“Can’t you move up and give us a little room?” interrupted Nancy, pushing her way between her brother and his neighbor, while Percy stood patiently by with two glasses of soda water.
Without meaning it, she had jostled Belle Rogers. The two girls turned and faced each other.
“How do you do, Belle? Are you quite well again?” asked Nancy politely, but with a look in her eyes which meant mischief.
Belle had not been back to school since the fire.
“Miss Brown,” said Belle, bowing stiffly.
“How well your hair stays in curl this foggy weather, Belle,” continued Nancy, in a high, pleasant voice, which could be heard by all the boys and girls at the counter. “You must put it up almost every night now, don’t you?”
“Nancy!” expostulated Billie, as Belle sailed from the drug store, followed by several of her loyal friends.
CHAPTER IX.—AT THE SIGN OF THE BLUE TEA POT.
Billie was thankful when they had got the box of jewels safely back into the motor car and were on their way at last to Mary’s home.
Mary and her mother lived in a pretty old house facing the public square, and it was fortunate that Mrs. Price’s old home was so located. In order to support herself and her little daughter, the young widow had transformed the lower floor into a tea room and shop. A little blue board hung from the portico, which bore the inscription in old English script, “At Ye Signe of Ye Blue Tea Pot.” A large bulletin on the front door announced that tea and sandwiches of all varieties could be had within; also that luncheons were prepared for pleasure parties and journeys and that numerous dainty and pretty articles, made by hand, were there for sale.