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She hastened to explain. "I mean," she said, "when moth-er was carrying that society bee in her bonnet." Confusion showed in the Doctor's quick glance from parent to parent. Then, "I think I'll just drop down into the pantry," he said hastily, "and see how that young nurse from over yonder is getting along." He jerked a thumb in the direction of the side window as he went out.
"And long-legged bugs that can walk on the water, and " "Oh, I want to stay here always!" She had forgotten that there were others about. But now a voice her father's broke in upon her happy chatter: "Without your mother?" She had been sitting down. She rose, and brushed her hands on the skirt of her dress. "I'll find my moth-er," she said.
He thrust the poke between her face and it, carefully keeping the lace and the bows in front of her very eyes. "Madam!" he shouted. "Trade!" "Moth-er!" Her mother heard. Her look fell upon the poke. She slowed to a walk. "Trade!" shouted the Piper again, dangling the poke temptingly. She stopped short, gazing hard at the poke. "Trade?" she repeated coldly. Well, that depends upon what They say."
Then there poured forth all that had filled her heart during the past months: "I'd like to eat at the grown-up table with my fath-er and my moth-er," she declared; "and I don't want to have a nurse any more like a baby! and I want to go to day-school." Jane gasped, and her big hands fell from the round box. Thomas stared, and reddened even to his ears, which were large and over-prominent.
Wouldn't do any good, though. You wouldn't understand." The Policeman swung his head back and forth, nodding. "That's the worst," said he, "of being a Poor " Here he fell suddenly silent, and spatted the dust with his palms in an embarrassed way. She understood. "A Poor Little Rich Girl," she said, "who doesn't see her fath-er and moth-er."
She was sick with apprehension. "I guess I won't find my father and moth-er now," she whispered miserably. Then, all at once, she could see more than a face! Silhouetted against the lighted sky was a figure broad shouldered and belted, with swinging cudgel, and visored cap. It was like those dreaded figures that patroled the Drive yet how different!
Her eyes were eager. Her lips wore a proud smile. It was then that Gwendolyn recognized her. And leaned forward, holding out her arms. "Moth-er!" she plead. "Mother!" Her mother did not hear. Or, if she heard, did not so much as lift her eyes from the bonnet. She tripped, regained her balance, and rushed past, hair wind-tossed, dress fluttering.
"Now what more could a little lady want!" exclaimed Thomas. "It's as wonderful, I say, as a wax figger." The rabbit, with a sharp click of farewell, popped back into the cabbage. Gwendolyn got down from the chair. "It is nice," she conceded. "And I'm going to ask fath-er and moth-er to come up and see it." Neither Thomas nor Jane answered.
"Of course the tables are turned," said Gwendolyn; "but what diff'rence'll that make?" "Difference?" he repeated, tearing back; "it means that from now on everything's going to be exactly opposite to what it has been." "Oo! Goody!" Then lifting a puzzled face. "But why didn't you turn the tables at first? And why didn't we stay here? My moth-er was here all the time. And "
Now, the elder of the strangers drew closer. "I wonder," she began, addressing her hostess with almost a coy air, "if we could induce you to take lunch with us down-town. Wouldn't that be jolly, Louise?" turning. "Awfully jolly!" "Do come!" "Oh, do!" "Moth-er!" Gwendolyn's mother looked down. A sudden color was mounting to her cheeks. Her eyes shone. "We-e-ell," she said, with rising inflection.
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