Part 20 (1/2)
”Goldfish would give her something to think of until school opens.
After that she'll have enough to do to keep her occupied.”
Miss Thorley looked at him with surprise. ”Do you know, that's really very thoughtful. I've been trying to think what I could do and I couldn't get beyond another bird. I had sense enough to see that that would never do.”
”No, another bird wouldn't do. And tomorrow--I wondered if tomorrow you and Mary Rose wouldn't go off for the day in the car with Aunt Mary and me? We might run down to Blue Heron Lake for dinner. Mary Rose loves to motor.”
”Why not take your aunt and Mary Rose? I'm afraid I----”
”Nothing doing!” he interrupted firmly. ”Can't you trust me?” He looked her straight in the eyes as he asked. ”I swear I won't say a word of love. We're friends now, you know, not--not lovers. And Mary Rose adores you. She'd go through fire and water for you. Honest, she wouldn't be contented with me and Aunt Mary, but I know it would be all right if you were along.”
She hesitated and bit her lip before she finally shrugged her shoulders and said: ”Oh, very well. I'll go for Mary Rose.”
”I knew you would. I knew you'd see the big sister, the humanitarian philanthropic friendly side of it.” There was more than the hint of a twinkle in his eyes. ”And one more thing.” Mr. Jerry firmly believed in striking the iron before it had any chance to cool. ”They have goldfish for sale over at the drug store on Twenty-eighth Street.
Won't you walk over with me and help pick out a few? I'd like Mary Rose to find them when she wakes up in the morning.”
She did not hesitate over this request. Perhaps she realized what a very persuasive way he had, for she laughed softly.
”I'll go. I'd do more than that for Mary Rose.”
On the way they met Miss Carter and Bob Strahan returning from a fruitless quest among the bird stores. But if they had not found Jenny Lind they had explained the situation to the proprietors of the shops and each of them had promised on his word of honor to telephone to Mr.
Strahan the very minute that a canary was offered for sale.
The four went together to the drug store and after the globe had been bought and they had selected the half-dozen fish that were to live in it, they loitered at a little table over their ice cream.
”Gos.h.!.+” suddenly exclaimed Bob Strahan. ”I'm glad I'm not built on the plans and specifications that produced old Wells. I shouldn't want the theft of a kid's canary on my conscience.”
”He will insist that Mr. Wells knows all about it,” Miss Carter said mournfully. She could not help but feel that she was to blame. If she hadn't asked Mary Rose to bring up the parcel post package Jenny Lind might never have disappeared.
”Why?” asked Mr. Jerry curiously.
”Because!” Miss Carter and Bob Strahan made the rather unsatisfactory explanation a duet.
CHAPTER XVIII
When Mary Rose opened her eyes the next morning the very first thing she saw was the gla.s.s globe in which flas.h.i.+ng sunbeams seemed to dart.
”Why--why!” cried amazed Mary Rose, and she sat bolt upright.
Aunt Kate heard her and came in. ”Do you like them, honey? Mr. Jerry and Miss Thorley brought them in last night. Mr. Jerry said you liked his aunt's goldfish, so he was sure you'd like some of your own.”
”Did he?” All the gladness slipped from her face and voice as she remembered the pet she had lost. ”You know, Aunt Kate, last night I just about decided I'd never have another pet. I'm--I'm so unlucky with them.” Her lip quivered. ”I don't seem to be able to keep one thing that really belongs to me.”
”Nonsense!” Aunt Kate took her in her arms and kissed her. ”You'll keep me and your Uncle Larry. You can't lose us. Aren't they pretty?”
She tapped the gla.s.s globe. ”Seems if a body'd never get tired of lookin' at 'em. But get dressed, dearie. Breakfas's most ready an'
Mr. Jerry wants you to go out to Blue Heron Lake in his motor car. His aunt an' Miss Thorley are goin' too. You're to be away all day an'
have your dinner at a big hotel.”