Walter’s face was full of suppressed delight, but he dodged suddenly, putting up his hand to drive away a bee that seemed to be circling about his head, buzzing now at one ear, now at the other; then recalling the probable cause, he laughed aloud, others of the company joining in with him.
Marian, too, had heard the buzzing and was looking up and around for a bee, when a “Peep, peep, peep!” close at hand made her look down and around upon the floor at her feet.
Her countenance expressed surprise and bewilderment that no chick was in sight.
“Peep, peep, peep!” came again, seemingly from her pocket or among the folds of her dress-skirt. She rose hastily to her feet, shook her skirts, then thrust her hand into her pocket.
“Why, where is it?” she asked, looking somewhat alarmed.
“Why, it seems to have come to me!” Grace Raymond exclaimed as the “Peep, peep, peep!” was heard again apparently from among her skirts, and she too sprang to her feet and shook herself with a downward glance at them and a little nervous laugh. She was near her father, and he drew her to his knee, saying softly, “Don’t be alarmed, darling, for you know there is really nothing there.”
“Walter, can’t you hunt up that chick?” asked Edward, looking gravely at his little brother. “Think how bad it would be for the poor little thing if somebody should accidentally tramp upon it.”
“Why, I shan’t need to hunt it!” exclaimed Walter. As the “Peep, peep, peep!” seemed to come from his pocket, he thrust his hand into it and sprang to his feet as he spoke; but at that instant a loud and furious barking just around the corner of the veranda attracted every one’s attention.
“Down, sir, down!” cried a rough voice. “I’m neither thief nor tramp.”
Another furious bark, then a low growl came in response, and baby Ned ran to his father with a frightened cry, “O papa, I’s ’fraid doggie bite!”