Part 9 (2/2)
”Can you do that?” he inquired unbelievingly.
”Certainly. Das.h.i.+ng horses that will stand up,” she boasted, and in another moment a perfectly correct horse was laid before the delighted boys.
A few more rapid snips and a short-skirted lady was handed to Betty.
”Now, make a clown, a lion, a tiger, an elephant,” came in quick, short orders which were readily filled.
”My dear young lady,” exclaimed Kingdon. ”You are really talented. It is so seldom an artist can do anything but draw.”
”I can't draw. I am just a cutter,” she corrected. ”I can't do anything with a pencil.”
They were all so absorbed in the paper products that Kurt's entrance pa.s.sed unnoted.
”Betty,” he said imploringly, after waiting a moment without recognition, ”you can't guess what's in my pocket?”
Pen looked up unbelievingly. The caressing, winning note had utterly disguised his voice. As he handed the delighted Betty a satisfactorily shaped parcel, his glance rested upon his prisoner, bringing a quick gleam of surprise to his eyes.
”I am taking out my first papers, you see,” she announced, pointing to the miniature menagerie.
”Where did you learn to do that?” he asked.
”A man showed me,” she said noncommittally.
”What else can you cut?” demanded Francis.
”I can cut an airs.h.i.+p.”
”Cut me one.”
”To-morrow,” said Mrs. Kingdon. ”The time limit is up.”
”Did you ever go up in an airs.h.i.+p?” asked Billy eagerly.
”No; but I know a man who flies,” she boasted.
”Come upstairs and tell us about him,” demanded Billy.
As his mother cordially seconded the invitation, Pen accompanied them to the nursery. When the last ”good nights” had been said to the children, Mrs. Kingdon led the way to her room.
”The moon shouldn't seem so far away,” declared Pen, looking out of the broad window. ”We are up so high.”
”I haven't yet ceased to wonder at these hills,” rejoined Mrs. Kingdon.
”We bought this ranch merely for a vacation place, but three-fourths of our time is spent up here, as we have become so attached to it. Mr.
Kingdon is an artist, so he never tires of watching the hills and the sky.
Sometimes we feel selfish with so much happiness--when there isn't enough to go around.”
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