Part 24 (1/2)

Diogenes had been quite docile and amenable to my rule since the licking I gave him, so we had a pleasant and comfortable return journey on the following day.

”I hope, Lucien,” said Silvia, ”you won't refuse to cash this check for a good amount. The Polydore parents may never show up, and it's only right we should be reimbursed for their keep.”

”I will cash it,” I a.s.sured her, ”and use it for a housekeeper or else send the boys off to a school. I should like very much to have it out with Felix Polydore, but, as you suggest, I may never have the opportunity to see him at close range.”

Beth, Rob, and Ptolemy met us at the station.

”Where are 'Them Three'?” I asked hopefully.

”Huldah is feeding them little pies hot from the kettle--the kind she cooks like doughnuts, you know.”

”Huldah cooking for 'Them Three'!” I exclaimed. ”She must have pa.s.sed into her second childhood. She grudged them even an apple to piece on.”

”She has pampered them ever since our return,” said Rob.

”Poor Huldah! She must indeed be afflicted with softening of the brain,” I decided.

”She has probably been so lonely, shut in here by herself,” said Silvia, ”that even 'Them Three' looked good to her.”

In the hallway Huldah met us. She was beaming with pleasure, but except in her bearing toward the children, she was quite normal.

”We've all had a real good rest,” she observed, ”and you do look so well, Mrs. Wade. My! but this place has been lonesome. I'm glad we're all together again.”

”Now, Silvia, shut your eyes,” directed Beth, ”and come into the library. Ptolemy has bought you a present with the check his father gave him.”

”Beth helped me pick it out,” said Ptolemy.

Beth led the way into the library, and we followed.

”Open your eyes.”

Silvia gave a little cry of pleasure, and looking over her shoulder, I beheld a baby grand piano.

”Oh, Ptolemy!” she cried, giving him a fervent kiss and fond hug, ”I can never let you do so much.”

”Oh, yes,” he said, flus.h.i.+ng a little under the endearments which were doubtless the first ever bestowed upon him. ”Father's got a whole lot of money grandpa left him and it's fixed so he can't draw out only so much each year. He said the board and bother of us was worth more than this and we'll all enjoy the music. But Thag and Em and Dem ain't to touch it. I'll knock tar out of the first one that comes near it.”

I was disconsolate. I didn't see how we could return it and I didn't want the Polydore web woven any tighter. To think of Silvia's receiving from them what it had been my longing to give her! But as I was to learn later, she was to acquire much more than a piano from the eminent family.

After dinner Silvia asked Huldah to come in and hear the music, and when Silvia's repertoire was exhausted, we gave our faithful servant all the little details of our trip which Beth had not supplied.

”Now tell us, Huldah, how things went along here,” said Silvia.

”Well, you think some wonderful things happened to you all on your trip mebby--ghosts and proposals,” looking at Beth and Rob, ”and fires and Polydores, but back here in this quiet house something happened that has your ghosts and things skinned by a mile.”

”Oh, dear!” cried Silvia apprehensively, ”what is it?”

”Break it very gently, Huldah,” I cautioned. ”You know we've borne a good deal.”

”Your uncle Issachar was here for a couple of days.”