The girls stared, all save Dorothy, and the Master laughed, while from their corners the twins echoed a shrill cackle; then immediately began to practice the somersaults which Herbert had been at such pains to teach them. Then Molly rose, with what she considered great dignity, and, forcing Ananias to stand upon his feet, said in a sweet maternal tone:
“Come, my little boy. I want you to keep nice and rested till I take you to the circus.” Then she led him away, Sapphira tugging at her skirts and Alfaretta remarking:
“Guess you’ll have to adopt the pair, Molly Breckenridge. Them two stick closer’n glue!”
In another moment all but the Master and Dorothy had left the room, and seizing this opportunity he called her to him.
“Dolly Doodles, I want to talk with you a little. Let’s go out to the old barn—I mean the new one—and have a visit. We haven’t had any cosy confidence talks, remember, since this House Party began.”
It was the very thing she craved. Frank and outspoken by nature, long used to telling everything to this wise old friend, they had no sooner settled themselves upon the straw divan, than out it came, with a burst of sobs:
“Oh! dear Mr. Seth, I’m so unhappy!”
“Yes, child. I’ve seen it. Such a pity, too, on a circus day!”
“Please, please don’t tease me now. Aunt Betty thinks—thinks—I hardly know—only—read that!”
From the tiny pocket of her blouse she pulled the fateful telegram and thrust it into his hand. He had some ado to smooth it out and decipher the blurred writing, for it had been wet with many tears and frequently handled.