"No, I'm not—really!" Russ declared. "I saw him take off his hat and wave it at me."
For a moment the six little Bunkers stood in a row and looked at Mr. White. Then, just as naturally as if he had been used to doing it all his life, Mr. White's tall, black silk hat came off his head, was lowered before the children and was put back again. This time they all saw it.
"Oh, look! Oh!" exclaimed Rose.
"Why—why——" and that was all Laddie could say as he stood with his mouth wide open, he was so surprised.
"You made him do it, Russ!" exclaimed Violet.
"I? How could I make him do it?" Russ demanded.
"It's one of your tricks. You pulled a string and made his hat come off. It's a trick!"
"Well, maybe it is a trick, but I didn't do it," declared Russ. "I haven't got any string fast to his hat. And, anyhow, if I did, maybe I could pull his hat off with a string, but I couldn't pull it back on again, could I?"
"Well, maybe not, but you did it!" insisted Vi.
"No, I didn't!" said Russ. "You watch and I won't move my finger even, and maybe Mr. White will take his hat off again."