“Jinnie had a fall,” explained Mr. King, “so I drove her home.”
He placed the girl in a chair. She was still holding the mangled cat in her arms.
“Is she much hurt?” questioned Lafe anxiously.
“No, Lafe, I’m not hurt a bit. Miss Merriweather took me for a little ride. I jumped out to get this kitty because she ran over ’im.”
She displayed the quivering grey tiger cat.
“Jumped out of a fast-goin’ car, honey!” chided Lafe. “That was some dangerous.”
Jinnie’s eyes were veiled with wonder.
“But I couldn’t let him stay and get run over again, could I, Lafe?”
“No, darlin’, of course you couldn’t.... Are you pretty well broke up?”
Mr. King explained the accident as best he could, and after he departed Mrs. Grandoken came in with Bobbie clinging to her skirts. Then the story was repeated. 172