After the huckleberries and some wafers which Desiré had taken from their stock were disposed of, the guest insisted upon helping clear up. He was a lively little man, and skipped hither and thither, carrying dishes, picking up papers, and making himself generally useful.
“Now for a visit,” he said, settling himself beside a tall pine, leaning back against its trunk, and stretching his legs, clad in cream-colored crash, straight out in front of him.
CHAPTER XVI
A NEW FRIEND
“So you’re going to try to live in the old Godet house this winter—”
“Oh, are we?” cried Priscilla, throwing herself on Desiré.
“Oh! Oh!” shrieked René joyfully, not very clear as to what the rejoicing was about, but determined to have his full share in it anyway.
“Have I let the cat out of the bag?” inquired the judge, startled at the effect of his question.
“We had not yet told the children,” replied Jack; “but it’s quite all right, for they would have known soon, anyway.”
“Sorry—sorry. You two youngsters just forget what I said.”
The man talked in a rapid, jerky fashion which reminded Desiré of the way a robin runs along, a few steps very fast, stops up short, and then repeats the process.