Part 22 (1/2)

”Was it?”

”Yes. And now the chickies are as cold and forlorn as you would feel if you tumbled into a pond and n.o.body gave you any dry clothes. Don't you think you ought to go and warm them?”

”How?”

”Well--in your hands, very gently. And then I would let them run round in the sun.”

”I will!” said Philly, getting down from her lap. ”Only kiss me first, because I didn't mean to, you know!”--Philly was very fond of Katy. Miss Petingill said it was wonderful to see how that child let himself be managed. But I think the secret was that Katy didn't ”manage,” but tried to be always kind and loving, and considerate of Phil's feelings.

Before the echo of Phil's boots had fairly died away on the stairs, old Mary put her head into the door. There was a distressed expression on her face.

”Miss Katy,” she said, ”I wish _you'd_ speak to Alexander about putting the woodshed in order. I don't think you know how bad it looks.”

”I don't suppose I do,” said Katy, smiling, and then sighing. She had never seen the wood-shed since the day of her fall from the swing.

”Never mind, Mary, I'll talk to Alexander about it, and he shall make it all nice.”

Mary trotted down stairs satisfied. But in the course of a few minutes she was up again.

”There's a man come with a box of soap, Miss Katy, and here's the bill.

He says it's resated.”

It took Katy a little time to find her purse, and then she wanted her pencil and account book, and Elsie had to move from her seat at the table.

”Oh dear!” she said, ”I wish people wouldn't keep coming and interrupting us. Who'll be the next, I wonder?”

She was not left to wonder long. Almost as she spoke, there was another knock at the door.

”Come in!” said Katy, rather wearily. The door opened.

”Shall I?” said a voice. There was a rustle of skirts, a clatter of boot-heels, and Imogen Clark swept into the room. Katy could not think who it was, at first. She had not seen Imogen for almost two years.

”I found the front door open,” explained Imogen, in her high-pitched voice, ”and as n.o.body seemed to hear when I rang the bell, I ventured to come right up stairs. I hope I'm not interrupting anything private?”

”Not at all,” said Katy, politely. ”Elsie, dear, move up that low chair, please. Do sit down, Imogen! I'm sorry n.o.body answered your ring, but the servants are cleaning house to-day, and I suppose they didn't hear.”

So Imogen sat down and began to rattle on in her usual manner, while Elsie, from behind Katy's chair, took a wide-awake survey of her dress.

It was of cheap material, but very gorgeously made and trimmed, with flounces and puffs, and Imogen wore a jet necklace and long black ear-rings, which jingled and clicked when she waved her head about. She still had the little round curls stuck on to her cheeks, and Elsie wondered anew what kept them in their places.

By and by the object of Imogen's visit came out. She had called to say good-by. The Clark family were all going back to Jacksonville to live.

”Did you ever see the Brigand again?” asked Clover, who had never forgotten that eventful tale told in the parlor.

”Yes,” replied Imogen, ”several times. And I get letters from him quite often. He writes _beau_tiful letters. I wish I had one with me, so that I could read you a little bit. You would enjoy it, I know. Let me see--perhaps I have.” And she put her hand into her pocket. Sure enough there _was_ a letter. Clover couldn't help suspecting that Imogen knew it all the time.

The Brigand seemed to write a bold, black hand, and his note-paper and envelope was just like anybody else's. But perhaps his band had surprised a pedlar with a box of stationery.

”Let me see,” said Imogen, running her eye down the page. ”'Adored Imogen'--that wouldn't interest you--hm, hm, hm--ah, here's something!

'I took dinner at the Rock House on Christmas. It was lonesome without you. I had roast turkey, roast goose, roast beef, mince pie, plum pudding, and nuts and raisins. A pretty good dinner, was it not? But nothing tastes first-rate when friends are away.'”

Katy and Clover stared, as well they might. Such language from a Brigand!