“Nancy, our school is the talk of Long Leigh. Lots of mothers think their girls should do something useful during the month of August, and I’d just like to see any mother find a study more useful than cooking—according to her ideas,” said Ruth.
“And Vera is going to take an extra hour for desserts,” Nancy went on. “I can see Vera the pride of her family some day. Such home talent may be inherited. We haven’t any of it in our family, I’m afraid,” said Nancy, regretfully.
“But you’ve got something more precious,” Ruth assured her. “I never saw three folks so like one person as you three are, and yet you are all individually different; if you know what I mean.”
“I do,” said Nancy. “And you’re a dear, Ruth. What would I have done out here without you?”
“Taken the stylish Vivian Riker to your heart,” teased Ruth. “She’s a beauty.”
There was a stir outside.
“Look who’s here!” interrupted Nancy, jumping up and hurrying toward the door. “Ted! And he’s got the threatened new dog with him. Come and see!”
The threatened new dog was indeed being coaxed along by Ted, but he didn’t look exactly new. In fact, his coat was matted and shaggy, his tail hung down without a bit of “pep” in it, and even his long, long-haired ears seemed too discouraged to pick up the kindest words Ted was trying to pour into them.
“Nero!” announced Ted simply, as Nancy opened the door and Ted tried to push the melancholy Nero in.
“What ails him?” Nancy asked, looking the strange animal over, critically.