CHAPTER XVI A NEW FRIEND
"So you're going to try to live in the old Godet house this winter--"
"Oh, _are_ we?" cried Priscilla, throwing herself on Desire.
"Oh! Oh!" shrieked Rene joyfully, not very clear as to what the rejoicingwas about, but determined to have his full share in it anyway.
"Have I let the cat out of the bag?" inquired the judge, startled at theeffect of his question.
"We had not yet told the children," replied Jack; "but it's quite allright, for they would have known soon, anyway."
"Sorry--sorry. You two youngsters just forget what I said."
The man talked in a rapid, jerky fashion which reminded Desire of the waya robin runs along, a few steps very fast, stops up short, and thenrepeats the process.
"Now, I was going to say, where do you expect to house your team thiswinter?"
Jack and Desire looked at each other in dismay.
"I never thought of that," said the boy slowly.
"Well, _I_ did. Got an empty barn at my place--no good to me--Ford islost in it--plenty of room for your horses and wagon--"
"If you'll let--"
"Now I know just what you're--going to say--and I _won't_. But ifyou'd--feel better about it--let this good sister of yours--make me somebiscuits once in a while. Don't get this kind very often."
"I'd just love to," replied Desire warmly, while Jack tried to expresshis thanks, to which the old man refused to listen.
"Where are you going from here?" continued the judge.
"Right on to Halifax, then back again," replied Jack.
"Now I was thinking--while we were eating--know how to make things out ofbirch bark--and out of pine cones?" turning to Desire. "No? Then I'llshow you."
Scrambling lightly to his feet, and followed by the young Wistmores, hedarted across the road to a large birch tree; and drawing a knife fromhis pocket, showed them how to obtain strips of bark without injuring thetree. Returning to the camp, he ordered the two children to gather up alot of cones. The rest of the afternoon was spent in learning to makeboxes, baskets, and picture frames.
"There're lots of tourists in Halifax--always looking for souvenirs--atrailroad station, cab stands, and such. Wharf, too, is a good place tooffer this stuff. No reason why you two girls shouldn't dothat--perfectly safe."
"Now I'm going home," he announced suddenly at about five o'clock. "Had agood time. See you often this winter. I'll keep an eye on that boy who isgoing to fix up your cabin--ready when you come back this way--if youdon't come too soon."
"Isn't he _funny_?" commented Priscilla, as the Ford drove out of sight.
"But charming," added Desire.
"Oh, yes, I like him a lot."
"Me, too, like him," echoed Rene.
"Tomorrow," said Desire, "I want to gather lots of bark and cones, andwhile we're on the road I can make up baskets and boxes. Then when we getnear enough to Halifax, we'll pick huckleberries to fill some of them,and wild flowers for the rest--"
"And we'll sell 'em and make heaps of money," finished the practicalPriscilla.
"We'll get bunches of cat tails, too," continued Desire.
"And later in the season, pretty berries," said Priscilla.
"And wintergreen--"
"And nuts--"
"And soon you won't need my poor efforts at all," concluded Jack, with ahalf smile.
"Oh, don't, please, Jack, even in fun," begged Desire.
"We'd need you even if you never earned a cent!" cried Priscilla,throwing her arms around Jack's neck.
Rene, attempting to imitate her, due to the wagon's passing over a rut,succeeded only in falling violently on his brother's shoulder. Thecombined assault nearly forced Jack forward out of the seat.
"I'll take your word for it, hereafter," he gasped, when order was oncemore restored. "Don't illustrate again, I beg of you!"
A week later the Wistmore family drove into Halifax.
"I shall have to spend most of the day buying supplies," said Jack, asthey passed the citadel. "I'll put the wagon up somewhere, and you andthe children can look about while I'm busy."
"But--" protested Desire, "the boxes of berries, and flowers--"
She had carried out the plan formulated at Wolfville, and had a number ofreally artistic boxes of choice fruit, partly covered with tiny ferns,and several odd baskets in which dainty wild flowers were set in moss.
"I hate to have you hanging around offering things for sale," objectedJack.
"But we can't afford to be proud that way, dear. It is a perfectlyrespectable thing to do, and I do so want to be a help--"
"As if you weren't always," ejaculated the boy.
"I should think the station might be the best place to start; so drive usover there like a good boy," urged Desire.
So Jack kept Rene with him, and, with many misgivings, left the girlsstanding near the steps which lead down from the station to the cabplatform. The taxi drivers were too busy trying to outdo one another insecuring fares to pay much attention to the girls; for a train had justcome in. The first few travelers who hurried through the station tosecure a taxi did not even see the little saleswomen. When another groupappeared, Desire stepped forward just as they were getting into a cab.
"Wouldn't you like--" she began timidly.
A haughty-looking elderly woman, who seemed to be the leader of theparty, brushed her aside with a curt "No!"
Scarlet with embarrassment, Desire shrank back.
"Don't mind her, Dissy," said Priscilla, hugging her sister's arm. "She'sugly mean."
"Hush!" was the only word Desire could utter just then. It took all thecourage she was able to muster to approach the next travelers, a fat manand two women.
"Would you care to buy a souvenir?" asked Desire, her heart beating veryfast.
"Bless my soul, no!" replied the man, not unkindly but very definitely."Too much luggage now."
Only the thoughts of helping Jack urged the girl to persevere. Trembling,dripping with perspiration, she stopped a couple of women who shook theirheads before she could get a word out. Seeing the look of disappointmenton her face, the younger of the two held out a coin, saying--"I don'twant your wares, but take this."
Stung to the quick, but realizing that no injury was intended, Desirerefused and walked away, ready to cry.
"I'd have taken it if I'd been you," commented Priscilla.
"Of course you wouldn't, Prissy. We do not _beg_. But I guess nobodywants our souvenirs--and I thought them so pretty. We'd better try tofind the Public Gardens, where Jack told us to meet him."
"I think the station is a bad place, anyway," said Priscilla. "The peopleare in too much of a hurry, and they did all have a lot of baggage. Maybewe can find somewhere else."
By asking directions a number of times, they arrived at the PublicGardens--the big iron gates opening into acres of gay flower beds, rareand valuable trees, winding streams, artistic bridges. They were about toenter, when a man who, at a safe distance, had been watching them in thestation, and who had followed them to the Gardens, now hurried forward.
Finding the Lost Treasure Page 16
