ed up Mary
Rose's arm for the nut she held between her lips and Grandma Johnson
lured another to her shoulder.

"Aren't they ducks?" Mary Rose demanded. A red poppy blossomed in each
of her cheeks and her eyes were lit with candles. "I do believe the
Lord sent them here to be pets for people who live in houses where
there's a law against dogs and cats and children. I think it was--it
was wonderful in Him! Don't you? Shall we come every day and feed
them? Then they'll really get acquainted with us and we'll be friends.
Oh, I'm so glad that I know you--that we know each other!" She threw
her arms around the startled Grandma Johnson and gave her another hug.

They met Mrs. Schuneman on the steps when they went home and Mary Rose
had to stop and tell her the wonderful news, that the Lord had put pets
in the park for people who couldn't have them in their homes. She
introduced Grandma Johnson and Mrs. Schuneman, who had looked at each
other furtively when they had met in the halls but who had never spoken
until now.

"It's just as well not to make friends with the people who live in the
same apartment house you do," young Mrs. Johnson had told Grandma when
she came to make her home with her son. "You can't tell who they are."

"You can tell they are human beings," Mother Johnson had muttered but
that was not enough for her daughter-in-law and the older woman had
been too depressed by the strangeness of everything about her to make
friends for herself.

She even hesitated now when Mary Rose's inquiry after the health of
Germania brought an invitation to step in and see how much at home
Germania was. But in Mary Rose's opinion one could not refuse such an
invitation and she drew Grandma Johnson in to admire and to exclaim
over Germania, who did seem very contented. They had a very pleasant
little visit and Mrs. Schuneman eagerly asked them both to come again.
Mother Johnson gathered courage to say she would, she'd be glad to.

"Haven't we had a gorgeous time?" Mary Rose asked as they went up the
stairs. "I think it's very kind of you to let me go walking with you.
I'm so glad the doctor said you needed exercise."

And Grandma Johnson smiled and patted the small shoulder. There was
not a trace of the old peevishness on her face which was like a
withered apple. "I don't know but I'm glad, too, Mary Rose. I'll see
you tomorrow."

"You certainly will. Won't the squirrels be glad to see us? Good-by."
She