It was some time before the two little girls met, for Mrs. Loomis could not make up her mind to allow Jessie to go over to the yellow house, while Miss Betty and Miss Eloise appreciated the fact that there was reason for hard feelings against Adele, and moreover thought that nothing would make the little sinner realize her misdoing more than such a punishment as a separation from Jessie. Mrs. Loomis had not failed to get daily reports of Adele’s progress and sent her over many dainties while she was in bed, so that Adele’s remorse was all the greater.
Jessie answered the note by saying she was very sorry about the kitten, but she did not refer to Peter Pan nor to Playmate Polly. For a whole week she was obliged to spend her time with her old companions, for the boys returned to school as expected, so Eb and the gray kitten were a great source of solace. Eb took a great fancy to Cloudy, and it was very funny to see him, with outspread wings, hopping after the prancing kitten who was in no way afraid of him, and who would give him little impertinent dabs when he came too near. He infinitely preferred Cloudy to the chickens.
Finally when a week had gone by, and Jessie, who had avoided the brook for some days, was again playing with Peter Pan and Playmate Polly, she looked across the little stream to see a wistful pair of dark eyes gazing at her. “Oh, Adele!” she cried, “are you able to come out again?”
A flashing smile changed the expression of Adele’s face. “I was so afraid you wouldn’t speak to me,” she exclaimed. “I can’t come over, for I am trying awfully hard to be good. Can’t you come to this side?”
“I’m afraid not,” replied Jessie slowly, “but perhaps if each stays on her own side we can have some sort of play and won’t be disobedient either.”
“I think that will be lovely,” cried Adele. “What can we play? I can use only my right arm, you know.”
“Will it be a long time before you can use the other?” asked Jessie interestedly.
“Not so very, very long. The doctor says it is doing very well indeed, but oh, Jessie, it has been awful without you.”
“Are you having lessons?”
“No, not yet. Aunt Betty hasn’t said anything about that, and—and,” the tears came to her eyes, “if you are not there I shall hate lessons worse than ever. I was getting so I didn’t mind them.”