. But I guess we cant, Dot. You forget that Margie and Holly Pease are coming over at three oclock. They havent seen the fretted silver bracelet.
That reminds me, said Agnes firmly. You must not take that bracelet out of the house. Understand? Not at all.
Why, Aggie! murmured Tess, while Dot grew quite red with indignation.
If you wish to play with it indoors, all right, Agnes said. Whose turn to have it, is it to-day?
Mine, admitted Tess.
Then I hold you responsible. Not out of the house. We have got to get Mr. Howbridges advice about it, in any case.
Ruth didnt say we couldnt wear the bracelet out-of-doors, declared Dot, pouting.
I am in Ruths place, responded the older sister promptly. Now, remember! You might lose it anyway. And then what would we do if the owner really comes for it?
But they wont! cried Dot, confidently. Those Gypsy ladies gave it to us for keeps. I am sure.
You certainly would not wish to keep the bracelet if the person the Gypsies stole it from came here to get it? said Agnes sternly.
Oh oo! No-o, murmured Dot.
Of course we would not, Sister, Tess declared briskly. If we knew just where their camp is we would take it to them anyway. Of course we would, Dot!
Oh, of course, agreed Dot, but very faintly.
You children are so seldom observant, went on Agnes in her most grown-up manner. You should have looked into that basket when you bought it of the Gypsies. Then you would have seen the bracelet before the women got away. You are almost never observant.
Why, Aggie! Tess exclaimed, rather hurt by the accusation of her older sister. That is what your Mr. Marks said when he came into our grade at school just before the end of term last June.
Mr. Curtis G. Marks was the principal of the High School which Agnes attended.
What was Mr. Marks doing over in your room, Tess? Agnes asked
curiously.
Visiting. Our teacher asked him to take the class. You know, visiting teachers always are so nosey, added Tess with more frankness than good taste.
Better not let Ruth hear you use that expression, child, laughed Agnes. But what about being observant or un observant?
He told us, Tess went on to say, to watch closely, and then asked for somebody to give him a number. So somebody said thirty-two.
Yes?
And Mr. Marks went to the board and wrote twenty-three on it. Of course, none of us said anything. Then Mr. Marks asked for another number and somebody gave him ninety-four. Then he wrote forty-nine on the board, and nobody said a word.
Why didnt you? asked Agnes in wonder. Did you think he was teaching you some new game?
I I guess we were too polite. You see, he was a visitor. And he said right out loud to our teacher: You see, they do not observe. Is it dense stupidity, or just inattention? Thats just what he said, added Tess, her eyes flashing.
Oh! murmured Dot. Didnt he know how to write the number right?
So, continued Tess, I guess we all felt sort of hurt. And Belle Littleweed got so fidgety that she raised her hand. Mr. Marks says: Very well, you give me a number.
Belle lisps a little, you know, Aggie, and she said right out: Theventy-theven; thee if you can turn that around! He didnt think we noticed anything, and were stupid; but I guess he knows better now, added Tess with satisfaction.