The Story of the Big Front Door | Page 8

seized with an inspiration; "clothes-props!"
"What about them?" asked Ikey doubtfully.
"It isn't Monday, and any way we can get ours.--Mandy will let us have
them," Bess said reassuringly, and then she unfolded her plan.
"Isn't she clever?" exclaimed Louise admiringly.
"We'll try it, it may work," said Carl, with masculine condescension.
"What in the world can those children be doing?" somebody wondered
as she looked through the half-closed blinds of one of the Brown house
windows a few minutes later.
Mounted on a chair near the Fords' front fence stood Bess holding aloft
a clothes-prop, and looking like a small copy of "Liberty Enlightening
the World." Through a groove in the top of the pole ran the line, one
end of which was safely fastened in Ikey's window. Louise had the rest
of it in charge and slowly dealt it out as she crossed the street in front
of Carl, who by means of another pole kept it elevated beyond all harm.
Once over the street it was easily attached to a cord hanging from the
star chamber, then slowly and cautiously Ikey pulled it up. Several
times it caught in the trees, but a careful jerk sent it free, and at last it

was safe.
"Three cheers for Bess! It was her plan," called Ikey from above.
"It really worked very well," Carl acknowledged.
"I knew all the time it would," added Louise, as they went inside to
finish their work.
The watcher in the Brown house window returned reluctantly to the
book she had been reading, as though she found the bit of real life more
entertaining.
When all was done it was pronounced a success. 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 Zélie 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,
seated in an invalid's chair by the window. As Louise advanced timidly,
followed by the others, this lady held out her hand, saying:
"You wish to speak to me, Mary says; I am very glad to see you."

They all felt reassured by her pleasant tone, and Louise found her
voice.
"We came to tell you that, while we were playing, Carl threw his ball
and broke your window. It was partly my fault too,