“Hurry, and choose some one, Arabella,” called Mollie Merton, but still Arabella stood sullenly staring at her shoes.
Mollie was ready again to urge Arabella to choose, when the gate flew open, and Reginald, breathless and excited, rushed in. Aunt Charlotte was standing in the walk, watching the pretty game. Reginald ran to her, holding out something very wet and dripping.
“I didn't find my ball, but I guess this is the di'logue book you couldn't find,” he said.
The red and gold cover was blistered, and its fine color had almost disappeared.
Aunt Charlotte looked her surprise.
“Where did you find it?” she asked.
“Down behind the wall, where I saw somebody drop it,” he said, looking sharply at Arabella.
Of course they all looked at Arabella, who hesitated for a moment, then pushing past the girls, she ran down the walk to the gate, looking over her shoulder to call to Aunt Charlotte:
“I've got to go home, 'cause my head aches.”
“I wonder what Aunt Charlotte will do about the book?” whispered Mollie.