“Well, run along, and I will explain to you some other time.”
“What Do You Think? News! News!”
Between John McClure and Cassy there existed the greatest possible friendship. Here was some one who understood the little girl; who could tell her stories of trees and flowers, of the insects that helped and those that hurt, of the birds and the beasts, and who could be a most fascinating companion when he wanted to be. The Scotchman was not a great talker except when he and Cassy were together; he was usually rather reticent with other persons and especially regarding his former life, giving only a hint of what it had been, but he told Cassy stories of his boyhood and the two spent much time together. Jerry was often with them and helped in various ways, but he was not always contented to remain within the walls of the garden and very often would seek out his schoolmates for a good game of some sort.
It being noon time Jerry was now at home, and Cassy found him with John in the garden. The summer was passing and John was getting ready for the fall; transplanting, cutting down, thinning out, to make room for chrysanthemums, asters, dahlias and cosmos. Behind the hedge which ran along one side the lawn Cassy could see John’s broad back and she ran down the graveled path towards him.
“What do you think?” she cried. “What do you think? News! News!”
Jerry dropped the trowel he was holding and John straightened himself up.
“What is it?” asked the latter. “Has your family of spiders come forth from that fuzzy ball you have been watching so long, or has your pet mouse learned to dance?”
Cassy laughed.
“No, better than that. The railroad people have paid mother; but——” she looked at Jerry, “we’re not rich at all. Mother says it isn’t so very much, yet it is very nice to have a little, isn’t it?”