“Children! Come up here a minute, and help me.”
“I can’t,” shouted Harry with a frown; “I got a job afternoons, and I gotta hustle. I’m late a’ready, and I have to change my clo’es!” and he vanished inside the door.
“I have to go to the store for things for dinner!” reproved the younger sister stiffly, and vanished also.
Cornelia felt suddenly in her weariness like sitting down on the floor in a fit of hysterical laughter or tears. Would they never forgive her? She dropped on the floor with her head wearily back against the window and closed her eyes. She had meant to tell them about the gingerbread, but they had been in such a hurry; and somehow the spirit seemed gone out of her surprise.
Downstairs it was very still. The children had been halted at the entrance by the appetizing odor of cooking.
“Sniff!”
“Oh, gee!” said Harry. “It smells like mother was home.”
Louise stalked hurriedly to the dining-room door.
“Harry Copley, just look here! Now, what did I tell you about college girls?”
Harry came and stood entranced.