It was an uncomfortable few minutes for sober Betty when Lucia entered a large and beautifully furnished sitting-room upstairs and found the countess there. Briefly Lucia told Countess Coletti what had happened and said that she had followed directions. “The girls were lovely, Mother, and I brought Betty along to tell you better how the snake looked.”
The countess rose in some excitement and went directly to a low table on which the telephone apparatus stood. She tapped her foot impatiently while she waited for the operator to put her in touch with a doctor, whose presence was requested and the reason told him. Then there followed a busy few minutes of directions to Lucia and maids or persons of some sort, and when Lucia was ordered to her room, Betty rose from her chair to go.
“Mother, can’t Betty stay to lunch with me?” asked Lucia, protesting. “I asked her to.”
“Oh, but,” began Betty, but the countess turned to Betty, whom she had scarcely noticed, with a charming smile. “Another time, Lucia. Thank you, Betty Lee, for everything. Now I must see to Lucia,” And Betty understood that she was dismissed. That smile would make everything seem all right, thought Betty, as she was courteously bowed out by a solemn butler. “I imagine that Countess Coletti tries that on the count times when she is having her own way! But she can certainly do things!”
So ran Betty’s thoughts, for Betty was learning to be an observing little person, though ashamed of herself when her observations were the least unfriendly. No car but the street-car waited for Betty, but she took one after quite a walk and went home to tell her mother and the rest all about the “latest excitement” and to enjoy a delayed lunch.
[CHAPTER XI: HALLOWE’EN SURPRISES]
It was Hallowe’en, so much more thrilling in the city than in the small place which Betty Lee formerly called home. In the different suburbs, like villages themselves, children were already appearing on the street in costumes and masks, although it was scarcely dark. Many of them carried baskets, for in gypsy fashion, perhaps, they were accustomed to receive contributions from the persons whose bells they rang.
Mrs. Lee did not like the custom and would not allow Dick or Doris to “beg,” as she called it. “Have all the fun you want in costume,” she said, “but don’t ask for charity!” Mr. Lee made no mention of the fact that he intended to trail the children a little to see that they were not carried away by the freedom of the night, but he told his wife that Policeman Leary would be “on the job” and that he was an easy-going soul when children were concerned. Mrs. Lee was not so sure that easy-going would do on Hallowe’en, but her husband explained. “He will not stand for any destruction of property, particularly in this neighborhood, but he’s not likely to arrest children or be hard on them.”
From the standpoint of Dick, Doris and Betty, everything was lovely. Even little Amy Lou was permitted to dress up and as she made an adorable little gypsy, with a fetching mask balanced on her small nose, Doris was rather proud to lead her forth. “We’ll bring you right back if you get fussy, though,” warned Dick, “and I have to go with the boys pretty soon.”
“Oh, Dickie, I won’t fuss, honest! And Dorry will take care of me, won’t you Dorry?”