“It is from somebody who knew how much I wanted it; that is plain. It must be from the Brooks!”
“No, dears; I do not think they would stoop to a falsehood even to confer a kindness. At least, if they would, I am disappointed in them.”
“Wull, wull, ain’t we never goin’ ter eat our breakfasses?” demanded Robert, suddenly.
“Yes, yes, indeed. For work-a-day folks we are very late. But, Isabelle, what is this about your sleeping in your clothes?”
“Oh, Mother, it seems awfully silly to tell!”
“No secrets in this household, Belle!” cautioned Bonny.
Thus adjured, the whole story came out, and it was many a long day before Isabelle heard the last of her going to bed to watch burglars.
Everybody would turn her or his chair at table so that the new possession was in sight, and their tongues wagged so continually that the meal was long protracted; and before it was through Mr. Dolloway had come across fields to pay his regular morning call. He had an unexpressed opinion that the “new family” would come to griefs indescribable if he did not keep a protecting guard over them.
“Hoity, toity! What’s this? What—in—the—world is this? Must be getting millionaires over here!” exclaimed the old man, in apparently intense surprise.
“Oh! Mr. Dolloway! Do you know anything about it?” cried Bonny, running to the window and leaning eagerly out.