What Two Children Did | Page 2

life he had lost his wig, and
thereby developed a capability for being a baby, a bishop, or a boy.
There was a fascinating hole on top of his head, thus making it possible
to secrete things like medicine or food until they were fished out with a
buttonhook or darning needle. He was fed on cake now, but was
generally given crusts, when there were any, because Beth did not like
them.
"Why did you ask that question?" asked their mother.
"We thought you looked as though we'd made you an awful lot of
trouble," said Ethelwyn, regarding the gorgeous ceiling of the car.
"Yes, you did, although I was not thinking of it just then; you ran
away--"

"Walked, mother," corrected Beth, "to the 'lectric car, with
grandmother's gold dollar, to go down to buy a trunk specially for our
dolls--"
"It was fun, mother," put in Ethelwyn, "only when we stood up and
fussed to see who'd push the button to get off, the man slowed up so
fast we both fell through a fat man's newspaper into his lap and upon
his toes. He was angry too, for he just said 'ugh,' when we asked him to
excuse us, please. The trunk man gave us back four big silver nickels
with the trunk; we put them inside, and you can have them, mother, to
help heal your feelings."
"Your mistake was in not asking--"
"We thought you'd better not be 'sturbed, 'cause ever since grandpa and
brother died, you've thought such a lot, and looked so worried--"
"But I was more worried about you when I found you weren't in the
house or grounds; I thought you might be lost, and I was about
telephoning to the police station about it, when you came, and there
was just time to catch the train."
Then Ethelwyn got down, and went over to squeeze in on the other side
of her mother. She knelt on the cushions and patted the dear face until
the little smile they loved, came out again, and drove the care lines
away.
"Children are such a worry, mother," she said in a funny, prim fashion,
"that I should think you'd be sorry you ever bought us."
"But we are going to be good from now on, so good you'll nearly die
laughing," said Beth, getting up to pat her side of the face.
Their mother laughed now in a bright fashion they loved, and squeezed
them up tightly.
"No, no, chickens," she said, "I'm never sorry I bought you; you were
bargains, both of you, but I've had much to think of, and plan for, in the

last few months, and perhaps I've neglected you somewhat."
"Can you tell us 'bout things, mother?" asked Ethelwyn. "P'raps we
could help some."
"Yes, I am going to, but not now, for the porter wishes to make up our
beds."
"There are stickers in my eyes," said Beth, yawning. "There's one more
question I'd like to know about though," she said as they moved across
the aisle. "If God can't make mistakes, why does He let it be so easy for
folks to?"
"That I don't just know," said her mother, "but it's a good sign when we
know they are mistakes."
It was only a short time after this that they were all asleep in their
curtained beds, and while it was still dark, and the children were too
sleepy to realize much about it, they reached their destination and were
driven to the seashore, cottage where they were to spend the summer.

CHAPTER II At the Shore
Underneath the washing waves The requiem of the sea, For those
whose hopes are buried there, Is tolling ceaselessly.
It was interesting to go to sleep in a Pullman car, and to wake up in a
dainty room hung with rosebud chintz draperies, and with an altogether
delightful air of coziness about it.
But there was something outside their room that, like a magnet, drew
them out of bed. They climbed on chairs, and gazed eagerly out of the
windows.
The house they were in, was on a hill. Pine trees grew near, and there
below them and very near, was the great silvery blue sea, with the
sunshine flashing on its tossing waves? The children gasped with

delight.
"It's another door to Paradise," said Ethelwyn.
"The gold place that shows where the sun sets is another one," said
Elizabeth. Then they heard their mother, who had come in quietly, and
in a moment was cuddling them up in her arms.
"We've lost a lot of time, I'm afraid," said Ethelwyn after they had
given her a bear hug and a kiss.
"That ocean is the prettiest thing, mother. P'raps that's the way to
Paradise where father and grandfather