Titus, pursuing a joyous pilgrimage to the stable, encountered Higby, and gave the old fellow a playful dig in the ribs, which sent him into his pantry with a crease of delight forming itself about his lips. Mrs. Blodgett, pursing her lips over a spoiled pudding, was restored to good humor by a playful pinch and a teasing “Hello, Blodgieblossom!” She forgot to scold further, and Martha the cook bent over the dish in question with a relieved smile.
Dashing through the kitchen, Titus tossed Jennie’s apron under the table, then scampered out to tease and comfort Roblee.
Bethany, as usual, hurried to put away her things, then, kneeling on a chair before her big basin, she washed her little face and hands and trotted downstairs to have her before-luncheon chat with the Judge and the pigeon.
It was astonishing how little waiting on the child required. The Judge had been ready and willing to engage a youthful maid to attend her, but Mrs. Blodgett had begged him not to do so, saying that an extra servant would only be in the way, and that Bethany really required such a small amount of attention that any of the present maidservants felt it a pleasure to give it to her. Therefore Bethany had a small room all to herself between Mrs. Blodgett’s and Dallas’s.
Not finding the Judge in his study, Bethany devoted herself to the princess.
“I have been learning a new song about you,” she said, prettily. “Now, listen,” and taking her red dress in her hands she made a little curtsey and began:
“This is the birdie I love the best,
This is the Sukey I love to caress.
This is the birdie I love the best,
This is my darling Sukey.”