“It’s the finest game in the world,” declared Laura, stoutly.
“Hear! hear!” from Chet.
“I’ve been to see the games a lot with father Saturday afternoons,” began Laura, when her mother interposed:
“Indeed? That is why you are so eager always to spend your forenoons with your father on Saturday?”
“Oh, Mother! I really do help father in the jewelry-store—don’t I, Dad?”
“Couldn’t get along without you, daughter,” said Mr. Belding, stoutly. 23
“And he always takes me for a nice bite in a restaurant,” pursued the girl, “and then if there’s a game, we go to see it.”
“Runaways!” said Mrs. Belding, shaking an admonishing finger at them. “So you encourage her in these escapades, do you, Mr. Belding?”
“Quite so, Mother,” he returned. “You’re behind the times. Girls are different nowadays—in open practise, at least—from what they were in our day. Of course, I remember when I first saw you––”
“That will do!” exclaimed Mrs. Belding, flushing very prettily, while the children laughed. “We will not rake up old stories, if you please.”