Miss Billy | Page 9

won't come yet, till Harding hears from me."
It was just here, however, that William Henshaw met with a surprise,
for within twenty-four hours came Billy's answer, and by telegraph.
"I'm coming to-morrow. Train due at five P. M.

"BILLY."
William Henshaw did not know that in Hampden Falls Billy's trunk had
been packed for days. Billy was desperate. The house, even with the
maid, and with the obliging neighbor and his wife who stayed there
nights, was to Billy nothing but a dismal tomb. Lawyer Harding had
fallen suddenly ill; she could not even tell him that the blessed telegram
"Come" had arrived. Hence Billy, lonely, impulsive, and always used
to pleasing herself, had taken matters in hand with a confident grasp,
and had determined to wait no longer.
That it was a fearsomely unknown future to which she was so jauntily
pledging herself did not trouble the girl in the least. Billy was romantic.
To sally gaily forth with a pink in the buttonhole of her coat to find her
father's friend who was a "Billy" too, seemed to Billy Neilson not only
delightful, but eminently sensible, and an excellent way out of her
present homesick loneliness. So she bought the pink and her ticket, and
impatiently awaited the time to start.
To the Beacon Street house, Billy's cheerful telegram brought the direst
consternation. Even Kate was hastily summoned to the family conclave
that immediately resulted.
"There's nothing--simply nothing that I can do," she declared irritably,
when she had heard the story. "Surely, you don't expect ME to take the
boy!"
"No, no, of course not," sighed William. "But you see, I supposed I'd
have time to--to get used to things, and to make arrangements; and this
is so--so sudden! I hadn't even answered Harding's letter until to-day;
and he hasn't got that--much less replied to it."
"But what could you expect after sending that idiotic telegram?"
demanded the lady. "'Come,' indeed!"
"But that's what Billy told me to do."
"What if it was? Just because a foolish eighteen-year-old boy tells you

to do something, must you, a supposedly sensible forty- year-old man
obey?"
"I think it tickled Will's romantic streak," laughed Bertram. "It seemed
so sort of alluring to send that one word 'Come' out into space, and
watch what happened."
"Well, he's found out, certainly," observed Cyril, with grim satisfaction.
"Oh, no; it hasn't happened yet," corrected Bertram, cheerfully. "It's
just going to happen. William's got to put on the pink first, you know.
That's the talisman."
William reddened.
"Bertram, don't be foolish. I sha'n't wear any pink. You must know
that."
"How'll you find him, then?"
"Why, he'll have one on; that's enough," settled William.
"Hm-m; maybe. Then he'll have Spunk, too," murmured Bertram,
mischievously.
"Spunk!" cried Kate.
"Yes. He wrote that he hoped we wouldn't mind his bringing Spunk
with him."
"Who's Spunk?
"We don't know." Bertram's lips twitched.
"You don't know! What do you mean?"
"Well, Will thinks it's a dog, and I believe Cyril is anticipating a
monkey. I myself am backing it for a parrot."

"Boys, what have you done!" groaned Kate, falling back in her chair.
"What have you done!"
To William her words were like an electric shock stirring him to instant
action. He sprang abruptly to his feet.
"Well, whatever we've done, we've done it," he declared sternly; "and
now we must do the rest--and do it well, too. He's the son of my
boyhood's dearest friend, and he shall be made welcome. Now to
business! Bertram, you said you'd take him in. Did you mean it?"
Bertram sobered instantly, and came erect in his chair. William did not
often speak like this; but when he did--
"Yes, Will. He shall have the little bedroom at the end of the hall. I
never used the room much, anyhow, and what few duds I have there
shall be cleared out to-morrow."
"Good! Now there are some other little details to arrange, then I'll go
down-stairs and tell Pete and Dong Ling. And, please to understand,
we're going to make this lad welcome--welcome, I say!"
"Yes, sir," said Bertram. Neither Kate nor Cyril spoke.

CHAPTER V
GETTING READY FOR BILLY
The Henshaw household was early astir on the day of Billy's expected
arrival, and preparations for the guest's comfort were well under way
before breakfast. The center of activity was in the little room at the end
of the hall on the second floor; though, as Bertram said, the whole
Strata felt the "upheaval."
By breakfast time Bertram with the avowed intention of giving "the
little chap half a show," had the room cleared for action; and after that
the whole house was called upon for contributions toward the room's

adornment. And most generously did most of the house respond. Even
Dong Ling