The Story of the Big Front Door

OF THE BR

ed, like a small tornado, across the po

r a second after they had vanished behind Mrs

good times with the boys and she had nothing in the world to do this afternoon. To be sure they had been very gracious all mor

had replied provokingly, "What do you suppose?" and now they had run away with Ikey somewhere. The house was very quiet; Carie was taking her nap, Aunt Zélie dressing to go out. Helen sat down on

r flight. When she stepped from her carriage her lips were firmly closed in a manner which indicated that they would be ope

ing-what is the ma

whose politeness rarely failed her, rising and putting away her

aps you would like to take a drive wit

uise did. Helen on her part looked up to Aunt Marcia with deep admiration, and meant to be just like her when she was grown. So s

exclamation, for she knew the signs of disapproval, and felt like runn

n the bottom step,

and I shall not detain you for more than a mi

dicial attitude on one of

d, "But I should like to inquire if you kn

glove and reflecting that it would take more than her sister's po

h the streets, Louise without her hat. It may do for

y in the street. You must have seen them when they were o

Bess and Louise to race with the boys in that fashion? You seem

the same families if they are not meant to play together? And if they are to be strong and he

na. However, I see it is of no use to talk to you. I should never mention the subject at all if I did not feel a deep interest in the children."

the grass in the Fords' back yard, Ikey hospi

that it is rather mean to run away from Helen, but we

e you do for her the more

go everywhere we go,"

s and pieces of old kid gloves. The main difficulty lay in getting their line across the street, for it was to communicate between Ikey's room and th

who happened to be passing had his hat suddenly removed. This accident convulsed everybody but Bess, who in great embarrassment tried to explain that it was not intended for a

he said as he lay on his b

seized with an inspira

hem?" asked I

s.-Mandy will let us have them," Bess said r

r?" exclaimed Lo

ork," said Carl, with m

dy wondered as she looked through the half-closed blind

which was safely fastened in Ikey's window. Louise had the rest of it in charge and slowly dealt it out as she crossed the street in front of Carl, who by means of another pole kept it elevated beyond all harm. Once ov

s! It was her plan,"

d very well," Ca

," added Louise, as they went

uctantly to the book she had been reading, as thou

could not hear so very distinctly, at least the bells fastened

hers rushed after her, there was a scramble that would have shocked Aunt Marcia beyond expression, and Carl getting possession tossed it with all his might-he did not stop to th

of the Brown house

artly mine," said Louise, who alwa

when we were going to be so g

m I did it, and that I'll hav

to go with him, and Bess

bjected for the world. Louise tossed back her long braids a

uddenly demanded, as they marc

name," gasped Bess, feelin

" said Louise, her courage rising to the occasio

the door was opened by a woman who a

her politest manner inquire

h her?" said the woma

her," was the

ould have been shut in their faces if a

a moment, then ret

followed the others along the hall. To

d portraits on the wall; but all the children saw was a lady with white hair and bright eyes, seated in an inval

me, Mary says; I am

by her pleasant tone, an

hrew his ball and broke your window. It was partly my fa

t, and I will have a new

ot feel badly. I shall be glad of it if it helps me to make the acq

lves, for she was always ready to make friend

my brother Carl and my sister Bess

not minding about the window," B

nd talk to me for a w

r. "We have always called this t

pened to be named Green or Black, isn't it?" said their new friend,

told them that she had named it

, and Louise asked, "How d

't move about easily, so when I grow tired o

hattering away as if they had known Miss Brown all their lives. When she asked about the tel

tell you that we have been playing in your garden. We didn't mean to do a

uld come often and play in my ga

," said Louise; adding quickly, "and we

nd you must excuse poor Mary; she i

ing the day's adventures, "Miss Brown is tiptop, she wa

ite, and she is not nearly

idn't say she look

ow us some time-things she had when she was a little girl.

d like me to go to see

; we will take you sometime

a charming little card-case, and had ordered some engraved cards to go in it. Her sisters a

hose are nice children; and just think