“I did not realize that you all would be up, I’ve stayed longer here than I intended to. Oh, Andy,—Cousin Andy—I’ve found the most interesting messages in this old portfolio!”
“Take it with you, then, but I want to see first the way to the attic.”
Cousin Andy needed no help up the little steps, but looked down at the ladder and the dark descent. “You were wise not to attempt that, Jannet,” said he. “Yes, that must be an opening to the old tool house. That was a pretty clever stunt of the old codger who built this, with three ways of exit, through the attic, the tool house, and your mother’s room. But I would not have cared to occupy that little room for any length of time. A six footer would almost graze the ceiling. Yet he could sit comfortably, or stretch out on that shelf.”
“Do you suppose that Jan ever found this?” Jannet asked, while they made their way to the other end of the attic, after Andy had viewed the partition, and the old carpet, and other things kept over the trap door.
“I do not think so. He would have told us. But it is a wonder that Paulina, with her tendency to clean up, has not found the trap door some time during all these years.”
“She was afraid of ghosts, Cousin Andy, but I should think that the workmen might have found it when they wired the house for lights.”
“It is strange, but they missed it somehow.”
Andrew viewed with some amusement the little bed made comfortable for the night and the rocking chair with its comforter and little pillow. The pitcher, which had held the lemonade, and the cooky plate still remained on the floor. “You missed some of your fudge,” said Andy, picking up a piece and putting it in his mouth as he sat down on the bed and looked around. “It is some time since I have been in this attic. I never cared for attics; I was always for outdoor sports. Did you know that I can ride again, Jannet?”
“Yes, and I’m so glad. Did you know that I had a long talk with Uncle Pieter, and that I’m going to stay in the family and not go back to school?”
“Good. Sensible girl. Dad and I need somebody like you around.”