“The only way I can see,” said Vi, who often had rather funny ideas, “would be to have one of us stand in the road and hold on to strings tied to the other two so that if they got lost——”
“The one in the road could haul ’em back,” said Laura sarcastically. “That’s a wonderful idea, Vi.”
“Well, I would like to see that man again,” sighed Billie. “He seemed so sad. I’m sure he was in trouble, and I’d so like to help him.”
“Yes and when you offered you nearly got your head bit off,” observed Laura.
Billie’s eyes twinkled.
“That’s what Daddy says always happens to people who try to help,” she said. “I feel awfully sorry for him, just the same,” she finished decidedly.
Then Laura did a surprising thing. She put an arm about Billie’s shoulders and hugged her fondly.
“Billie Bradley,” she said sadly, “I do believe you would feel sorry for a snake that bit you, just because it was only a snake.”
“Perhaps that’s why she loves you,” said Vi innocently, and scored a point. Laura looked as if she wanted to be mad for a minute, but she was not. She only laughed with the girls.
They had as good a time as they had expected to have in town that afternoon—and that is saying something.