Jane was a motherly little body and extended her care of the doll family to Juno’s family as well and Juno got into the habit of carrying the four fluffy balls of fur out to the orchard, where they all had merry romps, rolling about together in the sun and shade.
But even with these diversions Jane might have grown lonely at times during Christopher’s more frequent and longer absences with Perk and Bill Carpenter, a village boy, had not a new game been suggested to her by Mrs. Hartwell-Jones. Grandmother had called very promptly upon Mrs. Hartwell-Jones at her boarding-place in the village. The “lady who wrote books” had been so honestly disappointed that grandmother had not brought the children too that Mrs. Baker promised to return with them the very next day.
Jane was silent and a little awed, but Christopher was his usual cheerful, talkative self—with secret anticipations of another candy box. His hopes were not disappointed, for Mrs. Hartwell-Jones had planned for their visit and a regular “party” was spread forth, ice-cream, lady-fingers and chocolate drops all complete. Afterward she questioned them about what they did all day, every day.
“I milk the cows,” said Christopher boastfully.
“I can milk too,” interposed Jane.
“And I go off in the fields with Perk. When grandfather can spare him from the work we go fishing.”
“How splendid! And what do you do, Janey dear, when Kit is off with his rod?”
“Oh, I help Huldah make cake, and play in the orchard.”
“The orchard! What a fairy-land! May I play with you there some day when I come to Sunnycrest?”
“Oh, would you like to?” asked Jane with big eyes. “It would be splendid!”