Mrs. Weston thought a moment, then said: “Our house is the biggest in the neighborhood, an’ Miss Dayton has been so kind to Randy and Prue that I’ll say we’ll have the apple-bee here, and I think we’ll try extry hard to make it a pleasant one. I’m real glad you thought of it, Mrs. Hodgkins. I think we’ll all enjoy it, an’ if Miss Dayton does, that’s all we’ll ask for.”
“Well, ef here ain’t Joel,” said Mrs. Hodgkins, “an’ I’ll have ter be goin’; but I’ll come over an’ help ye git ready for the apple-bee, so good-by ’til I see ye again,” and she hastily took her departure, puffing down the walk like a small engine, and clambering into the wagon beside her husband. “Good-by, I’ll be over ter help ye,” she cried, looking back; then they jogged off down the road.
Randy and her mother turned from the doorway and walked back into the kitchen. “Look at that clock, Randy!” exclaimed Mrs. Weston; “I guess it’ll be a funny dinner to-day,” and she commenced to make hasty preparations for the noon meal.
Mr. Weston laughed good-naturedly when he heard of the forenoon caller, and in consequence the “picked-up dinner.” “Lots of folks haven’t as good a dinner as this, mother,” said he, “and I must say, I’m glad she came in ter talk ter ye and so make ye stop workin’ a spell. Where is Prue?”
Sure enough, the little girl who was always eager to tell a part of any happening was, for once, not in evidence. So busy had Randy and her mother been, preparing the dinner, that Prue had not been missed.
“She went out when Mrs. Hodgkins went, don’t you remember, mother?” said Randy. “She ran down the path, waving her hand and saying good-by when they drove away.”
“Well, Randy, run out and find her, and tell her ter come in ter dinner. Dear me! I hope she hasn’t got inter some scrape. She’s been out of sight long enough fer anything.” Out rushed Randy, calling loudly, “Prue! Prue! where are you?”
“I’m right here, and I’m very busy,” came an answering shout from behind the house.
Around the house ran Randy, and such a funny sight she saw!
“Why, Prue Weston, you naughty girl!” said Randy in dismay.