"Good morning. It's a fine day; isn't it?"
"Yes, indeed it is," Mrs. Ward would answer.
Sometimes it would be Mrs. Ward who would first speak about the fine weather and Mrs. Brown would answer. Both women would soon become better acquainted.
Mr. Brown had seen Mr. Ward several mornings on his way to work, and, knowing him to be the man next door, had nodded, and said: "Good morning!" And Mr. Ward had said the same thing. They, too, would soon be better acquainted.
"I know the Wards are nice people," said Sue, as she trotted along beside her mother.
"What makes you think so?" asked Mrs. Brown, as she walked slowly across her lawn toward the house next door.
"'Cause they have a nice dog named Dix, and he and Splash are good friends. First they sort of growled at each other, and then they smelled noses and now they always wag their tails when they meet."
"Well, that's a good sign," laughed Sue's mother.
"But I wonder what can be the matter with the boy next door," said Sue to her brother. "Are you sure you heard Mr. and Mrs. Ward talking about Fred?"
"Yes, I'm sure," answered Bunny.