"Well, my dear," spoke up Miss Newman, "I am sure Eloise will not object to your knowing that [77]when we get into our little bungalow she is to have a porch party of her own every day. Several of the ladies who were here this afternoon, said they would be so pleased if she would agree to give an hour each day to the telling of tales to a certain number of children, and offered to pay very liberally for it. Many of the ladies are boarding, and would like a quiet hour when they could be sure their restless little children were not annoying anyone by their noise, and when this plan was proposed they were more than pleased."
"And what did Miss Eloise say?" asked Jennie. "Does she know?"
"Oh, yes, for she had to be consulted, of course. I have seldom seen her so pleased."
"Then I am very glad," said Jennie. "May I tell the other girls?"
"Certainly you may."
"And since you are all tired out I think you'd better run up to bed," said her mother. "It has been a very full day and we shall all turn in early."
Thus charged Jennie went over to rouse the others who, though still sleepy, were ready to show interest in what Jennie had to tell them, and were heard talking of it all the way up the stairs.
A more careful examination of the little bungalow showed that there would be some things wanted for the entire comfort of the Newman sisters, but these Mrs. Ramsey insisted upon furnishing, [78]or at least lending from her own home, so the next week saw the inmates happy as two birds in a nest. Cap'n Si's grand-daughter was engaged to come over every morning to do up the dishes and help get dinner and the rest was easy enough, Miss Newman declared. Everyone missed Miss Eloise from her place on the porch, but she was so happy in her new surroundings, that all rejoiced for her. The little girls found amusement enough and managed to get along very well indeed when only the three were together, but when Louis appeared there was nearly always sure to be discord.
Therefore one morning when Louis was seen coming in the gate, Dorothy gave an impatient "Oh, pshaw! I thought we were going to have a nice pleasant time to-day, and here comes Louis."
"I wish you wouldn't talk that way about my cousin," said Edna, her loyal spirit rising within her.