The loss of the miniatures had taken a good deal of the fun out of Ben, and when the young folks stopping at the Wadsworth mansion went out sleighing again, and for some fun skating, he begged to be excused.
“I wouldn’t take the loss too hard, Ben,” said Dave, quietly. “Remember, if the worse comes to the worst, you are just as well off as you were before you heard of this Enos fortune.”
“That is true, Dave. But it makes me mad to think that we had such a fortune as that right in our hands and then let it get away from us.”
“I suppose your mother feels dreadfully about it?”
“She certainly does, Dave. Why, she isn’t herself at all. Sometimes I think that her worrying will bring on a regular fit of sickness. She, of course, thinks that it is entirely her fault that the miniatures are gone.”
“You’ll have to do all you can to cheer her up.”
“Oh, I’m doing that! And I do what I can to cheer up my father too. Just the same, I’m 169 mighty blue myself at times;” and the real estate dealer’s son heaved a deep sigh.
At last came the day when Belle and Cora must return to their homes in the West. On the evening before, Jessie and Laura gave a little party in their honor, which was attended by over a score of the boys and girls of Crumville. The young people played games, sang, and danced to their hearts’ content, and Mrs. Wadsworth saw to it that ample refreshments were served to all.
