"Why Kit Patten!" exclaimed Bob. "And we thought you were our friend!"
"Meow, meow! What a kitten to scratch!" teased Phil.
"Deny it, if you can," said Bet.
Colonel Baxter looked from one young face to the other, enjoying the friendly bickering and feeling happy that he was no dampener to their fun, for they accepted him as one of themselves. Mrs. Williams' hearty laugh urged them on to further efforts at cleverness.
"Wish we had a broom, I'd really like to see this place swept out!" Bet was impatient to see results.
"Why not go over and borrow one from your neighbor, Peter Gruff? He's so friendly he'll give you the shop."
As old Peter Gruff was notoriously stingy, everybody laughed at the joke.
"We'll do better than that," exclaimed Bet. "Come on Kit, let's go over and buy a broom. We'll need it!"
In a few minutes Bet and Kit came running back, each with a large broom.
"And here's where we are supposed to shine!" laughed Phil, as each captured a broom and started right in where they were standing.