"What?"
"Never mind. Something I thought of. Can I help you, Helen?"
"I wanted to get that black-and-white cake recipe—"
The hour drowsed by. The day waned. The sun lowered in the peaceful blue sky. Shadows lengthened on the green lawns. The laughter and excitement continued. One little girl ran away, crying.
Mrs. Morris came out the front door.
"Mink, was that Peggy Ann crying?"
Mink was bent over in the yard, near the rose-bush. "Yeah. She's a scarebaby. We won't let her play, now. She's getting too old to play. I guess she grew up all of a sudden."
"Is that why she cried? Nonsense. Give me a civil answer, young lady, or inside you come!"
Mink whirled in consternation, mixed with irritation. "I can't quit now. It's almost time. I'll be good. I'm sorry."