our place in the Adirondacks--there are deer preserves there and
pheasants and peacocks."

"Who do they belong to?"

"My father."

Rosie considered this. "Does he keep a bird-place?" she asked in a
puzzled tone.

"No." Maida's tone was a little puzzled too. She did not know what a
bird-place was.

"Well, did he sell them?"

"I don't think he ever sold any. He gave a great many away, though."

When Rosie went home, Maida walked as far as her gate with her.

"Want to know a secret, Maida?" Rosie asked suddenly, her eyes
dancing with mischief.

"Oh, yes. I love secrets."

"Cross your throat then."

Maida did not know how to cross her throat but Rosie taught her.

"Well, then," Rosie whispered, "my mother doesn't know that I went
to your house. She sent me to bed for being naughty. And I got up
and dressed and climbed out my window on to the shed without anybody
knowing it. She'll never know the difference."

"Oh, Rosie," Maida said in a horrified tone, "Please never do it
again." In spite of herself, Maida's eyes twinkled.

But Rosie only laughed. Maida watched her steal into her yard,
watched her climb over the shed, watched her disappear through the
window.

But she grieved over the matter as she walked home. Perhaps it was
because she was thinking so deeply that she did not notice how quiet
they all were in the living-room. But as she crossed the threshold,
a pair of arms seized her and swung her into the air.

"Oh, papa, papa," she whispered, cuddling her face against his, "how
glad I am to see you."

He marched with her over to the light.

"Well, little shop-keeper," he said after a long pause in which he
studied her keenly, "you're beginning to look like a real live
girl." He dropped her gently to her feet. "Now show me your shop."

CHAPTER V: PRIMROSE COURT

But during that first two weeks a continual rush of business made
long days for Maida. All the children in the neighborhood were
curious to see the place. It had been dark and dingy as long as they
could remember. Now it was always bright and pretty--always sweet
with the perfume of flowers, always gay with the music of birds. But
more, the children wanted to see the lame little girl who "tended
store," who seemed to try so hard to please her customers and who
was so affectionate and respectful with the old, old lady whom she
called "Granny."

At noon and night the bell sounded a continuous tinkle.