“Here it is,” and Cricket produced from her pocket a very crumpled envelope, which looked as if it had seen hard service.
“This? Do you mean to tell me that this is the note I gave you? I certainly can’t send this. Archie, will you go to Mr. Barnes for me, and tell him—no, I must write him again. He should have had this an hour ago, for he will be gone to town, and he should have had it before he left. Cricket, you have put me in a very unpleasant position.”
“Oh, papa, I am so sorry!” said Cricket, miserably. “First we forgot this note, and had to go back.”
“That’s a baby trick. I thought you were getting over that. Go on.”
“Then we thought we’d get the eggs and go to the store first, so as to have the candy to eat on the way; and Mamie said she’d go, and I said she shouldn’t, and Eunice said she’d spank her if she did,—horrid little thing; and she did, and Eunice spanked her, and she kicked me and broke my eggs,” finished Cricket, rapidly.
Doctor Ward’s mouth twitched a little under his moustache, although he was seriously annoyed that the note had not reached its destination in time. He knew very well what a torment Mamie was to everyone, and he did not in his heart blame the girls for taking the law into their own hands. However, he said:
“You have disobeyed me, children. I told you to go directly with the note, and get your candy afterwards. Your disobedience is the cause of your very unladylike display of temper. You can both go to the house. Mamie, you may go home also. See that hereafter you do not follow or tease the girls, and I will see that they never touch you again.”
Cricket and Eunice walked soberly up to the house, meek enough in appearance, but really deeply indignant. To be sent away in disgrace before that horrid little Mamie Hecker! She was dancing around at a safe distance, calling after them, jeeringly,—
“Oh, ho! Who’s caught it now! Spank me again, will yer?”
Dr. Ward marched the two little girls into the house, and ordered them both off to be made presentable again, and then to come to the library.