A LITTLE GIRL LOST
Mrs. Hildreth may not have been as good a cook as Winnie. Whatever the reason, no one came whistling up from the bungalow after dinner to suggest "Let's hear 'Old Black Joe,'" or to offer to play a game of croquet. Presently Doctor Hugh announced that he was going to walk down to see Jack, and Rosemary went with him. Sarah and Shirley were, with some difficulty, persuaded to remain behind.
"Nobody home," was Richard's disconsolate greeting as he rose from the porch railing. "Mr. Hildreth has gone across fields to borrow some more crates and Mrs. Hildreth is setting bread in the kitchen. Warren has gone to the Center and Jack is nursing a grouch upstairs."
"Well, I came to see Jack," said the doctor. "I'll go up in a minute."
"He and Warren are on the outs," declared Richard frankly. "Each one thinks he is a Roman candle."
"How perfectly horrid of Warren!" said Rosemary hotly.
"Warren?" echoed the bewildered Richard. "What has Warren done to you?"
"He hasn't done anything to me—" Rosemary's color began to rise. "But I don't think he is one bit fair to Jack."
Before Richard could argue this, the door opened and Jack came out. He had heard voices and perhaps wished to discourage the intention of the doctor to come up and see him. He sat down on the opposite side of the step from Rosemary and her brother and put one hand carelessly behind him.
"Hello!" he said grumpily.