“I will have something ready at the next meeting, Alice,—something that perhaps Ben can help upon,” replied Ruth Warren, kissing Alice good-bye, and thinking that it would be hard to find two more lovable and companionable children than Alice and Ben, or a happier, more satisfying home-life than theirs.
“Just think, only two weeks more of school,” cried Betty. “Maybe the Club can meet twice a week in vacation?” Betty looked at Miss Ruth questioningly.
“O, I wish it could!” Alice clasped her chubby hands together beseechingly.
Ruth Warren shook her head, but with that kind look in her eyes which always made any refusal seem less hard. “Once a week is enough for us really to enjoy it,” she said, “don’t you think so, Betty dear?”
“I suppose so,” Betty admitted with her usual candour; “only I don’t ever have half so good a time anywhere else.”
“Come, Elsa, we must start,” Miss Ruth said, adding, as she shook hands with Mrs. Holt: “I should like to call upon you some day soon.”
“I should be delighted to have you call,” replied Mrs. Holt, warmly. “I have made only a few acquaintances in Berkeley during the year I have lived here. Betty’s mother has been very kind about coming to see me. Children often bring together people who might not otherwise meet,” she added, smoothing back Betty’s rumpled hair in a gentle, motherly fashion.
“We will show you the market-garden when you come again,” Ben said with an air of pride. “It’s a very interesting place.”
“Yes, you might enjoy that, Miss Warren,” said Mrs. Holt with a gentle dignity. “We have a large winter-garden, back of the house, and this year, in addition to vegetables, we are raising hyacinths and such things, and later, we are going to try raising mushrooms.”
“That sounds most delightful,” said Miss Ruth heartily; “I am sure I shall enjoy seeing it all.”