Ethelwyn opened her mouth for a reply that would do justice to the subject, when Bobby, their next door neighbor came along. "Hullo, Bobby," they cried.
"Hullo," said Bobby at once.
"Come in and see our birthday presents," said Ethelwyn, and Bobby at once trotted up the walk.
He was a round-faced little chap, with small freckles on his button of a nose.
His family had just moved into town from a farm.
"Where have you been, Bobby?" asked Ethelwyn as they went towards the house.
"I went down to the grocery for mother; I thought I knew the way but I got mixed up, and stopped under a lamp-post, to think. Pretty soon a woman came along and put a white letter in a box; so I thought I'd save trouble if I put mother's grocery list in, and I did. A man in gray clothes came along, and unlocked it, and took the letters all out. I told him 'bout my list, and he laughed, and gave it to me, and asked me if I didn't know 'bout letter boxes? I didn't, so he told me, and took me along with him down town."
"Sister—" began Beth, giggling, "went to the grocery—"
"Let's play in the house," said Ethelwyn frowning at Beth. "You can stay awhile, can't you, Bobby?"
"I guess I'd better ask, first," said Bobby. He trotted home and soon came back with his face shining from soap and water, and his hair brushed straight up so that it looked like a halo around the full moon.