So the little girls sat down that evening to write to the little Pendleton girls. This got Agnes and Neale started. They, too, had been warmly interested in the Pendleton case and in spite of the many and exciting things they had to think of at the St. Sergius Arms, the chums felt that they would like to express their congratulations to Mrs. Pendleton.
“Well, well!” said Mr. Howbridge, laughing, as he saw all the Corner House party preparing to bombard the Pendletons with written communications. “Suppose we get up a round robin of congratulation, all sign it, and send it to the Pendletons? And we will send them something with it that will be more material, if you all agree. What do you say to a case of fruit?”
“Oh!” gasped Dot, suddenly. “And an alligator. One of those baby ones. I guess Margy and Carrie would like one for a pet.”
But Ruth managed to steer the littlest girl off that topic. The alligator went home to Milton later as a present to Sammy Pinkney. It was a memento of the Corner House Girls’ stay at St. Sergius bound to fill young Sammy with delight and his mother with distaste. Still, as Neale pointed out, it was little worse when considered as a house-pet than the Belgian hare.
That single trip of exploration sufficed for all the Kenway party while they remained at St. Sergius. Professor Keeps had scarcely noticed Luke Shepard’s absence, although it had been for almost a week. He was a very absent-minded professor, indeed. But once the young man was at his work again, the botanist kept him busy.
Luke was interested in the work too. He gave himself over to the botanical excursions and the Corner House girls had to find their fun and excitement without his help.
Neale was able to assist Mr. Howbridge in certain business matters as well. He rode often to Señor Benno’s principal estate at the further end of the island, and this took him from Agnes more than that young person liked.
“There’s not much fun without Neale around,” she confessed to Ruth. “He aggravates me, and pokes fun at me, and all. But he leaves a sort of emptiness behind him when he’s gone.”
“Get better acquainted with the other girls,” advised Ruth sympathetically. “There are some nice ones here.”
To this statement Agnes Kenway agreed. One girl especially appealed to her. Nalbro Hastings proved upon further acquaintance to be just as sweet and companionable as she had seemed to be at first.