"And you got punished for it, you know," said Russ, grinning at her. "But we were not talking about whiskers—nor shaving brushes."
"Yes we were," said the determined Vi. "I was asking about them."
"Is that man father is going to see an awful foreigner, Russ?" Rose wanted to know.
"I guess not. Father says he's a nice man. He has met him, he says. But his name—oh, it's awful!"
"What is his name?" asked Vi instantly.
If there was a possible chance of crowding in a question, Vi had it on the tip of her tongue to crowd in. This was an hour after the "thunder stroke" had caused such damage to the old house, and Vi was quite her inquisitive little self again.
"His name——" said Russ.
Then he stopped and began to search his pockets. The others waited, but Violet was not content to wait in silence.
"What's the matter, Russ? Do you itch?"
"No, I don't itch," said the boy, with some irritation.