[CHAPTER XII]
That Delightful Toy-shop
"OH dear, I'm so happy. Oh, I'm so happy. I don't know what to do, I'm so happy!" exclaimed Hecla, dancing about the room after breakfast. "Elisabeth, I'm so dreadfully happy!"
"Well, don't you go and be naughty, 'cause you're happy," suggested Elisabeth, as she cleared away the breakfast things. She had had to see after the child's solitary meals all this past week.
"I don't mean to be naughty; truly and really I don't. I'll try to be ever so good. Oh!" And Hecla, catching sight of the Vicar's tall figure as he strode up the garden path, flew out to the front door. "Uncle John, I'm so happy, I don't know what to do."
"That is good news, little one,"—as he stooped to kiss her.
"Ivy's coming home this afternoon, and Auntie Millicent is going to be down to tea, and we shall all be as glad as glad can be. And I'm going to take such lots of care of dear, sweet, darling little Ivy."
The Vicar stroked her head.
"And I'm going out with Elisabeth this morning, presently, and Auntie Millicent says I may go to the toy-shop. Isn't that lovely? I'm going to get a present for Ivy, all by myself. Won't that be delicious, Uncle John?"
"Very delicious, I should think. How much money have you?"