“Why? How are they funny?”
“Because they are trying to hide something in that shack of theirs,” declared Cara. “They ran out, that is the boy did when he saw Dud’s car, but quick as he saw you were not in it, he turned and raced back, shut the funny old door with a bang, and pulled down the shades with the pictures on them. You would have thought we were the wicked old landlord going to turn them out for their rent,” concluded Cara, innocently.
“But why did Dud drive up there? He heard me tell Nicky we wouldn’t bother them,” faltered the anxious Barbara.
“Why shouldn’t he? It’s a public place. But Babs,” said Cara, suddenly noticing the effect of her words, “what’s the matter? Was there a reason why we shouldn’t have gone there?”
“Oh, no, of course not. I just hated to frighten those children,” Babs answered as lightly as she could. “You know how much excitement a fancy looking car still creates in that sort of district. About like an ambulance,” she finished laughing a little, with evident effort.
“Worse. The children were like bees around us. I never knew what slumming in my own town could amount to,” said Cara. “But Babs, aren’t you going to be a lamb and wear some of my useless things for me?” She had been noticing the untouched garments on the little clothes’ tree, and now ventured the question.
“Oh yes, of course I am, and thank you loads, Cara,” replied Barbara impulsively. “But just this evening I felt I might be better understood if I wore—the common garden variety.” In this speech Barbara had to tactfully refuse to wear the loaned garments.
“That’s a real sweet little dress and looks lovely on you,” Cara in turn declared. “As a matter of fact, Babs, we can’t always buy that charming simplicity. It’s just perfect and makes you stand out instead of hiding you.”
“No, it is not popular enough to warrant the trade making it,” laughed Barbara, as they both turned to finish their dressing.
And now the worry about Nicky was superseding the more common worry about clothes.