Part 14 (2/2)

”There is time to wash it if you will bring the things,” said Mr.

Barlow.

Bobby washed the inside, while Mr. Barlow washed the outside.

And there was the Big Window, whole and bright and s.h.i.+ny again.

It was not long before Father and John came up to the house with Prince, to go to the train. Bobby and Sue and Betty all got into the carriage.

Rover ran along beside it.

On the way to the station, Bobby told Father all about the window.

In a short time, the train came in sight down the track. In a few moments more, Bobby saw Mother coming from the train and ran to meet her.

And it was not long before she was home again, and they were all visiting together in the sitting-room.

As she sat in the big rocker near the window, Mother said, ”I saw many beautiful sights on my trip, but none that I like better than the view from my beautiful, s.h.i.+ny, big window.”

And then wasn't Bobby Hill happy!

[Ill.u.s.tration: ONE STORMY NIGHT]

XV

A few weeks after Mother came home, they were all gathered in the sitting-room after supper.

Outside, the rain beat against the window panes and the wind made a mournful sound among the evergreens.

Inside, all was bright and cheery. In the coal stove a fire was burning.

On the table a big lamp sent a bright light through the room.

Baby Betty had been put to bed, but Bobby sat at the table, reading a new book.

”It is almost bedtime for you,” said Mother.

”Can't we have a game of dominoes before I go?” asked Bobby.

Mother looked at the clock. ”Just one,” she said.

So they all gathered around the table in the center of the room--Father, Mother, John and Sue and Bobby.

Father and Bobby were partners. They got two hundred points first and so won the game.

When the game was over, John went down cellar and brought up a pan of apples. Bobby and Sue went to the attic and brought down a basin of walnuts. And as they were eating the walnuts and the apples, they had a merry time.

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