f brunettes, but a blonde, with eyes as
open and guileless as the blue of the June day. She had solved the
problem of the classification which as naturally marks the feminine
progress as long trousers indicates the man, by bobbing her hair; and,
though the subterfuge seemed to afford much amusement to certain of her
sex, it immediately separated her from the pigtails.

There was something about her that appealed instantly to Skippy and
inspired confidence, something cool and dainty and at ease. She did not
express either surprise or excessive delight at their entrance. There
was something simple and frank about everything she did. He appreciated
it and fell to wishing that Tootsie would be more like her, less
coquettish and more of a good comrade.

"Well, what do you know?" said Dolly, looking at the Gutter Pup.

"Nothing."

"I hope your mother and father are well," said Skippy, true to the
formula.

"Gracious! Are you trying to make conversation?" said Dolly, beginning
to laugh, "Don't sit on the edge of your chairs, boys, like monkeys on a
stick; sit back and be comfortable."

Happy Mather and Tacks appeared with gloomy ceremony.

"Is this the first time you ever paid a call?" said the young lady when
Happy had opened the question of the family health. "What is the matter
with you boys? You look too ridiculous for words; sit back, stick your
hands in your pockets, and look natural."

Again the bell rang and the sounds of the third relay were heard in the
hall. Miss Dolly glanced quickly at the four solemnities and then
suspiciously out of the window where relays four and five were lurking
under the trees, suppressed a smile, and came to a sudden decision.

"My mother and father are in perfect health, my sister is in perfect
health, how are yours?" she said, as Puffy Ellis started to clear his
throat. "No, no, don't sit down. You're much too imposing. Mr. Crocker,
you take one side of the fireplace and Mr. Ellis the other, and please
don't look so gawky. You aren't really afraid of one little girl, are
you? And by the way, Charlie Lazelle, go out on the porch and call in
the others."

"Others?" said the Gutter Pup, trying to save the day by his
cat-and-cream expression.

"The others who are hiding under the willow," said Dolly lightly. "Hurry
up, because it's six o'clock and Daddy will be back any moment. He's
such a bear about the boys I go with. It's a marvelous chance for him to
look you over. Joe Croc