Always yours,
Dorothy Moon Gaylord.
“Isn’t that just jolly!” cried Blue, beginning a double shuffle, which his mother hushed. “Won’t we have a dandy time!”
“You’ll go, won’t you?” anxiously inquired Doodles.
“I don’t see why not,” she smiled. “I’d be glad to get away for a day or two.”
Thus it was decided, and Mrs. Stickney washed and ironed and mended and purchased, until at the end of two weeks, when the anticipations came true, all was in readiness for the unwonted trip.
For the first few minutes Doodles did not feel quite acquainted with the young woman in her smart new tailored suit, whom Mr. Gaylord called Dorothy; but the stranger was soon lost in his dear “Dolly Moon,” and the party was stowed away in the roomy car and off on the smooth road to Fair Harbor.
It had at first been planned to leave Caruso with Granny O’Donnell; but as the time of separation drew near, Doodles had felt so troubled for fear some mishap might befall his pet, that the bird was wrapped up and taken along with them. Blue had to peep into the cage now and then, to satisfy Doodles that things were going well with his treasure; but the report was always good, and the mocker reached the end of his first automobile ride happy and ready to give thanks in a little carol.
The new “nest” was the second floor of a pleasant house in the suburbs, and Mrs. Stickney looked with almost envying eyes on the beautiful surroundings, wishing it were possible for her to give her children such a healthful and well-located home. But longings were soon pushed out of sight by the joyful inspection of the bride’s little domain, and the hearing about the courtship and its resulting happiness, for all of which the two most concerned felt that they owed a lasting debt to Doodles.
On Saturday Lilith Brooks, a girl who lived on the first floor, came upstairs to call on Blue and Doodles. She at once fell in love with Caruso, who volunteered to do his share of the entertaining, and she delighted Doodles by the praises she showered upon the songster.