“Well, we’re going uptown to buy elastic and school things,” said Meg. “Mother gave me the 23 money in this purse. Fifty cents is for you, and the twins can spend a quarter.”
The four little Blossoms set off on their errand, and Philip tagged along after them. He wasn’t interested in school supplies, but he dearly loved a walk.
“I’ll get the ’lastic first,” decided Meg, when they reached the street where most of the Oak Hill stores were. “Don’t buy anything till I get that.”
The others waited while the elastic was measured and wrapped, and after Meg had paid for it they went over to the fascinating counter where all the things one needs in school were displayed.
“Hello!” said a girl who was looking at a blank book when the four little Blossoms came up. “You been away?”
This was Nina Mills. She was an untidy looking child and her hands were not very clean. But she smiled pleasantly enough.
“We’ve been in the country,” Meg informed her, as Bobby and Twaddles and Dot apparently 24 couldn’t find anything to say. “We went to see our Aunt Polly.”
“Oh,” said Nina Mills. “That’s nice. I wish I could go off on visits. You coming to school Monday?”
“Bobby and I are,” Meg answered. “The twins are too little.”
The twins frankly scowled. How they did hate being “too young” to do so many things they wished to do.