Chapter Six.
Twenty yards farther Elma came to a halt, eyes and lips opened wide in gaping astonishment at the sight of the trespasser.
“Cornelia! You are sitting on the grass.”
“That’s so! Why shouldn’t I, if I’ve a mind?”
“It’s forbidden!”
“Oh, shucks!” cried Cornelia, impatiently. “Who by?”
Elma waved her hand vaguely towards the crescent of houses.
“Everybody—all of them! It’s a rule. They all agreed.”
“Suppose they did! I guess it would take more than ten old ladies to prevent me doing what I want. What’s the good of grass, anyway, if you can’t enjoy it? It’s lovely up here. I’m as cool as an otter. You look pretty warm after your walk. Step over, and come right here by me.” She patted the ground beside her, and smiled in her most irresistible fashion. “We’ll have the loveliest talk—”
Elma hesitated, fascinated but dismayed.