“Does My have to mind you, too?”
“Surely you do.”
Dolly snickered noiselessly into her hand; but not a sound came from Little Duke.
Upstairs Polly had heard and had hastened her dressing, standing poised at the head of the stairs when the last of the conversation floated up to her. She waited a moment. The veranda was hushed, and with a smile she returned to her room. She was not needed to keep the peace as long as Sardis Merrifield was there. The White Nurse and Lilith had had more than one battle with strong-willed Little Duke when it had been needful to summon Polly before the lovable little rogue could be subdued.
When the party assembled on the veranda Polly noticed that the boy’s chair had been wheeled about, and as she glanced that way he spoke.
“Mi’ Duddy, My thought you could take a joke.”
“So I can, Little Duke. Good-bye and a happy day to you!”
He grinned gleefully, and she explained to Sardis Merrifield as they drove away, “That is his apology. He never fails to have it ready on time.”
Not far from noon they arrived at the pleasure ground.
“Oh, dear!” cried the little girl, “the ducks are not any of them here!”