"Who told you?" asked Dorothy, as soon as Tavia had quieted herself sufficiently to hear anything.
"May Egner. She stood by and heard the whole thing. But you must not mention it to Alice," cautioned Tavia, "for she didn't hear it, and I just want the Green Violet to think it is true, every word. It's a positive charity to give that girl something definitely mean to think about. I can see her mental picture of you and Nat and myself standing in a police court pleading 'Guilty' to being caught in a melon patch. Wish we had thought of it: there were plenty along that road, and I have not tasted a fresh muskmelon since I stole the last one from the old Garrabrant place. Ummm! but that was good!"
"Well, I am glad it is no worse," remarked Dorothy. "I had a suspicion she was trying to insinuate something like that. And the idea of her not believing that Nat was my cousin!"
"Oh, yes, and that was more of it," went on Tavia. "Tom asked Nat if I was his cousin and he said yes. Wasn't Nat funny to tease so? But who could blame him? I wish I had a chance to get my say in, I would have given Greenie a story! Not only melons, but a whole farm for mine!"
"Lucky you were otherwise engaged then. I noticed you had your hands full answering the questions of that crowd of small boys," remarked Dorothy, smiling at the remembrance of Tavia's struggle with the curious ones.
"But, Doro, are you really going away?" and Tavia's voice assumed a very different tone—it was mournful indeed.
"Yes, I think it is quite decided. I would not mind it so much if you were coming."
"Me? Poor me! No boarding school for my share. They do not run in our family," and she sighed.
"But perhaps your fairy godmother might help you," went on Dorothy. "She has granted your wishes before."
"Yes, and I promised her that time I would never trouble her again. There is a limit, you know, even to fairy godmothers."