Peggy-Alone

, Pri

the dog, great black fellow that he was, obeyed at once, and his flight in pursuit of those d

, don't be frighte

he second down, while the third and largest, who had kept in the rear between the smaller ones and their pursuer, w

e; a wreath of green ivy-vines crowded her glossy curls which fell to her waist and framed her thin face

oached the girl who w

go. They needn't be a

girl, whereupon the fugitives came back and seat

th evident good-will, from the little maids on the wall to their friend who

names?" inquir

wall and, though she sat only half-facing them, seemed to see everything that went on. "And this is my sister Nettie," she continue

s is always used in make-believe introductions, and the newcomer bowed gra

you

aura-La

ho felt that there was somet

en, turning to Laura, she added with a somewhat ruef

call you such

mother and father went away and left me here w

u would!" cried La

did so, side by side, on the grass, wh

; a substantial house whose gray stone walls and square tower were partly hid with vines. It was the most pretentious habitation in the town an

hat to do with myself; and when I saw you all here among the trees I just hurried down, I was so gla

ing; we were jus

ooked h

d take all we want," explained Laura hurried

en't st

r thoug

d as if she did,

se-well-to think you woul

sement from the two critics and Alene with r

re dangerous,

e we are used to eating them and they are not injurious if yo

and the apples with a

try

ingerly into the rounded gree

ing to repress a grimace but unab

tcellar and shook some of its contents lightly ov

indness graciously that she envied the ease with which Ivy and Nettie disposed of the a

ontent to watch Alene's performance and

, hissing tone intended for a whispe

tockings an

o whisper before comp'

fidential aside to Laura, regardless of the fact tha

as Laura's inward comment. "I guess she

lace-trimmed things, e

nderly fingering one of the flounces which bi

'called down' by your governess every mi

ess?" inquired Lau

. Uncle hasn't told mother 'cause he don't want to spoil their trip and he thinks it won't hurt me to learn to take care of myself. It's the fi

ath!'" said Laura in a tragic t

someone who understands! But in spit

one with sudden

nely baby," she said to

u could join the

o-Luckys? Wh

of club-

a doubtful tone that Laura t

ub to hit with, but just us-a crowd of gir

really let me join,

ible the candidate's age must be at least twelve!" Laura f

ve till July the sev

not so f

of me till then? I'l

nd you seem so much older, that we'll have a special el

e a sigh

won't have to stretch them very

like Andy Daly's pig!" Agai

don't mi

does she

and they objected to its size-'If it's little, it's old' said Andy Da

nd called over

ld enough to be a Hap