Part 24 (1/2)
”I'm sorry, but I imagine he is happy enough to be with his father.”
”Yes! He looked like another boy after his father came. Well, we'll have to do without him.”
”How can Doodles and Blue be in? They live eighteen or twenty miles away.”
”Oh, they can come down by trolley, or we can go up there,” replied Polly easily.
Miss Sterling laughed. ”You forget that we haven't any money for trolley fares.”
”I never thought! They'll have to come here, then. Anyway, they've got to belong! Doodles is the sweetest boy! I used to wonder if he would change any when he was able to run and play--I didn't know but he'd get to be--coa.r.s.er, you know; but he is just the same. Blue is nice, only he is more like other boys--Doodles isn't!”
”Miss Lily has been telling me of how he Went to sing to her. She just idolizes him.”
”I know she does. The other day when I was up to see her she couldn't talk of anybody else. There isn't much doubt but that she will join the club if she can see Doodles oftener.”
”She seems to be fairly strong; her trouble is only with her eyes.”
”I guess it will do her eyes good to go outdoors more. I wanted to call it the 'Hiking Club'; but Chris was afraid the name would frighten some of them--they'd think a 'hike' meant more than just a walk.”
”Mrs. Post is quite lame yet, and Mrs. Grace is having rheumatism.
They couldn't go at present. Miss Twining's heart bothers her.
She said she shouldn't dare attempt so long a walk again.”
”As the one the other day? That wasn't long for a well person.”
”But most of us are not well--if we were we shouldn't be here.”
”I'll ask them all, anyway!” Polly insisted. ”Can't we have our first meeting here in your room, Miss Nita?”
”Certainly. When is it to be?”
”I think to-day would be a good time--about two o'clock. It isn't very pleasant out, raw and chilly. I'll go round and invite them now. Will you come, too?”
”No, I'll sit here and read. You run along and get your hikers, and then come back and tell me about it.”
CHAPTER XVII
GRANDAUNT SUSIE AND MISS SNIFFEN
Polly aroused more enthusiasm among the ladies than Miss Sterling had thought possible. Almost everybody, even Mrs. Grace, with her rheumatic knee, was eager to join the new club.
It was agreed that those who were able should take a tramp together twice a week and should walk on the veranda, ten times its length, at least once a day.
Polly was unanimously elected president, Miss Major for corresponding secretary, and David Collins for treasurer.
”The club will be bankrupt from the start,” laughed Miss Crilly.
”What do we need a treasurer for?”