Part 83 (2/2)
”Never any more.”
”Have you come here 'stead of him? Come t' stay?”
”Yes.”
”An' can I pick a rose t' kiss sometimes?”
”As many as you like.”
”Oh!” sighed the child rapturously, nestling within his arm, ”isn't that just--fine! I guess this sure is the Beautiful City of Perhaps, after all!”
”I wonder?”
”Oh, but I'm sure it is--now th' gentleman's gone I just know it is!”
”What makes you so sure?”
”Everything! 'Cause you see, Prince, my daddy don't have t' be away all day any more. An' mumsey don't have t' sew late, nights, any more. An'
when we came into the cute little house where we live--there was the doll that says 'mamma' jest waitin' f' me. An' there was a big box o'
candies, an' a doll carriage with real rubber on th' wheels--jest like we used to talk about. So you see this must be Perhaps at last, an' I'm so--so happy--only--” Hazel sighed.
”Only what?”
”I do wish Hermy could find her way here too; she used t' be so tired sometimes.”
”You mean that you would like to find Princess n.o.body, I guess.”
”Oh, but I can't! I used to look an' look for her every day 'til th'
gentleman said she wasn't here, an' told me never t' come near th' big house any more.”
”But he's gone, and you never had me to help you.”
”Oh, will you--will you help me right now?” she pleaded.
”Surest thing you know!” he nodded, ”your hand, Princess.”
So hand in hand he led her, suiting his long legs to hers, along shady walks, up terrace steps, across smooth lawns, and so to the great house.
Hazel paused to question him further concerning ”the gentleman”, but Ravenslee laughed and, seating her upon his shoulder, bore her into the house.
In her housekeeper's room, surrounded by many dusty bill files and stacks of account books, they presently found Mrs. Trapes, whose hawk's-eye viewed bills and tradesmen's books while she frowned and muttered such comments as ”Rogues!” ”Thieves!” ”Scand'lous!” ”Wicked!”
Until glancing up, her sharp features softened, and she smiled up into the child's happy face.
”So Hazel's found ye, has she, Mr. Geoffrey. An' talkin' o' her, you've sure made the Bowkers a happy fam'ly. But, my land, Mr. Ravenslee, the scand'lous prices as th' tradespeople has been allowed t' charge you these last six months! Here's th' butcher--listen t' this--”
”Heaven forbid, Mrs. Trapes! Rather let that butcher listen to you, miserable wretch!”
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