“What children!” beamed the happy mother, as she went to fetch a fresh supply of the cakes.
The back door-bell rang, and the boys heard a hearty thank-you.
The door shut, and Blue ran out to the kitchen.
“Ice cream and oranges!” he shouted. “My, what will they bring next!”
The Fleming sisters came for a brief visit in the evening; but they were soon away, and lights were out early in the bungalow.
Sunday morning it was snowing fast. There was a private telephone connected with the house on the knoll, and after breakfast Mrs. Fleming rang to ask if anything were needed. Later Daphne chatted with Blue. Otherwise there was no word from outside all day; but it was a happy household, there was enough to talk about and to be glad over to keep anybody from being lonesome.
The next sunrise promised a rare New Year’s Day,—white underfoot, blue overhead, and just cold enough for the season. An air of mystery pervaded the little house on the side drive. Doodles had felt it vaguely the day before, and it suddenly grew into something more defined when Blue awoke him with a “Happy New Year, old feller! Got to start early this morning!”
“To-day is a holiday,” observed the younger lad a little later.
“Bet you it is!” shouted Blue, wagging his head in the way Doodles knew—it always meant a secret that ached to be let out!
What could it be! He asked no questions, but kept his eyes wide open. What fun to feel a lovely secret ahead! There were messengers from the big house all the forenoon, but Doodles could only guess at their errands. Nothing wonderful happened. Daphne brought down a book for him, a beautiful book of verses and pictures, and one for Blue about some gallant knights. But Blue did not stop long to look at books. He cleaned all the paths about the house, and then surprised his brother by saying that he was going into town.