Boys, Dick, corrected Aunt Abbie, who was beginning to think the twins rather careless of their diction.
Yesm, 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, youre 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 maynt we run out to play?
First, Ill take you up and show you your playroom. Its more for rainy days, as you seem to like to be out of doors in 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 isnt finished, said Miss Abbie, because we dont yet know your tastes.
Its lovely, Aunties! cried Dolly, flinging her arms round the neck of one after the other, and finally embracing Dick in her enthusiasm.
Oh, its just gay! Dick cried. Ive always wanted a big playroom, and now weve 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 youll 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, Ive lots of dolls in it, and Dicks tool-chest and jigsaw oh, it will be splendid to fix them all up here!
Yes, Michael will help you. Hell fix a good workbench, for you, Dick, if youre fond of fussing with tools. Do you cut your fingers much?
Sometimes, Aunt Rachel, but not always. Say, youre awful good to us. Were ever so much obliged.
Dick was more awkward at expressing his appreciation than Dolly, but the honest joy on the boys face showed his admiration of the room, and Aunt Rachels heart warmed toward him, for she too was sometimes unable to express herself aptly.
Now well skiddoo, said Dolly, as she patted Miss Abbies 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, thats an awful useful word, Aunt Abbie. I dont see how I could get along without it, but Ill try if you say so.
Yes, do try, Dolly; I want my niece to be a refined, ladylike little girl, not a slangy one.
Yesm. Dolly drew a little sigh. I want to do what you want me to do. But Im pretty forgetful, Aunt Abbie, so dont be scouraged, will you, if I dont get good all at once?
Dolly had a childish trick of omitting the first syllable of a word, but Aunt Abbie kissed the earnest little face, and assured her that she wouldnt get scouraged.
So away the twins scampered, down the stairs, and out into the sweet, clear morning air.
Dana Dene stood high on an elevation that looked down on the small town of Heatherton. The view from the terrace in front of the house was beautiful, and as Dick and Dolly looked down at the clustered buildings they tried to guess what they were.
Thats the church, said Dick, triumphantly pointing to an unmistakable spire.
One of em, corrected Dolly; theres another, and I wonder what that big stone building is; probly the school where well go.
Praps. Is it, Patrick?
Well, no, Master Dick; that isnt exactly the school fer ye children. Thats the jail, the county jail, so it is.
Oh, cried Dolly, in dismay; I dont want to go to school to a jail! Where is the school-house, Patrick?
Theres three of em, Miss Dolly. But the grandest is that white house ferninst, an Im thinkin yell go there.
Are my aunts very grand, Patrick?
Oh, yes, miss. Were the quality of the hull place. Theres nobody like the Danas.
Thats nice, said Dolly, with a little air of satisfaction.
Huh, said Dick; what sort of a country do you think this is, Dolly? Everybody is as good as everybody else. Why do you talk that way, Pat?
Well, sor, it may be. But everybody in Heatherton, they thinks Miss Rachel and Miss Abbie is top o the heap, you see.
All right, returned Dick. I dont mind if we are. But what about the Middletons? Arent they nice people?
Pats face clouded. Dont be askin me about the Middletons, he said; Ive nothin to say for or agin em. Now, if so bes you want to see them chickens, come ahead.
They went ahead or, rather, they followed Pat to the chicken yard, and spent a blissful half-hour among the feathered wonders.
They learned the names of the various kinds of chickens, and Dolly declared she should never tire of watching the little yellow fledglings patter around and peep.
Theyre not still a minute, she said. Can I try to catch one?
Pat showed her how to lift one gently, without hurting the little soft ball of down, and as it was such a pretty little yellow one, Dolly named it Buttercup, and Pat said it should always be her own chicken.
Then Dick picked one out for his very own, and he chose a black one, and called it Cherry, because, he said, some cherries are black.
This made Pat laugh, and then he told the twins to run away and play by themselves, as he had to go to work in earnest.
Whats your work, Pat? asked Dolly, who liked to stay with the good-natured Irishman.
I have to do the gardens, Miss Dolly. An its rale work, it is, not play. So do ye run away, now.
Oh, Pat, let us see you garden, begged Dolly.
Please do, said Dick. We never saw anybody garden in our life.
Ye didnt! Fer the love of green corn, where was ye brung up?
In the city; and summers we had to go to hotels, and we never even saw a garden dug.
Come on, then; but ye mustnt bother.
No, we wont bother, and with a hop, skip, and jump, they followed Pat to the toolhouse. There was such an array of spades, hoes, rakes, and other implements, that Dick cried out: Oh, let us garden, too! Pat, cant we each have a little garden, just a square patch, you know, and plant things in it?
Arrah, a garden, is it? An whod be afther weedin it, an keepin it in order fer ye?
Why, wed do it ourselves, declared Dolly, fixing her eyes on Pat with her most coaxing smile. Do let us, Pat, dear.
Well, ye must ask yer aunties. I cuddent give no such permission of myself.