“And we surely are glad to have you here safe and sound!” cried good Mrs. Trudy coming out to greet them. “We’ve all been anxious about you. Did the storm hit your way?”
“Did it?” answered Mrs. Merrill; “ask the girls!”
The three girls began talking at once and it was a wonder Mrs. Trudy could hear a thing.
“I just knew something had happened when you were so late,” she said when the girls stopped for breath. “And you must be starved—did you know it’s after seven? I saved some hot dinner for you so run right in and eat it.”
Other guests had long finished eating but they followed the little party into the dining room and listened to the story of the exciting experience. But after dinner was eaten and the story had been told and re-told till every one had heard it many a time, the girls found they were tired and nobody, for a wonder, objected when Mrs. Merrill suggested going to their rooms.
“Oh dear,” said Mrs. Trudy, suddenly, “where did he put that box? Tom had something for you, Mary Jane, and he was so particular you should have it first thing when you came home but for the life of me I don’t know where it is!” She hunted around diligently for a minute or two and then said, “Well, he must have taken it off with him. You’d better get to bed, little lady, so you can get up early in the morning and see what it is.”
“Can’t you tell?” coaxed Mary Jane.
“Tell!” exclaimed Mrs. Trudy. “I should say I couldn’t! Tom will tell you himself because it’s his. He comes early you know, so you may come down the first minute you are dressed and I’ll wager he’ll be looking for you.”
“Won’t you even hint?” asked Mary Jane as she started up the stairs.
“Well,” laughed Mrs. Trudy, “I might tell you that it’s alive and it’s red or brown or green or yellow—I don’t know which just at this minute—if that’s any help to you.”