“Bless her little heart!” cried Lilith. “You and I are going to have a lovely time at Overlook, aren’t we?”
“Yes, Miss Lilith,” answered Dolly, yet this was becoming even more perplexing. Hadn’t she just said—
Lilith was watching her. “Did you think I was in earnest?” she smiled. “That’s the way Polly and I amuse ourselves. I was only joking. I am delighted to have everybody love Polly.”
At which the little face grew bright again.
“There!” exclaimed Lilith; “a tree! a tree!—it’s dinner-time!”
Polly speeded up the car and whizzed by the designated shrub.
“Oh, I say”—and the jester was serious this time—“let me out at that little tea-room or tavern or whatever—honest, Polly, I mean it!”
So the car stopped, and the girl disappeared inside the door. Soon she came out, her hands full of ice-cream cones which she served to her fellow-passengers and then ran back for more.
Russell drew up beside Polly and leaped out, to follow Lilith. Dr. Abbe was not far behind, and the three returned with more cones, running back and forth until all were supplied.
It was a happy thought of Lilith’s, for the children were in ecstasies, and the icy sweets were grateful to everybody. Dr. Abbe and Russell lingered by Polly’s car, the children on the back seat eating and chattering by turns. Suddenly Little Duke’s voice piped high above the others’.