FRANKLIN took Kenneth in at the back door, and washed his face, before letting any one see him. Then they walked triumphantly into the parlor, with Weejums on Kenneth’s shoulder.
Eunice was practising at the piano, with Mrs. Wood beside her, so they did not see Weejums, until Eunice felt a little purring face against her own, and screamed for joy. Mrs. Wood exclaimed also, and turned very pale, but it was not on account of Weejums.
“Was it a runaway, Franklin?” she asked quietly, “or did he get under a street car?”
Just then Grandmother came into the room, and Franklin led Kenneth up to her with pride.
“Grandmother, look at your descendant!” he said. “He ain’t but six, and he licked a boy eight.”
“Hurrah for you!” said Grandmother, which any one will admit was a very strange remark for a grandmother to make.
“What was the fight about?” asked Mrs. Wood, bringing some Pond’s Extract from the dining-room. “Franklin, you didn’t get him into this?”
“Course he didn’t,” said Kenneth. “’Twas Weejums got me in, and Patsy McGann. Ouch, Mother! don’t pour it in my eye.”
“It was an entirely necessary fight,” Franklin explained. “Patsy McGann was throwing things at Weejums, and calling her a calico cat.”