“It is our first caller; go to the door, Peggy,” said Mrs. Owen.
Alice followed Peggy as she ran to the door. As Peggy opened it, a sweep of wind and a swirl of rain came in. The wind was so strong it almost blew the door to. A freckled-faced boy with a pleasant smile and honest blue eyes was standing on the doorstep. Oh, joy! He had a basket in his hand.
“It’s some rain,” said the boy.
“Oh, have you got our cat in that basket?” Peggy asked.
“Now, what do you know about that!” said the boy. “Why should I know anything about your cat? Maybe I have cabbages in this basket.”
“Cabbages wouldn’t mew,” said Peggy, as the occupant of the basket gave a long wail.
“It’s our cat, I know her voice!” cried Alice in delight.
“Won’t you come in and see mother?” Peggy asked, as the boy stepped inside the small entry and put his basket down.
“Can’t stop.” He had pulled his cap off politely when he came into the house, and Peggy saw that his hair was as yellow as her own. She wished hers might have been cropped as short.
“Oh, dear! what fun boys had! They could go out on the rainiest days.”