CHAPTER V
GOOD NEWS FROM TOWN
Everyone rushed eagerly forward, and crowded around Miss Mercer as she descended from the buggy, smiling pleasantly at the bashful Tom Pratt, who did his best to help her in her descent. And not the least eager, by any means, was Tom Pratt’s mother, whose early indifference to the interest of these good Samaritans in her misfortunes seemed utterly to have vanished.
“Oh, these girls of yours!” cried Mrs. Pratt. “You’ve no idea of how much they’ve done—or how much they’ve heartened us all up, Miss Mercer! I don’t believe there were ever so many kind, nice people brought together before!”
Eleanor laughed, as if she were keeping a secret to herself. And her words, when she spoke, proved that that was indeed the case.
“Just you wait till you know how many friends you really have around here, Mrs. Pratt!” she said. “Well, I told you I hoped to bring back good news, and I have, and if you’ll all give me a chance, I’ll tell you what it is.”
“You’ve found a place for all the Pratts to go!” said Dolly.
“You’ve arranged something so that they won’t have to stay here!” agreed Margery.