While the two girls were busy preparing the tea, Bet and Shirley told of the doings of the day and Shirley proudly waved the ten dollars in her hand.
"And just see, Colonel Baxter, the first sales in Shirley's Shop!"
"And I was planning on having that honor myself. I didn't think you would have anything ready until next week. You've done wonders with this old store."
Colonel Baxter laughed heartily over the description of the boys demanding a handout.
"And here's another hungry man," he said. "I hope that tea will soon be ready."
"We're coming just in a minute, Colonel Baxter," called Joy. Then to Kit she said: "I bet he didn't have a bite of lunch. Let's fix up some cold chicken and apple fritters for him."
"Now that's my idea of afternoon tea," exclaimed the Colonel, as he settled himself comfortably in an easy chair and seized upon the chicken. "Did you feed your two customers as well?"
"Oh no," said Kit with great disdain. "With them we were exceedingly polite. We made those little sandwiches, the two for a penny kind, and gave them only tea and cakes besides. That's all they got."
"Then it's all right. I was afraid you might be treating them better than you treated me and I was getting jealous."
The girls cast many searching glances at the package and finally Bet burst out: "Dad dear, I just can't wait a minute longer to see what you bought for Shirley's Shop."