Belle Ringold and her friend let Henrietta’s party alone for the time being. Belle seemed to wish to behave before Darry and Burd in a more ladylike manner than was her usual custom.
But it was difficult for her to quell her dislike of the Dogtown “tribe” when Jessie and Amy ushered the children into the great farmhouse kitchen at supper time and placed Henrietta and her friends at one end of a long table, making them members of her own party. There was much merriment at that end of the table, too, for Darry and Burd, as well as others of the radio girls’ friends, cheerfully entered into the spirit of the occasion.
“Lucky you brought this hatbox full of good things, Amy,” Burd said. “I can see right now that we are going to be able to get outside the whole of it. Let’s see if we can fill up these kids. I believe they are hollow all the way down.”
“Mrs. Foley says I am,” said Henrietta, complacently. “It takes as much to fill me up as it does a lots bigger girl. Bertha can’t eat as much as me.”
“Where is Bertha?” Jessie asked.
“She’s gone to Stratfordtown to work for a lady. And if the lady likes little girls I’m going to live with her too. Bertha says so.”
Just about then the crowd had all become seated and the various boxes were opened. A little quietness fell for a moment. Instantly they heard overhead a strange tapping and scratching sound. The loft over the kitchen was supposed to be empty.
“Oh! Do you hear that?” gasped Amy, staring at Jessie Norwood.
“Who is up there, do you suppose?” demanded one of the other girls.
“’Tisn’t who; it’s what,” declared Burd Alling.