gested that she go look for "fairy tablecloths" in the grass, but Susan more than half suspected that he wanted her

ng sky, and then disappear. She leaned over the porch railing and stared down into t

ups, all wet with dew. "They are awake and I am awake. I guess every

eye. On one of the porch posts a slip of paper had been fastened with a common

and, running through the house, she gave the paper to G

studied it backward and forward. "This is a strange t

r, printed in uneven letters that

little miss on the

ed, as Grandfather read it aloud. "I'll

ndfather, who was not nearly so pleased at the i

exchanged glances which seemed to say they di

er, she and Grandfather started at once down the

ff?" asked Susan. "I haven

I," answered

san called, but no Snuff appeared i

and it moved slightly from side to side. As they drew nearer

he called out. "It

tly about her and pinned in place that she could move neither hands nor feet, and coul

the blanket, and Gentilla tried to tel

e away,-

and, and that was the best that she could do to e

his mouth as if to whistle as he stared at the little schoolhouse. For from every window the panes

house, Susan," said he. "I'

san. "But, Grandfather

nt," called back Mr. Whiting,

house, Grandfather sank into a chair, put the t

The children are over at Mrs. Vane's, and they came up here with such a story that I don't know

ded in agreemen

ne from the schoolhouse, and what is more, the gypsies themselves have gone from

at child?" demanded Grandmother. "What kind of peo

e treated her. I suppose they argued that, if we were so fond of her, we would be glad of the chance to take care of her.

to them after the way they have treat

ll, we will keep the little girl for a time. We needn't be in any great hu

once. She and Phil and Gentilla sp

ross the hall, Susan was so excited she couldn't sleep. She twisted and

ng all day. Snuff ate his good supper as if he were starving. He was covered with mud, a

le bed of straw in the barn. Then upstairs they went together, and Grandfathe

day, Grandfather?" began Susan.

ly, "Did I ever tell you about a d

t him. His name was Nick and he was black all over with not a white spot anywhe

," answered Gra

ass out of

ass out of

l he do w

think," said

belong to him?"

belonged t

her hand from Grandfather's so that she

way," admitte

wouldn'

at the gypsies don't go to school or to church, and so they don't kno

I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I'm going to teach Gentilla Bibl

ong. Now you must go to sleep, or Gr

now, Grandfather, I think they took Snuffy, to

g the same thought, but he tiptoed out of the room with

ed that she couldn't answer the simplest question. She forced her to listen to Bible stories which she didn't know very well herself, so poky and long-drawn-o

ittle self, that Grandmother, though she didn't say a word, couldn't help thinking

was too unnatural. Of

d Susan to go to the store fo

said she. "Gentilla will wait with me until you co

usan, primly, hoping they

back in a short time with

with white thread. I will keep these spools, but you will have to go back for bl

lone with Grandmother, sat on the s

t pleasant when one is trying to be an example to be

dmother," she answered blunt

strain of being an example was beginning to te

e asked, after a pause. "Go on your

scream, or throw something at somebody, but she didn't da

into the house. Gentilla, still cuddling Flip, looked

"You may have Snowball, but Flip is mine." And she ro

ick. So when Grandmother, at sounds of the scuffle, looked out of the window, she saw the model teach

ng!" called

sent Gentilla backward upon the floor, Susan wrenched

randmother. "Now, go upstairs to

moments later. Without a word, Mrs. Whiting washed the

lf lay down on the couch, and the afternoon quiet was u

her bedside, she stretched out her arms and laid

l moments in Grandmother's ear. "I meant to be good. I was trying so hard." And S

train Gentilla any more. It is all most of us can do to take care of ourselv

Whiting, she thought, as she remembered slap

ened when Gran

a, Grandfather and all. And you are going to wear your new dress with the li