"We mustn't wait too late."
Tudie ran in to look at the kitchen clock. It was twenty minutes past five.
"I'll go and ask."
"Why, isn't your own sidewalk good enough?" was Mrs. Dean's inquiry. "Well—yes, you may do an errand for me down at the store. I want a pound of butter crackers. Don't go off the block."
They put on their bonnets. Hanny's was a pretty shirred and ruffled blue lawn. They twined their arms around each other's waists, with Hanny in the middle and walked slowly down to the store. Tudie kept watch while her sister was making the purchase. Then they walked up, then down, looking on the other side lest they should not see him. Up and down again—up with very slow steps. What if they should miss him!
They turned. "Hillo!" cried a familiar voice.
"Oh, Mr. Reed!" They blocked his way in a manner that amused him. He looked from one to the other, and smiled at the eager faces.
"Oh, Mr. Reed—we wanted to—to——"
"To ask you——" prompted Tudie.
Josie's face was very red. It was different asking about a boy. She had not thought of that.