. Even though you could
not hear so very distinctly, at least the bells fastened at each end
tinkled most realistically when the line was pulled.

As they came out of the side door at the Fords' after inspecting
Ikey's end of the telephone, Louise catching sight of a ball which lay
on the grass made a spring for it. The others rushed after her, there
was a scramble that would have shocked Aunt Marcia beyond expression,
and Carl getting possession tossed it with all his might--he did not
stop to think where. Alas! it went over into the next yard and a crash
of broken glass told the tale. They looked at each other in
consternation, and Ikey ran and peeped through the fence.

"You have broken one of the Brown house windows," he reported.

"It wasn't all his fault, it was partly mine," said Louise, who always
stood by her friends in trouble.

"Oh, dear!" sighed Bess. "Just when we were going to be so good! What
will Aunt Zelie say?"

"I'll have to go and tell them I did it, and that I'll have the glass
put in," said Carl.

Louise at once volunteered to go with him, and Bess suggested, "Let's
all go."

Ikey did not like the plan exactly, but he would not have objected for
the world. Louise tossed back her long braids and put on her hat, and
the solemn little party started out.

"Whom shall I ask for?" Carl suddenly demanded, as they marched up
the newly reddened walk.

"Dear me! We don't know the name," gasped Bess, feeling inclined to
turn and run.

"Never mind, just ask for the lady of the house," said Louise, her
courage rising to the occasion. "It sounds beggarish, but you can't
help it."

Bess and Ikey retreated a little when the door was opened by a woman
who asked somewhat gruffly what they wanted.

Carl hesitated, so Louise in her politest manner inquired for the lady
of the house.

"What do you want with her?" said the woman, eying them sharply.

"We want to _see_ her," was the emphatic reply.

"Well, you can't, then," and the door would have been shut in their
faces if a voice from inside had not called "Mary!"

She disappeared for a moment, then returning asked them in.

Bess held Ikey's hand tightly as they followed the others along the
hall. To think of being inside the Brown house!

Before they had time to consider what they were to do or say, they
found themselves in a quaint room with dim old portraits on the wall;
but all the children saw was a lady with white hair and bright eyes,
s