"I—I guess he was going to town," he said, and not another word.
"He and Albert are going to the carnival," chirped Artie, who had a passion for telling all he knew, as Polly had discovered more than once when she wished to keep Riddle Club matters a secret.
"They are! Why, they asked us to go!" exclaimed Mattie Helms. "Last night we had a beach party and we invited them, and Joe said would we go to the carnival this afternoon? I think that's a funny way to act."
"What did Joe Anderson say, Artie?" said Carrie suddenly, and flattering Artie with her attention. Usually she ignored him.
Polly and the others stared fascinatedly at Artie. They were all hoping that he would not remember Joe's remark concerning Carrie' appetite. By good luck he passed that over, but his memory was appallingly clear as regarded the rest of Joe's speech.
"He said he and Albert didn't have enough money to take you and Mattie and have a good time themselves," repeated Artie slowly and carefully as though he was on the witness stand.
An angry color came into Mattie's face and she opened the elaborate beaded bag she carried.
"Carrie and I don't need Joe Anderson to take us to any carnival," she declared loudly. "Daddy gave me five dollars when he heard we were going. Carrie and I'll have a good time all by ourselves."
"Go to it," advised Fred, in all sincerity. "We're going to take in the show to-morrow."