Part 18 (1/2)

Alice guessed Katy had been up to mischief purposely.

”Nonsense, Katy's just talking about the little flower fairies. Get your Grimm and I'll show you all sorts. Of course, fairies are not all alike any more than little girls. I'm sure you and Gertie will make darling fairies, so don't you worry.”

But Alice decided to give Katy a lesson, that young lady boasting a year and a half's advantage over Chicken Little and Gertie was rather too fond of lording it over them. She bided her time and did not have long to wait. Katy came over a few days later proud as a peac.o.c.k over a minute pair of kid gloves, the first she had owned. Jane and Gertie followed, admiring and not a little envious.

”See, Alice,” Katy struck an att.i.tude with both hands spread out ostentatiously.

Alice saw and hardened her heart.

”What's the matter with your hands, Katy?”

Katy's face lost its satisfied smirk, but she held her hands for a closer inspection.

”Kid gloves, aren't they scrumptious? Don't you wish you had some, girls? I'd a lot rather have kid gloves than be in your old cantata.”

Chicken Little started to protest, but Alice antic.i.p.ated her.

”They make your hands look awfully big, Katy!”

Katy's face fell. She had lovely tiny hands and was proud of them. She looked anxiously at the gloves then took one off and put the bare hand beside the gloved one, surveying them critically.

”I don't think so,” she said pluckily after a moment gulping down her disappointment.

Alice couldn't bear that hurt look in the child's face even in a good cause and speedily relented.

”Neither do I, Katy, those gloves are fine! I was only teasing. But, Katy, that's the way you talked to Jane and Gertie about being fairies.

'Twasn't real kind was it, Katy? You know how it feels yourself now.”

Katy didn't say anything but she understood and she remembered. She was a shrewd child and a generous one when her sympathies were aroused.

One morning, a few days later, Alice was dusting the sitting room and talking with Mrs. Morton who was seated by the window sewing. Suddenly Mrs. Morton, glancing up, saw a man entering the front gate.

”Why, I do believe it's Mr. Ga.s.sett.”

Alice came to the window to verify the fact.

There was no room for doubt. It was Mr. Ga.s.sett ponderously climbing the steps of the terrace.

”Dear me,” said Mrs. Morton, ”I suppose he has come about those papers.

I do wish Dr. Morton were here. I never could understand business matters. Go to the door, Alice; he is ringing.”

Alice felt a little shaky as she opened the door to confront the family enemy. She was a trifle rea.s.sured to discover that Mr. Ga.s.sett also looked embarra.s.sed.

”Ah, Alice, how fortunate--you are the very person I wished to see.”

”Will you step into the sitting room, Mr. Ga.s.sett?”

”Ah--umm, it is hardly worth while. I can explain my errand here.”

Mr. Ga.s.sett was not eager to encounter any member of the Morton family.