“Oh, bother!” she said. “I just know they’ll eat all the biscuits before I get back.”
“No, we won’t. We promise,” said Billie; but Connie still looked doubtful enough to make them giggle as she flung out of the door in search of her father.
She had been gone scarcely two minutes when she returned triumphantly with her father and Bruce in tow.
“They were just coming back,” she told her mother, as she sank into her seat and reached for a biscuit. “Daddy said he smelled the biscuits and they drew him with——What was it you said they drew you with, Daddy?”
“Irresistible force?” asked Mr. Danvers, as he greeted the girls and took his seat at the head of the table. “Now, if they only taste as they smell——” He smiled at his wife across the table and she handed him a plate full of the golden brown biscuits.
“Who owns the dog?” asked Laura boyishly, as Bruce sat down gravely at Mrs. Danvers’ side, looking up at her adoringly.
“Oh, please, excuse me; I forgot to introduce him,” cried Mrs. Danvers, dimpling and laying her hand lightly on the dog’s head. “This is Robert Bruce, and he’s a thoroughbred and belongs to Uncle Tom, and lives over at the lighthouse.”
“The lighthouse,” repeated Billie eagerly, then added as though she were thinking aloud: “Oh, but I’m crazy to see it.”
“Are you?” asked Connie’s mother, looking surprised at Billie’s eagerness, for the lighthouse was an old story to her. “Connie can take you over there to-day if you would like to go.”
“Oh, won’t that be lovely!” cried Vi. “I’ve always wanted to see inside a real lighthouse. I want to know all about the lights and everything. When can we go, Mrs. Danvers?”