The call had to be short; but it was full of happiness, and presently Doodles was in the car again, gliding out into the greening country where blossoms of gold starred the fields and roadsides.
They did not talk much. The radiant little face beside him was enough for the driver, who had always a spare hand to tuck in the robe whenever it fell away from the slight form. Once or twice he called the boy’s attention to some rare bit of landscape; but for the most part the way was silent.
At a tiny house on a green knoll the car stopped.
“Where are we going now?” queried Doodles. But Mr. Gaylord only laughed mysteriously as he lifted him out.
In a moment the little lad was seated in a quaint, old-fashioned room with a sanded floor and queer little tables and straight-backed chairs. The tables were laid with dainty white china and shining old silver, and right in the middle of each was a glass boat filled with dandelions. A young girl in white cap and apron brought in a pitcher of milk and some odd-shaped biscuits, with a dish of cookies and buns. Then he suddenly remembered that he was very hungry. Did anything ever taste so good! Weariness flew away on wings of magic. Tongues grew merry, and soft laughter became so infectious that the pretty serving-maid smiled happily to herself just beyond the door. It was a wonderful little feast. And the ride back to town—well, there was never such a ride, Doodles thought.
They found Blue at home and hunting, with a vague fear, for his missing brother.
“I wish you could see how many thank-you’s I feel,” Doodles said, as Mr. Gaylord set him carefully among his cushions; “but you couldn’t hold them all—they’d spill over. I think you must be one of God’s comforters.”
CHAPTER XVI
CARUSO SINGS IN PUBLIC
Caruso was in fullest song now that spring was in town, and he did all that he could to cheer his best friends. His task was hard, and, whether he perceived its difficulties or not, he sang from dawn to dark, and did not even stop at night whenever the moon gave him light to sing by. Yet, much as they loved the songster and his music, the Stickney family could not be won over to forgetfulness of the real trouble that shadowed them.