She would not admit that an automobile was fit to travel in during wet weather.
“What have you got in that basket?” demanded Agnes of Tess, suddenly pouncing upon the serious little girl.
“Oh, Aggie! Only two of Sandyface’s grandchildren. You know, we haven’t found names for them yet.”
“Two kittens!” gasped Agnes. “What do you know about that, Ruth?”
“How about Billy Bumps, too?” said Neale, looking perfectly sober.
“Oh, he and Tom Jonah would fight,” said Dot, proudly bearing her renovated Alice-doll in a brand new coat and hat. The Alice-doll really was a pleasure to look upon once more. Only, whereas her hair had originally been dark, now it was very blonde indeed, to match her pink cheeks and blue eyes.
“Of course, it isn’t very respectaful,” admitted the smallest Corner House girl, in speaking of the change in Alice’s appearance. “But ladies do bleach their hair and make it blond; and Alice always did love to be fashionable.”
Meanwhile Tess had been convinced by Ruth that an automobile tour was no place for two kittens. Tom Jonah was being taken along as a means of safety for the car. Agnes was quite sure herself that automobile thieves were only waiting their chance to steal this brand new motor car.
They all got into the car at last—Mrs. Heard, Ruth and the two smaller girls in the tonneau, heaped about with baggage, but comfortable. Tom Jonah crouched under Agnes’ feet in front, where she sat beside Neale, his head sticking out of the car and his tongue displayed like a pink woolen necktie.
Everybody shouted “good-bye!” There were plenty of neighbors to call after the touring party. And those on the street, for the first few blocks, seemed to be greatly amazed and amused by the passage of the Corner House automobile.