CHAPTER XVII
MISS ALDER’S HOUSE
Dot rang the bell and waited quietly, but Twaddles kept hopping up and down the steps. He was down, when the door opened suddenly and he was so afraid Dot would go in and leave him outside that he rushed up the steps, two at a time, and the maid nearly shut the door in his face.
“Go away, boy!” she said distinctly. “We don’t allow boys around here.”
This was discouraging, but Dot refused to be dismayed.
“I’m a girl,” she stated firmly. “Could I see Miss Alder?”
“Well––I’ll ask,” the maid answered. “Wait a minute.” And she closed the door.
“Mother says it is very rude to keep any one waiting at the door,” whispered Dot. “She always asks ’em in.” 162
“You can come in,” the maid announced, opening the door before Twaddles could answer Dot. “But the boy will have to wait.”
“He has to come, too––he has the sample,” said Dot, who had no intention of going into a strange house alone.