“It’s fine,” commented Fred. “Just fine, Polly. We’re mighty lucky to have it. There’s room for everything, and that shelf will be just the place to put the loving cup.”
Polly was pleased. She had been so delighted to have the room to offer the Riddle Club that she had taken their pleasure for granted; and now Ward and Jess and Artie were apparently making no effort to help her take possession. However, if the critical Fred approved of the room, it must be all right.
“Hello!” said Mrs. Marley, passing through the hall and seeing them sitting on the window seat. “Why, I thought this was the big afternoon! Where are all the others? And you haven’t moved a thing!”
“Ward went to get the key and he didn’t come back,” explained Polly, dully. “And Artie went down to the store to get some rope, and he hasn’t come back, either. And we waited and waited and waited for them.”
“Why, Polly dear, didn’t you go after them?” asked Mrs. Marley, in surprise. “Of course something has happened. You mustn’t be so ready to believe that it’s their fault. They’re just as much interested in the Riddle Club as you are, dear.”
“No, they’re not,” said Polly. “They like it as long as I’ll do all the work and the planning, but they won’t do a thing to help.”
“And this isn’t the first time Ward’s gone off and forgotten to come back,” declared Margy. “He always thinks there is plenty of time for everything.”
“There they are now,” said Mrs. Marley, as the doorbell sounded. “I’ll go down and send them up.”
Ward and Jess came stamping up the stairs, with Artie following them. He carried a large coil of rope over his arm.
“What you doing up here?” asked Ward. “We went up in the loft and you weren’t there. Then we went to Williamson’s, and you weren’t there, either.”