Part 16 (1/2)

At noon that day, on his way home to luncheon, Mr. Spargo was warmly greeted by Letty and Susan halfway down the block and escorted to his own door. Upon Letty's whispering in his ear, he slipped two ten-cent pieces into her hand.

”One for each of you,” said he, good-naturedly tweaking Letty's nose, red in the sharp November wind.

When he came out an hour or so later, he was in a hurry, and in answer to Letty's murmur he dropped a handful of small coins into her outstretched palm, and hastily departed without waiting for the chorus of thanks that followed him down the street and round the corner.

”Four pennies, two fives, and a quarter. As sure as I live, a quarter!”

counted Letty. ”Oh, Susan, Susan!” And flinging their arms about one another, the little girls hopped joyously about until Susan tripped and went down in a heap.

The girls found it hard to keep away from the little holly jar. The money was taken out and counted over and over each time the nursery was found unoccupied save by placid Johnny, who innocently played with his shabby Lolly or ran unsteadily about the room, b.u.mping down and picking himself up undisturbed.

”Only to-day, and then to-morrow is the Fair,” said Letty the next morning. ”We must be sure not to miss Father at noon.”

But to-day, of all days, Mr. Spargo did not come home to luncheon at all. He and Mr. Whiting were both busy with the mysterious ”case” at Banbury Court-House.

Letty and Susan consoled themselves by counting the money and planning what they would buy with it.

”And there is still to-morrow before we go to the Fair,” suggested Susan hopefully. ”When are we going to tell, and show the bowlful? Maybe Grandfather will give us more when he hears about it.”

Susan enjoyed having a secret with Letty, but she wanted to share it with Grandfather, too.

”We will tell when we are ready to start for the Fair,” answered Letty firmly, ”and not a minute before. You never can tell what will happen.”

But this plan was not carried out. Letty little knew how truly she spoke when she said ”you never can tell what will happen.”

The next day, the great Day of the Fair, the money was counted the first thing in the morning, as soon as Johnny had had his bath and Mrs. Spargo had left the room.

”Five tens, one quarter, two fives, and four pennies!” Susan and Letty had said it so often that they could repeat it backward. It had grown to be a chant that rang in their ears.

Half an hour later they stole back to count it again.

”Look,” said Susan, stooping in the middle of the room. She held out the little brown-and-white sunbonnet that had hidden the money so ”careless-like.”

Letty ran to the mantelpiece. The jar was gone!

For an instant she and Susan stared at one another. Then they ran wildly about the room looking in every nook and corner for the missing jar, much to baby Johnny's entertainment. He sat on the floor sucking his fingers, and he laughed and chuckled and kicked his heels up and down as he watched the exertions of his sister and her friend.

”Here it is,” called Letty at last. ”By the doll's bed.” And from under the bed, where slumbered Lolly face downward, out rolled the little holly jar.

”But where is the money?” demanded Letty. Her first fright over, she was growing angry.

”There is something in Johnny's mouth,” announced Susan.

With a practiced hand, Letty put her finger into the baby's mouth and out came the quarter.

”Oh, you! You!” cried Letty. Her face grew pink and she gave Johnny a shake that sent him backward upon the floor.

Treated so unkindly and robbed of his new plaything, Johnny burst into a wail that brought his mother hurrying to his side.