Part 10 (1/2)
The sadness of this state of affairs touched the happy, well-cared for twins faintly.
”I guess you'll find another circus to go with,” comforted Christopher cheerfully, after a little pause.
”Oh, I don't want to go to another circus! I hate 'em!”
”Then why do you cry because you are leaving this one?” demanded matter-of-fact Christopher.
”Because I haven't any home. Oh, Jane, do you suppose your grandmother knows of any one who wants a maid? I'd be willing to do anything to help and have a home.” And the tears rushed to her eyes again.
”Do you mean to say you'd give up a circus to do housework!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Christopher in great astonishment.
”Oh, I should be so happy to! And maybe I should get time to study some.”
Christopher stared. Here was a curiosity indeed; a girl who liked housework and study better than traveling around with a circus!
”Mrs. Hartwell-Jones is staying at our house while her ankle gets well,”
put in Jane. ”She will be awfully good to Punch and Judy.”
”Is she the lady that wants to buy them?” asked Letty.
”Yes,” answered Jane, ”and she was on the train when we were coming to Sunnycrest, and saw you. And oh, Letty, she writes books, lots and lots of them.”
”But she's awfully nice,” added Christopher rea.s.suringly. ”Not a bit prosy or stuck up.”
Two red spots came into Letty's cheeks.
”To think that you know somebody who writes books! Oh, how I wish I could see her!” she exclaimed impulsively.
Jane stared thoughtfully for a moment at the ponies and then said quickly:
”Oh, Kit, let's ask grandfather if Letty mayn't drive the ponies out to Sunnycrest herself. Then she can see Mrs. Hartwell-Jones.”
”And we can show her the farm, too. That would be jolly,” agreed Christopher. ”I speak to ride with Letty in the chariot.”
Letty burst out laughing. She was feeling very much excited over the children's plan.
”I shouldn't have to drive the chariot,” she said. ”Mr. Drake still has the little carriage I used to use at Willow Grove. Do you remember?”
”And I'll ask grandmother about getting you a place,” said Jane confidentially to Letty, with a little air of importance. ”Perhaps Huldah would like somebody to help her in the kitchen. It would be nice if you could stay with us, wouldn't it?”
”Oh, that would be too good to be true!” cried Letty, bursting into tears again at the very thought of such happiness.
”Oh, shucks!” exclaimed Christopher, turning his back.
Crying always embarra.s.sed him.
CHAPTER VII
MRS. HARTWELL-JONES SEES PART OF THE CIRCUS