“I know just whom we can get,” Bobby said, eagerly, that evening when the girls—and some of the boys—were assembled as usual on the Belding front porch.
“Who’s that?”
“That Bean girl,” said the groceryman’s daughter.
“Who’s she? Miss Boston Bean?” chuckled Chet.
“Lizzie Bean! I know who she is,” exclaimed Laura.
“She’s the girl who’s been helping the Longs since Alice came back to school. Now Alice will keep house for her father and the other children again, and Lizzie will be out of a job,” explained Bobby.
“Whew! ‘Lonesome Liz?’” ejaculated Lance Darby. “Short and Long calls her that. Says she’s about half cracked––” 34
“I guess she isn’t cracked enough to hurt,” said Dora Lockwood, quickly. “Is she, Dorothy?”
“Of course not,” agreed her twin. “And she keeps the house beautifully clean, and looks after Tommy fine.”
“Let me tell you Master Tommy Long is some kid to look after,” chuckled Chet.