Part 22 (2/2)

CHICKEN LITTLE JANE'S GIFT

”Well, Alice,” said Dr. Morton, coming in one noon stamping and shaking the snow off his broad shoulders. ”I have discovered why you haven't heard from Ga.s.sett again. He is down with typhoid fever--looks like a bad case. He won't be in a condition to start lawsuits for some weeks, so you may set your mind at rest for the present.”

The Christmas holidays had gone by all too quickly for the Morton family. The children were already grumbling about starting back to school. Dr. Morton had a number of very sick patients on his hands and looked worried in consequence. Mrs. Morton was helping Alice with her simple wardrobe, and Alice was helping Mrs. Morton break in a new maid.

It was really a great comfort to Mrs. Morton to feel that Alice could now be received as an equal. She had grown fond of her unconsciously, but according to her rigid ideas, friends.h.i.+p with a servant was impossible. ”I have always felt,” she told her friends, ”that Alice was too refined for her situation. Blood will tell, you know.”

Chicken Little and Ernest mourned Alice's departure loudly. Ernest turned up his nose promptly at the new girl--a willing soul with scant intelligence.

”Have we got to have that thing round, Mother?” he demanded in deep disgust. He had just deluged his hot cakes with cream which Olga had put in the syrup jug by mistake.

”I'm afraid so, my son, until we can find someone better. Girls are hard to get in this town. Alice has certainly spoiled us.”

”What did you let her go for?” Ernest grumbled as if keeping her with them were optional.

”Why, Ernest, I thought you were pleased with Alice's good fortune.”

”Well, that's not saying I want her to go off and never see her again.”

”Oh, you'll see me again, Ernest,” said Alice, coming into the room just then and divining the boy's mood.

”I am coming back to Centerville as soon as I finish school. It seems so hard to leave you all. You've been so good to me----”

Alice broke down and turned hurriedly away to hide her tears.

Chicken Little jumped up and threw her arms around Alice's waist, laying her face against her hands lovingly.

Alice hugged the child tight.

”I am going to miss you so, dear. There won't be any little girl to cuddle at Uncle Joseph's.”

Jane followed Alice into her room after breakfast to help pack the s.h.i.+ny new trunk. This was Alice's last day.

”My, isn't it grand! It's got a place for hats and your parasol--and what are these little places for, Alice?” Chicken Little was eagerly investigating.

”Oh, handkerchiefs and ties and gloves. I'm a lucky girl to have all these nice things. Just think--three new dresses! Blue and brown cashmeres for school and a green silk poplin for Sunday best--aren't these little bows down the front cunning?”

Alice surveyed her treasures with a sigh of satisfaction.

”If they'll only like me a little at Uncle Joseph's. I wish I could take you along, Chicken Little Jane, I wouldn't be lonely if I had you.”

”Will you be dreadfully lonely, Alice?” Chicken Little was getting concerned.

”I am afraid I will, Chicken Little.”

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